Sunday, April 8, 2012

A Basket Full of Pearls~Happy Easter

A brooch that I wear 1 day a year, if I remember. This year I am remembering!!
A beauty found second hand of course.  The piece measures 2" x 1.5".  It is very pretty;done in a silver base covered with clear and pink rhinestones and pearls. It is unsigned but lovely all the same.


Sunday, April 1, 2012

For the Love of the VW Beetle. Not a typical post

I have always loved VW Beetles.  I had a friend who had a volksy bug convertible when I was a teen. I loved that car. 
So ok, no this blog is not about a brooch.  It is about a beautiful car.  A car that has come around again in vogue to drive proudly. 
There is nothing like a vintage VW Bug though.
I'd love to have a gold bug. 
It would be so well, golden

A Classic VW Beetle done in a nice vintage golden color with BEAUTIFUL fat whitewalls



We could take this desire a bit further
.
We could well adorn our VW Beetle with actually 24k Plated golden scrolling.
This piece of art was created by a metal art shop called Verbanus.  If we have a bit of metal working skill, lots of 24k gold plate and 2500 extra hours to fiddle, this could  be our next art project. Oh yes, dont forget the vintage VW Bug base.


I could really rock and roll in this dream car
 A creative builder has taken the love of the VW Beetle to a higher notch.

VW Shaped Home
I wonder if they have a VW Bug in their garage?


 I like the ring below. 
I could not afford it as shown, as it is crafted in gold and saphires. 
Sterling would work for me.


VW Beetle Ring Gold and Saphires

Obviously, the VW Beetle has touched the heart of many over the years. Below is a cute VW Bug sterling charm with spinning wheels



Vintage Sterling VW Beetle Charm


I have not posted since before last Sunday.  As I was making this blog post, I got a call that my mother had another stroke.  Needless to say, I dropped the computer and rushed with my dear husband to the hospital.
 She is so precious to me. 
We are blessed, as she is doing well.

Please keep us in your prayers.
Much is going on in our lives now
. I believe we will come through this stronger, only through God's grace.

Happy Sunday.

xxoo Lisa



Friday, March 23, 2012

Frantic Fridays-mad dash Victorian Brass Flower Brooch

Friday's are my self-inflicted rush day.

Much to do before going to work.

Yes, no one has given me a princess tiara.
 I know I look damn good in one.
  If I had one, this princess would be a stay at home princess.
  Until then, the rush is on!

This brooch is an old brass brooch measuring  2" diameter.
C Clasp indicates that it is old old old.
I have not cleaned it as I prefer the beauty of natural patina.

Short and Sweet


I like the simplicity of this piece. 
The beauty is not in glittery stones.
It is understated and soft.

Have a simple day full of good moments

~Lisa

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Pot Metal Clamp Dress Clip-Back in the Day

Costume jewelry began long ago. 

 In the beginning the jewelry  was intended to be permanent part of the dress purchased. It was sewn to the fabric.

Women began using the sewn piece on other pieces of apparel to change the look of their outfits.

It did not take long for business minded people to take note that these little gems could be sold without a piece of apparel. Costume jewelry became a booming business.

This is a simple dress clip made of pot metal. 

In its day it had little rhinestone accents. It measures approximately 2" X 1"

I picked this up at a church sale for a dollar. 

 It has no value really. It is just a reminder of a simpler time to me.



Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Flower Power~Its Spring~Brooch Cluster

The birds are chirping and it feels like mid-May.

 Today we may break a record here in Western Pennsylvania. 

The forecast is 80 degrees and sunshine.

I pulled out my outfit that I wore for OBX photographs last summer. 

It is a pair of khaki crops and a nice lavendarish crocheted cardigan. 

 I was so tan when I last wore this and now I am Pittsburghea Pastey. 

To deter from my pastiness, I added this bouquet of flower brooches. 

 I love these punky little squirts of flower power.  I have about 30 or so of these.

Some are marked some are not.

I just love them.

~Lisa



Tuesday, March 20, 2012

My Mystery Brooch-Can you identify it?

I got this brooch years ago. It is one that remains a total mystery to me. It is also one of my very favorites, partly because I can find no solid information on it no matter where I research. 
I call it my Tin Man Brooch.
The face is a separate piece from the green hat.  The head is pot metal; a mixture of whatever metals were available to work with melted together. I do not know what material the hat is. I do know that it does not feel like lucite or bakelite. It measures a little over an inch tall and is adorned with rhinestones.
Be forewarned.

 I will continue to post this pin on the blog until (I hope) someone truly identifies this piece.

I thought I had found a great forum ( www.iantiqueonline.com ) that may have been able to help me research this.  I was kicked off the forum, within days of joining, and my IP address has been blocked because the co-founder/editor wanted my profile Icon (my picture) removed.

From the co-founder editor's email to me:

C. Dianne Zweig Editor's Desk has sent you a message on I Antique Online

Subject: Profile photos

------------
Lisa,

 I would like to suggest that you change your profile photo. While attractive and artsy, it may invite unwanted members to the site.
http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/page/photos-and-videos


The picture of me that "may invite unwanted members to their website".

I went so far as to email her, her other co founder, and called a business phone number of one of them in attempts to find out why my picture would draw unwanted members.

Anyhow, I never received an answer, they removed my picture, and then removed me.

So, I welcome any ideas, or information on this Tin Man Brooch.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Faith, Hope Charity

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.1 Corinthians 13:13



I found this last week. 
It appears very old.
 I fell in like with it immediately.
It is small in size but HUGE in message.
The pin looks like it is made with pot metal (a mix of whatever one had at hand) although the back is marked. I has enameled areas and is accented with rhinestones.