Free Junk Journal Antique Ephemera and Mixed Media Art Supplies Resources

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is, "Where do you find your supplies?" That is usually followed a few nice statements such as "your items are so unique, I wish I could find original ephemera it is so hard to fin, WOW how old is that, you are so lucky"... and so on. I adore the reactions but I like sharing the resources I use more and in several cases giving aways actual ephemera bits and bobs to those happy people.  

Here are some of our videos that provided you with where I find my supplies for FREE or for very little money.  Keep in mind 95% of what I use for my creation are REAL - AUTHENIC - ORIGINAL pieces.  I then convert or use them in my projects.  Ergo, new items sold for Junk Journal makers are things I use rarely. 

Top 4 Benefits of Using Original Items are:

1. There is no need to fake faux it till you make it. 

       Although it can be fun there is no need to artificially age paper.  There's no need to use stickers as your primary décor.. etc. Nothing takes the place of a real aged paper item, leaves from outside your backdoor, real photographs you colorize, library book pockets that were really used from discarded books, authentic postcards complete with cancellations and stamps, patina on metals plus more.

2.  Recycle, upcycle and reuse.

      Believe it or not people are happy for you to save items from landfills, especially when you show them your artwork and the possible new life you can bring by recycling via art.

3.  FREEBIES. 

      There's a lot of free supplies out there.  There really is very little need to spend money to find great items.  After awhile, your problem will be not to hoard the items but share them with others if you are not using them. 

4.   You have more nice original items in your home and your family's than you think. 

      Go through your home and collect everything from buttons, bits of jewelry, ephemera, metal bits, ribbons, old books and stuff.  Ask family and friends for items you can use.

NOTE: Before getting creative see our Blog titled:

 Is It Wrong to Use Authentic

Antique Vintage Ephemera to Create Junk Journals & Other Artworks?

The videos featured here are all about acquiring supplies of all types for FREE!

Just click on the photos below to be taken to the video 📹. 

6 Quick Free Resources for Junk Journal Mixed Media Art Supplies 

1920's to 1960's

29 Free Superior Ephemera Resources 

Victorian Era to Today

Ephemera Bits and Bobs Free Supplies via Sharing

Free Junk Journal Mixed Media Supplies 

You Can Swap for Instead of Purchasing

I would like to hear from you.  Please comment on the video(s) you watch with your ideas for obtaining or trading for free supplies.  I promise to reply. 😊

We'd enjoy hearing from you.  

😊

Contact Information:

Mail: 

The Velvet Lounge Life 

c/o Merry Garrett

P O Box 698 

Tolland, CT 06084

USA

Email: 

themerriest1@gmail.com

Visit Our Social Media Links for Bonus Content and Extras:

YouTube The Velvet Lounge Life

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Facebook The Velvet Lounge Life

All contents and photos of this Blog are owned, provided and taken by Merry Garrett unless otherwise noted. 

 

12 Fast Ways to Identify Antique Vintage Higher Quality Costume Jewelry

12 Fast Ways to Identify Antique Vintage 

Higher Quality Costume Jewelry

These are the questions and statements you should ask yourself before doling out your hard-earned cash for something that might just be really inexpensive and never will gain in value. 

1. Are the stones claw set or glued in?

The preference would be for claw set stones. The oldest pieces of costume jewelry are made that way. Yes, some designers are using the claw set method. However, more modern pieces simply have the rhinestones pearls or whatever glued in. It is a quick, easy, cheap way to add decoration to a piece of costume jewelry. 

2. Can you see glue or solder that is sloppily left behind?

Okay, this simply speaks of quality or lack thereof. If the piece is made messily or very cheap of course quality control will not be number one on the list. Those pieces of jewelry probably were made as quick throwaways but in some cases survived. 

3. Although this is not always an indicator of quality because some high quality designers did not sign their pieces; Is the jewelry signed AKA Hallmark by the designer? You can easily research designers/makers of costume jewelry to see which are the creme de la creme versus the more domestic pieces. There are costume jewelry pieces that can command hundreds of dollars and others that only command a few. 

NOTE: An example, Juliana pieces many times are not signed. However, if you find those types of pieces at a good price snap them up really fast. The quality is evident if you use some of the tips that I am sharing. 

