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Hey


http://www.thehoroscope.date/locate.php?rtpe=NKQ13301




Laura Orcutt

If you have found this page - I invite you to join me on Facebook at Lady and Librarian, or join my VIP Facebook Group: Lady and Librarian Exclusive Collection. I currently have shops on both Etsy and eBay, both under Lady and Librarian, and both will come up with a quick Google search. I offer a large selection of vintage cufflinks and jewelry on Etsy, and some wonderful contemporary pieces on eBay. I may blog again one day, I may not - but I am active on Facebook and Instagram (@ladyandlibrarian).
                                         WWW.LADYANDLIBRARIAN.COM

European History Re-Visited

Darby and I recently began watching Season 1 of "The Tudors."

From Wikipedia: The Tudors is a Canadian-produced historical fiction television series filmed in Ireland, created by Michael Hirst and produced for the American premiumive mforg cable television channel Showtime. The series, named after the Tudor dynasty, is loosely based upon the reign of King Henry VIII of England. (taken from Wikipedia).

Let me just say that I REALLY like the show. First, it is full of incredible costumes and jewelry. Since I adore those types of things, watching them come to life (so to speak) hasn't been a hardship. Second, the actors are quite, er....fetching. No wonder the Ladies in Waiting had a swooning problem.  Third, the plot is captivating. Usually, when I am faced with nothing to do other than watch TV, I tend to multi-task. I work on jewelry, play on the internet (AKA Facebook and Pinterest), or even read a book. Not possible during this show. It DEMANDS my attention. And last, but certainly not least: I AM ACTUALLY LEARNING SOMETHING. Yes, I know the show is only based on reality, but I was curious enough to begin researching Henry VIII, Ann Bolelyn, etc....

I actually wondered why teachers don't use episodes from this or similar shows to encourage interest in studying. Of course, the "adult" scenes would have to be taken out, but wow - it would have made me more interested! I took Advanced European History in the 9th grade. I think I made an "A", maybe a "B" - but it was boring. The lectures were boring. I memorized information for tests and then forgot it. Evidence of this issue became glaringly apparent last evening as we watched an episode in which the King orders all books by Martin Luther be burned. (please note that this show takes place around the 1500's...)

CONVERSATION WITH DARBY (and no - I wasn't paying attention at the particular moment the King ordered the books burned, so hence my question...)

 Me: "Whose works are they burning?"
Darby: "Martin Luther."
<<>>
Me, with shock in my voice: "Martin Luther KING?!?!"
Darby: "DID YOU PASS EUROPEAN HISTORY???"
Me: "I TOOK THAT CLASS LIKE 25 YEARS AGO!!"

Let me point out that I am perfectly aware that MLK did not live in England in the 1500's. But my frame of reference for the name "Martin Luther" just didn't go back to the time of Henry VIII. And if I had actually LEARNED European History, instead of just memorizing info for tests, my first thought wouldn't have been: "Why are they burning MLK's works on this show when it is supposed to be in the 1500's and MLK wasn't even born???"

I recommend the show. But don't try to multi-task!!

Knock Knock Knock!

Yep, may as well come on in!

Have a great day yall!

Antique Buying Trips

I love my job. Most of the time. I love to go on buying trips: dig thru boxes, gaze at glassed-in displays of sparklies, talk to random dealers at flea markets, antique stores and shows and hear their stories. We talk about our "best finds", or the "one that got away." Sometimes we bemoan the current state of the economy and its affect on our businesses. But antiquing, whether for collection purposes, re-selling, or both (as is my case), should be fun and filled with unusual, fun objects. And creepy objects. With those adjectives in mind (beautiful, fun and creepy), I present my favorite photographs from some of our buying trips in 2011.

 Let's start with the photo to our immediate left. According to the tag, it is an 1800's Bleeder. "In Leather Box." DUDE. I totally understand that these items are a representation of just how far modern medicine has come, and would be highly collectible to some people, but I just can't see wanting a BLEEDER. Yeeeeech. But wait - it's in its leather box. THAT MAKES IT COOL. Yep.

