Auntie Kate The Resale Expert

These manikins, or artist’s models, make terrific props in a jewelry showcase. Artsupply.com seems to have the most reasonable prices, but check locally to avoid shipping (both the monetary and the ecological costs!) and to support your local merchants, of course. (As my mother said, Pretty is as pretty does: If you want support from your marketplace, you have to offer it.)

Anyway, these manikins or ladykins are posable, and would look terrific holding a string of beads, offering up on a “platter” those diamond earrings, holding a small sign and more. If you leave them plain as-is, they’re moderne/ architectural-looking. Splash some rich colors of paints on them and they look straight from an artist’s Parisian atelier for you eclectic shops. Heck, you can even dress them in bits and pieces of old crochet work or chiffon scarves and feathers for whimsey (wouldn’t this “flying” manikin make a TERRIFIC “Budget Angel” mascot? S/he is from Jerry’s Artarama.)