It's Black History Month At PearlShops4U

Our first featured artist is Thomas Blackshear, a graduate of the American Academy of Art in Chicago. While finishing his college education, he was recruited by Hallmark Cards and later became the apprentice of illustrator Mark English.

During the late 80s, Thomas illustrated U.S. postage stamps for the Black Heritage Series. In 1990 the Post Office released his 50th Anniversary movie poster stamps, The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind, Stagecoach and Beau Geste. He also painted twenty-eight illustrations for the U.S. Postal Service book, I have a dream. Seventeen of these paintings were exhibited at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. and, later, were part of a traveling exhibit.

In 1995 he introduced the Thomas Blackshear's Ebony Visions™ collection. A blend of Art Nouveau with elements of African Culture, as well as elements of cultures from throughout the world. Blackshear received the coveted 1996 "Rising Star Award" and the 1999 "Artist of the Year" award from the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers.

Thomas calls his unique style "Afro-Nouveau" and says, "the collection reflects not only my visions as a black man and the unique visions of black people, it represents visions we all share, regardless of the color of our skin. Emotions like hope, love, tenderness, faith, and serenity know no boundaries."

To honor and celebrate the artistic wealth of African American Culture, Pearl will be offering Thomas Blackshear's Ebony Visions™ treasures from her personal collection. Buy it now Listings will start on Sunday Feb 10th.

Black Americana Preserving the Uncomfortable Past

It has been many years since I visited the Museum in Black run by Brian Breye. Many years ago it was located in historic Lamert Park in Los Angeles. I will never forget my first visit.

It was a quiet summer morning as I poked my head into the open door. The owner was no where to be seen. I wandered the dark isles of African artifacts in solitude. Spotting an open door in the back, bathed in light, I slipped in and was confronted by a multitude of Black Americana artifacts and memorabilia. There were images on every wall, even the ceiling. I remember a large wooden hutch full of salt and pepper shakers. Post cards, Valentines, Aunt Jemima in every conceivable utilitarian form. Note Pads, Cookie Jars, Syrup containers, Toaster Covers and more. Artifacts and memorabilia from slavery, segregation and Jim Crow. My first thought ~ Well this puts "my collection" of odds and ends to shame. Just then, the owner tapped me on the shoulder and said rather firmly; “This room isn't ready for the public, it's my private collection.”

For the first time, I stood in front of someone who shared my passion to rescue these items. I wasn't going anywhere! I needed to know more about this collection. For me, the images of an uncomfortable past are a great source of knowledge, understanding, even pride. The fact that my grandparents and their grandparents had lived, struggled and rose above a society so intrenched in hatred, myths and stereotypes has been a great source of inspiration in my life. So we talked about the haunting images first, the scarcity of many of these treasures, who the collectors where and why imports and copies were being made today. I left with a new found understanding of my need to save these treasures and the importance of the past.

I've often wondered if the Museum in Black is still there and how it has changed. Since that chance meeting with Brian Breye, I realized that rescuing and preserving this slice of history is an honorable obsession. To reach the heights, to climb the difficult mountains of everyday life, we must understand and draw upon the strength of our ancestors. Our manifest destiny has been written and carved out of the uncomfortable past.

Here is a very small part of Pearl’s Private Collection:

Researching Vintage Jewelry

So much has been happening at PearlShops4U that I haven't had much time to update the blog. I met a fabulous group of Sparklie Power seller Women. Please visit My World and Check out my favorite Seller's list. This fabulous group of sellers have been giving me a fresh look at the world of eBay. With the support and knowledge of this small powerful group, I am learning many new things. The store is undergoing a major renovation one piece at a time. Months ago I introduced you to the new Pearl. Now I have a new listing template to feature the treasures I find. If you are looking for a Fabulous Web Designer be sure to contact JennarationX.

I have acquired a small estate lot of costume jewelry that I will be selling for a friend. This fabulous collection of sparkling rhinestones and Retro looks has inspired me to take a closer look at the world of collecting costume jewelry.

These Jewels, collected from the 50s to the 80s, have been worn and loved over a lifetime. I really love the necklace sets. They remind me of Jackie O. and a time when a well dressed lady wore a necklace set everyday. While the bead sets may not be as collectible as other items in this estate, they are the perfect accent to a vintage or modern outfit. Since my name is Pearl , this is one of my favorite sets:

In 1955 a federal judge ruled that costume jewelery designs were "Works of Art" and should be protected by copyright laws. So when you find a fabulous piece, check it closely for marks. If the Copyright symbol is present then the treasure was most likely produced after 1955. Some manufacturers like Coro may have used the mark as early as 1947. The name Coro was adopted in 1943 by the New York firm of Cohn & Rosenberger which was founded in 1901. There are thee marked Coro pieces in this collection:


This set is marked with the Copyright symbol, but the following sets of earrings have no copyright mark.



One of the most sought after names in costume jewelry is Juliana, made by the DeLizza & Elster Company. Juliana was the name of Frank DeLizza's mother. In 1967 and 1968 this company produced the popular "5 Link" line of fabulous necklaces and bracelets. None of these items were marked but the construction is easy to identify, if you know what you are looking for. This fabulous sparkler is breathtaking.


When I searched for Confirmed Juliana Necklaces I found this
spectacular necklace at Rubylane. There are 2 pairs of earrings in the estate that are a close match to this sparkler.


I'm still researching the earrings because I have not seen another Juliana listing with jewels that are set in the same manner as this set. All of the Juliana pieces I have seen online have prong set rhinestones. So I'm off to the eBay jewelry discussion board to see if there are any experts available to confirm the maker.