The chicken pictured to the right will remain forever engraved upon my mind, my heart and my soul. Before anyone thinks I am waxing poetic ABOUT A CHICKEN, let me tell you why I am forever bonded with this chicken. We were "somewhere up Nawth" on one of our buying trips. I was admiring the scenery (cause truly, the countryside in New England is outstanding and always makes me want to move to a farm and raise pigs. Not really, but anyway.)From the road I see a chicken (and yes, I am from the South where stereotypically, you see A LOT of chickens in peoples yards, but this chicken was....DIFFFERENT.) I made Darby pull over so I could take a picture. At this point I have all ready made 2 mistakes: pulling up in someone's driveway in the country, and getting out of the car in my cute shoes to take a picture of a CHICKEN. I approach the chicken and am thrilled that he is letting me get this close. Unfortunately for me, this was apparently someone's GUARD CHICKEN, and right after I snapped this photo, he puffed up, opened his beak and hurtled straight towards me. I realized quickly that this Yankee Chicken DID NOT appreciate the Southern Belle amateur photographer snapping his photo without asking, so I let out a high-pitched screech and started running to the car with this pissed off chicken literally at my heels. My dear husband is laughing so hard he can't speak, so of course I start laughing as well while yelling; "Floor it - let's GO!" - because I had visions of this chicken taking off and attacking our car. As we backed up, a man opened the door of what I thought was an abandoned building, glares at me, sits down on his steps and CALLS THE CHICKEN. And then pets the chicken while looking at me all suspiciously - like I had harmed his guard chicken. I was mortified to have been busted, not just by the chicken, but by the chicken's owner. I have a new respect for pissed off chickens. AMEN.

After an intense morning of buying jewelry and tiny, fabulous treasures, I decided I needed a drink. Let me point out 2 things: 1) I do not drink much at all - maybe one drink every other month at best. I just don't like the way it tastes and I do not want the calories. 2) When I do have a drink, I really prefer a margarita, on the rocks, light on the tequila and extra extra salt, thankyouverymuch. I had not eaten breakfast that morning, and seeing as how I have NO tolerance for alcohol, my yummy little margarita inspired me to post a nice little status update on Facebook in which I proclaimed I was "drinkin' and 'tiquin." (Drinking and Antiquing). Which turned out to be a very popular status update, with lots of friends saying they wanted to go "drinkin' and 'tiquin" - and I thought - WOW - wouldn't that be GREAT for business? A bunch of tipsy adults buying their way thru antique malls. Cha-ching!

This little beauty to my left nearly gave me a heart attack and caused me to jump backwards, almost landing in a big, glass display case and purchasing thousands of dollars of unintended merchandise. I was innocently digging thru an old wardrobe stuffed to the gills with scarves, purses and the occasional piece of jewelry. Let it be known that we antique dealers all have a common disorder: we cannot pass by a stuffed box or wardrobe without HAVING to dig thru it. Cause seriously - we think we're gonna find a gold bar at the bottom. But me? Noooooo.....I get to find a creepy-eyed doll head without her body. And she's frowning at me. After realizing I had not, indeed, stepped into a scene from a scary movie (choose your favorite), I calmed down, took Creepy's photo, and got the heck outta there. Without a treasure.

HERE'S TO A FANTASTIC 2012

DIGGING FOR TREASURES!!

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had a marvelous Holiday season. Marvelous. I like that word. I think I'll start using it more often....cause that would just be...marvelous. Dahling.  We had a bit of a non-Christmassy-feeling Christmas. We tried...so...so...so hard to create that Christmas spirit; you know, the magical, joyous feeling you used to get before you had to grow up. I decorated our house by the 1st of December. 5 indoor trees and 2 lit pieces outside. Got out the Christmas tree cookie jar. Put my little Anna Lee Christmas mouse in my kitchen. Our son, Cameron, was totally stoked about Christmas this year...he would have been excited if the only tree used was the multi-colored lights little tree that went into his playroom.

He gets it this year...Santa Claus, the manger and baby Jesus were recurring conversations in our home. I smiled, and laughed and participated, but felt empty inside. How is Christmas magical when it boils down to conversations with relatives over the "spending limit" for each other? You may as well write each other a check for the same amount and call it even. ??? I just don't get it. I think I'd rather live in a little cottage, out in the woods (where we might have a chance of snow....), have a couple of big, happy dogs, a warm crackling fire and a truly old-fashioned (and perhaps, a little fairy-tale-ish, but hey...) Christmas. I want that sparkly Christmas feeling again. Sorry this is a down post, but it was a down Christmas. I WILL say that Cameron was thrilled with his gifts this year...he is really into Disney's "Cars" and their characters. he specifically wanted "Lightning McQueen Folks" and the super duper "Spy Plane." Glad Santa tracked us down and delivered those special items!

