Sterling Jewelry Cleaning Tips

Today I thought I would share some tips for cleaning sterling silver jewelry. Sterling(and copper) are easy to clean as long as you keep up with it. This first tip is something really simple to do and can be done every so often to keep your sterling nice and shiny.

#1. Fill a small bowl or cup with lukewarm water, a little mild detergent, and a dash of baking soda. Mix it up and allow your sterling pieces to soak in it for a couple of hours. It will come out as shiny and new as the day you purchased it. This can also be done with copper and is safe for most gemstones. So simple and easy and no chemicals.

#2. When you are finished wearing a sterling piece for the day, wipe it down with a soft cloth before putting it in a jewelry box.

A great anti- tarnish jewelry box is made byLori Greiner. I have one and it is sensational. Works like a charm. She has many sizes and shapes. They really are fantastic.

So, I hope you take these really simple cleaning tips to heart. A lot of people use products that are not safe for all types of jewelry like pieces with gemstones. My tips are really easy and contain no chemicals.

If you're in the mood for some new sterling pieces, I have several listed in my shop. Like these pictured- Dragonfly Sonata ring and the All Seeing Eye ring. The last one pictured, Art Deco Love Cuff, will be available later today.
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Top Model

It's another Monday. A new day, a new week.

Over the weekend, I discovered America's Next Top Model. Granted it was 2 seasons old, but still... How have I not seen this show?! That's right. I live in the sticks, and we can't get this channel. But, that's another story for another day. Mtv was showing a marathon of the whole season. I was glued to the tv from 9 in the morning until 9 at night. I was quite content to sit in front of my tv and watch the photoshoots, the little battles, and most importantly, the eliminations. I enjoyed each and every episode and found myself going,"Please don't let her get booted. I hope it's that one." even though the episode was 2 years old. I LOVE this show, and I haven't even seen a current episode. I must have been living in the dark ages. How could I have not known about this show?! I found myself scouring the CW's website hoping beyond hope that the episodes would be on the internet, but alas, they are not. Please, CW, put episodes of America's Next Top Model on the web! My only hope to see this show is buy a super duper NASA-type antenna for my tv.

On the business side of things, when I wasn't watching ANTM, I was working to expand my horizons and ensure my reaching my goals for this year. I found a couple of sites to possibly consign with, a few more sites to possibly sell on, and a few more sites to use as a portfolio. I'm working on several new and exciting projects. Plus, the winners of my $50 gift certificates will be announced soon.

Having Breakfast at Tiffany's

I hope everyone's weekend went well, and you are not snowed in. Mine was fairly typical. We did take K to an auction where you get to throw money when you are the winning bidder. We even let her bid. I was quite proud of her. She picked out the things she wanted and got them. She never swayed or varied in her wants. And, when it was time to get the lots, she had no problem throwing away the things she didn't want. She loved it. I think she was a little proud of herself as well. Then on Sunday, of course, it snowed for a little while. I'm not talking just any kind of snow. These snowflakes were the size of snack plates or saucers if you will. They were the biggest snowflakes I've ever seen. I wish I had thought of getting a picture. Now today I have to get the evil car tagged and titled. I wish I didn't. I hate that car. It's going to be a long day.

I am getting slightly caught up on my work. I finished the bracelet you see in the picture over the weekend. It wasn't hard to make. Just a long process of cutting rings then fitting them together and adding a clasp. There is just over 400 sterling silver rings in this chainmaille piece. Plus, I added some aquamarine faceted ovals for a touch of elegance. I really like how it turned out, and it really did name itsself. It wanted to be called "When eating breakfast at Tiffany's...". I don't usually choose such long names, but this one deserved it. You will be able to find this one in my shop later today unless you decide you need it then let me know and I'll put it on sooner for you. Until next time.

