As my daughters and I languished in the hot tub this past Victoria Day holiday weekend (Canada), the last thing on my mind was jewelry. The night air was crisp, the hot tub was a hot 105 degrees, and the Panama Jack over ice tasted very nice indeed.

In the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt, the use of the dung beetle (also called: scarab) as a symbol became common. The dung beetle's rolling of dung into a ball was seen as an earthly symbol of the heavenly cycle. Cut in bone, ivory, stone, Egyptian faience, or precious metals they were often incorporated into tombs, as grave goods, or given as 'gifts'. Over centuries till our days, to people with a fascination for the art and beliefs of ancient Egypt, the scarab is an item of popular interest.

If you're anything like me, you're always trying to think up ways to market your lovely vintage costume jewelry. We hope collectors will want our designer pieces. We look for buyers who share our delight in fabulous fakes and retro glitz. But there's a market out there that doesn't quickly spring to mind until that market suddenly finds you. And that's what's happened to me twice in the past year.

“Hi Judith, The necklace and earrings are BEAUTIFUL... I have them on right now, and, they do make one (especially me) feel very feminine and pretty. A good thing right now as I am recovering from a mastectomy.”

That quote comes from an email I recently received from one of my customers. It started me thinking about the positive effect a new piece of jewelry can have for a woman.

It looked innocent enough.  An article in our local newspaper advertising an upcoming flea market that would be held over a three-day period.  Only a small cover charge and I could spend a few hours browsing the colorful and glass-covered tables looking for those elusive Fire King Tulip bowls. Long before I had discovered online shopping, I had been searching without success for a set of these special mixing bowls that were identical to the ones I fondly remembered at my grandfather's house securely tucked behind his glass kitchen cupboards.

What exactly is "End of Day" Bakelite, and which pieces are true, "End of Day" pieces? Many dealers and collectors often make mistakes when trying to identify these Bakelite pieces. "End of Day" was a phrase used by glass collectors and has its origin in old-fashioned Yankee thrift. Producing many batches of various colors of glass in the art of glass making was expensive in terms of energy and materials that were used.

There are so many skilled artisans who are able to re-create vintage and antique pieces that it is often with trepidation that buyers are willing to spend their money. Although purchasing can be a lovely impulse sometimes having some knowledge in the back of one’s head can come in handy. So here are a few tips.

I recently purchased several items from a Ruby Lane shop. Shortly after payment, a note came saying the owner was unable to locate one of the jewelry sets, but was sending the rest. A few days later, another note said she had found it. I can honestly say that as a shop owner, this has never happened to me.

As a vintage jewelry enthusiast, sterling silver makes up a very small portion of my jewelry collection. I usually go for the bling of colorful rhinestones or the sparkle of genuine gemstones set in gold. Over the years, I have kept only a few of my sterling silver pieces.  I still have my high school graduation ring along with a lovely engraved locket that was the only gift I can remember receiving from my grandfather.

Have you ever, while standing in line awaiting entrance to an estate sale, wondered to yourself, “Is this really worth it? Can there possibly be anything worth freezing my buns off for in this sad-looking place?” Or maybe it’s after you’ve stopped at the umpteenth yard sale, with nothing to show for a days’ hunting but a depleted gas tank, when you are tempted to just keep driving and go for an ice cream, calling it a day?