Most of my Vintage glass beads come from
Germany and Czechoslovakia and were made in the early to mid 1900's and offer a wide array of hue and shape.
They are type of pressed (think molded) glass and are very
uniform in shape. The canes of glass that were used in this process frequently contain more than one color, sometimes even three or more. Using an opaque core often surrounded by a different transparent color created a tantalizing mixture and reflection of light. There are still some of these old canes in existence that are again being used to make beads. If the canes are old, but used to make the beads more recently, does that mean it can still be called a "Vintage" bead? Hmmm...
I also have collected quite a few Vintage Japanese
beads which are quite different in shape from the European beads
because they were made with the technique known as Lampworking or
Flameworking. The glass was heated with a torch and wound around a wire or
mandrel. Because these are usually made one at a time, the shapes are softer, more rounded and organic and less uniform than pressed beads. This type of glass bead is one of my favorites.
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Pink Posy - Halo Earrings Prepare for spring with these early season blooms. Made of vintage European glass, the rose pink flowers began their life as buttons. A halo of complementary colors, made from pressed Czech glass and a mixture of Japanese and Italian seed beads, surrounds the blossom. These earrings have plenty of color presence without being heavy to wear. Finished with Sterling silver french hook earwires, the total length is 1-1/2". ~ $44.00,this pair has sold. I can recreate or send photos of other variations. |
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Asymmetrical Necklace - Double Strand Inspiration for this design came from the hive shaped lampworked glass bead with tones of violet and amber. In this photo it's just peeking out on the left strand, a detailed photo of this bead is shown in the listing below. A random placement of beads in shades of - bottle green, amethyst and butterscotch, creates the balance needed with the asymmetrical placement of the focal bead. The doubled strand on the right continues the color interest with tri-shaped Czech beads, French and Japanese seed beads. Above the focal bead, the left strand contrasts the right with a linked construction featuring vintage beads in soft violet with a milky white core. The length of the necklace is 17". To provide some adjustability, the necklace is clasped with a Turkish silver hook and about a 1-1/2" extension of Sterling silver chain. ~ $148.00 SOLD. I can recreate a similar design, just email a request and I'll send a photo with other colors of the large focal bead. |
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Detail of Lampwork Focal The beautiful focal bead in the asymmetrical necklace above was made by Robert Jennik, of Pilamaya Glass. The deep violet hue of the dichroic glass is speckled with drops of opalescent gold. |
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Deepest Violet Ring-Drop Earrings It was hard to capture the luscious tone of deep, dark violet in these vintage European glass beads. Because of the uniqueness of both shape and color, they are simply accented with Turkish silver beads and twisted ring. The Sterling silver earwires are also adorned with Turkish silver and the total length of this design is 1-5/8". ~ $42.00 |
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Petal Blossom - Vintage Glass Earrings The hourglass shape created by the upward facing bloom in pale violet and suspended petal shape in a golden butterscotch gives these a rather romantic feel. Graced with Turkish silver caps and iridescent Japanese glass seed beads, these are just 1-3/4" in length. ~ $40.00 |
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Lavender-Spruce - Tassel Earrings Lavish with detail and using cool, woodsy colors these are enchantingly romantic. Sitting atop a rich Turkish silver cap, is a lustrous sphere of vintage European glass in lavender. A glittering trio of pressed Czech glass, in spruce green, dances coyly at the bottom. Secured with Sterling silver lever-back earwires, these are just 2" long. ~ $48.00 |
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Lilac, Daffodil, Mint - Swing Earrings Frosty wedges of sage green swing from Sterling chain accompanied by warm cubes of sunny gold and soft amethyst seed beads. This is a sassy, slinky little earring, fun to wear and very unique. Finished with a simple Sterling silver earwire, the total length is 1-7/8". ~ $42.00 |
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Faceted Honey - Tassel Drop Earrings Glowing like a drop of honey, it doesn't take much to emphasize the warm beauty of this faceted vintage European glass bead. A detailed Turkish silver cap at the top is balance by the simplicity of the three, smooth Balinese silver drops at the bottom. Measuring just 1-3/8", this is just right, for those who like a shorter earring with interesting detail. ~ $42.00 |
