Did you know that tinsel used to be made of real silver? It’s true. It may not always look great on Christmas trees but it’s got an interesting history. Thanks to Motherboard for this:
Tinsel was popular in this form for centuries, with a slight break in manufacturing during World War I because of disruptions to the manufacturing chain. But it didn’t last. Lead, as you may recall, has toxic effects on the human body, from our nervous systems to our gastrointestinal tracts.
These effects had been known for a long time, but the US didn’t start enforcing regulations on how much lead could be in commercial products until the 1970s (lead-based paint was the first to be banned in 1971). In 1972 the US Food and Drug Administration announced that tinsel made of lead could no longer be sold to consumers.
These days, the tinsel you know (and are kind of annoyed with) is made of a synthetic compound called polyvinylchloride, or PVC, with a shiny finish. It’s cheap and durable, used in products ranging from thick housing pipes to records and fake leather clothes. Some less-flexible types of PVC are recyclable, but those handfuls of sparkly plastic that you throw willy-nilly at your tree are not. Much like the Christmas spirit, tinsel never dies; instead it sits at the bottom of a landfill with the rest of your holiday glee.
We love the simple necklace trend that’s going off this holiday. (It sure beats some of the more ostentatious statement necklaces.) But like all trends, you should know how to wear them. Here’s a few pointers.
According to Forbes:
New Delicates: “With this season’s delicate pieces it’s all about playing with proportion and opting for more. Layering is key so be mindful of the different silhouettes you pair together. Start with a shorter 14″ or 15″ chain as an anchor, then tuck a 16″ – 18″ chain underneath and finish off with a new Y-neck silhouette. Because the pendants are delicate, you can really play with iconography and charms in a way that’s playful, but still very luxe. For example, match up an evil eye charm with a hexagon pendant and a spiked Y-neck.”
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Style 10053 Curved Round Journey PendantSeven stone curved journey pendant with 1ct t.w. round brilliant stones set on an 18″ cable chain. |
| Price: $665.00 – $2,729.00 |
Digging around on Pinterest this early a.m., I found a bevvy of fun, nostalgic holiday jewelry tress and wreaths to remind you of Christmases past.
Vintage jewelry wreath
My mom & sister and I made one of these when I was a kid! It was so fun scouring garage sales in the summer looking for old jewelry and then making the tree together – my dad even drilled holes in ours and put a string of lights on it.
