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I was putting together an order yesterday, and it just happened to be mostly what I think of as “spring” colors. I think she was planning ahead! But as I looked at them on my worktable, I couldn’t help but think – how fresh and pretty they looked. It’s barely the beginning of winter, but spring is already calling to me.
Take a look at these, just for example:
All colors have their own charm, and often you want clear crystal, or neutrals. But sometimes? A pretty aqua, or sparkling peridot green, can add just the lift you need on a gray winter day.
And then when the sun comes out? Wow!
Now this is a smart purchase, whether it’s for you or your sweetie. These pretty teardrop shaped glass beads are made with two sparkling rhinestones, in vivid red and crystal. They’re perfect for Valentine’s Day, which will be here before we know it.
However! They are also perfect for Christmas! Sparkling red and crystal? Come on, that’s a recipe for a festive pair of earrings. Add your best LBD and you’re good to go 🙂
P.S. The link takes you to the red jewels in my Etsy shop. Because I have more. And you’re going to love them 🙂
Yes, this is a last-minute idea, when you’re ordering something online. Well, practically last-minute (I’m not all that fond of waiting till Dec. 23, it’s too hard on the nerves). But I am a little obsessed with finding useful, functional, and of course vintage Christmas gifts for that special person.
Like this vintage Blue Pyrex bowl 🙂
It’s a wonderful color – think how pretty sitting on your table, just because. Fill it with little candies – or use it for actual mixing – or in the microwave, or on your coffee table filled with pine cones, or, well, you get the idea. Gently loved – rescued from somebody’s basement or a forgotten thrift shop – and brought to life in your house.
It’s available from Swans Neck Vintage on Etsy and you are totally going to thank me for finding this shop for you. She has more pyrex – yellow! and a wonderful vintage kitchen scale – and more. Go peek – and buy – you’ve still got time!
These vintage figurine ornaments (they’re actually bells) just spoke to me. They said, “we are adorable”, and “Christmas should have little loved pieces hidden shyly around your home”, and “wouldn’t you be enchanted to see me on your mantel?”
That’s part of what Christmas is, to me. A touch of the past – a touch of hominess – a bit of imperfection. Place them on your tree, or on your mantel if you have one, or on your kitchen table.
They’re available from Vintage PDX, on Etsy. It’s a vintage shop with many charming Christmas goodies – the little chimney sweep ornament and Santa and Mrs. Claus caught my eye. I think you might find your special little Christmas ornament there, too.
Add these little bells to your Christmas 🙂
You’ll see what I mean. This is just a simple combination of elements – a colorful vintage glass jewel in a faceted octagon shape, and a sparkling round rhinestone. When you combine them, you get more than the sum of the parts:
Add an earwire, these will make fabulous earrings. Slip on a sturdy jump ring or hand-wire to a looped bead or bail and you’ve got a fabulous pendant. Use two-ring settings and they’re bracelet or necklace connectors. You see what I mean? One simple design idea – combine colors and shapes. And you’ve got endless possibilities.
And the stones are available in my Etsy shop of course 🙂
Now this is a party dress. Vivid red. Chiffon. Meant to be twirly.
Of course this dress would be perfect for your Christmas party – and it’s that rare garment that’s modest enough for your office party – but still totally babelicious and sexy. You will WEAR this dress!
And it’s even affordable! It’s from JDBok, a special vintage shop on Etsy and it tells you without words why I love vintage so much. Special, unusual, wonderful garments. Fair pricing. Small business. And it’s so much better than buying a new (expensive)(cookie-cutter) dress.
Now this is a party dress!
Such a pretty color! I used to think peach was a spring color – but boy was I wrong. It’s one of my best-selling colors, year-round… and I think the fresh and feminine shade is especially appealing in winter. I just wanted to show off a few new rhinestone jewels I’ve gotten in recently:
I think my personal favorites are the petite 14x10mm teardrops (just a little over 5/8″ x 3/8″). What can I say, they feel girly and pretty. And the large oval? Fabulous pendant. You don’t need a lot of fuss when you’ve got good basics.
And these jewels are good basics!
Or, well, Part Next because I can’t remember if I did Part Two or Three already. But these are definitely “do it yourself” earring designs. This was another little instanteous assignment I gave myself – “okay, create a few earring designs using just what’s sitting here on the desk in front of you right now”.
This is what I got:
Once again, i didn’t try to “match” colors. I just played with simple combinations of stones (and one ornament, the silver-ish flower) I had sitting on my work table. These would all be simple to make, using jump rings or wire wrapping with other small beads. Okay, they’re not Tiffany’s, but they’re doable and fun and would look gorgeous on you. And they don’t cost much. And you can do it.
And until you hit the lottery, doesn’t that work for you?
P.S. Oops! Yes, these components are all available in my Etsy shop.
Okay, this is one of the reasons I love Etsy. Well, besides the fact that I sell stuff there. Because I can find original, practical, affordable, and way cool gifts like this one.
This used to be a guy’s shirt. Now it’s an apron. This has so much going for it: the dark blue plaid means it’s not going to show every stain it gets. It’s washable. It’s practical if you cook. Wouldn’t you rather wear this refashioned, fun, useful apron while you’re cooking, and not get olive oil on your best jeans or dress-you-wore-to-work? And, major plus, it’s CUTE.
And it’s refashioned: a double-bonus major plus. Judy, the owner of the wonderful Sew It Was shop on Etsy, has made it the focus of her shop: she takes old garments and gives them new life. New FUN life. New useful life.
Also, if I might point out, super affordable life. These are all pluses I wanted to mention.
But most of all, I like this garment – and I could use it – and I bet you know a couple other people who would love it!
I think these are just darling – earring jewels set into closed, flat-back settings, so you can make your own button or stud earrings. Add a little sparkle to your everyday outfit! These are not Extreme, or dangling, or any of that – they’re just fun and pretty and you can wear them anytime or anywhere.
These are “rivoli” jewels, which have a faceted point (rather than “flat table”, as in “table tin cut”) on the face of the jewel. They have a wonderful sparkle, and they’re available in vintage patina brass or light golden (raw) brass settings. Use a secure jewelry glue to add an earring post or clip-on to the back, and you have quick and easy and gorgeous earrings.
Lots of colors, too – I show them here in soft rose pink, crystal, peridot green, and light colorado topaz (golden tan) – but I’ll have lots more choices in my Etsy shop– I just took this pic first.
Gifties for your buds, or for yourself – look great, and spend less. This is a good plan!
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Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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