A Vintage Button Is Usually The Center Of Attention

Jewelry as a means of adornment has been in vogue through the ages.  There is really no difference between costume jewelry, and vintage or antique jewelry, unless the vintage jewelry posses a rare, precious or semiprecious stone or gem quality.  What we view as costume jewelry came into being in the 1930’s. 

 Antique jewelry can be defined by many as being at least 50 years old; hence, costume and antique can be two of the same.  What we have been accustomed to know as costume jewelry, was first welcomed as a cheap, disposable accessory, worn with specific outfits, but surely not meant to be handed down to family members.  It was meant to be in vogue for a short period of time, outdated itself, and then be discarded for the next new outfit and the next cheap piece.  It also existed in the early 1900’s and earlier! 

 Paste and glass jewelry was found in the 1700’s.  When it comes to the upper class, they had their finest jewelry made using paste and glass stones for a number of reasons.  In the mid 1800’s , and the growth of the middle class, there were now all kinds of jewelry being manufactured using precious and semi precious stones, while fine jewelry continued to be manufactured.  There was a way for all to wear the fine jewelry of the day, be it fine or a fine copy! 

 The handcrafting of jewelry items has always had a huge following.  Styles of yesteryear are presently very fashionable, with many old designs being copied.  Handcrafted vintage jewelry exudes quality with its designs, weight, and brilliance of materials. 

 When you couple vintage jewelry, with handcrafted designs and buttons of days gone by, you have one of the most unique, fun, fashionable, high glam accessories out there!  Handcrafted vintage button jewelry combines the intrigue of the old, with the hip feeling of the new.  The vintage elements give you the quality of days gone by with the brilliant stones, quality settings, bold colors, and unique design. 

 The buttons that are worked into the pieces at vintagebuttondesigns.com give the piece the eclectic, one of a kind uniqueness that we all long for!  The newer beads with their shapes, colors, and textures make the piece one of your most powerful! Handcrafted vintage button jewelry combines all of the elements that we women live for!  It’s an artful adventure, a scene stealer, and best of all, it truly is affordable vintage jewelry designs! 

When you purchase a handcrafted vintage button jewelry design for gifting, you are giving a truly unique, thoughtful gift that will leave a lasting imprint on the recipient.  The one of a kind design is meant for those who are truly passionate about fashion.  The eclectic feel to each piece of handcrafted vintage button jewelry at vintagebuttondesigns.com will leave you longing or more!  Each piece wakes up and brightens your day, proving that fashion can be fun!

 Handcrafted vintage button jewelry is truly buzz worthy, giving the wearer exactly what she wants for that grand feel that we all crave!  Go ahead, admire your style with handcrafted vintage button jewelry!

OK, so I ask you, do you find yourself walking aimlessly around department stores, looking for the one article of clothing that not only suits your needs, but is your style?  Do you drag your weary body, feet screaming, back to the car, virtually purchase free, except for the small bag that once held Annie’s Cinnamon pretzel sticks, which you are now wearing as a new dimple on your bootie? We boomers are in boomer-limbo when it comes to style and shopping. 

Our list looks something like this:

Does it make me look fat????

Is it too youthful for my age?

Is it too matronly?

Is it “In?”

Does it cover my ugly knees (which surgeons say are the hardest to fix and may be terminally ugly because of this!)

Are my wibble wobbly arms a flapping in the breeze?

Does it accentuate my neck which totally gives away my age?

Is it a bootie/muffin top/rolls clinger?

Is it too long or short?                                                                     

DOES IT MAKE ME LOOK OLD AND OUTDATED?!?!?

In the long list of demands in finding our style and staying hip, I find great refuge in knowing that affordable costume vintage jewelry is my best friend.   Vintage costume jewelry can speak volumes, and glam up even the most matronly of outfits! (however, do not go there!) 

Wearing affordable costume vintage jewelry can be that one amazing thing that helps to create your style.  Its’ universal appeal, glitzy feel, and price makes it available to all, helping to ease the pain of the shop!  Go ahead, throw on those white capris with big white granny pants that show through the fabric, all eyes will be on the jewels, like those found at our website: www.vintagebuttondesigns.com  

Affordable, handcrafted costume vintage jewelry designs can help us to feel “in” again, while feeling glam like Old Hollywood!  You’ll find even the young girls will compliment your style!  Go ahead, don your granny pants, but never underestimate the power of affordable costume vintage jewelry!

