Many vintage jewelry collectors refer to guilloché (pronounced gee-oh-shay and commonly anglicized as gee-oshe) as a type of enameling. The term actually refers to the process of engine turning which creates the design which shows as through the enamel in the piece. Remember the old spirograph machines you may have used as a child? This will give you a feeling of the look of a guilloché piece.

Landscape painting has its roots in Greek and Roman times when lavish landscapes were painted on the walls of luxurious villas; the subject matter was purely decorative, however. The depiction of the landscape in works of art was primarily used as a backdrop for religious paintings and portraits. During the Renaissance, landscapes gained recognition as subject matter for art. Depicting the beauty of nature as a place to be enjoyed became a popular theme.

QUESTION: I have several “Things of Science” kits which I received through the mail when I was a youngster. I tried to find information about them but have not been successful. What can you tell me about their history and value? – MP, Kempton, PA

Ceil Chapman began her career in New York, her first company was ‘Her
Ladyship Gowns’ started in 1940 with partner Gloria Vanderbilt. The
she went on to another company labeled 'A Chapman Original' which
later became simply ‘Ceil Chapman’. She was a popular, talented
designer through the early 1960's. Known for her exquisite draping
that enhanced the female form, she became a favorite among many stars

I have many old pieces of rhinestone jewelry that are commonly called "Unsigned Beauties". The majority are so well made, it's hard to believe that their manufacturer did not take the time to sign each piece out of a sense of pride for a job well done. Sadly, if any were designer made, the tags and proof are now long gone.

Of all my unsigned beauties, this one special bracelet found its way into my collection in the most unusual way.

In the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in the year 1918, an armistice was signed between the Allied nations and Germany. The United States and many other nations had been embroiled for years in a bitter battle against tyranny. This cessation of hostilities or the Treaty of Versailles would become known as the end of WWI or of the "war to end all wars." In 1938, November 11th, would be set aside as the legal federal holiday "Armistice Day". After the heavy toll taken on U.S.

This is the first in a 3 part series on the sweater maven extraordinaire, Helen Bond Carruthers. This name for vintage sellers and aficionados brings to mind breathtakingly beautiful sweaters in all manners of colors, needlework and applique work.

The world is a stage

The stage is a world of entertainment.

That’s entertainment!

—lyrics from That’s Entertainment

The season is upon us! To help kick-off the 2009 Holiday Season, we are pleased to announce a Free Listing Day for all Ruby Lane Shops. The promotion begins Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time and ends 11:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. This means that for items that you add to your shop during this period, you will not be charged the normal 30 cent listing fee (15 cents for Charter Shops). You must have a positive balance of at least $1.00 in your account to take advantage of this promotion.

Have you come across those times when your item sold too fast and you are left wondering if you priced your item too low and in so doing, cheated yourself; or were you just lucky that a buyer saw it and wanted it no matter what the price??

While I'm more experienced at this now than I was years ago, sometimes I still wonder.