20s or 30s Paste Necklace

I just won this on ebay for $46 which I think is a good price. It's a sterling paste necklaces from the 20s or 30s.  And nearly 18" in length, which is a good size for me. I'll probably end up using it with 18th century or regency stuff since it's collet-y.

Isn't it pretty? It's from one of my new fav vintage/antique jewelry sellers, nalfie.  They have really nice stuff. (Thanks Taylor!)  I nicked their ebay pics since I don't have it yet.

18th Century Jacket

I have all these smallish pieces of fabric that I'd earmarked for jackets - and I finally went ahead and cut 4 jackets out. I used the JP Ryan pattern because I'd used it before successfully. It has variations so each jacket is slightly different.

Here is the first one made with just over a meter of changeable silk with a metallic stripe that I bought in Germany in 2006.  I used pretty much all the fabric I had.

Laughing Moon Regency Gown

I tried out the new Laughing Moon regency gown pattern and was super happy with it! It went together really easily and I actually didn't even need to alter it from the size I cut out. I think the pattern ended up being really flattering. I used a slightly sheer cotton with a white and silver stripe that I think I got in LA a bunch of years ago.

Here's the pattern: http://www.lafnmoon.com/product_p/p126.htm

You can see the stripes a little here.



With it I wore my 1870s paste flower brooch, my antique Napoleon III comb, my fan made my Gloria, my Georgian earrings, my 1820s ring, and  also a new ring purchase which I'll blog about later. The necklace is modern. Oh and my shawl.  It's fun that I've been able to collect enough antique pieces to go with my costumes!
















Gloria's photo:





Edited to add - here's a close-up of the fabric:

Georgian Earrings

I apparently never posted about these!

I paid about $120 on ebay.  They were described as Georgian, handmade, using old-cut mined diamonds set into solid silver 800 with original 9ct gold clasps. I think I got a great deal on them since they look a lot like these which are on sale for $950.
http://www.rubylane.com/item/708544-2038/LABOR-DAY-Antique-Georgian-Rose-Cut



And these, which are$600 on Ruby Lane:
http://www.rubylane.com/item/860926-1172/Black-Dot-18th-Century-White-Paste)

Then I went over to Gloria's to hang out and work on some costume stuff and she has this book on Georgian jewelry:
http://www.amazon.com/Georgian-Jewellery-1714-1830-Ginny-Redington/dp/1851495398/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

In it are some examples of Georgian earrings, I believe 1780s, that have similar hooks and similar mounting of the diamonds. We both decided that the hooks look original to the earrings.

I looked up how to clean them and one site suggested baking soda and water for silver. I used a really really soft bristle toothbrush - I didn't want to scratch the silver, but the holes in the design were completely filled with dirt and the brush helped poke them open and also get off some of the hardpacked gunk on the back of the earrings.

They look so much better now! Here are some before and after pics.

And the auction pictures:

Birthnight Ball

Last night was the Birthnight Ball at Gadsby's Tavern celebrating George Washington's birthday. It was really fun despite the fact that our whole party couldn't be there due to illness and weather.

I wore a new dress which I'll blog about separately! Here are some pictures from the night!

We had dinner at the Warehouse Bar and Grill. The food was tasty!

(Mat was parking the car in a snow squall and I didn't catch him here.)


Doug in the vest I made him:


Gloria and her sorbet (and new sari overgown):


At the ball:


General Washington is the tall one:


Washington is 2nd from left, Mrs. Washington is 2nd from right:




Dance demo:


Doug:




The traditional hedgehogs:


Gloria: