The Glassy High

When thrifting I sometimes think of myself as an old-time prospector, taking my pick-ax of patience to dig through the shelves and racks looking for the mother lode.

It’s great when you find that rare diamond, but it also fun to hit a rich vein of finds. That is to say, sometimes someone donates an entire collection of art or jewellery or accessories.

Last week, for example, I was visiting the Value Village and there was a treasure trove of 1940s to 1950s costume jewelry. They had to have come from just one source because it’s becoming rarer to find just one piece from that era, let alone 25.

There were signed pieces, multiple rhinestone necklaces, all kinds of statement brooches, and even some crazy cocktail rings. I would have bought them all, but alas I am observing post tax austerity this month.

Given the range of styles and the wear and tear, I’m guessing that these objects had belonged to a collector like me — we’ll maybe a bit older than me. Somebody who hit the yard sales and thrift shops grabbing up anything old. And in their heyday, the shops were probably getting a lot of post WWII designs.

GA lot of the pieces fell on the shabby chic end of the quality spectrum. To narrow down my picks, I avoided things that were too roughed up. I also stayed away from brooches because I still haven’t figure out a way to wear them. And then I further streamlined the selection process to glass-based items because who doesn’t love a theme?

So here they are: A circa ’60s moulded glass cameo pendant; a double-strand Murano glass bead necklace; and a gilt necklace with iridescent glass leaf drops.