Bumbershoot Designs Supplies December 2017 Special for Newsletter Subscribers

Vintage Swarovski Rhinestone Earring Kit, free with purchase!

Our gift for our newsletter subscribers this holiday season is an earring kit featuring Swarovski emerald vintage rhinestones with findings from our antiqued brass line. 
Our gift to you can be re-gifted (we won't tell!) as beautiful handmade earrings to someone special in your life. Or why not keep this treat for yourself?

During December, we will send all necessary components to make the earrings shown in the photo above, with any purchase at Bumbershoot Supplies.  See your December 1 and December 15 newsletters for details and the coupon code.

Also, don't forget your 1-time free shipping offer that you received when you signed up for our newsletter.

And YES, you can combine specials. So you can have the earring kit and the free shipping code you received upon signing up for the newsletter in the same order!

Not yet a newsletter subscriber? You can read past issues and you can sign up right here and get your free shipping and earring kit at your next purchase!

Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies December 2016 Special for Newsletter Subscribers

Vintage Swarovski Rhinestone Earring Kit, free with purchase – Our gift to newsletter subscribers during this holiday season is a new earring kit featuring wonderful vintage Siam red Swarovski rhinestones with findings from our own line of antiqued brass, including flower connectors! Use this kit to make up a quick gift for your loved ones, or gift the kit, or create a treat for yourself. During December, we will send all necessary components to make the earrings shown in the photo above.

Our newsletter subscribers can receive this kit, free with any purchase at Bumbershoot Supplies.  See your December 1 and December 15 newsletters for details and the coupon code.

Also, don't forget your 1-time free shipping offer that you received when you signed up for our newsletter.

And YES, you can combine specials. So you can have the earring kit plus the free shipping code you received upon signing up for the newsletter in the same order!

Not yet a newsletter subscriber? You can read past issues and you can sign up right here and get your free shipping and earring kit at your next purchase!
 

Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies February 2016 Special for Newsletter Subscribers

Vintage Swarovski Rhinestone Earring Kit, free with purchase – Our gift to newsletter subscribers during this February is a new earring kit featuring wonderful vintage pink Swarovski rhinestones with our own heart shaped antiqued brass findings and connectors! Use this kit to make up a quick gift for your valentine, or gift the kit, or create a treat for yourself. During February, we will send all necessary components to make the earrings shown in the photo above.

Our newsletter subscribers can receive this kit, free with any purchase at Bumbershoot Supplies or Bumbershoot Designs.  See your February 1 and February 15 newsletters for details and the coupon code.

Also, don't forget your 1-time free shipping offer that you received when you signed up for our newsletter.

And YES, you can combine specials. So you can have the earring kit plus the free shipping code you received upon signing up for the newsletter in the same order!

Not yet a newsletter subscriber? You can read past issues and you can sign up right here and get your free shipping and earring kit at your next purchase!
 

Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies December 2015 Special for Newsletter Subscribers

Vintage Swarovski Rhinestone Earring Kit, free with purchase – Our gift to newsletter subscribers during this December is a new earring kit featuring wonderful vintage Swarovski red rhinestones with our own antiqued brass findings and connectors! Use this kit to make up a quick gift for someone on your list this year, or gift the kit, or create a treat for yourself. During December, we will send all necessary components to make the earrings shown in the photo above.

Our newsletter subscribers can receive this kit, free with any purchase at Bumbershoot Supplies or Bumbershoot Designs.  See your December 1 and December 15 newsletters for details and the coupon code.

Also, don't forget your 1-time free shipping offer that you received when you signed up for our newsletter.

And YES, you can combine specials. So you can have the earring kit plus the free shipping code you received upon signing up for the newsletter in the same order!

Not yet a newsletter subscriber? You can read past issues and you can sign up right here and get your free shipping and earring kit at your next purchase!
 

Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies August 2015 Special for Newsletter Subscribers

Vintage Swarovski Bead Earring Kit, free with purchase – Our treat for August is a new earring kit featuring wonderful vintage Swarovski peridot beads and antiqued silver findings! These dangling earrings featuring August's birthstone peridot will surely help you celebrate the fabulous month of August. During August, we will send all necessary components to make the earrings shown in the photo above.

Our newsletter subscribers can receive this kit, free with any purchase at Bumbershoot Supplies or Bumbershoot Designs.  See your August 1 and August 15 newsletters for details and the coupon code.

