Clutch bag with a Bakelite clasp. My total find from the flea market this month.

As you know, I am a huge fan of the Nashville Flea Market, and if I wasn’t working so hard at StyleBlueprint, I would spend my ever waking moment leading a grass-roots effort to SAVE THE NASHVILLE FLEA MARKET.  If you are not aware of the current state of affairs, the flea, as I affectionately call it, is closing at the end of this year.  There are many reasons to save this venerable institution in Nashville — hey, where are we gonna buy our truckloads of tube socks?  But, my main reason is this: going to the flea market is an education – a REAL education.   Where else can you learn how to care for your grandmother’s fine silver, why the Fugitive Movement began in Nashville and tips on making pickled deviled eggs?   I defy anyone to match or even come close to the various eclectic offerings in the boundaries of our beloved fairgrounds.  It’s like taking a quick trip to the Smithsonian without the airfare.

(Okay- it’s Liza now- I’m sneaking into Elizabeth’s post (ha ha ha) before she delves into Bakelite, I’m surprising her: I just started a Save the Nashville Flea Market fan page on Facebook.  It’s my present to her.  As I have never been (shock!), I really have absolutely no say in this, but Elizabeth is this market’s mother hen – even dragging the mayor there!  So here’s to you Elizabeth, I hope lots of people sign up!  click HERE to become a fan of “Save the Nashville Flea Market”!  And since I’m here, remember to come to our Consignment sale on Friday!  Click here for details. Now, back to the post!)

pretty cute, huh?

I credit the flea market with my introduction to Bakelite jewelry, as I just happened upon a wonderful seller at the flea.  What appeals to me most about Bakelite jewelry are the colors with their boldness and concentrated hues and the quirky and imaginative designs.  Oh,  just as an aside, I lust for anything opaque.  Bakelite jewelry reflects the Art Deco movement with its strong geometry and angles. The intricate carved bangles, rings and necklaces place this unusual jewelry squarely in US History

This gambler’s delight bracelet is available from Plum Charm Bracelets

Here’s a bit more info if you want to buy a piece of Bakelite jewelry:

Bakelite was invented in the early 1900’s, but became popular as jewelry during The Depression. Bakelite offered the glamorous public affordable and stylish baubles since it was crafted from – you got it – plastic.   Yes, the fantastic plastic we call Bakelite, is back on trend in a big way.  Searches online quickly produce bracelets at $5,000 and up!

Tons of colors abound with butterscotch and pea green being the most common and least expensive. With the prices skyrocketing, Bakelite is the aristocrat of all plastic jewelry.  Intricate and heavily carved bangle bracelets and pins are the most valuable.  Buyer beware: there is lots of imitation Bakelite out there, especially at the flea market.  Here is how you tell the real booty from the fakelite:

• the real deal will have a familiar clunking when two pieces are tapped together.  Fakes do not.
• there are usually no seams in the real stuff
• the true litmus test:  rub some 409 or simichrome polish on a Q-tip and then brush the inside of the piece and a yellow tint should appear on the cotton. However, apparently counterfeiters are starting to figure that one out too, so it’s not foolproof.
• If you dip your Bakelite in water and rub, there is a camphor smell.  The smell apparently the best way to tell the real from the fake.

Finally, here’s my best pearl of advice for lovers of Bakelite:  buy from a reputable dealer and wear your piece of American history proudly.

If you are intrigued by this little post about Bakelite, you may want to delve further with perhaps one of the TEN books I was able to find at Davis Kidd all about Bakelite!  Uh huh, T-E-N books.  I know you want one…..

Sources:

The Nashville Flea Market-third weekend of the month

Plum Charm Bracelets

Wonders on Woodland store in East Nashville

There is a lot of Bakelite on display at Wonders on Woodland. Bring your Q-tips, your 409, and your wallet as you will find that perfect piece.

Used to be when a woman said, “let me slip into something more comfortable”–the implication was…well, you know!  JUST THAT.

These days, however, for lots of women, getting into something more comfortable means it’s time to take off our heels.  And boy, are those heals getting higher and higher.  As the shoe designers propel us up and up (most heels now average 4″), OUR FEET ARE KILLIN’ US!

Leave  it to a couple of NYU students to come up with a solution we’ve all been waiting for:  CitySlips and AfterSoles. These two LOVED, LOVED their stilettos since both stood no taller than 5′2”, BUT after subway dashes, internships, plays and the general schlepping around one does in New York, they screamed a collective cry of  “NO MORE.”

After searching high and low for some cute “emergency footwear”, they both came up empty-handed…  still with sore feet.  These girls knew, however, they were on to a great fashion idea, so with an initial investment of $10,000 and the services of Alibaba.com, they brought CitySlips to the marketplace last June.

CitySlips are lovely, fold-able ballet flats that come in a compact carrying case retailing for just under $30. They are portable and fit into the average handbag. But, here’s the best part: CitySlips carrying case unfurls to tote those honkin’ stilettos back home with you!

Susie Levitt and Katie Shea learned the art of using every penny of their investment wisely.  They found resources like Aibaba.com, picked the brains of their profs and discovered that a down economy sometimes actually works for you.  Realizing this, these girls did not stop with CitySlips….. hello AfterSoles.

AfterSoles are every bit as clever and useful as CitySlips, but smaller. AfterSoles roll up in a case no bigger than your cell phone case with the same cute ballet shoe look.  How many weddings and black tie events have we all been to when  the band cranks up Rocky Top Tennessee and we’re too crippled to cha-cha?   Now you can grab your favorite clutch, pop in your AfterSoles for some late night dancin’.  Just as their slogan states:  Walk Tall, Dance On!

Here’s a video explaining the difference between the two concepts:

AfterSoles aren’t as supportive and substantial as CitySlips, but who cares?  They get you home from a black tie event with your feet intact.  Even better, AfterSoles cost under $20 a pair.

CitySlips and AfterSoles come in 3 colors:  black, gold and  silver and are sold through the website, www.cityslips.com and in about 30 boutiques across the US.   I can’t think of a better hostess gift, bridesmaid present or fun stocking stuffer.

And for all of you true entrepreneurs out there:  CitySlips has sold more than 6,000 pairs since June. Here’s a piece of advice both girls give to anyone considering starting their own business:

• Don’t wait for everything to be perfect- JUST START!  Taking initiative and creating momentum is essential for success.

• As an entrepreneur, the only boss you have is your customers.  It’s important to listen and take-note, because it is they who ultimately decide if your product succeeds or fails in the market place.

If you buy a pair of CitySlips or AfterSoles, then let StyleBlueprint know.  We LUV them.