Garnet Goodies

A couple new listings with garnets.  Nothing beats the warm and rich hue of a garnet:

Vintage rhinestone cross pendant with vintage solid brass beads and garnets

Vintage brass chevron assemblage earrings with garnets, rhinestones, freshwater pearls, and vintage glass heart charms. 

Also, don't forget to come to the Birds of a Feather Fair this Sunday from 11:00-4:00 at the Cincinnati Airport Hilton.  The artists featured are truly incredible~you won't be disappointed!  Here's a media shout out:

Have a great weekend!

Sara

Advice

Get thee to iTunes or Amazon or wherever it is you get your music and buy the new Florence & the Machine "Ceremonials."  Brilliant.

Also, Kate Bush has a new album coming out November 22nd, "50 Words for Snow."

Happy sounds!

Sara

Etsy Front Page

In Small Spectacles' "The Dark Side Earrings" were featured on the Etsy Front Page.  It was at 3 a.m. this morning and I am THRILLED!  Here it is:




Many thanks to Lindsey at Creative by Heart for creating such a dark, creepy, and lovely Treasury that is perfect for Halloween!

Sara

Project Accessory

If you like Project Runway (I do), you'll probably like Project Accessory which premieres tonight on Lifetime at 10:30 pm.  The same formatting and concept like Project Runway only with accessories including bags, jewelry, shoes, belts, etc.  I submitted an application with photos/samples of my pieces earlier in the year.  They didn't call.

One day...

Sara

Flexibility

"Flexibility is the key to air power."  My husband with the private pilot's license says this all the time.  Things don't rattle him too much and if best-laid plans have to be abandoned due to an unforeseeable turn of events he trudges on without missing a beat.  I'm not so flexible and while I like to think I can roll with the punches, the truth is change and I don't mix too well.

But in this economy where people watch every penny, the extras sometimes need to have dual purposes and flexibility is a must.  This includes jewelry.  No one wants to fork over good money on pieces they can only use or wear once or with only one outfit.  A pair of earrings is like Thanksgiving turkey:  that bird needs to last a week.   

I got this chain belt and thought of ways I could give it several different looks.  Here's the plain belt:

I took the antique bronze swivel clasps I use on my beaded vintage metal tassel bracelets and added the large vintage metal tassels, vintage metal rhinestones and skeleton keys, and chandelier crystals:

...and thought they would look great not only on the belt like here:

 

....but these bad boys could go on my purses...

....and could give a face lift to all those keys I can't find locks for...

I have a few of these belts in my Etsy Shop here and the Vintage Charm Clusters here.  Go take a look!

 I think my flexibility has increased exponentially!  My husband would be proud....

Sara



Winter Wonderland

In Small Spectacles will be at the Winter Wonderland at Northpointe Elementary in Hebron, KY on Saturday, December 3rd from 10:00-2:00.  I remember what a magical day it was last year:  the snow was coming down, Santa arrived, there were craft stations set up for the kids, and there were lots great crafters/vendors to help you pick out something special for someone special's Christmas gift.

If you are unable to attend any of the shows I have mentioned but are still wanting to see the pieces in person, please send me an e-mail at InSmallSpectacles@gmail.com and we can set up a time to meet.  I also love doing custom work!  If you have a special button, a piece of jewelry you had as a child, or a cherished piece from someone special (even if it's broken), send me a picture and together we can work up a one-of-a-kind piece that will forever hold meaning for you. 

Have a great weekend!

Sara

First Impressions

I think presentation makes up a big majority of a person's opinion on anything.  A beautifully-wrapped gift draws oohs and aahs before anyone has even seen what's inside.  You can never redo a first impression. When I show my jewelry in shows, I like to use backdrops that are unusual and unconventional and enhance the age and patina of my pieces.  More often than not I find myself drawn to wrought iron and and trays which are great at setting up little vignettes among a larger display.  People like my displays as much as the jewelry and sometimes that is what initially draws them over.  I am often asked if a certain tray or antique lock set is for sale.  I thought I'd show you a few pictures I just snapped from the last show:

Wrought iron hand to display Madonna and Child solid brass rings.

3 tiered tray to display the solid brass etched corsage bracelets.

Iron tabletop folder stands for the vintage tassel bracelets.

Iron tray for the Madonna and Child solid brass necklaces.

Wood!  How did that get in there?!  Wood trays for the vintage assemblage necklaces.

More vintage assemblage necklaces.

Hoops hanging from more tabletop folder stands.

A cherub and vintage solid brass bowls for the vintage charm necklaces.

A treasure box full of Lockets.  Boy 2 is in charge of the set up for this portion of my display and is very proud of it!  Didn't he do a lovely job?

A mug stand for the mixed media vintage tassel and button bracelets.

I use wire garden bell jars to hang leverback earrings from.  People can pick them up, spin them around, and see all the earrings without any falling off.

More trays.

 Solid brass escutcheon bracelets and solid pewter key vintage assemblage necklaces.  This is my favorite tray.

Paris muslin mannequin and wrought iron mannequin to display the One of a Kind Chandelier Assemblage Necklaces.

As you can see, my love affair with wrought iron and trays has paid off as I just grab something from a counter or wall and incorporate it in my displays at shows.  As a result, no two show displays are the same. 

Still four more shows in October and November and pending ones for December.  Come out and see what display I will use!

Sara



The Crown Jewels of Hollywood

I'm kind of indifferent about Elizabeth Taylor as an actress and a person and wasn't distressed at her passing.  I didn't recoil anytime a movie of hers popped up while channel-surfing, I just didn't get too jazzed about her like some.  I guess the married-eight-times and having-an-affair-with-a-married-man thing is a big turnoff for me. BUT she was physically stunning at the height of her stardom and let's face it:  she had killer jewelry:

Said to be internally flawless "The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond"

33.13 carats, D color

(Estimated $2,500,00-3,5000,000)

The "Taj Mahal" Necklace from the 1600's and my favorite piece because I'm all about the tassels lately

(Estimated $200,000-300,00)

Snake Bracelet & Watch by BVLGARI

(Estimated $12,000-15,000)

The "Granny" Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels

(Estimated $120,000-180,000)

All of these pieces and more can be yours because Christie's is holding a public auction of Taylor's possessions including jewelry, clothing, luggage, art, and more.  So you were wondering what to do with all that loose change?  Now you know.

Actually, she has more than 900 costume jewelry brooches up for online auction with estimates being a reasonable $100-200.  Not bad for a piece of Hollywood glamor.

Let the bidding begin!

Sara