Today we’d like to introduce you to Carol Wagner.
Hi Carol, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been collecting antique and vintage jewelry for over 40 years, and discovered my earliest fine pieces at Portobello Road Market in London. That experience sparked my lasting appreciation for Georgian and Victorian design.
I was especially drawn to pocket watch chains, brooches and pendants, often combining and restyling them into necklaces reflecting my own aesthetic. Over time, friends began asking to purchase pieces I was wearing, and what started organically grew into a small, thoughtfully curated business about 10 years ago.
I source inventory and parts from antique shows, jewelry auctions and a variety of dealers throughout the world who have grown to become trusted friends. I carry necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, cufflinks and a few unusual trinkets from earlier times — really whatever strikes my fancy.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The most rewarding part of all of this is creating in my studio—that’s where the real joy happens.
The challenges, though, are plenty. Even after 20 years in marketing, this feels like an entirely new landscape to navigate. Social media, influencers, hashtags (are those even still a thing?)—it’s constantly evolving.
My margins are intentionally modest, which makes traditional brick-and-mortar retail partnerships next to impossible. Though I do maintain a website, I sell primarily through pop-up and trunk shows across Texas—a model that keeps me closely connected to my clients, but also requires a constant, hands-on hustle.
Figuring out how to truly connect with new audiences in today’s environment is the biggest learning curve– in that sense alone, it would be good to be 20 years younger. But I am giving it my best.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What truly sets Prized Bits & Pieces apart from most antique jewelry is my approach to reinvention. I thoughtfully combine antique and vintage elements to create “new” pieces from old parts—honoring their history while giving them fresh life. Each design is a one-of-a-kind composition, rooted in the past and reimagined for today.
I’m drawn to jewelry from the Georgian through Victorian eras (1714–1901), where every piece was handmade, intricately crafted and beautifully designed. These works have stood the test of centuries, and they continue to endure.
Clients return because they trust my eye—an instinct for thoughtful designs and exceptionally made pieces that feel both rare and wearable. Items I curate suggest a story, and I love sharing those stories with the people who carry them forward.
One of the most fascinating aspects of antique jewelry is its deeply personal history. For example, many pieces from these periods were created using human hair—woven into intricate designs as memorials or keepsakes for loved ones. These range from delicate lockets and pocket watch chains to elaborate framed wreaths composed of hair from multiple family members. While solid gold and gold-filled pieces are the foundation of my collection, I always include a small selection of these hair works as a meaningful reflection of the era’s sentiment and craftsmanship.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Do what brings you joy—if you can make a living doing it. Also, collaborate, connect and ask for advice.
I seek advice constantly from people a generation younger than me. They understand today’s digital world in a way I didn’t grow up with, and that insight is very helpful. The landscape of social media, platforms and algorithms constantly evolves and that generation can keep up better than I.
Building a small business takes time and persistence. That’s where community matters most. I am friends with other antique and vintage jewelry sellers and we genuinely support each other. In Austin, I’ve found that “competition” doesn’t have to mean adversary. Other dealers are my cheerleaders, and I am theirs. We all do better when we help each other.
I also pay close attention to the numbers. I enjoy digging into analytics—purchase patterns, traffic, email engagement and social response. It’s not always clear-cut but there’s real insight there if you’re willing to look at analytics the platforms you use provide. Those insights make you sharper and more intentional as you grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://prizedbits.com
- Instagram: @prizedbitsandpieces.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=prized%20bits%20%26%20pieces
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-wagner-2025374/?enhance=null
