Happy Holidays: Ruby Lane's Past Times Newsletter for December 2009

In This Issue

• YouTube Video: Happy Holidays from Ruby Lane!
  
• Join Ruby Lane On Twitter and Facebook!
  
• Shop Spotlight: Welcome to Autumn Antiques and Collectibles!
  
• Collecting Christmas Jewelry
  
• Shop Sampler: Vintage Holiday Items You'll Find on Ruby Lane
  

YOUTUBE VIDEO: HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM RUBY LANE!

Click here to see a special holiday message from Ruby Lane, or go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxy_Ai5Gh8A

JOIN RUBY LANE ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK!

We want to let all shops know that Ruby Lane is now active on both Twitter and Facebook, and we invite you to join us. Both services are free to join and participate.

Follow us on Twitter: Twitter

Become a Fan on Facebook

SHOP SPOTLIGHT: WELCOME TO AUTUMN ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES!

Brent and Debbie Ellis of Autumn Antiques and Collectibles sell antiques, vintage pottery, Shawnee pottery, porcelain, vintage toys, cast iron banks, cast iron toys, antique toys, oil lamps, oil finger lamps, vintage glass, mustache cups and many other high quality antique and vintage items.

Their vintage toys are wonderful. In their shop you'll find such items as a "hard to find "Hubley plane in great, original condition" ($195), a "Marx U.S.A.F Rocket Launcher Truck" ($174), a "Vintage Tin Litho Cowboys and Indians Clicker Set" ($14), and a "Marx Pressed Steel Airplane" ($165).

They have traveled the country acquiring quality antiques and collectibles for over 20 years. They are very happy to share their knowledge and experiences with anyone that has similar interests. Please feel free to contact then with any question or for items you may be searching for!

We invite you to visit Autumn Antiques and Collectibles

COLLECTING CHRISTMAS JEWELRY

Christmas Jewelry is one of the most collectible categories in the fashion jewelry field. A great variety of jewelry makers and designers have work in this area, and some of the best known have Christmas Trees, Reindeer or Santas bearing their names. There are also thousands and thousands of unsigned pieces of all qualities available, many of which will never be accurately identified. Some collectors deck themselves out in the pieces for the Holidays, while others have created some unique Holiday displays with them.

The tree is probably the #1 design, in volume and popularity. The Christmas Tree only became a widespread and popular cultural icon in the mid-19th century. Similarly, Santa gained great popularity in Victorian times. While a lone reindeer was associated with some of the older and more austere versions of Santa, the expanded herd of 8 seems to date from Clement Stone's "A Visit from St. Nicholas". Rudolph didn't appear until 1939, part of a Montgomery-Wards promotion.

Little, if any, truly antique Christmas Jewelry exists. Some older celluloid pieces exist, but it was not until the 1930's that many commercial pieces were produced. The list of collectible lines that featured Christmas pieces after that is nearly endless: ART, Caviness, D & E, Eisenberg, Har, Haskell, Hollycraft, Jonette, Laguna, Lea Stein, Lisner, Kramer, Robert, Schiaparelli,, Trifari, and Weiss, just to name some of the best known makers. Jonette was well known for their whimsical pieces, which were produced until the company's demise in 2006. Lisner made very few Christmas pieces. Trifari is still in production and the line still includes Christmas pieces. Many newer designers have also produced pieces in the last 20 years, often in limited production.

Most Christmas jewelry items, due to their whimsical nature, were created with plated finishes and used inexpensive stones, most often rhinestones. Some "bridge" pieces in sterling and gold filled material were also created. Krementz did a Poinsettia piece, similar in scale to their famous Forget-Me-Not, which is rather rare. A number of Mexican silver pieces have been made with Christmas themes and are quite collectible. Some of the traditional silver companies have made Christmas jewelry, in addition to the ornaments and other Christmas items they are best known for. Reed & Barton did some lovely Damascene pieces, in mixed metals. Some manufacturers of fine karat gold and platinum pieces made occasional entries into the field, but these are rare and seldom remembered, although many sterling and 14 karat gold charms can be found commemorating Christmas.

Many pieces will have enamel finishes in colorful combinations, and condition is very important. Poured glass was also used, most notably by Trifari. ART made some distinctive trees with clear baguette rhinestones used for the bodies of the candles. The colored rhinestones used for the "flame" appear to vary with the setter's whim.

