Collectible and Vintage Jewelry

I love shopping VJSE Team Member Shops!!!!

2012-11-13T17:02:00.000-08:00

THE BLUE RHINESTONE NECKLACE - A Wedding Story

2012-05-30T00:52:00.000-07:00

Mr. & Mrs. Troy Curtis

Recently, I was asked, "Do you have a memorable sale of a piece of jewelry?" The answer, "YES!!!" I know exactly the situation! Undoubtedly, the most memorable sale that I have had took place in 2005. We had a jewelry booth set up at the Coburg Antique Faire in Oregon. A group of young women, approximately 25 – 30 years of age, came into the booth. They were all talking about their husbands and fiances’, and this one girl picked up a light blue rhinestone necklace and said, “Wouldn’t this look great with a wedding dress?” At the time,(unbeknownst to me) she didn't have someone special in her life, but was dreaming of the day she would marry. Off they went to another booth. Approximately an hour later, this girls friend came to the booth, picked up the necklace and purchased it.

Now, jump ahead one year later, at the same antique fair - 2006, I noticed this young woman and her mother walking up to me with a yellow manila envelope her her hand and a big smile on her face. She asked if I remembered the group of women and the blue necklace. I actually did remember, because I had thought of the friend that came back and purchased the blue rhinestone necklace. She handed me the envelope, and in it was wedding program with the picture of her in the necklace and a wedding dress; as well, there was a program for a wedding. On the back of the program was a story about “the necklace”. I knew right away that this young woman was the new bride! She came back to my booth to share the story!

Picture of Heather included in the Manilla Envelope

I didn't really know it was my favorite until nearly a year after the initial sale. Here's the story according to the Bride's friend that was on the back of the Wedding Program (please forgive the spots on the program - I've shared this story with so many people, and it's taken a toll on this poor program):

Back of the Wedding Program

I'm not really sure where Heather is now, but I have shared this story with many family, friends and acquaintances. This was my most memorable sale. It was more than just selling a piece of jewelry, it was a story of true love and friendship....as story of hope, inspiration and the power of prayer! Where every you are Heather Taylor Curtis, I pray that your marriage is blessed with much love, family and friends! I am positive this story has blessed many other lives....including mine!

I have to write a follow up on this article. After writing this blog, I began thinking of this young bride and wondered what ever happened with her, and how she is doing. I then did something totally out of character for me. I went to one of my favorite social networking sites and searched her name and city. Guess what? Yes, I not only found her, but was able to contact her through email. She posted a colored picture of the special day with the necklace on. They have a baby girl now,,,,, This story to be continued!

The Supremely Chic Little Black Dress

2012-05-11T09:15:00.004-07:00

Born: August 19, 1883, Saumur

Died: January 10, 1971, Paris

Real name: Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel

Maisy dressed as Coco for
An Evening at the Wax Museum

Every year the fourth grade class at my grand daughters school does a production called, "An Evening at the Wax Museum". It's a wonderful opportunity for each child to pick a person from history that they feel have significance. All the students fill the auditorium dressed as their historical character with a "button" drawn on their hand. The audience goes around to each child, presses the button, and receives a 2 minute speech about their character.

Our Maisy picked Coco Chanel, which seems like a natural choice, because even at her age she is a fashionista dreaming to be a fashion designer someday. I was able to provide the pearls as well as make her a "little black dress." Ms. Chanel, certainly changed the face of fashion as a powerful woman in the industry.

Caitlin Bbrax

Coco Chanel was the one who made it uber-classic, but she is not the inventor of the little black dress which has been a classic "must have" in every woman's closet! According to Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life (by Justine Picardine, $40, amazon.com), “the little black dress was not formally identified as the shape of the future until 1926, when American Vogue published a drawing of a Chanel design.…"

It was an apparently simple yet elegant sheath, in black crêpe de Chine, with long, narrow sleeves, worn with a string of white pearls; and Vogue proved to be correct in the prediction that it would become a uniform.…” Contrast that description with these today's sassy, sexy, little black dresses that can be seen on edress

oliveyouvintage - 1950's
Coco Chanel's Classic LBD Design

TheTrousseau - 1960's

FancyThatVintage - 1970's

BetaBoutique - 1980's

Women have deemed the LBD as possibly the essential, the single one that will take you practically anywhere. Through the centuries, the little black dress has been worn to afternoon tea parties, the workplace, weddings, funerals and formals. Dressed up or down with jewelry and jackets, depending on the desired effect.

1980's Cuff by The Jewel Seeker

Egyptian Bib Necklace by ZephyrVintage

1960's Flo wer Power by TheEarringStore

A simple modernist cuff, a large bib style necklace or even Featherweight earrings in black and white or silver tone can are nice accents for daily wear. While the the fashionista could make switch to rhinestones or pearls for a sophisticated and sexy evening at the dinner theater. There are no limitations for dressing the little black dress up or down.

