To most young women, "vintage" means your grandmother's old jewelry box or a worn out pair of Levi's. To jewelry designer Jill Alberts, it has always represented a fashionable lifestyle and a world of creative possibilities. "Everything old is new again," says Alberts, "if you know how to make it work in your world." With a successful company under her belt, she decidedly knows how to make it work by designing modern day jewelry from pieces dating back from the elegant 1800's and the decadent art deco era through the fabulous '50's and '60's up to the glam '80's.

Alberts, an estate and flea market aficionado with an educated eye for historical value and signed pieces, has an exceptional talent for selecting unique one-of-a-kind treasures. Growing up, she played dress up in her grandmother's closet and did flea market and estate sales in high school with her mother before it was trendy. "I love going to fleas and antique shows," she says. "I am always inspired by pieces as well as the people I meet, and I have built a trusting long lasting relationship with my dealers." One couple from Texas, whom she is especially fond of, literally drove their truck with all their treasures to her home, unpacking cases and cases of merchandise that spread out all over her driveway and backyard. "We spent the entire day and evening together. It is one of my favorite memories," she muses.

Alberts discerningly collects everything from turn-of-the-century lockets, pendants, pins and shoe buckles to hand-painted spiritual Buddha's and Italian mosaic pieces from the 1800's, and possesses the rare ability to incorporate them into her modern urban lifestyle. For her signature collection, she uses pendants from all eras and revamps the total design to mesh with the latest trends. "If I feel a certain color is going to be outstanding for a season, it will be incorporated into the design's frame or chain, so that the vintage treasure will remain the centerpiece without looking dated," says Alberts. To this end, an antique bar pin might be hung from a delicate chain of rose quartz, 80's inspired gold mesh woven into a '20's style tassel necklace, or a glittery rhinestone brooch fastened on a pearl-strung choker. Paired with jeans or gown, the look becomes past meets present glamour.

Alberts' history is equally as colorful as the pieces she designs. As a senior in college, she went to Washington DC and worked in the US senate for Gary Hart, eventually working on his presidential campaign. She then went to U of I, Chicago on a teaching assistantship for grad studies in public policy analysis and taught American politics at Depaul University in Chicago for several years while working on her dissertation. Upon the birth of her daughter, she continued teaching but forwent her dissertation, and instead took jewelry making and design courses at a local studio in the city. "I began making jewelry as a hobby, but it really took off," says Alberts. "Boutiques I shopped in began asking for my designs, friends wanted pieces and so on." One fall about 4 years ago, a shopping trip to NY turned into a huge order from Henri Bendel and a fashion show. In her heart, Alberts knew she was destined to turn her hobby into a business, and from there the business blossomed.

Jill Alberts resides in Chicago, IL with her daughter and son.

The Jill Alberts collection can be found at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC; Twist, Seattle and Portland; Bebe's in Oklahoma; Helen Yi, Chicago and other fine boutiques nation wide.