My Next Etsy Find (and Purchase)

So, this is a long story that I am not going to get into, but basically, I was once given a ring that I fell in love with but had to give it back (and wanted to) because it was for a good reason.  I loved it though and the other day I decided to look at vintage rings on Etsy.  I found a whole bunch of vintage inspired ones and just cute ones for like $12-$30 that I loved.  BUT-  I am trying to save money to buy a house and am really trying to work on not just buying things because I can.  I have always had rent and lots of bills and rarely had enough money for fun, but now living at Michael's parent house and being debt free, I find myself spoiling myself a little more than I should be.  With that being said, I found a ring that looked really similar to the one I loved and it was cheapish ($18) so I decided to get it.  It looks a little jacked up and I probably should have asked the seller to lower the price for a little, but its a "Vintage Silver Filigree Ring with Marcasite."  Is it really vintage?  Who knows, but it has marcasite, and I never knew that was the name of the style (or cut?) but I have always loved jewelry like that.  Here is a pic of a marcasite ring:

Marcasite is actually pyrite when it is in jewelry because marcasite is too brittle and has a unstable chemical structure.  Did you ever collect gemstones or rocks?  Pyrite was the cool crystal/metal looking one, it used to be my favorite.  Enough with the science lesson here, lets get to the ring I love and can't wait to get in the mail soon!

Yes, it looks a little jacked up, but it's similar to the one I loved and I am very excited!  Lastly, there is a store RIGHT next to my work called "The Antique Station" and I really need to make a trip there soon; when I do, I will blog about it and let you locals know how it is in case that's your thang ;)

Gift Guide #2

One day I decided to check out some Etsy, a homemade-art/clothes/random stuff ebay.  I always knew about it but never had patience to browse, or maybe I just didn't think of it?  The first thing I saw on the website was a search for Etsy user store near you.  I entered my zip and found a bunch around me-  only two caught my eye.

I fell in love with the idea of Polaroid jewelry .  Jerseymaids made all this type of jewelry from these mini Polaroid pictures.  There's also nightlights and pictures.  I thought to myself how perfect some of these would be as gifts for some close friends.  Here are some of my favorites.

These Polaroid rings are strong magnetic rings with adjustable size and five interchangeable Polaroid photos.  It comes in a tin box with tissue paper.  Super cute as a gift!  Only thing is, being the crazy bargain shopper that I am, it being $40 make me hesitate a tiny tiny bit.  I would still probably buy it though, I just haven't yet.

The other thing that broke my heart was this nightlight.  It looks different in the day time when it is not on.  I fell in love and I would want it for my own house that I buy one day, or for someone who recently got a house (you know who you are).  This one isn't bad at all price wise, it's only $18 and they have different ones as well.

And lastly, I checked out her other store, Drawers of the Manor which is more antiques and vintage clothes, and FELL IN LOVE with this "ringbox."

It's apparently small and fits "one or two rings." Even though it's small, I fell in love with it only more and it was only $10! I love vintage things and can never help myself, especially with vintage jewelry!

As I was checking out, it said I get 15% off at the Jerseymaids store!  Guess I'll go get those rings after all ;)