Just so you know, I'm sitting in my office, really the room formerly known as the dining room, writing this in the dark waiting to get my daughter ready for school.
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Mother Nature and Me

Who knew that picking up my daughter and running a few errands would be such an adventure?
It was a beautiful sunny day. There was even a hint of spring in the air. About 2 seconds after my daughter got in the car at her school, mother nature unleashed her anger. I don't know what we did to make her so angry, but I've not seen a storm like this in a while. The skies got black as midnight. There was thunder and lightning. The wind was pushing my monster car so much that I thought we were going to flip over. Then there was hail and horizontal rain. And, when I say hail, I'm not talking a little. I'm talking just shy of golfball size and enough that it was covering windshields. It was a monster of a storm. After the 10 minute torrent, we proceed to run our errands. So, we're sitting at the bank, and we see a drug deal go down. I actually had to interrupt it to get out of the parking lot. Of all the places! I'm telling you there is never a dull moment living in nowheresville.


Now down to business. This is my latest concoction- a headband which I think is quite fitting for my mother nature post today. I created this for the beads4you winter beading challenge. I got very inspired by the beads, and I am quite happy with how it came out. I'm even thinking of doing these regularly for my shop. The filigree is individually created from copper wire. The centerpiece is a carved shell flower accentuated with black pearls. I love it, and it can be found in my shop.

Feeling the Effects

Wednesday,oh, Wednesday! Why does Wednesday have to be the longest day of the week?!

First, let's get down to business. I have, at last, finished a Creative Challenge piece before the next challenge has been posted. This week's theme is a guest challenge created by HollysRainbow. The noble theme of peace. I opted for an inspiration less traveled. Color. I was inspired by the color blue which has long been associated with peacefulness. It is also a fitting color for today since blue is Wednesday's color. Blue is also associated with the throat chakra. The throat chakra deals with the communication of how we feel and what we think. Very enlightning! The color blue I chose comes in the form of a carved sodalite. I accentuated it with sterling silver filigree. It can currently be found in my shop.

Second. I'm going to go on a rant and tell you a little secret. The secret is I watch Housewives of Orange County on Bravo. Yes, I admit it. I'm a little addicted. I have always been a little curious of how the other half lives. Well, this show has now proven that the jewelry making fad is not over, and unfortunately, they are probably going to sustain it a little further. One of these "housewives", (I say "housewives" because really. Come on now. I'd like to see them do the work around my house.), is starting a jewelry making/designing business with a friend of hers. It's nothing spectacular. She's not doing anything that the rest of us haven't done, but does she have to start at the bottom? No. Of course her rich fiancee is going to help her out. Asking her friend about where to get start-up money, her friend replies "investors". Did you have investors? I know I didn't. Oh, wait. Yeah, I did. Me. For crying out loud. Is going to get to skip all the steps because she has a rich fiancee and she is on tv? If I was on tv, I bet my business would be booming. It really isn't what you know but who you know.

Playing Catch Up

I hope everyone had fun over the weekend. Yes, I did take yesterday off. I needed it after all the craziness of the Stiletto Heights slumber party. If you have not read about that, you should. There was much mayhem and madness. I even got in a little Truth or Dare on Sunday.

Anyway. Fun is why I chose to show these earrings. I created them just for fun. They are such amazing little abstract or free-form dangles. I chose to do a new earwire on them as well which, I think, lends itself to the design. You can currently find them in my shop.

Perhaps this week I will get caught up on everything I need to do. Doubtful, but perhaps. I am all ready working on this week's Creative Challenge and hoping to finish last week's. The world must go on, the week progresses, and I don't want to be left behind. I'm a much happier person when I'm creating so I'm going to make my schedule fit my creating schedule. Let's see how it works out.

Creative Challenge

Well, I finally finished my Creative Challenge from last week which is so, so sad since I run the challenges.

Last week's challenge was to create something inspired by or for a slumber party/sleepover. I was inspired by the lovely Jen's aka Stiletto Heights virtual slumber party which is tomorrow. You can read about it here. It was a lot of fun thinking back to all of those slumber parties that I attended. There were slumber parties with friends, parties with my cheerleading squad. There was even a party when I was a senior with my Spanish class. Do not ask me how that got started because I have no idea. Anyway, not only was I inspired by the slumber party idea, but I was also inspired by some handmade glass cabachons that I have from Willow Glass. They remind me of the nighttime sky with black clouds. Since I adore copper, I chose to use one in a copper cuff. I also added moon cutouts. It was a lot of fun to make even if it made my fingers so sore, but it reconfirms my believe that everyone should own some kind of rotary tool. Especially, if you aren't allowed to use a saw for fear that you will cut your hands off like me. Yes, it's true. I am completely inept with anything remotely sharp.

