All Barbie's Fault — Vintage Jewelry

One of my latest finds was a lovely vintage crystal bead and rhinestone pin.  Immediately upon spotting it, I was excited because it had all the hallmarks of jewelry made by DeLizza & Elster, also known as “Juliana” jewelry.  These pieces are quite sought after by those who collect vintage costume jewelry because they are always especially beautiful in design, color, and artistry.

I love Art Deco … anything and everything Art Deco!  From architecture to fashion to vehicles … I just love it!

Another thing I love is finding something new and different – to me, anyway.  I’m a research-aholic.  So when I came across this incredibly pretty, at first glance – brooch, I was thrilled to discover that it wasn’t just a brooch.  First, I thought it might be a hair barrette.  That is, until I decided that big, long pin stem on the back would probably cause just a little bit of discomfort as it pierced through one’s skull.  Definitely not a barrette. 

Who doesn’t just love pop beads?  If you’re old enough, you either wore them as contemporary fashion or maybe you played with your mother’s.  All the different colors to arrange in a zillion different ways! 

My friends at the Jewelry Ring recently were discussing vintage plastic pop beads that look like faceted crystal called Crystelle Poppits and it carried me off to do some research. 

I’ve had a few of these necklaces in my shop and never knew that they were made by Richelieu in the early 1960s.  Apparently only the earrings were signed – I had no idea there were matching earrings!  The necklaces came with hangtags, which of course, are almost always missing.

Hillcraft and Castlecraft costume jewelry has an interesting history and it also has a unique feature in its design.

The jewelry is very high quality costume jewelry.  As previously mentioned, gold filled wire was used as well as high quality Czech glass stones, beads, and Swarovski crystals.

Hillcraft and Castlecraft jewelry were never sold in stores.  The jewelry was sold either through clubs or as fund raisers.  Hillcraft was also sold at the Covered Bridge Festival in Rockville, Indana.