Vintage Retro
Vintage Plastic Jewelry
Vintage Jewelry made from non-precious metals and glass or from plastics, sometimes called costume jewelry, if it’s stylish, is expensive. It doesn’t matter what material is used in it’s manufacture, if it’s cool it’s going to cost money. Plastic vintage and retro jewelry used to be cheap and could usually be found in thrift shops for a few pence. Not any more though. Plastic jewelry is becoming more and more difficult to find and good decorative pieces rarely appear in charity shops anymore.
The first pieces of plastic jewelry I bought were made form a material invented by the Belgian chemist, Dr Leo Baekeland around 1908 that he named Bakelite. Bakelite did not readily conduct electricity or heat and consequently it was used extensively in the manufacture of electrical products. It could be moulded into extravagant shapes, perfect for the period and probably most famously, for the manufacture of radio casings. It was once even considered as a substitute for metal in the production of the one-cent coin.
Lots of jewlery was manufactured in this hard brittle substance, particularly chunky, colourful brooches. Considered to be the first “fashion jewellery”, often copying designer jewelry of the period made from more expensive materials. Manufactured in a variety of colours from the familiar dark brown of early electrical fittings, the reds and greens of vintage picnic sets to the black of kitchen appliances. It was common to find black Bakelite handles or knobs on furniture or coupled with silver, silver plate or chrome – particularly on tea and coffee sets – as decorative knops or handles. It was very popular on dressing tables too, where it made a very good substitute for tortoiseshell.
Although invented much earlier than Bakelite, being a by-product of the photographic processing industry and used, like Bakelite, as a substitute for more expensive materials, Celluloid was highly flammable and did not really come into it’s own until the 1920′s. In 1927 a new non-flammable material, marketed by the Celluloid Corporation under the trade name “Lumarith” was launched. This material could be manufactured in bright, sometimes lurid colours or transparent with inclusions, like coloured or metal flakes. New injection moulding techniques meant large quantities of plastic objects could be produced quickly and cheaply, in almost any shape or size. Designers quickly realised the possibilities and enormous quantities of inexpensive plastic jewelry appeared on the market in the USA and Europe in bold colourful designs. Brightly coloured vintage accessories like powder compacts, lipsticks, cigarette cases, sunglasses and even handbags were also manufactured in Celluloid for an eager audience.
In 1933 Lucite or Plexiglas hit the market and was quickly incorporated into jewelry design, often mixed with Celluloid or Bakelite for effect. Brooches made with Lucite overlaid with moulded Celluloid cameos were very popular and easily found in vintage & retro shops today. Some Lucite jewelry, bracelets, brooches and pendants was reverse carved, often with flowers coloured naturalistically to appear lifelike, or left unpainted to resemble etched glass.
Whatever plastic vintage jewellery is made from it is usually exciting and colourful and, if you are fortunate, it can still be bought relatively inexpensively. But it is becoming more and more popular as the young reject antiques. Dark brown furniture, antique silver, old paintings and antique jewelry are not cool. The young are filling their small apartments with light bright vintage and retro, Scandinavian design, colourful contemporary art and retro lighting. They eat and drink from vintage and retro or Ikea tableware and they collect and wear vintage and retro clothing and jewelry. More shops are opening to cater to this new breed of homemaker and prices are rising quickly. But it is still possible to find a bargin – good hunting.
About the Author
Visit Vintage Rag Trader! A Vintage Place.
