Shop Update: Limited Editions

During my trip to New York earlier this month I got to make a quick stop at few of my favorite jewelry supply warehouses. I always like to stock up on vintage chains and new-to-me oddities when I get the chance.

Since my visit, I've been able to make a small batch of new jewelry designs which have landed their way into the Limited Editions section of the shop. This collection consists of jewelry incorporating many of the one of a kind antique and fine curiosities I come across. While a couple of these new favorites have already quickly found their new homes, I wanted to share them with you:

1. Vintage brass Remington shoe shaped "Goodwill Shoes" pocket knife souvenir pendant hanging from a vintage brass chain. Advertising tagline embossed on both sides reads: "For Hard Service and Long Wear" - Holliston, Mass. Goodwill Shoe Company also known as Arthur A. Williams Shoes (after its founder) specialized in leather shoes and steel toe "Safety First" boots. Among on of the earlier companies to produce such products at the time, it was one of the largest companies in manufacturing industrial boots by the 1930s. The company became bankrupt sometime in the mid 20th century. Built in 1909, the Goodwill Shoe Company factory resides on 26-28 Water Street, in Holliston, Massachusetts today.

2. Antique dark brass horse hoof doubling as a mini working pocket knife. Hoof hangs from a long vintage chain that slips right over the head. It almost looks as though it could have been handcrafted by a local artisan as a souvenir.

3. Rare antique Bakelite figural arm shaped pocket knife. Knife hangs from bail on a long delicate sterling silver chain. I've never come across a similar figural pocket knife like this unique arm shape.

4. Rare antique folding skeleton keys hanging from sparkling ball chains. These types of folding keys were made to fold so that you could put them in your pocket and were primarily used in schools, churches, and jails.

5. Victorian 1880's antique German figural chatelaine cigar fob cutter in the shape of a dancing lady hanging from a delicate sterling silver chain. Cigar fob cutting mechanism is manipulated by squeezing the fob at the head and feet, essentially bending her knees making the dancer curtsey as she cuts the cigarette.

Click each of the photos above for additional images and item details.

View Past Limited Edition Entries | View Full Collection

Limited Editions: Antique Coin Dispenser and Perfume Bottle

I wanted to document two new pieces for my limited edition line of jewelry that have already come and gone. This collection consists of jewelry incorporating many of the one of a kind antique and fine curiosities I come across.

1. Sterling silver necklace chain incorporating an antique 19th century German silver dispensing coin holder locket that was once part of a chatelaine. Chatelaines were typically worn by female housekeepers in the 1800's as a belted chain holding useful household tools like scissors, watches, keys, vinaigrettes, and more. Over time, the chatelaine evolved from a mostly utilitarian use into a status symbol for the wife to the house owner. This particular dispenser holds dime and penny sized coins - which in the 1800's was most likely a significant amount of money for the lady of the house.

2. Gold plated necklace chain incorporating green Swarovski crystals and an antique brass perfume bottle with dauber and rare seal. Vial unscrews from the dauber revealing a hollowed opening in the bottle pendant. This vial still contained remnants of the perfume scent it once held.

View Past Limited Edition Entries | View Full Collection

Cinemagraphs by Jamie Beck

Have you all seen these moving images, coined "cinemagraphs," by New York City photographer Jamie Beck? They are pretty awe inspiring to look at and take the concept of an animated gif up quite a few notches in my book.

How amazing would something like these be for wedding memories, birth stories, and other landmark life moments? I'd just love to be able to get one or a few made in this style as a promotional photo for my jewelry line.

Could this be the next wave in photography? They seem to be in a category all their own. Find more cinematography and inspiration over on Jamies Beck's Tumbr.

Limited Edition: Vintage Scope Cigarette Holder Necklace

I've added a new section to my shop exclusively for limited edition and one of a kind jewelry designs. The pieces listed in this section incorporate many of the antique finds I come across but am unable to source multiples of or buy out a dead-stock collection. While I always wish I could source duplicates of these limited finds, I know its the fact they are in such short supply that gives them a noteworthy edge.

The latest necklace design I've launched into the mix is comprised of a vintage brass Scope telescoping cigarette holder that fits neatly inside a concealed vial. The holder itself has a black bakelite mouthpiece, which incidentally sports a few marks (presumably teeth) from its former life of mystique and allure.