AlexiBlackwellBridal

Grand Vintage Finery

To accessorize this classic black dress, an excessive array of pearls, genuine and costume, simple and gold intertwined would be gorgeous. Of course, a classic quilted Chanel handbag with the CC logo or a pearl clutch would be carried, and Chanel's trademark two-tone pumps or ballet flats could be worn on the feet. However, let's not forget the designer signed line of Chanel fine and costume jewelry. The hard to find, rare pieces of Chanel jewelry was well made and is highly collectible.

18 KT Gold Plate Chanel Earrings by Sneller

Whether you love vintage fashion or are into the current styles, you can add vintage jewelry to accent that LBD to fit your style, event or mood! The Vintage Jewelry Sellers on Etsy Team offer the following suggestions:

'Casual Accessories for my LBD - VJSE Treasury' by The Jewel Seeker

All of the jewelry featured in this treasury is sold by members of the VJSE Team (Vintage Jewelry Sellers on Etsy) For more of their excellent jewelry & awesome service search VJSE GROUP TEAM in the Vintage Section!

Vintage Yellow Earr... OodlesofBling $10.00	Vintage Necklace Re... VintageJewelry... $15.00	SPRING SALE Vintage... waalaa $16.99	Vintage 1970's ... EBFinds $26.99
Vintage 1950s Neckl... ALLUWANTISHERE... $35.00	Vintage Red Glass C... BrightgemsTrea... $6.50	Shell Necklace Dyed... JessesVintage $12.49	Vintage Flower Broo... VintageTreasur... $20.00
Vintage Rhinestone ... emmjeyessvinta... $36.00	Red Paste Vintage F... CrimsonVintiqu... $90.00	Vintage Green Cellu... RMSjewels $35.00	Cute Vintage Plasti... vintagegemz $25.00
Amber Beauty- Vinta... Gener8tionsCre... $45.00	Vintage Bracelet Ba... TheJewelryChai... $16.00	Enamel Flower Brooc... 4dollsintime $14.50	Vintage Necklace Pi... timmaryjewelry $22.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio

1970's Seventeen Magazines Part Two: The Pendant & Skinny Chain

2012-03-30T01:10:00.011-07:00

My last post focused on the fashions of the 1970's as I see it through the pages of a collection of Seventeen Magazines that I picked up at an estate sale in Central California. I was enthralled with those times and the economic, political and social influences on fashion.

Above Photo's copied from 1971 August Seventeen Magazine

I’m still turning pages, treading my way down the fashion highway of the early 1970’s. The colors were bold and bright; as well, the fabrics designs were heavily patterned with large plaids, stripes, paisley’s and flowers. Plaids were mixed and matched, while overstated colors contrasted. There was no room for boisterous extreme jewelry accented by sparkling rhinestones. Simplicity was the word. Long chains with a pendant dangling loosely from the gold or silver tone links were one of the fashion trends of that time.

Seventeen Magazine, August 1974
Jewel Trifari Advertisement

As I was collecting various pictures from my treasured 1970’s Seventeen Magazines, I found a full two page ad from the well known vintage jewelry company, Trifari, proclaiming, "how to wear a sweater with Trifari". The pendants hanging from the 18” – 36” chains ranged from abstract designs to sweet simple figurals.

Seventeen Magazine, August 1974
Jewel Trifari Advertisement

Multi-strands of beaded necklaces were still a popular left over from the 50’s and 60’s, but the design changed in that the strands were longer and the beads were bolder. The more common single strand beaded necklaces were quiet statement baubles of art glass and often accented with a larger pendant.

The picture on the left is a Trifari ad out of the August 1972 September issue of Seventeen; and Judi Bollan - VintageJewelry4u on Etsy - sent this picture of the same Trifari Necklace from her personal collection.

Abstract pendants were very popular, as well as tassels. It was not unusual to adorn an outfit of plaid wool bell bottoms and sleek ribbed turtleneck with a heavily embroidered floral vest adding several layers of thin chains.

This advertisement out of the 1972 August issue of Seventeen shows another chain and pendant and various styles of earrings that could be worn with the necklace.

The Vintage Jewelry Sellers on Etsy Team members have some fabulous examples of vintage Trifari, Monet, Sarah Coventry and other designers from the 1970’s. Here are just a few designs that I favorite which date from 1970-1974:

Heirloom Brooches & Baubles

Crimson Vintiques

Violas Vintage

Shooting Creek Jewelry

Spark And Inspire Business Tips: Business Spark: Gayla Esch

2012-03-02T16:56:00.000-08:00

Spark And Inspire Business Tips: Business Spark: Gayla Esch: First and last Name: Gayla Esch Business Name: The Jewel Seeker http://www.etsy.com/shop/ thejewelseeker

I was interviewed a few weeks ago, and this is the resulting article. I like the interview process and may start interviewing also!

