Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Street Car Nostalgia

I don't usually get all nostalgic about my jewelry.  But when I saw this piece in the thrift shop, it brought back a rush of warm memories of growing up in Chicago.

I may hate to admit it, but I'm old enough to remember when Chicago still had street cars.  I must have been very tiny, because I remember holding on to my grandmother's hand and taking the street car into the loop.  I wasn't yet attending school, so it was a lot of years ago.

I know the street cars disappeared shortly thereafter.  It's a shame that such an early and effective form of transportation disappeared from city streets throughout the nation.  Except, of course,  for San Francisco.

I'm honestly not really sure if this is an early street car or a cable car.  All I know it that it makes me miss the good old days.  Even though I never actually lived them! 

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Magical Crystals and Pearls

 What is it about crystals and pearls that makes them seem so magical.  Is it the fact that the process of making a beautiful pearl seems so mundane?  That pearls are created in dark and secret places from a bit of sand or debris? That powdered they are believed to heal?

Natural Crystal is also given magical and healing attributes.  Whether natural or man made, jewelry designers have been using both throughout the centuries for beautiful jewelry -- and perhaps for an bit of extra luck and health too.





 My eBay items
- qsell


Vtg Necklace Imitation Pearl w Cameo Chain Gold Tone


Vintage Crystal Demi Choker Clip Earrings Necklace


Pink White Choker Necklace Freshwater Pearls 5 Strands


Imitation Pearl Cuff Links Mens Vintage


Imitation Pearl Necklace Signed Japan Glass Vintage


Vintage Brooch Imitation Pearl Leaf Design Rhinestone


Imitation Pearl Brooch Signed TK Circle 12K G. F. Vtg


Two Strand Crystal Necklace Choker Clear Crystals New
Free Quick*Sell Gallery from ISDN*tek


Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Sometimes the Unexpected

 Sometimes what you see isn't always what you expect.  For example, the cuff links below may appear blue, but - presto chango - they can be red.  Just slide the gold face across the front.

The pretty imitation pearl brooch has two functions.  Yes, it's a brooch, but you can also use it to hang your eyeglasses.  The sterling silver monogram brooch could easily be used for the same purpose.

A long chain has been used to make this interesting sombrero, a Wedgewood cameo to make a choker and a spoon used to form a bracelet.  When it comes to designing jewelry there is no lack of ingenuity!







 My eBay items
- qsell


Red or Blue Gold Tone Cuff Links Large Rectangular Mens


Vintage Brooch Eyeglass Holder Pin Imitation Pearl


Blue Wedgewood Cameo Choker Necklace on Blue Velvet


Vintage Necklace Choker Lavender Beads Rose Beads


Large Sombrero Brooch Multicolor Beads Gold Tone


Leonope Doskow Handmade Sterling Monogram Brooch Vtg


Lot Nolan Miller Charms Signed Rhinestone Heart


Vintage Wm Rogers Oneida Spoon Bracelet Silver Tone


Germany Brooch Glass Bead Daisies Pin Vintage
Free Quick*Sell Gallery from ISDN*tek


Monday, March 7, 2011

Tell Me About Yourself

I think that's the question that every job applicant hates.  It's a pretty straightforward question that I don't think people want to answer directly.  Yet, people often give away clues about themselves by what they wear.  For example, if you watch Jay Leno, you will notice he always wears an American flag on his lapel.  From that I conclude he is a patriotic American citizen. 

Wearing other types of lapel pins or other jewelry, leads people to draw conclusions about you.  If you wear a Republican National Committee or Nixon lapel pin, people may draw conclusions about your religious preferences and economic status in addition to your political preference.   A Rutgers Alumni pin would lead to the conclusion that not only did you go to Rutgers, but that you actually graduated from there.  And an AYSO badge would lead one to conclude that you have children and that they like soccer.

It's not rocket science.  We give away more about ourselves and who we are every day than we realize.  It just doesn't mean that all the conclusions are true!





 My eBay items
- qsell


Lapel Pin British Olympic Bid 2000 Manchester Tie Tack


Miniature Mens Playboy Tie Bar Clasp Bunny Logo Black


Enamel Lapel Pin Rutgers Alumni Black Red Round


Enamel Lapel Pin Univ of Pennsylvania Franklin Society


Lapel Pin AYSO CA Sun & Surf Tournament 1999 Soccer


Enamel Lapel Pin Republican National Committee 2008


Vintage Nixon Lapel Pin Tie Tack Blue Enamel Round
Free Quick*Sell Gallery from ISDN*tek


Thursday, March 3, 2011

Fat Chains, Skinny Chains, Lots of Chains

Since I recently wrote about chain necklaces, I thought it was only fair to add their counter part, chain bracelets. The nice thing about chain bracelets is that they can be worn alone, with other chains or even other style bracelets.  A combination of chain bracelets and tennis bracelets looks great and is not overwhelming. 

Some chain bracelets are even good for your health - allegedly!





 My eBay items
- qsell


Vintage Curb Chain Bracelet Marked Solid Copper Small


Chain Bracelet Twisted Rope Links Gold Tone Signed


Vintage Chain Bracelet Engraved Links Gold Tone


Signed A & Z Bracelet Double Link Chain 12 K G. F.


Double Herringbone Chain Bracelet Napier Silver Tone


Triple Herringbone Chain Bracelet Sarah Cov Gold Tone
Free Quick*Sell Gallery from ISDN*tek


Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Pearls are Forever

When you think of classic jewelry, pearls are sure to come to mind.  I'm sure pearls were among the first beads to be worn.  Mother of pearl beads, made from shells, are also among the earliest beads made.  Pearls never go out of style, but admittedly real pearls are somewhat pricey.  That's where imitation pearls come in.  They can be made of glass or plastic or even other materials.  They can look just as good as the real thing at a fraction of the cost.  Everyone needs some of these classic pearl looks in their wardrobe.





 My eBay items
- qsell


Vtg Bib Necklace 4 Strand Imitation Pearls Crystal


Long String Imitation  7 mm Pearls Necklace 96” Long


Classic Strand String Imitation Pearls Button Clasp


Vintage Pearl Circle Wreath Brooch Imitation Pearls


White MOP Cluster Earrings Mother of Pearl Clip Back


Vtg Clip Earrings Imitaqtion Pearl Button Distressed


Vintage Clip Back Earrings Imitation Pearl Yellow Bead


Vtg Necklace 6 Strand Graduated Imitation Pearl Bib 


Triple 3 Strand Imitation Pearl Choker Mauve Pink Vntg


Vintage Round Imitation Pearl Scarf Clip
Free Quick*Sell Gallery from ISDN*tek