If you are like most of us jewelry lovers, we KNOW that we love vintage jewelry for its unique qualities, yet know very little about the era of a piece.  Vintage jewelry is valuable for many reasons.  Scarcity and one-of-a- kindness, together with the quality of materials used, make this category a valuable one, jam packed with interesting details.  Vintage jewelry includes a lot of different eras and decades.  The eras to be researched here include Georgian, Early Victorian, Mid-Victorian, Late Victorian, Arts and Crafts era, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Art Deco and Retro.  Retro vintage jewelry is often times referred to as Estate Jewelry, or vintage jewelry that was made after World War II. 

The defining characteristics of Georgian vintage jewelry (1714-1837) are that it is handmade, which makes each piece distinctively unique.  This type of jewelry is extremely rare.  This type of vintage jewelry usually includes nature inspired scenes such as birds, leaves, and birds.  You will often find precious stones in this category of jewelry. 

In the Early Victorian era (romantic  vintage jewelry 1837-1855)  you will once again notice nature’s influence.  The designs would often times be etched into gold with this type of vintage jewelry, and you would find the jewelry of choice to be brooches, lockets for day wear, while diamonds and gemstones of color for the evenings. 

Vintage Jewelry produced during the Mid Victorian era (1856-1880) are often times seen as jewelry with an undertone of “mourning”.  This era corresponded with the death o Queen Elizabeth’s husband.  The influence in this vintage jewelry is seen using dark stones, such as onyx, jet, amethyst and garnet.  Grave designs were configured.  On the opposite side of the coin, the vintage jewelry became particularly creative during this era with, the use of more colorful designs.  Shells, mosaics, and colorful gems were often incorporated into a piece.   

Vintage jewelry designs during the Late Victorian era (1885-1900) were extremely feminine, where diamonds, sapphires, peridot and spinel were often the main focus.  As far as shapes, star shapes along with crescent shapes were extremely popular.  Hat pins were the accessory of the era.  Vintage jewelry had such functionality to it throughout each era!  

The arts and crafts vintage jewelry era lasted from 1894-1923.  The industrial revolution brought about mass produced products, and during this era, jewelry designers rebelled, focusing their skills on craftsmanship and intricate designs. Stone colors were often VERY bold, cuts were simple, and stones remained uncut.  These are the reasons for the popularity today of vintage jewelry from yesteryear!

Vintage jewelry from the Art Nouveau eras (1895-1915) were designed by designers such as Rene Jules Lalique in France, as well as American designers.  This vintage jewelry category included natural designs that once again reverted to nature, such as flowers, butterflies.

The vintage jewelry era known as the Edwardian era (1901-1915) included magnificent gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds, and rubies, with elaborate designs.  Queen Victoria had died and her son Edward became king at the beginning of this era. 

Vintage Jewelry from the Art Deco era (1915-1935) has a huge following today.  African, Egyptian and Japanese themes, along with geometric shapes, sharp lines and bright colors defined this era.  Bakelite, celluloid, and enamels were used more than in previous eras.  The necklaces were long, with the bracelets being worn in multiples.  Beads were incorporated into chokers, while metals were polished and used for accessories.      

Visit our webiste www.vintagebuttondesigns.com to find our collection of affordable vintage jewelry from these eras.

 Hey glam girls,

Along with all that ages, there is an element of upkeep that comes along with keeping things looking good.  Boy don’t I know!  Ask any woman over the age of 40!   Vintage jewelry is no different.  As a vintage jewelry designer for Vintagebuttondesigns.com , I am often confronted with a cleaning issue.  Some vintage jewelry pieces develop a green color and coating.  This is called verdigris, and is an issue that occurs on copper brass or bronze over the years.   A little lemon juice on a q tip can help to reduce this buildup on vintage jewelry pieces.  I am careful to use it only on the metals involved.

Glue is often used on vintage jewelry, and exposing the piece to moisture of any kind can loosen the glue.  I have found that reinforcing the stones with jewelry glue, helps to preserve original stones, helping them from breaking free.  Pronged stones are not an issue, it’s those old rhinestones and pearls!  Vintage jewelry can be cleaned with a damp, soft cleaning cloth , and by using a soft toothbrush to loosen any dirt.  Gently wiping your piece clean will bring out the true colors and brilliance.  Be cognizant of the fact that the appeal of vintage jewelry is just that…it looks old!  Old without the mold is the mission. 

