THE RETROSPECTIVE A LOOK BACK IN TIME
Issue 3
11
The Retrospective A Look Back in Time
July 2014 IN THIS ISSUE
Where Have I Been? I realize that one of the worst things you can do after starting a “monthly” newsletter is not stick to the schedule. As a marketer, I know you need to stay top of mind and consistent with brand communications so I wanted to take a moment to explain why you haven’t received the monthly newsletters I promised.
and photograph more than 100 new items and raise my Etsy site inventory to 500 pieces.
At the end of April I lost my day job, the one that actually pays the bills. As much as I would like the vintage job to be my only job, I'm not quite ready to give up a steady paycheck and take the chance on a fluctuating income just yet.
It's been just about a month since I started at my new job and I'm going through that phase of trying to learn the ropes, get invested in my new client's business and re-establish a routine. For a while I'm going to be really busy with the day job and I'm probably going to be a terrible slacker when it comes to keeping up with this newsletter, but hopefully you'll all forgive me and stick with me as I get into my new groove!
I was lucky, I got a month of severance and I had some time to hit the job market before things became really tight. You'd think that given all that extra free time I'd have spent it writing oodles of articles for this newsletter right?! Well I actually didn't accomplish any of that type of work; I didn’t write for my blog, create a spring/summer look book or any of the big project ideas I thought I’d knock out with my newfound “free time.” But what I did do was grow my inventory, expand into fine jewelry for the shop
I wasn't slacking on the job search either, at the end of my third week of unemployment I had a job offer. After accepting the position I finally started telling people about losing my old job.
I have tons of lovely new things to show you and stories to share. So tuck in and discover what I’ve been remiss in sharing with you for the past few months!
Mandy Heth Owner, Vintage Baubles & Bit
Discover the History of West Virginia Glass Company
Read about this amazing and fun glassware line featuring bright, bold colors and classic gold rims from the 1950s, one of my personal collections! The article starts on page 2.
Tips and Tricks
Check out part two of my tips for unique ways to use vintage brooches as part of an on-going series starting on page 3.
THE RETROSPECTIVE A LOOK BACK IN TIME | Issue 3
Entertain in Style Blendo Glassware If I have another obsession beyond vintage jewelry it’s West Virginia Glass Company’s Blendo glassware. I happen to have a pretty large collection of the glassware, so much so that I was contacted by Cottage and Bungalows magazine to provide them with photos and a background on this awesome line of serving ware from the 1950s! History: The West Virginia Glass Company was located in Weston, West Virginia from 1928-1987 and specialized in drink ware and serving ware sets. The Ohio River Valley was a haven for glass
The often-overlooked accessory, belts are more than just fashion, they’re function too! Belts have been utilized in men’s attire since the Bronze Age, but they didn’t become really popular for women until the early 1900s. In fact, art nouveau belt buckles are often seen as collector’s items today.
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blowers due to the availability of natural gas, sand, timber and running water that could be converted for energy and the ability to transport their products easily using the river. Many famous glassmakers established themselves in the same region, such as Blenko, Fenton, Ohio Valley Glass and the West Virginia Glass Company. West Virginia Glass Company is probably most famous for their “Blendo” style of glassware. This particular pattern is defined by a bright to pastel shade of solid color at the base of the glass that slowly fades as it moves up the glass and rims of glasses lined in gold and the pitchers/serving ware with a gold band near the top of the piece. If the set does not have the gold rim, it’s not West Virginia Glass Company. Blendo sets became most desired from the 1950s-1960s, when the company developed several different types of party and serving ware styles. As the cocktail era boomed, so too did the sale of Blendo sets.
Cocktail Pitcher and Low-Ball Glasses
Blendo sets came in a verity of colors and styles:
Juice Sets Water/Lemonade Sets Cocktail Sets Serving Ware Salt & Pepper Shakers Salad Bowls Oil & Vinegar Cruets Parfait Cups Wine Decanter and Glasses
Continued on Page 3
Featured Item of the Month
This month’s feature item is a two-forone deal; I’m featuring both the adorable green straw and leather belt from the 1980s and the silver cutout with blue rhinestone fastenings for an early 1900s belt. I love the detail in the old buckles and think that even if you didn’t use them to create a belt again that they have tons of possibilities for crafting and upcyling! Get these for 25% off in July during the shop’s Christmas in July sale!
Green Belt: http://etsy.me/1iv397J Belt Buckles: http://etsy.me/1q6ZP4Z
THE RETROSPECTIVE A LOOK BACK IN TIME | Issue 3
TIPS AND TRICKS
10 Ways to Wear Brooches Here is option two of 10 really easy ways to take the brooch up a notch – turn your brooch into a high impact bracelet.
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Glass Cont’d
My Story: I started collecting Blendo sets about 8 years ago, while perusing a 50s-centric vintage shop in St. Louis I discovered my first set, which is still my main glassware set today. Having a vintage addiction usually means you have an addiction to history and research, so of course I started looking up what I had bought and noticed that there were more and more styles and colors of Blendo glass available. So I began keeping a look out when I was out thrifting, at estate sales and shopping in antique and vintage shops. Slowly I started growing my collection, picking up pieces in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and as far away as New Mexico. Today my collection stands at roughly 20 sets/pieces, which I display in my kitchen and use when I entertain. Check out more of my collection on my blog.