4. Are the stones clear or cloudy? 

Some stones are set with a foil behind them which gives them a really brilliant shine. That is usually an indicator of quality but when the stones are cloudy usually that means they are probably made a plastic and got heated up at some point or they just were poorly cut and set in the first place. 

Pictured: Beautiful clear sparkling rhinestones strung throughout on metal chains with a decorated clasping system. c. 1940's - 1950's.

5. Some people classify sterling silver under the costume jewelry category. If you find pieces that are affordable that are actual sterling silver snap those up too. Sterling silver is third to platinum Gold and then sterling after that is copper. If I found anything set in those particular metals and the prices were reasonable I would definitely consider purchasing if they fit my collection. Most costume jewelry is made with selter, tins, steel, and other non precious metals. That is normal however if the metal is very thin that is a lesser quality piece. Of course if there's flaking and loss of color to the metal or verdigris that may be something that you would want to walk away from. 

6. What type of pearls did the designer use? This sort of relates to #9 below but because faux pearls were a favorite of designers deserved its own attention. In the 1960's and older pearls were a status symbol or a symbol that one had arrived or was taking next big steps. Therefore, they were incredibly popular and if you could not afford the real thing faux products became easy imposters when made well.  Most sea pearls and baroque pearls are relatively inexpensive. You want to find costume jewelry pieces that use those particular stones versus plastic pearl beads or plastic coated faux pearls. 

7. Is the metal casting clean, finished and seamless?  Figural jewelry that is cast - meaning it has no additions to it, should have a clean casting and you should not be able to see any seams or lines whereas the metal was poured into a mold. All parts of the jewelry should be smooth and seamless.

8. How does the jewelry clasps or close (if applicable)? The lowest quality pieces will have the most inexpensive clasps and closures. Some will be made of metal that is such poor quality that they will break easily or will not hold meaning loss of the jewelry.

9. What type of materials were used?  Plastic versus glass, semi-precious stones, clay, bone, woods. I tend to stay away from plastics. There are enough pieces out there that were and still are being made with higher quality materials such as those I listed above which would be better additions to your collections and for resale.

10. How was the enamel applied?  Was it fired on or poured enamel versus painted on? Enamel can be a tricky creature. If you drop the piece the enamel can crack. The stronger enamel will be fired on after it's poured or will be simply a poured enamel that hardens. Painted on enamel tends to chip. 

11. Do the mechanical and or functional parts work correctly and easily? Make sure the jewelry operates correctly. Too many times I've seen people purchase an item and then they have trouble with the clasp, if there's supposed to be movement to it such as danglers it does not dangle as it should, those are collect mechanical costume jewelry want to make sure those cool mechanics actually work without effort. If a ring is supposed to be adjustable can you easily adjust it or does it start to make it cracking sound or feels like it's cracking. 

12. How was the jewelry strung?  Pay attention to the material that was used for the stringing. Example in some cases animal sinews were used, cotton strings, silk string, nylon strings and metal chains. The chains would have been made of semi-precious, precious or non-precious materials. Pictured is a aurora Borealis crystal triple strand 1930s necklace with metal linked chain stringing. Metal is less likely to break, wear out or need restringing making it the better of materials for that task.

FAQs

Q. What is casting of metal 

A. Hot metal poured into a mold. 

Q.  What is verdigris?

A.  Their degrees is a disease that occurs with non-precious metals. Usually it occurs because of water, condensation, alcohols, perfumes and colognes have been in contact with the metal. It turns the metal a greenish color which can impact your other non-precious metal pieces. Ergo you need to remove that piece from your collection. Just like rust it is damage. 

Edwardian Era Crime & Punishment Meets Trader Joe's ❓❓❓

Greetings fellow aficionados...
Yes, I previously revealed Trader Joe's as one of my ephemera sources for junk journals.

Trader Joe's has a new series of Edwardian era Crime & Punishment labels on the Pinot Noir - 😮! 

Sharing #junkjournal happiness and a little bit of ghoulishly Halloween earliness, sort of.

7 - Tips for removing labels. 

1. Remove the contents from the bottle or jar. Wash it but be gentle on the label. 

NOTE: If you don't remove the contents rust might form underneath metal lids and or seep into the container. You will not be able to use the contents safely. 