My Egyptian Nights cuff can be found on sale in my shop. Now, it's time to move on to the next challenge which I fear I will fall behind on. Cross my fingers that I won't. And, stay tuned tomorrow to see my post on the sleepover. That should be fun. So until next time, stay warm, watch out for black ice, and watch how much snow accumulates on your roof. xoxoox

I did it

I finally did it! After over a week of making things that were horrible or not making anything at all, I finally made something that resembled what I had planned for it to look like it.

Believe me, creative block is a force to be reckoned with. I know that the key is to work through it, but sometimes, that doesn't even work. Nothing over the last week turned out even remotely the way it was supposed to. Most of it was a mangled, deformed mess. I thought I had pushed my way through "the block" with making a list and following it, but that turned out to be not the case.

Then, oh glorious, then I came up with this idea. I stared and stared at my copper sheet and my sterling wire. I was determined to get this idea to work. It took me literally forever to get that little, itty bitty piece of copper to bend the way I wanted. It took twice as long to get the sterling silver wire to bend and hold that little, itty bitty piece of copper, but it finally came together. My calla lily ring was born.

I am quite excited about it, in case you couldn't tell. I love the finish I applied to it. The ring itself is very elegant but fun. I have to admit I am quite proud of myself. It can be found in my shop along with my other pieces before "the block". Don't forget I am having the contest for two $50 gift certificates. The first drawing is quickly approaching!

Conclusions and Challenges

I went shopping yesterday. Yes, I did. There was one outfit that I promised K I would let her go back and get. Of course, I couldn't leave the store without getting myself something. We browsed and shopped. K ended up getting her skirt she wanted and a matching shirt. Plus, she got a pair of cargo style pants that she's been wanting. The great thing about these pants is that she can also wear them in the summer as shorts because they unzip just below the knee. As for me, I decided I was not leaving that store until I found at least one pair of pants that I could wear in public. Yes, most of my pants are not suitable for public viewing. Boy, I didn't know that was going to be such a job. We wandered up and down the aisles for I don't know how long. I tried on I don't know how many pants. Finally, I believe after an hour, I found 2 pairs of pants that I really liked. One is a pair of jeans, and the other is a pair of really nice black casual dress pants. Love them! But... I have come to the conclusion that I need to lose weight.


Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not that overweight. In fact, with my height, I'm not even big. I can pack a lot of weight on this 5'10" frame. I am also reasonably comfortable with my body. But.... I want to be thinner. For myself. I don't like having to wear the size of pants that I do. It doesn't help that I have large, child-bearing hips, but I could still get into a size that appeals to me. So, I am determined that I'm going to get on a routine. It's not even the weight I want to lose. I mostly want to lose the inches. I used to be an exercise fanatic. I know I will never be the size I was, but I want to be slightly smaller than I am now. We'll see how it goes.




Well, I finally finished my Creative Challenge piece for this week. This week's challenge was to use the spring color chart which you can find here. I chose to use the color cappucino, but I have plans to use more of the colors in other designs. The cappucino color is a lovely jaguar or panther smoky quartz. I accented with sterling silver filigree, and I'm not sure how I like it. It's just one of those pieces where I'm just not sure. I may or may not list it in my shop. You should check out the color chart. It's a great thing to use for inspiration. It also helps to keep a lot of color in your designs. I just adore playing with it. Until next time!

Two Contests and a Necklace

I hope everyone made it through Monday with no problems.

The necklace pictured is my entry into the lovely Victoria's, of beads4you fame, winter beading challenge. The challenge is to take a bunch of beads, approximately 36" worth, and create something from them. This is just the first of my pieces. As soon as I saw the focal beads, I knew what I wanted to do, and I think it turned out very well. I even learned a new chainmaille weave for this project. I think it's very sexy. In fact, that's what I named it! It is currently available for purchase in my shop.