A Treasure Troves of Seventeen Magazines– Part One

2012-02-27T22:25:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, we were at an estate sale, as I am always on the hunt for some great vintage jewelry, where I found a vintage fashion jackpot! After I had shopped the jewelry cases, I decided to browse around this very interesting, eclectic home. As I stepped to reach for a sweet Joseph Original figurine, my foot caught something under the table. Curiosity, being what it is, inspired me to lift the tablecloth and see what it was I kicked. There lay stacks of magazines, but what really caught my eye were the thirty-two teen fashion magazines, Seventeen, from the early 1970’s.

I graduated in 1969, worked for “The Bon Marche”, which eventually was called “The Bon”, and was later bought out by Macy’s. As a teenage girl, I always looked forward my subscription to Seventeen Magazine to arrive in the mail. Mom enrolled me in the 12 week fashion etiquette course that was sponsored by Seventeen Magazine at the Bon Marche. I credit that course for my love for all things sparkling, fun fashionable clothing, and my years of being a hair stylist.

March 1972 - Seventeen Magazine Cover

Needless to say, when I found these magazines, I started filling my box with them. I could hardly wait to make my purchase and get home to browse the articles, the fashions of that era and to see if I could find any jewelry ads. My husband hauled the box from the truck and into the fifth-wheel as soon as we arrived home; and he was none-to-happy that I had made this purchase all in the name of self gratification and was afraid that I might not be willing to get rid of them quickly.

January 1972 - Seventeen Magazine Cover

At first glance of these vintage fashion treasures, I was a little disappointed that there was very little jewelry being shown, but then I began questioning how fashion was influenced by that hippie, flower children generation of the late 1960’s, a sexual revolution which opened the door for women to begin discussing subjects like abortion, birth control and equality in the work force with a louder voice, the Vietnam war and general unrest as young people continued to rebelled against the main stream establishment. K.C Library, online makes the following comments regarding influence in trends:

The chaotic events of the 60's, including war and social change, seemed destined to continue in the 70's. Major trends included a growing disillusionment of government, advances in civil rights, increased influence of the women's movement, a heightened concern for the environment, and increased space exploration. Many of the "radical" ideas of the 60's gained wider acceptance in the new decade, and were mainstreamed into American life and culture. Amid war, social realignment and presidential impeachment proceedings, American culture flourished. Indeed, the events of the times were reflected in and became the inspiration for much of the music, literature, entertainment, and even fashion of the decade. ( http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade70.html)

August 1972 Seventeen Magazine

One of my favorite terms in describing the late 1960;s and early 1970’s fashion and style is “Funky and Fun”; and the term refers to color, styles, fabrics, architecture, literature and interior decorating. The idea of complimentary colors gained a whole new meaning; recycling of furniture and useable puts today’s recycling claims to shame (well maybe not, but it gave a run for the money); and literature became interpretation of strange hallucinations or dreams. The end result was garish colors and mix matched plaids; heavy fabrics and designs with over exaggerated ribbons, bows and embellishments. Granny dresses returned, hot pants were hotter, and the bell bottoms got wider. Here are a few favorites:

September 1974 Seventeen Magazine

Wide Leg Wool 1970's Pants - RogueRetro

Seventeen Magazine - July 1974

August 1974 Seventeen Magazine

The fashion statements in the early 70’s were made with heavy wools and tweeds in the winter, where the Pantsuit became a very popular look; in the summer we saw homemade crocheted hot pants, as well those sexy leather or blue jean ones; and in the spring and fall, we would pull out the baby doll and the granny dresses. Shoes were not delicate slippers, but heavy, chunky elevating shoes that were anything but feminine.

1970's Crocheted Hot Pants Etsy Shop 2ndlookvintage

I was sharing some of my thoughts with members of my favorite jewelry collectors Team on Yahoo, The Jewelry Ring, and got this response from fellow jewelry collector and friend Robin Deutsch:

“I was just watching the movie ‘Boogie Nights’ last night that took place in the 1970s, and was period perfect to a "T". I forgot about the Nik Nik polyester shirts and prints and ugly platform shoes and all the horrors that I thought were so gorgeous and hoped would never go away LOL. It made sense that heavy, glittery jewelry would be so out of place with these fashions. It's always interesting to see the fashion along with the jewelry, of any period in time, to make one understand how they very much went hand in hand.”

Robin was right on many levels; she make some very good points - 1) we loved those looks! 2) They seem ugly now, but back then we were hip! 3) The fabrics and designs were absolutely gaudy and loud and heavy; to wear thick, bold or glittery jewelry (unless it was a big puffy matchy match silk flower brooch!

So my final thought: "It was just too far out, absolutely groovey to go through these trippy magazines!" I am not done sharing some of the discoveries and memories from this era. So, until my next post, you can look forward to more jewelry and fashion thoughts in Part 2 and Part 3 of A Treasure Trove of Seventeen Magazines!