2. Prepare a deep dish or pan with cold water and add a couple small drops of Dawn dishwashing liquid. 

3. Place the label face down into the deepest depths of the water solution. 

4. Allowed to soak for at least 4 hours or more. 

5. After 4 hour test to see if you can easily remove the label by starting at a corner and  gently peeling back the label. Start in the corner that will cause the least amount of destruction to the label. The label should easily peel or slide off without any resistance. 

6. If there is resistance soak another couple hours and repeat until the label comes free from the bottle or jar. 

7. Place the label on a dry paper towel face DOWN and allowed it to air completely before storing or using. 

Is It Wrong to Use Authentic Antique Vintage Ephemera to Create Junk Journals & Other Artworks?

            Is It Wrong to Use Authentic 

Antique Vintage Ephemera to Create Junk Journals & Other Artworks?

Welcome back to THE VELVET LOUNGE LIFE.  Please check us out on YouTube for videos, see the COMMUNITY tab for added content and say HELLO in the comments - I enjoy reading them with my tea every morning!  CLICK HERE FOR: The Velvet Lounge Life on YouTube

Ok. YYYYEEEESSSSSS! I am guilty of using antique photos, postcards, advertising, articles, almanacs, book parts and pieces and other naughty bits and bobs in my artwork from creating boxes to Junk Journals and everything else. I have used items dating from the mid 1700's to the 1990's. Oh and I do not frown upon modern day ephemera either. 

It is incredibly rare for me to use anything brand new or purchased "on purpose".  I like found items more than any other resources.  Secondly, I am ok with purchasing bunches of old (i.e. Antique and Vintage) ephemeral treats.  Uh huh, my rules of artistic Junk Journal fun are simple.  I enjoy the engagement of the hunt for these treasures and WOW has it been successful!

Right now, I am giving a tour of a Scrapbook FULL of ephemera that dates from the late 1700's to the 1890's.  There are hundreds upon hundreds of jewels in the book.  I created a series of  YouTube videos whereas you can join the journey with me.  I am trying to figure out what to do with the book and or its contents.  Keep it together or break it up. What should I do with the content (or entire book) - sell it, publish it some how?  What would you do? I really want to know. 

Here is a list of the Victorian Ephemera Scrapbook YouTube videos published so far. There are 5 or 6 more videos to come. 

          Victorian Ephemera Scrapbook Tour Part 1

          Victorian Ephemera Scrapbook Tour Part 2

          Victorian Ephemera Scrapbook Tour Part 3

Below are my top 7 rules for NOT using or altering authentic antique ephemera.  

1. Historical significance.

      Museums are full of finds of historical significant materials. You must do your research before alerting anything.  That wee bit might be something very important or lost to history, now found. 

2. Rarity.

      Rare, one of a kind - terms that may be over used but once again, do your research before changing anything. Make connections with those that know more than you do and become educated. 

3. Unusual materials.

      Bakelite, Vellum, Catalan, Coltrock, Celluloid, Tinsel, Old Fashion Glitter, Faux Snow and other materials no longer produced may be addon to greeting cards, advertising and paper products maybe things you don't want to change.

4. Condition. 

      If an item is ripped, torn, missing pieces, stained and has minimal value why not use it.  

5. Subject matter.

      Certain subject matter regardless of value or other factors may not be something one should change.  Example, if you find Antique or Vintage Halloween items KEEP THEM.  They are highly desirable.  There are many other areas too but that Blog will be one I publish in the future. 

6. Value.

      You need to be comfortable with value.  If an item is worth $25 are you ok gluing, cutting, adding on to it whereas it will lose that value. I always have a dollar amount in mind that I am comfortable with.  I suggest you do the same.  What is your value comfort level?  It is ok for it to be $5 or less or more.  I do not believe there is any incorrect answer.  Sometimes happiness is worth more and sometimes practicality is worth more. 

7.  Heirlooms.

      Your history is just as important as any other.  I like meaningful heirlooms that others can identify what they are 60 years from now.  Ergo, Aunt Jean's photograph should have her name, location and a date on the back at a minimum.  That Prince concert ticket from his Sign O The Times Tour should have a note with it documenting who used the ticket and the list goes on. Every year we find 10's of thousands of lovingly saved items like that and others headed for landfills simply because of lack of description the family's connection is lost.

