Lucite, vintage lucite

I am just enamoured with these half moons and saucers of lucite, I could hardly wait to start working with them. Found in a Rhode Island factory that closed in 1970, these beauties were probably shut away for years. Before the factory was demolished, the public was allowed in for a weekend to salvage what they could. Their purchases were weighed and then carted away.

Lucite is an early plastic, first made in 1928. It can be made by cell casting, or extrusion. I'm inclined to believe mine were extruded, because all of the colors go through each piece. It reminded me so much of salt water taffy that I named my first creation after the candy.

And, I get to add to my vintage marries modern collection!

Vintage Marries Modern

When I began my business, I was keenly aware of branding. My jewelry has always been designed with a clean modern feel, and positioned that way. As much as I love those clean lines and symmetry, I 've been feeling the pull of vintage more and more.

I drive a new car, but live in a house that's almost a hundred years old. We have a new television inside a cabinet (original tubes removed) built for one of the first TV's. Stainless steel and vintage tin coexist.

So, for awhile, I've been thinking how to merge my two loves in my jewelry design. That's how I came up with the "Vintage Marries Modern" collection. I've got lots of new pieces I'm happily working on, but here are a few with vintage maps and modern copper and sterling, as well as some vintage carved floral cabochons and gemstones also nestled in a modern bezel.