The Keys To Fashion

By Jeffrey Ressner

Personal computers made typewriters obsolete, but some literary-minded artisans have found new ways to recycle those old Smith-Coronas. Vintage manual-typewriter keys are now being used to fashion all sorts of kitschy accessories, ranging from cuff links to watches. During the past few months, bracelets, earrings and other typewriter trinkets geared toward women have become hot sellers. "They blew out of our store over Christmas," says Carol Tantau, owner of the Just Tantau boutique in Venice, Calif. Online, these unusual pieces can be found at UncommonGoods.com or StrokeOfArt.com Or you can root around in your parents' garage and try tapping them out yourself. --By Jeffrey Ressner