Libby Hodgkins is a lifelong collector who fell in love with charms and vintage jewelry as a child. After earning her BFA in Jewelry from SCAD in 2004, she spent a 15 year career designing fashion jewelry and hair accessories for brands like Express, White House Black Market, Chico’s, J.Jill, LOFT, American Eagle, and Lucky Brand. Charm jewelry was her side passion—until March 2024, when it became her full-time focus. We caught up with Libby in advance of her upcoming pop-up at Marmalade Savannah this weekend.
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is relaxed and rooted in comfort. I gravitate toward soft natural fibers, flowing silhouettes, and lightweight fabrics—think easy maxi dresses, worn-in sandals, and a big tote (usually Isabel Marant or Dragon Diffusion) filled with smaller bags of treasures. I love supporting women-owned and independent labels and I dress in a way that feels both effortless and intentional.
When did you fall in love with fashion (and/or jewelry)?
I fell in love with jewelry and fashion through the joy of storytelling and self-expression. As a kid, I spent weekends treasure hunting at thrift stores and yard sales with my mom, and I was endlessly fascinated by my Grammy’s jewelry box—each piece felt like a tiny time capsule. After studying metalsmithing and art jewelry at SCAD, my career designing fashion jewelry allowed me to blend creativity with wearability. Now, I continue that path by sourcing meaningful charms that carry stories of their own.
Who are your favorite designers at Marmalade?
For jewels, I’m obsessed with Venessa Arizaga’s bold cowrie shell pieces—they’re beautifully made and make such a statement. I also can’t resist the beaded Staud bags at Marmalade; the craftsmanship is impeccable, and they’re just the right amount of cheeky.
What brought you back to Savannah to build the next chapter of Kind History?
My husband and I had been dreaming of relocating to the South for years—we were ready to trade in Rhode Island winters for something warmer. That dream became a reality when I was selected as SCAD’s Winter 2025 Alumni Atelier Ambassador, an incredible residency endowed by SCAD’s President Paula Wallace. It gave me the chance to explore Savannah as a creative home, offering the freedom to design without limits and see how my business might grow here. During the residency, I began connecting with women-owned businesses to collaborate on events, and I was blown away by how welcoming the city was. After the program ended, my husband Andrew, our cat Thelma, and I took a leap of faith and made Savannah our permanent home. I’m so thankful to SCAD for believing in me and to Marmalade for the continued collaboration and support—we always have such a great time at our events!
Tell us about your sourcing process — where are some of your favorite spots to go digging for Charms?
Kind History stands apart from other charm jewelry businesses because every piece is ethically sourced and thoughtfully repurposed. After witnessing firsthand the immense waste in the fashion jewelry industry, I set out to give discarded materials new life as meaningful, wearable treasures. I’ve partnered with jewelry factories in Rhode Island to purchase deadstock—pieces that were produced but never used—and I also salvage parts from broken or outdated jewelry. My sourcing adventures take me to antique shops, estate sales, and flea markets wherever I go, and treasure hunting has become a part of every trip I take. While I’m still discovering the best spots to source in the South, Rhode Island will always be a touchstone—once the costume jewelry capital of the world, it’s still full of hidden gems waiting to be reimagined
What trends do you find exciting in jewelry right now?
Shells and charms are definitely having a moment right now—and I’m loving every second of it! Shells are one of my most popular motifs, and “shell girl summer” is in full swing. I’ve been creating some special finished pieces for upcoming events, often pairing natural shells with pearls and soft neutrals. Real shells add beautiful texture and make charm jewelry feel layered, dimensional, and truly one-of-a-kind.
Shell Girl Summer
We admire the community you have built around Kind History through events and collaborations. Is there anything on the horizon for the late summer/fall that we should be excited about?
As I answer your questions, I’m about to hit the road for Mount Pleasant for an event—traveling is one of my favorite parts of this work! I’ll be back at Marmalade on July 18–19 (always such a fun time), and by the end of the month, I hope to be settling into my new permanent studio here in Savannah. The space is part of a new group of artist studios managed by Service Brewing Co. on Indian Street, created to support and elevate local artists. The studio will give me the opportunity to host custom design experiences and share my charm collection in a more personal, hands-on way. I’m also continuing to pop up in South Carolina and around Savannah, with exciting fall events planned at SCAD FASH in Atlanta, an invitation to jury an upcoming art festival, and more collaborations with some of my favorite local shops.
What is your favorite spot to get a drink in Savannah? Dinner?
Our favorite place to grab a drink is Service Brewing—my go-to is their Compass Rose IPA. Not only is the beer excellent, but their mission is even better: they donate a portion of sales to veterans' organizations. We love Sea Wolf on Tybee Island for hotdogs and cocktails (the best combo). Everything we’ve tried at Brochu’s has been incredible. And pizza night at Colleagues and Lovers- paired with a pitcher of martinis- is a truly unforgettable experience, you can really have yourself a time.
Any tips on sourcing vintage besides charm bar scores?
I absolutely love finding clothes and bags secondhand—it’s another passion of mine. There’s so much amazing stuff out there that already exists, and I try to steer clear of fast fashion and the waste it creates. Whether it’s Estate sales, The RealReal, Poshmark, or Madison and Fifth (a favorite local consignment shop), I’m always on the hunt for beautiful, lightly worn—or even new-with-tags—pieces at a fraction of the cost. It’s sustainable and leaves more money for jewelry—win-win!
A few prizes from recent treasure hunts:
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A vintage Bottega for $3
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Never worn (still in store) Isabel Marant sandals for $100
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An ancient coin in a gold setting that dates to 65 BC.