Finalists for Vintage Retro Photoshoot Contest
|
|
Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Makers The world’s best selling coffee pot, the Bialetti Moka Express was invented in 1933 and remains virtually unchanged to this day. Simple to own and simple to operate, the Moka Express is a masterpiece of industrial design. Free CaffeSolo Moka Coffee with each purchase…. |
|
|
Oster 4093 Classic Beehive Blender, Silver $59.50 Powered by a 500-watt motor, this classic blender blends margaritas and smoothies, mixes soups and sauces, chops fruits and vegetables, grinds coffee beans and nuts, grates cheese and coconut, and crushes ice. The blender has a high speed and a low-speed pulse control, which can be held down for continuous action. Its 40-ounce, ribbed-and-tapered glass container fits onto Oster’s distinctive beehi… |
|
|
Nostalgia Electrics ICMP-400BLUE 4-Quart Electric Ice Cream Maker $24.95 Nostalgia Electrics ICMP400BLUE 4-Quart Electric Ice Cream Maker, Blue Type: Ice Cream Maker. Creates a Variety of Ice Cream Flavors. 4 Quart Aluminum Canister. Plastic Bucket . Plastic Dasher. Electric Motor Does the Churning. 50 watt Motor. Recipes Included in Instruction Manual. Easy to Use, Easy to Clean… |
|
|
Strawberry Shortcake: The World of Strawberry Shortcake & Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City $10.91 Highlights of collegiate players drafted in 2005 by the kansas city chiefs. Studio: Peace Arch Home Entertain Release Date: 03/06/2007… |
|
|
Take It Off! Strip Tease Classics $6.99 No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: TAKE IT OFF! STRIPTEASE CLATitle: TAKE IT OFF! STRIPTEASE CLASSIStreet Release Date: 04/01/1997… |
|
|
The Bomb Shelter Sessions $8.99 … |
|
|
Twilight Zone Collector’s Edition: A Piano in the House; Still Valley; Dead Man’s Shoes; the Jeopardy Room (4 Episodes) $34.95 … |
|
|
Snow White Christmas Queen Snow White and King Charming now have a lovely little daughter, beloved by all. Young Snow White plans to open a Christmas Castle for the pleasure of all the children and creatures of the land. An accident frees the wicked Queen who once tried to do away with Queen Snow White and who now vows to put an end to themall. With the help of seven friendly giants, the Charming Snow White clan is sa… |
|
|
Koolatron KWC-4 Coca-Cola Personal 6-Can Mini Fridge $41.25 Koolatron Coca – Cola Personal Cooler / Warmer provides storage and temperature control for food and beverages. Cool or warm your food and drinks easily. The Coca-Cola Personal Cooler / Warmer looks like a small refrigerator and is perfect for the car, boat or home. It holds up to six 12-oz. cans of soda or beer. It operates on 12V DC or 110V AC with an AC adaptor. Cools food and drinks to 32 degr… |
|
|
Maglite M2A01H AA Mini Flashlight and Holster Combo-Pack, Black $7.95 With its high-intensity adjustable light beam and compact size, the Mini Maglite Two-Cell AA Flashlight and Holster Combo Pack offers limitless around-the-house and on-the-go options. This slender flashlight succeeds where flimsy plastic flashlights fail, providing a steady, fast-focus stream of light wherever and whenever you need it. For easy portability, the flashlight comes with a nylon holste… |
|
|
Smith Invite Men’s Sport Sunglasses $67.99 These vintage retro men’s medium-fit sunglasses are finished with an understated Smith script plaque on the front of the temples and a round see-through icon plaque at the temple ends. |
|
|
Artehouse ‘Gladiator’ Wood Sign $48.99 Each decorative sign is made one at a time and arrives ready to hang with no framing or glazing necessary. The wood of this sign gives it the vintage, retro, nostalgic feel and really looks like a genuine antique wooden sign. |
|
|
Artehouse ‘Three Lab Bakery’ Wood Sign $55.99 Each decorative sign is made one at a time and arrives ready to hang with no framing or glazing necessary. The wood of this sign gives it the vintage, retro, nostalgic feel and really looks like a genuine antique wooden sign. |
|
|
Artehouse ‘Love is Kind’ Wood Sign $48.99 Each decorative sign is made one at a time and arrives ready to hang with no framing or glazing necessary. The wood of this sign gives it the vintage, retro, nostalgic feel and really looks like a genuine antique wood sign. |
|
|
Artehouse ‘Keep a Song in Your Heart’ Wood Sign $49.99 Each decorative sign is made one at a time and arrives ready to hang with no framing or glazing necessary. The wood of this sign gives it the vintage, retro, nostalgic feel and really looks like a genuine antique wood sign. |
Tags: blog, design, inspiration, retro, vintage, vintage retro bathing suits, vintage retro clothing, vintage retro dresses, vintage retro furniture, vintage retro tees
This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011 at 8:34 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.