Etsy vintage sellers claim their Bubble Necklaces from a decade ago date from the 1950s through the 1990s #etsysellsvintage

It seems that yard sales are infested with Made in China statement necklaces from a decade or so ago.  Almost as soon as these styles began to disappear from "handmade" reseller shops on the site -- and were declared out of style by fashion bloggers, with a statement of relief, in some cases -- they began to appear in different Etsy shops, now pretending to be "vintage".  

How could this happen?  Fashion trends that happened after internet use became popular are the easiest to date because blog posts and fashion articles published when they were in style are easy to find online.  The only reason a vintage dealer would mistakenly list a bubble necklace as being 50 years old (from the 1970s) is because they never did any research.  One silly Etsygirl shop owner pulls a date for some pre-loved item out of a dark place where the sun doesn't shine, and a bunch of dumb bunnies follow her lead.  

I thought it might be entertaining to include a bunch of links in this post that help date a Bubble Necklace you can find at thrift shops, flea markets, and yard sales.  And for more entertainment, a selection of links to Bubble Necklaces listed as "vintage" on Etsy, with dating, pricing, and photos.  As these fauxtiques sell, I will note it here.  Because it's fun to see what Etsygirl shoppers will (over)pay for cheapie Chinese sweatshop jewelry.  

Links to online blogs and articles about the Bubble Necklace trend!

• WESTMOUNT FASHIONISTA Trend Spotting: Bubble Necklaces dated Aug. 31, 2012.
• J's Everyday Fashion THE NECKLACE TREND dated June 11, 2013.
• WITH GRIT(S) AND GRACE:  The Plastic Bubble Necklace: The Trend That Just Won't Damn Die dated Feb. 20. 2013.
• Sheaffer TOLD ME TO:  The Ever Popular Bubble Necklace...and I'm ALMOST Over It dated Jan. 22. 2013.
• THE Budget BABE:  The Look for Less: J. Crew Bubble Necklace

And there are dozens more reference links out there, if you look.  

Here are the Bubble Necklaces currently listed as "vintage" in Etsy shops!

1.  Here's a turquoise blue bubble necklace listed by UniquelyAntiqueCo as "vintage from the 1960s" -- which is about 50 years earlier than its date of manufacture.  The listing includes just one photo, and there is NO information in the listing about materials, length, or marks.  Priced at $25 PLUS SHIPPING.

2.  Here's a multi color bubble necklace by IMAN Global Chic listed by LizsVintageJewelry as "vintage from the 1990s".  This the application process for this brand was started in 2007, so Pants On Fire!  Priced at $26 PLUS SHIPPING.

3.  Here's a orange bubble necklace listed by RetroRomanticShop as "vintage from before 2000".  The seller honestly discloses that the gold plating shows wear on the back -- this a low end version of the style which will continue to de-plate with wear.  Priced at $25.

4.  Here's a two-tone sky blue and aqua blue bubble necklace listed by VintageSavvyDiva pretending to be "vintage from before 2000".  This shop has earned Star Seller status -- proving once again that this is no guarantee that you are buying from an honest seller!  The bubble necklace is NOT the only piece listed in the shop that dates from the decade just passed.  Priced at $43.15.

5.  Here's a brown bubble necklace marked Robert Rose listed by ElegantJewelsforyou pretending to be "vintage".  Priced at $30 PLUS SHIPPING.

6.  Here's a blue tie dye effect bubble necklace listed by OUTFITSPARKLE pretending to be "vintage from before 2000".  Just looking through the jewelry listings, I saw more than a dozen pieces that do NOT date from the last decade.  Priced at $17.99.

7.  Here's a rust red bubble necklace listed by NeuroticaVtg pretending to be "vintage from the 1970s" -- even though the listing states it has a "lobster clasp".  That alone means it's not older than circa 1990.  The material for the bubbles and dangles is mistakenly listed as "glass" -- it's resin.  The seller honestly discloses that the gold plating shows wear on the chain and clasp -- which will continue to de-plate with wear.  Priced at $18.  06/27:  listing deactivated.

8.  Here's a two-tone pea green and pale blue bubble necklace listed by MickisVintageJewelry pretending to be "vintage from the 1990s".  Priced at $26.99 PLUS SHIPPING.

9.  Here's a tagged J. Crew coral orange bubble necklace listed by theoldspinsterlady1 pretending to be "vintage".  Priced at $15 PLUS SHIPPING -- this one is the best deal of the lot!

10.  Here's a two-tone white and cream bubble necklace listed by StuffAndThangs4U pretending to be "vintage from before 2000".  Priced at $8 PLUS SHIPPING.  06/27:  SOLD

11.  Here's a green bubble necklace listed by DreamCottageAntiques pretending to be "vintage from the 1950s".  Again, the seller mentions the lobster clasp, which dates the necklace as at least 4 decades newer.  Priced at $14.95 PLUS SHIPPING.

12.  Here's a golden yellow with natural wood beads bubble necklace listed by HisnMineExoticFinds pretending to be "vintage from before 2000".  Priced at $19 PLUS SHIPPING.

