Take Back Halloween!

I recently came across a fanstastic website, http://takebackhalloween.org/ which is dedicated to taking back Halloween for women.  What do they mean by "Taking Back Halloween?" Taking it back from the sexy nurse, sexy doctor, sexy this, sexy that, sexy-anything options that are so prevalent for women and championing costumes representing strong women through history like Queens, Activists, and Movie Stars.

What is even more amazing, is for each listing, they include links to purchasing items to complete your costume.

But I have a suggestion.  Many of the links to various pieces of rhinestone jewelry are links to buying the pieces off of Chinese re-sellers. I personally don't think this is the best idea, as these pieces are shipped across the world, we don't know under what conditions they are made, and they aren't the most enviornmentally friendly option.

If I were them, I'd link to an Etsy search of vintage rhinestone jewelry!  Going vintage is much more environmentally friendly, not to mention, much more likely to be period appropriate. AND the quality of the pieces is going to be a lot better.

I did a quick search on Etsy and found some great pieces that could be used for many of their costumes, including Queen Victoria, Carlota of Mexico, Audrey Hepburn, Josephine Baker, or Rita Heyworth.

Looking to do costumes that are more Egyptian / Middle Eastern like Isis, Hatshepsut, Jezebel, Puabi, or Zenobia? Here are some suggestions...

Regardless, my suggestion is, before purchasing reproduction or faux-vintage rhinestone pieces off of Amazon or some other costuming website, check Etsy first for true vintage! You'll find pieces that will not hurt your wallet, and will be a little more forgiving to the environment.

Sold!

It's been a while since I've posted some of the items that have sold recently from my shop.  I don't know if anyone else really likes seeing this, but I think it's kind of fun to see stuff that other people buy!  I have had quite a few sales recently, so I think I'm going to limit today's post to sales for August thus far.

The pictures are linked to the transaction page so you can see additional details if you are curious.  There are more gorgeous items available for purchase in my Etsy shop! (Click Here!)

August 2:

Vintage Rhinestone Swirl Brooch

Lovely brooch features a large central rhinestone with 6 slightly smaller rhinestones surrounding it, then swirling "arms" of rhinestones radiating out. A total of 37 rhinestones forms this lovely piece.

August 3:

DESTASH - Vintage Earring Lot

Destash lot contains 8 pairs of earrings. Some screw back, most are clip earrings. 3 pairs are signed: Coro, Hobe, and Charel.

August 5:

Vintage Huge Domed Rhinestone Earrings

Stunning rhinestone earrings each feature 38 rhinestones. Baguettes, navettes and chatons are are arranged in a domed kite shape for added affect and to capture as much light as possible! Re-inforced in the back with a metal rod, these earrings are statement pieces!

August 10:

Vintage Olive Green Multi Stranded Extra Long Necklace

8 strands of olive green faceted plastic beads fill out this gorgeous vintage necklace from the 1960s. Extra long length means you can double it or even triple loop it if you want. Texturized gold toned caps finish off the strands at the clasp.

DESTASH - Lot of Vintage Brooches 

Destash lot contains 16 brooches. Most are vintage, some could be newer. Most of the brooches are still wearable, however there are some with damage, i.e. missing stones, verdesgris, finish loss, missing pin shafts. Three brooches are signed: Hobe, Giovanni, Made in Austria.

August 11:

Vintage Spiked Gold Ball Necklace and Earring Set - Designer Signed - Trifari - Double Stranded

Fun and funky double stranded necklace and drop earrings feature spikey texturized gold balls and shiney gold beads. Even the clasp is spikey! Designer signed, these are definitely attention getters! Clip on earrings also feature two sizes of spikey gold balls and a smooth gold bead.

Vintage Molded Glass AB Cufflinks and Tie Tac Set - Designer Signed - Swank

Unique cufflink and tie-tac set is reminiscent of chips of ice or little icebergs. Molded class stones are shaped like chunks of ice and shimmer with multiple shades of blues. Even the silver toned settings look like ice with their craggy texturized surface!