Also, don't forget your 1-time free shipping offer that you received when you signed up for our newsletter.

And YES, you can combine specials. So you can have the earring kit plus the free shipping code you received upon signing up for the newsletter in the same order!

Not yet a newsletter subscriber? You can read past issues and you can sign up right here and get your free shipping and earring kit at your next purchase!

Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies May 2015 Special for Newsletter Subscribers

Vintage Swarovski Rhinestone Earring Kit, free with purchase – Our treat for May is a new earring kit featuring wonderful vintage Swarovski heliotrope crystal rhinestones and findings and charms from our own line! These charming French inspired earrings will surely help you celebrate any birthdays, Mother's Day, or just the lovely month of May. During May, we will send all necessary components to make the earrings shown in the photo above.

Our newsletter subscribers can receive this kit, free with any purchase at Bumbershoot Supplies or Bumbershoot Designs.  See your May 1 and May 15 newsletters for details and the coupon code.

Also, don't forget your 1-time free shipping offer that you received when you signed up for our newsletter.

And YES, you can combine specials. So you can have the earring kit plus the free shipping code you received upon signing up for the newsletter in the same order!

Not yet a newsletter subscriber? You can read past issues and you can sign up right here and get your free shipping and earring kit at your next purchase!

Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies December 2014 Special for Newsletter Subscribers

Vintage Swarovski Rhinestone Earring Kit, free with purchase – Our gift to newsletter subscribers during this December is a new earring kit featuring wonderful vintage Swarovski olivine rhinestones and our own antiqued brass findings with fleur-de-lis connectors! Use this kit to make up a quick gift for someone on your list this year, or gift the kit, or create a treat for yourself. During December, we will send all necessary components to make the earrings shown in the photo above.

Our newsletter subscribers can receive this kit, free with any purchase at Bumbershoot Supplies or Bumbershoot Designs.  See your December 1 and December 15 newsletters for details and the coupon code.

Also, don't forget your 1-time free shipping offer that you received when you signed up for our newsletter.

And YES, you can combine specials. So you can have the earring kit plus the free shipping code you received upon signing up for the newsletter in the same order!

Not yet a newsletter subscriber? You can read past issues and you can sign up right here and get your free shipping and earring kit at your next purchase!
 

Unique Vintage Finds at Bumbershoot Supplies: A Brief History of Banana Bob

Years ago, Bumbershoot Supplies purchased a large amount of vintage rhinestone and metal components originally made for the Banana Bob company. We are now making these very limited components available as Unique Vintage Finds on our website and in the unique finds section in our Etsy store. There are different items in both places, so be sure to check both out. 

 It's always fun  to see how vintage jewelry components were originally used. With that in mind, we thought we'd share a few Banana Bob pieces from our collection, plus a bit about Banana Bob in general. You will find some of the components in these pieces available on our websites, if they have not already sold. 

Made in the 1980s and 1990s, designed by former figure skater Annie Venditti, Banana Bob jewelry is famous for the intricate components and detailed layered designs. All of the jewelry was handmade, including gluing and setting rhinestones, hand enamelling and soldering metal layers, and as you can imagine it was very time intensive. The company no longer is in operation, due partly to the enormous amount of time to create the pieces which cut steeply into profits. But the jewelry remains and is still very popular among collectors and fans. If you click on the photos, you will get a larger version in which you will be able to see the components in more detail.

  

 With Banana Bob, jewelry designs are often themed and elaborate. Designs are often asymmetrical as well. Banana Bob jewelry was made from very fine elements such as Swarovski crystal rhinestones and US made brass findings. Banana Bob jewelry is definitely for people who wish to stand out in a crowd! 

Many of the components were created specifically for use in the Banana Bob designs. You can often find layers of filigrees bent and soldered into unique components or set rhinestones soldered onto connectors. We have quite a few Banana Bob components in stock at Bumbershoot Supplies. You can find them in special sections in our Etsy shop as well as on our website. These special items are limited, so get them while you can!

Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies August 2014 Special for Newsletter Subscribers

Vintage Swarovski Rhinestone Earring Kit, free with purchase – Our treat for August is a new earring kit featuring wonderful vintage Swarovski peridot rhinestones and our own antiqued brass findings! Peridot is the birthstone for August and these festive earrings will surely help you celebrate any birthdays, or just the lovely month of August. During August, we will send all necessary components to make the earrings shown in the photo above.

