Jean Jean Vintage | Vintage and antique jewelry

Coffin locket

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:23:00 +0000

This is a Victorian coffin locket. That fact that I can use the words "coffin" and "locket" together in the same sentence makes me deliriously happy. What a brilliant way to use a funerary motif in mourning jewelry! The little compartment here would have been perfect for a lock of hair. I don't have a will yet (I probably should) but when I write it, I might request that a bit of money be used to make mourning jewelry for my close friends and family. A little engraved locket like this would be so lovely, I think.

Image courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum

Blue Glam Update

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:47:00 +0000

A glamorous update is in the works . . . just because. Lots of Art Deco here, just the way I like it, including a very special bracelet and a rare pair of dress clips from the White Metal Casters Association (ca. 1930). These pieces will be sprinkled in the shop sometime between noon and midnight tonight. I know, I know, a twelve hour stocking window is super professional and useful for you, the interested shopper. But that's the best I've got. Honesty is my policy these days :)

1. 1930s ROCKEFELLER Art Deco bracelet

2. 1930s BLUE SPRUCE Art Deco cocktail ring

3. 1970s SPINNERET beaded costume sautoir

4. 1930s DOWNPOUR Czech glass pendant necklace

5. 1930s SOCIALITE Art Deco dress clips

6. 1960s GOSSYPIUM rhinestone clip ons

8. 1960s TWILIGHT beaded purse

Locket Lundi

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:54:00 +0000

Here is a pretty 1920s monogrammed locket for today's update. It is from the Cheever, Tweedy & Company, (mark "C.T.") which is an American jewelry mark I hadn't seen until this piece. The monogram is R.E.K. done in a beautiful hand! You can find it here.

20 weeks old!

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:07:00 +0000

Severen is 20 weeks old today, which makes him about 4 1/2 months! Since our last check in (16 weeks) he has been very busy! He is able to roll around now. He also recently discovered that his feet/legs are not just random objects but actually parts of his body that he can control. He rubs them together, flaps them around and reaches for them. He likes to try to sit up by pulling on our fingers and gets frustrated when he can't do it. He got his first taste of rice cereal and gobbled it up. He actually wanted to drink it from the glass, which I let him do.

The weather has been wonderful and we've spent lots of time outside. He likes to rest on a blanket under a big tree and stare at the leaves. If his pants are off, he is especially happy! He sleeps in his own room on his floor bed and that has been fun (photos coming soon!) I am amazed at how much he moves - we've gone in to get him in the morning a couple of times and found him chilling out in the middle of the room on his back, just babbling.

He is so even-keeled . . . no high-highs, no low-lows (although that might come with teething, I am told). Lots of good stuff in between.

And why is this post so late? Because it is 5 PM and I just ate lunch. It's been a long, long day with not much to show for it. Except this post. And a happy baby. Bon weekend!

The box the box!

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:24:00 +0000

This piece in the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum is incredible. As usual, I like the box more than the thing inside the box. Just look at the label. Just LOOK at it. I feel like my insides are dissolving (in a good way). Jesus, it is amazing. What I would give to pay a visit to this Artiste en Cheveux and commission a piece. I'd ask for an extra box or two with my order.

On the topic, I'm pretty excited about mourning jewelry (have been for a few years) and I am going to start talking about it more here, mkay? So, now let's see . . . the blog will be about vintage jewelry, my son, scarves, pretty lockets, old photos, hot chocolate, motherhood, my son, hairwork and death jewelry. Soooooo cohesive, I know. Bear with me! I promise things won't get too crazy around here.

Shop update

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:41:00 +0000

A little mid-week shop update. Everything is at the top of the shop!

