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.

Featured Artist: Mandy Kallal of Jewelry4Reenactors

 

Our latest featured artist is Mandy Kallal of Jewelry4Reenactors!

Mandy's designs are unique because they draw on her years of experience as a Civil War reenactor and have been specially crafted to be period correct.
 

Mandy loves the Victorian era and many of her designs are inspired by pieces from that time. Her extensive research can been seen in each one of her handcrafted pieces and by her attention to detail.  

Mandy uses materials like coral and mother of pearl, as featured in this brooch and earring set, as they were very popular materials during the Victorian era. 

These bracelets are designed around Victorian mourning jewelry. Often incorporating jet black glass or onyx, these pieces would be worn for years after a loved one's death. This design features an old daguerreotype which was a fairly new technology at the time. 
 

Mandy's beautiful designs have delicately detailed filigrees which would surely look lovely to wear whether you are going to a Civil War ball or a modern day event. 
 

We hope you'll enjoy a visit over to Mandy's website (and also check out her Etsy shop too), to be inspired by her designs and their unique histories. Any one of her special pieces would make a great gift for someone who was interested in history, or just beautiful jewelry!

New on Pinterest: Color of 2014 Radiant Orchid

Source: Jentina Naude via Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies on Pinterest

Are you ready to ring in the new year with bright colors? In our latest board "Color of 2014" we are exploring PANTONE's color of the new year, "Radiant Orchid." It's bright, and somewhat sassy, and very purple! Who knows what colorful delights the new year will bring?

Source: fashette.wordpress.com via Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies on Pinterest

Source: Nationaljeweler.com via Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies on Pinterest

January's Birthstone: Garnet

Garnet Vintage Czech Glass Crystal Faceted Bicones.

January's birthstone is the garnet.

The gemstone garnet comes in shades of green, yellow, orange and red. We have a selection of stunning faux garnets at Bumbershoot Supplies and Bumbershoot Designs. When it comes to the vintage stones, garnet refers to a deep red color and faux vintage garnet stones and beads are often faceted to emulate the gemstone.

Garnet Vintage Glass Pear Teardrops.

Garnet Vintage Swarovski Crystal Beads.

Garnets have been used in jewelry since Roman times. The gemstone is the state gemstone in Connecticut, New York and Idaho. It has been the birthstone for January since medieval times. Garnets have been associated with friendship and loyalty.

Garnet Vintage Swarovski Rhinestone Earrings.

Garnet Vintage Rhinestone 60ss Round Glass Jewel.

Garnet Vintage Glass Heart Rhinestone Jewel.

In 1870 Tiffany & Co. published a birthstone poem in one of their pamphlets. The January poem goes:
"By her who in January was born
No gem save garnets shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy

True friendship and fidelity."

Garnet Vintage Swarovski Rhinestone Pear Jewel.

For friendly inspiration, we invite you to browse our vintage faux garnet collections at Bumbershoot Designs and Bumbershoot Supplies.

The 25 Days of Christmas Cards: Day 25

Day 25:

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!"
– Clement C. Moore

Card by Sharon, Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies.

For more about our 25 Days of Christmas Cards project, see this post.

 

The 25 Days of Christmas Cards: Day 24

Day 24:

“‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse..."
– Clement C. Moore

Card by Dorothy Jane.

For more about our 25 Days of Christmas Cards project, see this post.

The 25 Days of Christmas Cards: Day 23

Day 23:

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."
– Roy L. Smith

Card by SalmonBerry Studio.

For more about our 25 Days of Christmas Cards project, see this post.