Estate Sale Vintage Glass Cabochons From Bumbershoot Supplies

I have previously blogged about our recent estate sale purchase of vintage Venetian glass flowers, you can read that post here.  I am still working to photograph and list these flowers on Bumbershoot Supplies.

However, I wanted to let you know that we were also able to purchase many rare and unusual vintage glass cabochons and a few lovely vintage rhinestones from this same estate, and some of these are now listed at Bumbershoot Supplies.  Check ‘em out! Many of these lovely vintage glass cabochons and rhinestones are available in limited quantities.

We use natural light for photographing all our supplies and designs because we have found it best reflects the colors and character of the vintage materials we offer. And natural light is somewhat limited at this time of year in Seattle. For this reason and because and we did purchase quite a large lot of vintage glass from  this estate, we expect to be listing new items for several weeks. You can always visit the “new arrivals” section at Bumbershoot Supplies to see what is most recently available.  Or send me an email – maybe we have what you are looking for.

Beautiful Czech Bohemian Glass: Amethyst Sew Ons, History and Provenance

These vintage glass beads, available at Bumbershoot Supplies, are amethyst jewels, with faceted tops and flat backs. There are 2 holes in each, for the original purpose of sewing onto clothing and fabric. Happily, I was able to obtain these jewels with original packaging which dates them between 1939 to 1945. Here's their history:

The original packaging says "Czecho-Protectorate-Germany". This is interesting to me since the official name of this region during WWII was the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.

This map is from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Czechoslovakia_1939.SVG

The western region of Czechoslovakia, occupied by German troops on March 15, 1939 was declared by Adolf Hitler to be a German "protectorate". This region encompassed the central parts of Bohemia, Moravia and Czech Silesia in what is today the Czech Republic, and was home at that time to some of the finest glass artisans in the world. Bohemia and Moravia were autonomous regions administered by the Nazis and considered by them to be part of the greater German Reich.

This occupation, of course, had far reaching implications for everyone living in this region, including those involved in the bijouterie industry. Exports of glass beads and cabochons and completed jewelry decreased as European and American organizations boycotted Nazi treatment of the Jews (see my other blog post here). The bijouterie industry as a whole was belittled by Nazi officials and the jewelry produced was considered to be decadent and "unfit adornment for German women".  In addition, many factories were converted to military use. To learn more about the effect on these glass artisans of the ethnic and political tensions in this region before, during and after WWII, I recommend the wonderful resource Baubles Buttons and Beads. The Heritage of Bohemia by Sibylle Jargstorf. 

For me, part of the lure of vintage materials, along with the quality, unusual colors and designs, is the joy in being able to touch history in such a tangible way. And I am continually inspired by the beauty that is created and available all around us, even under conditions of great duress. Great little beads, and oh, the tales they could tell...

Products related to this history can be found right here on Bumbershoot Supplies.

 

Christmas in July. Stamped Cards with Vintage and Antique Embellishments

I had a bit of time during the July 4 weekend to play in my studio, and inspired by the "With One Stamp" feature that Stampington publishes in Somerset Studio magazine, I decided to use one stamp and many different vintage embellishments from Bumbershoot Supplies and my personal collection to make a series of Christmas cards.

Each one is unique, but for every card, the stamp, colors, and and basic layout are the same. That made it easier for me - I felt my time was limited and I wanted results and I wanted them quickly!

I like this approach, since each card is as unique as each recipient, and I very much enjoy using the vintage supplies for purposes other than jewelry.

The stamp is Thicket Birds by Memory Box. I love this stamp, it looks just like my favorite place to walk, Discovery Park, Seattle, in the winter.  I purchased the beautiful thick creamy watercolor paper sheets years ago from Impress. For each card I used brown and red markers to ink the stamp, foil highlighting in red, gold or silver, brown striped fabric tape purchased from Stampington, and stitched in red thread with my sewing machine. These components formed the foundation of each card.

And then I added lots of different vintage embellishments.

Because life always seems so full, to make these cards I had to break the process down into very small steps.  Ink and stamp. Pick some orders. Stick on fabric tape. Answer emails. Pull out and audition embellishments. Do some data entry. Stitch each card. Talk with suppliers. Glue embellishments. Wrap up designs for shipping. Add foil highlights.... You get the picture!

There are lots of different vintage embellishments used in these cards, some you may recognize from Bumbershoot Supplies and some are perhaps less familiar. I love to use the original packaging materials whenever possible, so there are paper and strings that are from the 1940's and 1950's and were used to wrap buttons and rhinestones and cabochons.

We like to make as many Christmas gifts as possible, and now I feel great because I have made a good start on my Christmas crafting and I am emergized to continue! 

New at Bumbershoot Designs. New Nature Themed Designs With Vintage Rhinestones, Lockets, Vintage Beads

Here's a look at some of the designs that have made their way into Bumbershoot Designs over the last week.

This vintage rhinestone necklace features 1950's West German cuba glass rhinestones, 2 tone with rose and topaz glass, just a lovely combination. Like roses and honey.

I found these wonderful vintage brass earring posts, a perfect complement to the flowers and leaves in the necklace.

We have had so much rain in Seattle this spring, I was inspired to make this raindrop necklace with vintage bombe style rhinestones from 1960's West Germany. These have high smooth domes and look just like the big drops of rain I have been watching outside my studio window every day for weeks.

Matching earrings for this necklace too, making a demi parure. Both the rhinestones and settings are available at Bumbershoot Supplies.

For this necklace I antiqued a petite brass locket from Bumbershoot Supplies, and adorned it with a vintage glass decal flower cabochon, also from Bumbershoot Supplies. The flower charm features a 1930's vintage glass pearl stamen within a shabby enameled metal flower.

And finally in celebration of the Spring that has finally arrived in Seattle, I have put together this ivory- sage-peridot-milky jade, shades of spring green vintage charm bracelet. Some of my favorite colors and floral themes, all in one place, with 2 different earring designs available to match.

Until next time, wishing you a happy and creative weekend!

New at Bumbershoot Supplies. Big Vintage Rhinestone Jewels and Some Cuba Pears

Just loaded up to Bumbershoot Supplies some gorgeous and large vintage rhinestone jewels. I have more to come, but here are just a few...

It's pretty exciting to find big rhinestones in wonderful condition, these are lovely. Still to come are 2 shades of sapphire ovals, a lighter rose octagon, and a ruby octagon. If you can't wait, just let me know and I'll make it a priority to photograph the ones you are interested in seeing.

And check out these vintage pear shaped rhinestones, also just listed. This type of 2 tone glass is sometimes called cuba glass. In this case, topaz is found in the center and sapphire around the outside. Cuba glass is from vintage West Germany and is no longer made. Becoming harder to find, we have some beautiful leaf cabochons and some navette rhinestones in this type of glass, with a few more items just waiting for their photos.

Until next time, wishing you a great weekend!