Our newsletter subscribers can receive this kit, free with any purchase at Bumbershoot Supplies or Bumbershoot Designs.  See your August 1 and August 15 newsletters for details and the coupon code.

Also, don't forget your 1-time free shipping offer that you received when you signed up for our newsletter.

And YES, you can combine specials. So you can have the earring kit plus the free shipping code you received upon signing up for the newsletter in the same order!

Not yet a newsletter subscriber? You can read past issues and you can sign up right here and get your free shipping and earring kit at your next purchase!
 

Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies May 2014 Special for Newsletter Subscribers

 

Vintage Swarovski Rhinestone Earring Kit, free with purchase – Our treat for May is a new earring kit featuring wonderful vintage Swarovski emerald rhinestones and our new antiqued silver findings! Emerald is the birthstone for May and these festive earrings will surely help you celebrate any birthdays, or just the lovely month of May. During May, we will send all necessary components to make the earrings shown in the photo above.

Our newsletter subscribers can receive this kit, free with any purchase at Bumbershoot Supplies or Bumbershoot Designs.  See your May 1 and May 15 newsletters for details and the coupon code.

Also, don't forget your 1-time free shipping offer that you received when you signed up for our newsletter.

And YES, you can combine specials. So you can have the earring kit plus the free shipping code you received upon signing up for the newsletter in the same order!

Not yet a newsletter subscriber? You can read past issues and you can sign up right here and get your free shipping and earring kit at your next purchase!

 

Bumbershoot Designs Supplies September 2013 Special for Newsletter Subscribers

Vintage Swarovski Rhinestone Earring Kit, free with purchase!
 

September's birthstone is the sapphire. Our treat for September is a new earring kit featuring lovely vintage Swarovski crystal rhinestones in one of our favorite colors, Montana sapphire, with findings from our line of US-made antiqued brass. During September, we will send to our newsletter subscribers all necessary components to make the earrings shown in the photo above, with any purchase at Bumbershoot Supplies or Bumbershoot Designs.  See your September 1 and September 15 newsletters for details and the coupon code.

Also, don't forget your 1-time free shipping offer that you received when you signed up for our newsletter.

And YES, you can combine specials. So you can have the earring kit and the free shipping code you received upon signing up for the newsletter in the same order!

Not yet a newsletter subscriber? You can read past issues and you can sign up right here and get your free shipping and earring kit at your next purchase!

Bumbershoot Designs Supplies May 2013 Special for Newsletter Subscribers

Vintage Swarovski Rhinestone Earring Kit, free with purchase!
 

Our treat for May for our newsletter subscribers is a new earring kit featuring Swarovski emerald (May’s birthstone) vintage rhinestones with findings from our antiqued brass line.

During May, we will send all necessary components to make the earrings shown in the photo above, with any purchase at Bumbershoot Supplies or Bumbershoot Designs.  See your May 1 and May 15 newsletters for details and the coupon code.

Also, don't forget your 1-time free shipping offer that you received when you signed up for our newsletter.

And YES, you can combine specials. So you can have the earring kit and the free shipping code you received upon signing up for the newsletter in the same order!

Not yet a newsletter subscriber? You can read past issues and you can sign up right here and get your free shipping and earring kit at your next purchase!

Bumbershoot Supplies November Free Earring Kit for Newsletter Subscribers

Do you subscribe to the Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies newsletter?

This month, newsletter subscribers are receiving everything they need to make these beautiful vintage garnet Swarovski earrings. We're sending an earring kit free, with every purchase to newsletter subscribers who have the coupon code.

Our next newsletter will be emailed on Nov 15. To take advantage of this offer, sign up here. To see what past offers newsletter subscribers have received, read back issues of our newsletter in the archives, here.

These earrings would be a perfect stocking stuffer, hostess gift, last minute present, or a holiday treat for yourself! First come, first served, while supplies last, until Nov 30, 2011, with coupon code and paid purchase at Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies.  The code will be provided in our Nov 15 newsletter. 

 If you've never set rhinestones in pronged settings, learn how to do that here.

New at Bumbershoot Designs. A Little Sparkle. Swarovski Crystal Jewel Earrings

Sometimes you just need a little sparkle. 

Do you know what I mean?

Today, it's a cool and rainy and quite grey day in Seattle.  A good day to make something sparkly.  

