Vera Vault - Everything's Coming Up Roses...and Daisies

A Vera floral is about as classic "Vera" as you can get.  It's strange, but even though her flowers weren't always the same, she has a style that is pretty instantly recognizable, once you've seen her portfolio of prints.  At this point, when I'm looking through bins in thrift shops and antique stores, I can pull the Vera out almost blindfolded.  That's not to say she doesn't still surprise me!  Her florals, though, are so signature for her.  And I love every single one of them!

Vera Vault -- Watercolor Prints

I read somewhere that Vera Neumann created over 20,000 different designs in her career.  That's an amazing number!  For this Vera Vault, I thought it might be interesting to look at a sampling of her designs that are very different from each other, but use the same watercolor effect.  

Vera is known for her florals: 

 Another floral, but a different type of flower:

Monochromatic floral:

She also designed watercolor-y dreamy landscapes:

Houses in a watercolor world:

 

And finally, stripes:

Junk Love Monday: Flowers (and an Apology)

From PeppermintBark

First, the apology: we skipped our regular Friday blog post last week. We were just so busy getting ready for a show, we ran out of time. We didn't even post a picture for you to look at, and for that we are truly sorry. So, today's Junk Love post contains some flowers just for you. You'll get a Skinny post this week--scout's honor!

Nothing says springtime quite like daffodils. We have them scattered around our house, and we just love to see their bright yellow (or white) faces turned up toward the sun. The other Blackbird girl's mother is crazy about them, and not only has them everywhere at her house, she collects vintage daffodil-themed items as well (although she calls them jonquils, I'm a daffodil kind of girl...).

Linen towel, from RuralSouth

 

Set of 4 Vera napkins, from FourMartiniLunch

Metal hook, from VintageFindsAndSigns

Even faded daffodils are cute. We love the look of this vintage green tray. It would look great on a 1930s tablecloth, or even propped up behind mismatched vintage glasses in a kitchen.

From HighPointFarm2010

And, in case you need daffodil fashions in your spring wardrobe, check out this brooch, dress, and pair of adorable yellow shoes:

1930s or 1940s carved bone brooch, from deliadelia

 

From LionsManeVintage

From bonmarchecouture

The Skinny -- Van Dell Jewelry

From Broadwater Rose Jewels

The mysterious world of vintage jewelry is full of twists and turns.  Marks can be hard to read, and company's names reduced to vague initials.  Histories on the jewelry companies are lost or incomplete.  And forget about trying to date a piece or find out more about the jeweler's other collections.

Before I list a piece of jewelry in the Etsy shop, I do research.  I had never heard of Van Dell, but was intrigued when I found a pair of black and white cameo screw back earrings, set in sterling silver.  The mark was clear and prettily done.  But when I went to research the company, it was hard to find anything about them.  So for today's "The Skinny", I'm going to share with all of you the info I have been able to find out about the Van Dell Corporation (which ain't much...).  

It began in Providence, Rhode Island in 1943 (or 1938, depending on your source), with an emphasis on making high quality collections of costume jewelry, as well as sterling silver and gold filled and gold plated pieces.  Van Dell wanted to make designs that imitated fine jewelry, retaining a more delicate feel than a heavy, costume feel. They used rhinestones and simulated gemstones, as well as cultured and faux pearls.  They were also known for their hand carved cameos and ivory pieces.  According to Vintage Jewelry Lane, "Some of their early pieces sold for $65 or more in the 1960s, which was quite expensive for the time."

From The Art Floozy on Etsy

Van Dell is recognizable for their cameos, delicate floral pieces, faux pearls, and carved ivory.  Their ivory jewelry was marked with red and gold foil hang tags.  Rhinestone designs were often originally sold in sets, and are worth more if you can find the entire set or the original box.  The jewelry will be marked Van Dell, and have a stamp stating if it is sterling or gold filled.  Although not a high end designer, Van Dell does have a following, and can sell for a higher range of prices that your average costume jewelry.

From Morning Glory Jewelry

 
 The company was sold to Hallmark in 1970, and in 1998, was bought by the Colibri Company, based in London.   They also own Krementz jewelry, which has a similar design aesthetic. Van Dell jewelry is still being made today.

From our Etsy shop!

 Thanks to Vintage Jewelry Lane for the info!