Small Wonder

August 13, 10 - making a free slideshow

A blog post at last! I even took nice photos! I decided to focus more on jewelry this time, and less on stuff shuffling adventures. My devoted readers deserve some real content. I even took legit photos using my light shed and real camera. I do appreciate your patience with my phone camera pics and sub-standard backdrops. I'll tell you what, though... the day that my images start looking too polished might be the day that my prices go up. That kind of thing takes more time and effort than I have. As far as I can tell, my customers appreciate my streamlined, at times lacking refinement, but never fluffed up with image-promoting bologna, quickest way from point A to point of sale, approach. The photos are some highlights from my inventory, about half are new to the market this week. The following are some details about the pieces. I am also bringing a van full of furniture from the school clean out. See the slide show below for photos of the school furniture. And I'll tweet a few pics of some key pieces.

Pot Metal Dragonfly Pin: Dragonfly pins are always popular. Pot Metal was used when metals were on ration. It did not need to be plated because it has a natural shine and does not oxidize. Often "cold-painted" by hand, rather than decorated with heat-fired enamel.

Coro: One of the most prolific Providence jewelry manufacture companies. Buy Coro when you love it and the price is right.

Fendi Pins: Always stunning!

Bakelite Turtles: If you get a chance, pay some attention to these guys. They're adorable.

Kramer: The rhinestone jewelry from the 1940s gets really pricey. This is a quality pin from the 60's that's affordable.

Chinese Dragon: My favorite! Also made of pot metal. He'll bring you good luck and tons of compliments.

Best Bracelets: From the top, Persian sterling silver with enamel. Just look at the detail in this bracelet! The best faux pearl bracelet ever. Stunning copper enamel panel bracelet. Scandinavian modern pewter bracelet. Chunky costume bracelet. I say, buy them all.

Tiny Earrings: It's taken me almost my entire 12 years of selling jewelry to realize that with earrings, bigger is NOT better. I sell tons of itty itty bitty earrings. I have what you want this week ladies. No stop, YOU'RE the best.

Flower Necklaces: A shopper for Anthropologie picked up like 10 of these to pitch to the designers. You should buy them from me for $12 before they go down in quality and up in price.

Sterling & Shells: It's antique, quality, romantic. I won't water it down with more ineffective modifiers.

Gold Filled Bracelets: Gold filled lasts FOREVER. It does not turn green. You never find bracelets like this broken or damaged. They were made too well to begin with. It is a heavy layer of gold applied to a base metal. Nobody makes jewelry of this quality any more. Buy bracelets like this. They are a good investment.

80's Set: I call these "hot glue gun specials." It is what it is. Lots of look accomplished with no jewelry making tools. Stuff like this was sold at craft shows in the 80s. It looks great! You might knock a stone off, but it's so big, it's not like you'll lose it forever. I like the artsy brass bases on these.

Treasures: I often ask myself why I drive the distance I drive, pay the fees I pay, and work the hours I work, to make $2 sales. Because you people love this stuff! I think I'm going for the sort of Flea Market experience I had when I was a kid. I am happy to be the girl that offers something amazing for $2. Oh, and you know what? THE OTHER VENDORS ARE COPYING ME! I don't mind. My stuff is better ;)

Religious Figures: These were made in Hong Kong in the 60s. I bought them at a church sale. They were from the CCD classroom. Basically I bought them because I'll take any excuse I can find to sing, "I don't care if it rains or freezes, as long as I've got my plastic Jesus riding on the dashboard of my car..." Except that none of them are Jesus. We've got St. Christopher and Mary.

80's Earrings: These are from that collection of dead stock. These have been the best sellers. I picked up the rad triangular display a few weeks ago. I expect the ladies will stop dead in their tracks and fling five dollar bills at me when they see it. The earrings are cool.

Hattie Carnegie: Yes, real signed costume jewelry. There was a time when I wouldn't buy a piece of jewelry unless it was of this quality: of the period, signed, substantial and impressive. I'm still true to my costume jewelry roots, but I accept that not every girl wants a designer faux pearl necklace. But I have the fancy jewels for the fancy ladies that still appreciate that sort of thing.