Collecting Vintage Jewelry

Image by Nile from Pixabay

I have a strange addiction to old, vintage jewelry. I'm not talking about antique jewelry that could fetch the owner a few thousand dollars. No, I'm talking about all that old stuff my grandmother used to wear. The stuff that was supposed to make you look like a million bucks without putting you in the poor house. It was big, it was gaudy, and it was awesome.

I have several jewelry boxes filled with pieces that I've picked up at garage sales and craft fairs. My worst enemy is eBay as I'm always finding junk jewelry lots that have one or two pieces mixed within that I just can't live without. It's a sickness and I'm working on it. Not very well or with any gusto, but you know...

I've been trying to figure out what to do with some of those pieces as I'm running out of room. I've thought about selling some online, but not sure that's the right thing to do. Then I found something that really struck my style. It's a craft project that is absolutely beautiful. Creating framed artwork with pieces of jewelry. 

Pink Christmas Tree by Kattscottagevintage

I'll admit that I haven't tried this yet, but I'm forming a plan to make something similar. The artist that made this has obviously perfected her craft. So for now, I'll just use this as inspiration to get something of my own made. I think I'll start out small.

Another thing I've noticed with vintage jewelry is that there are a lot of pieces that are damaged in some way. These can either be repaired or turned into a different piece of jewelry. The nice thing about this is that you can turn around and resell these pieces online or even through local craft fairs. It's a nice way to put a little cash back into your pocket to find that next great piece.

I also came across an idea that is something that could be done quickly. Creating rustic Christmas ornaments. This would be a great way to use only one or two pieces in conjunction with either old lace or even worn denim. I will be making some of these in the near future and will post pictures. 

I believe it's important to find ways to preserve the unique beauty of vintage jewelry. As a collector, I'm always looking for ways to show off some of my prized pieces. However, I'd really love to be able to pass other pieces on to different collectors and keep the love alive.

*~~~*~~~*~~~*

© Christine Graves 2020

The Appeal of Vintage Cars

My husband's 1947 Panel Wagon Rat-Rod

It seems there are hundreds of shows on TV about restoring vintage cars. My husband is a car guy and our yard is littered with his "vintage collection". I put that last line in quotes because all I see are a lot of old, worn out clunkers. But he looks at it like a rich man looks at a new yacht. So I'm trying to learn the appeal of vintage cars.

Over the years, I have found myself a lot more drawn to older vehicles. I'm not just talking about a tricked out '67 Chevelle, I'm talking about the old Camero sitting in someone's yard on blocks. The one that's missing the front bumper, a little rusty in the back quarter panel, and two different colors of paint. No, it's not worth a ton of money, but it's got appeal. 

My husband and I watch a lot of those cars shows, namely Counts Kustoms on the History channel. He loves to watch them transform something that looked at though it could never be driven again, into something that brings a tear to a grown man's eye. I watch it because I've learned a lot about what to look for in the details of a vintage car. Who knew all those car shows could be educational?

My husband has been collecting vintage Volkswagens for years. Parts, pieces, who vehicles. You name it, he's either got it or knows where to get it. I've always loved bugs but had no idea that they were such a collector's item. 

The 1967 (?) Volkswagon Bug my husband just bought
to teach our 8 yr-old granddaughter to drive. 

We have Volkswagon stuff all over our place. Not just the real ones either. We've got toys, memorabilia, logos and a whole lot more. I never realized that all this stuff was something a lot of car guys will collect. And depending on how old it is, what it is, and even where it's from, they can go for a lot of money. I'm starting to see the appeal in vintage cars.

Though it seems most guys want something that's both old and in perfect shape, there's something to be said for vintage cars in their well-loved states. The tales those old cars could tell. I think I like them in that condition more than if they were mint. But that's just my opinion.

What about you? What's your take on vintage cars? Do you have a favorite? Tell us about it. I know a lot of car guys that would love to hear your story.

*~~*~~*~~*

Both pictures featured in this post are the sole property of Christine Graves and may not be reused without written permission. All opinions are that of the author who makes no claims to be an expert. 

© Christine Graves 2020

Collecting Old Cookbooks

Image by Bruno/Germany from Pixabay

I grew up a country girl. There were several times a year when my grandmother and her friends would get together and cook for 50 or 60 people. I loved being in the kitchen as they did so. And though they made it looks so easy, each and every one of them would bring along their trusty cookbooks. 

Though there are thousands of people who collect antique books, there's just something about old cookbooks that bring about a sense of the past like no other. You have the chance to relive those memories; the sights, the smells, and all the mystical flavors. These are not your modern heart-healthy recipes.

Old cookbooks offered something more than just pages filled with things to cook. There were pages on how to figure out measurements, ideas on how to substitute flavors, and instructions on how to keep your cast iron cookware clean. They were every housewife's best friend.

There were a lot of name brand cookbooks, such as Betty Crocker and Better Homes and Gardens. However, some of the best vintage cookbooks came from local organizations. Women would get together through places like church or the VFW, and offer up their best family recipes. These would be printed into small publications and sold as a fundraiser for some upcoming event. The best part is many of these recipes would have been handed down for generations. I still use a lot of these in my own kitchen.

You can find a lot of these types of cookbooks online, but the best places to find them are at yard sales or at your local secondhand store. Many people today won't use these cookbooks as they're not health-conscious. You can usually pick them up for a couple of bucks. You'll be able to tell which ones have the best meal ideas as they'll be the ones that have been well-loved.

Did one of your ancestors have a favorite cookbook? Do you? If so, be sure to pass it along to the next generation. After all, a good meal never goes out of fashion.

Welcome to the New Collected Keepsakes

Nearly everyone on the planet collects something.  Some people collect memorabilia from the golden age of Hollywood, others collect comic books, and still others collect antique post cards.  The number of items we collect on a daily basis are as vast as the number of people who do the collecting.  This site is dedicated to these people.

I'm an avid collector.  I collect things with roses on them, I collect fabrics, and I collect ideas.  This last one is a bit out of the ordinary, but it's just something I've always done.  I look at other people's ideas and think of ways I can rework them and make them my own.  I don't just take other's ideas and make them my own, I go out of my way to use those ideas and come up with fresh ones of my own.  That's how the idea of this blog was created.

I actually started this blog more a little over 4 years ago, but life has made it nearly impossible to keep it going. Not to mention the fact that I took a big step away from the writing world as a whole. I needed to focus on myself and I think I've finally found what I was looking for. Now, it's time to get back into what I once set out to do.

Anyway, back to collecting.  My goal for this site is to make it a place where collectors can come in and find ideas on where to find the things they love, how they can get the best prices for those items, and even some tips on how to display their items for the rest of the world to love.
If you have any suggestions, please feel free to let me know.  As I said before, I collect ideas and I'd love to see yours.