Showing posts with label v i n t a g e. Show all posts
Showing posts with label v i n t a g e. Show all posts

8.27.2011

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.

Pin It

7.30.2011

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.

Pin It

6.27.2011

Etsy Finds: Vintage Love

I came across these two stunning finds while in the midst of my daily Etsy "finding." I'm looking at Etsy content throughout the majority of the day for my work in merchandising, so when something stops me in my tracks, I know I've just got to share.

1. How clever is this repurposed vintage locker console? I've been dreaming about using vintage lockers as creative & decorative storage options but would have never thought to turn one on it's side. It's the little things like these that seed mainstream trends - yes you can call me on that one when these start popping up everywhere!

2. I've already got a thing for vintage dress forms. Lately, I've been on the hunt for an antique version with a solid bust just like the one above. It retains all of the vintage character but still leaves a clean palette for jewelry & styling photos. Too bad this one's reserved but I'm happy to keep the hunt alive.
Pin It

6.23.2011

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.


Pin It

6.05.2011

Whistle Necklace Giveaway

As a small way to show my appreciation for all of your continued support, I'm giving away one silver and one brass vintage whistle necklace newly launched in the shop to two lucky readers. These little whistles came from a dead-stock vintage collection and have a bit of a sentimental quality about them.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Now down to business:
To enter, simply leave a comment on this post and indicate which of the two necklaces you would prefer should you be selected. Make sure to leave an email address where you can be contacted should you win or follow up with contact info once winner is announced.


Each of the following will earn you an additional entry:
  • Follow this blog by clicking the "Follow with Google friend connect" button on the right side bar and leave a separate comment on this post letting me know.
  • "Like" Contrary Jewelry on Facebook and leave a separate comment on this post letting me know.
  • Follow me on Twitter and leave a separate comment on this post telling me you’ve done so.
  • Tweet about the giveaway including the following: “@marymarytweets is giving away Contrary whistle necklaces: http://tinyurl.com/5u7p3pf″ and anything else you'd like to include - then leave a separate comment on this post letting me know.
  • Click the Facebook Like button at the top of this post and leave a separate comment on this letting me know.
The giveaway will end Sunday, June 12, 2011 at 11:59 PM EST; the winner will be auto-generated using Random.org and updated in this post shortly after. Good Luck!
---------------------------------------------------------
Update: This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to lucky commenters number 56 & 88, Saucy F. Baby & Cystal, who won the whistle necklaces! Stay tuned for future jewelry giveaways.
Pin It

4.09.2011

Vintage 60's Industrial Shop Chairs

Someone seriously needs to purchase these vintage industrial shop chairs I found on Etsy this past week. They've been dangerously eating at me ever since I laid eyes on them - aren't they just gorgeous? I think they'd be perfect in an open floor plan, used as bar stools, or addition to an artist's studio. I've seen so many similar remakes cropping up across mainstream retail - but you just can't beat the real deal.

The description even notes that they've been kept in a temperature controlled storage unit since their production - sigh. I'm seeing another case of "non-buyer's remorse" in my future...
Pin It

3.14.2011

Such a Thing as "Non Buyer's Remorse"?

I am so relieved someone finally purchased this antique industrial laundry cart off Etsy. I had it in the favorites of both my Etsy accounts and kept coming back to spy on it. While I would have loved to have made it mine, it can haunt me and my itchy fingers no longer.

Until I meet your long lost relative Mr. Antique Industrial Laundry Cart...
Pin It

3.13.2011

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.
Pin It

2.13.2011

Shop Update: Antique Fork Bracelets

I received a surprise package in the mail containing these 3 antique forks from my mother. She knows the "siren" pattern is one of my favorites to work with and also has a knack for finding them.

I've also had a stash of vintage forks from various hotels around the globe and had a chance to work with two - one from Hotel West and another from Hotel Mayfair. I believe the Hotel Mayfair dinner fork is actually from the destination in Paris, France. The full stash of these hotel forks contains souvenirs from numerous destinations which leads me to presume they may have come from a collector with a "slight of hand" to put it politely...

I can only imagine the true story behind them and love their one of a kind nature.

