Do you like the look and feel of vintage jewelry? I sure do. Do you know that shopping for these items at thrift stores is fun, and I love a hunt for beautiful, and unique jewelry....at bargain prices.  When looking for these items it is best to start at a good Antique Shop that specializes in SW silver jewelry. Why, because you can become educated...by carefully looking at pieces, looking at the marks and the differences in items. The prices are an idea of the dealers estimate of value. Go to several shops and learn from each. Look online, but I don't buy items, I have been misled by photos.

I have found and purchased these two vintage bracelet's at thrift stores since the beginning of 2015. I am particular, and only select the special things that I will enjoy wearing. I found the sunflower bracelet just on Tuesday.... Happy Valentines Day to me.

Orange! Bracelet!

I got this vintage orange bracelet at the antique faire on Sept 7th. The guy who had this booth has a true junk store in Harrisburg Oregon. His store is so filled with stuff....that it is almost impossible to move around and look at his stuff. He never prices anything, and that is frustrating for me. This is a fun piece of jewelry from about 1970, in great shape. It fit my wrist and I wanted it cheap....so, I paid $10 bucks for it. A fair price I think, although it doesn't have a makers mark on it. A well made item...might be $20 at a shop. 

Vintage Cameo Love

This cameo is an example of very well done carving on shell. It is probably from Italy. Italy is well known for the expert carvers. The detail is exquisite.

This vintage cameo is also a hand carved item. The origin probably Italy. I think that it is a newer item, judging from the hairstyle. This one may have been personal, a likeness of the purchaser.

I have 3 vintage shell cameos, all from Italy. I really love the beauty and romance of this jewelry. These brooches are also convertible into pendants. The settings may be gold or sterling silver.

I recently found one at a thrift store locally. It is about 1 1/4" by 1". The carving is nice with an old tarnished gold mounting. I think that it will be fun to wear when I am feeling in a romantic mood. 

The funny thing is that these can be purchased for less than new jewelry. My recommendation is that you check the mounting, and make certain it is real. The best way to learn...is to look at the good ones in a antique store. 

Jewelry Making with Clay

Via Brave Girls Art School

I am having so much fun doing this online class. The jewelry class has several projects. Yesterday I played with clay and some old metal cuffs and bracelets that I found for this purpose. The great directions from the class videos and the tools for stamping the clay made this a fun, fun, fun, project. Check out the class at Brave Girls Club. The class is closed at this time, however, keep it in mind...there will be another one in the spring.

Crafting with Old Bracelets

I found this idea online. She took an old metal bracelet and spray painted it Turquoise. This remade bracelet styled with the coral colored beads is fun and funky. I have something to make over. I have several colors of spray paint that I can use. I think that a long necklace of beads can be restrung on elastic for the other bracelets. The metal cuff shown below is covered with Mod Podge with a stamped vintage book page. I am thinking about layering several layers on a metal cuff, fabric, lace, old findings, stamped paper, and other odds and ends. Sounds crazy? Well, I am still working on the idea...........not formed in my head yet. However, I do have a color theme idea. Green and Yellow, for my school, University of Oregon, the Ducks. I will use the school colors, but in a sophisticated adult way... a funky, vintage, unique, and lovely way. 

                                                                                                      

Making Fabulous Jewelry?

I am thinking about making my own jewelry.  I have seen such wonderful and creative things made by crafty women. I have started collecting some old jewelry items at the second hand stores and garage sales...real cheap. I just don't want to buy expensive things at the craft store for starting out and practice. I have a small shoe box full now, I guess it is time to get inspired. I need to just start. These photos are very pretty... and just the things that I like.


I also like to go to the outlet stores about 2 times a year.  2 days ago I did just that, and stopped at the Fossil Store. They had bunches of nice handbags, and tons of watches. There were also several jewelry displays. I found 2 really nice necklaces (that I loved) at 80% off retail, I know that I could never make these for that price (jewelry stuff is so expensive). So..maybe crafting jewelry is just a silly idea.