SUMTER, S.C. — Combining history with jewelry is a passion that’s earning one Sumter woman national attention. A necklace she created has earned first place in the American Heritage Beaded Jewelry Contest.
"This was an old plate," Amy Vaughn shows me. "What I see is an earring."
Vaughn spends her free time digging up old artifacts and giving them new life as earrings, necklaces and bracelets, combining her passions for jewelry and history.
"I put the two together and creativity just comes out," she explains.
In pieces like her latest red, white and blue necklace, which she calls the 'Fireworks from 1812.'
"The glass was from a bottle from the early 1800s. The white piece, rhinestones, I got an estate sale. That represents the fireworks. And then the button is actually a button from the war of 1812," Vaughn says.
It’s inspired by the star spangled banner, when poet Francis Scott Key wrote about the flag.
"It still gives me chills to even think about what he saw the morning after — seeing our flag still standing…like it gives me chills," Vaughn shudders.
Her most recent project is earning her national recognition after she submitted this necklace to the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) contest. The group is a women’s service organization that educates about American history.
"Because it's really important that we don't forget where we came from," Vice Regent of Sumter's DAR chapter.
When she found out Vaughn won the contest, Roof tells me she was proud — and impressed.
"I mean, it’s a national award that's you know, you winning something local is nice, but winning something national is even better," Roof shares.
As for Vaughn’s reaction…
"I don't know if I can say that on TV," she laughs.
But her excitement shines.
"I won! I won! I won! It’s like winning the lottery, I was so excited," Vaughn exclaims. "It's like winning the Oscars."
Vaughn will be headed to Washington, DC in July for an award ceremony, and her necklace will be on display during the group’s Continental Congress.