Went to our local, monthly antique fair yesterday with my good friend and amazing jewelry designer Donatella Linari. She has such a good eye, immediately zeroing in on the booths with the "real" stuff. She took home a fantastic, ancient glass seal from Haiti that will be transformed into one of her signature pendants, can't wait to see that.
I snagged some goodies as well. Found a sterling silver encased chatalain pencil, which I love and are harder and harder to find. Dated to the mid 1800's, and a bargain to boot! This will make a great pendant element. The cased is etched sterling and the pencil was still inside. I also found some vintage textured brass ring bands in a gorgeous, organic pattern. Immediately used them to make the two rings pictured here. I really like the look of these bands, very ancient and rustic. I hope to find more very soon (internet, here I come...). I finished my haul with two tiny pocket watch keys that will make fantastic earrings or pendant elements.
We had a nice afternoon, nothing is more fun that an antique fair. All in all, a great day sleuthing for treasure!
