MANY PEOPLE’S JUNK IS JILL FAGIN’S TREASURE
by Anita Sarko
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| Brazilian RINGS by SIMONE. (18 Ct. Gold with and without various gemstones, $20-$72). |
| Once, upon stating that my maternal grandfather made his fortune in scrap metal, someone derisively remarked, “In other words, he was a junkman.” Thinking of my late grandfather as Fred Sanford didn’t mesh with any descriptions or photos I’d ever heard or seen. His appearance was elegant and the family spoke of him reverentially. Even my first husband’s elderly and cultured Main Line parents fondly recalled him as a business associate because they had both been in Philadelphia-based steel businesses; he as a structural engineer and bridge builder and she as the president of a galvanizing firm. Color me confused. However, upon researching his occupation, I discovered that, yes, one could use that description for his line of work. Funny, however, that he’s had the last laugh. In today’s terms, he would be described less as a “junkman” than as a man ahead of his time. My grandfather was a master recycler!
I researched and found out from the mills I had been getting it from that it was! Now there are ‘eco-friendly stores’, meaning that the materials have to be sustainable and made in the U.S.” Jill laughs at this relatively sudden obsession with values that she had unknowingly always adhered to. For 22 years, Fagin has been a wholesaler to Macy’s and Barney’s with her jewelry. Then, in the early 90s, women weren’t as focused on jewelry (“It was the craziest thing!”), so this ever-resilient woman made goods for the home. She began with bud vases, fashioned from glass and aluminum. Someone confused one with a mezuzah, so she began calling them THAT and expanded into all sorts of Judaica, including menorahs, candlesticks and items for Passover and Rosh Hashanah. The Jewish Museum quickly began stocking her goods. Back in the secular world, Fagin created everything from bar accessories, salad utensils, baskets, salt and pepper shakers, glasses, platters, regular candlesticks and citrus squeezers. |
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| Earrings ("These are SUPER popular!" $36); Bangles ($40) and a mixed-metal teardrop necklace ($48). |
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| Various Earrings ($20-40. Believe me, these are just "the tip of the iceberg"). |
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| Vintage Jade Beaded NECKLACE ($48) ... Judaica Display. |
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| A scrapheap of recycled aluminum ready to be recycled (again). |
| However, she never let go of her love for jewelry making. “People get addicted to my pieces because they are so light; they don’t pull.” In addition, they’re non-allergenic and any pieces, such as earrings, can be converted. “My jewelry is home-made, whimsical and contemporary. We’re sold as the low-end at high end-stores.” What the customer sees while browsing is only part of the story. JILLERY may be a tiny shop, but a good portion is hidden in the back because that’s where the workroom is. This relatively sizeable space is overrun with spirals of various widths and lengths of aluminum while a group of people feverishly assemble Jill’s creations. |
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| Vintage McCOY American pottery COOKIE JAR ($75) and vintage PIE PLATE ($20). |
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| Vintage GLOVES ($4); GLOVES CLIP ($32); MIRIAM HASKELL EARRINGS ($85); MIRIAM HASKELL PIN ($250). |
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| Vintage BELTS (From top to bottom: Faux pearls and metal chain belt. $58; Mixed metal chain belt. $78. "These are ENDLESS"). |
| Out front is an entirely different story. Though Fagin’s own designs are prominently featured, over half of the shop is devoted to an eclectic array of vintage finds. The amazing purses are the first to catch one’s attention and the stock changes on a regular basis. “They’re my passion.” Admits Fagin. Indeed, the day I was photographing, she had just received a new shipment of Gucci bags. She could hardly contain her excitement, wondering how to price such rare treasures. The belts (especially the metal ones) and the cuff links from the 1930s to the 1960s ($18-$48) are other standouts. Delectable sweater guards ($22-$28) would be great buys for lovers of that Preppy look of draping sweaters over one’s shoulders. There’s also interesting vintage pottery, like cookie jars and pie plates. And check out the magnets, which she is happy to make into pins or necklaces “... or anything.” As earlier noted, Fagin is very much into conversion or any other forms of “recycling.” |
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| Vintage GUCCI PURSES ($100-200). |
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| All vintage: British CUFFLINKS ($42); Real Coins CHARM BRACELET ($24); For the fashionable Kabbalist, a Tree of Life CHARM BRACELET ($75); Enamel Powder COMPACT ($24). |
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| "Our Family" portable PHOTO ALBUM interior ($48). |
“It’s endless.” Jill laughs, gesturing one moment towards a lone rack of mostly 60's clothing, then pulling out items that are bug-themed and others covered in skins (“We tend to sell animal motifs really well”), finally producing a jade beaded necklace from SOMEWHERE. “My Poppy made it for my grandmother.” She explains lovingly. “She just passed away at 96!”
The prices are extremely reasonable and you will most certainly find that unique and surprising gift for those (including yourself) who have everything. With baby showers, weddings, holidays and house gifts a constant, you’d be crazy not to keep this place on your radar. It’s even a perfect destination to take a young person who’s just pierced their ears and immediately want to wear dangly earrings. Fagin’s are not only weightless, but they are made of 24 ct. gold plate and silver tone over surgical steel, so there will be no nasty reactions or tears. Having suffered through a terrible allergic reaction to pure gold studs when I first pierced my ears (how could one get safer than THAT?), I can’t emphasize enough how important these qualities are. Jill Fagin is single mom who is an extremely unaffected, upbeat and sweet woman. She is open to collaboration and has skilled artisans on the premises ready to make your dream pieces a reality. The goods are environmentally friendly and will spotlight your social consciousness. How special is THAT in these challenging times? |
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| 1950's Silver and Gold PURSE/MAKEUP BAG ($65. Originally $7.50 in the Fifties. "Your finishing touch of Fashion" boasts its packaging). |
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| Left, clockwise: Lucite and Metal Purse ($90); Ponyskin KEYHOLDER ($32); Black Satin and Metal SHOULDER BAG ($20); Ponyskin WALLET ($38); Snakeskin KEYHOLDER ($32). All Vintage. Right, clockwise: Made-in-Florida Shell PURSE ($48); Florida BEER MUG ($20); Beaded Las Vegas Souvenir BAG ($38); Ponykin and Leather PURSE ($125). All Vintage. |
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| JILLERY BABY SPOONS ($20 + $1 per letter). |
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| JILLERY HOUSEWARES. PLATTER ($36); CANDLESTICK HOLDER ($66 per pair); CITRUS SQUEEZER ($36); "Apples and Honey" Rosh Hashanah PLATE ($28); GLASS ($20). |
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