Vintage Materials for Jewellery Making

 Take a look at these beads and rhinestones! 👀

From top to bottom. A big lot of satin glass beads in tube shape. They glow and reflect the light in silky way! Czech made octagon crystal glass rhinestones, so sparkly! Original antique hanks of French metal microbeads in shiny brass. And last but not least, a vintage lot of flat backed glass stones in rose cut faceting 💖

Emerald Green Rhinestones

Vintage emerald green rhinestones right out of their original wrappings! The shape is new for me - pointed hexagon and these stones have many facets that reflect light. Color matches the ones I already have in octagon shape.

Each crystal glass stone is wrapped with others in tissue paper and there are 8 wrappings in one paper envelope.

Vintage Emerald Green

These are vintage Swarovski rhinestones. They are in beautiful, almost royal emerald green color! Shape reminds me of kite. I don't have the right setting for them so I need to improvise. 

These rhinestones are definitely old, with K. S & Co Edelweiss logo and two digit article code. The faceting is perfect and the gold foiling backing these stones mint!

Just look at these perfect cuts! These look brand new!!!

Vintage French Pearls from Colorful Glass

Look at these colorful vintage pearls that I got from France! This is a great find from one of my treasure hunts! Finding large handmade pearls is pretty rare and a matching set of different size beads makes me feel even more lucky! What I find fascinating about these is that the beads were made from colorful glass (blue, red, green, pink) and then covered with pearl coating. So the glass color is shining through the pearl coating turning it into blue pearl, red pearl etc. The oval and pinched shaped pearls were handmade - their shape and size vary a bit.

I got these from the same vendor as the Louis Rousselet pearls and components. So it's possible that these pearls were also made in his workshops. And further more, some of the oval pearls have one end of the hole sealed with pearl coating meaning that the pearls were dipped one by one into pearl solution and were dried separately. Perhaps like the high quality pearls by Simon & Simon.

The colorful glass is best visible near the holes of the pearls.

Vintage French pearls made from colorful glass in two shapes.

Here are the glass pearls with red glass core with small pressed
oval pearls. The small oval pearls I got from another French
vendor couple years back. These match perfectly!

Light going through the glass brings out the intense red color.
It also seems that the pearl coating is uneven.

These vintage French pearls are so colorful as candy!

Vaadake neid ilusaid vintage klaaspärleid Prantsusmaalt! Mis nende pärlite puhul on eriti põnev, et need on valmistatud värvilisest klaasist (sinine, punane, roheline, roosa) ning kaetud pärlmutrise kihiga. Nii et klaasi värv annab pärlile värvi kumades läbi pärlmutrise kihi! Ovaalsed ja lopergused pärlid on käsitsi tehtud. Nende kuju ja suurus varieeruvad.

Sain need samalt edasimüüjalt kellelt ka Louis Rousselet pärlid ja komponendid. Võib eeldada, et ka need käsitsivalmistatud pärlid on Rousselet töötubadest pärit. Ja mis veel, osadel ovaalsete pärlitel on läbiv auk ühelt poolt kaetud pärlmutrise värviga. See tähendab, et need olid ükshaaval traadi otsas kastetud pärlmutrisesse värvi ning seal ka kuivanud. Võibolla nagu tänapäeval tehakse kõrg-kvaliteetseid pärleid prantsuse firmas Simon & Simon.

Vintage Czech Seed Beads

Here is a recent purchase of vintage Czech seed-beads. These came from Germany.

I've seen that this kind of bundles of beads are sometimes called as master hanks. Because they consists from many smaller hanks that have many strings of beads.

There were many steps when creating these kind of beads. The hole of the beads was created during the drawing of the tube, either by blowing air into it or by pressing a metal cylinder lengthwise into the center of the glass cylinder. The glass tube was pinched from both ends so the air got trapped in the tube. The glass tube was then pulled long and thin while hot. The cross-sections of the tubes were round in the beginning. These beads here have cross-section of six sides. The glass tubes are then cut into little 2-3mm pieces and faceted behind the grinder. These seed beads here had a special metallic coating as well.

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 Masterhank of seed beads from Czechoslovakia. Beads have six sides, faceting and a bronze finish.

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 Here's a closeup. The main facets come from the glass tubes cross-section being 6-sided. 

The facets that are added casually to corners were grinded.

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 This dark bronze seed beads are quite heavy. Can you imagine the amount of work that went into these?
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These beads shimmer so lovely!

Siin on hiljutine ost Tšehhi seemnehelmeid. Ma sain need Saksamaalt.

Olen märganud, et selliseid suuremaid helmeste "vihtusid" nimetatakse vahel "master hank", sest sellised koosnevad mitmest väiksemast, mis köidavad kokku mitmeid niite helmestega.