Promotional features on the Etsy Home Page do NOT include vintage items.

Etsy is treating Vintage with ignore, again.  

There is an "Explore" feature on my version of Etsy's Home Page that shows a group of items that are Clothing and Jewelry, Kids' Clothes and Toys, Dining and Entertaining, Your Interests, and Home Decor.

Under each heading is a tag cloud.  The tag cloud does NOT include Vintage for any Explore category feature except Home Decor.  

But, when you select the Vintage tag, it shows 6 thumbnails -- all 6 of them are NEW items, not Vintage at all.

When you click the link to "shop all" it gets even worse!  Here are some of the fake vintage items from the first page:

1.  Meet fake vintage reseller MagnoliaCandle59 who has so far sold more than 8000 items.  The shop's name relates to less than a handful of candle items that were their earliest sales.  Now they are straight up reselling contemporary mass made decor stuff, listed in various quantities, pretending to be "vintage".  Page one includes this cast iron Turtle Crossing garden stake sign pretending to be "vintage".  Currently there are 36 units available, priced at $18.99.

It's easy to find for sale on Amazon and eBay of course.  But you can also find it for sale in another Etsy shop.  CastIronHook sells the same item pretending to be "handmade" priced at $18.49 with 93 units available.  

But, wait!  Etsy included more than one item from this fake vintage reseller on page one.  Here's a fake vintage cast iron set of 2 bunny rabbits pretending to be "vintage".  Currently the shop has 16 sets available priced at $19.99.  The description gives all the info on the vintage provenance:

Here's 2 great cast iron rabbits. Made just like the ones of the past. These have the same look of the antiques, but at a much lower price!

  

And another one!  Also on page one is this fake vintage cast iron mermaid pretending to be "vintage".  Fifteen units available priced at $19.99.  The description gives the vintage provenance:

Here's a great wall plaque or sign. Made just like the ones of the past. These have the same look of the antiques, but at a much lower price!

2.  Meet fake vintage reseller PickinandAGrinninCo who has so far sold more than 500 items.  Page one includes their fake vintage Wash Your Wiener sign pretending to be "vintage from before 2000".  But the description discloses the vintage provenance:

Sign is BRAND NEW with a Vintage Retro Farmhouse Look Perfect size for shelf or wall decor arrangements. Bathroom Decor Outhouse Decor

Uh huh.  Two units available.  Priced at $12.99 PLUS SHIPPING.  

 

Easy to find on Amazon where no one is pretending it's old.  

3.  Meet fake vintage reseller FitMine who has already sold 44 imported brass items.  Included on page one is this fake vintage brass kneeling man phallus paper weight pretending to be BOTH "handmade" and "vintage from before 2000".  The description tells the amazing "vintage handmade" story:

this is collectio of mine from2000s
Package include:1 penis

The shop has already sold 5 units of this item, but maybe you need (at least!) six of these for a personal collection.  Priced at $45.  Easy to find on eBay shipping from China (heh) and listed as NEW with 4 units available 

 

4.  Meet fake vintage reseller UncannyPrintsUK who sells newly made prints of vintage images dated as the original.  Included on page one is this fake vintage copy of an image of bats from 1904 pretending to be BOTH "handmade" and "vintage from the 1900s".  The vintage provenance is given in detail in the description:

All of my illustrations have been digitally retouched and restored to the highest quality possible but due to the age of these artworks there may be some small imperfections.

The colours may also vary depending on monitor type and settings.

All items in the store are scanned and printed on professional photographic equipment and paper.

I use high quality matte photographic paper to preserve the details of the images and retain the authenticity of the artworks.

Which makes as clear as can be that this item is NEW.  Three units available, priced at $10.02.

5.  Meet fake vintage reseller VintageHearts01 who has already sold 188 items included "Southern Living at Home" items which are NOT pre-2000 as the shop owner falsely claims.  Less than 1 minute of research turned up an original press release announcing this home party plan, and it dates to 2002.  So all of these products are newer than 2000.  Included on page one is this fake vintage Southern Living at Home Gail Pittman Red Bountiful bowl pretending to be "vintage from before 2000" -- it will be 20 years old in 2029.  Priced at $25 PLUS SHIPPING.

 

6.  Meet fake vintage reseller Antiquephotoarchive who has already sold nearly 39,000 repops of vintage photographs.  The shop's Announcement says they sell "expert print reproductions" -- which means NEW outside the mendacious Etsyverse.  Included on page one is this fake vintage reproduction of a photo of a baby working out (it's cute) pretending to be BOTH "handmade" and "vintage from the 1940s".  The description includes the vintage provenance:

All photo reproductions are digitally processed and printed in high resolution. They are the highest quality professional photo print reproduction available on the market. We offer various print sizes. We also offer larger custom sizes and photo searches upon request.

Available in 6 print sizes priced from $6.85 to $32.85.  This shop has earned Etsy Star Seller Status for selling fauxtiques.

There are some actual vintage items on page one that were not chosen as featured thumbnails because on Etsy you can't promote "vintage" by showing items that are actually 20+ years old.