Hobby Hoarder; Jewelry Designer

Betsy Siber turns Vintage postage stamps into jewelry

By Alysse Dalessandro
Published: February 21st, 2010 | 8:45pm

Betsy Siber is a Chicago-based accessories designer who built her aesthetic around her inability to let go of stuff. A self-proclaimed hoarder, Siber incorporates vintage postage stamps into her jewelry line, available on Etsy at Foxglove Accessories. And you won't find any bland Liberty Bell stamps here: She uses colorful vintage collectibles hailing from countries like Brazil, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Sweden.

Siber majored in photography at Columbia College and only took one class in jewelry design. She never expected to be making accessories, although she knew that she wanted to be an artist by the time she was in fifth grade. While she says photography is a handy skill, she likes the functionality of jewelry. “Sometimes with art, it goes on someone’s wall, and hopefully they appreciate it; with jewelry it just sort of blends into people’s everyday lives. Everyone loves jewelry—you don’t have to be an art lover or a critic,” Siber says.

Her career started when she found a box of stamps that her dad had given her. She knew she wanted to create something from them and decided to make a pair of earrings. From the stamps, paper, and packing tape, Siber made her own beads and strung them together. Three years later, the same tear drop stamp earrings are still one of Siber’s bestsellers (with an upgrade from packing tape to acid free adhesive materials).

Siber's collection now includes necklaces, bracelets, rings, and cufflinks in addition to earrings. Every piece is handmade; Siber calls herself a “human production line.” She starts with some simple soldering to sterling silver bezel cups. Next, she turns stamps into stickers and uses circle punches to create shapes. Finally, she covers the pieces in resin—a process she describes as nasty. “I have to wear a respirator and vacate the premises for a while,” she says.

When it comes to designs, Siber says there are “few other irons in the fire,” but she plans on sticking with the postage stamp line for now. “I love picking out the stamps and cutting out just the right section from them,” she says, adding, “And I like giving customers the nostalgia that comes from recycled materials. I actually tell people which country and decade each piece of jewelry is from."

Siber’s hobby of hoarding has turned her not only into a designer, but also into a small business owner. She says she can't ever imagine selling Foxglove Accessories. “I'd like to grow my business as much as possible while still designing each piece of jewerly, from start to finish, myself," she explains.

Silber has been active on Etsy since its early days, but sees the site as a marketing tool as much as a selling tool. “Shows like Renegade [Craft Fair] are probably the most obvious way to connect with people. I’m seeing their faces, shaking their hands, putting a necklace on someone,” she says. “Etsy’s a stepping stone. I definitely enjoy the personal connections more.”

Passionate about the DIY movement, Siber cannot see herself working in any other industry. And it’s a good thing—what else would she do with all those stamps?