Minerva/Athena jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:33:00 +0000

gold + enamel + diamond Athena brooch gold + enamel + pearl Athena brooch

Ebay || $1619 Kensington House Antiques || $2950

gold + shell Athena cameo brooch gold + hardstone Athena cameo brooch

Ruby Lane || $890 Lang Antiques || $5950

gold + diamonds + enamel Minerva brooch

Adin Fine Antique Jewelry || $3560

gold + enamel + gem-set Athena brooch gold + natural turquoise Athena cameo brooch

Skinners Auctioneers & Appraisers || $600 Era Gem || $2199

brass + enamel + paint Minerva brooch, in the shop

I got a few questions about the Minerva/Athena brooch I listed a couple weeks ago as part of the Classical Studies Update. Was this a popular style? What other examples of Greco/Roman goddess jewelry existed? Well, I went looking for similar pieces and I found some real beauties. All of these are fine - gold, pearls, diamonds, etc. - depicting the goddess Minerva (or Athena) in a variety of styles, but with certain consistent features. She always has flowing, curly hair. She is always wearing a helmet, topped with a creature of some kind (griffin, dolphin or serpent). And . . . she is always beautiful. She seems to have been a popular subject for enamel brooches and cameos in the late 1800s. My piece is a great example of how costume jewelers imitated fine jewelers, copying popular trends using less expensive materials. Man, I love 1930s-1940s costume jewelry. I just really love it.

Locket Lundi

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Happy Monday! Today's locket is an unusual one. A thick, oval piece with Mother of Pearl inlays creating a background for two detailed scenes. I think this is probably an early mid-century souvenir piece from Japan - fantastic! I just added it to the shop.

Seven weeks old, twelve weeks late

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:59:00 +0000

Severen is 19 weeks old today! He still has 20 weeks to go before he has lived outside my belly as long as he lived inside, but he has made a lot of progress and changed our lives a lot in this short amount of time. I found a list of things that I wrote when he was just under 2 months old and, as I read it, I realized "Oh my gosh. This is getting easier." People tell you this will happen with babies and you want to believe them, but sometime it just feels so hard you can't imagine anything else. Well, here is some proof in favor of the "it gets easier/better/more rewarding" argument - some before-and-after mom-land notes for you.

1. One of the biggest challenges is how to manage my time. And by "my time" I mean the time when Severen is napping or with his dad. If I have an hour and a half while Severen is sleeping, do I use that time to do something for the family (laundry, cleaning, dinner prep, bills, etc.) or to do something for me (yoga, working on the shop, reading, etc.)? It's not an obvious answer, most of the time, and no matter what I choose I usually end up feeling guilty. Tricky, very tricky.

12 weeks later . . . Yep, this is still hard. But three things have helped make it better. One, I take him with me on errands. Two, he takes more predictable naps. And three, I have seriously adjusted my expectations for what can be accomplished in a day. There are some nights when we eat cheese and crackers for dinner. There are some (ok, lots) of days when the only laundry that gets done is Severen's. There are giant dust bunnies under my bed. Ehh.

2. I am amazed at how challenging breast feeding has been. I should have known that any activity that has trained specialists (i.e. lactation consultants) who make themselves available via 24-hour hotlines is not for wimps. Still, I figured doing the natural thing would be pretty self explanatory. Nuh uh. I'll be honest, I thought about giving up many times. My mom says that Severen and I are two parts of an engine. Well, after a few break downs and several tune ups I think we are back on the road again. We've nursed over 600 times now. Wow.

12 weeks later . . . Well, we've easily nursed close to 2000 times at this point. We are in the "reward" phase - all the hard work and not so good stuff we dealt with early on is paying off. People told me we would get here and we have. It is a natural part of my day/night and a relaxing time for both of us. Nursing is something I am really, really going to miss. I will never forget it.

3. As much as I miss having Soren around during the days he has to be at work, it is really awesome to have him come home in the evening and see Severen with fresh eyes. Hearing him say, "Oh he is so beautiful!" sort of pushes the re-set button for me after a long day of diaper changing and baby soothing.

12 weeks later . . . This is still true. I love watching the son-Dad reunion that happens at our house every afternoon/evening. It is mighty sweet.

4. I feel sort of bad saying it, but part of me wants Severen to grow up really fast. Why? Because I feel like as he becomes more and more himself that I will have a chance to go back to being "me." Some days (OK most days) I feel like he and I are one person. We move together, we sleep at the same times, we eat the same things . . . I guess that is what happens when the needs of another person dictate the actions of your day. I feel a little lost in motherhood right now.

12 weeks later . . . I am feeling less lost. Most of that is due to my metal/physical healing from labor and delivery and my adjustment to a vastly different routine. I also had to get over a lot of insecurity related to being a full-time mom (I'm still working on that . . . that's a post for another time). Also, Severen IS growing up really fast. I guess I got my wish. He is getting more independent and capable every day.

