When I Grow Up I Want To Be.....Featured on the Advanced Style Blog!

What exactly is a grown-up? How do you know when you're finally an adult? Did you know that most people don't consider themselves a complete grown-up until after 40 and some people never completely feel like an adult (something I read somewhere in my developmental psych materials).

Well, when and if I do grow up someday, I hope to have the confidence and eye for style to dress like the young adults on the Advanced Style blog by Ari Seth Cohen.

Photo By Ari Seth Cohen of the Advanced Style blog

I think the bottom line here, in terms of great style, comes down to three things:

1. Go BIG, go BOLD or go HOME!

2. Dress to please YOURSELF!

3. Don't be afraid of color or pattern or accessorizing...just don't!

Photo By Ari Seth Cohen of the Advanced Style blog

I once saw one of those internet ecard thingies that said, "How to wear vintage: 1. Put it on. 2. Move around.

I thought that pretty much summed it up!

So use these adorable, amazing, inspiring people on this blog as your role models. Be yourself and don't be afraid of standing out or expressing the uniqueness that is you. 

I know I'm inspired.

Photo By Ari Seth Cohen of the Advanced Style blog

Art Deco Vintage Jewelry Guide

What is Art Deco?

Art Deco is known as a style or era relating to the years 1920-1935. Of course, it didn't start on January 1, 1920 and end at the stroke of midnight on December 31, 1935, but the years mentioned are when we see the strongest examples of Art Deco characteristics. As the Deco era approached and as it faded away, we see signs of it mixed in with the era that preceded it and the era that followed. These times are known as transitional times as one era transitions into another.

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Costume jewelry from this time consisted of (but is not limited to):

geometric shapes
angles
strong lines
bright color contrasts
copied from expensive Paris examples
Czech jewelry
German jewelry made with sterling silver, dyed chalcedony (made to imitate chrysoprase), and marcasites
marcasites (faux and real) or what is known as marcasite that is actually pyrite
butterfly wing jewelry
speed related themes such as greyhounds, rockets, airplanes, etc.
Bakelite
Celluloid
filigree
enamel
"fruit salad" jewelry
real and synthetic gems such as jade, coral, onyx, mother of pearl, ivory, lapis, rock crystal, chrysoprase, carnelian, rubies, emeralds, smoky quartz, amozonite
dress clips
duettes
"white" metal made to resemble platinum, often rhodium plated
birthstone jewelry

Art Deco Geometric Step Vauxhall Glass Necklace

 

This Art Deco era bracelet is made with sterling silver and has sparkling marcasite accents and a big glowing ribbed molded glass center stone.

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Influences

Egyptian themes (following the discovery of the Pyramid tombs)
African and Japanese influences
modern technology influences (The Machine Age)
Jazz Age influences
Hollywood influences
the Paris Exposition - the International Exposition des Arts Decoratifs
the Russian Ballet
Cubism 

the Bauhaus

Art Deco Era Cleopatra Belt Buckle

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Art Deco Jewelry in Different Forms

Necklaces

long flapper beaded necklaces
Czech necklaces with angular glass stones and marcasites
long necklaces worn together with short chokers or wrapped around the neck once to simulate a choker look
faux pearls and glass beads
use of Venetian beads
amber beaded necklaces
rectangular pendants with "Lalique-like" crystals

Art Deco Geometric Open Back Stones Necklace

Bracelets

many worn at one time on both wrists (as a symbol of fashion as well as status)
the "bangle" and the "tennis bracelet"
flexible link bracelets

Art Deco bracelet with alexandrite crystal 

Earrings

long dangles worn with "bobbed" hair
screw-back

Art Deco Reverse Carved Sterling Crystal Earrings

Brooches and Pins

circle and oval shapes
"white" clear rhinestone pave set brooches
Florida theme (flamingos and palm trees)
Scottie dogs (Franklin D. Roosevelt had a Scottie dog in the 30's)
gazelles
arrows
air travel themes

Rings

use of large synthetic or semiprecious stones (commonly seen is chrysoprase or onyx)
filigree settings
rectangular shape

Sterling Marcasite and Chrysoprase Glass Deco Ring

Dress Clips

enamel
rhinestones / paste
worn just about everywhere on the body
a staple for the stylish woman

 

Green Glass Geometric Deco Dress Clip

Buckles

carved and molded glass

•     •     •     •    •     •     •

Sources:

Answers to Questions About Old Jewelry, 1840-1950 - 5th Ed by Jeanenne Bell, G.G. C. Jeanenne Bell, C. Jeanenne Bell (Producer)

Warman's Jewelry: A Fully Illustrated Price Guide to 19th and 20th Century Jewelry, Including Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Costume (2nd Ed) by Christie Romero

Guide created: 17/08/06 (updated 01/19/11)

This blog and all contents Copyright © Vintage Jewelry Girl. All rights reserved.

Jewellery Party!

We had our first jewellery (CDN spelling) party on November 5th and another on the 12th and I have to say it was a huge success and a lot of fun! We had a door prize and a draw which allowed two people to pick out $50 in free jewellery!

What People Bought

It was interesting to see that brooches are still a hot commodity although most people seemed to like to buy them to put on their coats as a more permanent item. Many were bought for Christmas gifts.

To my surprise, the most sought after items were my handmade jewellery like the bracelet in the picture.

As for vintage, rhinestone pieces were sold, one pair of clip earrings and honestly not much else. This crowd liked their jewellery new. Oh, two brooches went. One was a Christmas pin.

Have you ever had your own party for selling jewellery or have you ever been to one? Post a comment about it!

That's all for now. :-)

Jo-Ann

Welcome to The Vintage Costume Jewelry Blog!

I am very excited to announce the opening of The Vintage Costume Jewelry Blog!

Bookmark this blog for information, news and discussions covering a wide variety of topics under the broader topic of vintage costume jewelry. Topics may include designer marks, construction, current fashion, hot trends, remakes, design, style and our current findings.

My name is Jo-Ann and I am the proprietor of Vintage Jewelry Girl, an online store and resource site for vintage jewelry. That's my picture in the top right corner. I have been dealing in vintage jewelry for 8 years and am self taught with the help of various excellent internet resources and zillions of books which are the most precious part of my library. I treasure them as much as I treasure my jewelry!

We'll start off with a new find for today which is not yet listed on the site. The brooch above is a pink diamond or square (depending on how it is worn) piece with molded iridescent glass stones. Do you know who made this piece? Leave a comment with your guess and I'll update the blog later to tell you if you were right.

Well, that’s all for today. Take Care!
Jo-Ann