Of Failure, Pearls and Sparklies

Ah...I have been slacking in this posting department for a while now.

Inspiration seems to be taking a back seat for the last few months.

Few days ago I tried something "new", well not really "new" but failed miserably.
It was a request for wire names and I can't seems to get the letters right.
I thought it would be easy but I was wrong. Gave up altogether and feel very disappointed with myself.

Well, Christmas and New Year are just around the corner.
There are still few more pieces to work on and hopefully they all turn out beautiful.

At least these here turn out beautifully :)
Stringed pearl necklace with a wire wrap infinity clasp.

 Close up of the infinity clasp.

Again, I have made lots of this sparkly wire wrap rings, if you have been following my postings. Probably the most popular and you are getting bored seeing the same rings again hahaha...

However, this ring is quite quick and easy to make. As such, it will make great last minute gifts, if you are a very last minute person like me.
Hehe! can't resist doing shameless self promotion here.
I have a step by step pictorial tutorial for this ring at my Etsy shop, click the link here - Sparkly Crystal Ring Tutorial

Year End Christmas SALE

ALL TUTORIALS 20% percent Off the price shown at my Etsy Shop.
Visit my Etsy shop here

The coupon code is TUT20.
At check out, click Apply shop coupon code above "Item total" to enter the coupon code for your order.

If tutorial is marked at $3.00, you will pay just $2.40
If tutorial is marked at $5.00, you will pay just $4.00
If tutorial is marked at $6.00, you will pay just $4.80
If tutorial is marked at $8.00, you will pay just $6.40
If tutorial is marked at $12.00, you will pay just $6.40

Further 20% discount for Tutorial Packages.
If tutorial is marked at $12.00, you will pay just $9.60
If tutorial is marked at $70.00, you will pay just $56.00. That is for 16 tutorials!

Visit my Etsy Shop here.
Sale ends Dec 14

Probably the Easiest, Cheapest and Safest Way to Clean Your Silver

This is a long overdue post.
Some of the pictures were taken about two years ago.
Yeah! That looooooong ago.
Don't ask me why.
But I am finally sharing with you....jeng! jeng! jeng!.....

THE EASIEST, CHEAPEST and SAFEST WAY to CLEAN SILVER.
First thing first, here are the Before and After pictures.
The WHAT and HOW is further down the post.

Finally, the WHAT?
The SAMFONG POWDER.
A traditional pressed powder that's been around for decades (maybe century?).
There are two types shown here, one made in Hong Kong (right) and one made in Indonesia (left, pink).
If you are on this part of the world, you wouldn't have problem finding this powder.
Its everywhere - sundry shops to mini markets to supermarkets. Not sure about the mall though.

I don't use it but mom-in-law does.
Not on her face but for her silver!

Yes, the secret is out! ha! ha!
I learn this method of cleaning silver from MIL and she said her mother did the same.
MIL is in her 70s so that's a long long time ago.

I snapped this picture while she was cleaning her silver cuff thinking at that time I must blog about this....and here it is, two years later...hahaha
Cotton is used here.
Easy peasy!

You can use an old toothbrush too.
Just scratch some powder on and brush your silver ring or silver jewelry.

 

 

The powder and the silver chain after cleaning.

Dirty powder, shiny silver!

Hope you find this post useful.

Just another cheap and easy alternative to clean your silver jewelries.

Have a great weekend.

Happy belated Thanksgiving to readers that are celebrating.

Wire Wrap Donut Pendants

Took me few days to come up with this design.

You see, there are many ways to wrap a donut pendant. The easiest is to coil the wire several times around the donut and you are done. Simple, easy and fast.

But....but....but........
I like my donut to be able to turn freely around the wrap when done.
So, its worth the wait and I am quite happy with this design.

This blue stone is a commissioned piece.

The rutile donut belongs to yours truly.
My constant companion :)

This pendant went through several changes over the years. You can see it here (simple wrap that didn't last very long) and here (also didn't last long...I change my mind rather fast...hehe).

The third and last design lasted several years (the longest) but I can't seems to find any picture of it here.....ish! ish!

The wire wrapping is similar to this one here though (the yellow stone on top).

Enjoy your week.

Wire Weave Stud Earrings and Cross - Lapiz Lazuli

I have written about Lapiz Lazuli
previously – Lapiz as Healing Stone.
Well, it didn't get rid of my migraine
headache…yet….because I don’t put it on all the time but who knows.

However, I am still in awe with this dark blue gemstone which is regarded as a stone of truth and friendship and believe to helps the wearer to be authentic and allow self-expression/confidence.

Few months back, I purchased a teardrop and oval shaped Lapiz suitable for pendant and ring. Been meaning to wire wrap them for self but as usual, many ideas ran through my head when I first saw them but once they reached home, they’ll be sitting in the box for many moons to come…haha....bad habit.

These pair of wire weaved stud earrings and cross is commissioned by a friend. I employed the weaving technique for the cross as well as the Herringbone weave for studs.

How do you like the earrings?
Me too…I love it…hehe
Notice the tiny golden shimmer?
They are not gold, how I wish, but pyrites.

Today is my favorite day....yay its Friday!
Don't we all look forward to Friday :)

Silver- A Versatile Element (Guest Post)

Silver is a shining white beautiful metal and its name is originally derived from the Latin word “Argentium” which means money. Silver is a precious, and even though it is inferior in status compared to gold; silver is a metal with many versatile usages. Silver is good conductor of electricity with excellent thermal conductivity and commonly used in electroplating. Silver also have good ductility and malleability making it an effective lubricant, catalyst and alloy.

Silver has widespread applications since the early dawn of civilization. Records show that silver alloyed coins were used since prehistoric times of Peloponnese Greeks and Sumerians.  Romans and Carthage fought legendary battles over control of silver mines. Even to this date, American silver eagle and Canadian maple leaf used as an investment currency. Silver is also long used as an industrial metal. It has been used in photography before the arrival of digital photography.  Dentists use its alloy to make amalgams which are used to fill cavities in patients’ teeth. Various engineering and medical fields that involve generating radio frequency and very high frequency use silver due to its high electrical conductivity. Other applications of silver includes its use in making mirrors, flutes, use in nuclear reactors and is also used in medical sectors in its ionized form.

However, the most common use of silver is undoubtedly its use as jewelry. Silver Jewelry not only serves as accessory but with increasing value, it also can be considered as a sensible investment. So, if you are planning of buying it online, I suggest you must visit GoldenMine. It offers a wide range of silver jewelry like shining sterling silver chains, silver earrings, silver pendants to be worn with silver chains and many more jewelry items. The price is reasonable and the shipping facility is efficient and the order can be placed both by email and phone call.

By Smith Geroge
Smith Geroge is a freelance writer who enjoys the challenges of creativity, fond of art & jewelry. Not content writing strictly in the non-fiction arena, He is also researching on best travel services. He maintains a Facebook page to network with his friends and readers and blogs about the Travel and profession of writing at http://www.facebook.com/smith.geroge.5.