Vintage Jewelry | Bead Happily Ever After

I’m A Little Bit Vintage

Posted on April 30, 2013 by crystal

Raise your hand if you remember Donny and Marie? 😉

And their theme song?

You know —

She’s “a little bit country”; He’s “a little bit “rock and roll”.

C’mon Kids… please say you know what on earth I’m talking about, here.

(For you youngsters in the group – it’s Donny and Marie Osmond!)

I can hear you asking: “Surely there’s a point to this, Crystal???”

Why, yes. Of course! 😉

If I were to join the chorus along with good ole Donny and Marie, I’d be singing: “I’m a little bit “vintage”.

I’m not referring to my age – though I suppose that’s a good adjective to describe it. I mean that I have a passion for all things vintage – beads, jewelry, books, accessories, china, furniture, etc.!

This week, I took some time to play with a pretty bunch of Vintage Swarovski Rhinestones and Cabochons. I combined them with some vintage-look findings and quick as a wink – I had 3 pairs of earrings!

Sapphire Blue – such sparkle on these vintage rhinestones!

Amethyst purple – my favorite color! Love that marquise-shape stone.

And Swarovski Glass Cabochons in Smoked Topaz Aurora Borealis. Talk about a rainbow of colors!

If you were to chime in with Donny and Marie…. how would you fill in the blank?

“I’m a little bit “_______”.

Hugs,

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment!

Calling All Jewelry Lovers . . .

Posted on September 8, 2008 by crystal

Talk about heaven on earth! Recently, I had the good fortune to experience an exceptionally beautiful exhibit that’s currently on view at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.

Imperishable Beauty: Art Nouveau Jewelry will continue at the MFA through November 9, 2008. The exhibition features a spectacular array of 120 pieces of exquisitely made jewelry by the premier designers and artists of the late nineteenth/early twentieth-centuries in a style that has been dubbed “Art Nouveau”, which is celebrated for its graceful, flowing curves and themes inspired by nature – the flora, fauna, and the sensuality of the female figure.

This incredible assemblage of mouth-watering beauty will amaze you with dazzling dragonfly brooches, fabulous floral pendants, breath-taking butterflies, trés chic chokers, unique belt buckles, baroque pearl delights, and even elegant hair accessories. The detail and dimension on each piece is superb, and the jewelry has been so expertly crafted that it’s almost as beautiful on the reverse side as on the front! I was especially taken with the color palette, which is wonderfully rich – yet soft in intensity, rather like the glow of an Impressionist painting.

The collection highlights the work of designers such as René Lalique (1860–1945), who was the most renowned of the Art Nouveau artists. His pieces are strikingly bold and they incorporate unusual materials such as horn, enamel, and glass. The color on these pieces was often achieved through the use of enamel, and plique à jour (open to light) enameling was a favored technique. It added a delicacy and a measure of technical refinement that had not been seen in jewelry design, prior to this period. Although Lalique went on to become famous for his artistry with glass, this earlier work is breathtaking and it highlights not only his skill but also his versatility.

The MFA has done a remarkable job of arranging these treasures in an exhibit that gives each piece its due, with well-lit showcases, informative descriptions, and a gallery space that is open, airy and easy to navigate. Those with a passion for jewelry or lovers of art in general will be equally enchanted!

Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines. This is an exhibit that’s NOT to be missed!!!

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Imperishable Beauty:
Art Nouveau Jewelry
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 – Sunday, November 9, 2008

Photos courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Past Perfect… Refurbishing Grandma’s Bling!

Posted on July 28, 2008 by crystal

Are you the recipient of a piece or two of Grandma’s vintage costume jewelry?

Is it in perfect condition?

If so – lucky you! 🙂

Chances are though; it’s in need of a little makeover, especially if it’s something that Grandma loved to wear. But even a piece with scratched beads, chipped crystals, or a broken clasp can shine again if you salvage the best parts and rework them into a new design.

To begin – remove any badly worn components and replace them with some pretty new choices! You can retain the “vintage look” by selecting coordinating vintage beads. Searching for them will be half the fun!

If you have daughters, consider making more than one item from Grammy’s favorite necklace. Imagine how special it would be to incorporate some of her pearls into a design to be worn on a granddaughter’s wedding day. Or perhaps a selection of her crystal beads could adorn the wrist of your high school graduate as she receives her diploma.

Whatever you decide, it’s a wonderful way to link the generations. You’ll be creating a keepsake that would make Grandma smile. Surely there’s nothing sweeter than to use a bauble from the past, to create an heirloom treasure for the future! 😀