Selliste helmeste tegemiseks kulus mitu erinevat sammu. Helmeste auk tegemiseks tehakse klaasvardasse auk, tuubi otsad näpistati kinni, et õhk jääks sinna lõksu. Klaas tõmmatakse pikaks ja peenikeseks. Klaastuubi läbimõõt oli alguses ainult ümar, hiljem lisandusid teised võimalused. Need helmed siin on näiteks kuusnurkse läbilõikega. Kui klaastuub on saanud õige pikkuse ja läbimõõdu, lõigatakse see 2-3mm pikkusteks tükkideks. Need helmed siin on veel lisaks lihvitud ja kaetud erinevate metallik-värvidega.

Lovely Vintage White Leaves - When Time Is Right It Is Right

I got these small lovely glass leaves ages ago. These were so pretty and adorable that I couldn't resist. After I received the package I was delighted. Packed in old tissue paper with a stamp "Made in Czechoslovakia 3 grs". These are pressed from white silky "moonstone" glass and have high-detail pattern. After the first emotions I realized I can't use them - I couldn't adjust any setting to use, there was no holes for attaching and gluing was just something that is really not my thing. I tried and tried to use wire but every attempt failed.

So these leaves just sat for 3-4 years or so. So sad, really... Until this kind of glass leaves was put to an auctions recently. With hours until the auctions end I was sitting in front of the computer and wondering what to do. So pretty little adorable glass leaves! But there was no point even in bidding when I can't use these, right? So I decided that if I can't use these I'm not going to bid. Hours passed and I was looking at the white leaves...

I thought it wouldn't hurt to try. Guess what?! I did it, I tried to attach the leaf to a piece of wire, exactly as I did 3-4 years ago, and succeeded the very first try. How odd is that?! Well, what I'm trying to say is that I made my bid and won one auction. Lesson learned. When time is right, it is right. Cheers ;)

 Vintage glass leaves are pressed from two layers of glass: 

moonstone glass and transparent glass.

 These leaf-shaped cabochons measure approximately 8mm.

One side is with pattern, other side flat.

Wrapped in tissue paper with a stamp "Made in Czechoslovakia 3 grs".

3 grosses equal 432 pcs.

Ma ostsin need valged klaasist lehed ammu. Need olid nii ilusad ja armastusväärsed, et ma ei saanud vastu panna. Kui paki kätte sain, olin väga rõõmus. Need olid pakitud siidipaberisse, millel oli tempel "Made in Czechoslovaki 3 grs". Lehed on pressitud valgest "kuukivi" klaasist ja neil on ülipeen pressitud muster. Pärast emotsioonitulva sain aru, et ma ei saagi neid kasutada - olemasolevatest "pesadest" ei suutnud ühtegi sobivaks kujundada, auke lehtedel pole ja liimimine pole lihtsalt minu värk. Proovisin lugematul kordadel traati mässida nende ümber, kuid kahjuks iga katse ebaõnnestus.

Nii need lehekesed istusid 3-4 aastat. Päris kurb tegelikult... Kuni sarnased lehed pandi hiljuti oskjonile. Oksjonite lõpuni oli jäänud loetud tunnid, ma istusin arvuti eest ja mõtlesin, mida teha. Lihtsalt armastusväärsed lehekesed! Aga pole mõtet isegi teha pakkumist, kui ma tean, et neid kasutada ei saa, onju nii? Nii ma siis otsustasin, et kui neid lehekesi kasutada ei oska, siis oksjonil panust ei tee. Tunnid kahanesid ja ma vaatasin kurvalt oma valgeid lehekesi... 

Mõtlesin, et proovimine ei tee ju paha. Ja arvake ära?! Ma tegin ja sain hakkama esimesel korral. Kuigi kasutasin täpselt sama võtet kui 3-4 aastat tagasi. Kas pole uskumatu?! Nojah, kuhu ma üritan jõuda oma jutuga on see, et ma tegin oma pakkumised ja ühe oksjoni ka võitsin. Ja õppetund. Kui aeg on õige, siis on õige aeg. Päikest ;)

Handmade Blown Hollow Baroque Pearls

Now these beads are interesting indeed! These are blown from glass tube and made into a flat back and baroque top beads. These are hollow and colored from inside with the pearlescent color. This is why these pearls don't peel or lose their pearlescent color as quickly as pearl coated beads! These baroque glass pearls are all a bit different but have distinctive pattern.

I first thought these were from plastic material because of unbelievable light weight, so I made a hot needle test. These are glass indeed. My vendor told me that these beads came from a shop that was in business in the 1920s Germany. I searched from the internet and found some gorgeous garments that have very similar beads. Take a look.

 Hollow glass pearls have thin walls and covered with pearlescent paint from inside.

 I have different hollow pearls. Baroque pearls have distinctive pattern of 

raised diameter with two dimples.

 Circa 1923 Evening dress by Jean Patou, embroidered with beads, rhinestones and faux pearls. 

