Vintage Jewelry Treasures

Happy New Year! I just had to throw that out to you all, since I haven't posted since last year. I hope you are all healthy and happy and doing what you love. I try to do what I love, but you know how it is... one has to make a living, so in my SPARE time I do business consulting. Now on to the what I love.....

I think everyone is aware of the fact that I love jewelry... if not, have you read my Bio? Anyway, along with handcrafting jewelry, I also love to buy and sell vintage jewelry. It all started when I wanted to acquire vintage beads for my crafting purposes. I managed to procure some vintage items and lo and behold, I could not take them apart! I had an appreciation for the original work of art and felt it would be sacrilege to ruin a perfectly good piece of jewelry, albeit an old one. It was during this time that I discovered an addiction to online auctions. Not to go off on a tangent, but you can imagine the amount of money I spent on my obsession!

Over the course of several years, I have amassed quite a booty of vintage jewelry. I did sell a few pieces here and there on Ebay, but mostly I could not bear to part with my treasures. I sorted them by type and placed each one in a plastic baggie. From time to time, I would pull them out and admire the sheer beauty. I conducted countless hours of research on the web to learn about the styles, designers and history of these pieces. Last summer, I finally got wise and started auctioning them off more seriously. It takes a lot of work, however, and being that I also have another job in my "spare" time, I still have plenty of inventory.

In the spirit of sharing, I thought I would post some pictures of my treasures for you to peruse. Hopefully you will appreciate them, as well!

Until next time,

Kittie =^..^=

Blog About What???

Tonight is one of those occasions where I am in the mood to think, but I don't know what to think about. A serious conundrum, to be sure. Well, I guess I should start with what I have been doing of late.

I haven't made any new jewelry, but I did make a card or two last night. It has been quite a while since I have done any card making... not because I don't like to, but simply because all of my supplies have been packed away. Moving is a seriously tricky business and when you don't pack your own stuff.... well, who knows where it will be found! Luckily, I have gathered enough supplies and bought a few new ones to allow for a little card crafting.

I would love to make my own holiday cards... but that would take a little planning and I have been short of that this year, so the best I could do was a "Thank you" card for a sweet person in Puerto Rico. She was kind enough to send coffee to a stranger... so the least I could do was personally craft a card, right? The picture above is of Version 1, which was rejected. Version 2 was slightly different in that it had a horizontal placement of the gold accents.

How about that? I managed to come up with a blogging topic! Now is the best part (applause, everyone) of the blog.... Has anyone been crafting lately? It doesn't matter what it is, really. I would just love to hear about your craftiness and how you express it. Thank you all, because I know you will obey... okay that sounds kind of harsh... you will comply, with my request and share so that we all can enjoy!

Until we meet again.....

Kittie >^..^<

Hello my bling-loving friends! I have been away too long but it is not entirely my fault... an evil virus sprung into my respiratory system and laid me out for several days. I am back now, and feeling better than ever, so let's get started!

Christmas is almost upon us (one week and a day away!) and I have yet to put up my tree. Yes, it is sadly true... the queen of self adornment has not even decorated her own home. I could use the evil virus as one excuse, but I think that laziness might better describe it. So, my followers, I pose this question to you all: "How do you put yourself into the holiday mood?"

I am sadly in need of your assistance to turn this holiday season around. Oh sure, I have made a few baubles and sold a few, as well, but it hasn't seemed to give me that little push (shove, rather) that I need. Please send suggestions for my holiday cheer redemption!

Alas, this is the extent of my post for today. I am looking forward to your comments and general love-giving to boost my holiday spirits and re-energize my blogging abilities!

Toodles,
Kittie =^..^=

It's Celebration Time!

Hello my fellow jewelry lovers! It is that time, once again, to delve into the mystery and intrigue that is: self adornment! Today is especially important in that it is the one day of each year that yours truly is celebrated! That is correct my faithful ones.... I have once again lived to see another birthday!

Since today is my special day, I shall celebrate by wearing uber nice jewelry. I think a matching set of earrings, necklace and bracelet will do the trick and I know just the ensemble... I have a cute set made out of grey Czech glass cat face beads (how appropriate) and pink clear beads. I have been saving this for a rainy day.... and I think my birthday definitely fits that bill.... not that I mind getting older, but society dictates that women must fear aging... and I am never one to disappoint society!

Along with wearing my special jewelry, it is tradition in my clan to have a special birthday dinner. As a youngun, that meant that Mom would cook the dish of my choice... as an adult (so I'm told) it means going out to a restaurant of my choice. I haven't decided yet... last year it was sushi, so I don't think that will work this year. Perhaps Italian? Probably not Mexican.... I can get that any old day here in San Antonio.... well, whatever I choose, I am sure to have fun, because that's what kitties do!

