Bold , Beautiful, Bakelite

I love vintage bakelite jewelry..

In fact it is hard for me to pass up any item made of bakelite. I look at those wonderful carved bakelite handles on the flatware and just know there must be some way to make them into jewelry. Guess that is why I presently have a box full just waiting for my creative mind to get to work.

 

Two Color Bakelite Pierced Earrings

Bakelite (aka  polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride) is an early plastic developed by Dr. Leo Baekeland, a Belguim chemist, in 1907 as he searched for a replacement for shellac.

One of the first synthetic plastics made, it was first used in the maufacturing of radios, but soon, was used for kitchenware, jewelry, toys and many other items.

 

Vintage Sears Craftsman Bakelite Handle Carving Set

Bakelite has a very distinct odor when rubbed or held under hot water (smells like formaldehyde). It can also be tested with Simichrome, 409, Scrubbing bubbles and several other cleaners by rubbing a small amount on a q-tip and rubbing on the item. A light to dark yellowish mark will be left on the q-tip.

Carved Bakelite Bangle Bracelet 

Bakelite has become very collectible in the recent years setting auction records in the prices of vintage radios and jewelry.

I have recently purchased quite a few pairs of vintage bakelite earrings. I have both clips and pierced (much harder to find). These are old store stock and have never been worn. These and many other bakelite pieces are available in my shops.

Carved Bird Bakelite Pierced Earrings 

Bakelite is addicting.. the more you have, the more you want. Watch out, as you may catch the bakelite bug!

Welcome to my Blog..

Welcome to my first post of my new blog.. Why it took me this long to take the first step is beyond me although I do tend to procrastinate. You know... I'll get to it tomorrow, which comes and goes, but there is always the next day...

Now that I am here and fired up, I want to introduce myself. I am Christine (Chris) Sanders and I own the Shooting Creek Family of shops along with my husband Bob.

I started out collecting dolls and ended up buying and selling them to feed my habit.  From there I went to buying and selling all kinds of antiques and collectibles mostly at the local flea market and shows. In 1998, I discovered Ebay and I was hooked. Through the years, I have slowly ended up with most of my business dealing with vintage costume jewelry.

Three years ago we moved from Fl to the hills of NC to be closer to our son and his family. My husband joined my business and there has been no stopping us. I do the photography and listing and he does all the packaging and shipping. He also has a booth at the local flea market dealing mainly in cast iron ie. Griswold and Wagner. Need a fry pan?

We have 4 online shops presently..
Shooting Creek Antiques and Jewelry (on Ebay)
Shooting Creek Jewelry (Etsy)
Shooting Creek Vintage (Etsy)
Shooting Creek Antiques (Ruby Lane)


I have had my shop on Ebay for many years now and presently have over 11,000 positive feedbacks. I have had my shop at Ruby Lane since 2006 and am a platinum seller. Enough about us.

With this blog, I  hope to be able to show my love for vintage costume jewelry and all things vintage. I plan to showcase some of my newest pieces, share tips of the trade for the collecting and care of vintage jewelry, and hopefully, make collectors out of all of you. Vintage jewelry is green ( think recycle). It is something you can buy for yourself or give as a gift that will brings years of enjoyment. Jewelry never goes out of style.

Hope you enjoyed getting to know me a bit. I have found many great friends via the internet and hope to make many more.