New vintage items added to the shop!

Click here to see all the new old stuff I posted.

Modernist Jewelry

My latest obsession is looking at modernist jewelry, especially rings. I used to own a piece of vintage mexican jewelry but it got nabbed and I miss it so much. I loved how heavy it felt. I've been searching for something to replace it with but I've been very picky. I have a few things liked on Etsy, I wish I could own them all but these rings can get a bit pricey! I did find something I really liked on Esty recently and I went for it, I think it has a bit of the spirit of the first ring. I hope to start a new collection again. Do you have a piece of vintage jewelry you have been obsessing over?

My new precious!

Etsy shop: Liebelu

Love the whole vibe of this shop! Don't know much since it's all in German, but please check out Etsy shop Liebelu.

Tiny little chairs

Tiny chairs available in gold, silver and bronze based on mid-century designs from Bruxe.

The collector

Check these beauties out! This is what I look for when i'm on eBay or Etsy. This grouping is just a small part of my bigger flower brooch collection, but these five are my favorites. It's crazy to think these brooches are over 40 years old, wish I knew more about them. It's taken me a few years to find this particular style brooch. I want to find one more so I can frame them, keep an eye out for me!

Vintage repurposed jewelry

Oh I just love these! I'm sure most of you all know about my love for vintage flower brooches, I even made a flick group for them.

I'm usually never keen on people "destroying/repurposing" vintage brooches, throwing 12 brooches on a chain is not for me. These on the other hand look so beautiful. I found these images in the designers flicker page.
There is also an Etsy shop! www.etsy.com/shop/beevintageredux

Amy Tavern jewelry

I was Flickr today when I came across the work of Amy Tavern. Amy makes one-of-a-kind and limited edition jewelry that combines her interests in shape, line, pattern, negative space, and subtle visual movement. Amy's work is available at several galleries in the US and abroad. You can find her work online on her website and blog. Check out her Flickr page, she takes a lot of step by step shots of her work, really cool stuff. It's like looking at mini modernist sculptures being made.

Making your own brooch bouquet

image via The Ritzy Rose
image via fantasyfloraldesigns.com

On my online hunts for flower brooches, I keep seeing more and more brooch bouquets for sale. They go for around $350 and up and are great for brides that want that vintage look and a sweet memento to remember that special day. If you are feeling adventurous these are pretty easy to make ahead of time, but you will need to start collecting asap! Start hitting up thrift shops, flea markets even relatives. You will need anywhere from 50-90 pieces, depending how big you want it.

image via fancypantsweddings.com
image via offbeatbride.com

There are lots of sites that offer tutorials, some are better than others. I've seen people bundle them together with twisted wire or stick them into styrofoam forms for that rounded shape. www.fancypantsweddings.com had a nice step by step tutorial. Below are more yummy images for inspiration.

Frankie magazine

I had forgotten to mention that some of my vintage brooches were featured in the nov/dec issue of Frankie magazine, which is a really cute artsy magazine from Australia and available in New Zealand. Here's what you missed...

Tell us about your collection?

I collect enamel brooches from the 60's and 70's. I'm really drawn to the shapes and colors of the period.

When did you start collecting?

About two years ago. I was at an outdoor market and someone had a booth full of vintage clothes and jewelry. I started digging around and found a cute little yellow enamel pin. I was hooked right away! That winter, I found another one on Etsy and bought it to wear on my wool coat. Then I had to have one for every outfit I owned!

How many do you own?

I have around 60 or 70 brooches, but my collection keeps expanding. I just bought another one on Ebay, it should be arriving shortly!

What’s your favourite?

Currently my favorite is the red and white leaf Coro brooch (shown in the bottom left corner of the photograph.) I'm mostly fond of brooches that are abstract, which seem to be harder to find.

What was the least expensive?

Very cheap: $0.50 (US.) Thrift shops and flea markets seem to always have the best deals.

What was the most expensive?

The most expensive was the Coro brooch I mentioned above, which was purchased on Etsy for $18. There is not a lot of consistency in pricing: the same brooch could be $8 in one shop and $25 in another. I could have waited to find this particular brooch for less money, but I had never seen one like it for sale, so I pounced. I'm glad I did, too, because I still haven't seen another one for sale.

Where do you find them?

I find them at flea markets, thrift stores, Etsy and eBay.

Have you been given any for a present?

No, but I'm not surprised: I'm very particular about which ones I like. They have to be just right for my collection.

Will you keep collecting?

I probably will. I have slowed down in the past, but never fully stopped. I actually just started up looking for them again after losing interest for a while. They just bring me a lot of joy, and hunting for them is too much fun to stop.

Where do you keep them?

Currently I keep most of my favorites in a large orange tray, but I have many more scattered around my home.

Do people comment on your collection?

Yes. Someone once said the collection looks like candy!

Do you collect anything else?

When I was younger I collected everything under the sun. Today I try and keep my inner hoarder at bay and I just collect brooches and vintage china tea sets and plates from the 1960's and 70's. Like with the brooches, I'm very particular about which china I like, so I only collect red and orange pieces in a very specific design range.

Check my brooch flickr group! http://www.flickr.com/groups/1220407@N20/

Emma Pillsbury style

I've never watched Glee, but I just recently found a blog dedicated to one of their super cute characters named Emma Pillsbury, who is portrayed by actress Jayma Mays. The blog is ironically named What would Emma Pillsbury wear?, the blog follows all the cardigans, pencil skirts and cute accessories.

"Discussing Emma's style and costuming, Glee's costume designer Lou Eyrich has explained: "We wanted to make her look like everything’s so neat — perfectly ironed and tucked-in shirts with matching belts, shoes and pins. We wanted to make her stand out from the other teachers. She’s always so happy and excited, so we wanted her outfits to represent that sunny disposition. In the pilot, we made her look much more teacher-y. Now we're having more fun with her character, keeping her bright and unusual. Quirky is the word. Emma’s also always in stacked Mary Janes or T-strap heels. It takes the outfit down from being too stylish or too sexy. It makes her look prim and almost old-fashioned."[4]"
-via Wikipedia

Kristina Klarin jewelry

Beautiful wooden bead necklaces by Kristina Klarin

Modernist ring

I saw this ring on Etsy a few months ago and really debated getting it. "I deserve it, I need it, I must have it".

Then yesterday I spotted it at a flea market! A man had a table set up with a bunch of old and new rings, I immediately grabbed it and asked how much. I love that feeling when you find something amazing and no one has a clue how wonderful it is. I guess everything looks like junk until you take it home and place your treasure in the right surroundings. My ring hasn't left my finger, it's like it secretes some kind of happy drug... my precious...

Julie Lake - Contemporary jewelry

I love her jewelry, I own a pair of her Umbellet Studs. Check out more of Julie's work on Etsy

Jewelry

Beautiful jewelry from Etsy shop Moira K. Lime

Etsy finds of the day (yellow)

GE vinatge yellow wall clock $23

Cathrineholm lotus pattern casserole dish $36

Mod 60's clip on earrings $8

Vintage finds

I've rounded up many of my flea market finds, and i've been listing them for sale in my vintage Etsy shop.