Via Bunka Costume Museum in Japan (photo from: Pinterest). Here you can see the baroque pearls and smooth pearls among hollow silver-lined beads that are sometimes called mercury beads.

 Natalie Kingston, 1927, in classic flapper attire (Photo from web).

Lovely sheer dress with baroque pearls.

Vot need helmed on põnevad! Need on puhutud kuumast klaastorust ning vormitud lameda põhja ja nö barokse pinnaga helmesteks. Need on seest tühjad ning kaetud pärlmutrise värviga seestpoolt. Klaashelmed on kõik pisut erinevad, kuid kõigil on silmatorkavalt omapärane muster - üle helme on piklik kõrgendus, millel on kaks lohku.

Alguses ma arvasin, et tegu on plastikust pärlitega, sest need on uskumatult kerged ja tegin neile nö kuuma nõela testi. Helmed on klaasist. Müüja sõnul on need pärit poest, mis tegutses Saksamaal 1920ndatel aastatel. Otsisin internetist põnevaid riideesemeid, kus on äratuntavalt näha sarnased pärlid.

Shopping Jewelry Supplies

When an opportunity comes to buy something really rare and absolutely gorgeous - it's really a dream come true! These pink metallic nailhead beads are stunning!!! Having an ivy leaf shape and facets and measuring only 5mm (!)!

Other really great find is the glass pearls I got from France. Thin wound rice shaped pearls have cute baby pink color and measure from 2x4mm to 4x6mm. Round 4mm pearls have more glossy pearl coating and are quite heavy when compared to Czech glass beads. These photos are taken up close to show all the details - these beads are really small and delicate in real life!

Kui avaneb võimalus osta midagi tõeliselt kaunist ja tõeliselt haruldast - see on nagu unistuse täitmine! Need roosad metallikvärvi "nailhead" helmed on hingematvalt ilusad!!! Neil on luuderohu lehe moodi kuju ning tahud ja seda kõike 5mm (!) suuruse juures!

Teine väga hea leid on need klaaspärlid Prantsusmaalt. Nendel peenikestel riisikujulistel keeratud helmestel on õrn beebiroosa värv ja suurus alates 2x4mm kuni 4x6mm. Ümmargused 4mm pärlitel on pärlikiht, mis peegeldab rohkem ja võrreldes samasuurte Tšehhi klaashelmestega on üllatavalt palju raskemad. Fotod on tehtud päris lähedalt, et kõik detailid oleks näha - need helmed on päriselus tõesti väikesed!

Saphiret Drops

I got these vintage Saphiret glass drops from US. These are bigger than the ones I previously used in a brooch. I'm planning to make a brooch with one of these too. The glass flower petals with wire are also vintage and are from Czech. They have baby blue color, delicate pattern and matte surface - just like from a real flower. The wire stems are strong and the petals are ready to use. Can't wait to make these into a brooch!

Vintage Saphiret glass drops with gold foiling

Vintage Czech glass flower petals with wire stems

Ma sain need vintage Saphiret tilgakujulised klaaskivid USAst. Need on suuremad, kui varasemalt näidatud ning mida kasutasin prossis. Ma plaanin prossi teha ka suure tilgaga. Klaasist õielehed on samuti vintage ja on pärit Tšehhist. Neil on imearmas sinine värv, õrn tekstuur ja matistatud pealispind - just nagu pärislilledel. Traadid on tugevad ja valmis kasutamiseks. Ei jõua ära oodata, millal saab neis pross!

Vintage Czech Seed Beads

These vintage seed beads are so adorable! They have many facets and are treated to this awesome metallic shine! Here are two hanks in different colors.

Need seemnehelmed on nii armsad! Neil on lihvitud tahud ning neile on antud äge metallik-läikeline viimistlus! Siin on kaks vihti erinevas toonis.

Introducing Swarovski Heart 4827

This is brand new addition to my rhinestone collection. Sweet crystals in shape of faceted heart in lovely pink (Light Rose) color. The size is magnificent! Measuring 28mm these will definitely create an explosion of sparkle!!!

I searched for matching settings for a long time. These are the best I've found so far. These are pendant settings that have a row of tiny crystals as a frame. And of-course, in antique copper plating as I prefer ;)

Siin on uhiuus lisa minu ehtekivide kollektsiooni. Armsad südamekujulised kristallid nunnu-roosat värvi (Light Rose). Nende suurus on märkimisväärne! Mõõdult 28mm on neil küllalt "materjali", et pimestada sädelusega!!!

Sobivate "pesade" leidmine oli aeganõudev. Need siin on siiamaani parim leid. Need on mõeldud ripatsiks ja neil on tillukestest kristallidest raam ümber. Ja muidugi on viimistlusena siin antiikne vask nii, nagu mulle meeldib ;)

White Prosser Beads from France

Here are old Prosser beads from France. In three different sizes. Color is milky white with gorgeous lustre finish.