The following fork is one I've had that's just simply over the top in depth and detail. The grapevine pattern runs through the entire handle including a coordinating but different depiction on the underside.

And finally, with love in mind I made the following fork bracelet from an engraved "first love" silverplate dinner fork. I love how this hidden message wraps around the wrist of a loved one as a sweet token of love.


For a deeper look into the process of how I make these bracelets, see this fork bracelet tutorial I put together a while back while in the studio.
Pin It

2.05.2011

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?
Pin It

1.22.2011

New York Jewelry Finds


I'm back down south from a whirlwind week in New York filled with both work and play. By day I got to enjoy being able to work in the DUMBO Etsy offices - always great getting to work face to face with my creative coworkers - and by night I spent time eating and drinking my way through the city with Tim while catching up with many of my friends who still live in the city.

Always must stop destinations in my free time are the jewelry supply warehouses stocked row upon row of little plastic cubbies filled with vintage, dead-stock, and raw brass findings, chains, and oddities. This trip I was able to stock up on findings, bring back a couple sold out designs, and came across some brand new (to me) vintage stock including the whistles, canisters, chains, and perfume lockets below.


I'm looking forward to working with these and the other new components I discovered while in the city. Stay tuned.
Pin It

1.09.2011

Vintage Kitchen Helper

I'm so excited about this vintage green kitchen timer I picked up on Etsy from The Vintage Parlor (a great little vintage shop filled with decorative curiosities). I love how it clicks when turning the dial, counting down the minutes, and the anticipation of that startling ring. Being a chronic multitasker, I'm pretty forgetful without a list and can tend to space out in the kitchen when I have a lot going on - so this little gem will not only save some meals, but look great while doing it.
Pin It

1.02.2011

Shop Update: The Fork Bracelets Are Back

Over the holiday break I finally carved out some time to get into the metal studio and make a fresh batch of fork bracelets for launch in the new year.

It's always a pretty physical experience making these bracelets, much more so than the steadier line of work I keep in the shop - people laugh when they see my pounding the antique metal, saying it sure looks like a great way to get out any aggression one might have.

For a deeper look into my process for making these, see this how-to post I put together several months back.
Pin It

10.08.2010

Trendspotting: Blazers are Back

I've never been a blazer kind of gal, but I'm starting to wonder if this just might be the year.
Piggybacking on the menswear looks trending as of late, these simple cuts and clean lines might sway me into the land of the fashionably preppy.

Looks via:

Black Leather Jacket: Lookbook
*
Studded Collar Blazer: devaniweaver, Etsy
Gray Capped Sleeve Blazer: Urban Outfitters
Blue Fitted Blazer: wanderlustvtg, Etsy
Black Riding Jacket: Lookbook
Black Fitted Jacket: Urban Outfitters
Gray Blazer: 13bees, Etsy
Pink Blazer: H&M, via Lookbook
Gold Balmain Jacket: knight cat
Pin It

9.30.2010

Shop Update: Cabinet of Curiosities Necklaces


As previously mentioned, I came into a limited stock of these antique porcelain German doll legs over the summer. After a long stint of gazing at them each day in passing by the studio, I finally got a chance to sit down and get personal with these little curiosities. I gently filed open the joints just enough to slip a delicate chain through and finished each with a wire clasp for a simple understated look.

Looking for a little Halloween inspiration or nostalgic feel? Check out the full line right here in the shop.
Pin It

9.11.2010

The sequin butterfly shirt

I'm just going to come out and admit it: I have a little bit of a thing for those notoriously tacky vintage sequin butterfly shirts. Are they even a shirt really, or more of a poncho? In any case, every time I come across one in Etsy's Vintage category, my heart flutters a little - pun intended. It's even gotten to the point where I've started searching for them instead of stumbling across them. I love how some versions seem fairly tame and then others are just blatantly out of control.

While I've never broken down and bought one, I've definitely given the idea more than serious consideration. I think I still just need to get to the stage where I convince myself there are plenty of places it could be worn.

I could totally rock one of these gaudy butterfly ponchos, right? No question.
Pin It