Now on to what I really want to talk about. My contest. I've decided to have my own contest. Here's the deal. Purchase anything in my shop and be entered to win one of two $50 gift certificates. For each item you purchase, you will receive one entry into the drawing. The first drawing will take place on Valentine's Day, and the second will be on March 1st. You can see all the details in my shop profile. How exciting is that?! I wonder who will win.

The Showcase

It's oh so cold here at Jewel Street Designs so I'm working on a brand new surprise for you for next week!

Until then, sit back and shop for Valentine's Day. Today I'm on the showcase on etsy. Boy, is it tough to pick 6 items for the Showcase. Not only do you have to pick 6 things that you think are the best, you need to pick 6 things that will make people click on them and visit your shop. Since I have done this before, I didn't want to pick the same things I had previously. I have another Valentine's showcase next week so I get to pick all over again.

This ring is in the Showcase. It's one of the gemstones I bought in my shopping spree. I'm addicted to these flowers. I have a ruby one all ready listed in my shop. I also have two Chrysoberyl and two Sodalite flowers waiting to be made. I only used 1 piece of copper wire to construct this ring. I accented the flower with a couple of wire "leaves". I really love the look this provides- antique yet modern. Plus, how many others will have this ring?

Creative Challenge

I have finally finished another Creative Challenge piece. This week's challenge was to create something that was inspired by a location in your town whether it be your backyard, a store, a park, or whatever.

I love doing the challenges even if I do create them. It ensures that I will create at least one piece a week. Plus, it makes me think outside of the box. Everyone who participates is absolutely wonderful. I adore each and everyone of them. It gives me a reason to look forward to Mondays, and we all know we need one.

My piece this week is a bracelet(and no, I don't always so bracelets) inspired by a river not too far from my house and a little storefront in the center of my town. I secretly dream that this precious little store, formerly a hotel, will be mine one day. I seriously doubt it every will be at the exorbitant costs that brick and mortars are going for in my teeny little town. Anyway. The aluminium rings and the aluminium rectangles were inspired by this store. They have a feel of art deco as does my dream store. The garnet, iolite, and prehnite rondelles are inspired by the colors that surround the river I go by everyday. I am seriously contemplating creating a necklace to match I love it that much. I will be listing this bracelet in just a little in my shop.

Why don't you lovely readers try this challenge? or let me see the places that inspire you in your daily life.

Shopping Jewel Street Designs

Don't forget Valentine's Day is right around the corner!

Do I have the item for you! I have a little gift pack that is ready to give when it shows up at your door. It comes with a signature heart and chain bracelet, your choice of gift boxes, gift wrapping, and a handmade tag. So, you have no excuse to forget this year. Everything is done for you.

If you don't particularly care for that, my whole shop is great for gift shopping. I always have free gift wrapping available. The only thing you need to do is request it in the comments section during checkout. I also have jewelry for those fashion forward men in your lives. Perhaps my tree sculpture or my sawblade shelves if you aren't looking for a jewelry gift. Don't let it get too late. There is only 3 weeks before February 14th arrives.

Valentine's Showcase

Etsy has their Valentine Showcase up now through February 14th. It's a great way to find gifts for that special someone on your list. Up there is the banner for the showcase. If you click on Showcase #1, it will take you to gifts for guys. If you click on Showcase #2, it will take you to gifts for girls. The banner is on the homepage so it is very easy to find. I would've made it so if you click on the banner it would take you right to the showcase, but I'm not that talented with html. So, my link to the Etsy homepage will have to do. Start your shopping now for Valentine's Day so you don't forget. You will be able to find anything from clothes to jewelry to bags and purses. I think I even saw some boob soap the last time I looked so you never know what you might find.

Remember I told you I went on a gemstone shopping spree over the weekend. Well, the first of my adventures has arrived. Isn't it beautiful?! I love this rose quartz carved flower. It is such a delightful delicate pink, and the flower is so well carved. I decide to wrap this flower in copper wire, and I'm glad I did so. It gives it such an antique yet modern feel. I call it my Morning Glory ring. Did you know that it is believed that rose quartz allows you to communicate with your spiritual guides and that it is the best stone for opening the 4th chakra? It is also believed that if you put a rough piece of rose quartz under your pillow it will keep the nightmares away.