Lost in Yonkers: Bakelite Comes Home Again

In June of 2010, I had the opportunity of attending Bakelite’s “return home” --  back to the city where it was founded -- to its hometown of Yonkers, New York.

The special exhibit “Bakelite in Yonkers: Pioneering the Age of Plastics”, was housed at the Hudson River Museum, traveling from Amsterdam, a former home of Belgian founder Leo H. Baekeland, to the place of its invention and birth.

The egg shaped Bakelizer, 1909

.

Overlooking the majestic banks of the Hudson River, the museum  provided an overall look at the synthetic plastics industry from its inception, with focus on brand name Bakelite as its most famous product.

Colorful displays of the aged thermoset plastics in every size, shape, and function, were exhibited throughout the large and spacious hall.

Touted as “The Material of a Thousand Uses”, there were utilitarian objects such as car parts, typewriters, and cooking bowls, as well as vanity items including hair combs, make up sets, and carved "gems" of rings, bracelets, necklaces, brooches, and every imaginable kind of plastic jewelry.

“You can’t melt it, burn it, or bend it”, echoed the 1930's voice, from an early promotional movie reel.

No longer "lost" and since rediscovered by a new generation of vintage loving Bakelite aficionados, the popular exhibit has long since returned to Amsterdam, while a myriad of Bakelite products continue to be appreciated and enjoyed today. 

Here is a fine sampling of vintage Bakelite jewelry offered by Vintage Fashion Guild members.

Vintage 40s Carved Amber Bakelite Hand Tussie Mussie Pin Brooch

by Glad Rags & Curios on Ruby Lane

40's Vintage Red Carved Bakelite Earrings

by MorningGlorious on Etsy   

Mid-Century Bakelite and Laminated Wood Demi-Parure

by Linn’s Collection on Ruby Lane

 




Large Vintage Carved Black Bakelite and Rhinestone Swordfish Sailfish Pin Brooch

by PinkyAGoGo on Etsy

1940s Vintage Butterscotch Bakelite Horse Head Pin

by Falls Avenue Vintage Fashion on Ruby Lane












Written by Laura Milera, Metro Retro Vintage

Dress It Up With Dress Clips

A selection of clips from the author's collection.

What was once a “must have” fashion accessory during the 30's and 40's, is today largely forgotten – the one time ubiquitous dress clip.

From fine and elegant rhinestones to whimsical bakelite and wooden figurals, vintage dress clips continue to be some of the most versatile jewelry around.

Basic Types

There are two basic categories of clips, depending on their metal findings or mechanism used for gripping fabrics -- dress clips and fur clips, however they are essentially the same in purpose.

Other traditional types of clips may include shoe clips, scarf clips, and hinged hair clips.

A Unique Touch

Dress clips can be worn in pairs or singly, on dresses, coats, hats, belts, or even on a purse strap.  Clip them onto a shirt pocket or add one to a tied scarf – you’ll soon find a multitude of ways to wear these wonderful adornments.

Ann Sheridan wears a pair of rhinestone dress clips to one side
in "The Man Who Came to Dinner" (1942).

 

A Few Tips To Keep In Mind

* Be sure to check the tension of the metal clip.  When lifting the back, there should be a bit of resistance at first and then it should open freely.

When closing, the clip should snap back into place and maintain a firm grip on the clothing.

Norma Shearer wears a single clip on a jacket collar
as a bold statement piece in "The Women" (1939).

* The metal back of a dress clip will have small "teeth" for gripping clothing, while the back of a fur clip will have two sharp prongs for gripping heavier weight fabrics.
  
* Oftentimes, small sized dress clip sets are confused for earrings (ouch!) at sales, so when shopping, be sure to look through any earring selections.

 * Never immerse into liquid cleaner.  The clip back is often comprised of a metal alloy, and can rust over time.

* Clean with a soft polishing cloth if necessary or use a soft toothbrush to carefully “dust” around stones.


Written by Laura Milera, Metro Retro Vintage

1940s Vintage Fall Fashion Show ~ VFG Etsy Treasury

'1940s Vintage Fall Fashion Show' by EndlessAlley

Look fabulous this fall with a dash of vintage 1940s!