Now, my possums.... it is time for our favorite part of the blog!!! How do you celebrate your birthday? What jewelry do you save for that most special of all days and to make it more fun.... what are your traditions in regards to dinner, gifts and entertainment? I am looking forward to your comments.... I am sure there is someone out there who will surprise the pants off of me!(figuratively, that is)

Until we share again,
Kittie :-D

Happy December my faithful followers! We have finally entered the "official" holiday season and that means decorations! Yes, we all know that this is our favorite time of year to decorate: houses, trees, front yards, windows, and let's not forget ourselves!

Jewelry is THE decoration of choice for humans. We have earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, tiaras (if we are royalty) and other various types of personal adornments that shall remain nameless... Personally, I am a bracelet person and in the holiday season I like to wear the traditional green and red with a little white mixed in. Of course, earrings must be worn, as well, since they are practically a part of my body. Favored colors in this genre include silver and blue. They remind me of snow and ice... not that I get too much of that in South Central Texas... but I am originally from Michigan, so I can dream, can't I? Finally, for me, there is the necklace. Lately I haven't been wearing one on a regular basis. This is due to the fact that at my job I have to wear a name badge around my neck... you can imagine the tangled mess that would ensue if I were wearing a necklace AND a badge... an ugly situation to be sure! Anyhow... my colors of choice for holiday necklaces vary with the situation and type of clothing that I am wearing. Parties call for bright colors and casual outings are more subdued with pastel shades.

Now, here comes my favorite part of the post: I am requesting your participation! Please comment on YOUR holiday jewelry habits. I am particularly interested in the party jewelry genre! After all, this is THE season for festive merry making, so we must take advantage of this atmosphere and DECK ourselves out accordingly... you know, like the HALLS. Come on, make me proud!

Until next time,
Kittie :-)

Thanksgiving Traditions in Jewelry

Here we are having yet another Thanksgiving Day in the United States.  Eating turkey, ham, brisket or whatever we feel like.  Pumpkin pie with Cool Whip (yum) and plenty of other high caloric food stuffs.  Food is wonderful, to be sure, but what are we wearing?  Have we adorned ourselves with pretty Thanksgiving jewelry?  Well.... I haven't.  What, you say?  Our jewelry lover bloggonista is not all decked out in her holiday finery?  I am afraid it is true my friends.

I grew up in Michigan, a cold northerly state surrounded by water on three sides.  Oh sure, we had jewelry and we had Thanksgiving, but we didn't have Thanksgiving jewelry!  I was forced to spend my turkey day in an apron, jeans and just plain old jewelry.  No leaves, no golds, no cornucopias, you get the picture.  It was a sad existence, but we managed somehow.  I think the only thing that kept us going was the promise of red and green Christmas jewelry!

Now, as an adult (age wise, at least) I do not partake of the Thanksgiving jewelry tradition because it is not mine... I quietly suffer through the day waiting for the whole next month when I pull out my Christmas baubles and adorn myself like a Christmas tree.  December is my month to shine!

So, my adornment loving friends, what Thanksgiving  jewelry traditions do you have, or not, as the case may be?  I am dying to hear about them, because as we all know, I like sharing!  Tell the kittie your family jewelry secrets!  Come on.... you can do it... I have the utmost faith in my public!

Until next time,

Kittie :-)

Where Are the Stories????

Okay everyone,

In my first installment, I told the story of my love for jewelry. Now I want someone else to contribute. Please provide a comment on how you started being a jewelry lover! It doesn't have to be long.... just a sentence or two or more if you are so inclined!
I had some very kind words of encouragement from you, but now I want to hear more!!! Try asking yourself some of these questions:

1. What is it about jewelry that I love?

2. How long have I been wearing jewelry?

3. Can I pass a jewelry store without looking?

4. Can I go ONE day without wearing some form of jewelry?

That should get the ideas flowing... come on.... let's hear it!!

Until next time!!
Katie :-)

http://KittiesKrafts.artfire.com

http://KittiesKrafts.etsy.com

http://stores.ebay.com/Kitties-Krafts

For The Love of Jewelry

Welcome everyone!

I have decided to take the first step and create my own blog. I am serious about jewelry and I want to share that with others who are, as well.

I can't remember when it started, but for as long as I can recall, I have had a fascination with jewelry. I used to dig through my mother's costume jewelry as if it were a pirate's treasure chest. I would try it on and generally admire the sparkle and shine.

As I grew older, I was able to obtain my own jewelry... grandma would buy me cheap rings or I would go to neighborhood garage sales and find cast offs. I remember my first "real" necklace... it was a birthday gift... a sterling silver chain with a cute filigree pendant and a genuine pearl in the center. I thought I was a princess! I still have that necklace someplace, I just don't know where...

Now I create my own jewelry... all self taught. I am nowhere near completed with my training, however. I want to keep expanding my skills because there is so much to learn!

For anyone else out there who feels the same way that I do, please let your voice be heard! Blog, comment, chat, or whatever...

So long for now,
Katie aka Kittie

http://KittiesKrafts.etsy.com

http://stores.ebay.com/Kitties-Krafts