Below are some examples of great 1970's Jewelry from The Vintage Jewelry Sellers on Etsy:

du Saye Jewelry on Etsy

Vintage Jewels and More

Bodacious Jewels on Etsy

The Jewel Seeker on Etsy

Delightfully Vintage

Add Your link to your Vintage Jewelry Shop on Etsy

2012-02-24T11:58:00.001-08:00

Betty Draper's Closet

2012-02-17T06:17:00.000-08:00

I'm not much of a TV watcher. I will listen to it as I clean jewelry, prepare packages for shipping or work on my listings; however, I rarely just sit and watch TV. Last summer while I was visiting my daughter we decided to make pillow cases, and since her husband was out of town, we set her livingroom area up so we could each have our own sewing machines, cutting tables and ironing board. She wanted to catch up on a couple of seasons of Mad Men on AMC ; and said, "Mom, you'll love this show." In my mind, I just sort of rolled my eyes, and thought to myself, "I'll endure this because I love her and want to like what she likes."

'Betty Draper's Closet - VJSE 50/50 Friday'

by TheJewelSeeker

This treasury is brought to you by the

Vintage Jewelry Sellers on Etsy Team.

All jewelry in this treasury is from VJSE Team Member shops!

vintagediva60 $159.00	Smallstones $13.99	KatcherrFancy $17.50	RedBoxVintage $300.00
VintagePoetlan... $17.00	TheVintageStud... $72.00	RococoVintage $172.00	BrightgemsTrea... $24.50
bohemiantradin... $55.00	fifisfinds $165.00	TheVintageStud... $140.00	LisaWitmerColl... $15.00
TheVintageStud... $112.00	GotMilkGlassAn... $16.88	GrandVintageFi... $15.00	vintagediva60 $165.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

As it turns out, I loved the show, and enjoyed a marathon of watching all four seasons on the internet, thanks to Netflix and Hulu! Betty Draper reminds of of nobody that I have ever known personally, but who I would have been captivated by. Her sense of fashion, her delicate features and her amazing way she portrays innocence in a time when the pressures for the sexual revolution were bubbling under the surface.

Betty dresses to the nines, whether she was in jeans, dining out with her husband, Don, or trying to restart her modeling career. I can only imagine that she would be in fashion heaven to be able to shop the Etsy Vintage Jewelry section to find beaded necklaces to match the dresses in her wardrobe! As I long to see what Don Draper is up to with his new bride; and what may have happened with Betty and her new husband; as well as how her relationship with her daughter Sally may progress, I decided to make the above treasury.

Swarovski: Synonymous with Quality

2012-02-17T04:41:00.000-08:00

BaubleBinBeads

Swarovski Crystals is a name that has become increasingly popular with the onset of crafters and artists creating beautiful sparkling wares. Swarovski is actually a brand name for precisely-cut crystals produced by Swarovski AG, started by Daniel Swarovski of Wattens, Austria.

Swarovski (October 24, 1862 – January 23, 1956) worked in his father’s glass factory as a youngster, learning the art of glass cutting. Daniel eventually designed and patented one of the first machines that helped the crystal cutting process in 1982.

Wikapedia reports, “In 1895, Swarovski financier Armand Kosman and Franz Weis founded the Swarovski company, originally known as A. Kosmann, Daniel Swartz & Co., which was later shortened to K.S. & Co.^[3] The company established a crystal cutting factory in Wattens, Tyrol (Austria), to take advantage of localhydroelectricity for the energy-intensive grinding processes Daniel Swarovski patented.”

VintageBaublesnBeads

You can find figurines, jewelry clothing, and home decorations in high end gift stores, department stores and online shops selling signed Swarovski productions. However, Artisians all over the world purchase loose beads and rhinestones to embellish their creations.

LaurenElise

BESEV

Artists and crafters world wide tout the quality of their jewelry by stating that they use Swarovski crystals beads and rhinestones in their designs. The word Swarovski is synonymous with excellence and quality.

Thoselovelybeads

Swarovski rhinestones can be found in many designer signed and manufactured pieces as shown here in the following vintage jewelry pieces by Sherman, Continental and more:

GrandVintageFinery Sherman Necklace

Bodacious Jewels Sherman Brooch

GlitzyThings Continental Brooch

glitzythings Full Parure

delightfullyvintage Alice Caviness

As well, Swarovski has their own team of designers who create amazingly beautiful pieces found in higher end boutiques, department stores and online gift malls. The Swarovski produced jewelry can be identified with the hallmark Swan stamped on the backs and hang tags of the their designs:

The Jewel Seeker

PurpleDaisyJewelry

The Jewel Seeker

Click here for more outstanding Vintage Jewelry!!!

Collecting Sterling Silver

2012-01-28T07:15:00.000-08:00

The Jewel Seeker

Sterling silver will always be my first love, I have a nickle allergy, and so I struggle to wear anything but fine jewelry (gold, silver, platinum). I pick up vintage jewelry whenever I can find it. This past week-end I found a beautiful, like new, retired Judith Ripka Bracelet that offers a fabulous combination of Diamonique faceted onyx and sterling silver.

