Vintage Jewelry Party

As an experiment, I hosted a "Vintage Costume Jewelry Party" at my house.  I took out every single piece of jewelry that I have in my collection, laid it out nicely on trays around my home, and invited just about everyone I know in the area to come and look.

Here's what the invitation said:

You are invited to come learn about and play with vintage costume jewelry.

Do you have pieces of vintage costume jewelry that you're curious about? Wonder if that vintage costume jewelry you inherited is worth anything? Bring it and we'll find out! We'll research it and determine a value. Heck, I may even buy it off of you!

OR

Have you been looking for that perfect vintage piece for an upcoming event? Want to be environmentally friendly and re-use pieces instead of supporting big-box stores and Chinese factories? Be chic and original with vintage pieces! I have a bunch available for sale if you want.

OR

Just come and play! I've got jewelry to try on, books about jewelry to look through, and websites available to look through.

Just come when you can, you don't have to stay for the entire time.

We'll have treats and beverages, mirrors and of course sparklies!

Feel free to bring a friend if you want.

 

All told, I sent the invitation to about 60 people and 11 people came! 20 percent of those invited actually came, which is just about average for a party of this sorts, so I was fairly happy.  I did some good business, and a couple of people brought some jewelry they had questions about. I had a really good time, and I think that my friends did also. 

 

It took me 4 days of sorting and tagging all my items in order to get ready for this party. As of right now, 11:00 p.m, it looks like it will take me all of tomorrow to package the jewelry back up.

 

The dining room table covered!

I'd like to think the experiment a success. My mother, a member of a "vintage ladies" group has suggested I do a vintage jewelry night for one of their upcoming get togethers, with more a discussion of what might be of value in their current collections as opposed to purchasing jewelry. I can't wait.

 

Vacation Photos!

You can tell that I'm a vintage jewelry collector at heart.  I was in Utah and California for a combined total of almost 2 whole weeks and every day, I wanted to find another antique store / flea market / estate sale to go to!  As it was, I was only able to go out and buy jewelry 4 days out of the 12.

Not a bad haul, huh?

Anyway, my first trip was to an antique market in Springville, Ut called "Treasures Antique Mall."  It has two huge buildings and is right off of I-15. In the time that I had, I was able to go through only 1 building. I had hoped to go back for the other one later, but that never happened.

This is me making a pouty face. :(

Anyway, I was able to find some great deals! And one of my sisters-in-law found a multi-stranded freshwater pearl necklace worth a couple hundred dollars that was marked $30.  The staff was incredibly helpful and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. 

Here's a better picture of the haul from Treasures:

The next day, I was talked into going to Deseret Industries, Utah's version of Goodwill or Salvation Army thrift stores.  We went to three "DIs" before I found one that had jewelry.  Unfortunately, they were all bagged together in mini lots, so I felt I was taking a risk, and I didn't come out with much.

The "good stuff" were a couple of Coro / Corocraft necklaces and a funky purple glittery beaded necklace, as well as a bunch of beaded necklaces that I'm selling as a "lot" on Etsy. 

After 5 days in Utah, I then flew out to LA to visit my brother and his wife.  I had a marvelous time there.  One day, we went to six estate sales, and I got a load of great jewelry!  Seeing the different architecture there was really neat too.  We were in Playa Del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica, and Marina Del Rey. I found an incredible beaded purse from the 1920s! I also picked up some great cameos and brooches.  The brooch in the middle is a Weiss! 

Another day, we went to a prop liquidator who sells off stuff from closed down theatrical productions, TV shows and Movies.  They had all of the jewelry from the "One Life to Live" soap opera.  I was able to pick up 6 vintage necklaces.  Unfortunately, the would not provide any proof or documentation that these pieces were on the show, so I cannot resell them based off of that information.  However I can add it as a neat story.  Supposedly the copper necklace on the bottom right corner of the picture was worn by the character "Dorian."

The whole reason for this trip WASN'T to buy jewelry, I can't forget that.  So here's some of the real reasons!