Vintage Valentine Jewelry and Art

Monday at the All About Home Link Party I featured a post with a wonderful piece of Valentine Art. It was created in the style of antique and vintage art pieces created with vintage jewelry pieces and buttons. Traditionally these were created with a black or dark velvet or velveteen background.  Often times we see these for Christmas in the shape of a Christmas tree, but this was done in a heart design that I absolutely fell in love with.

Vintage Jewelry Art

from Suzanne at Shop at Blu

Back about 10 years ago I created necklaces made with vintage and antique elements, and I really loved doing it. In 2013 we were in transition mode moving and not sure where we would end up, so I packed up my supplies and closed my Etsy Shop and Jewelry Blog; The Petite Boutique. There were times when I thought about starting up again, but it was becoming difficult to locate authentic supplies and elements, so I just set it aside. But, I still love all the wonderful and fun vintage pieces that I worked with, so when I saw that post above it made me want to look for some other examples on Pinterest.

Jewelry Hearts

from Jann at Mrs. Olson's

Buttons and faux pearls on a heart shaped frame.

Romancing the Bling

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I remember a few costume jewelry pieces my mom had from the 50's and 60's. Most pieces were modest prices, but a few brands of costume jewelry were pretty pricey. Every summer sheath dress or jacket at that time had matching brooches or pins for accent. And like most girls in the 60's I had an inexpensive charm bracelet. 

Art Creations by CJ

Large flower pins were especially popular.

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The Second Life of Jewelry

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Buttons are another fun element to work with. The whites, creams and celluloid from the early 1900's became much more detailed and "artsy" in the  40's through the 70's.

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I have a large mason jar filled with white buttons. I need to create one of these.

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And while I'm sharing these great art pieces I'd like to share these images again...

I've posted about this wonderful gold locket that was my paternal grandmother's before, but when I was looking back through some February magazine issues I really enjoyed this article in Martha Stewart Living about Love Tokens, and wanted to share it once again.

Love Tokens

Lockets of all shapes and sizes were very popular gifts to loved ones in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Often they contained photos, an inscription, and a lock of hair from the beloved. Given when soldiers went to war, engagements, or the birth of a child, lockets and charms were highly valued tokens of personal affection, and worn daily.

(click on the image below to enlarge then click again to read)

I love coming across antique pieces of jewelry, charms, and lockets, and I have several personal pieces that I wear frequently.

This large gold locket was an engagement gift to my grandmother with my grandfather's photo and a lock of his thick gorgeous hair. Her initials are inscribed on the cover, Irma Gertrude Russell.

They were married around 1910, and my daddy was the last of 6 children born to them. I had an uncle born in 1912 (the first) and then she had 4 stillborn babies before my dad was born in 1929. They hadn't expected my daddy to live and so he had very few pieces of clothing as she didn't want to get her hopes up, but there he was; tiny, but healthy; a little miracle.

Just a little sentimental romance to share this week before Valentine's Day.

You can find more Valentines on my Pinterest boards

Hearts and Valentines

Jewelry

Hope you'll come by the link party on Monday evenings.

joining in here:

The House on Silverado,  Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda, 

All About Home at Common Ground and Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 

 Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch 

  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life  Home Imagined at the Antique Journey

Turnabout Tuesday at My Wee Abode, Wednesday Link Party at Our Tiny Nest

Whimsy Home at  Fifth Sparrow No More

 Wonderful Wednesday at Eclectic Red Barn

 Centerpiece Wednesday at Karin's Kottage

Share Your Style at French Ethereal,  Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home,  

Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  

Home Matters at Southern Sunflowers, Grace at Home at Imparting Grace

Farmhouse Friday at  County Road 407  Fabulous Friday at WM Design House