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- 3/29/13

It's time for Friday Feature once more! Now through April 1st, we also are having a spring fling sale in the shop- 10% off total purchase, storewide. Just be sure to use our coupon code- SPRING2013 to cash in on the deals! 

This week, we are showcasing a very romantic piece- and yes, I know you already know, but it's one of my favorites!!

Romantic Vintage Ring with Marquis Garnet & 10 Kt Yellow Gold

This is a lovely, dainty piece that I find myself always coming back to. The mounting is done in 10 karat yellow gold in a charming doily style that has a very Edwardian style to it. This particular ring is more of what I call a "tribute" piece in that its true age is approximately 25 or so years old, but the fashion is clearly from a previous era. The design shows a distinct pull to the delicate nature of jewelry created in the early 1900's and the femininity of the period. 

The ring features a single marquis cut garnet of a beautiful burgundy or wine colored hue. It is framed by a fine border of white gold as well as two small diamonds, each set on either point of the garnet. The size is a ladies 6, which makes for a very versatile ring. It is well suited to being worn on just about any finger of the hand, and is in ready to wear condition. The shank is in very good shape- it has not been worn thin and has a good long life of wear ahead of it. 

This ring is absolutely lovely; it would be a wonderful gift either for Mother's Day, or for a young girl's first prom or graduation gift. It has a classic sweetheart look to it that brings to mind the sweetness and innocence of a bygone time, while still maintaining the structural quality and accessible price of vintage as opposed to antique jewelry.

You can find this week's ring here.

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

Friday Feature 3/22/13

This week we have an absolute knockout just for the gentlemen in our Friday Feature- 

Antique Art Deco Ruby Ring Set in 10 Karat Yellow Gold 

This week's ring is from the late Art Deco period. It features a classic 10 karat yellow gold mounting set with a emerald cut synthetic ruby. The ruby is approximately 2 carats in total weight and has a gorgeous, burnished shine that shows vibrantly in natural light. 

The mounting is a perfect example of jewelry from the 1930's and 1940's, especially in men's fashion. The boxy shape and bold lines make for a great statement piece, especially combined with the deep blood red glow of the ruby. The stone is synthetic, but original to the ring, and is done in a very attractive emerald cut.

As my handsome hand model (Thanks to The Fox :) shows, it has a very sophisticated look when on the hand, and makes an excellent piece for a man with a preference for cultured tastes. Imagine a gentleman who wore something similar while going to see Frank Sinatra at The Rainbow Room just as he was making the big time, or a hard boiled mobster in the dry dust of Nevada throwing it down on the roulette wheel and praying for red.

 It measures as a US size 10, which makes it an excellent choice as either a pinky or fourth finger ring, and a professional jeweler should have no problem going up or down within a 2 or possibly 3 size range. 

This ring is a beautiful piece, ready for the perfect owner to give it a new life in a new century. It is in good, wearable condition. It does have some minor natural wear that is to be expected from a 70+ year old ring, that gives it the authentic look and feel desirable in an antique/vintage piece.

You can find this week's ring here.

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

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!***

Coming off a Pie High

Well, Thanksgiving was pretty fantastic overall for us this year. Lots of good food, as well as time with family and some friends that are just as close as family. The Fox and I enjoyed having a few days off, although getting up at 5:30 this morning was even harder than usual, haha.
I hope everyone has been hitting up some fantastic deals this morning- unfortunately I have been flying around like a mad squirrel and haven't even had a chance to check it out. I did see where Snapfish was doing penny prints today- up to 300! I, of course, decided to get the last 3 years worth of pictures developed about a week ago at nine cents a pop. Still pretty reasonable, especially with a coupon, but my timing never ceases to be bemuse me. Alas.
In shop news- I have done a terrible job! I have two silver rings, three sets of gold hoops, and a gorgeous jade necklace to add, and instead of getting them photographed and listed yesterday, I decided to go on a purge of the craft room. It needed to be done, but maybe not right then. At any rate, be looking for some fab pieces to be showing up at the shop sometime today or tomorrow.

My final tidbit for today- Never Fail Pie Crust

I found this recipe on MADE (Dana Made It)- and it was incredible. I don't know if 'never fail' can be guaranteed, but it sure worked for us. The Fox is pretty awesome at whatever he sets his mind to, but I need all the help I can get. When he decided he wanted his pecan pies to have homemade crusts instead of our usual Walmart specials, I set to searching. And what I discovered is, it is really hard to find a recipe that doesn't call for shortening. This recipe does, too, but it allows for butter as a substitute, which I did. I also halved the recipe. When The Fox rolled them out, we weren't sure.. they were really thin and maybe I shouldn't have refrigerated them over night? But our worries were all unnecessary- they turned out to be the best pecan pies I have ever eaten. His grandfather even told me, "Be sure to eat some of that pecan pie. It is the best you'll ever have!" He couldn't believe we were actually the ones who had brought it! I don't know if The Fox is willing to divulge his pecan filling, but if you use this crust recipe, you will not go wrong!
So bust out the Suzy Homemaker, make some pies (Lauren Conrad did say they're the new cupcakes. I don't know if that is true, but I won't be complaining!), and be sure to check back with us soon. There's always something happening!

We Now Present...

I always have a difficult time starting new things, and this blog doesn't seem to be breaking the standard, either! I suppose the best way is to jump in feet first (not head first, because that is dangerous, my friends!) and go for it. 
A brief introductory so that we are all acquainted:
My husband, Thomas, and I have been married for nearly six years and have both been self-employed most of that time. He has been a barber at his grandfather's barber shop for nine years now, and I worked as a nanny for approximately four. We have been avid antique collectors since our marriage, and as our knowledge grew, we started buying not only for ourselves (we ran out of room pretty quickly in our little house!) but to re-purpose & re-sell. Once we got into the resale side, something clicked! We knew this was something we both enjoyed, and both were pretty good at doing, but our "real" jobs were our main focus and what kept the bills paid. Over time our interests grew to cover all kinds of neat things besides furniture. Glassware, cookware, miniatures- all sorts of fascinating old things that had been left behind as styles and people changed. One day while at our local flea market, we began talking with one of the other regulars who sold costume jewelry. That was her personal niche, but as we listened, we learned that her husband was someone who bought gold and silver to sell to the refineries. The more we heard, the more intrigued we became. With precious metals being at record prices, it was completely understandable to sell to refineries, but so much of the jewelry being scrapped was still gorgeous! It just needed a little love, a little polish and someone who could appreciate it and the character it had, instead of seeing it as an old junky thing. 
So our focus switched a bit- we still love going out on the hunt for a great piece of Pyrex, or finding old tables to put back together- but there is just something about taking an old, tarnished, beat to hell ring and bringing it back to its full glory. The last couple years it was more of a hobby than anything for us, but in April, Thomas was able to open up an actual store front right next door to the family barber shop. The kids I had taken care of for the last two years began school full time a couple months later, and it all kind of fell into place. He still runs the the barber shop with his sister, but between the two of us, managing everything has worked out well. We don't make a ton of money by any means, and working with your spouse can have its difficult moments, but the rewards of being able to be together and build something that we can call our own is so rewarding. We hope that you as a reader will enjoy our many hijinks we get into, and stick with us as we grow!