Find additional photos and details for this new design listed in the shop and keep an eye on the new section for limited and one of a kind treasures making their way onto center stage.

View Past Limited Edition Entries | View Full Collection

Little Surprises

We were so tickled to find this little fella peeping away in the brush under our bushes close to the house last weekend. After our big plans to tackle cleaning off the screened in porch, we were sitting out there for the first time this season sipping a couple Bloody Marys when all of a sudden I noticed what sounded like a little baby bird in distress. Actually, I think Basil may have noticed it first and I took note after trying to figure out what he was so curious about.

I went out searching for it only to discover the baby bird alone and calling out for it's mother. I was worried it may be hurt as it seemed to be hobbling about and trying to fly. I presume it may have been the first time it tried to fly out of the nest. Tim gently picked up the baby bird and it nestled in his hand right away. After a little encouragement, the bird tried to flutter it's wings unsuccessfully - then tried once more and caught some great wind flying like a little pro. He shortly landed back on the ground and we left him be to carry on - now feeling assured he wasn't in any major distress.

We discovered this baby bird almost a year to the week of finding this displaced bird's nest with robin eggs in our yard if you remember. While I can't attest to the outcome of those eggs, it was so heartwarming to know this year may have produced better results.

We've seen the baby bird throughout the week in our trees and around the yard and couldn't be happier that everything turned out to be fine - also knowing handling the bird didn't seem to harm him or ostracize him in any way from other birds eased my mind (I still can't get over that wive's tale).

For the long weekend ahead, we plan to take on a full porch makeover: ripping out old screen, scraping and painting the trim, hanging new screen, and fitting new vinyl slats in place. Hopefully everything will go smoothly and who knows what we might find this weekend! I hope the long weekend brings each of you some much needed R&R as well as some new surprises.

Tattoo Files: Wrists and Arms

Some new tattoo designs I came across that caught my eye for one reason or another. Given the right design, wrists and arms seem like a good place to get inked. View original sources below and stay tuned for future files from this here un-inked little lady.

forearm birds + wrist birds + wrist lines + glasses + tiger + diamonds

* Previous Tattoo Files Posts *

Shop Update: Sterling Silver Lockets

Right around a year ago I launched a line of sterling silver locket necklaces - remember these and these? Find the latest editions pictured above newly available in the shop.

Today's update includes an antique milk jug which opens up to reveal a tiny cow, a beehive revealing a winged bee, a drum revealing a tiny dancing couple, a fisherman's basket with fish, a cottage style chapel with a small wedding taking place inside, a barn with a pair of lovers enclosed (hilarious!), and a tiny locomotive opening up to show the conductor shoveling coal.

Each of the pendants in this update have an heirloom quality about them hinting at the past with a modern twist. For the foreseeable future, these will also be the last versions available in the sterling silver locket line in the event you have your heart set on any particular one.

Shop Update: Vintage Coin Dispenser Necklaces

I came across these quirky little pieces of history whose purpose and function seem to be vanishing quickly: vintage coin dispensers from the 1960's.

The need to carry spare change (or cash for that matter) at all times for everyday things like laundromats, vending machines, games, tolls, and parking meters is becoming a thing of the past - making these dispensers that much more of a conversation piece.

I affixed each one to a vintage 22 inch chain and they are currently the only two of each necklace design I have available in the shop. I'd love to come across a dead-stock collection in order to offer more, but until then these two little gems are up for the taking.

Last of the Antique Letterpress Sticks

I just received the final antique wooden letterpress sticks in a lot that I have been collecting over the past year. While I wish there had been more variety in the letters from the remaining batch, I know their scarcity only makes those available that much more special. I adore their worn down, stained, one of a kind nature and can just imagine the printing projects they were in use for back in their hay day.

I'll be repurposing these letterpress sticks into the initial necklaces I carry in the shop. They will be available here once complete and you can get a further look into the process of how I make them in this previous studio post I put together.

What projects are you working on this weekend?

Shop Update: Limited and Off Stock Designs

I've got a batch of limited and one of a kind necklaces newly listed in the shop. Over time I pick up a single antique piece or small batch of curiosities at an estate sale or online and tend to just hold onto them until I've got a small collection calling my name saying, hey remember me?

This batch includes an antique Orion harmonica, antique vodka decanter tag, vintage advertising box cutters, a brass key shaped bottle opener, two antique whistles, and a mini moving musket. Click images of the necklaces above for details and additional views.