August 12:

Vintage Sterling Silver Siamese Bracelet and Earrings

Gorgeous Vintage Bracelet and Earring set features traditional Siamese Niello Enamelling and Silver work. The bracelet features panels held together with rings. Each octagonal panel features one of three different images:

1 - Mekkala(h), the Goddess of Lightning - shown with lightning bolts coming from her hand. A well known figure in Thai culture.

2 -Dancing Angel - depicted with a long curved garland (looks like rope) held behind the back. Were warriors who were magically turned into angels (Ramayana).

3 -Nang Fa, the Fairy of Happiness - looks like she is dropping stardust from her hand to the floor.

The bracelet is just under 7 inches long and is signed STERLING MADE IN SIAM .925.

The earrings are screw back and each feature an image of a traditional Siamese dancer. They are also signed SIAM STERLING. They have a traditional Siamese paisely shape.

Vintage Black Rhinestone Necklace and Earring Set - 1960s or 1970s

Elegant and simple necklace and clip on earring set features jet black rhinestones set into gold toned settings. The necklace has a single large open backed, unfoiled navette rhinestone on a chain of chatons. The earrings feature an open backed, unfoiled navette hanging from a chain of five chatons.

Frosted Glass Rhinestone Necklace - For UpCycle or Repair

Fun and flirty necklace features large frosted glass and aurora borealis rhnestones on a silver figure 8 chain. Hook and ball closure. Silver toned settings. I marked it for UpCycle or Repair because some of a condition issue.

August 13:

Vintage Coro Topaz & Amber leaf Necklace - Designer Signed - 1960s Mad Men Style

Lovely necklace features texturized gold leaves, faux pearls, topaz rhinestones and amber colored rhinestones. This necklace is perfect for adding a classic 60's touch to your outfit without being too costume-y.

August 14:

Vintage Rhinestone Choker Accented with Pear Shape Rhinestones

Stunning choker features 11 large pear shaped rhienstones sandwiched between two strands of rhinestones. Between each pear shaped stone are an additional 2 rhinestones. Hook fastened.

Emerald and Peridot Rhinestone Demi Parure - Brooch and Bracelet set - Vintage 1950s or 1960s

Sumptuous set features large 3/4 inch by 1/2 inch emerald green cushion cut rhinestones accented with tiny peridot chatons. All prong set into gold toned settings, these pieces are an elegant addition to your collection.

The brooch features 9 large emerald green cushions, 4 more smaller cushions (3/8 inch by 1/4 inch), and 32 peridot toned chatons arranged into a diamond shape.

The bracelet features 7 large cushions and four rows of 25 peridot stones. (That's 107 total rhinestones!)

Recent purchases

With the jewelry party that I recently had, I discovered that I have a lot of stuff in inventory to go through and get listed. Because of that, I haven't been going to many estate sales or flea markets. Kind of a bummer, but I'm running out of places to put jewelry while waiting to get things listed.

Last week, during the party, I banished my husband. He went out to some estate sales on his own and picked up some pieces for me. (In the picture it's the set on the right and the brooch in the bottom right corner as well as the small grouping on the left)

And then this week, I was driving around and came across a couple of small estate sales and garagesales. So I picked up a few pieces. (The bangles and earrings on the top and the necklace on the bottom left, the fish on the pink card, and the silver jewelry on the bottom middle)

What's in Style Right now? Metal Cuffs

I got a free subscription to In Style Magazine with my order of shoes from an online retailer.  I've enjoyed it for the most part. It's an easy read and it has given me some ideas on how to improve my own wardrobe, even though I'm not a size 0 nor 16 years old.

Anyway, they have been featuring a lot of metallic cuffs.  If you don't believe me, check out this slide show.

Now, none of the featured cuffs that In Style has are under $60, with many of them over $100! Which seems extreme to me. So I went through Etsy to see if I could get some vintage cuffs that would still fit with today's fashion, at more affordable prices. (Click the image to get to the actual listing)

Here's a stunning cuff from TheVintageBombshell that is only $15.00!


