The phrase "wearable art" gets tossed around ad nauseam, and rarely does the description measure up to the goods—but we promise it does in the case of Dirty Librarian Chains, a Brooklyn-based jewelry line known for transforming one man's junk into beautifully unique treasures.

Susan Domelsmith works like an architect in miniature to create intricately draped, twisted, tangled, knotted, one-of-a-kind designs out of 85 percent vintage material. Frustrated by the lack of jewelry on the market that reflected her personal style—"edgy, understated and yet slightly askew"—the Austin-native began crafting her own necklaces by slicing, dicing, and reworking vintage chains and charms she bought dead-stock or at second-hand shops. Her coworkers at trendy Texas boutique FactoryPeople took notice when she came to work donning her handmade jewels, and soon began stocking her merch; from there, Dirty Librarian Chains took off with a celebrity fan base that now includes Debbie Harry, Kate Hudson, Peaches, and Ladytron.

Domelsmith works primarily with gold and silver-plated chains, adding quirky details like tassels, leaf charms and chunky '60s beads. From delicate, dainty and understated to big, chunky and bold—and with endearingly nerdy names ("Card Catalog," "Database", "Reference")—each dirty librarian chain is versatile enough to tickle anyone's fancy (including green gals, since most of Domelsmith's materials are recycled). Nowhere is this more evident than in her assortment of earrings and rings made entirely out of tossed out necklace clasps.

Like small-scale sculptures, reworked chains are meticulously composed to drape, layer and balance ever-so-artfully on the neck, yet still possess a casual, gritty feel. Case in point: we can envision the dainty "Memoir" necklace as easily with a frilly, feminine summer dress as we can with an oversized tee and leggings at our local dive. Don Dirty Librarian Chains if you're looking for something equal parts gorgeous and cool—not to mention, cheeky. When admirers ask me who makes my "Publication" necklace, I blush.

Dirty Librarian Chains is available at Untitled, 2707 North Clark Street, (773) 404-9225.

- Kristi Garced

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