Robert Larin, Quebecois Artist

Another of my featured Canadian artists is Robert Larin who works mostly in pewter and silver-plated pewter. His style is quite striking and has often been referred to as Brutal Style. His images are mainly abstract and are subject to different interpretations, depending on the individual viewing this pieces. I do prefer his heavier pieces and those are in the most demand. As more and more people discover his work, the prices are going higher and higher, especially his heavy necklaces. I can't even get close to the prices this pieces command which are often in the high hundreds of dollars. I hope you like his work as much as I do.

Canadian Artists

I seen to have fallen in love with some Canadian artists working in the Montreal and Quebec areas from approximately the 1960s to the 1980s. Rafael Alfandary has created some amazing kinetic necklaces with an early arts and crafts hand-made look that's becoming quite popular and sure to increase in value. His use of copper and brass give all of his pieces an earthy look characteristic of his work, with just a few exceptions.

Vintage Jewelry Pointers for Dealers The Compulsive Packer--Shipping for Safety

We're talking about my experiences shipping vintage jewelry. My stated goal is to hear NO sound or movement whatsoever when the package is ready for shipment so it arrives in the condition in which it was shipped.
1. Make sure the item is clean and in "as described" condition
2. Place in appropriate size zip-lock bag. Choose the bag to be as small as possible so the item is held in position. The zip-lock bag protects the jewelry from getting wet in case the package is left out in the rain or someone drops it in a bucket of water. It also will retain any stones which may fall out during the shipping process making them easier to replace.
3. Place the item in a fairly substantial cardboard or plastic jewelry box holding the item(s) securely but is large enough for it to lie flat. Place a business card in the box. Fold the customer copy of the invoice to fit in the box if at all possible without crowding. These two items are often sufficient to hold the jewelry firmly in place. Move the box around gently to see whether there are sounds of anything moving in the box. If you hear anything, add additional tissue paper or bubble wrap. Seal the box and then wrap with tissue paper for an attractive appearance.
4. For Priority Shipping, use one of the many sizes of boxes available, preferably one of the flat-rate sizes, and wrap around the center with clear shipping tape so the side tabs don't come open during shipment. Wrap the boxed item loosely with packing paper and place in the box, making sure the box is full. Do the shake test again to be sure all is secure. Seal the box, using shipping tape over the glue-down flap as well. Apply the label and the package is ready to go.
For especially fragile or very expensive items, use a layer of bubble wrap in addition to all the other compulsive steps.
For 1st class shipping, follow steps 1-3 using a bubble-wrap self-sealing mailer.
5. Ready to ship

There are, of course, other methods but this one has been successful time and time again.

Welcome Back

Hi Everyone,

Remember When is back after a long hiatus and ready to create a more interesting blog for those interested in both vintage and artisan jewelry.
I've just discovered, and added to my website, the work of vitreous enamelist Anita Silverstein, 1940-2004, in a small selection of her enamel on copper face brooches. These small works of wearable art reflect an artist's off-center view of the world, similar to what's come to be known as Outsider Art.
Anita Silverstein was a well known enamelist using a variety of techniques. . She studied at The Cleveland Institute of Art in 1985 and refined her technique attending various workshops at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Miami University, and Kent State University and with such noted enamel artists as Bill Helwig, Jamie Benett, and Mel Someroski. She sold her work at a number of Fine Arts & Craft shows in the Cleveland area.
This is a great example of her work.
thanks--Rita