Starting a Bead Kit with Vintage Baubles

I have a category in my Bella Shop

titled "Baubles & Beads"

 

This is where I sell bits and bobs

of things that have broken

from vintage jewelry or other

vintage bling and buttons.

 

Lately I have been keeping

some of the beads and charms.

 

 

Some of these came from my Grandmother's old stuff. Most are plastic but over the past couple of year's I've found at estate sales, some nice glass beaded necklaces that were either strung too tight or broken.

 

I'm filling up a nice little kit.

Another box is filling up now too!

My inspiration came from a girl's night out

last year at a local bead works.

It occurred to me that I already had lots of

beads, I just didn't know what to do with them.

 

My mom's group made these velvelt bookmarks

which I found on Andrea Singarella's blog.

This girl has some great ideas!

 

I introduced the bookmark craft

to my mom's group and they loved it!

 

I think I showed off my pink creation last year.

 

My new project is this black and silver bracelet.

I had purchased some jewelry for Bella Rosa

when I discovered one of the black crystal

flapper girl necklaces was coming unstrung.

 

Now the beads have a new life!

My new tools of the trade.

 

Looking forward to more new

things to wear... and maybe even

to sell in my Etsy shop!

 

Lookout!

Going Green: Wearing Vintage Jewelry for St. Patrick's Day

Everyone likes to wear a little

green for St. Patrick's Day.

 

I've selected some

sweet jewelry pieces

from my shop with

just the right amount of

green to put a little

Irish jig in your step!

 

Sometimes subtle is better.

A beautiful pair of glass leaf

cuff links in green!

Beautiful for the ladies

to wear at work or out

to dinner.

Or how about a bouquet of green?

THis six stemmed floral bunch

is filled with lots of sparkle of

the Emerald Isle!

This bracelet of Swarovski style

crystals is my favorite!

 

If earrings that dangle

are more your style,

these vintage green and

crystal gems are sure

to bring you some Irish Luck!

 

A 14k gold filled filigree link

and jade stone

bracelet is another favorite

of mine. Can you tell I

like bracelets?

Sweet green swirled

earrings posts, for

the gal or young

lass who does not

have those lobes

pierced yet.

And a little "aurora borealis" shine in this

beautifully designed brooch filled with

green rhinestones.

May the luck o' the Irish

be with ye this St. Patty's Day!

Ye Olde Lighthouse: Saving a Moment in Time

Last week we went to visit family.

 

Every year we take my Dad to

see something we've never

seen before, even though

I grew up close to the area.

So far we've seen an army

airport museum, a glass museum,

and this year we visited a lighthouse.

 

Always fun.

 

There is just something about the old history behind a lighthouse.
The reason for their being, the design, the look.

I had forgotten my nice camera and only had my iphone.
The photos turned out a little bit like paintings.

This lighthouse was originally built in 1849.
That was a long time ago.

It is along the Delaware Bay at the mouth of a river.

At the time there were 1500 men employed along the river.

Not so much anymore.

Technology changed things. Locomotives, automobiles.

But the lighthouse survived the storms of life and decay.
Saved by a local historical committee.

I'm glad they did.

(There is Bebe out in front)

 

Because as a lover of all things vintage this is a real gem!


And now I can add it to my list of lighthouses we've visited.

Tell me about your lighthouse adventures, if you have some to share.
I'd love to hear about it!

Expect the Unexpected! New Arrivals Are Here

This week I shopped the local antique dealers.
Some I know very well.

I just get a huge kick out of finding something
that they also loved and brought into their space
and now I've brought it to mine.

A few unexpected pieces.

Like the mod atomic vanity stool.
So not me but yet, totally me.

And the vintage trophy I found. Love!

How do I part with these things that I find?
Or maybe they find me.

This vintage, never been played with, LADY LOVELY,
girl's beauty kit was an amazing find! Why didn't the little girl
play with it? I certainly would have...

You can see all of the other finds, here.

Plus, this week's mystery sale is all about the jewelry.
Great sale prices from 2.00 and up!

Enjoy and have a great one.

Linking to Ivy & Elephants "What's It Wednesday",  Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound and The Cottage Market Linky Party.

Mom's Night Out: Use What You Have Decorating

Last week I was in charge of

setting up a Mom's Night Out

for my M.O.P.S group.

(Mother's of Preschoolers)

 

With a theme, of course.

Valentine's Day.

Throw in a spa treatment

and a movie and we had a

great time with a "night off"

from the everyday routine.

 

 

 

I decorated with things I had

from home. The deep red
tablecloths, the server,
roses, etc. Things I had
grabbed during my
20 minute tablescape here.

I decided to make spritz cookies

using the heart shape and I think

my cookies turned out not only

delicious but they looked

great on this three tiered server.

(I threw in some chocolate to

mix it up...momma's NEED

their chocolate!)

Another Mom brought these

homemade heart sugar cookies.

Look how she frosted them!

Gorgeous! And a depression glass

 plate to serve them on, too.

Delightful!

Here was the table by the time

the rest of the mom's had arrived

with their dessert or appetizer.