I hope you will check back to see when the listings will start. I have been spending all of my time on Jewelry sites discovering a wealth of information. Check out the following sites for the skinny on collecting costume jewelry.





Costume Jewelry History
And Jewelry Marks

Juliana at Lillys Vintage Jewelry, Absolutely Vintage, Milkyway Jewels, Vintage Sarah Coventry .

Visit PearlShops4U on MySpace to see more pictures of the collection. Let's be MySpace Friends.

Kosta Boda Glass Designer Bertil Vallien

Bertil Vallien is an amazing artist and there are many sites available that display the vast array of his work. He has been employed by Kosta Boda since the late 1963 and is probably their most well know designer. http://www.bertilvallien.com/ has a nice selection of pictures of his work. I also found http://www.midnightsundesigns.se/default.asp?page=designer16.asp where they list the beginning dates of his collections. The Feline Viewpoints Collection is from 1995.

Here's a few new Ebay to Go Search Boxes of available items by Kosta Boda and Bertil Vallien,

Alaska Carved Whale Fossil Ivory Doll Signed Vukson

Once again I have found an unusual Cultural Treasure ~ A work of art that has opened up a world of information. I am attracted to the unusual and this time I feel I have rescued a treasure. I am happy to pass on what little info I have been able to uncover.



When you first touch this treasure you are not quite sure what it is made of. Yet it is easy to see this artist has used his raw material well. The holes in the bone provide a sense of movement, the wind at his back... His head moves from side to side.

Simple and complex at the same time. I had so many questions. What was he made of? How did the artist make his head turn? What type of fur is he trimmed in? What should be in his hands.

I started out with just the name Vukson and Alaska. My first search turned up the a May 13, 2006, Salt Lake City news article on findarticles.com Click here to read it. I was amazed to learn that mammoth remains even existed outside of museums. But I learned the artist's full name: George Vukson.

I could only find one online gallery with examples of this artist's work: inua.net. There are examples of dolls on this site. Our treasure is missing his implements. He is most likely an Eskimo Hunter without a spear, but each of his hands have small holes on the top. Perhaps it is just the bone, yet I'm not sure.

To learn more about the types of materials commonly used in Inuit carvings Click here

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The New Improved Pearl

So What do you think of the New & Improved Pearl?

Pearls Elements of Design

Dare to be different! Combine elements of your past with the modern comforts of today to create your one-of-a-kind Eclectic, Retro and Modern style. Be assured, everything does not have to match. In fact, diversity of elements can be so much more dramatic!

I grew up with many European and British influences. We ate meals on English earthenware and admired the china cabinet full of Royal Albert Old Country Rose. I’ll never forget one rare and wonderful day we had a tea party and actually used the Royal Albert. I’ve loved English china ever since.

I’m wild about American-made pottery and tableware. Names like Homer Laughlin, Russell Wright, Metlox, Franciscan, Taylor Smith & Taylor, McCoy, Hall, Marcrest and Vernon Kilns are among my favorites. Today many people purchase dinnerware in “big barn stores” and think nothing of it. The dinnerware of the past are collectable today because the importation of dinnerware from foreign countries drove many American makers out of business. Even English makers were influenced by the American designs of this era. The Japanese companies, like Noritaki and others are known as the “pretenders” by Mid-Century purists. I’m not a purist.

The first element of my design style is Eclecticism, a fancy word that just means selecting what you like from various design styles.

I refuse to edit my life to fit one defined style.
I love sleek and modern, but I love grandmas’ china too! My own interiors are filled with items made in the USA, England, Canada, Egypt, Morocco, Japan, India, Germany, Poland, France, Africa, Denmark and more. I have chosen elements that are modern and abstract, Native American, Colonial, African and Traditional. I have combined geometric prints with bamboo, copper, cork, hand carved wood and one-of-a-kind treasures made of clay. Some things are old, some new and everything in-between! Somehow it all works.

My second design element is Retro: a fashion reminiscent of the past.

The easiest way to turn your house into a home is to include memories of the past. I’m a Mid Century Modern girl myself, so I love all the kitsch of the 50's and the pop art, flower power flair of the 60s and 70s. I’ve filled my kitchen with Pyrex, Fire King, Anchor Hocking, Imperial Glass, Corning Ware and others. It’s not necessary to go “all the way” with retro. But it is the coolest way to entertain. Have a hip rat pack martini party and enjoy all of the cool bar ware of the 50s and 60s. Use grandmas’ china every day, just because you can. Don’t forget a great set of vintage flatware.

Looking for cool retro art? Consider ethnic or retro tapestries, old print ads, advertising items, even sheet music, framed and hung as a group in matching Picture Frames. Pick any subject like - space travel, world fairs, old cars, places of interest and your on your way. My obsession with the past started with a collection or postcards and life magazines. I framed them and now a once empty hallway is an interesting art gallery. Retro inspired decorating options are endless.

The third element of my design style is Modern: belonging to the modern era; since the middle ages; relating to a recently developed fashion or style.

The modern styles of the 50s to 70s are being recreated by today’s manufactures. Everything old is new again. Remember lava lamps? Check out the big barn stores and you’re sure to find a “new” one. My favorite modern design style is Danish modern. Dansk tableware is perfect in the modern home. My concept of modern is based on elegant simplicity, form meeting function, and natural materials. Clean lines, biomorphic. shapes and organic materials fit seamlessly into the modern home of today

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