Juice Pitcher and Glasses
Salad Bowl with Matching Salt & Pepper and Oil & Vinegar Cruets
Customer Appreciation This is a simple and quick way to make old accessories fresh. In this example I’ve taken three stretchy pearl bracelets and slid the beautiful mother of pearl antique brooch across all three, pinning it shut and creating a very lovely, custom bracelet! Try it with metal bangles, cord bracelets, lots of rubber band style bracelets for pops of color or even on fabric or ribbon to create your own signature bracelet Want more details, check out my blog.
This month’s featured customer is Caitlin Hornshaw. She purchased a set of vintage suitcase shelves for her new office. I love how she’s combined her own vintage treasures and influences to really make her office a place of inspiration! Send me photos of your Vintage Baubles & Bits purchases at mandyheth@gmail.com for a chance to be featured here!
THE RETROSPECTIVE A LOOK BACK IN TIME | Issue 3
Did you know that a cameo could be any engraved carving? Most popular in jewelry is the silhouette a lady. The cameo is most often a relief image, meaning that the item being carved is raised from the base. If the image is carved into the base that “negative” image is called an intaglio.
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Jewelry Item of the Month
In the Renaissance time period cameos were often carved of onyx or agate, as these stones had natural contrasting colors within them. This style of cameo is known as “hardstone.” Later it became more common to carve cameos into shell or glass. This month’s feature item is a handcarved shell cameo ring set in 10k yellow gold. The ring is a size 6.5 and the cameo has gorgeous details. A wonderful addition to any cameo lover’s collection.
25% off in July as Part of the Christmas in July Special http://etsy.me/1jggcEC
Fashion Trends This summer get in on a super fun trend – gem-embellished pieces! Vintage clothing and accessories have been in on this trend for quite some time and there are a lot of fun vintage pieces to be had that fit in with this summer trend.
From clothing to purses to hair accessories and shoes – throughout time each one of these things has been embellished with sparkling, glittering jewels. Take a gander at the awesome 70s over-dress in the photo to the left. This piece came from Lane Bryant and was meant to be worn over long white pants or short shorts. What makes it even more fun isn’t just its funky style, but the double rows of shiny gems trimming the collar and around the waist. I like this trend because you can choose the level of sparkle you want, from a little bit of shine to a whole lot of glam! What’s your favorite way to incorporate gems into your everyday style? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page!
10 VINTAGE GEM-EMBLLISHED PIECES FROM ETSY:
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80s Little Black Dress
2.
Enid Collins Purse
3.
70s Tortoise Shell Specs
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50s White Winter Hat
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Moonglow Cuff Links
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Black Pumps
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Weiss White Bangle
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A Sweet Fish Brooch
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Big, Bold Ring
10. 70s White Sandals
THE RETROSPECTIVE A LOOK BACK IN TIME | Issue 3
Stunning Sterling Silver
I’ve always been a fan of silver jewelry and quality sterling silver is elegant and timeless. From the handformed artistic beauty of Native American jewelry to the stunning, intricate details of a sterling art deco piece, there is much to be admired about sterling silver jewelry.
First – what makes an item sterling versus just silver? It’s the metal content. Like many metals pure silver, like pure gold or pure copper, can be pliable and to soft to make jewelry with. To counter the metal’s natural qualities it is often blended with other metals to create stronger, more durable pieces. To be classified as sterling, the metal must contain 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal, often copper.
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CALENDER OF EVENTS
Sterling, as a metal alloy, was developed in Europe and can be traced back to at least the 12th century in the form of coins in the area now known as northern Germany. The popularity of sterling silver grew in Colonial America when American silversmiths began using the metal standard in all the pieces they created.
July, 2014
CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE From July 2 – July 29th all jewelry, accessories and women’s and men’s clothing will be on sale for 25% off. It’s a great time to stock up on Christmas gifts and spread the cost of gift buying out a bit! Plus all clearance items are still 35% off! www.etsy.com/shop/vintagebaublesnbits
As trade increased between colonist and Native Americans, many tribes began using silver in the making of their jewelry. This process started in the early 1800s and by the 1850s many Navajo, Zuni and Hopi tribes had adopted silverwork into their jewelry. Today Southwestern jewelry and sterling silver go hand-in-hand. Discover stunning sterling silver ring selections in the shop!
In jewelry pieces sterling silver is often marked 925 or sterling to signify the metal content. Looking for these marks is a good way to ensure that you’re getting a more quality metal that is likely to hold up better with wear and use.
August 3, 2014 STRAWBERRY SWING
Kansas City folks Come out to Alexander Majors Barn from 10-5PM and meet us in person! See details on the show’s Facebook page.
THE RETROSPECTIVE A LOOK BACK IN TIME
Issue 3
11
The Retrospective
For the Guys Keep Your Pants Up! Suspenders are an excellent way to make sure you don’t accidently moon someone very important! To American’s, the suspender is a set of fabric, elastic or leather straps, with button or clips at the ends used to hold up trousers. Outside of the US, the word suspender has a much broader scope and is often used to refer to items we call garter belts today, the term simply means, any garment used to hold up pants or stockings. The modern suspender was developed in 1820 by Albert Thurston as a solution to a fashion issue where pants became cut too high for belts to be practical. The first U.S. patent for suspenders came about in 1871 and belonged to Samuel Clemens, more famously known as author Mark Twain. Suspenders remained popular until the 1920s, but went out of fashion in the 30s because they were seen as “underwear”. Since then suspenders have resurged in fashion from time to time, but they’ve never again out-paced the belt in the popularity race. Check out the collection of suspenders in our men’s section!
Have a friend or family member who would love to receive this newsletter? Send me their email addresses and I will add them to the distribution list! Mandyheth@gmail.com