The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-08
UTILITY OF OLD SILVER.
Many Ornaments Can He Made of
Worn-OuI Material.


All must feel in a measure grateful to
the genius who first conc siYed the idea
of utilizing the silver ornaments o. worm
out pocketbooks and bags with which TO
make picture frames. Indeed many OF
these pieces are really things OF beauty
both in design and hand modelling, and
have been no small item in the original
cost of the card case or pocketbook. 1t mas
always been felt TO be a pity to sell
them for old silver, when so little is re-
allied and a made-over book is cxpen-
sive 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 reliable jeweler
and have them made into a picture frame
or mirror. The imagination can -ead.iy
follow the manner in which it is done.
Both of the silver pieces, it viii be re-
membered. are nodded in the shape of
right angle, with one side longer tan
the other They form, therefore, when
placed together. the right angles being Ill
agonal in position, rectangle which is
just the shape desired to surroun, a cab
met photograph. Usually they ale past
cd upon a background of some rich shade
Of velvet. deep crimson or blue and have
the back so arranged that they may stand
upright Such frames are never hung
Where the two pieces come together q
little soldering is skillfully placed so that
the joining is almost imperceptible.
The fancy mirrors that are made out
of these bits of silver are also extremely
pretty For them however. ii is neces
sary to have at least four pieces and they
are prettiest when the corners are Iound-
ed. 1t is also desirable for them 10 DE OF
nearly the same width throughout and
the design a prominent one. They are
then placed around a mirror on a back
ground Of gay velvet and very often ar
ranged to stand upright A quainter
idea is, IL one has the means, to attach
TO one handle made out of one of the old
silver knitting needle cases which were
used by our grandmothers. and which.
upon occasions. were so discreeuy tackled
by them in front of their bodices. They
are very long and shaped like a small
cornucopia extending into little curve
at the downward end For the handle OF
a mirror of such design as those made
from the referred to pieces OF silver moth
ing could be smarter. OF course, not every
family has one of these needle cases in
readiness to put to such use. but they
can sometimes be found and bought for
rather a small price at one of the antique
shops. although they are now becoming
scarce. Such mirrors are artistic and
luxurious and appear well when lying
upon a drawing room table. visitor is
sure 10 pick it up ana rx mime IT while
arranging her veil and piece-nez TO per
lection before she is greeted by the hos
tess. 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 pocketbooks and SINH
lar articles with an eye 10 their later use
fulness. They also do a good deal OF
saving up. One woman buys always the
same style of pocketbook and so accumu-
lates a good number OF Identical pieces OF
silver She says: Like Gilpin's wife, she
has a frugal mind"