About this Product
Each approx. 5.5"T X 4.5"W (+/- 1/2") heirloom bell is created from tightly woven AUTHENTIC (not reproduction) ANTIQUE (circa 1890-1910) never used French linen grain sack fabric with an antique Normandy lace overlay. Both textiles have been cleaned and gently aged to primfection. There are no funky old smells or new detergent odors, and you should expect to see just a few "age spots" which may or may not be on YOUR bell(s)-they are indicative of...age, able to pass my own picky standards, and not ginormous ugly stains-they lend an air of characteristic authenticity to this project! The distressed edges are carefully constructed to be fluffy but still maintain integrity on each precious bell. I've created a neutral-colored tea dyed posey with a circa 1950 vintage Japanese glass pearl button in the center-just the kind my customers love for a simple but "extra" embellishment that will go with any decor, in any vignette or gathering.
So what is Normandy lace? During and in the immediate aftermath of WWI (circa 1914-1918 and into the 1920's), European makers of fine laces, particularly in the Normandy area of France, faced a devastating shortage of raw materials to create their exceptional wares. In fact, their flax fields had been deliberately decimated by fires set by the Central Powers. In the spirit of mend and make do, these creatives were able to make "new" inventory from bits, pieces and snippets of old fine laces-tambour, Valenciennes, Alencon and more-by stitching them together. Check out my Etsy collection to see great examples of this exquisite textile art!
When I was in France in October of 2023, we stopped for a bit in Bayeux and found the sweetest brocante on one of the charming side streets there. The owner was a delight, and though she spoke minimal English, kind of like my French, her grandson was able to smooth the translation both ways. I found a lot of her prices there un peu cher (a little expensive)-but hey, antique textiles and France...today, I am pleased to be able to honor their tradition by repurposing their (worn, damaged, etc.) creations into new ones of my own and to share MY creations with YOU so they can live on yet another time.
A delightful anytime addition for your French farmhouse or your shabby cottage chic apartment-or anywhere in between, each elegant bell begs to be nestled into a charming gathering in a bowl or basket of old lace or tied to a book stack with a pretty velvet ribbon and bow. Choose the hanger version and I'll add a string for you to hang from a knob, nail, or peg. Tuck one into a wreath above the nightstand in your guest room. It is sure to please wherever your muse suggests.
For each quantity purchased you will receive one random bell that (bowl filler which has no string or ornament with string for hanging) that you select from the menu below, but please feel free to purchase as many as you'd like until I run out. Each bell is ONE OF A KIND, and all are extraordinary heirlooms created to last for generations.
All of my items are available across multiple platforms and are sold first come, first served. Please consider that these are from ANTIQUE fabric, so the supply is limited- if you LOVE it now, best to make your purchase when you see it to avoid disappointment!
Fabric/quilts/trimmings with an indication of "vintage" or "antique" are NOT new; therefore, they may have wear, uneven color, small holes, and other age-appropriate imperfections. I make every effort to use the best parts of any fabrics, but they are seldom pristine. All of my fabric items are sewn completely around and a slot is cut into the back piece, which is NEW fabric, for turning and stuffing. When you see a hand stitched seam on the back, it is deliberate, not a flaw. By creating my pieces this way, I can achieve better more accurate shapes than I would by hand sewing shut a curve or corner. ~B~
VintageMuseByBarb
Meet the Maker
At Vintage Muse By Barb, I am privileged to offer home decor creations made from repurposed antique textiles and other vintage tidbits. All my items are handmade right here in my workshop, located in my 1930's home, which is a renovated church. Yes, it even has two steeples!
My creative journey began 40+ years ago with a passion for making eco-friendly upcycled, nostalgic, unusual, and memorable objects that bring joy to others. From whimsical seasonal designs to elegant giftable heirloom quality treasures, each item in my shop is crafted with love and attention to detail.
I take pride in sourcing high-quality materials from around the world, ensuring that every product is not only visually stunning but also durable and long-lasting. You'll always find something special here at Vintage Muse By Barb.
As a small business, I am grateful for the opportunity to share my creations with my highly valued customers. Every purchase from my shop directly supports this independent artisan and helps me continue doing what I love most of all-sharing it with YOU.
Thank you for visiting Vintage Muse By Barb! I hope you find something that inspires you as much as it did me and makes your friends and neighbors wish they had seen it first.
With love and gratitude,
Barb
Shop Policies
Returns and exchanges
We accept returns for 14 days for exchange or refund.
Buyer is responsible for return shipping costs and any loss in value if an item isn't returned in original condition and in original packaging.
Custom and personalized orders
I am currently unable to accept custom orders.
Sizing details
Sizes are listed in item description and are approximate (as accurately as I am able to measure them).
Gift wrapping and packaging
Not available at this time.
Wholesale availability
We are not able to accept wholesale orders.
Shipping
We currently only ship to the United States.
I am NOT responsible for damages/theft etc. to uninsured packages regardless of reason. If your order is above the amount covered by the USPS,
we will automatically add the additional insurance required at the BUYER'S expense so that we are both protected in case of loss. I ship EVERY item with tracking,
and will message you the tracking number once your order ships. If a package seems "lost" I will be happy to assist you in locating it, but the USPS requires a 30-day wait
before an insurance claim can be filed (if your package is insured).
Customer is responsible for providing correct shipping address. I will only ship to the address you provide on your order.
Can We Hold Orders to Ship at a Later Date?
No. We ship our items quickly and cannot be responsible for keeping track of orders beyond the date on the original invoice.
We have thousands of items plus supplies to monitor and would feel terrible if something got lost in the shuffle.