The field has so many pieces that many collectors will narrow their scope, collecting only one maker or theme. In addition to trees, many pieces are available with a wreath motif, or floral themes, particularly holly and poinsettias. Christmas candles, ornaments, candy canes, stockings, and bells are great themes. Many animals have been featured in Christmas pieces, with reindeer and mice probably being the commonest. Cats, dogs, and partridges are not uncommon, and many of your favorite cartoon characters may be found memorialized in a piece of Christmas jewelry. Santa, sleighs, and nutcrackers are also represented, and you will find angels and snowmen that are distinctly Christmas pieces.

Some pieces were made which lit up with a battery assist. Look for trees, candles, and an occasional Rudolph with this feature. Expect to pay a premium for one which still works and for which you can still get a battery replacement.

As many pieces were made Christmas themes were very inexpensive pieces, you will find a number of pieces that are unmarked. Some may be researched and identified, but many will remain anonymous, with reference to maker and date. Contemporary manufacturers may decide to reissue older styles, and some lines have been counterfeited, with Weiss fakes being perhaps the best known. As value goes up, the temptation for the unscrupulous manufacturer to make counterfeits increases and your level of research and caution should increase as well. Please remember that even the most ethical of dealers can unknowingly offer a bogus piece from time to time, especially in a field with as many mystery pieces as collectible Christmas jewelry. Signed pieces will bring a bit of a premium, but provide some assurance that age and authenticity can be researched.

SHOP SAMPLER: VINTAGE HOLIDAY ITEMS YOU'LL FIND ON RUBY LANE

Potter Hill Antiques and Consignment Gallery: Collectibles and Antiques From Around New England

Royal Doulton Christmas Plate 1980

Made by Royal Doulton, it is the 4th issue of Christmas plates that started in 1977. The porcelain plate is 8 1 4 and in excellent condition. The ...

Heads Up Vintage Collectibles: Head Vases, Figural Pottery, Vanity Items, Jewelry Fun Vintage Collectibles Antiques!

1961 Napco Christmas Lady Head Vase

Lady head vases decked out for Christmas are becoming harder to find all the time. They are usually full of details which make them susceptible to ...

Barkus Farm Antiques, Collectibles and Fine Art: Unique Collectibles, Antiques and Fine Arts from Around the World

Can you resist this Christmas Elf? Adorable!

If it wasn't for his benevolent expression, you might be put off a bit by the chartreuse hair, and pointy feet, and, well, yes, the face! But he is ...

Kitchengarden Purses?: Will ship PRIORITY upon request *** FREE Gift Card with Every Purchase!

FREE Ship USA! Stylistic Brass Hanukkah Menorah + 96 candles!

This is a very unusual menorah as the candles used are very, very slim. It makes for a very modernistic looking piece. I have 4 packages (24 ea. ...

Eve Dove Gems: Fine selection of Estate Gold Jewelry; Victoriana Lampwork Jewelry by eve dove

14K Rose Gold Dreidel (Top) - Chanukha Hanukkah

Hanukkah Game Here is a wonderful old Israeli Dreidel (top) made of 14K Rose Gold, marked Israel. It has a loop and jump ring at the top so it may be...

Pie in the Sky Collectibles: Jewelry, Purses, Other Collectibles of Note: THE Place for Fabulous Figurals: Layaways Accepted

C 1960s Hanukkah Gift Wrap Paper: MIB: Scenes w Children: New Old Stock

OFFERED FOR A LIMITED TIME, THROUGH THE HOLIDAY SEASON ONLY. One roll among the four in this set is particularly charming as it is so true to the ...

Great River Antiques: One-of-a-Kind Vintage Goods From the Farms Villages of the Upper Mississippi

Vintage Lefton Christmas ELF Baby in Ice Blue w Holly

Utterly charming little Christmas baby by Lefton. Her snowsuit is a pale blue with a pretty wreath of holly round her hood. She is 3 high and in ...

Coco's Treasures: Antiques, Collectibles, and Jewelry Wide Variety Enjoy Our Shop !

Four Poland Blown Tree Ornaments

Nice grouping of ornaments from Poland. The red teardrop or light bulb shape has the mica scales on it is 4 long with a 2 3 4 diameter. The ...

Timber Hills Antiques&tm;: Beautiful''Fine Living''Accents for your Home Welcome to Our Home Welcome to Timber Hills Antiques

1957 Bing Grondahl Christmas Plate ~ "Christmas Candles"~ by Kjeld Bo Bonfils

This is a beautiful plate with the renowned blues and whites of Bing Grondahls Company. This is the 63rd plate in the Christmas series from Bing ...

Diane's Dolls with a Past: Diane's Dolls with a Past Get them while they last!

3 Wonderful Vintage Bird Christmas Ornaments with REAL Feathers!!

3 Wonderful Vintage Bird Christmas Ornaments with REAL Feathers!! Including the tail these birds measure 6 long These birds are at least from the ...