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)