We're Moving!!!

It's been a good run on Blogger, but as we grow, adapt and change some things have to go away. We're not done blogging by a long shot - but we're moving our blog to our brand new website! Check out our newest postings there and keep up with us as we move on up!

Our Final Show of the Year - Holiday Swing - Dec 5th & 6th

Plan to spend your holiday shopping time with us! Our final show of the year will be the first ever Holiday Swing - put on by the fabulous folks who run Strawberry Swing (voted one of the top 35 vintage and craft shows by Buzzfeed!). 

This event will be Friday and Saturday December 5th & 6th, held in the fabulous West Bottoms as part of the monthly First Fridays activities!

Come do your gift buying local!!

Event is being held at The Foundation - 1221 Union Ave., Kansas City, MO

Holiday Gift Guide - Vintage Gifts of Heirloom Quality

Our final Holiday Gift Guide focuses on fine jewelry pieces that are so amazing they're sure to become family heirlooms.

Fine jewelry is never a bad investment! We've been adding quality gold rings to the shop and we're excited to share them with you this holiday season. 

Engagement Rings

From the traditional diamond, to the more unique sapphire or brightly colored gemstone - a vintage engagement ring is as unique as your relationship and has stood the test of time. 

Gorgeous Cocktail Rings

Already tied the knot or just looking for a gorgeous vintage ring to add to your collection? These rings are classic, stunning and simply breathtaking! 

Don't forget to see our other Holiday Gift Guides too! Under $20, Under $50 and Under $100. 

Holiday Gift Guide - Vintage Gift Ideas Under $100

Is your gift giving budget in the $50-$100 range? We have some stunning items that would make absolutely gorgeous presents this holiday season!

Sterling Silver Rings

One of our favorite metals is sterling silver. You'll find some absolutely stunning sterling silver rings in this price range. Many of these beauties are from the 1920s and 1930s and will rock the socks off of any lady you gift them to! 

Art Deco Necklaces

At Vintage Baubles & Bits we're suckers for Art Deco jewelry and there are some beautiful works of art in the shop from this era. Delicate, intricate and heirloom-quality, these are crowd pleasers!

Our final Holiday Gift Guide will be out next week and it's sure to make you ohh and ahhh!!! Be sure to take a peek at our other guides: Under $20 and Under $50 for even more gift ideas!

Holiday Gift Guide - Vintage Gift Ideas Under $50

In part two of our Holiday Gift guide we share some gorgeous gift ideas in the $20-$50 range. These beauties are sure to please!

Costume Necklaces

Nothing is more versatile than a necklace! Make an outfit go from ho-hum to fabulous with one of our lovely pendant necklaces.  Or try one of our classic choker style selections. We've got colors from sleek to bold and styles from the petite and delicate to the big and eye catching! 

Pendants:

Chokers:

Purses, Handbags and Clutches

Nothing completes an outfit quite like a handbag! From the simple clutch that's perfect for your Holiday party to fun 60s standouts - vintage purses are chic and classic!

Rings

Both men and women can rock vintage rings. From basic metals to sterling silver, you'll find many selections under $50 in the shop that are sure to please. 

Up next is our under $100 gift guide that will highlight gift ideas in the $50-$100 range. If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to take a peek at our Under $20 Gift Guide too!

Holiday Gift Guide - Vintage Gift Ideas Under $20

It's that time of year! The holidays are fast approaching and whether you celebrate Hanukah, Christmas or Kwanza - vintage is a great gift idea for anyone on you list!

I'll be posting a series of gift ideas from Vintage Baubles & Bits that fall within price ranges for any budget - providing you with tons of options that are sure to bring smiles to those you love!

Here is my $20 and under gift guide:

Brooches

Almost every brooch in the shop is in the under $20 range and make wonderful gifts!

Here are just a few ways you can utilize a vintage brooch:

1. Put it as the bow on your holiday gift wrapping
2. Provide coordinating ribbons so your gift recipient can make their own necklaces
3. Create a custom necklace with two necklaces and a brooch (see ideas here)
4. Attach a brooch to a head band or hair elastics for an elegant touch
5. Give a brooch with a scarf as a lovely combination present

See other fabulous ways to wear brooches in our 10-part series on brooches.




Earrings

The shop is filled with earring selections all under $20. From 80s fun neon colors, to elegant rhinestones, we have something in every style you can imagine. If you love clip and screwback earrings we have a lot to choose from! They make great gifts for little girls, friends and loved ones without pierced ears and for folks who just love vintage style.











Ties

What man doesn't need a large selections of awesome ties? Most of the ties in the shop are $8-15, including some of our killer Mad Men style silk ties! You'll find a wide variety of styles, colors and prints all at great deals!






Stay tuned for the next edition of the Holiday Guide where we'll focus on gift ideas between $20-$50.

For the Guys - Swank, A History

If you’re a collector of men’s vintage jewelry and accessories then you’ve more than likely have a few (or many!) Swank pieces in your possession. Swank began creating men’s and women’s costume jewelry in 1897, when it went by the name of Attleboro Manufacturing Company, named after it’s location in Attleboro, Mass. The company was started by Samuel Stone and Maurice Baer. The company began making men’s pieces starting in 1908, but they didn’t decide to focus only on men’s pieces until shortly after World War I. During the war the company created dog tags for the U.S. military and it was this shift in manufacturing that led the company to specialize in men’s jewelry. The most notable pieces developed by Swank are cufflinks.  The first line of cufflinks created by Swank were called Kum-a-Part, for their unique snap closure. Cufflinks started to become popular again in the 1920s when manufacturers started to develop pairs of cufflinks that were easy to insert and remove. Swank took advantage of these manufacturing changes and became a powerhouse in the cufflink market. During the 1960s when wearing cufflinks was at its peak in men’s fashion Swank was producing 12 million pairs a year. You can find Swank cufflinks in every shape, size and style imaginable! After the company had success with their Kum-a-Part line and experienced a huge manufacturing increase, they changed their name, officially becoming Swank Products, Inc. in 1936. In 1941 they had a third company change and shorted the name to just Swank, Inc. Starting in the 1950s the brand began to acquire other companies and styles of manufacturing, expanding into leather goods and other men’s accessories. Making them a leader in men’s fashion and style. In the 1980s the brand had a change of heart and began offering women’s jewelry again, mostly under the label Anne Klein. This foray back into women’s costume jewelry was short lived and once again the company does not make women’s jewelry, making Swank’s women’s pieces a little more collectible due to the relative rarity. The company still operates their men’s line today and also creates private labels for designers such as Claiborne, Guess, Geoffrey Beene, Kenneth Cole, Nautica and Tommy Hilfiger.  In 2012 they were purchased by Randa Accessories and continue to produce affordable, fashionable men’s jewelry and accessories.