Charming Bracelets

As I was re-listing some 1967 newspapers, called The Ocean Press, I decided to re-take some photos. One of them showed an article on charm bracelets, that I found so delightful to read (I love charms bracelets, and most especially charms of all sorts). 

I took some close-ups of it to post here for you to enjoy.

Oh, what I wouldn't give to have a charm bracelet that lights up!

New Stuff!

Last weekend was the second-of-the-season summer antique show in the village a few miles from my home. It is only the second year for this and it started out small last year, but has nearly doubled in size. They need more time to grow and I imagine they will because the setting is lovely, right on the Ohio river.

These days I find myself making a beeline for the jewelry, especially the trays of "junk jewelry," with the bits and pieces and broken stuff.

The second vendor I visited had a tray, in which everything was "2 for $5.00," my kind of price! 

The first thing I found was this pair of adorable earrings.

They are not real silver, of course, but so cute! Don't know if I'll resell them in my Etsy shop, or use them as charms in a bracelet or necklace.

Then I came across an old wristwatch, for which I have a bit of a passion.

 I'll definitely take this apart and re-purpose into something. 

Here are a couple of examples: 

Talisman Bracelet 

 and

Watchface Bracelet

Another silvertone item I selected was this Coro bracelet, a fine piece of costume jewelry in great shape.

This will definitely go into my shop!

This cutie caught my attention, as I also have a weakness for charm bracelets, though I rarely wear them.

This is a child's size.

 Look at the charms (one is missing)... a squirrel, a pony, an elephant, a frog, and a goose!

Then it was time to move on the dealer across the sidewalk, 

who had some tray of  odds and ends.

This immediately caught my eye - a Las Vegas themed, yes, charm bracelet on the original card.

Not being a Vegas person, I just loved the kitsch aspect. Unfortunately it isn't quite old enough yet to re-sell, I found out after I purchased it. But it was inexpensive enough to use the charms, if nothing else.

The final piece is this small purse on a chain.

 On the outside is mother of pearl, although I am only showing the good side.

The other outer side is cracked and the inside is torn, but it is so cute--only 2 1/4" wide!

I couldn't find anything else at the show, but I was happy to get these. 

Don't you just love those outdoor markets?

Autena Handcrafted

A few years ago, I started to create jewelry, more specifically bracelets, using vintage and new  buttons, along with old charms and bits and bobs  (love that expression!) of other oddments. I've started listing some in my Etsy vintage shop and decided to show them off. They are not technically vintage, but all have some antique and vintage (read, old) parts, so I think that counts!

Watch Face Bracelet in Silvertone

I've developed a fascination for antique ladies' wristwatches and really like disengaging them from their bands and cleaning them up a bit. This is my silver version (actually stainless steel).

My gold version, with decorative connectors, which are actually pieces from an old bracelet.

Watch Face Bracelet in Goldtone 

 The sort of vintage watches I look for are becoming more difficult to find at a reasonable price. I don't care if they work, although I prefer to place a working one in the center position, in case someone wants a real timepiece. Either they are too expensive or someone has taken them completely apart to sell the workings.

This is a talisman bracelet, made from copper wire and embellished with broken earrings, another watch face, beads, and who knows what else.

Talisman Charm Bracelet

I'm looking forward to making another, perhaps out of silver wire. It's a great way to use up things that have been sitting around. One is supposed to imbue the piece with good karma while working on it, which I guess I've tried to do. It brings me a smile when I look at it because it is rather quirky.

A MOP (mother of pearl) bangle, made with memory wire. The buttons are flat shanks, placed on both sides, so it is reversible.

Mother of Pearl Bangle Bracelet

I had to put a clasp on it because the buttons caused the wire to "lose" it's memory, so to speak. I think it would be perfect for a wedding, if the bride is an adventurous sort.

I have been branching out into necklaces and have also done some earrings, none of which are yet in my vintage shop. Maybe I'll show them off soon.

Wordless Wednesday... Bracelet Legs

 Jewelry shop in Paris

 

Thrift Shop Winnings

The other day, on a whim, I entered a thrift store near my home called The Peppermint Pig.  I like going there, because they are also an animal rescue organization. This day there were four or five cats needing homes. The only trouble with this place is that I never find anything to buy. 

It's hit or miss, like any other junk shop. I'm happy to report this visit, however, was a definite hit. These days I scout with two categories in mind... 

...stuff to resell in my vintage shops,such as these books.

Thin and small, they are primers on ballet. From the 1940s and 1950s, they are full of easy to read information on costumes, lighting, make-up, technique.

Simple illustrations in black and white.

  I also search for things I can alter into my own jewelry creations.

 I look for standard vintage jewelry I can take apart and re-purpose (as they say on Etsy) into unique bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.

  

 I have a fascination for clever charms and for beads I can use as is, because I am not a beader.

Two odd bracelets that will eventually be transformed.

These clip on earrings were made in Japan in the 1940s. Something about this style, with the seeds and beads, draws me in, much more so than the standard clip ons by Monet or Trifari.

Even the backs are interesting. I think this design represents the sun, which is a national symbol of Japan and is on their flag.

Can you see the tiny words, 'Japan?'

 These are not marked 'Japan,' but they reminded me of that style. 

 These beauties are made of copper! 

                                                                                    They too have decorative backs.

Three books, two bracelets, and six pairs of earrings for only $25.00!

 Don't you just love thrift stores?