Siin on vanad Prosser helmed Prantsusmaalt. Kolmes erinevas suuruses. Värviks on piimjas valge, millel ilus läikeviimistlus. 

White Prosser Beads from Czechoslovakia

I recently got addition to my bead collection! Both boxes have Redlhammer Brothers beads, made in 1918-1940 in Czechoslovakia. One box has opaque white Prosser beads, other milky ones.

Sain hiljuti lisa oma helme-kollektsiooni! Mõlemad karbid sisaldavad Redlhammer Brothers firma helmeid, mis valmisid 1918-1940 aastatel Tšehhoslovakkias. Üks karp lumivalgeid ja üks karp piimjaid Prosser helmeid.

Vintage Chandelier Parts

Siin on Tšehhist pärit klaasist komponendid lühtrile. Musta värvi. Plaan on kombineerida need mustade Prosser-helmestega Prantsusmaalt.

Here are some vintage chandelier parts from Czech. In black color. Idea is to combine these with black Prosser-beads from France.

Shopping Again...

Tüüpiline... kui pole aega ehteid teha, siis kompenseerin seda uute helmeste ostmisega... Siin on veel vintage klaashelmeid Prantsusmaalt.

It's typical... when I don't have time to make new jewellery I compensate it with buying more beads... Here are more vintage glass beads from France.

More Beads...

Tegin hiljuti ühe suurema ostu Prantsusmaalt. See on ülipõnev! Osa sellest on toodetud Bapterossesi Briare tehases - Emaux de Briare, kus valmistati muuhulgas Prosser-tehnikas helmeid. Siin on türkiisivärvi helmevihu jäänus, millel alles veel originaalne silt, kus on kirjas värvikood (3774), suurus (000) ja kunagine kogus (25 000tk). Helmed on lükitud linasele niidile. Veel on siin kaks karpi musti helmeid sildiga, millel kirjas värvikood (905), suurus (00) ja kogus (5000tk). Mis silma hakkab karbi puhul on see, et papp-karp on valmistatud palju õhemast materjalist, kui mu Tšehhi karbid. Need siin lagunevad ning neid ei ole võimalik avada ja sulgeda. Mõlemad helmevärvid on näha ka tehase helmekaardil. Mõlemad sildid on trükitud huvitavale paberile, millel on muster, mis vist kujutab linde?

I recently made a bigger purchase from France. It's super exiting! Some of these beads were made in famous Bapterosses's Briare factory - Emaux de Briare, that made Prosser-beads amongst others. Here is what's left of a bead hank, still with an original tag writings with the color code (3774), size (000) and original amount (250000pcs). Beads are strung on linen string. Two boxes of black beads, labeled with color code (305), size (00) and amount (5000pcs). It's noticeable that the French bead boxes aren't made of as strong cardboard as the Czech bead boxes. These boxes here are falling a part and cannot be opened and closed. Both bead colors are also on Emaux de Briare factory sample card. Both labels and tags are printed on same patterned paper perhaps picture birds?

Vintage Japan Seed Beads

Helmed rändavad. Selle seemnehelmeste vihu sain ma Tšehhi vintage helmeste müüjalt. Küljes on paberist ümmargune lipik "Hiroshima Glass Beads". See firma on asutatud aastal 1956.

Beads travel. I got this seed bead hank from vintage bead seller from Czech. It has a round paper tag with "Hiroshima Glass Beads". This company was established in the 1956.

Vintage Glass Pearls

Siin on pilt vintage klaaspärlitest. Need on käsitsi valmistatud, Jaapanis. Pildil on natuke alla 3000 pärli!

Here's a photo of vintage glass pearls. These were handmade in Japan. There are almost 3000 pearls here!

Shopping Again...

Prantsusmaalt kohale jõudnud helmesaadetis. Mõnus segapundar. Aga siin on väga põnevaid leide!

This bead lot arrived from France. Totally mixed. But here are some really great finds!

From Czecho Slovakia via France

Ostsin Prantsusmaalt vintage kristallivärvi lihvitud klaashelmeid. Need ju klassika! Helmed on lükitud niidile ning mässitud pruuni paberi sisse. Paber tundus esmapilgul üsnagi tavaline. Õnnekombel märkasin enne paberi ära viskamist, et seal on kleebitud pisike kolmnurkne silt... Sildil trükitud "MADE IN CZECHO SLOVAKIA" ning tindiga kirjutatud numbrid.

I bought vintage crystal colored beads from France. Crystal color is always classic! Beads are strung on thread and wrapped in brown paper. I didn't see anything special when I first looked at the paper. Fortunately before I wanted to throw away the paper I noticed there was a triangle-shaped label... Label has printed "MADE IN CZECHO SLOVAKIA" and numbers written in ink.