Elsewind

I was checking out other sterling silver designers on Etsy, and found a fantastic variety of designers: Dancraft, Jay Flex Sterling, Cini, Bell and a host of other Designers. Countries like Denmark, Normay, Germany, and the United Kingdom are also well known for their Sterling Silver Craftsmen.

Antiquing Online

As a collector and seller of vintage jewelry, I enjoy researching designers and companies. Discovering makers and designers can be a challenge, because in of the way various countries hallmark sterling. The United Kingdom used a picture code; as well as other European Countries.

Taxco and More

Mexican sterling silver is very popular, and designer Mexican Sterling silver is highly desired in the collectors world. It takes are real dedicated researcher to be able to identify the marks on Mexican Sterling, but one of my favorite resources for identifing it is Bille Hougarts The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks This wonderful soft back book explains the differences in eagle marks, and gives examples of numerous hallmarks.

Vintage Native American Indian sterling silver jewelry is often unmarked. Some of the marks are easily identified and others are very difficult because the artist only signed the jewelry with their initials or a symbol. The complication in identifying a specific Native American Indian craftsmen is that the silversmith often past his trade to family members. The result is that there may be several artists using the same or similar initials, only different font. This can be very challenging to a seller who wants to attach a name or brand to a specific piece of jewelry. Barton Wright's Hallmarks of the Southwest can be very helpful in learning more about identifying the works of many Native American Indian craftsmen.

Past Splendors

VintagePoetlandia

The Jewel Seeker

For more details about the sterling silver jewelry in this article, please click on the Shop name below each picture. All jewelry provided here is courtesy of The Vintage Jewelry Sellers Team on Etsy.

Make your Photo's POP! - Photoshop for clarity

2012-01-09T15:28:00.001-08:00

This tutorial will be helpful to those of you who are looking to create clarity in your photo's and improve color. I hope it is helpful. I'm still a beginner at making these video tutorials, and so I'm nervous, yet excited to share this kind of knowledge. My own photos could use some improvement - but what better way to learn than to teach, right? So, play around a little and have fun - you can't make a mistake, because you can always delete the picture and retake it or hit the "undo" button! Have fun!

Do You Pin? Pinterest - Show your stuff!

2012-01-08T01:49:00.000-08:00

I threw together this Pinterest Tutorial. Hopefully it will inspire you to get a pinterest account and start having some fun!+

Treasury Making Is more fun using Shmetsy Treasury Making Tools

2012-01-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

I love to make treasuries - especially treasuries using items of the members of my favorite team, The Vintage Jewelry Sellers on Etsy! When making a treasury, this is what I look for:

KEY WORDS:

The most important part of a treasury, in my opinion, is finding the items that I want to include in it. So, sometimes I will search origin of item (ie: European, Scandinavian, German, Russian, Alaskan, Polynesian, Japan, Asian) or I will search colors, metal type (silver, gold) or gemstone (ruby, sapphire, amethyst). I will also search for styles (modernist, victorian, art deco), or dates (1950's, 1920's, 1800's). I also use terms like figurals, hearts, womens, childrens, mens, or sports terms. So, the words you use in the key word section of your description is vitally important in being found. I also specifically search for Etsy Teams, so if you belong to Vintage Jewelry Sellers on Etsy, make sure you have the key word "VJSE Group Team".

PHOTOS:

Another important feature that I look for is that the feature picture of the item I choose is clear (not fuzzy or blurry), and that the item in the picture is close enough that it is well defined and easy to identify. I also make sure that if I am searching for a specific color, that the color is accurate in the picture as to the key word used.

Vintage Jewelry Sellers on Etsy ROCK!!!

2011-09-17T00:18:00.000-07:00

Etsy Coupon Codes

2010-11-29T20:55:00.000-08:00

Etsy Coupon Codes This blog has all of the best buys on Etsy, including coupon codes, discounts, free shipping and more! Check it out - it's worth the look!

