One Man's Journey

Anyone who knows me knows I love jewelry. I have loved jewelry since before I could talk. Some jewelry is sparkly, some dangly, some slinky...but some jewelry exudes another quality that is all together timeless. It SPEAKS to you. Maybe it doesn't jump up and say "Hi!" (though I have plenty of jewelry jump up and say "BUY ME, BUY ME!", but you can almost hear some pieces calling your name.

The bracelet I have selected to talk about today is one of those pieces. I came across this hinged clamper-style bracelet several years ago. I remember doing a little research at the time and not being able to find out much about it, so I put it away, thinking I would get it back out in a few years. Imagine my SURPRISE when I saw an identical bracelet show up as "SOLD" on Ruby Plaza one day.

I immediately pulled my bracelet out and began doing some more intensive research. This bracelet is rare. It is made of a base-metal and finished in silver-tone. It depicts the life of Jesus Christ as he journeyed to the cross. There are 7 numbered scenes, each one very detailed.

I have always been and continue to be amazed by the amount of detail that one can find in certain pieces of vintage costume jewelry! The detail of the Roman soldier poking Jesus in the side with a spear to make sure he was dead as he hung on the cross is stunning.

The final depiction is of Mary, Joesph and Jesus. What a poignant religious collectible, and extremely rare as well! This bracelet is currently for sale in my shop "Baubles & Beads & Books...Oh My!" Won't you come visit a bit?

Hope you are enjoying Vintage Thingy Thursday! Please join the Coloradolady for more VTT posts!

Just Love This Song....

This song came on the radio over the weekend while Darby and I were driving through the Virginia mountains. I was immediately transported back to my college days. I'm not sure why I don't remember hearing this song before I was in college - it was originally released in 1975. Since I remember all other songs from my first year of my life, I am just not sure why this one didn't stick....kidding! I DO remember that when I heard it in college, it resonated with me. Back then, one of my favorite lines was: "Well I've been afraid of changes, cause I've built my life around you." Maybe I had broken up with a boyfriend at that time??? These days, my favorite verse is: "Can I sail through the changing ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life?" It seems my life is full of change these days. Some good, some great, some just OK. Enjoy the song - stay cool this week - and sail on through!

Blessings, Laura

Tweet, Tweet!

Kearney - July 2010

I have taken the plunge. Jumped off the proverbial cliff. Dived headfirst into...TWITTER. Yipes! I can't see myself tweeting that I am at the grocery buying lettuce. Or that the person in front of me can't drive. But I CAN see myself tweeting about vintage stuff. What's selling? What's hot? New finds! Sales in my shops! Trends in the current fashion world (that would be pearls, crystals and lace, in case you were wondering...). So come follow me on Twitter. I promise you won't hear about my grocery list. (bread, goldfish, cheese, string beans, an onion...blah...blah....blah....)

TWITTER ID: baublesbeads (clickable)

Music of the Night

These days I find myself working on my business quite a bit...at night...at midnight....

A song that always flits through my head hails from the famous Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical, "Phantom of the Opera." The lyrics followed by a beautiful performance. Enjoy your midnight retreat!

"Nightime sharpens, heightens each sensation

Darkness stirs, and wakes imagination

Silently the senses abandon their defenses

Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor

Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender

Turn your face away from the garish light of day

Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light

And listen to the music of the night...." - Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Richard Stilgoe, Charles Hart

Soñando de España....Dreaming of Spain!

Umbrella with Dangling Faux Pearl ($22)

I listed 15 (yes, 15) pieces of jewelry marked "Spain" in my online shop "Baubles & Beads & Books" today. I have been buying these pieces for the past several years - they simply appealed to me. The colors, patterns, figurals...lots of fun! These jewelry pieces are made to look like Damascene jewelry, and many dealers accidentally label them as genuine Damascene, when in fact, the vast majority of these pieces are correctly termed "Damascene-Style."

Parasol ($25)

Genuine Damascene jewelry is actually an ancient art form which dates back to the middle ages and was used by the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks, becoming popular in the 15th Century in Europe.

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Mouse with Swirled Glass Cabochon Belly ($22)

Genuine Damascene jewelry is made with genuine gold and silver wire inlaid into non-precious metal, and then the grooves are blackened in. This process was not only time consuming but costly, so alternatives were developed. Spain began mass-producing jewelry that was made from a piece of stamped metal, and then the raised areas were re-finished in either silver or gold-tone, while the flatter surfaces were finished in black.

Fabulous Dangle Earrings ($17)

Colorful accents can also be found on these items. I have run across a few items with original tags that proclaim they are electroplated in 24k gold - I daresay this doesn't affect the value. It pays to know whether the jewelry you are considering is genuine or costume. Costume is jewelry is great...I LOVE costume jewelry...but I wouldn't want to pay genuine jewelry prices for non-genuine jewelry...and wouldn't want you to either.

Sailboat with Billowed Sail and Lady with Parasol ($20)

Hope the article was helpful and that you enjoy the pictures!

**Most pieces pictured here are Circa 1960's**