Country Living Fair 2011

Today was my first trip to the Country Living Fair. I had a great time! It was beautiful weather and I went by myself. I knew it was a huge event and wanted to see what all the hype was about.
I didn't really expect to find any deals. I know this has to be an expensive show for the vendors and I could tell that many of them put alot of effort into their displays. But i found a place from Springfield that i got some decent prices on jewelry. I also bought soy candles, soap, a purse (that is what is under the jewelry in the pic), a wooden skeleton to hang on the wall (for Zac who is loving all the "Spooky Scary!" decorations in the stores) all from the people who made them.
That being said, for an entrance fee of $16 and a parking fee of $5 I expected more antiques! What i really enjoyed was watching what other people were buying and the marketing of the items. Alot of the re-done vintage jewelry seemed to be really popular. I have really enjoyed doing this sort of work, so to see it sell gives me hope that one day maybe i could at least break even with my hobby!
Here is a description of my "finds" today, starting top left:
Blue Weiss rhinestone brooch (missing one light blue stone), unmarked black earrings - soon to be rings, Sarah Coventry goldtone brooch, siver with black center flower pin - it has a marking but i havent made it out yet, Sarah Coventry earrings, an Avon owl pin (i dont usually collect avon but couldnt resist this cute owl! I wonder if he originally had the "googly" eyes he has now?), HUMONGOUS yellow plastic beads from Western Germany (no, i have no idea what i am going to do with them), enamelled flower pin and a German glass beaded necklace.
I am so happy with my stash! My Weiss broch is dusty, but none of the pieces show any wear or corrosion. I'm looking forward to making rings and necklaces with them.

White Necklace Re-done

I was underwhelmed yesterday with the result of my necklace.  Sometimes what I envision doesn't translate 100%.  Not quite happy with the chain in the design.  I have a fix, probably get it done in a year or so.

So I still wanted a white necklace.  I bought a Monet necklace at a flea market a few months ago with white enamelled filigree beads. I took the necklace apart, cleaned the beads with a toothbrush and baking soda paste, and restrung some of them back on the original chain and spacer beads. I also had a (supposedly) vintage glass shankless West Germany flower button that I glued to a brass flower.  I am very happy with the result.

Not ready to let go...

Another post about mourning the end of summer.  It seems that Mother Nature isn't quite ready to let it go either. After a couple of weeks of cooler weather we have a heat advisory today.  While it is nice to get a few last trips to the pool, those cool nights have made the water chilly!

A goldtone necklace with these shell beads has been in my mind all summer.  Yes, I just made it, when it is time to put the white shorts away.  I saw the women of the Today Show bejeweled with semi-precious stones hung in a similar fashion on gold chain the other day - it motivated me.  Of course, mine is just base metal chain with shell but I can pretend!