 Store your vintage jewelry in small snack bags, or wrapped in soft cloth to prevent further scratching.  There should be no moisture on the piece.  Vintage jewelry, a little more effort for a lot more glam!

 OK ladies, let’s face it.  When it comes to fashion, there have been many times where we absolutely, positively fall in love.  We women have love affairs with fashion trends.  It might be the fabric, lace or tulle that does the soul good.  It may be the color or texture that embraces us. 

When it comes to adornment, our jewelry, time and time again, makes us love deeply, and alters our state of mind to the feel good spot that we long for!  Our attitude and confidence can be elevated to pure harmony and peace when the vintage bracelet or costume vintage ring is hugging our wrists and fingers! 

Vintage costume jewelry is like a major life changing love.  It not only hugs us, but makes us feel like the woman we want to be!  The charm of vintage jewelry takes us back to Marilyn Monroe days, when women just smoked with beauty.  After all, feeling beautiful is what makes us feel confident.  Confidence creates attraction. 

Vintage costume jewelry designs found on our website: vintagebuttondesigns.com- takes you to a place where falling in love is easy, affordable, daring, unique…one of a kind, just like you.  The vintage costume bracelets create a stir wherever you go.  Building an enviably, chic look is as easy as donning a costume vintage jewelry bracelet, letting it shine, glimmer and create the buzz, while you sit back and enjoy the love!

Before I say goodbye, let me share the best kept secret with you.  It’s affordbale vintage jewelry, with the look of run way fashion, and the price of everyday wear!!!

Be Chic,

Gayle

Hello all you “hip” girlie girls!  If you’re  like me, I LIVE for the award ceremonies, in an effort to stay in touch with what’s going on in fashion, hair, jewelry, etc. It’s also, a good opportunity to release the catty side of us all,”you’ve got to be kidding me?!  Does she honestly think that god awful dress looks good on her?” It’s what we girlie girls do! 

This month’s Golden Globe awards ceremony in LA did not disappoint!  For us glam girls, vintage jewelry was all over the place, along with vintage gowns and bags!  How exciting!  The stars are stuck on Old Hollywood, the glamour that fires us all up!  My line of affordable vintage jewelry found at vintage button designs. gives each woman her own unique style,  giving her that star quality glam that we all crave!  Affordable vintage jewelry is the key! 

These days, we all struggle to shine, on a dime! Tough gig!  Vintage jewelry has, and always will be chic, catering to us fashionistas.  The unique combination of vintage buttons, earrings, broaches, necklaces, chain, buckles,  etc. in each vintage button design gives you the form of self expression that the stars in Hollywood grab….only it’s affordable vintage jewelry! 

Check out the designs and go glam at vintage button designs!

Owner

Hello all you “hip” girlie girls!  If you’re  like me, I LIVE for the award ceremonies, in an effort to stay in touch with what’s going on in fashion, hair, jewelry, etc. It’s also, a good opportunity to release the catty side of us all,”you’ve got to be kidding me?!  Does she honestly think that god awful dress looks good on her?” It’s what we girlie girls do!  This month’s Golden Globe awards ceremony in LA did not disappoint!  

For us glam girls, vintage jewelry was all over the place, along with vintage gowns and bags!  How exciting!  The stars are stuck on Old Hollywood, the glamour that fires us all up!  My line of affordable vintage jewelry found at vintagebuttondesigns.com. gives each woman her own unique style,  giving her that star quality glam that we all crave!  Affordable vintage jewelry  is the key!  

These days, we all struggle to shine, on a dime! Tough gig!  Vintage jewelry  has, and always will be chic, catering to us fashionistas.  The unique combination of vintage buttons, earrings, broaches, necklaces, chain, buckles,  etc. in each vintage button design gives you the form of self expression that the stars in Hollywood grab….only it’s affordable vintage jewelry!  Check out the designs and go glam at vintagebuttondesigns.com!

Our website www.vintagebuttondesigns.com will launch this month.

The site will provide excellent an affordable vintage button design bracelets, button rings, pins and hair accessories.

Our unique designs and quality far exceed our affordable vintage jewelry pricing .  Each vintage button is personally selected and then handcrafted into a unique setting and vintage design. 

Welcome again to our new blog and to www.vintagebuttondesigns.com website. 

-G.Napoli

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