I did make a few New Year's Resolutions: 1) take better care of ME. 2) Have another Baby. (HELLO!) 3) Continue transforming my house into a HOME. There is a difference. 4) Read more. 5) Drink more water - which really means drink no more diet drinks. 6) Grow my business in 2012. 7) RELAX.

So "CHEERS" to all yall out there....stay happy!

In Case You Were Wondering....

This is me. This is why I have not blogged since I decided to start blogging again after I quit blogging the first time. But I really, really plan to keep blogging. Really! Hope everyone is doing well and is having a wonderful holiday season! Cheers!!

Boy Toys

Must File Under:

"Things That Made Me Snort and/or Fall Off the Couch Laughing."

On the one hand, I appreciate knowing that my local McD's is out of boy toys (underlined) cause damn - I ALWAYS go to McD's looking for a boy toy. Seriously. At the drive thru. "Yes, I'd like a Filet-o-Fish combo meal with a boy toy. Oh and can you supersize that please???" LMAO. Hahahahaha.......have a great one.....

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaack!

I got a little distracted with life after my last post - but thats OK cause it's only been about 9 months. No, I didn't have a baby. So what happened? Well.....I got fed up one night while trying to choose a free background for this blog. The little idea of "you get what you pay for" ran thru my head - in this case, I was paying nothing, so my blog got...well, nothing. I wrote "Under Construction" as my title, signed out and promptly quit blogging. Till today. I recently discovered, and became obsessed with, "PINTEREST." Any of yall like Pinterest? It dawned on me, as I was searching for funny things to "pin", like this:

that quite a few of my pins would be excellent fodder for a blog. And wowee, I all ready HAVE a blog - it just needed a little TLC! (and a new, "simple" background and template that even I can figure out.) YAY!

Crackers, Popcorn and Chicken...Recipe for a Meltdown

Let me just say upfront that I have the sweetest little boy in the whole wide world. He is my heart. I looked in on him a few moments ago and he looks like such a little angel....fast asleep. The operative word there is "asleep." My sweet, easy to handle child morphed into, well, a 2 year old seemingly overnight. (I think 2 year old should be a four letter word). Cameron discovered the freedom that lay beyond the confines of his pack 'n' play while we were at the beach over New Years. The 1st night he crawled out and came upstairs after we put him to bed, we proceeded to everything you aren't supposed to do. We asked if he was hungry. We told him "no" in a firm voice. We put him back to bed. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. By now I am exasperated. My tone of voice became stressed (in toddler reasoning, this means we have succeeded in getting Mommy's attention!!!). So I put him back in bed...again....and made the quintissential mistake of laying down on the twin bed and watching him. We have a major staring contest and I find myself wondering who taught him the "I can go longer than you without blinking" game??? He begins to stand up in the pack 'n' play and I immediately say "No! Lay down!"...re-emphasizing that he has gotten my attention. I pretend to be asleep. (cause that always worked when we were kids, right??) Maybe if the thinks I am asleep he'll go to sleep. *sigh* Fast forward to Raleigh. Home sweet home....and ANOTHER bed to conquer. Our first night home we put him back in bed almost 10 times. Tonight was just as bad - worse, even, cause he also had a meltdown after we wouldn't let him have crackers and popcorn for dinner. Bad parents we are, we wanted him to eat chicken. (the cows would be proud!). But now he's asleep. And I had a meltdown on Facebook. And guess what? I am not alone. Apparently my toddler isn't the only one who like to test their boundaries. I am not the only mother who found herself sitting on the floor in the kitchen crying because her child wanted to eat crackers and then refused to go to sleep. Let me remember..."This too shall pass...."

Vintage Hat Fabulousness

The blue feather....sounds like a bar....
*****

WARNING: Not intended for viewers who don't like to laugh...at me. *GRIN*

I specialize in vintage jewelry. Seriously. But I cannot help myself when it comes to vintage hats. Some of them are SO over the top you just have to put them on your head - and then pose with a silly grin. People tell me all the time that I am too serious - well, NOT IN THIS POST! Yes, I did "strike a pose", try on some amazing vintage hats, and really - when I look back at these photos I must say I see a twinkle in my eyes. I HAD FUN. Enjoy!

Who knew wedding cakes looked good on your head?

Beehives re-interpreted.

Sometimes words just fail me.

Baby blue ostrich feathers and curly q's - really liked this one!

