The Benefits of Owning a Jewelers Loupe...

I had put off buying a jewelers loupe for quite sometime, but finally I did go to a gold and gem shop that sold them. I found the loupes to be very inexpensive; mine was only $18.00 + tax.
Since then I have used it constantly at estate sales, collectible malls, and rechecking my own collection of vintage costume jewelry. The print on top of the jewelers loupe is wearing off...I have used it so often! I'm pretty sure it was 10x magnification. The shopkeeper had said that was the strongest I would need for my 'treasure hunting'.
Just recently I have found designer names on some of my vintage costume jewelry, and I found a very tiny STG with a hallmark, for sterling silver, on the backings of a pair of rhinestone earrings! I'm so glad I finally bought my jewelers loupe! :O)









Vintage Sterling Silver Rhinestone Dangling Earrings at BlackRain4's Etsy Shop

The Fine Line Between 'Vintage Picker With A Passion' or 'Vintage Hoarder'!

Collecting vintage and antiques can become very addictive! I'm a 'case in point'! It is a very fine line between a 'vintage picker' and a 'vintage hoarder'!
As I was watching an episode of the 'American Pickers', on the History channel, it showed a man who let Mike and Frank come to his place with the expectation to buy, and it was like 'prying teeth' for them to make any purchases. The man was asking very high retail prices for his antiques and vintage!
That show can be a great lesson for all of us 'vintage and antique lovers'. Continue the 'hunt' for your all time vintage treasure, but part with some of the ones you have...share your finds with others!
Here is a great example of a costume jewelry find, that I will never part with...at least I don't think so! LOL It is a 1930s Coral Floral Necklace, that came in the original company box. But..I had to put a piece of jewelry in my 'selling' pile....

My New Facebook Fan Page for Luv2LuvAntiques.com

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Come Join A Vintage Picker With A Passion On IAntiqueOnline.ning.com !

I am not a poet but a 'picker' be,
I cannot rhyme for the life of me,
But let an estate open it's doors,
Or a dusty garage lay the 'old' on it's floors,
And I will be scrounging around in a whirl,
The 'Vintage Picker' will run like a squirrel!

Enough said of my sad condition,
My own truly state of perdition,
I need your help in my eternal quest,
In seeking knowledge I will never rest,
So I join with friends at IAntiqueOnline,
To search for the ultimate 'treasure' divine.


Visit I Antique Online

Interesting Vintage Linen Stories...

I recently sold a southwest / Mexican Missions tablecloth at www.blackrain4.etsy.com , that is going to be in a new Mexican restaurant in Africa! A lady who is over there for 3 months of the year, with a  a non-profit organization that works with street children and orphans in the small town of Kitale, Kenya, purchased it. She said she will open a Mexican restaurant for workers, and the residents there. Also, she said that the native foods there have much the same ingredients, as Mexican food, but are prepared differently.
Does anyone else have an interesting story about a vintage linen they bought or sold? I'd luv to hear them!

Linen / Textile Designers of the Past!

Many textile designers of the past are famous for their colorful tea towel and tablecloth designs.

One of my favorite designers is Luther Travis! I especially luv his bright fruit and floral tablecloths!

He is well known for many designs of the 1960s.

One that is most familiar to vintage tablecloth collectors is his grape vine pattern on linen.

I did an online search for Luther Travis, and found an article from 2001, about his cultivation of 2,000 orchids in Manhattan. He is an active member, and supporter, of the Manhattan Orchid Society, as he is listed as a member on their website.

I found it very interesting to know that his luv of floral continues!
I think it is so cool to find out how one of my favorite vintage textile designers is doing! That really 'dates' me doesn't it? LOL

 

You can see it at my etsy shop: Luther Travis Grape Vine Tablecloth

Those Estate Sales Are Calling Me!!!

It is really difficult recouperating after knee replacement surgery, and not being able to drive...especially a new car that looks vintage!!!
Not that I need to procure more vintage / antique items, as the ones I have are too great to count, especially with all the jewelry pieces!
It's the 'vintage picker' in me that is crying out...my collecting addiction...my search for the next special 'treasure' that pops up now and then! For now, I am attempting to update my social networks, list a few things, and advertise on facebook and twitter. Now, all I have to do is beg my hubby to drive me to the next estate sale!!! LOL
For now, here is a gorgeous 1950s tablecloth, to tempt you, that I've listed at Vintage Floral Baskets Tablecloth :