Watch out for those Moths

Things have been quiet because I've been spending so much time working on the etsy shop. Not that you can particularly tell it right now. Lots of reading and researching on creating a specific brand for the store (which I am struggling to wrap my brain around!), as well as updating old listings and adding new things. I've managed to get two new necklaces listed this week- very different but both from the 1960's.

1960's Natural Pearl Strand Necklace

Atomic Age 14k Gold Pendant with Necklace Chain

I also have about 20 things still in draft mode, so be looking for them to start popping up over the next month or so.

Just yesterday a gentleman brought in some really awesome sterling rings- he is a metal detector that has hunted all over, but these particular pieces are from California soil! It will probably be a few days before they get added to the inventory, just because I have so many other things ahead of them, but here is a little teaser! (Excepting the agate ring and the spoon ring. Those are my personal pretties :)

I just love that one tiny yellow knuckle ring! I'm not the best about keeping up with current fashions (mostly because I don't really care. I just wear what I like!) but apparently they are the. thing. right now. At least that is what I have been noticing when I make my social networking rounds each day. It makes me a little sad to think about all the old baby rings that we have acquired in the past and couldn't keep because they were so tiny and no one wanted them! The lesson my hoarder self wants to take away from this is... save everything!!

But that probably isn't the right lesson.

Do what you love, invest in what you love. If no one else likes it or wants to buy it, at least you don't mind looking at it every day as you set up the display cases, or edit photos for the fifteenth tiiime. There have been some things we have had for sale that I just thought were ugly. Didn't like 'em, didn't care about 'em. Unsurprisingly, that was the way other people felt too. It certainly didn't help that I had zero passion about the items I was trying to convince them to buy. 

Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that just because I love a ring, it's going to fly right off the shelf. But it's OK. I work hard to present it well. When I love a piece, I care enough about it to find out information about it like the time period it was from, who might have worn it, and what makes it something special. I wear it myself for a few days and admire the craftsmanship that went into making it. And when someone shows an interest in it, I can honestly tell them just why it's a worthwhile investment. When someone buys a piece from me and loves it so much they leave the store wearing it- that is what makes my day. 

In the end though, it is all just things. As much as I love my business, and am so blessed to have it, I am continually reminded of a specific verse- Matthew 6:19-21

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Which tells me that it is ok that I haven't hoarded every single baby ring or green stoned artifact or whatever is popular right now. "A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever"

Because that's not where I want my heart to be. So I sell what I sell; I admire it, appreciate it, thank God for providing it, and remember that there are far more important treasures to cling to.

Friday Feature 3/15/13

Friday has made its way here once more- huzzah for the weekend! This week's feature piece from our store is probably one of my favorite ones we have right now! (Although I suspect I will say that every week. They might all be my favorite!)

One of a Kind Custom Made 1970's Vintage 14k Yellow Gold with Diamond Accent Ring

This 14 karat yellow gold ring is literally one of a kind. The lady that brought it to us said that her mother had had it custom made in the 1970's. Looking at the design with the larger than life sweep and curvature of the mounting, it is definitely in keeping with the period's style. 

The center inset is white gold with a single dainty diamond. This part of the ring was from her mother's original engagement ring circa 1940's. That is one of the things about this piece that I just cannot get over! On one hand, you have this amazing retro seventies yellow gold that just screams disco boogie, and then perfectly nestled as the centerpiece is this elegant, ultra-feminine forties deco design. Somehow, they seamlessly work together in a way I personally would never have imagined. But that's the best part- together, they make an amazing ring. 

It currently is just over a size 6 1/2, but has a really nice thicker band that should be able to accommodate any necessary sizing. I love the idea of re-purposing things, and to find something that was re-purposed over 40 years ago is even cooler! Talk about being ahead of the trend on this one! The mounting is a bit longer than a lot of typical styles, but truly suits all hand types. I usually am unable to wear longer/bigger rings because I have shorter fingers, and I loved how this piece looked. It would pair wonderfully with pretty much any other jewelry styles you wear, and can even be worn with white gold. It is a great vintage find for anyone who is looking for the genuine thing, and wants something beautiful that no one else has. 

You can find this week's ring here!

***We are more than happy to answer any additional questions or requests for information, feel free to shoot us a message on etsy, to our email- thetigerandthefox@gmail.com, or leave a message in our comments!***