Who wants to see my haul from today?

[CoffeeAndDiamonds]

I accidentally opened one of my Christmas presents thinking it was something else. I didn't think to take a pic before rewrapping quickly, buuuuuut it's definitely old and sparkly!!!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@stracci2000, you could probably hack something you already have, just buy a dog clip and a fancy clasp. These chains (mostly watch chains, Albert chains, muff chains) are going for over $100 in silver and most are well over that, it is crazy! This one was $84 all in with tax and that’s still a lot. You could probably find one on EBay not properly labeled for a lot less.

@Ontheblackrock15, ohhhh exciting! Do we get a hint or do we have to wait for the big reveal?

 

[stracci2000]

@stracci2000, you could probably hack something you already have, just buy a dog clip and a fancy clasp.

That's a great idea. I have lots of sterling chains to work with.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

That's a great idea. I have lots of sterling chains to work with.

Yes that would be the way to go, I always like looking on Etsy but I’m sure EBay is cheaper. I just hate bidding on auctions, it rattles my nerves so if there isn’t a BIN option then I’m more likely just to buy off Etsy.

 

[CoffeeAndDiamonds]

@stracci2000, you could probably hack something you already have, just buy a dog clip and a fancy clasp. These chains (mostly watch chains, Albert chains, muff chains) are going for over $100 in silver and most are well over that, it is crazy! This one was $84 all in with tax and that’s still a lot. You could probably find one on EBay not properly labeled for a lot less.

@Ontheblackrock15, ohhhh exciting! Do we get a hint or do we have to wait for the big reveal?

Based on my quick look, pretty sure it's a victorian brooch converted to pendant!! Two tone (presume gold filled) with a warm old cut paste that had a metal backing. Will post pics once I'm open for real!!!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Can’t wait to see it @Ontheblackrock15!

 

[LorettaB]

I almost tripped over it in the consignment store. It hadn’t even been priced yet. I sweetly asked the pricing lady if she would go ahead and price it for me—she told me to give her just a bit. When she walked back over to me with it she said, “It’s going to need some cleaning so it’ll be $6.99.” Y’all!!! I almost hyperventilated! That’s a vintage 8 quart Magnalite roaster that you can’t buy USED for less than $85 that I’ve found. New...they are outrageously expensive. My husband’s first request is jambalaya...the second is seafood gumbo. I feel like today is Christmas for me!

 

[stracci2000]

I almost tripped over it in the consignment store. It hadn’t even been priced yet. I sweetly asked the pricing lady if she would go ahead and price it for me—she told me to give her just a bit. When she walked back over to me with it she said, “It’s going to need some cleaning so it’ll be $6.99.” Y’all!!! I almost hyperventilated! That’s a vintage 8 quart Magnalite roaster that you can’t buy USED for less than $85 that I’ve found. New...they are outrageously expensive. My husband’s first request is jambalaya...the second is seafood gumbo. I feel like today is Christmas for me!

Wow! I never heard of this roaster, but I looked it up just now. They ARE expensive!!
Good find @LorettaB !

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Wow great score @LorettaB, I have never heard of one of these before but it would be great to have one!

One of my favorite finds is a huge stockpot I bought at a tag sale for $5 back around 2001 or so. I make all my soup in there

 

[LorettaB]

Wow! I never heard of this roaster, but I looked it up just now. They ARE expensive!!
Good find @LorettaB !

If you go into a Cajun or Southern kitchen and see one of these roasters or pots, the food is good!! They’re the staple for a good cook!

 

[stracci2000]

I found a new thrift store today, and a few new treasures.
This white dish looked old to me. So when I got home, I found it in my English china reference book. It's called Chelsea Grape and it was made before 1840!
It's not worth a fortune, but still very cool!


Next is a sweet Nippon hand painted bowl, made before 1921.



And lastly, this vintage bracelet.
I hoped it was jade and coral, but it turns out to be glass.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Ohhh I am excited to see treasures from you @stracci2000! That dish is in great shape considering its age, also love the colors on the footed bowl!

Of course the bracelet is amazing, even if it is glass, love the colors so bright and cheerful!

 

[stracci2000]

Ohhh I am excited to see treasures from you @stracci2000! That dish is in great shape considering its age, also love the colors on the footed bowl!

Of course the bracelet is amazing, even if it is glass, love the colors so bright and cheerful!

Our state was in lockdown since 11/15 , and we finally opened up again.
So I have been chomping at the bit to get out to the thrift stores!
I just love the old dishes. I always wonder who had them, what they ate and how they lived in those times. Fascinating!

 

[natasha-cupcake]

Glass or not, I love the bracelet. It's lovely!

 

[stracci2000]

Glass or not, I love the bracelet. It's lovely!