Tutorial for Promoting the Etsy Coupon Code

2010-11-23T15:51:00.000-08:00

Promoting our shops and now the Etsy Coupon Code is really a challenge. The "Shop Profile" where we add our introduction just doesn't seem to show up enough to really advertise in. So, I wanted to make sure that the customers would see the customer code clearly. If it shows up in the "featured items", it would be more visable. I tried posting the picture below, without any thing else in the listings. I figured I would pay 20 cents just to get the picture in my store under the featured items. However, Etsy is very clear that we are not to list "empty" items. I learned this after I posted a picture of an my "Coupon code: It was apparent that the coupon code could still be promoted in the same fashion, only I needed to actually use an item that is in my shop. So, this is a tutorial to show you how I did it: Open your the graphics program(I use Adobe Photo Shop)and Click File, then in the drop down menu, click "open": Select the picture that you want to use and click "open": Crop your picture: Click Enhance and then click in the drop down menu, "Adjust Color" and then "Color Variation": I rarely have to do much more than lighten the picture, but sometimes I will want to decrease reds or blues. Adjust your picture until you are happy with it and then click "ok": Then in your Enhance drop down menu, click Adjust Brightness/Contrast and then "Brightness/Contrast": With Adobe Photoshop, all you have to do is slide the contrast button over until you are happy with the look of your picture: With jewelry pictures, I always sharpen, because it helps the fine details come out in the picture: Now we are ready to enter the text. I click the "T" on the Menu bar: Then to then I click the color pallet to chose the color I want to use for the text: I always center my text, I only have to click the picture where I want the center of the text to be and start typing: Now it's time to place this picture in my Etsy store on the item that matches what is in the picture I just wrote the Text on. So I go to "Your ETsy" and find the item and click "EDIT". Then below the three pictures on the I click "edit": Click "Browse" and look for the Picture you want to upload that has the text. Click it and open: Now click "upload": Click on the picture you just uploaded, Right click it and drag it so that it is in the first position: Click "Last": Go to the item, and make sure that the "feature" star is green, and then go to your front page and make sure that your "ad" is showing in the featured item: Attention: If your a treasury maker, you will want to be careful not to include this kind of picture.

Etsy's Coupon Codes now available!!!

2010-11-21T05:24:00.000-08:00

I made a copy of the main picture of the piece of jewelry, and used adobe photoshop to type a text over the front of the picture (see samples), and used it as the first picture of the item I was posting for sale. Once the item was posted, I clicked it as a feature item, so it stayed on the front page of the etsy shop. I tweeted the item several times during the day and placed it on facebook. Etsy requires all posts to your shop must be legitimate items for sale. So you will need to make sure that the item has a Title and description, and is reasonably priced. It cannot simply be an advertising picture. Play fair and abide by Etsy's guidelines.

Cheering on our Favorite Football Team in Vintage Jewelry!

2010-11-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

'Go Oregon Ducks #1 BCS Football Team!!! Support your team Challenge Gift Guide' by thejewelseeker

We are all for supporting our team, and giving gifts of yellow and green to our Duck friends during the holidays! Go Ducks! All of the jewelry used in this treasury is courtesy of the Vintage Jewelry Sellers on Etsy Team!

Schreiner Unsigned ... AgedandOpulent... $225.00	Go UO Ducks, Japane... tokyocrafts $3.25	Green and yellow ma... glitzythings $95.00	Green and Yellow Ja... judysgems2 $499.00
University of Orego... girlzstampin $8.00	Vintage Green and Y... LisaWitmerColl... $10.00	OREGON DUCKS Colors... geminiglasswor... $25.00	Chunky Vintage Marb... AntiqueAli $39.99
Vintage 40s Green Y... metroretrovint... $24.95	University of Orego... thegolfingdolp... $8.99	Fall Celluloid Yell... mimisvintagesh... $12.00	Oregon Duck Single ... starrscreation... $5.00
Vintage 1970s 14 Ka... AntiquingOnLin... $1450.00	Amazing Double Stra... thejewelseeker $25.00	Custom Handmade ORE... nicholedeon $40.00	Vintage Plastic Lar... mimisvintagesh... $10.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

We are BIG Oregon Duck Fans, and this past week they have been #1 in the BCS Polls. If I were closer and going to the games, I am sure I would have lots of vintage jewelry to wear to the games; of course all GREEN AND YELLOW!!! I've searched on Etsy, and there are some amazing vintage jewelry in Green and Yellow - and there are some great giftables also!

Ghosts, Goblins & Witches - OH NO!!!

2010-10-11T03:29:00.000-07:00

By Cranberry Manor on Etsy

Goblins and Jack-O-Lanterns jolly, Bid you unto All-Hallow's folly. Hither come by dark n' moon, you cannot join the fun too soon.

The annual holiday is celebrated on October 31st. It actually has its roots in the Gaelic festival of Samhain (pronounsed sew-in). Samhain is the celebration of the summers end and the beginning of the darker months of the year. The story goes that this was a time when the barrier between this world and the “other world” was reduced, allowing passage of both the good and evil spirits. It was a time to celebrate the passing of loved ones; as well as, to ward off these evil spirits. Men would wear costumes of white and paint their faces black to ward off those evil ones. Now Halloween is all about having fun, and a costume can go from anything scary to fun and whimsical. I’m not big on wearing costumes, but I definitely have the tendancy to wear a black or orange sweater and like to throw on appropriate jewelry for the season. Halloween can definitely be a fun time to wear vintage jewelry. All sorts of delightfully scary characters come to life in sparkling brooches, rings, necklaces and earrings.

