Antique Mother Of Pearl French Lace Fan The Newest Addition To The Collection

 Sometimes...When you have the smallest amount of cash in your wallet...You stumble upon one of those Estate sales that you wish you had not even found.  Today was one of those days.

 After picking my son up from school....I saw a huge green sign...I grinned and said.  Ha Here we go Jordan..Laughing gleefully..He groaned.

 I knew I only had three dollars in my wallet...Really who goes to an Estate sale with only 3 bucks (ME!)

I

 As I scanned the house my eyes almost popping out..So many beautiful things. Such reasonable prices.  Really!...Then there in the back bedroom...in a box wrapped with green tape.  There it was...A man was standing right in front of it...I held my breath.  Would he see what I did?

 I let out my breath as he moved away...It was so hard not to pounce.  On the tape it said 2 dollars.  Really?  Could that be...Maybe it was miss marked...hmm. I opened it carefully. 
                                            Oh Joy!!!   

 The lace was intact...The mother of pearl stays...a few are broken.  It is missing the metal piece at the bottom. It may of been gold or silver and at one time was just scrapped...

On the bottom of the box it says that it was received as a gift when the owner was 5 years old in 1918...It came from China.  Just the other day I had been saying to Jill and Lauren that I really wanted a mother of pearl fan for my collection.  This one needs some restoration.  I am going to look into it and see how much it would cost.  For a 2 dollar investment I think I did pretty darn good.  Now to find a case for it...

Hand Carved Mother Of Pearl Antique Pins A Little More To Their Story

A few of my hand carved antique Mother of Pearl pins........

Over the years I have discovered that these beautiful and intricately carved pins have a long history that reaches back across time. Many of them have been carved in Bethlehem. Where since the time of the crusades artisans have been carving mother of pearl for the tourist trade. Yep...Even hundreds of years ago tourists bought souvenirs. During WWll from what I have been told the 5 point star was somehow tied into women who's son's served in the military. But that I have never seen in print. If you you happen to come across a pin or pendant and you are unsure about it's age. Flip it over and look at the clasp. Made of brass or silver with a C clasp (that is just a piece of metal bent over in the shape of a C so the bar can hook into it) A newer pin will have a modern clasp that has been glued on. The older ones have been drilled into the shell..And the pin will have an old patina. You may also see the name Bethlehem stamped into the metal or carved the shell. If you find one or have one of your own you know what a delightful treasure they are ...Glowing with a a life all there own. I for one can't seem to stop collecting them and even though I have about 85 pieces I am always finding one that I just can't live without. Thanks to Jill and Lauren my fellow Junkin Gypsies I discovered a real beauty yesterday...Sigh. My fingers are crossed it will still be in that antique store case next week. 

Have You Seen My Buttons Matchbox Full Of Antique Mother Of Pearl Buttons

Fantastic antique mother of pearl buttons tucked into a sweet handmade matchbox. A sweet tweetybird keeps things flying along. Great for scrapbooking, collage, atc, crazy quilting. Pretty for your work table or shelf. What a delightful gift for your favorite crafter!!!

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66352688/have-you-seen-my-buttons-matchbox-full

 

Just listed on Etsy this morning!!!

 

New Treasures

   I am so pleased with the new-old treasures I discovered this week. 
   Just had to share with all of you!....The cupid buttons have me a bit  stumped.  
  They have a hinge and both open on the same side. Are they really buttons.?
  Hmmmm..
   I love the chain on the necklace.  The details are beautiful and I can't
   help but be taken back in time....It is not in good shape..But Oh well.
 What was the woman like who wore this necklace...Was it a gift from her
   husband?  Was it the only piece of jewelry she owned...Where did she live,
   was she a mother...Sigh.  I think that's why antique and vintage pieces
   call to me so...The mystery.