Nameless pendant

I finished a neat little sterling silver and resin pendant tonight. Unfortunately I am at a total loss as to what to call it! I figure as I am trying to get this blog off the ground I will try a bit of a contest.

Between now and Sunday please feel free to suggests names in the comments of this post. If I pick your name you can have 10% of any item in the PhonyArt etsy shop.

Caring for sterling silver jewelery

One of the questions I get asked most often is "How do I keep my sterling silver jewelery as shiny as when I buy it? Believe it or not the answer is pretty simple. Wear it and enjoy it; the more you wear it the cleaner it will stay.

Pure silver is too soft a material to use in most applications, so copper is mixed with fine silver to create sterling silver (7.5% copper 92.5%silver, by weight). It is the copper in sterling silver that oxidizes when it comes into contact with air, and that is what causes shiny silver jewelery to begin to blacken almost immediatly. The oils on your skin create a natural barrier between the silver and the air around it, allowing it to tarnish and a much slower rate than it would otherwise. This principle of "keep the air out" applies to your sterling silver jewelery at all times. When you are not wearing you silver, keep it in an airless location if at all possible.

This is easier to do then you think. Wipe your jewelery with a soft, lint free cloth to remove any fingerprints. Wrap your sterling silver in any acid free piece of tissue, then slip it into a plastic bag. All of my sterling silver pieces come complete with anti-tarnish strips/pouches work by subtly altering the air within them and slowing the oxidation considerably, and thus are another great solution.

Other than that sterling silver needs very little care. Tarnish build up can be removed with a store brand silver polish or polishing cloth.

Earrings to suit your gorgeous face!

Trying to figure out how to bring out your best features? Did you know that right shaped earrings can frame your face and help complete that stunning work of art you were born with?

A round chin can be complemented beautifully by long, tappered earrings, however, for those of us blessed with cheeks and chins to spare this is not always enough. The balance often looks a little off.

One of the solutions is an earing that only appears to taper, but actually has a little substance at the bottom. While the earrings posted look like they taper, they actually come to frame your face and pull emphasis from your chin and place it around your eyes.

Be the talk of the party with these beautiful 3 inch dangling earrings. The slight tinkle as you move will call all attention to exactly where you want it. The gorgeous op-art design will keep it there!

So what are Swarovski Pearls?

In order to produce stunning results at a fraction of the normal cost I often use Swaorvski Pearls instead of their cultured or freshwater swankier relatives. I will ALWAYS detail this information in an item's description. All items made with Swarovski Pearls can be ordered by commission with cultured or freshwater pearls.

So what are Swarovski Pearls?

Swarovski's crystal faux pearls have a leaded crystal centre that gives them the weight of natural pearls. This means that they hang and drape just like their underwater cousins, and do not look cheap and plastiky like many of the faux pearls available in trendy stores. The core is then covered by layers of a man made nacre for a shell that is nearly identical natural pearls.

Because they are man-made and laboratory controlled, Swarovki pearls have a beautiful and consistent natural colour and luster. they are also available at a reasonable price in a variety of colours and sizes not easily available in cultured and freshwater pearls.

Swarovski pearls warm to the skin just like their more expensive cousins, however that is where the similarities end. Unlike cultured pearls they are also resistant to perspiration, UV rays, perfumes, scratches and gentle washing. This makes them an excellent choice for fashion jewelery, people with sensitive skin, and people who are particularly hard on their jewelery. They can be worn while swimming (for that oh so chic swimsuit and pearls look), and can be stored in a glove box for those "pearls and a ponytail" moments.

Swarovski Crystal Pearls are available in 4 shapes, numerous sizes, and over 20 different colours.

So what are my sizes?

First off I am more than willing to make any item to spec so long as I have the materials in stock. This means that if you see a ring in a size 9 and need it in an 11 I am more than happy to alter/recreate it for the same price. Many of the pieces can be shortened/lengthened with no problem at all. Below are just my standard sizes for "one size fits me" jewelery.

Bangles - 7.6 cm / 3" across
Chokers - 53.3 cm / 21"
Necklaces - 61 cm / 24"
Long necklaces/Lariats - 91.4 cm - 101.6 cm / 36" - 40" (longer lengths available upon request)
Bracelets - 20.3 cm / 8"
Brooches - a minimum of 5.1 cm / 2"
Rings - generally available to a size 15

Bangles for the rest of us? You Bet!

Love the look of those funky bangles that are everywhere this season? Me too!

Unfortunately I could not find any to find over my hand nicely without causing serious pain and cutting off blood to my fingers. So I did what I like to do. I went back to my drawing board!

All my bangles are sized to a generous 3 inches diameter and are perfectly round for a great shake rattle and role up and down your arm.

With simple finishes ranging from mirror smooth to caveman chic to detailed filigree work I have something to please everyone. And if I don't, please let me know! If you think it is missing, chances are there are lots of people who would agree with you.

Mermaids delight

This is one of the first pieces I made way back before I started playing with metalsmithing and was only able to work with what I find, but it is still one of my favourite pieces.

This was when I first started to play with transforming jewelery. This piece goes from long to short and day to night without ever losing it drama. Perfect as a choker or as a long pendant these Swarovski Crystal pearls and Venetian glass pair with sterling silver to create a beautiful accent that draws attention to exactly where you want it!

Hello

Hi there,

I thought I would start a blog totally separate from my personal life about my work and how it is progressing. Hence, this new endeavor.

Please stay with me as I am only just getting this started.

Thanks, and hope to see you around often!