Monkeying Around

My little carved ivory monkey netsuke has been included in this super cute treasury

Monkeying Around curated by Syracusescoop

Be sure to check him out and all the other wonderful monkeys. A real jungle full!

In Like a Lion

The old saying "In Like a Lion, out like a Lamb" has been true for some parts of the country but here in western North Carolina, the weather has been gorgeous. Being the eternal optimist, I am sure spring is right around the corner :)

I planned to do a blog post picking out some of my favorite Lions ( I am married to Leo so they have a special place in my heart) but one of the Etsy teams I belong to, VJSE (Vintage Jewelry Sellers on Etsy) is having a treasury contest with the theme being "In like a Lion". So I decided to promote one of these great treasuries.

This treasury, curated by TheAtticShop, was just posted:

In Like A Lion: VJSE Treasury Challenge  

and here are a few of the featured items.

King of the Beasts Rhinestone Figural Lion Vintage Brooch

 

  Absolutely Stunning Vintage Sparrow Bird in Flight Brooch

 

Vintage Lamb Plastic and Metal Pin

Be sure to click here and see all the wonderful items featured in this cute treasury. 

Thanks, TheAtticShop, for featuring my Foo Dog Lion necklace.

For more great treasuries and other news from my team members, click the following links:

 

EcoChic is a team of enthusiastic vintage jewelry and accessory sellers who wish to improve shop sales while enjoying each others company.Vintage jewelry makes up the majority of the inventory in their shops. Innovative co-operative marketing methods are encouraged. Experienced, passionate, and fun loving sellers make up this group.

 We are a diverse group of vintage jewelry sellers whose purpose is to increase awareness of the value, collectibility and variety of vintage jewelry, and its availability on Etsy.

 

Whether you're a buyer or a seller...whether its vintage, handmade or supplies...we have it all here! Anyone and everyone is welcome. Our common bond is our love of vintage!

 

The Teams offer some of the best in Vintage jewelry and collectibles so be sure to check them all out.

Dangling from a Charm Bracelet

I was checking out some jewelry quotes today and came across this one written by Erma Bombeck. Being a perpetual dieter, I know exactly how she felt.

I've been on a constant diet for the last two decades.  I've lost a total of 789 pounds.  By all accounts, I should be hanging from a charm bracelet.  ~Erma Bombeck

So in honor of Erma's hilarious wit... here are some gorgeous charm bracelets available right now on Etsy.

 Genuine Antique Victorian Bracelet...Just gorgeous!

Wonderful example of the popular Sterling Silver Souvenir Bracelet

 

A Red Hot Number!

This one celebrates a trip to the Ocean

 They don't come much prettier than this one!

And last, but not least,

♫♪  MIC-KEY  ♪♫♪  MOUSE ♪♫

Thanks, Erma, for the charming idea for a post!

Pantone Color of the Week....Honeysuckle Pink

According to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®,"The colors designers have chosen for the spring season present an interesting marriage of unexpected warm and cool tones. By cleverly combining complementary colors, those that are opposites on the color wheel, they have created a striking intensity to the palette. These unique color combinations make it possible for consumers to pair existing pieces in colors traditionally associated with fall, with new favorites to punch up springtime wardrobes."

This years spring Pantone colors include

Look at all those wonderful colors. Makes you realize that spring is just around the corner. To celebrate that and the wonderful colors, each week I will highlight one of the colors. This week is is Honeysuckle, a wonderful shade of pink.

Here are my vintage picks to celebrate this gorgeous color:

  

Vintage Bright Pink Velvet Lace Dolly Dress

 

Sale Vintage Hot Pink Knit Floral Day Dress

Sz 8 Vintage 80s Honeysuckle Pink Pumps with Folded Leather Detail

 

Pink Heart Petal Enamel On Copper Flower

 

Lipstick Hot Pink Mod 1960s Hard Pastic

And last but not least, this beautiful vintage scarf which is a perfect example of the pantone colors. Use of the bright honeysuckle pink along the neutral browns. Just gorgeous!

Vintage Mad Men 1960s Scarf No2 Chestnut

Now, go out and wear your colors proudly!

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.