VINTAGE
COSTUME JEWELRY
FEATURING
NOLAN MLLER
Welcome
Like most women, I love jewelry. So it was only natural for me to open an online jewelry store when I retired from my career as a bank compliance officer. My specialty right now is Joan Rivers jewelry which I have collected for over 25 years now. I love the beautiful designs and the craftsmanship that go into each piece. But what I love more than that are the stories behind the designs. Some of those stories go back to royalty and are quite fascinating. Every day, I learn something new about the wonderful designs, and I want to bring that information to you. Every so often, when the mood strikes me, I also will make one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry from semi-precious gemstones. But I always come back to the pieces that started it all. Join me and explore the wonderful world of Vintage Costume Jewelry by the legendary designers.FEATURE JEWELRY DESIGNER
NOLAN MILLER (1933-2012)
About
According to Fashion Magazine Daily, Nolan
Miller was a television costume designer best known for his work on the
long-running 1980s series Dynasty and its spin-off series. He collaborated on many projects with
television producers Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer. Cramer referred to Nolan Miller as "Aaron's secret weapon."
Nolan
Miller was born in Burkbarnette, Texas, USA in 1933. He grew up around the
oil fields of Texas and Louisiana but was captivated by the clothes he saw on
the movie screen. After he graduated from high school, he went to Los Angeles
and studied at the Choinard Art Institute. After graduating, he took a job in a
florist shop in Beverley Hills. He became friends with Aaron Spelling and
through him made an entry in the Film Studios.
He
moved to Hollywood, intent on designing costumes for the famous film heroines.
He toiled for many years, designing everything from Loretta Young's famous
television entrance ensemble to Eva Gabor's Green Acres negligees. Here he
managed to bring sublime chic even to the chicken yard. He was lucky to take
over the crucial design job left vacant by the passing of Edith Head.
It
was his good fortune to design for the small screen. He was particularly known
for his dresses worn by the stars of the TV show "Dynasty" which
became the favorite in the 1980s. His design studio had to generate 35 to 40
new outfits every week. They spent 2 days of each week to discuss a wardrobe
and 5 days to make all the clothes. In 1984, he was awarded an Emmy.
The Cast of "Dynasty" (1981-1989)
In
the 90's after the "Dynasty" show stop airing, Nolan Miller became a private
couturier for designer dolls. Many beautiful dolls have been issued dressed by
him, in collaboration with toy-maker Mattel and he also marketed licensed
jewelry. He first appeared on QVC with his "Glamour Collection" in 1992. In addition to everything else, Nolan designed for 40 movies and over 12 TV series. And in 2000, the Costume Designers Guild presented Nolan Miller with the Award
for the Year for Best Costume Design.
In 2006, Nolan Miller was diagnosed with lung cancer which he fought for six long years. He retired in July, 2011 and passed away in June, 2012.
Costume Designer Guild - "Nolan Miller - A Legacy Beyond Shoulder Pads"
QVC - "In Memory of Nolan Miller" (June 7, 2012)
FEATURE JEWELRY OF THE WEEK
Nolan Miller's Hugs & Kisses Necklace & Bracelet with Hidden Clasps
Available separately online at SCLadyDiJewelry
Available separately online at SCLadyDiJewelry
Nolan Miller's Pave' Triple Heart Necklace
(Earrings sold separately)
Available online at SCLadyDiJewelry
Nolan Miller's Gracious Hearts Pierced Earrings
(Necklace sold separately)
Available online at SCLadyDiJewelry
Nolan Miller's Pave' Rose Brooch
Available online at SCLadyDiJewelry
Nolan Miller's Pave' Calla Lily Brooch
Available online at SCLadyDiJewelry
Click Here for More Nolan Miller Items on Etsy
SPECIAL
EASTER PROMOTION
JOAN RIVERS
EGG NECKLACES AND EGG CHARMS
Joan Rivers' Turquoise Panslovic Egg Pendant Necklace
Available online at SCLadyDiJewelry
(has 3 hooks on back)
Charm Stand Charm Display Stand
These three items were purchased special for this promotion.
Available online at SCLadyDiJewelry
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PROMOTION
STORE OF THE WEEK
MICSJWL
MICSJWL sells vintage items for every taste and budget.
It also likes to sell items that can be restored or transformed into
something new. As a long-time customer
of this store, I’ve always been impressed that it goes out of its way to carry things
it knows I will like. Repeat business is
a priority at MCSJWL.
There was
one listing in this store that really caught my eye. It was a listing for advertising help. If you want a new way to promote your store, check
out the store's listing for the “Etsy/Pinterest Promotion.” You will get a lot of “help” for just a few
dollars.
I can
personally vouch for this store and its owner.
Not only am I a long-time customer of the store, but the shop owner and
I were once business partners. We had a
lot of fun working together for a year, but we both decided we wanted to do
other things. So we went our separate ways. We are still good friends
and stay in touch with each other.
Micquel is on the West Coast and I am on the East Coast. You may remember us as EastandWestJewelry. Don’t hesitate to check out MICSJWL .
FREE JEWELRY TIPS & ADVICE
Over the past couple of years, I have collected a ton of useful information related to Jewelry Care, Jewelry Designs, Jewelry Displays, as well as Jewelry Organization and Storage. This information is yours for free. Just visit me on Pinterest.com.
FRIENDLY REMINDERS
Don't forget these important dates:
4-01-2016 - PBS Documentary on Joan Rivers
6-16-2016 - Christie's Online Auction - Joan Rivers
6-22-2016 - Christie's Live Auction (NYC) - Joan Rivers
Also, don't forget to check out the Joan Rivers Photographs I posted on Pinterest for you. My favorite find was photos of Melissa and Joan. I know you will enjoy these too.
SUGGESTIONS WANTED
I am eager to find out what you would like to see on this blog. Please give me your ideas. Anything is possible when we put our heads together. You can suggest jewelry designers for me to write about, ask questions on which I can research the answers, or whatever comes to your mind. What about a section for those pieces of jewelry you want but can't seem to find to buy anywhere? I keep a "Wish List" for some of my customers, and I help them look for these pieces. Just think about how many eyes could also be looking for that special piece of jewelry you so desire.
Here's another idea. Just yesterday, I came across "boxed jewelry subscriptions." This was a new concept to me. It works like this: you pay a subscription fee to receive a box of jewelry each month. The listing I read was for a bracelet each month. It was interesting to me until I checked the price. A bit much for me, but the concept could work with some fine tuning. Maybe you would like to take this idea and do something with it. To learn more about "boxed jewelry subscriptions" on Etsy,
AND IN THE END
We'll say goodbye to Nolan Miller. We miss you.