The Jewel Seeker The Vintage Jewelry Sellers on Etsy Team have some really awesome jewelry making PERFECTLY HAUNTING gifts to treat your favorite TRICKSTERS, delight your favorite friend as a TREAT, or simply add to your costume of choice! Here are some fun pieces you might like: Smallstones on Etsy - Roseluv on Etsy - TheAttic Shop on Etsy

During Halloween, everyone love to adorn themselves with wild and crazy jewelry in order to look stunning and cute.

ArtistiekEndeavors on Etsy Happy Halloween!!!

Mascara Jones on Etsy - Antique Ali on Etsy - Cranberry Manor on Etsy Key words for your Etsy search might be: Skeleton, Witches, Pumpkins, Ghosts, Goblins or Ghouls, Bats, Halloween jewelry, and colors like Orange or Black!

AND THE WINNER IS....

2010-09-28T00:08:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Leslie - Zephyr Vintage - the winner of the VJSE TEAM Treasury Challenge:

'VJSE Team Treasury Challenge: Juliana is my muse!' by zephyrvintage

Juliana has style, class and is the life of the party! Presented are some glorious pieces of Juliana vintage jewelry, in vibrant fall colors. All are from members of the VJSE team on etsy.

Juliana DeLizza and... VintageJewelry... $58.00	Vintage Glam Goldst... Frogandthescor... $69.96	D and E Juliana Top... PastSplendors $29.00	Beautiful D and E J... waalaa $39.99
DeLizza and Elster ... AntiqueAli $124.99	Green Kramer Rhines... Elsewind $28.00	Vintage Ruby Red Rh... CranberryManor $50.00	Juliana DE earrings... glitzythings $30.00
Juliana D and E Rar... AOJVintageJewe... $795.00	Confirmed JULIANA, ... KatcherrFancy $69.99	Vintage Lipstick Re... STLvintage $39.00	Juliana Orange and ... AgedandOpulent... $145.00
D and E Filigree ba... LillysVintageJ... $38.00	four inch comet bro... hannahsetsy $30.00	VINTAGE winter ice ... VintageTreasur... $184.99	ICED D and E Julian... thejewelseeker $65.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Seasonal Autumn Jewelry: Halloween

2010-09-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

'BOO!!! 'Fraidy CATS DON'T Enter HERE! - Halloween by VJSE Gift Guide' by thejewelseeker

Three black cats, three black cats, In black hats, in black hats. They all jumped into the Halloween brew, They teased the ghosts and the goblins too. Did you ever hear such a hullabaloo On Halloween?

Diamond Cut Aluminu... Frogandthescor... $19.96	Vintage Carved Cell... CranberryManor $65.00	Unique figural pin ... glitzythings $25.00	Vintage Plastic Fal... Vintage55 $20.00
Claudette Orange an... AgedandOpulent... $178.00	Enamel Black Cat Cl... waalaa $18.99	Bakelite bracelet o... glitzythings $95.00	Modernist Cat Kitte... Sundayandsunda... $35.00
AJC Theatrical Cats... LillysVintageJ... $25.00	Autumn Acorns and L... Smallstones $28.99	Vintage Grey Enamel... theatticshop $5.00	50's/60's G... mascarajones $295.00
Vintage Hattie Carn... judysgems2 $159.00	Vintage W. German M... AntiqueAli $45.00	JJ HAUNTED HOUSE PE... hannahsetsy $50.00	Vintage Kitty Cat E... mimisvintagesh... $6.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

How to Start Your Collection

2010-09-24T16:42:00.000-07:00

Frogs, Frogs and more Frogs!

I collect frogs….oh, and that old 50’s guilloche enamel rose jewelry….oh, and I started this new collection of Les Bernard jewelry…and…oh, I have collected lots of jewelry over the years.

In the beginning, I went to garage sales, estate sales, auctions, flea markets, antique stores, and of course the antique and collectible street fairs and shows. I shopped on EBay, as well as online malls like Etsy.com.

If I found something that fit into one of my collections, I would buy it. Friends, family and co-workers would gift me wonderful additions for my collections. After about thirty years of picking up every little frog or enamel rose, I had all sorts of jewelry in various states of condition, quality and design. Allow me to impart some gained knowledge that has since helped to make my collection more appealing.

Condition

Purchased as is - poor condition.

The first 100 pieces of jewelry I found were quite atrocious! Condition is so important to consider when purchasing costume jewelry.

This past winter I started going through my collectible jewelry and found some pieces had missing stones, broken clasps, chips, scratches, worn plating, and cloudy or worn rhinestones. I had pieces that were improperly soldered and others that had messy glue where there was an attempt at replacing rhinestones! I was so disappointed remembering the higher prices that I paid for items in poor condition.

Now, I carry a loupe in my pocket, an extra one in my purse; as well as, in the car. Examining a piece of jewelry carefully, under amplification, makes it easier to assess a reasonable asking price. I have also been known to ask the seller if the piece had been repaired, or if I could take it to a window or someplace where the lighting is better. Take the time to inspect the item before you lay down the money!

