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Vintage Bead Showcase: Moonglow Lucite, Antique Nailheads |
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We are currently stocked up on gorgoeus vintage moonglow Lucite bead rounds, big and bold vintage metal bead rounds, antique nailheads, and 1940's Japanese Jade glass pendants. Limited availability!
Vintage Metal BeadsWatch out Wilma Flintstone. We have your beads only in metal - Bold Vintage Metal Beads. These were found as a designerâs overstock & were originally produced in the US. When we find old metals, admittedly we donât know what theyâre made of in most cases since we donât have a direct link to the manufacturer. However in most cases, these beads are a brass or copper base, and we showcase them in their raw state or sometimes weâll even find them in a cool old plating. Some of the finishes youâll find in vintage stock are colors & metals that the platers donât or canât even replicate these days for whatever reason. The example youâll see here are nickel (darker silver, probably maybe rhodium) plated and a shiny gold plated round bead in a chunky 19mm size. Great to add that splash of bold to your design statements.
Antique NailheadsVintage nailheads or sew-on beads were commonly used in the late 1800âs and early 20th century for adorning dresses, especially mourning clothing and dresses. This is why we tend to find so many nailhead beads in black, gun-metal or darker glass color ways. Most of these glass beauties were manufactured in Czechoslovakia, although some come from other parts of Europe including France and Germany from time to time. What is great about stumbling upon these today is that many of them are in their original packaging or âbricks.' A brick refers to the square chunk of glass hanks that were packaged in a solid mass to avoid chipping and breakage. Many of the original cotton thread mini hanks still have original manufacturers tags on them as youâll see in these photos. For years and years it seems that jewelry designers were not finding applications for these great old beads which is why we are fortunate enough to have access to so many of them still today. However many innovative jewelry designers and beaders are now finding exciting applications for them such as 2-holed bracelets, long elegant lariat style necklaces, and uses for fabric and clothing embellishment â what comes around, goes around. We found our collection in an overstock warehouse in New York. They had imported them back in the mid 20th century and there they sat for many, many years until we scooped a good supply of them up 5 years ago. They are limited in availability.
Vintage Moonglow Lucite BeadsA classic finish found in Lucite as well as nylon and casein vintage plastics, the term âmoonglowâ refers to a style that looks as if it glows from within in a subtle, pearlized style. Popularized in the early 1960's by Best Plastics of Providence, Rhode Island, youâll find this finish in beads as well as bangles, hoop earrings, cabs set into pins (commonly referred to as Jelly Bellys at times in the vintage jewelry trade), and other vintage jewelry styles. Youâll find the most unique selection of moonglow lucite beads here at The Beadinâ Path because we purchased the remaining contents of Best Plastics 4 years ago.
1940's Japanese Jade Glass
Floral Carved Pendants
These lovelies were found over 10 years ago by one of our âvintage scoutersâ in a desginerâs overstock buy. We found boxes and boxes of theses glass pendants in their original packaging that was marked âMade in Japanâ. Small cardboard boxes were loaded with tissue-wrapped packages. Just the packaging alone in some of these finds is a design inspiration. These pressed glass pieces were made in the 1940âs and created to look like real âjadeâ. The press-moulded design (which is actually not âcarved glassâ: a term many will use) is a floral lovely garden motif. This is one of the few vintage finds we have in a good amount of quantity - but hurry because they are limited as is all vintage and when they are gone, theyâre gone.
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