Who Am I?

Well, I guess I could get very existential on the topic, or even wax poetic, but I'll just stick to a few basics.

I've been interested in costume jewelry since I was little girl. My mother worked for a large jewelry company as an enameler. When they would do their inventory, they would dispose of flawed stones of all types. She would bring those stones home and put them in her jewelry box, where I would find them and play with them.

Of course, that box was full of all kinds of other jewelry too. I remember large Trifari brooches, sparkling Judy Lee sets, blue Pell rhinestone brooches and rings - lots of rings. Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, turquoise... I could go on. My Mom loved rings more than any other type of jewelry. I'm sure that many people have similar memories of the magical items in their Mom's jewelry box.

Ever since those days I've been fascinated with costume jewelry. I've been collecting for years and continue to refine my collection. I support my passion by buying and selling at antique malls, garage sales, flea markets and the internet.

I'd love to hear other stories of how people got interested in costume jewelry.