Frank Patania Sr Silver Disc Flying Saucer

Viewed from the side, the profile of this simple and elegant pin reminds one of a Mid Century rendering of a flying saucer. This may or may not be indicative of the southwest in the 1950's and 1960s. After all Roswell is close by.

Whatever the influence, this sterling piece by Frank Patania Sr, is stunning in it's simplicity.

If you aren't familiar with the Patania Thunderbird Shop, which has spanned 3 generations and 80 years creating fine art jewelry, you should check out The Patania Family and see what it's all about.

Inducted into the Smithsonian Institution's permanent collection, Patania since the 1920's, the Patania Design Line features the most sought-out designs and illustrates the distinct craftsmanship from each of the three generations: Frank Patania Sr., Frank Patania Jr., and Samuel Frank Patania.

The Smithsonian Institution
Washington DC's National Episcopal Cathedral
Museum of International Folk Art
Paul Newman
Nancy Sinatra
Billy Bob Thornton
Linda Ronstadt
John Wayne
Greer Garson
Princess Margaret
Stanley Marcus of Nieman-Marcus
Georgia O'Keefe
Ansel Adams
Elizabeth Kimberly of Kimberly-Clark


This elegantly simple piece can be found by clicking on the photo.

DeLizza & Elster's Juliana Jewelry

DeLizza & Elster was a costume jewelry design house that was in business from the late 1940's through the 1980's. Today, their "Juliana" line is a favorite of collectors. The line was designed, manufactured and sent to boutiques and department stores with only hang tags to identify the jewelry. The pieces were never stamped or marked. So how do you know a particular piece is a true D&E Juliana jewel?

Juliana Jewelry the DeLizza & Elster Educational Site has pages and pages and pages of albums with pieces that have been verified or declared NOT D & E by Mr DeLizza and a committee of knowledgable experts on D & E jewelry. There are even pages of how to identify particular stones and design techniques.

Don't go there unless you have time to spend and your eyes are ready to be dazzled by all the sparklies.

I was pleasantly surprised when I submitted this piece to the site for verification and received an email the next morning telling me "Congratulations your pieces has been confirmed as a D & E piece" They even added it to the Verified album that very day. These people don't fool around and they really know their stuff.

So if you have a stunning piece that is unmarked.......go visit the site and maybe you'll be in for a surprise too.

This lovely Tiered Brooch with Adventurine Art Glass and Topaz and Peridot Marquise cut Rhinestones can be found by clicking on the photo....





"For years collectors wondered about the mysterious creator of the Juliana line - some of the most colorful and inventive costume jewelry to be found. Here Frank DeLizza, head of DeLizza and Elster Inc. tells the engaging tale of his family’s odyssey in America, their embrace of jewelry-making as their foothold in a new land and the many companies, besides Juliana, they created to sell their wares. Whether he is telling an amusing anecdote about the famous names in this glamorous world, giving us an insider’s view of designer decision-making, discussing the headaches of running a business, or describing the colorful characters in his extended Italian-American family, in the end it is Frank’s warm and generous spirit that leaves an inspiring and lasting impression." To purchase this book with its packed-full pages of highly interesting commentary, copies of designs and pages of colorful jewelry and drawings, just go to Jewelry by DeLizza and order a copy of "MEMOIRS OF A FASHION JEWELRY MANUFACTURER"

Every Vintage Fashionista needs a Resource Library

And there's no better source than the Tom Tierney Paper Dolls. Not only are his illustrations fabulous, but his story lines tie everything together. Research, entertainment and glamour all rolled into one.



His American Family of the 1920's takes 3 generations through their daily lives up to a glorious 1920s Wedding. Mr Tierney reinforces the fact that not every woman in the 20's was a Flapper.


Documenting the Glory of the Old South, American Family of the Confederacy brings to life the decadence and glamor of another 3 generational family on a Southern plantation pre Civil War.

Perhaps my favorite of all the historical families.........The American Family of the Colonial Era........sees 3 generations through the beginning and post American Revolution. Authentic under garments as well as post war Pioneer wear is fabulously presented.

Look for these and many other great goodies at cemetarian on eBay.

Viva Las Vegas.........it's coming soon

And all of these (and more) lovely Rockabilly patterns can be found on www.cemetarian.com...

There's nothing like Silk Lingerie!

And I found a few last week. First is a darling, hand stitched Silk Flapper Slip. Straight cut bodice and hip gathers on the side. The scalloped hem is trimmed in seafoam green and all is hand hemstitched in black thread.

And this luscious 1930s side zippered slip is from Yolande and is marked Bra-Vo. It also has that wonderful 1930's Neiman Marcus label..........Hand Stitched with a fabulous criss cross uplift bustline, perfect for those late 30's and early 40's fitted midriff dresses.

Nightgowns..........what is more luxurious than a long silk gown. This one has the 1930's Neiman Marcus label but no makers label. It is also mostly hand stitched and has that bias goddet hemline.

And if you must go synthetic...there is not much better than Endear-Tafredda from Barbizon. Circa 1964, imported nylon lace and embroidery frosts the bodice of a Tafredda side-zippered slip.

Not listed yet....but coming this week to cemetarian on eBay