The times., 1900-03-18
SAVE YOUR OLD SILVER.
Coin Purses. Thimbles. and Orna-
mrnts Make Beautiful Frames.

All must feel in n measure grateful to
the genius who first conceived the idea Of
utilizing the silver ornaments OF worn
out pocbetbooks and bags with which to
make picture frames Indeed. many OF
these pieces are really things OF beauty.
both in design aud hand modelling. and
have been no small item in the original
cost Il the card ease or pocketboOk. Il
has always been felt TO be a pity to sell
them for old silver when so little is real
ized. and a made over book is expensive
and seldom thoroughly satisfactory. The
shapes and styles Of the leather parts. as
is true Of almost everything, greatly
change. and the old bit OF silver somehow
doesn't seem to fit in we'll. Then. after
their first usefulness is over. is the time
To take them to a reliable ieweler and
have them made into n picture frame or
mirror The imagination can readily fol-
low the manner in which IL is done. Both
OF the silver pieces, it will be remembered,
are mclded in the shape Of right angle.
with one side longer than the other They
form. therefore. when placed together. the
right angles being diagonal in position. a
rectangle which is just the shape desired
to surround a cabinet photograph Usually
they are pasted upon a background OF some
rich shade Of velvet. deep crimson or blue.
and have the back so arranged that they
may stand uprightly. Such frames are
never hung. Where the two pieces come
together a little soldering is skiilfully
placed so that the joining is almost i'm
percepuible.
The fancy mirrors that are made oct
of these bits OF silver are also extremely
L. hlu IL
sary to have at least four pieces, and they
are prettiest when the corners are round
ed II is also desirable for them to be CT
nearly the same width throughout aud
the design a prominent one They are then
placed around a mirror on a background OF
gay velvet and very often arranged to
stand uprightiy. quainter idea is, II
one has the means. to attach to one han
die made out Of enc of the old silver knit
ting needle cases which were used by our
grandm0thers, and viii h. upon occasions.
were so discreetly tucked by them in front
Of their bodices. They are very long and
shaped like i small cornucopia extending
into a little curve at the downward end
For the handle of a mirror Of such design
as these made from the referred to pieces
of silver nothing could be smarter. Cf
course. rot every family has one OF these
needle cases in readiness to put TO sucn
use but they can sometimes be found and
bought for rather a small price at one OF
the antique shops. although they are nov
becoming scarce. Such mirrors are artistic
and luxurious and appear well when lying
upon a drawing room table visitor is
sure to pick it up and examine it while
arranging her veil and pince-nez TO per-
fection before she is greeted by the host
ess. Bag clasps also can be readily made
into mirrors. and. being quite large. but
two Of them are required. In fact, 1t is
amusing to note how many women are
now choosing their poeketboOks and sini-
lar articles with an eye to their later use
fulness. They also do a good deal Of say
ing up" One woman buys always the same
style Of pocketboOk and so accumulates a
good number Of identical pieces cf silver.
She says; Like Gilpin's wife. she has
frugal mind"