With this thought, I close....

"Few women have ever been able to resist the temptation to try on a hat and discover in the mirror a person they never suspected was there." - Unknown

Country Road Take Me Home....

So much has happened since my last post! I can't believe 2 months have flown by! Seems the older I get, the more true this becomes. I so wish I could slow my life down, but it seems someone pressed the "fast forward" button on my life about the time I turned 30 and it hasn't slowed down. Lately I have even begun wondering if life would seem more relaxed and liveable if Darby and I were to move to some teeny tiny town in the middle of some mountains.

With a stream running right through the center of town. And an old fashioned atmosphere where folks still speak to one another, and you have Fall Festivals and Oktoberfests and a good old fashioned Christmas celebration. Sure, we have a tree lighting and Christmas parade right here in Raleigh. But it somehow feels hollow to me. Surrounded by a bunch of people I don't know in the midst of a big downtown just doesn't do much for my holiday spirit. Maybe I am just a country girl at heart, though if push came to shove I am not sure I could actually live in a small town. I fear I have grown too accustomed to the conveniences of city living. But sometimes - when we are driving thru the VA mountains and we go thru a picturesque little mountain town with handmade signs for fresh apple cider, and people smile and wave at you, a little quiet part of my soul feels a very odd tug. How do you ever know if you are in the right place? It's a strange little mental cycle I go thru from time to time....usually triggered by a relaxing little drive thru the VA mountains. Hmmmm....

I AM A GERBIL

It's probably a very good thing that gerbils have tiny brains. Have you ever watched a gerbil go about his day to day activities? I mean, REALLY watched? Wake up. Twitch whiskers. Scurry left. Relieve oneself. Drink water while making water bottle clang clang clang against metal cage. Dart right. Twitch whiskers. Paw at alfafa hay. Munch on yummy gerbil food. Flop. Approach exercise wheel. Get in exercise wheel. Run like a bat outta hell. Run. Run, RUN RUN. Turn a flip. Pause. RUUUUUNNNNNN, Forrest Gerbil, RUN! Come to a screeching halt and realize you have gotten nowhere. Exit exercise wheel stage left. Repeat scenario over and over and over again...all day. And night. And the next day. And the next and the next and the next. *sigh*
This is me. Except I am not a gerbil. But I feel like one these days. Constantly running, and getting nowhere. Ever have a day or a week that feels like this? I am just trying to remember that this will pass. The laundry will get done, the house will get picked up. But in the meantime, I think I'll drink some water and twitch my whiskers. Oh, and is that an exercise wheel I see????

Blooming Brooch Bouquets

"Midnight in the Garden"

Raleigh's "Blooming Brooch Bouquets" Provides Vintage Jewelry Heirlooms

The newest trend in bouquets has brides going flowerless - and providing priceless heirlooms that will be passed along in their families for generations. Vintage jewlery dealers Laura Edwards Orcutt and Julie Anna Proctor of Blooming Brooch Bouquets in Raleigh, NC, saw the opportunity to combine their expertise in design with their passion for vintage costume jewelry and are crafting beautiful and lasting momentos from antique and vintage costume brooches.

"You Are My Sunshine"

The pair are already drawing attention from as far away as New York City, and are accepting commissions to create unique, custom-designed arrangements that may include jewelry from a mother, grandmother, or favorite aunt. "Green" advocates have further noted that these bouquets of recycled vintage jewlery are a sensible alternative to flowers that fade and die. "I love designing these brooch bouquets because each one is unique and a work or art, tailored to the individual bride, her colors, and her style," said Orcutt.

"One day I can imagine each customer having the pleasure of sharing her bouquet, and knowing that her daughter and granddaughter can carry it again in their own weddings," said Proctor.

"Forget Me Not"

Blooming Brooch Bouquets may be viewed locally at The Antiques Emporium in Cameron Village, or online at either http://www.rubyplaza.com/shops/baublesbeadsbooks (search "bouquet") or http://www.montecristosjewelry.com/showcase/blooming-brooch-bouquets.
For more information about Blooming Brooch Bouquets, photo permissions, or to schedule an interview with the designers, please contact Laura or Julie via the above listed websites.

For more fun "Vintage Thingies", please visit The Coloradolady. Happy VTT!

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.

.

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**

Anna Nalick - Breathe (2AM)

This song is such a reminder to relax...take a breath...realize that life is short and you can't go backwards...learn from the past and move forward...let things go....breathe.