February's Birthstone: Amethyst

Amethyst Vintage Swarovski Crystal Hearts.

February's birthstone is amethyst.

The gemstone is noted for it's signature violet purple shades. We have a selection of stunning faux amethyst at Bumbershoot Supplies. When vintage glass makers recreated amethyst in glass and crystal they gave it a beautiful purple hue with pink undertones. 

Amethyst Vintage Swarovski Crystal Oval Rhinestones.

Amethyst Vintage Glass Flower Cabochons.

Amethysts have been used in jewelry since Roman times, and were often engraved or carved as intaglios. The gemstone has been touted in mythology as a ward against intoxication, and ancient Greeks and Romans carved the gem into wine glasses. Amethysts have been associated with peace and freedom.

Amethyst Vintage Glass Scarab Cabochon.

Amethyst Vintage Round Glass Czech Rhinestones.

Amethyst Vintage French Flat Strand Sequins.

When it comes to vintage materials, there is also another amethyst shade called "light amethyst." This color is a delicate shade of purple, almost light lilac in hue.

Light Amethyst Vintage Swarovski Rhinestone Pears.

Light Amethyst Vintage Art Deco Glass Rectangle Cabochons.

Light Amethyst Vintage Rhinestone Bell Glass Jewels.

In 1870 Tiffany & Co. published a birthstone poem in one of their pamphlets.
The January poem goes:
"The February-born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,

If they an amethyst will wear."

Amethyst Vintage Rose Montees.

Amethyst Vintage Glass Aurora Borealis Cabochons.

Amethyst Vintage Glass Star Domed Cabochons.

For peaceful inspiration, we invite you to browse our vintage faux amethyst collections at  Bumbershoot Supplies.

Featured Artist: Jamie Lee of ChatterBlossom on Etsy

Our latest featured artist is the lovely Jamie Lee of ChatterBlossom on Etsy!

Jamie creates her designs with reclaimed vintage and antique items so that they may continue to be used and integrated into their new owner's lives.

Jamie uses a lot of vintage and antique buttons as one of her design elements, and these are what first caught my attention. Her elegant and refined designs draw your eye towards the vintage element. In this way, the story of the piece becomes the focus of her designs.

Jamie says: "Each piece I make has a name and a small story of its own and I love thinking about the person that will see or read and connect with it in some way and anticipate some small adventure in which it will play a part."

Along with making jewelry and accessories, Jamie has a fabulous blog about her adventures in vintage and fashion.

Be sure to check out ChatterBlossom! Maybe you'll find something there with a story for you.

@BumbershootSupp Twitter Giveaway

We are now tweeting! 

You can find us at @BumbershootSupp with news and inspiration from us and the rest of the great big wide creating world.

To be the first to see newly available fabulous vintage supplies, follow us at @BDSProducts where we tweet our newly available products and the products we have restocked.

Follow us on Twitter (at either or both of @BumbershootSupp or @BDSProducts) any time between Jan 1, 2014 and midnight on Jan 31, 2014 (Pacific Time) and you will automatically be entered to win a $50.00 gift certificate for either Bumbershoot Designs or Bumbershoot Supplies (your choice). 

We will randomly pick a winner on Feb 1, 2014 and announce the winner on Twitter on that day.

Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies January 2014 Special for Newsletter Subscribers

Are you ready to get started a whole new year of creating? This month we are celebrating the start of the New Year by providing free shipping for our newsletter subscribers during the entire month of January. Stock up on vintage crafting items at Bumbershoot Supplies or beautiful handmade jewelry at Bumbershoot Designs!

The free shipping is for any number of purchases, no limits, no restrictions! At checkout, just use the coupon code provided in your newsletter. The code will work on our websites AND in both our Etsy shops. See your January 1 and January 15 newsletters for details and the coupon code. And yes, we provide free shipping to our international newsletter subscribers too.

Not yet a newsletter subscriber?

You can read past issues, see the treats and bonuses we provide our subscribers, and you can also sign up, right here.