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Sweetest Violet - Vintage Glass Floral Earrings Like a piece of hard candy, these look good enough to eat! The floral motif of these beads is defined with an embossed surface detail, and transparent violet hue. Lustrous lavender and plump, matte, metallic seed beads are layered atop Turkish silver to complement and contrast the cool shine of the focal bead. A twisted ring element connects the pendant to the Sterling silver french hook earwire. This sweet and simple design is just 1-1/4" long. ~ $32.00 |
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Capped Seafoam - Vintage Glass Earrings If you look down into the wake at the back of a Vineyard ferry in winter, this is the color you see. Soft and very complementary to all skin tones, it's a crisp refreshing hue. This vintage European glass bead was made from a cane of glass that had an interior of pure, snow white encased in transparent seafoam, it's my favorite color. Joined to the Sterling silver earwire with a smooth oval of silver and capped with Turkish silver, it's just 1-1/2" long. ~ $34.00 |
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Seaside Hues - Vintage Glass Captive Necklace This has been one of my most popular designs of the year. The pairs of Balinese silver drops dance down the Sterling chain, their purpose is dual, to embellish and capture. The free floating pendants at the center are kept centered by these bright little drops. This means you'll never find the clasp turned the wrong way, nice. With relatively minimal detail, this design is suitable for all ages. The necklace, 16" at the minimum, secures with a Sterling spring ring clasp and an extension of 1-1/2" of a slightly larger link chain to give you some possibility for adjustment. ~ $56.00 This same design can be found in another variation in the Freshwater Pearl section. |
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Seaside Hues Button Bracelet Colors that were bright and lively earlier in the year, take on a more subtle darkened tone in the cooler fall and winter months. The color of the surrounding sea changes too. Combined in this lively bracelet, these are the colors that inspired the Seaside Hues group of designs. Accented with a Turkish silver star this parchment colored flower, when joined with the loop of marine blue seed beads, becomes the clasp. End to end it measures 7", I can make another either smaller or larger. ~ $56.00 |
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Saltwater Rime - Descending Drops Earrings Shiny pairs with matte in this crisp, cool green. With a simple cadence, rings of Turkish silver join these three beads. Sweet little seed beads, with the hue of fresh seaweed, provide a delicate accent. From the top of the Sterling silver earwires to bottom bead, the length is 2-1/8". ~ $42.00 |
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Seafoam - Olive Pendulum Drop Earrings Used as paired pendants, the hue of these slender glass beads, is very much like the seaweed that blow ashore in the fall. Emphasised with the largest bead in a watery shade and Japanese seed beads in matte metallic olive, these are a distinctive design. These earrings have lots of movement with a 2-1/2" length. ~ $46.00 |
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Sea Heart - Hoop Frame Earrings Hearts, frosty and cool in gray-green, are encircled with four different Japanese seed beads in a variety of seaside colors. Like the sparkling splash of water, Balinese silver graces the bottom of each frame. This romantic design variation that was inspired by the popular chandelier style earring. It provides a generous area of color, has texture and detail, yet is light and comfortable to wear. With Sterling silver french hooks, the top to bottom length is 1-7/8". ~ $46.00 This design can also be seen in the Crystal section. |
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Seaweed Petal Earrings Glass can be thought of as hard and cold, but here with texture and shape that thought is reconsidered. The delicately curved petals of green hang gently beneath the irregularly shaped bead in soft, matte grey-green. Wear these for a walk on the beach, they'll sway with the breeze, with secure Sterling silver lever-back earwires they'll stay where they belong. Measuring 2-1/8" top to bottom. ~ $48.00 |
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Swirled Seaweed - Tassel Earrings Vintage European glass offers many unusual varieties of color, shape and texture. Just as seaweed swirls in the current, beneath the slick surface of these bead are striations or waves of color. Topped with eyelet-like caps of Turkish silver and ending in a trio of tiny pendants, these are suspended from Sterling silver lever-back earwires. Top to bottom just 2-1/8". ~ $48.00 |
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Times Seven - Vintage Glass Necklace With a pleasing symmetry and grace, seven pendants drop from Sterling chain with a simple round link. Side by side, the cool shades of green with variations in texture, and transparency create a soothing rhythm. Frosty rounds of vintage glass alternate with window cut Czech glass. Four colors and sizes of Japanese seed beads complete the material list. The necklace, 16" at the minimum, secures with a Sterling spring ring clasp and an extension of 1-1/2" of a slightly larger link chain to give you some possibility for adjustment. ~ $52.00 |