BAKELITE BEAUTIES, A COPPER CUFF, AND A WALLET NAMED TERRY...

When I started my vacation this summer, I knew I would be searching for that perfect red carved Bakelite bangle...just one, was all I was hoping for.  Not only did I recently find one, but I ended up with two!  OK, two red ones, and a handful of others that I could not bear to leave behind...yes, apparently I do seem to have a small problem with the thermoset plastic baubles of yesteryear.  Don't judge - I could have far worse vices, living where I do!

Yellows, caramel, deep brown, red...it didn't seem to matter this trip.  Carved, smooth, double laminated...I believe I picked up a little of everything.  It's a good thing "stacking" bracelets is "IN" this season!

This SPECTACULAR find came into my possession before leaving on vacation, actually.  Painstakingly hand-etched (all of the carved Bakelite bangles were sliced from blanks and then hand carved/sculpted, so no two are identical, ever) with a tiny honeycomb pattern across the entire face of the bracelet, and then carved with 12 sets of bee's wings -  I LOVE this one!

This fabulous double-laminated green/gold bangle was found in an antique store in Florence, CO.  All Bakelite bangles have developed beautiful patinas over the past 75+ years - this one is a pale chartreuse/pea green and the typical mustard color you see so much - two bracelets in one, really.  The laminates are harder to come across - this was a very lucky day, even if we didn't make it to Cripple Creek because I missed the sign (OK, I admit it, Dad).

Along with the "funtastic" plastics, I was gifted with a SERIOUS bit of arm candy from my parents, on our trip through Santa Fe...an early birthday gift, that I have tried to convince them is actually my Christmas, also.  It's STUNNING - heavy, bright, shiny copper...the very same bracelet Daniel Craig wore in Cowboys and Aliens (not really, but let's pretend, shall we?!).

2-1/4" wide, Native American made - the rising prices of silver have recently forced a new usage of copper and brass...a gorgeous, substantial piece - it's a beauty, and loved almost as much as the people who gave it to me!

These arrived within the last two weeks...gifts to myself, all.  The brown is carved on the opposite side, also...the three Caramel Swirls came together, and match a fourth one that was already in my possession.  I was done for awhile, at this point...

...then came this!  Last evening, I went to dinner with my friend Jackie, and her husband, Charlie...and, SURPRISE!  Another red bangle fell into my possession!  This one is a yummy, faceted red!  And, as if that wasn't enough, they also added a new, old wallet to my quirky collection of "named", tooled leather accessories. 

Another beautifully hand-tooled, vintage wallet - unused (probably by someone with seemingly better fashion sense, but also infinitely less fun, I'm fairly certain) until now.

So, Terry it shall be, this season...with Squirrel Nutkin, no less!  My daughter recently made the comment that I was rather "squirrel brained", one day while antique shopping with her...a reference to the fact that small oddities (it doesn't take much) seemed to delight the hell out of me as I traveled along that day.  Jackie picked right up on that one and ran, full bore...and look what she found!  I have a network of some of the greatest friends, ever - thank you, Jackie and Charlie...for the Bakelite; for the wallet; for the dinner; for the friendship!

Yep, it was a very good summer.  I found my red "one"...I think I may need a black "one" next.  Happy Monday!