The Sixties

So a friend and I headed to the Brooklyn Flea this weekend to enjoy the Saturday in Brooklyn and to see if we can find ourselves some cool treasures. It was the very first time for me and I remember my friend has bought some really cool stuff in the past so I immediately assumed I would get some really cool stuff too. I went with the hopes to get some cool tools for dirt cheap.

There were a lot of cool artsy stuff and lots of cool vintage things to rummage through.  I was tempted to buy some antique glass alcohol lamps (cause I need something similar for wax carving), but opted out of it. That same vendor had a cool hammer that I wanted, but it was NOT for sale.  So be careful and make sure the stuff you are scoping out are actually for sale and not just decoration!

My friend found a vintage Vogue Magazine issue from August 1967 with Twiggy on the cover! It was the best find for the day.  Flipped through history with Twiggy, Jackie O, Babe Paley, etc.  It was fabulous and definitely made the trip worth it!  I currently work for a luxury jewelry salon in which our clientele had included women like Babe Paley, Marlene Dietrich, etc.  I love the style and class of the women of the sixties!

I  also saw some stamping tools with the complete alphabets (I actually do need this for a project I'm working on). I had my eyes on the vintage military stamping set that had a base for stamping on your fork?!?? funny.  But I didn't want to spend $50 for it. Instead, I left with 2 vintage costume jewelry: Trifari earclips circa 1960's and a multi-chain necklace.

I am currently working on researching different stamps and makers marks specifically from Paris circa 1900's for work so I've been on a high of researching stamps and signatures on vintage jewelry.  The Trifari pair of earclips are super cute! To my discovery I learned just from researching the stamp that they are from the 1960's because before 1955's jewelers were not allowed to copyright their work.  After then the laws have changed and Trifari stamped their signature with copyright symbol at the end. Around the 1970's - 1980's the Trifari signature had changed to not include the crown above the "T".  The crown-less Trifari signature does not make the piece "vintage".  My earclips have a crown above the "T" and a copyright at the end....ERGO....Trifari Earclips circa 1960's, my super cool vintage find.  Bonus: Trifari was considered one of the more higher-end costume jewelry collection most notably because of the designs (Alfred Philippe was part of the Trifari team and all his knowledge came from having worked with Van Cleef & Arpel) and manufacturing (i.e. Triple Gold Plating)

Cheers to The Sixties!!

Jizen Collection

Sterling Silver 925, 16 inch cable chain

 

© Christine James, LLC

Gratitude

This has been the most challenging year yet. I know that as we grow then there are more challenges we face and there are more we must sacrifice.

Through the challenges and struggles, I would like to take a moment to thank those near and dear to my heart who have supported me, accepted me, and understood me.  Family and friends that have not criticized my character and choices are those I have the most compassion for.  Because it is hard to accept sometimes the things we don't agree with, but in accepting - I love you most for!  For those that have criticized and accused me of selfishness, being self-centered, and ungrateful.  I have a lot of gratitude for you as well. For you have taught me to reflect on myself and learn to look at myself first before I ever think of accusing someone of being that way. We are all a mirror of each other.  I should not dare put myself above another, no matter the circumstance.

I have learned the most from my friends from a far. No matter how far apart we are I have grown more appreciation for our friendship.  Because vicinity should not define a friendship.  I love to travel - and I love knowing that we can always pick up from where we left off and if I need a place to stay in Osaka, Hong Kong, Berlin, Paris, Switzerland, Belgium, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Singapore, Taiwan, Kolkata, Israel, etc - I know who to call. In the end. It is not about attending every party together or getting wasted together - but in the conversations, in the values we share and don't share, and in accepting each other for who we are.

Lately, I've had a fascination with the Middle East. Being American we may have the tendency of seeing the world as just an American and not a citizen of the World.  For we should know, we are all citizens of the world.  I work with many talented and friendly people from Jordan, Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon.  They are such hospitable and kind people. I understand why as an American we would be quick to judge, but why do we have to be quick to fight against people we don't truly understand?

I have come to admire the works and humanitarian efforts of Queen Rania of Jordan.  Her book "Sandwich Swap" is a great way to teach children and future generations that in accepting each other and our differences will we come to realize a world of peace and harmony.  Before it becomes an issue between one country against another, it starts with those closest to us - our family and friends.