70s Silver Toned Metal Cuff Bracelet with Agate Cabochon

Nonnie60 has this stunning Hammered Metal cuff featuring Topaz and Rootbeer Rhinestones for only $26.00

Vintage Bracelet, Hammered Metal Cuff, Gold Plated, Citrine & Rootbeer Glass Gemstones, ca 1980s

TrinityBejeweled features this braided silver toned metal cuff for only $13.00!


Heavy Braided Metal Cuff Bracelet

Here's a shiny silver cuff by KathiJanes that is still affordable at $19.95.

Vintage Bracelet / Cuff Silver Tone Metal Statement Large Chunky Shiny Art Deco Cuff Retro Cuff 1980s

If you are willing to spend a little more money, there are also some more higher priced cuffs available on Etsy. However, they are vintage, so not only are you being eco friendly by buying them, you're supporting small business, keeping them out of landfills, and buying something that very few people have!

I love this geometric cuff from GibsonGirlVintage that features a silver square pattern over top of a copper cuff! It is $70.

60s Geometrical Gold Metal Cuff Bracelet

FrenchFrouFrou also has a mixed metal cuff that is very modern and clean for only $45.50.

vintage bracelet modernist copper brass mixed metal large cuff

Finally, here's a truly excellent copper cuff from beatomicbeauty with a checkerboard pattern and greek-key design! The most expensive of the cuffs I found, this one is still only $75, which is at least $100 less than the most expensive cuff featured on "In Style."

Extra Wide CHECKERBOARD Vintage Copper CUFF Bracelet

If you're looking for great cuffs, don't forget to check out Etsy for some great vintage pieces that are still "in style."

Chiropractic Adjusted Jewelry???

An interesting thing happened while sitting in the waiting room of my Chiropractor a few weeks ago.  I was chatting with the receptionist about her mother, costume jewelry, and my shop. Another patient waiting for her appointment asked me more details, and I talked about how I buy from estate sales, clean up the pieces and sell them online. 

She then said "I have a bunch of old jewelry that was my mothers that I don't know what to do with!  I won't wear it, it's not my style. Would you like to see it?"  I wasn't going to turn that offer down.  The next time I went to my chiropractor, the receptionist told me that she had a bag of jewelry and a phone number from the patient I had been talking to.

This lady trusted me enough to leave the jewelry for me to look through!  I excitedly took all the jewelry home to find that most of it was in original boxes! One of the sets in the picture (on the bottom left corner) appears to be much more modern than what I usually deal in, maybe late 1980s / early 1990s. Another set (in the top left corner with the pearls) is so covered with verdegris that I'm not sure it's salvageable. But most of it is right up my alley! Check out the Laguna crystal set, in orginal box, with original hang tag!!!

Clockwise from upper left: Faux Pearl Demi parure, light blue "butterfly"
rhinestone necklace, Laguna Crystal Demi Parure, Jade Parure, Topaz / Jonquil
rhinestone necklace, Clear rhinestone set in "Winston Jewelry" box, Pavé Rhinestone Parure

Anywho, I called the customer and talked to her about the pieces.  I explained that it is exactly what I'm looking for. I also described each set, explained what I would price it at if I had it in my own shop, and then offered her a price that worked out to be about half of what I would offer.  She took it instantly, no haggling!  She then said "I trust you on this. I don't know anything about it, and I don't wear the stuff.  I'm just happy it's going to someone who will find people who love it."

She ended by telling me that she'd drop of another bag of jewelry at the chiropractor's office in the future. After my conversation with this lovely lady, I called the receptionist (whose name also happens to be Joanne) and told her about the arrangements.  She said she didn't mind being an intermediary, especially as she'd get to look at all the jewelry ahead of time.

I really am blessed to have my store's business improving like it is! It is truly exciting to be making so many connections and networking the way I am!

The most Fabulous Earrings I've seen in a long while!

Check these puppies out!

Aren't they delicious?

Check out the listing here