Who is this handsome fellow? This photo  is from approximately c. 1880 with no name or identityfing information. 

🛑 NOTE: When in doubt contact professionals that can provide you with educated opinions about your findings. Resources such as historical societies, museums, college history department, books, subject matter specific magazines and of course internet research may be able to assist you. 

We'd enjoy hearing from you.  

😊

Contact Information:

Mail: 

The Velvet Lounge Life 

c/o Merry Garrett

P O Box 698 

Tolland, CT 06084

USA

Email: 

themerriest1@gmail.com

Visit Our Social Media Links for Bonus Content and Extras:

YouTube The Velvet Lounge Life

Whatnot The Velvet Lounge Life

Instagram The Velvet Lounge Life

Facebook The Velvet Lounge Life

All contents and photos of this Blog are owned, provided and taken by Merry Garrett unless otherwise noted. 

Display Your Generational Creations

Antique Vintage Buttons bits and bobs formed into Tribute Charmstings for Grandmother, my mother, me and my daughter; representing 4 generations meets a Giant Junk Journal titled #Ancestors filled with authentic old ephemera, heirlooms and memories.

Too many times we have beautiful creations in our homes that are put away and never seen unless it's a rare occasion. Be brave display this item so that they can be enjoyed every day for decades and decades to come. 

https://youtube.com/@TheVelvetLoungeLife 

Welcome to a land of Button Collecting Antiques Designer Jewelry Unique Junk Journals Ephemera and other happiness.

WELCOME to The Velvet Lounge Life....

Greetings! My name is Merry. I enjoy nature, antiques, creating mixed media art from ephemera and found bits and bobs, my large button collection that dates back generations, creating junk journals and too much more. Each week or so I upload videos on YouTube whereas you can join in the adventures and weirdness that is my life as I explore and share those worlds. Everyone is welcome just click (it's 💯% always free) "THE VELVET LOUNGE LIFE" link to subscribe: 

                SUBSCRIBE via YouTube

Here's a Junk Journal feature I invented, "Medallions" made from paper cups, broken jewelry, real ephemera, bits and bobs. Here's how to create your own click this link for the tutorial video:

Create Junk Journal Feature - Medallions

Pictured: Junk Journal Medallions created by Merry

I like little things especially if they are odd, antique, vintage or interesting. How many items can you identify in this photo❓👀

Are you a Button Collector too??? If you are W😯W- I have an amazing treat for you of almost 100 videos about the history, folklore, descriptions, values, how to's and projects regarding all things button related.

ENJOY this Playlist click the link here: 

        Antique Vintage Button Videos

Another area I've been collecting since I was a child is Designer Costume Jewelry. Imagine swimming backwards in a sea of rhinestones over a rainbow mountain of enamel, semi precious stones, rhinestones and sparkles. That's how vast the collection is. Let's share, chat and enjoy. This Playlist is full of happiness 😊 click  here for a bunch of videos: 

Vintage Antique Designer Jewelry Videos

Pictured:  1950's Enameled Black & Orange Big Beauty Brooch.

Everyone has a bit of creative inside them. I have an overload of creative joy. Junk Journal Mixed Media Art is a wonderful way to express yourself. I use REAL AUTHENTIC antique, vintage and retro ephemera in my creations. It makes these bits of history treasures you can add to for generations. This Playlist includes how to create unique features for your junk journals, where to source materials mostly for free, my method for creating junk journals, tools of the art, how to use non-paper items in your junk journal such as jewelry, small collectibles and other bits and bobs. Also, I give away my junk journals and ephemera so that you can join in the fun. 

Here's our YouTube Playlist:

Junk Journal Mixed Media Art Videos How To's & Flip Throughs

Pictured: Junk Journal Mixed Media Art Cover by Merry Garrett "The Secret Introduction" 2022

 

I could go on and on but let's keep some juicy bits for the next Blog. You can contact me using the information below and see the descriptions of our YouTube videos for more information as well as secret juicy tidbits just for you. 

Mail: 

The Velvet Lounge Life 

c/o Merry Garrett

P O Box 698 

Tolland, CT 06084

USA

E: themerriest1@gmail.com

Social Media:

♥️ YouTube

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