We know how to party!

I decided to add some signage

to give it a "salon" look for the

spa treatment.

We didn't forget the punch...
Red for Valentine's Day!

A little mood lighting and we

were all set to watch our movie.

And what did I choose?

The hilarious
Dan in Real Life.

 

A great night of food,

relaxation and fun!

 

I hope you enjoyed a peek

into my life as a

Mom...my full time job!

 

Up next, a peek at

an old lighthouse we visited

this past weekend.

 

I not only love to talk

about antiques, but I also

love history and historical

places...

 

PLUS.... something new for you

from BellaRosaAntiques.com!

 

Stay tuned!

 

 

 

Blog Shop Sale This Week: Save On EVERYTHING in the Bella Rosa Shop!

 

Linking up with Blog Shop and adding a special sale in my BellaRosaAntiques.com store, just for the link party!

Use this code link BlogSHOP20 to save 20 percent on all purchases, even Flea Bella
sale items!

Be sure to hop on over to How Sweet the Sound and check out
the other shops today!

Getting Organized (and Chic) with Old Card Catalogs

Card catalogs, yesterday's media magnet, today's decorating hot spot! This look is really in right now.

Here are a few inspirations, found on Pinterest:

Source: barbara-bibliotecaria.tumblr.com via Jillian's Bella on Pinterest

I just love the addition of the vintage "accessories" in this shot.

Source: traditionalhome.com via Jillian's Bella on Pinterest

Organize your craft room or studio and look what great storage you have!

 

Source: enmiespaciovital.blogspot.com via Jillian's Bella on Pinterest

 

Source: Uploaded by user via Jillian's Bella on Pinterest

 

The pinner of this card catalog loved how it went with her wooden floors!

Source: huttonio.com via Jillian's Bella on Pinterest

This one was embellished by a woodworker, now it looks like it was made for the back of a couch or a side board.

Source: storage.canalblog.com via Jillian's Bella on Pinterest

This one makes me think of the one I just added to my shop...

Who knew I was on the cutting edge? Okay, maybe I'm a bit late for this craze, but I'm glad I found it! What a great way to help me organize my Bella Rosa office!

Use What You Have Valentine Tablescape (In about 20 Minutes)

(This is a post from 2013 but thought it was a fun
post about using what you have to decorate...)

This week I am "practicing" with
what I have on hand for
setting up a HUBS Valentine's

Day table (with the hubby)

and maybe even decorations
I can use for an upcoming

MNO (Mom's Night Out)
with my MOPS group.

(Mother's of Preschoolers.)

 

All of this code wording

is really just short for FUN.

 

 

I just found things here and

there that I had literally

laying nearby or in a cabinet

and used it on the table!

 

A fun challenge in less

than 25 minutes.

 

 

But I spent HOURS on this cake.

Okay, I lied. It is faux!

It was sitting in my china cabinet.

So yummy to the eye,

I just had to use it!

 

 

There is a little bit of

vintage lacking here,

I have to admit.

 I did not go into

Bella Rosa storage

and gather up all of

my vintage goodies.

 

The tablecloth, napkins, and

stemware are antiquey

but the pink cake stands

are new.

 

Can you spot the vintage LuRay however?

 

 

 Making a fun tablescape actually

helped me come up with some

ideas for a Mom's movie/spa

 night we are having next week.

 

 

Definitely lots of Hershey's Kisses.

Chocolate, a chick flick, and

time off from the kiddies = bliss!

 

 

But, all of this sweet Valentine

fun was shared with a special someone.

My sweet little girl!

She helped me put out the

"I Love You" confetti and "Heart soup"

and even directed me on

where to put the red roses.

 

(Part of the reason I only

had twenty minutes!)

 

 

.

Enjoy your week!  

 

 Linking with Etsy Cottage Style
for an "Entertaining Link Party"

Sneak Peek for the Week: Royal Doulton Meets Rusty Metal

 

 

Every week can't be all about roses,

can it? Well, maybe but I have

decided to mix it up a little.

 

Antique calipers.

Old wooden bins.

Fun. 

 

And what better mix than to add

a rose posey for a bold

contrast?

 

 

I'm selling these beautiful rhinestone

hat pins with this very tall

hat pin holder. I've been holding

onto them for my own collection...
It is so hard not to keep everything!

 

 

 

Plus a pretty Vienna Art Plate

and some gold accent mirrors

in various sizes and designs.

 

There are more vintage

goodies in store:

 

Beautiful rose and pansy

postcards,  vintage pink baby items,

placecards, feather plumes and

flapper girl dress trimmings,

hat pins, holders,

and pink lustre...

just to name a few.

 

 

Stay tuned.... I'll be back to

announce when they're up

on BellaRosaAntiques.com

 

Enjoy the day!

 

 

 

PS...Just wanted to mention this vintage

box of great old ornies is available again.

The buyer decided not to get them as shipping

to Australia is much higher than the item itself!

So, they are here, if you like good

'ol shiny brites and mercury glass

style ornaments!