Today is a banner day, for two reasons: Today marks the debut of the Oils & Spoils banner (see above), and this a blog about both Oils and Spoils.
Spoils
I’m a big waste not, want not type of person, and it truly pains me to hear friends tell me that they have a piece of jewelry stashed away somewhere that they won’t or can’t wear because they don’t like it or because it’s broken. Many times, the jewelry in question is a vintage treasure.
Vintage jewelry is jewelry produced/created from the 1920s to the 1980s. The term “vintage jewelry” is often associated with costume jewelry. What fascinates me the most about vintage jewelry is that it was meant to be worn and thrown away. Yet, most of it is better made than the costume jewelry of today, and thus, still available to enjoy.
I love Art Deco pieces (1920s to 1930s) for their boldness and uniqueness. Think oddly shaped pins with colorful and clear rhinestones. I’m a huge fan of those long flapper beaded necklaces worn knotted, doubled, even tripled. One of my favorite pieces of jewelry from this period is a ring left to me by my grandmother, a white gold filigree ring that has what looks like a big marquise sapphire in it, but it is actually a piece of glass, not uncommon for the Great Depression era.
I’m also fond of pieces from the 1950s to the 1960s for several reasons. The parures of the 1950s – matching sets of jewelry, often featuring earrings, necklace, bracelet and pin. Demi-parure refers to a two-piece matching set of costume jewelry. The invention of Aurora Borealis (AB) in 1953, the special coating that gives coated rhinestones and crystals an iridescent, rainbow glow. Jewelry from this time period is so detailed, so delicate and so well-made, that it truly has stood the test of time.
The 1960s and 1970s ushered in more casual pieces. I don’t dig these pieces as I much as those from prior decades, but I do love those long owl necklaces that periodically make a comeback.
I am slightly mortified that the 1980s bookends the vintage jewelry era, as that is the decade I “came of age” in high school and college. I remember the big bold hair and earrings, neon everything, and beaded friendship pins. I’m amused at the Mr. T-like gold-toned chunky necklaces, bracelets and earrings that completed the 1980s business woman’s skirt suit. I wanted to be one of those women.
I have amassed a collection of vintage jewelry over the years, with pieces to keep, pieces to sell and pieces to re-vitalize.
Broken rhinestone necklace? Garland on a rose quartz donut pendent suspended around the neck by a piece of black suede cord.
Broken 3-strand necklace of red AB crystals? Re-vitalized into a 2-strand bracelet with copper toggle and two necklaces, worn separately or together, of differing copper chains with links of vintage red AB crystals. This project was a labor of love for a friend of mine, as the broken necklace was her grandmother’s. I liked the end results, so much so that I will likely make something similar for myself. I’ve always liked the color combination of red and brown, and the copper chain really makes the red AB crystals pop.
Do I hear you rooting around an old jewelry box, finding and holding up a piece of history for inspection and re-vitalization? Need some help with the re-vitalization? Give me your tired, your poor, your tangled masses of vintage jewelry yearning to hang freely from your neck, wrists and ears, once again. I’d be happy to create pieces you’ll want to wear more frequently. Feel free to message me and check out my etsy shop.
Oils
Going with the same theme of waste not, want not, I pull out the last few drops of essential oils from their bottles with Epsom salt, use the oil-infused Epsom salt in the shower, and re-use the bottles as future roller bottles with the addition of a roller fitment.
I refer to the combination of random oils as my Heinz 57 bath salts. Last night, I looked forward to this week’s combination – lavender, lemon and peppermint – the trio I diffuse 24/7 that helps tremendously with sniffles, sneezes, coughing, headaches, and itchy, watery eyes. This morning was ahhh!!!
I let the bottles set in the Epsom salt overnight and soaked them in warm, soapy water this morning. Included in the sink was a bigger glass bottle that held Life 5, a Young Living Essential Oils probiotic I use every day. I’m going to re-use it to store essential oil/carrier oil capsules in the freezer. This allows me to make a batch of weight management or seasonal support capsules, instead of having to make a capsule each time I want to take one.
Last night, I was putting my beloved essential oil trio in the diffuser, when calamity struck. I had taken the plastic piece off the top of the lavender to get the next-to-last drops out of the bottle, and even though I was careful, a deluge of lavender burst forth, more than the 5 drops I needed, and went rushing headlong into the water in the diffuser. I didn’t want to diffuse that much lavender, so I poured half of it into a jar, and put more water in the diffuser. I used the excess lavender water in my diffuser this morning.
What are some ways you waste not, want not your essential oils? Don’t have essential oils? Let me introduce you. Essential oils are the ultimate waste not, want not. I’ve saved tons of money on facial and bath products, medications and doctor visits by using essential oils to make my own products and to boost my immunity and overall wellness.
Ongoing
For those of you in Middle Tennessee, I’m SO excited to share the date and time of my soap making class at the Hobby Lobby in Murfreesboro: Thursday, April 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Learn how to make easy, inexpensive lavender bar soap and lotion bars, perfect for Mother’s Day or any gift-giving occasion or as a treat to yourself. You’ll leave with a bar of each and some creative packaging ideas. Cost is $25 per person. Let me know if you plan to attend, so I can be sure to have enough goodies for everyone.
Oils & Spoils 
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