Charmed Bracelets

Get Bill Gates' Boots for $1.50!

I've been working on this new blog to get ready for the Cattlemen's Ball, and I thought I'd drop in on the online auction to see how much the cowboy boots autographed by Bill Gates--and another pair with Warren Buffett's signature--were going for. 

Boy, was I surprised. The high bid for the Buffett boots--they spelled his last name wrong, too--Warren Buffet Autographed Boots  is just $1. Ditto for the boots with Seattle hometown boy Bill Gates' signature: the high bid is $1. 

Now maybe folks are waiting till the day of the event to bid, but there are some pretty good bids in there for practical things: the high bid for a 24’ Aluminum Stock Trailer  is $1,300. 

I hope this doesn't mean that the Cattlemen and -women won't be spending money this year. I'm counting on selling a lot of jewelry. 

Here's the link to the online auction: Cattlemen's Ball auction

@ Jeanne Sather 2009. 

Special Vintage Charms

I'm having fun searching for unique vintage charms to make my bracelets special. I rarely buy charms that aren't sterling silver, since almost all my jewelry is sterling. 

Here are some of the ones I've found so far. 

Silver 1920s Puffed Cat Charm

This little cat is hollow, which is why he is described as "puffed." He's tiny, just 6/8ths of an inch by 3/8ths of an inch, and is sterling silver. This one came from my favorite charm dealer in England and is in very good condition. 

I think this cat has personality to spare, plus he has that lovely feel you only get with old silver. SORRY, NOT FOR SALE. I made a bracelet for my friend Monica with garnets and this cat. 

Vintage 1910 Silver Rickshaw Charm

This tiny rickshaw is my favorite charm. It is Chinese export jewelry, meaning made in China for export, back in about 1910. 

The charm is only 3/4 inch tall and 1" wide. It has a compartment in the back that opens and closes and the seat of the rickshaw has Chinese "touch" or maker's marks. 

I'm working on a jade bracelet to show off the rickshaw.  SORRY, NOT FOR SALE. 

1960s Silverware Charm

This vintage charm is a knife, fork, and spoon, plus a tiny oval that says "guaranteed table-ware." Each utensil measures just 6/8th of an inch in length, and the charm is sterling silver. This one also comes from my favorite charm dealer in England.

A customer asked me to make her a necklace with this charm and rose quartz beads. I was happy with the results: Charming Necklace With Rose Quartz

Early 1900s Working Abacus

Hard to believe, but the beads on this tiny abacus actually move. I found this charm in an antique store in Seattle's Pioneer Square neighborhood, and it is really special. It's silver plate, not sterling, and is slightly warped, which I think adds to its charm. 

Wear this on your wrist, and you won't need a calculator.

Jointed Brass Doll Charm

This late Victorian (@1890s) jointed brass doll is modeled after a wooden doll. It is a little over 1 inch in length and is jointed at the hips and shoulders. It may originally have been gold plated or gilded, but is now worn down to the brass. 

I designed a bracelet to showcase this very special charm, one that combines brass and silver, with accents of copper as well. See the bracelet.

See also: More Special Charms

Contact me: jeanne.sather@gmail.com

 

@ Jeanne Sather 2009. 

 

 

Goin' to the Ball ...

Well, I've decided. I'm going to the ball. That's the Cattlemen's Ball in Nebraska, a cancer fund-raiser with the theme, "Give Cancer the Boot!" Dates are June 5 and 6.

Does that mean I should wear cowboy boots with my ball gown? 

I'll worry about clothing later. First, I need to deal with the planning. I'm going to sell my jewelry as part of the General Store, which is apparently set up in a tent, and I'm also going to be speaking during one of the breaks in the fashion show. 

My topic? What to say when a friend is diagnosed with cancer--the do's and don't's. 

Those who know me know I have a lot to say on this topic. 

It's going to be an amazing event, and kind of a different world for me. That will be fascinating. My good friend Monica is going to come along to help me at the General Store, and also to take lots and lots of photos. I heard today that a couple of horses, geldings, were donated to the auction. Maybe I'll come home with a horse!

The most famous auction item so far is a pair of boots signed by Warren Buffett. He wrote something like, "Go beef!" or "Eat beef!" on the boots and signed his name. I was told that the boots will go into a online auction, so that people from all over the world can bid on the boots.  

Here's the link, if you want to learn more about the Cattlemen's Ball: Cattlemen's Ball

@ Jeanne Sather 2009.