I should have looked at it closer, but it was only a few dollars so
I took a chance. It's probably from the 60's or 70's.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

The watch chain arrived today BUT it is slightly too short

I’m not going to return it because I wouldn’t want to do that to a small business this year. Maybe there is a way to make it longer? I don’t have a great imagination unfortunately. Here it is:

 

[Roselina]

The watch chain arrived today BUT it is slightly too short

I’m not going to return it because I wouldn’t want to do that to a small business this year. Maybe there is a way to make it longer? I don’t have a great imagination unfortunately. Here it is:

That‘s what I did - but the chain is thicker...

 

[stracci2000]

The watch chain arrived today BUT it is slightly too short

I’m not going to return it because I wouldn’t want to do that to a small business this year. Maybe there is a way to make it longer? I don’t have a great imagination unfortunately. Here it is:

The only thing you can do is add an additional section to it. Like what @Roselina did!

Look at this thread to see what our amazing @MakingTheGrade has been doing with pearls. Of course it doesn't have to be pearls, just something totally unexpected. You could string up a few inches of some beads/gems and attach it to one of the ends. This section would have to have it's own clasp, though.

Baby gem akoyas and bubble bracelet project

Got my hands on 6.3-6.5mm gem level akoyas from Moline pearls. Didn’t have time to make restring my larger Akoya bracelet to incorporate these in an alternating bubble style but wanted to share pics of them. I put them on elastic really quick just so I could wear them while I ran errands...

www.pricescope.com

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@stracci2000, I really wish we lived closer because I am just hopeless with stuff like this. Well I either figure it out or put my neck on a diet

I really love what Making the Grade made there so pretty!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@Roselina, I love that! Maybe I’ll see if I can find a little decorative element, I only need another 2” or so. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I was digging through my jewelry “bits and bobs” and I found this necklace with Honora pearls, the necklace is too short (story of my life) so I’m thinking I could add these to the watch chain.

Question, how do I attach them? I assume I need some jewelry pliers but what else? @stracci2000

 

[stracci2000]

I'm going to add these pearl studs I found yesterday at a consignment shop.
They were mixed in with a basket of costume jewelry and priced at $5.00.
My pearl-eye said "Hey, those are really nice akoyas!"
When I got to the car, I louped them, and they have 14k posts! 8mm, and off white color.
They are really smooth and nice quality. AA, maybe?
Of course, I just spent REAL MONEY on two pairs of pearl studs very recently.
So wouldn't you know, these show up after the fact! Sheesh!

 

[stracci2000]

I was digging through my jewelry “bits and bobs” and I found this necklace with Honora pearls, the necklace is too short (story of my life) so I’m thinking I could add these to the watch chain.

Question, how do I attach them? I assume I need some jewelry pliers but what else? @stracci2000

You will have to remove several pearl stations with wire cutters. Ask the hubby for a small pair, and for two pairs of needle nose piers, too.
I'm sure he has them!
Carefully cut through the wire wrapped links to remove the length you need.
Open the old jump ring on one end of your necklace and remove the clasp. Then add the new piece, closing up the old jump ring.
Re-attach the clasp on the end of your new section with a new jump ring.

Helpful hint: When removing a jump ring, don't open it up into a "C" shape, but twist it open sideways. Use two pair of needle nose pliers to do this. Then it's so much easier to twist closed again, without mangling the shape of the ring.

 

[MMtwo]

I'm going to add these pearl studs I found yesterday at a consignment shop.
They were mixed in with a basket of costume jewelry and priced at $5.00.
My pearl-eye said "Hey, those are really nice akoyas!"
When I got to the car, I louped them, and they have 14k posts! 8mm, and off white color.
They are really smooth and nice quality. AA, maybe?
Of course, I just spent REAL MONEY on two pairs of pearl studs very recently.
So wouldn't you know, these show up after the fact! Sheesh!

You are just so frikking good at this.
Awesome find!

 

[stracci2000]

You are just so frikking good at this.
Awesome find!

When I step into a resale shop, I challenge myself to find the hidden treasure. I eyeballed everything in that shop twice to make sure I didn't miss anything!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@stracci2000 I just saw your pearl earrings!! Those are amazing!! I really need to move, you have such treasure out where you are.

So I said screw it and decided to give it a go and here is the result:

 

[lucida818]

@stracci2000, you are really good, I so wish to go treasure hunting with you one day or at least in my dream tonite!

 

[MMtwo]

When I step into a resale shop, I challenge myself to find the hidden treasure. I eyeballed everything in that shop twice to make sure I didn't miss anything!

I love this, It's the dedication to check everything out!

 

[MeowMeow]

@stracci2000 I just saw your pearl earrings!! Those are amazing!! I really need to move, you have such treasure out where you are.

So I said screw it and decided to give it a go and here is the result:

Good result!! Looks beautiful on you!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thanks @MeowMeow, I’m pretty stoked that I took two unwearables and made them wearable!

I remembered while I was doing this that as a teenager I used to hack all my jewelry. My signature move was to super glue stones into settings They were usually CZ and silver but I used to tear all my jewelry apart.