Magnifier Necklaces with Vintage Beads

I recently put together these magnifiers with some vintage beads and hung them off of black satin cord. Each of these is a neat little glass magnifying optical lens with one yard of black satin cord and a black organza bag. Perfect to hang around your neck or keep in your handbag. Great little item to use so you can see your project a bit better, to read the fine print or dinner menu, or to inspect jewelry or silver antiques.

We have these priced at $24.95 each. No two are alike. Handcrafted here in our own studio. Available in our Los Gatos shop or at Pretty Ribbons, our Etsy shop.

New Creations from Norma Dice

We introduced jewelry by Norma Dice in 2009. Norma is now 92 and still creating beautiful jewelry from her studio in Santa Cruz, California. Norma and her late husband Jim spent many years searching for treasures of the earth. They bounced around in their Jeep wagon, traveling all over the West digging for rocks. Norma and Jim shared their finds with the community -- at local fairs and in their back yard. Polished stones, geodes, agates and other precious finds. 

Norma taught herself to make jewelry from those treasures and still enjoys creating these little works of art a couple of decades down the road. To quote her: There is a whole lot of love that goes into each piece of jewelry. I like to look at it for a little while then pass it on. We are proud to offer a new collection of her one-of-a-kind pieces here at Vintages.

Our latest selection emphasizes the beach ... why not? Norma is from Santa Cruz, the ultimate Beachtown USA!

Abalone Necklaces and Earrings ($99.00 & $29.00 each)

Wire Wrapped Shell Pendants ($45.00 each)

Peas-in-a-Pod Pendants ($69.00 each)

Carved Cat's Eye Scallop Shell Pendant ($45.00)

Gorgeous Wire-wrapped Lapis Lazuli Pendant ($75.00)

Wire-wrapped Antique MOP Gaming Token with a Pearl Drop ($89.00)

Antique MOP Gaming Tokens (from $10.00 each)

Most of the Norma Dice jewelry pieces are available online, with more available in the shop.

New Creative Offerings Handmade by Susan

Susan has really been feeling her creative muse lately and has created a couple of new lines of pendants and magnets. These are examples of her newly created pendants and charms. As with all of the pendants Handmade by Susan, they come with your choice of coordinating ribbon or cord and we will put it in a gift box or a lovely colorful organza bag.

Susan will also create custom pieces for you. Just ask.

These come in a variety of sizes and are priced from $12.95 to $24.95 depending on size and design.

Above is Susan's latest line of magnets. These are wonderful images, with thoughtful or whimsical sayings ... and they make ideal gifts. The square tiles are about 2-inches and are priced at $9.95 each. The watch faces will vary in size and are also priced at $9.95 each.

These are not yet online, so call or email us if you see something you would like. Better yet, come on in and see the entire selection. Most of these are one-of-a-kind, and while they may be "duplicated", they are always "different" because they are each handmade.

Bookbinding Kit

Have you ever thought about making your own bound book from scratch? Here is your chance. In the spirit of handmade wares and a near-forgotten craft, this bookbinding kit not only offers a journal to fill with words and scribblings, but also teaches the art of bookbinding by hand.

The kit includes: 1 length of thread, 1 bookbinder's needle, 2 linen binding tapes, 10 4-page signatures (40 pages), 1 instruction booklet and 1 sheet of illustrated steps printed upon vintage paper which also serves as the inside wrapping. Final book measures 4-1/2 inches tall by 3 inches wide.

Glue is not included, but wheat paste is easily created by combining one part flour to four parts of hot water. Bleached flour is best to use. The sewing process of bookbinding is the first step to master in making a sound book and there is a nice video available below to illustrate how to make this book. 

We have these kits in stock priced at $32.95 each.

 

 

Handmade Leather Mini-Books, Necklaces and Key Chains

You know how I love miniatures ... and miniature books in particular. I was blown away by these little leather books made in Philadelphia, all by hand using reclaimed materials.

The artisans explain their books in this way: These miniature books are made using archival insides and vintage outsides. Inside you'll find line-free strathmore drawing paper - thick, hand-torn and hand-stitched acid-free pages that work perfectly with ink, pens both thick and superfine, pencil, charcoal and myriad other mediums. The book's covers are made using handpicked scraps and worn leather, cut to fit the appropriate size. The leather has been bartered from farms in Ecuador, ripped from old chairs in Holland, taken from boots and shoes and saddles and bags and wallets, and found in abandoned houses across the United States. They are scavenged from dumpsters and flea markets and yard sales all over the world and every book is made by hand, so no book will ever have an exact duplicate.