5. I am thirty-one and I am not an expert on anything. I don't have a field of study that I have mastered and I have a habit of hopping from one profession to the next, which makes it hard to build on skills. But I have the feeling that I am going to be an expert on Severen. I spend so much time with him and I just know what he needs. I wonder if I will always be to tuned-in to him or if this is just a baby thing. It is powerful, beautiful and terrifying.

12 weeks later . . . For the first time in my life, I feel really, really good at something. Something important. Thanks for that, Severen.

Save the date!

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:02:00 +0000

There is another Pop-Up Shop on the books! Please plan to join us the afternoon of June 9th in the wonderful space over at Pot & Box in Ann Arbor. There will be women's garments from Dear Golden, men's duds from The Thread Locker and jewelry and accessories from yours truly. Bring your fella! Bring a friend! I hope to see you there.

The job never changes

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:46:00 +0000

As I looked through these photos last night, I realized that I recognize these women. Their gestures, their joy, their fatigue, their easy, loving closeness with their children . . . it is all so familiar to me now that I have a boy of my own. This job of being a mom never really changes, does it? But mom-fashion does! Will someone please go back in time and snag those straight-leg trousers for me? They are waaaaay better than my mom jeans.

Images courtesy of the Life Image Archives

Locket Lundi

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:59:00 +0000

Happy Monday! These two lockets are going to join their friends in the shop today. Don't forget to take 20% off your order with the code LOVEYOUMOM at checkout!

Mother's Day Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:09:00 +0000

Mother's Day is coming up next Sunday - that is pretty quick! Please use the code LOVEYOUMOM for 20% off in the shop through May 9th. Thank you!

Classical studies update

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:41:00 +0000

Inspired by my romantic obsession with archaeology, this is the update I am working on right now. I think this is my favorite update ever. The pieces are just so much fun. I'll post info and links here as I go . . .

1940s PAVLOPETRI painted rhinestone brooch

1930s SIRACUSA Italian micro mosaic bracelet

1930s PERSEPHONE carnelian glass necklace
1920s VERULAMIUM 9CT plated signet ring

1930s ROME Minerva goddess brooch
1930s POMPEII Italian micro mosaic pin
1950s HADRIANS WALL British coin bracelet
1960s VOLUBILIS soft leather coin purse

P.S. I studied Classics in college and got to help excavate a Roman temple in Israel as part of my archaeology field work (er, almost fifteen years ago). Here are a couple pics of yours truly. Excavations at the site are ongoing! You can check out the reconstructions here.

Locket Lundi

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:29:00 +0000

Today's locket is a solid 10K gold, mid century heart locket set with a diamond chip. You can find it here in the shop. Happy Locket Monday!

Hyacinth necklace

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:13:00 +0000

I bought this necklace for myself on ebay a while back. I love 1920s lariat necklaces and I had never seen one with glass ornaments like this one. Usually they terminate with briolette or trumpet-shaped crystals, like this one or this one. I knew it reminded me of something but I couldn't put my finger on just what. Then I was out walking earlier this spring and I saw purple grape hyacinths in our neighborhood and I realized - That's it! That's what they remind me of. Don't you agree?

The best barrettes in the world

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:30:00 +0000

I have a bunch of these pretty barrettes from Jane Tran and I love 'em. I am declaring them the best barrettes/bobby pins in the world.

Images courtesy of Jane Tran

Alkemie

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:14:00 +0000

The jewelry line Alkemie is made of 100% reclaimed metals by a husband/wife duo in LA. I am in love with this lavender cuff, although all of their figural jewelry is pretty awesome. You can find a nice selection of their jewels over at Juno & Jove (super fun site) or visit their entire collection.

Images courtesy of Juno & Jove

Locket lundi

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:14:00 +0000

Happy Locket Monday! These two beauties are headed to the shop today. Do you know anyone named Audrae? If you do, you should tell her about this locket.

16 weeks old!

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:53:00 +0000

I figure a check in with a photo of the lad about once a month is good, non? Well, our last photo was at about the three month mark and here we are now - almost four months old! Severen is getting so big. He is wearing six month clothing and has almost outgrown his changing table and co-sleeper. I'm not sure how much he weighs but I'm guessing around 18#. And dude - his head is like 3/4 the size of mine?! I love his little chickie hair, too.

