Shop Made in the Past
If you're shopping for someone who loves a little nostalgia, colorful accessories, or gifts that are definitely not something you'll find at every store, Shop Made in the Past deserves a spot on your holiday shopping list. Based in Monroe, Wisconsin, Shop Made in the Past is the creative work of thrifter, fashion blogger, and jewelry maker Hannah Rupp, who takes unusual thrifted toys, trinkets, and forgotten treasures and gives them a completely new life as fun, wearable accessories.
The result? One-of-a-kind pieces made for the weird, the nostalgic, and the color-obsessed.
🎄 Meet the Magic Behind the Business
Hannah Rupp is a Wisconsin-based thrifter and fashion blogger behind The Outfit Repeater, where she has long used fashion as a way to express herself and connect with others. Growing up in a small town that didn't necessarily prioritize fashion, Hannah didn't let that stop her from finding her own style. She began buying vintage clothing and expressing herself through fashion, eventually discovering a love for creating her own jewelry. As a teenager, Hannah started making jewelry, and she still has the very first pair of Barbie shoe earrings she ever created. She experimented with selling handmade creations on Etsy in her early 20s before taking an extended break from the shop world. Eventually, her love for making jewelry brought her back. Today, Shop Made in the Past has been in business for about a year and a half, giving Hannah a place to combine her love of thrifting, fashion, nostalgia, and creativity while helping others express themselves in a more sustainable way.
✨ Making Spirits Bright
What makes Shop Made in the Past so unique is the way Hannah sees potential in things other people might overlook.
Her creations are made using thrifted toys, trinkets, and other unusual finds that get a second life as jewelry and accessories. In some cases, she even finds little objects on the curb and sees a future pair of earrings where someone else might simply see trash.
Sustainability is always top of mind, and Hannah takes her upcycling philosophy seriously. Almost everything she uses is thrifted, right down to the scissors she uses to make her own product tags. Her creative inspiration comes from the bold and playful style of the 1980s, along with icons like Cyndi Lauper and Pee-wee Herman. That influence shines through in her colorful, nostalgic, and wonderfully unexpected designs. These are accessories with personality. They're designed for people who aren't afraid to stand out and want the things they wear to say a little something about who they are.
🎁 Gifts Santa Would Approve
One of Hannah's go-to holiday gift recommendations is her collection of keychains, and they're a fun option for just about anyone. She currently offers two different styles, including keychains made from fast-food toys that might bring back some serious '90s memories, as well as her "junk keychains," which combine a quirky jumble of trinkets into a fun accessory for a purse, backpack, or bag. Because there is so much variety, Hannah believes there is truly something for everyone. Her nostalgic designs are especially popular with millennials who recognize some of the toys and objects from their childhood, while teens and young adults can enjoy using them to personalize their own style. They're small, affordable, fun, and definitely the kind of gift that can make someone say, "Where did you get that?"
❤️ Gift-Worthy Favorites
Hannah has a particular soft spot for using plastic toy fruit in her jewelry designs, especially as earrings. They're colorful, playful, and impossible to overlook, making them a perfect example of what makes Shop Made in the Past so much fun. Instead of taking a traditional approach to jewelry, Hannah transforms unexpected objects into statement pieces that let the wearer show off their personality. And if you're shopping for someone who loves nostalgia, her keychains are another great choice. Whether it's a familiar '90s toy or a quirky collection of random trinkets, these little accessories can add a fun personal touch to a bag or backpack. Hannah has also recently acquired a huge collection of unique vintage beads, so shoppers can look forward to seeing those treasures transformed into new designs. She's also hoping to continue expanding her creative skills with clay, UV resin, and yarn.
🛷 Where to Find the Holiday Goodies
You can shop Shop Made in the Past online, and Hannah's creations can also be found at three different businesses around Monroe, Wisconsin, with plans to continue expanding into additional storefronts. Her long-term goal is to collaborate with a celebrity someday, and she's already had a fun brush with that dream. One of her disco ball headbands was recently purchased by someone who wore it to a Harry Styles concert. Hannah is hoping maybe it caught his eye! For now, she's continuing to grow her collection, explore new materials, and create pieces for people who love their style a little weird, nostalgic, and colorful.
Shop Made in the Past: https://www.etsy.com/shop/shopmadeinthepast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopmadeinthepast
Every purchase from Shop Made in the Past means a lot to Hannah, especially when she sees someone proudly wearing one of her creations. Her work is a reminder that something doesn't have to be brand new to become something wonderful. Sometimes, the best gifts are the ones with a little history, a little personality, and a whole lot of weirdness.
🎄 Shop Small This Holiday Season & Give a Gift With Meaning 🎁
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