So What's Not To Love About Bakelite?

Bakelite-so what is not to love about Bakelite!  The colors, certainly not, because they are so delicious that they have names like apple juice and root beer.  The sound of it, oh no, for that is music to ones ears - like when the bangle bracelets "clunk" together.  Even the smell....so distinct that you know it like no other when you rub it between your hands on a hot summer day.  There is just nothing else like it.  Put it smack dab in the middle of a lot of lucite, acrylic, and/or plastic jewelry and it jumps right out at you.  Something about the deep richness of the colors and weight of the piece when you hold it tells you it is Bakelite.  

There is really nothing that compares to an early morning jaunt to a thrift store or a flea market and finding yourself in the midst of a counter or booth with  lots and lots of Bakelite jewelry.  The thrill of the hunt compares to nothing else.  The colors swim before your eyes as you scrutinize each and every one that speaks to you.  Oh yes, don't kid yourself they do, indeed, speak to you.  Calling your name softly -- telling you to take them home -- promising you that they are multi-functional because not only will they pretty up your person, they will also decorate your dresser when not decorating your wrist.  No matter that you tell them they are way too expensive - they just whisper back that you are actually saving money because next year they will only cost much, much more.  Haven't they faithfully gone up in price year after year.  Of course they have!  So what do you do - exactly what I do -- you go ahead and buy them.  The beautiful Bakelite - bracelets, earrings, brooches, buttons and whatever else appeals to you.  You bring it home and cherish it and look at it and just love it because after all what is there to not love about Bakelite!