1 year ago this month Novelty Brooch Friday was born!
It first started out as a little game Erin and I would play on
Instagram, discovering we both liked brooches we would post once a week with a
similar hashtag. With a little encouragement from other people on Instagram
(whom I will write about later in the month, 'cause this being the anniversary)
we came up with #NoveltyBroochFriday. Erin has since left the organising
up to me with her busy life it was a little too hard but I am more than happy
to organise the giveaways and meet wonderful sellers and makers of brooches and
ask them a few questions about their interests and inspirations.
And so this month, because it's a special month, Eric from LuckyPatina Vintage has so generously offered 2 brooches to give away, giving 2
people the chance to win a lovely new addition to their collections.
I have a few pieces from Eric’s shop and love his carefully
selected objects, they are so special and his knowledge of jewellery shines
through in his descriptions and photography. I have asked Eric 5 questions that
I hope give you a bit of an introduction to his shop and wonderful items he has
collected over the years.
When did you first discover your interest in vintage jewellery,
home wares and objet d'art?
I grew up surrounded by all things vintage and in a very
creative household. In my childhood
kitchen, the walls were covered with kitschy Chalkware fruit and animals; the
living room had an eclectic array of MCM to early Canadian furniture. I also have distinct memories of playing with
my Grandmother’s Modernist jewellery as a child. She traveled the world and bought a piece in
every country she visited.
My taste was really shaped by the strong women in my life.
Do you have a favourite style, material that you gravitate
towards?
I do adore Bakelite, but I also like copper and brass. I suppose what draws me in the most would be
the warm patina on all of these materials.
As for style, I would consider myself a Vintage Modernist but I tend to
lean towards an offshoot of Modernism called Brutalism. Brutalist style has a bit more warmth than the
ultra-clean Modernist style.
I do wear Pins and Brooches (mostly on special occasions), but I
like to wear a ring on a daily basis. If
I forget to put a piece of jewellery on in the morning, I feel naked all
day.
Can you tell us a few of your favourite makers/crafts people and
what it is about them you admire?
Canada in the 1960-70’s was a major contributor of
Modernist Jewellery. There are several designers
from this time period that I admire such as Rafael Alfandary, Guy Vidal and de
Passille-Sylvestre.
The Poison Apple brooch in this month’s draw was produced
by de Passille-Sylvestre in the 1970’s.
They really were the leading enamel artists of this period. Yves Sylvestre tended to do all the metal
work and Micheline de Passille worked on the design and the enamelling. Their work had no boundaries and they
explored all sorts of subject matter.
Before they became enamel artists, Micheline was studying to become a
Lab Technician and Yves was studying Geology.
I look to them as inspiration that it is never too late to follow your
true calling.
Are there any favourite brooch makers you admire?
My favourite brooch maker on Etsy would be Luxulite! Wonderful vintage inspired pieces and the
colour combinations are fantastic.
Another would be Fire the Laser on Etsy. His pieces are produced out of acrylic and
are wonderfully nerdy yet chic!
Vintage brooch designers would be Lea Stein, de
Passille-Sylvestre, Elzac, and Martha Sleeper.
All four of these designers produced some outrageous styles and are
pioneers with their materials they used.
For those looking to start their own jewellery and brooch
collections, is there any advice you could give them?
Beginner Bakelite collectors need to be understand that Bakelite
is highly addictive! You really can’t
stop at just one. There is a lot of
Faux Bakelite out there so make sure you educate yourself. Make sure you also buy what you love because
many pieces of Bakelite are one of a kind.
For the Modernist collector, collect what you love not just by
designer name. It is nice to have a big
ticket piece by a famous designer but there are many wonderful unsigned or “lesser”
designers who make just as fabulous items.
Entries can be submitted on any Friday in June up to and including Friday 27th June. I will announce the winner (randomly chosen) on Monday 30th June.
Open to everyone so get your brooches out (new or vintage) and you could have another fabulous brooch to add to your collection.
Open to everyone so get your brooches out (new or vintage) and you could have another fabulous brooch to add to your collection.
*If you are a designer or sell vintage brooches (worldwide) and wish to donate a brooch for an upcoming month and have your shop showcased, please contact me at tunabake@hotmail.com
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