Tales from the Flea Market – Episode 2 – Jewels of Alameda – First Sunday in February

Vintage Indie is happy to welcome Cindy Cooper as our newest
Guest Contributor. She'll be joining us for "Tales From the Flea
Market" a new series sharing real life stories of trips to the flea
market. Cindy Cooper is also a vintage jewelry aficionado and would
love to help answer your vintage jewelry questions.

It’s the first Sunday of the month – ALAMEDA here I come! This time I’m going to take a spin around to find some impressive jewels and upcoming adornment trends.
First basic thing to realize is that all jewelry belongs to a vintage or era and many pieces shown at Alameda span the past 100+ years – all eras are represented from Victorian to Deco to Dime Store. I find that most of us have an attraction to a certain era that can become the basis for choosing, collecting and wearing jewelry.

My first stop is immediately through the front gate on the left on the corner of Row A.  This is quite literally an over filled Champs-Elysées-like Magasin de Bijou. A jewel box of history! I’m breathless trying to get a glimpse of all the lavishly filled cases of amazing and decadent JEWELS from late 1800’s England to the 1920’s deco era.  Radiance.

 

Left Corner of Row A, Just through the Entrance Gates – Jewelry Feast.

Row C – Mathilde Poulat circa 1930’s necklace, earrings and ring set with turquoise and amethyst teardrops

After being overwhelmed with the decadence of deco and then the jubilance of Mathilde, I settle down for a moment to focus in on what I see as the next trend.

 Penny is the expert in award medals and medallions especially equestrian honors – end of Row B – far right-hand corner

Today, many jewelry designers are mixing the award medal and medallion elements and influences into bracelets (like charms but better), rings and necklaces which can all be “decorated” with these versatile embellishments. They look incredibly regal and with reasonable price points (starting at $35) wearing more than one for added impact is financially possible plus they make a great clang-y sound when many are worn together.  George on the corner of Row B, best known for his typewriter key and watch casing bracelets, has now added medals, lockets and findings to his clever line-up.  Pure wrist dazzle.

Also trend wise – religious medals are making a strong appearance as are vintage rosaries – typically the vintage rosaries exhibit several types of beads some with milk and art glass, mother of pearl, semi-precious stones, carved woods all with elegantly designed metal fixtures and of course the  pièce de la resistance, the elaborate crucifix. 

Little Gems – Guild Lady-like Handbags

On this brilliant day one of the unexpected finds was Guild Original Handbags and a gal named Debra on Row G. Debra has collected, I’m guessing, 60+ bags all with the Guild label and all in perfect condition.  Apparently there is no history on this brand.  I even spent a bit trying to dig up something, anything, on these little gems but no luck. The quality and designs are exquisite, mostly made in black wool crepe with gold or enamel closure, handles and trim.  There are also some with added sparkle with rhinestones, seed pearls and beads – price points range from $40-150.  Oh I love love love these.  So glamour, so glamour.

On this day, I also spotted the great $5.00 table at the end of Row L. All the jewelry is really $5.00 and they have a mixed bag of dime-store trinkets from the 60’s and 70’s.  I purchased an exceptionally long strand of black pearls for… $5.00!  Along the way, I also snapped up a tiny gold-filled locket for $10 and a pair of gold drop earrings for $22.00. I discovered Lucite jewelry and box purses from the 60’s which were very intriguing as was the Bakelite Lady who, I swear on my new $5.00 pearls, has every color of Bakelite ever made – a truly marvelous sighting. 

Stay Tuned – Tales from the Flea Market will next hunt for fabrics, textiles and embellishments and take in what’s being loaded up at the loading zone.

About the Flea Market – Alameda
The Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire or simply “Alameda” if you are in the know, offers a stunning array of vintage finds from jewels to furniture to collectibles and everything and I do mean everything in between.
I’ve been foraging Alameda for about eight years with stunning success and much happiness.  I love everything about this monthly event -  the wares, the people, the typically cold weather and the view of San Francisco Bay Bridge and skyline. This market is second only to the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena! Fabulous.