40s Two Tone Grey W... denisebrain $43.00	Collectible Vintage... PinkyAGoGo $125.00	Vintage Bakelite 19... metroretrovint... $60.00	1940s Peep Toe Shoe... decotodiscovin... $44.00
Vintage 1940s 40s H... alleycatsvinta... $44.00	Brown suede oxfords... kickshaw $45.00	1940s Dress Pattern... FlanneryCrane $12.00	Vintage 1940s Hourg... Catbooks1940s $195.00
Vintage 40s Red Gol... TheSpectrum $65.00	Red and Green Butto... MorningGloriou... $18.00	40s Dress - ICED BR... jumblelaya $98.00	1940s 40s Tie Bubbl... wyogems $60.00
40s Deitsch Crocodi... JoulesVintage $128.00	Paisley Print Vinta... FastEddiesRetr... $65.00	Vintage 1940'S ... sewingmachineg... $25.99	Vintage 40s Black C... VintageDevotio... $129.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Fresh Vintage from the VFG - May 3rd - May 9th

Fresh Vintage from the VFG - May 3rd - May 9th

 A few fresh offerings from some of our VFG members this week.

1940s Deco Leaf Design Black Corde Purse from Marian's Vanities Clothing

50s Crinoline Vintage Pastel Rainbow Ombre Tiered Net Pink Blue Yellow at MagsRags

Striped cotton 1950s Halter Neck Sun Top at VivaVintageClothing

 

1970s Unworn Vintage Short Shorts Hot Pants at Bettes Bargains Vintage

60s Malihini Tangerine Orange Floral Shift Dress at JoulesVintage

If you would like to see more of our Fresh Vintage offerings this week, please just click on the following link..
More VFG Fresh Vintage this week

 

 

Fresh Vintage November 17 - 30 2011

This is a two week edition of Fresh Vintage, the weekly VFG forum thread where trade members post their best new listings, gathering highlights from multiple websites for savvy shoppers to enjoy. Let's get this party started!

First up, an amazing Edwardian tea gown from one of VFG's newest members, Noble Savage Vintage

Living Doll Vintage recently listed this pretty Swirl dress.

And look at this fabulous faux leopard 1960s envelope purse, new at Alley Cats

PastPerfect Vintage has this wonderful striped 50s Irene suit newly listed at her website

And a gorgeous 40s snakeskin bag, and it's purple! Fresh at The Spectrum

If you'd like to get a head start on next week's Fresh Vintage blog post, you can check out this week's thread HERE.

Fresh Vintage, The Catch Up Edition: Sept 15 - Oct 12 2011

That's catch up, not ketchup! Most of the delay was yours truly getting a bit under water. No excuses, just a fabulosity filled look at the last three week's worth of Fresh Vintage.

It's cashmere sweater weather, and this Dalton is a sweet one, offered by Bijou Vintage

Joules recently listed this cherry red 60s veleveteen coat by Marguerite Rubel.

This 50s cocktail dress is plus sized - check it out at Vintage Visage

Linn has some beautiful vintage jewelry listings newly posted at Linnscollection.com, including these emerald and peridot rhinestone eaarings by Juliana

The Merchants of Vintage recently listed several vintage designer goodies, including this 80s Kenzo skirt.

Another Time Antiques added this 50s suede narrow brimmed fedora to her shop, complete with its original box.

This spectacular Pucci evening dress is among the newest offerings at Viva Vintage.

A fabulous example of 1950s designer couture, this Pierre Balmain undergarment (can we say underwear as outerware?) can be found at Poppys Vintage

And The Spectrum recently added this adorable 1940s full skirt to her available wares.

That's it for now. To see all the new listings shown previewed over these past three weeks, head over to the Vintage Fashion Guild forums and go to the Sneal Previews section. Happy shopping!

Fresh Vintage Mega Edition August 11 to 31, 2011

OK, I admit it, I got a little behind... But that means I get to show you a lot of fabulous goodies from VFG's trade members!

First up, Crinoline Girl always has some amazing undergarments, including this rare spoon busk corset, already snapped up by a speedy shopper.

Past Perfect Vintage recently listed this lovely 1850s mid-Victorian bonnet.

Meanwhile, Denisebrain auctioned off this 1940s suit, hat, and suede gloves, all in purple.



If you're considering a vintage wedding, you'll want to check out this liquid satin 1940s wedding gown at Some Like It Vintage

Bijou Vintage just sold this early 1950s Trifari pin

This teens/Edwardian embroidered dress is from Vintage Devotion

This chic 1940s velvet hat with feather accent is a new listing at Morning Glorious

This fun 1980s party dress is available from Circa Vintage, one of our Australian members.

And Another Time Vintage, aka BetteBeGood, recently listed this 1930s woven belt with art deco buckle

Whew!! We're caught up on Fresh Vintage highlights. If you want to catch all the offerings before they're sold, check out this week's Fresh forum thread