Sorry, no Friday post (yet again) and no YSL (yet).
I've been distracted. Although my trip away to Denver was a success for me and even went well for G, there were still a few problems. I came home to a really dirty house (what only 4 days?) and I am now fighting an ant invasion. I am dealing with it, and working on new routines and procedures for the caregivers as well.
In the meantime, inspired by Duchesse's post on Thursday about the exceptions to her "Wear Real" mantra, I thought I would do a quick post on the few pieces of plastic and acryllic jewelry that survived the pre-move purge, all of which I wear frequently.
I am often drawn to the colors of lucite jewelry in the summer. I am particularly attracted to the work of Alexis Bittar although I haven't actually purchased any. That doesn't mean I don't own a piece however. G gave me this bracelet 3 years ago for my 51st birthday, and although I actually had mixed feelings at the time, I can also admit that it has been heavily worn every summer since. In fact this bracelet started a new fascination with white and soft pastels in jewelry and I have slowly added to this collection in the time since. As you can see, the gold-tone metal is already scratched and does not have the kind of patina that real gold would acquire, but the bracelet is still lovely and I Iove wearing it, although I am not convinced it is going to be a piece for the long haul.
But you never really know what will survive the ravages of time and what will not. I purchased these little plastic disk earrings in the mid-80's. I think they were the first pair of earrings I purchased for myself after I had my ears pierced and I still wear them today. They are light and fun and make me happy. They also obviously need a good cleaning…
Last, but far from least is this bracelet which is made up of old plastic and bakelinte buttons from the early half of the 20th century, sewn on wide black elastic. Of my three plastic pieces, this is the one I have worn the most. However it is too dark and too hot to wear in the summer here, and it may become a seasonal piece, no less loved, but somewhat less frequently worn.
I find that the older I get the less I am interested in people and things that pretend to be things they are not. This applies to all kinds of things, "fake" antiques, imitation food, and even costume jewelry. I am not particularly attracted to gold-tone, or silver-tone metals in jewelry or plastics or glass that pretend to be something else. It is not that I object to the existence of costume jewelry, just that it does not fit my own interests or my own sense of what is important. That doesn't mean that I don't like inexpensive jewelry. I have and love pieces that incorporate river rocks, leather, silk, cotton and other inexpensive materials. But they don't pretend to be something they are not. I will admit that I wouldn't turn down a honkin-sized emerald or diamond studs the size of headlights, but there are a lot of less expensive options that fit much more seamlessly into my life. What makes me happy about these plastic pieces is that they are exactly themselves. They probably have no intrinsic value, but neither are they claiming to be anything more than what they are.
What are your feelings about jewelry? Is jewelry just another accessory to be indulged in at whim? Or is it something to treasure? Something that speaks to your authentic self or just a fun treat?
Comments
13 responses to “The wonderful world of plastics…”
Very nice pieces. Light and fun earrings make me happy too. For me jewelry is mostly a fun treat. The rest of my clothing is fairly minimal in variety and style so I enjoy adding some interest with jewelry, scarves and shoes. And earrings look cute with a really short hair cut.
I like al of them, but especially the bracelet. The colors would be great for fall, which is a long season down South. Thanks for sharing!
You articulate my feelings pretty exactly. As long as what you wear is trying to be itself, not fake at something else, I’m happy:). Personally, I don’t wear dramatic jewelery much at all, so the small real stuff I have works just fine.
And your Bittar is fab.
All of my jewelry is inexpensive…and though I own a lot of it, I don’t actually wear it very much as it seems to interfere with the activities in my life. I love both bracelets.
If I like it, it doesn’t matter if it’s real or not. It’s the design, color, and texture and how it will work in my wardrobe that attracts me and I’m not typically drawn to things that look tacky or cheap so that’s not an issue. I LOVE jewelry but especially necklaces.
I love the pieces you shared.
However, it is your ant problem that particularly caught my attention. Ant problems is something I have experience handling….large ants, tiny ants, I’ve had invasions 4 times in the past 5 years, in 2 different homes in 2 different states. But I’ve never seen a return of a particular colony.
You need ant BAIT that contains friponil. It may be difficult to find the friponil, but do not purchase a bait without the friponil, even if you have to order it online. (Google Maxforce and friponil.) Use a syringe appicator and/or take the bait out of the little houses if that is all you can find (ants cannot swarm into those little houses). Since it is a bait, it will attract the ants who will disgustingly swarm for a day or two (and I mean swarm), don’t kill the swarm!, these worker ants will feed the bait to their queen and the whole hive will cease to exist.
It may sound like an ordeal, but after a day or two, you’ll be glad you tried this because those ants will be gone.
I adore that bakelite bracelet. I have a varying relationship with my jewellry. I have a mix of real and vintage costume, and I think the costume calls to me more often because I like pieces that are a bit more bold and unique. But there are days that I wear almost no jewellry.
As you know I have some vintage costume jewelry as well, and a mix of things. I too like jewelry that is unusual and so some costume, and also semi-precious or lower cost natural materials tend to appeal as well. I love good stones, but have a difficult relationship with the way they are set most of the time. But right now my style seems to undergoing a period of refinement and I am kind of watching myself evolve and enjoying the process.
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People think of plastic as carefree but it’s not- it scratches easily, can chip and crack.
Wonder if those scratched areas on the bracelet could be buffed? It would bring it back to its beautiful design. The bakelite buttons are fanciful, a kind of tutti-frutti piece. (Plastic- which is what resin is-) is a hot material to wear.
It’s fun, easy to travel with, so plastic jewelry does have a lighthearted place in one’s jewelry box.
Well, yes, Duchesse, that Lucite bracelet is hot — it just looks summery. But when I am up for it, and not outdoors too long, it fits the summertime bill. And yes it is fun for travel
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Yes, Lisa, I have cleaned and baited, and tried not to freak out during the period immediately after putting out the bait. Lovely. The neighborhood sprayed and my problem was worse, probably nested in my walls. but no ants for a couple of days now.
Im being vigilant thought.
thank you for the advice
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Well, I actually tend to be much the same way, but most of what I am attracted to is real whatever, although not necessarily precious or even semi-precious. I tend to be oddly attracted to iron jewelry for example. But most of what I like doesnt look cheap. It mostly if it works the way I want it to.
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Terri, I used to have a lot of inexpensive jewelry that I never wore. I got rid of most of it. what is left is all over the place, but I wear it.
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