I was thinking about Bakelite today - it reminds me a lot of my aunts, kitchens, being a child in the 1950s. I realize that it was first produced in the early 1900s but the jewelry did not come out until the 1930s, just in time for my aunts to purchase bakelite pins and earrings. It was also used for radios, telephones, kitchen appliances, and other more prosaic goods which we had around the house.
But it is the bangles that I love. No two are ever alike. Some are so creamy and smooth in color it is like staring into a churn of butter. Others are clear and within, you can see tiny universes, speckles and dots, tails of comets.
The one thing Bakelite is NOT - subtle! The bangles can be a third of the forearm wide and even the thinner ones attract attention with their perfectly held roundedness.
Bakelite, makes me thing of World War 2, aprons, dancing at the Aragon Ballroom, floral housedresses, permanent waves, formica tables, chunky heels and patent leather - a mundane glamour accessible to everyone. No diamonds for me - make it Bakelite!
