Mental meanderings while perusing ebay...

So I've been on this "trip" through ebay looking at lots of Victorian jewelry. Looking at shapes, materials, styles for inspiration. I'm already enamored with slide bracelets. I've bought 2 already. I'm working on some ideas for a beaded version but I was always curious of the design. So here's the story on slide bracelets...when ladies and gentlemen wore a pocket watch it was often on a chain. These chains had fobs (charms/seals/etc.) dangling from the clasp that attached the watch to the chain. The other end of the chain was attached to a "T" bar that was inserted into a button hole of the jacket or vest. In my great grandpa's case, it was attached to the strap of his overalls. There were often slides on these chains to lengthen or shorten the length of the chain to adjust for girth, desired drape and the like.

Then at some point (late 1800s, early 1900s) people started switching to wrist watches, the newest thing!.

This from Wikipedia "In 1904, Alberto Santos-Dumont, an early aviator, asked his friend, a French watchmaker called Louis Cartier, to design a watch that could be useful during his flights.^[132] The wristwatch had already been invented by Patek Philippe, in 1868, but only as a "lady’s bracelet watch", intended as jewelry. As pocket watches were unsuitable, Louis Cartier created the Santos wristwatch, the first man's wristwatch and the first designed for practical use.^[133] Wristwatches gained in popularity during World War I, when officers found them to be more convenient than pocket watches in battle. Also, because the pocket watch was mainly a middle class item, the enlisted men usually owned wristwatches, which they brought with them. Artillery and infantry officers depended on their watches as battles became more complicated and coordinated attacks became necessary. Wristwatches were found to be needed in the air as much as on the ground: military pilots found them more convenient than pocket watches for the same reasons as Santos-Dumont had. Eventually, army contractors manufactured watches en masse, for both infantry and pilots. In World War II, the A-11 was a popular watch among American airmen, with its simple black face and clear white numbers for easy readability."

So what to do with all these beautiful sometimes gem encrusted slides? It became fashionable (and still is!) to collect these slides and put them on a bracelet or necklace chain design for the purpose. So that's the origin of the slide bracelet.

So, this afternoon, while staring at a ladies short watch chain (called an Albertini in this instance) it was mentioned that sometimes these short chains were worn as bracelets. The T bar went through the loop or clasp at the other end in the manner of a toggle clasp. So is that where THAT design is from?

I'm tellin' ya this has been a very valuable excursion looking at vintage jewelry. And it's only cost me about $100 so far. I have a slide bracelet, a white sapphire and marcasite mourning brooch, an old crystal necklace strung on fine chain, and my newest acquisition another slide bracelet. I'll take some pics and show ya. In the meantime I've seen some beautiful shapes and jewelry styles that I hope to translate into beadwork. I highly recommend this sort of activity for inspiration when you are in a bit of a bead slump.

Pictures coming soon!

Happy Summer and Happy 4th of July!

Wow! Summer's jammin' by. I hope you all are having a great one. Hope you are able to take some time to relax and enjoy your family. I've been spending time with my 5 year old grandson at the local pool. It's a blast. I can't help but think that these are days we don't get back. I try to make the most of them and savor every aspect. Hope you do too.

My husband and I went to Vegas the end of May and renewed our vows with Elvis! LOLOL! It was a hoot! And! I got to stay at the Bellagio which was beautiful! and!!! there was a jewelry show at the Mirage while we were there! Yes sirree I was in heaven. LOL! It was a great time and quite relaxing.

After I was home for 3 days it was off to Milwaukee and Bead and Button show. It was a blast! Saw lots of people and sold a bunch of kits! Ate good food and came home with cheese curds and summer sausage.

Later this month on the 25th I'll be in Rollinsville Colorado for a trunk show at Beyond Beadery. If you're in the neighborhood you really should drop by. It'll be a blast!

As you can tell, I'm having no problem keeping busy. I've been spending as much time as possible designing some new things. I have a bowl of new pieces that just need to be written up! So much fun! So many crystals! LOL!

I'm also working on a potential contest entry. I've never entered anything but I might just give it a try. Here are some pictures of the progress.

This is one of the most challenging pieces I have made. She seems to have a mind of her own and I have spent a lot of time just staring trying to see what she wants me to do. I'll show you more as she develops.

Buy the Kit is continuing to grow, adding new designers, designs, and patterns! It's fun to think of projects I could never kit but can still put out the pattern. We're looking forward to welcoming a couple more designers in the near future.

If you have a moment during these busy summer days, stop by and see whats new.

Wishin' you all the best!

Beadless Kits and Great Sale!

Beginning Monday April 20, Buy the Kit will be launching the Beadless Kit (aka patterns) section of the site. Several of our designers will have patterns for sale of kitted projects and patterns for new projects. Check back often to see the newest additions in both kits AND patterns! Beading supplies will soon be available as well.And, to celebrate the opening of the new Beadless Kit section, Buy the Kit will be offering a 20% discount on selected kits. To see which designers are participating, look for the star on their individual pages, right next to their name. We will also take care of the postage; domestic orders only. Now that's incentive! LOL!

The picture is of a beautiful bracelet by Cindy Allison. This kit has been retired. Watch for the pattern! Take a look at her beautiful kits.

We have added a couple of new designers who have added some nice new designs. Take a look at Lanai Kinsky and Cristie Prince. More coming from them!

Hope you all are having a great spring!

Nikia - pullin' weeds and building a little rock wall...and beading of course!

Spring has sprung

And I've got so many ideas I can hardly sleep! Just need to stop beading long enough to write up some instructions! Here are a couple of new bracelets I've been working on.

Also taking a little time out to work in the yard and do a tiny bit of spring cleaning. Do you hate dusting as much as I do? And why did I think collecting cut glass in a state where dust is the main component of everything was a good idea? And I just got more off of ebay! Gads!

But, back to beading LOL!

Progress is being made at Buy the Kit to give you the ability to purchase and eventually download patterns! And, we're gathering some really nice ones! The web team is doing bang up job. I can't wait! We're also going to have a section where you can find odds and ends and extra stuff. I found some really pretty leaves and I have some sets of fruit beads...vintage cabs anyone? I've got a few kilos...it's finally occurred to me that I will NOT be able to use them all.

I hope everybody is having a wonderful spring and beading to your heart's content.

sloppy smooches!

Nikia

Are we going to have fun!

Wow lot's of stuff going on.

Where to start? We've got several new designers joining us with some beautiful designs! More to come in the near future.

We are in the process of adding the ability to purchase patterns on our site. Eventually they will be download on demand... To start with you will purchase your pattern and receive the pdf within 24 hours. We are also going to be selling bead-only kits for anyone wanting to make additional pieces from some of the kits we sell. Beads and other unique beading supplies will also be available. I hope you will take some time to visit to see the changes.

I am also planning to offer e-books, downloadable or on cds.

Several of our designers have recently put up some new kits. Cathy Lampole has added a trio of beautiful bracelets. Cindy Allison has a great new bracelet that is perfect for spring! I'm ready, how about you?!? I've also been working on some new designs and will be adding a few new ones real soon. They were introduced at the Best Bead Show in Tucson.

Because of the current economy Buy the Kit will be at fewer shows this year. We will be at Bead and Button and BeadFest Philadelphia. I will be teaching a couple of classes at BeadFest Portland in September. Hope to see you around one of these shows!

I hope you are all happily beading beautiful things. Check back for special offers and free patterns! I better go get busy!

Best!
Nikia
Buythekit.com