Quality

Duette by Coro

David Anderson Hummingbird

Initially, I had no clue how to really tell quality. All I cared about was that it fit into the category of either a frog or enamel guilloche rose. As time went by, though, I realized that some pieces seemed heavier, sturdier and has a designer name on the back of them. I noticed that the rhinestones sparkled more, or the plating of the metal seemed thicker than others. The realization occurred to me that I really liked some pieces more than others. I noticed that the vintage jewelry pieces seemed to have those characteristics that improved the quality. My observations were that the designers that had the best quality jewelry would plate their jewelry heavier, use quality Austrian rhinestones or used actual gemstones. I also discovered as in all things there is a low end, a mid range and high end designers. At the point that I realized this I began buying collector books and joined a couple of online vintage jewelry collector groups.

In the beginning, I found it easier to rely on signed jewelry, like Schiaparelli, Regency, Eisenberg, Schriener, and Bogoff to name a few of the higher end. I would look for mid range design companies like, ART, Trifari, Florenza and Hollycraft. Again, relying on online jewelry groups, collector groups and books helped me to become more familiar with the types of jewelry I wanted to collect. Remember, quality doesn't always mean that it has a cartouche with a name on the back. many unsigned pieces reek with quality, so don't discount a piece just because there is no signage!

My Style Preferences

Unsigned beauty

Finally, the last consideration is your personal taste. What styles do you like or dislike. I like sweet flowers and pearls when it comes to my enamel guilloche rose collection, but anything goes when it comes to the frog collection.

Are you looking for rhinestones or do you like sterling with natural stones? Do you like wood or plastics? What era is your favorite? Victorian, Art Deco, Arts and Crafts or the Industrial era? Some like to collect figurals, some like the glitzy sparkles and others like wood.

Once I finally determined what I like to wear and what I liked to look at, buying jewelry was a whole lot less costly and overwhelming; and it was much more fun.

Twitter-Pated Over Jewelry

2010-09-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

Enamel Guilloche Rose by ART
A set from my collection

I don't know what is going on today with me, but I feel the "need" to share some of my thoughts about loving my jewelry collections, and the feeling I get when I get a new piece and photograph it.

I don't get my mail every day. We have lived on a rock quarry for the past year, and I thought we were moving on this year, but my husband agreed to work for our son-in-law another year - so here we are. I don't mind. It's interesting to live here. Needless to say, I don't get my mail every day, because we use our daughters address, and she has to send a package out her through inter office mail. They don't deliver every day. We went to her house yesterday for her 35th birthday - WOW - where did time go? Another story for another day!

She had several packages for me. I was delighted when I opened them, because several new Tortolani pieces came in (thanks to sellers that are JR members that posted to the cow last week :), and a couple of pieces that are additions to a new small collection that I started a few months ago (including a frog - of which I am a long time collector of).

When I get a new piece for my collections, I always take pictures of it - or them in this case.

Les Bernard Collection

I cannot explain how much I fall in love with a piece of jewelry as I view it in close detail under the lens of a camera. Joy literally overwhelms me, as I view all of the intricate detail that a designer puts into their designs. Take for instance, the tiny little sparkle of a stone, the itty bitty stippling or texture that is so important in adding to the dimensions a piece might have. I am always amazed at the difference in stone quality, or wonder how a designer might have made the decision to "add" some feature to a figural piece that gives it more character.

I've taken a lot of pictures of jewelry to sell, but when I take a picture of a piece of jewelry that I truly love...a piece that I collect....something happens to my inner self - a love for the piece really blooms.

Do the rest of you Jewelry Collectors get twitterpated over your collection? Is this too much information about me? (ha ha)....don't get me wrong, I still value my husband and my children and grandchildren more than my jewelry but it runs a close second to them. Just kidding! However, I am thinking that there are no drugs that could give me that great feeling as receiving something new to add to my collections.

Now, off to put these new jewels into the case with the other precious little sparkling ones!

The Collectors: Vintage Frog Brooches With rikrak :: Etsy Blog

2010-09-22T01:01:00.000-07:00

The Collectors: Vintage Frog Brooches With rikrak :: Etsy Blog The Storque is an Etsy Blog. It has a lot of various collector tips and helps and ideas. One of this weeks blog entries is about a Frog Collector. It fits right in with a blog entry I am preparing about being a collector! Check this blog out!

VJSE Team Treasury Challenge Mid Century by thejewelseeker on Etsy

2010-09-20T21:27:00.000-07:00

I'm in a contest this week. It is based on "hits"....so, please click on the link, and then click on some of the jewelry and enjoy this mid century modernist silver jewelry presented to you by the VJSE (Vintage Jewelry Sellers on Etsy) Team: VJSE Team Treasury Challenge Mid Century by thejewelseeker on Etsy