This is a tiny artist book, perfect for the detailed renderer or the writer of very short stories. Each journal comes completely blank, awaiting your imaginative entries. They are hand bound and covered in reclaimed leather. Size: 1 1/4" high x 1" wide with 42 sheets (84 pages). Priced at $49.95 each.

The book necklaces and key chains are also made from the same materials and they hang from either a 19” long gunmetal chain or a brass key chain. The books are just as usable as the one that is not on a chain. We have these in two book sizes: a small, 5/8" high book with 30 sheets (60 pages), priced at $49.95 each, and a medium, 7/8" high book with 42 sheets (84 pages), priced at $52.95 each.

Spice Tin Angels

Remember those old spice tins? They were cool ... and now they are gone! But creative folk artists have been resurrecting them in a variety of creative ways ... reincarnating this little tin cans as the centerpiece in various folk art pieces. We found these little spice tin angels with ruler legs, wooden wings and spice tin bodies all held together by hand twisted wire. Simply fantastic!

We have these little hand made masterpieces priced at $79.95 each. Get them while they last!

Creative Inspirational Metal Art by Jendala

We just received our first shipment of these wonderful metal art pieces that are created by Northern California metal artist Jennifer Utsch. She envisioned Jendala art from her strong belief that there is a connection between creativity, the environment and universal growth. These inspiring pieces are handcrafted locally from salvaged and reclaimed materials. Jennifer: "I design and create all my products using the hand torch. All metal is reclaimed, mostly from sheet metal and steel cans. I then paint and assemble each piece with beads and bells selected from sustainable cooperatives in India and Indonesia."

We fell for these wonderful ornaments, magnet boards and key chains because of their wonderful colors, rustic shapes and inspirational messages. Hope you love them too!

Key Chains • $9.95 each

Affirmation Chimes and Ornament Bells from $14.95 each

Meow & Woof! Key Chains, Ornament Bells and Magnet Boards

Inlaid Wood Money Clips and Card Holders

Just in! These superbly crafted money clips and business card holders from a New England studio. We love the warmth and sooth texture of finely crafted hardwood pieces. Priced at $49.95 each, these are perfect for the man in your life ... or just get one for yourself! Why not? As Susan's old boss had on his license plate: "IOIT2ME"!

The artists maintain a studio in a small Rhode Island town. Working out of a nineteenth century mill overlooking Dorset Mill Pond, they utilize the beauty of their surroundings to create objects that are simple yet elegant in design. Their woodcrafts are both serviceable and handsome. With minimal care, they can be appreciated for years to come. The hallmark of their work is its combination of artistic expression and utilitarian design. 

Handcrafted Clay Pendants by Susan

Susan has been creating these wonderful pendants using clay. She decorates them with a variety of found objects, glitter, gold and silver leaf, rhinestones, and die cut words of wisdom.

These are all hand made, one-of-a-kind pendants and are priced starting at $12.95. These all come with coordinating ribbon or cord (your choice) and are presented in an organza bag or jewelry gift box (again, your choice). Come on in and check these out.

Handcrafted Ornaments Made in Los Gatos

How about decorating your tree or table centerpiece or gift wrap using a locally hand crafted ornament? Well, we have just the ornaments for you. Susan has crafted these wonderful decorative elements from a variety of materials, all sparkly and ready to brighten up someone's day.

The ornaments above are made using vintage images, jewelry pieces, bottle brush trees, old millinery trim and other vintage doo-dads. ($12.95 each)

Handmade pinwheel ornaments decorated with sayings atop buttons and trims and a scattering of glitter. ($5.95 each)

 Solder pendants make lovely ornaments. These are two-sided and feature vintage images in 2x3 inch silver soldered frames. ($19.95 each)

Holiday gift tags made using vintage images highlighted with glitter. ($1.75 each)

 Vintage art signs highlighted with glitter on a cardboard frame. ($14.95 each)

This is a folk art wooden angel we found. It is really wonderful, isn't it? It can be yours for just $49.00.