New Old Jewelry

at Age Before Beauty.

The Gilded Wedding

Those French certainly knew how to showcase love and romance...

These earrings that I've just made are from an 1800's French Wedding Stand, or Wedding Cushion, or Globe De Mariee.

Silk pillows were framed by elaborate gilt leaves, birds and beveled mirrors. Married couples would display these under glass domes and proudly set them in a place of prominence in their home. 

They held souvenirs of the couples' wedding, such as a headpiece, tiara, or wax flowers. Each elaborate piece of the frame was selected by the couple to depict symbols of their life together. 

The bird being the symbol of love, elaborate leaves representing the longevity of their union, and mirrors--- which represented how many children the couple wished to have.

Two rescued gold gilt leaves are now topped with antique rhinestone rings and hand carved mother of pearl beads. 

How romantic...

at Age Before Beauty

The Green Queen

This necklace has a seductively sinister-ness to it. 

It seems a little like something a Disney villainess would wear.

Not much sunlight here this morning, so I went close, close, close to the window.

A little bit of bad, is good, right?

The Green Queen, at Age Before Beauty.

Bling Love

Love is in the air...

 

or at least it is at Age Before Beauty.

 

  A friend pointed out that the shop was rather low on show-stopping sparkle, 

 

so I set out to rectify that problem. 

 

 

It seems that during this bleak, dull time of year, a little sparkle is just what the doctor ordered.

 

 At Age Before Beauty.

J'adore

I've been putting aside a few very special French bits and bobs.

A little ooo la la.

 

Mixed with a touch of je ne sais quoi?

 

 

All making up a Paris-inspired potpourri of beautiful bling.

Soon, at Age Before Beauty.

 

The Metropolitan Community Center

Perhaps it was part of an old badge.

Or a commemorative button.

Wonderful old architecture...

Now makes lovely neckware, at Age Before Beauty.

The "Tole" Story

The term tole painting comes from the French word, "tole peinte" which was a popular form of decorative painting on metal from from 1700-1900.

  

This style of painting is referred to as 'one stroke painting'. Typical designs were often flowers, fruit, leaves and swirly swishes (you know that technical term). 

Early toleware used Japan-paint, which is a varnish-like paint that resembles an Oriental black lacquer finish. However, most of the toleware that we are familiar with, trays and other decorative kitchen-ware, wasn't varnished.

 



I've added rhinestones, gemstones, and various vintage findings to this vintage Toleware set (probably 1940's or 1950's).

 

 Listed soon, at Age Before Beauty.