Friday, January 15, 2010

My New Obsession: Spoon Rings

Ok, so Monday I hinted around that I have a new obsession. I have always enjoyed rings, and though I don't have many, I'd have many more if I could afford to. I knew a lady growing up who wore a ring on each finger (including thumb) of each hand. I love rings, but I don't wear them like that. I remember once during an etiquette class when I was 17, the instructor said it wasn't lady-like to wear rings on more than one finger per hand. Something about being classy, or whatever. Anyway, I liked the "rule" and have always stuck to that.

I think my obsession for rings started with my mother's collection of Sarah Coventry jewelry. There were some pretty gaudy rings... but I thought they were cool! By the way... they are now called "Vintage Sarah Coventry" because they are from the 1960's. So, now a few from my personal collection over the years...
The Avon Trio - Sapphire, Jade and Garnet "natural" stones look.


This one is Lia Sophia's "Abloom"... I must say that I liked it better in the catalog than on my finger. I wear it probably only once a year.


I simply call this one my "big ring" - haha! it was a Kohl's find for $10!!! W00T!
This is my Lia Sophia "Espresso" ring. I wear it often, cuz it goes w/ all of my chocolate brown.
Ok, this is one of my most favorite rings EVER!!! I wish I had one in every color. This is "Ocean: Mother of Pearl", also by Lia Sophia. I probably wear this one way too often. I actually also wear this one with a lot of choc. brown.
I don't remember the name of this one, also from Lia Sophia. I just call it my big black ring. I wear it all.the.stinkin.time. It even holds a spot in one of my Facebook albums. No. Joke.
I thought this one was waaaay pretty. Problem is my knuckles are too fat for it. I think I wore it once. I gave it to one of my sis's. Not sure if it fits her or not, or if she likes it.

Anyway, I figure, one day, my daughter will wear my rings, and one day they too shall be called "vintage". lol! By the way, I haven't been able to afford a Lia Sophia ring since before my Divorce. But I sure do like 'em.

But - here is my NEW ring obsession! SPOON RINGS!!! For real! They are all the rage (apparently) but that isn't why I like them. I just think they are so cool, because it is like being able to reuse a piece of history and the designs are so unique. Basically, they take the ends (handles) from spoons (or forks) and bend them into rings. I am telling ya - way cool.

Apparently back in ye olde days, when servants could not afford engagement rings for their betrothed, they would steal silverware from their employers and have wedding rings made out of them. Spoon rings made a trendy, but brief comeback in the 1960's and are now back "in" again. People don't wear them as wedding rings nowadays. But still - way freakin cool. Check em out...

"Lily of the Valley"..." Queen Bess" 1946... "Mansion House Heirloom"... "Isabella" 1913...
small antique silver "sugar spoon"...
silver tea spoon...
"English Garden" 1949
"Cambridge" 1899... and one of my favs, "Avon" 1940

You can find these on ETSY too! They range anywhere from about $15 - $60. Mostly it depends on how old or "vintage" the spoon is and of course the quality it is in.

Anyway... there you have it. Not only my obsession with rings, but my obsession with Spoon Rings! **IF** I had the money to spend, I'd probably get myself 1...or 2...or 5 of these little ditties. lol! For now, I shall just drool over them and enjoy the "window shopping" on Etsy.

What about you? What would/could or do you wish you could collect? Do you have a jewelry obsession?

12 comments:

S Club Mama said...

I have always loved spoon rings. I remember they were cool when I was in junior high too and I even asked for one for Christmas. Darn Santa.

Susie said...

I have never heard of such a thing!! Really pretty!!

Holli and Billy said...

I have never heard about spoon rings! They are really cute! I love jewelry too, but usually I just end up wearing the wedding rings and earrings. That is one thing I live by. No going out in public without earrings on!

Ruthykins said...

okay, that first picture you showed. i have those. the ring, the earrings and the necklace. i got them from mom. i don't even wear earrings, and yet i have them. now i want to go put on the ring!

Ruthykins said...

oh, turns out i don't have the earrings. but i am now wearing the necklace and ring! i love it!

Charlotte said...

I never heard of those before. They are very pretty though! I like a lot of the jewelry I see other people wearing When I wear it myself it feels out of place, like I'm not doing it right or something. I only have a few pieces that I really wear.

Tulsi said...

I love rings, too. Though I usually wear 2 on my right hand. Mostly just my wedding ring on my right hand. I prefer rings to most jewelry. Steve usually brings me necklaces from whatever country he has been in, so I love those, too.

Tulsi said...

I meant on ring on the LEFT hand

Puphigirl said...

I remember wearing lots of rings and a necklace in high school. I wore my wedding ring, but then I stopped wearing rings when I worked at the care facility. The pearls on my ring kept popping off due to work-related incidents.

Now I don't even wear rings, not even my wedding ring because I haven't gotten it fixed.

I have been wearing bracelets that I have bought at Amber's Etsy shop. I do have my eye on a new wedding ring that I'd like to get as an anniversary present. It is Black Hills Gold.

greenolive said...

Your sister loves the ring you gave her. I think my favorite rings are those I got from other people. Do you remember that little gold heart ring you gave me? I wore it everyday of my mission. After I had kids it stopped fitting so I don't have it anymore, but you do have great taste in rings.

Bridget said...

Spoon rings were first made for medical reasons─ to support broken fingers. Then it was noticed by artists, to be exact, the jewelers. Indianapolis’ interim designers put this concept on shows and then latter made it to the market shelves during the early 70’s. Spoon ring is now experiencing a revival, going through and within the flow of the sudden and quick changes of the fashion trend.

Martha Cashman said...

Hey like the blog...I am a fan of the spoon ring and any jewelery made from old silver spoons. My Dad was a market gardener my Mother the baker and my uncle the last blacksmith in the seaside town of Youghal in East Cork,Ireland my art work is influenced by their lives and the rural tradition of this area, I create porcelain spoon sculptures www.marthacashman.com