giveaway!

I'm doing a $50 giveaway over at AllThisHappiness!

Come join in on the fun by leaving a comment on Kaitlin's blog

with how you'd spend the gift certificate and

you may also win this little guy:

All details here!
Hurry, giveaway closes Saturday night!

xo

the copper lockets

I found three amazing gold-filled lockets. They are all pre 1930s. I'm usually good at picking my favorite one, but this time I'm at a loss. I love them all for different reasons.

I love the 1920s engraved DH locket because it's the only one with a picture. It's also the only one with its original chain. I found it in a little town outside of Milwaukee, about a month ago.
(3/28 Update: now listed in the shop!)

This punched metal locket is amazing because of its filigree metalwork and delicate construction. She's roomy enough to actually be a little trinket box and was probably used to hold a lock of hair. She has the most beautiful detailing around the edges and probably dates from the turn of the century. I cannot find a hallmark. This beauty was found in a little town outside Albany, NY.

The 1910s square locket may be the most special. Maybe not, maybe it's a 3-way tie. It has a boxy, book shape, and one side has a piece of black onyx, the other a golden ochre stone with a deep rivet and polished finish. The interior houses purple cloth and the original inserts for pictures. This was found with the deep pocket locket above, just outside of Albany.

Can you pick a favorite?

They will all be listed in the shop soon. I breaks my heart a little to split them up,

but only 2 of them were found together. Maybe I'll keep one for myself . . .

a girl can learn a lot in 4 years . . .

I thought it would be fun if we chuckled together at the progress I've made over the last 4 years as the proprietress of jessjamesjake. We celebrated out 4-year anniversary on Etsy last Friday!

2008 - One of my 1st sales, using the bed as my "model"

My last sale of 2008, and I'm seeing a little improvement in the photography department (very little):

2009 was the year of models. I had 4 of them:
1st up, was my dress form (which I still own and love):

Next, was my lovely blonde model, Nicole, who was very talented but incredibly flakey. I could not get her to show up, even with extra $$ offered.

This model was sweet, but too over the top in her poses, so we only had 1 shoot.

At the end of 2009, I met Lauren. She was my next-door-neighbor and a natural beauty! I've been working with her ever since.

In the summer of 2010 I got a better camera:

In the fall of 2010 I accepted the fact that natural lighting + Albany, NY were never consistent, so I purchased a lighting kit.

And, at the end of 2010, I started shooting in a new room, to get rid of the seam across the wall.

2011 was pretty consistent - Lauren, decent camera, soft box and lighting kit: 

I am getting a new camera this year, so there will be continuing improvements (hopefully!) to the shop. In 4 years and over 4300 sales, I can say I'm probably most proud of my feedback. Keeping only positives has been a challenge, but each and every customer has been so great to work with on any little bumps along the way! We've had fun, and will continue to!

To celebrate, we've having 20% off the shop. Sale ends tonight at midnight with code 4YEARS.

xo, jess