Featured Last of a large collection.

I used to collect these brooches, Ruskin set etc; I just kept these and sold all the rest about 10 years ago.

 

Those are just beautiful!

 

I do love those. I buy them whenever I see them. The ones you've kept are unusual, too

 

Gorgeous.

 

It was easier to find them in the UK. Never see them here. Some people had no imagination when making them and others could be really good depending, on how artistic and skilled the maker was. By the way bear, have you noticed the sewing bee is back tonight on the telly. YEAH!! Real people doing real things instead of z list celebrities.

 

In reference to the piece in the lower right hand corner: this is the third time in the last week that I have seen this 'stone'...never have seen it before! It has been identified variously as a composite called Tru-Stone, Mosaic Jasper, Rainbow Jasper, Sea Sediment Jasper and Rainbow Casilica. Can anyone shed any light on this 'stone'? I do love the color combination!

 

I have looked at it through a loupe and I cannot work out what it is. It does look artificial though. I may be wrong. That particular brooch has "sterling silver front" on the back of it.

 

Those are ALL LOVELY pieces, Popsycat!!! You picked great ones to keep!!

 

It does seem like it must be a composite...the colors just don't look natural; I am certainly no expert though. Hopefully an actual expert will comment...

 

Composite made from crushed stones and resin...... https://www.makermaterialsupply.com/collections/trustone

 

Outstanding designs and colors. I love them!

 

Absolutely gorgeous!

I have to confess, I don't know anything about this type of brooch. Must not be too common in the U.S. Can see they are Arts and Crafts era styling, really nice.

When you say "some people had no imagination when making them" Is "Ruskin" a general category as opposed to a specific maker? Are they ever signed?

Curious to learn about these. Can anyone fill me in?

 

I would also like to learn more about this. I like the simplicity of these; they are not extravagant at all (I guess that is the Arts and Crafts style after all) and would be something I might normally overlook when out on the hunt as it were. Although there has been no hunting lately...

 

It was a popular home craft for quite a while. You could send for the makings from a catalogue. Somewhere in the loft I have an old catalogue. "Ruskin"was the pottery who made the coloured shapes which were incorporated in furniture handles as well and other items. I once had an arts and crafts wardrobe, with ruskin inserts. One was missing. I went through my brooches and found an exact match to complete the wardrobe. Some people made them commercially, but they are not found in large numbers, probably for craft fairs etc; hence you do find some with silver fronts, but mostly pewter. People incorporated all sorts of little items into the designs, but Ruskin is the most popular.How good they were depended upon how imaginative and artistic the maker was. Here is a link to the arts and crafts brass and copper ware with ruskin inserts.https://www.pinterest.com/gemedack/ruskin-tiles/

 

I do love Sewing Bee, as the granddaughter of a seamstress. There were some fab dresses last night. And that winning shirt makeover was brilliant.

 

I was so excited when I saw it was on. The person who went out, I expected that result. That glittery stretchy material was terrible for a wrap around skirt. The hilight of my weeks viewing.

 

Yup, it needed a nice firm non stretchy fabric.

 

Great explanation, thank you. Loved the link, too.