He is super fun to play with these days. He likes to reach for things, grasp at them and - if all goes according to his plan - shove them into his mouth. He is also getting more interested in food. He watches me like a little puppy when I am eating, kicking his legs and licking his lips. I've been giving him little licks of pears, strawberries, etc. and he loves it. The best thing, though, is his baby vocabulary. He makes a wide array of clucks, blurbbles (yep I made that word up), and coos. Damned if it isn't the best sounding stuff I've ever heard. I'll probably pass out the first time he actually says a word.

My big realization these last few weeks: life as a mom is a lot more enjoyable if you can include your baby in as much of your daily routine as possible. That means that it isn't always one-on-one, let's-stare-into-each-other's-eyes playtime at our house (although we do a lot of that, too!) Sometimes he rides in the Moby while I do laundry. Sometimes he plays on the floor in the kitchen while I chop vegetables or eat handfuls of cookies. Sometimes he chills out in his stroller at the post office while I ship packages. I used to feel guilty about having him do all that stuff with me but then I think - hey, maybe he sort of likes it? For all I know, he might think that going to the grocery store is like a trip to Paris! Or that the kitchen floor is as fun as a carnival! What I do know is that when I include him in whatever I am doing, our day together goes much faster and usually smoother. And because we accomplish more when he is awake, my free time is truly my own when he is sleeping. Hellloooo yoga. Helllooo shop updates. It's a good thing.

Springtime update

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:33:00 +0000

We are right smack-dab in the middle of Spring, which means that some days it is 70 degrees and windy and other days it is 48 degrees and raining. It's a mixed bag, Spring. This update is shooting for something in the middle - maybe 65 degrees and sunny? Yeah. These pieces are available in the shop (listings linked below)!

vintage crystal briolette necklace / 1930s / WADING IN

vintage Peking glass bracelet / 1930s / LIMEADE

vintage gold fill locket / 1950s / FORSYTHIA

vintage Mexican silver enamel brooch / 1940s / MAY DAY

vintage glass sautoir / 1940s / SHERBET

vintage New England Glass Works earrings / 1930s / WILD BUD

Around the neighborhood

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:49:00 +0000

There are so many pretty blossoming trees and bushes in my neighborhood right now. And the trees that normally flower for only a few days are going on three weeks of blooming, thanks to the early warm weather we had in March. I think this is the prettiest Spring I can remember!

A pretty girl with a hair comb - what more could you ask for?

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:16:00 +0000

Do you remember this hair comb? Well, it recently found a new home with a sweet gal named Ellen. I wonder how many pretty young ladies have worn this comb over the last 100 years? I bet it has had a wonderful, glamorous life. It makes me so happy to see it out and about in the world again as part of Ellen's fabulous outfit!

On the topic of girls and Jean Jean Vintage jewels, if you have a photo of yourself wearing something from the shop I would love to see it. It would be fun to have "A pretty girl with . . . " series here on the blog. Please contact me if you have a photo to share!

P.S. Here's a lovely lady wearing a Jean Jean locket.

P.S. Those of you with long locks will enjoy Ellen's excellent hair tutorials.

Locket Lundi

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:57:00 +0000

Hey everyone it is Locket Lundi! So clever, I know - what does it mean? Well, starting today I will be listing at least two new lockets in the shop every Monday. I've been a bit stingy with the lockets lately and this is my way of making sure I get these pretties in the shop. Here are the listings coming up today!

Severen's Family Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Jean Vintage) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:04:00 +0000

I ordered this family tree for Severen a couple months ago and I am so pleased with it. It comes from the Evajuliet Atelier, a shop based out of Montreal. I looked around for lots of customizable trees and this was by far the sweetest. Lots of them are sort of cartoony (no thanks). I think that I might put some family photos around the tree so that Severen has faces to put with the names as he grows up. It occurred to me the other day that he won't know who his great-grandparents are, or even his grandpa (my dad), unless I talk about them and make them a part of his life. It feels like a big responsibility to introduce him to his ancestors, but I'm his Momma and that's my job. I hope someday he will tell his kids stories about my mom, my brother . . . maybe me. Don't we all hope to be remembered by the people we love?