I have such a wonderful time making these earrings. The crystal by Swarovski glitters like nothing else, and even on the darkest, rainiest days in Seattle, I can feel my spirits lift as I work with these gorgeous vintage jewels.

At Bumbershoot Designs, you will find vintage rhinestone earrings in many colors and shapes. 

I am particularly attached to these smaller sized rhinestones, since they are so versatile and suitable for just about any occasion where you need...

...just a little sparkle.

Wishing you a fabulous, sparkling weekend!

New at Bumbershoot Supplies. New Vintage Glass: Cabochons, Rhinestones, Crystal

New at Bumbershoot Supplies this week, lots and lots of vintage glass.  There are certainly some truly lovely vintage plastics, and we do offer many at Bumbershoot.  But I must admit to a particular fondness for vintage glass.  It has something to do with the way it captures and holds the light, and the substantial feel in your hands, how it can look so fiery and feel so cool at the same time, how it is solid but can seem to have movement...  Yes, I love the old glass :)

There are several new vintage glass cabochons, two featured here are fleur de lis shaped, with topaz glass (top) and above, a color of glass called cuban, which is a mix of topaz, jonquil and siam red. 

Technically not glass, but crystal, are the stones in these vintage rhinestone bead balls.  These are 1950's by Swarovski from Austria, and so they have that trademark sparkle you would expect. We have them in gold metal (above)....

....silver metal...

...and these peridot stones prong set in a white enamelled metal.  These are really striking.

Finally, we are starting to expand our pointed back rhinestone offerings and we have two stunning additions to offer, new this week:

Both emerald green and both with lustrous finishes on the surface of the glass, these navette shaped rhinestones are a wonderful find.

I love to work with nature themes in my art, so I was delighted to find these gorgeous leaf rhinestones, and in pristine condition too! 

Come and visit Bumbershoot Supplies, see what else is new. Window shoppers welcome!

Vintage Mountain Water Earrings Featured on the Front Page of Etsy

Earrings from Bumbershoot Designs, featured on the Front Page of Etsy this morning, as part of a beautiful 'Mint Green Condition' treasury. These Mountain Water earrings are a study in contrasts. Round sparkly mint green contemporary Swarovski crystal bead balls are paired with vintage flattened oval tablet beads. In contrast to the sparkle of the Swarovski crystal, the tablet beads have a frosted matte finish. They are a beautiful transparent mint with a hint of grey and have subtle white glass streaks running through them, giving them a sense of movement and great visual texture. The tablet beads are enhanced with sterling silver spacer beads and the earrings are finished with silver plated leverbacks. These earrings measure just under 1 ¼ inches from the top of the beadball to the bottom of the oval bead.

Wondering about the name? These earrings capture that most unusual green color of Cascade Mountain rivers.

Many thanks to Yoshika at euphorianchic, for including my earrings in this beautiful treasury!

Seeing Stars in Seattle. Artist Trading Card (ATC). Three Muses

This is my entry for the Three Muses challenge this week, "Seeing Stars".  It is an artist trading card (ATC) made with my hand dyed fabric, sun printed with stars, stitched and embellished with handmade paper, vintage dictionary paper, sequins and my latest vintage delight, rose montees - tiny crystals set in metal settings that can be glued, or wired or sewn through the channels on the back of the setting.

I am always astounded at how many stars we can see in Seattle, just from the back porch. You'd think that the lights of a big city would wash out the night sky, but (when it is not raining!) I see lots and lots of stars. It always makes me wish to be somewhere well and truly dark, where the city light would be removed, like a curtain lifted, and the true radiance of the heavens revealed.

Featured Artist. Chantal Regis of Creolane on Etsy

I'm happy to share with you the work of Chantal Regis of Creolane on Etsy.

Chantal purchased some vintage Swarovski crystal beads in a gorgeous apple green. Then she left feedback about her purchase that made me laugh out loud.  I simply had to go over to her shop to see what she was doing with the beads! And here is what I found in her brand new Etsy shop....

 

 

I love Chantal's combination of materials and textures, and also how she mixes vintage beads and components with contemporary ones. 

The other aspect of her work that is interesting to me is that she sometimes alters her supplies to meet her needs, for example these earrings in which she has painted the brass to achieve the aged appearance:

 

 

If you visit Chantal's shop, be sure to notice her shop banner also - it's a band of shimmering color, mezmerizing!