Monday, August 27, 2018

Cleaning Jewelry (Psst! there is a freebie in here!!)



I frequently get asked what the best way to keep jewelry clean. The absolute best way to do it is to use a jewelry cloth treated with cleaning solution and rub!  The trick is not to rub hard, but to rub a lot. People sometimes make the mistake of pulling their chains through the cloth too hard and BOOM! The chain breaks! You really just need a firm but gentle pressure...not too hard. 
If you don't have a Jewelry Cleaning cloth, you can just use a clean piece of cotton cloth to rub, however for really tarnished jewelry, I would recommend the Jewelry Cleaning cloth.

To see a demo on the correct way to clean your jewelry, check out our brief JEWELRY CLEANING TUTORIAL on YouTube!

For intricate rings, I stumbled across this GREAT DIY method of getting them clean.

You will need:

Small bowl
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon dish detergent
1 cup hot water
Aluminum foil
Paper towel
Old toothbrush

Gather what you need for making the jewelry cleaner. You can use your favorite dish detergent — or make your own — to add a serious grease-busting aspect to this concoction. The salt, baking soda, and aluminum foil create a chemical exchange called an ion transfer, which naturally cleans metals.


Line the bowl with a square of aluminum foil, and then top with the salt, baking soda, and dish detergent. Now add the hot water and watch as the liquid fizzes. Drop in your jewelry and let sit in the cleaner for 10 minutes.

Remove your jewelry and use the toothbrush to gently scrub around any prongs, groves in the jewelry, or gemstones. We tested this cleaner on gold, silver, sterling, diamonds, and other gems with glittering results. Rinse after cleaning, and pat dry.


You'll love how your jewelry sparkles after the quick cleaning, which is safe to do over and over.
(source:Popsugar)

Would you like a FREE Jewelry Cleaning Cloth? We will send you one! 
(US residents only - please)
Just fill out the form below.

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Monday, August 20, 2018

Fishing Floats made of glass??!!



I have to tell you that one of my all time favorite things EVER are Japanese Glass Fishing floats. If you've ever been to one of those old timey, kitschy, seafood restaurants, you've surely seen them either hanging from the walls or decorating some lonely corner. 
My best friend Kathys dad was a boat captain (like my dad), but their house was always decorated with everything nautical, and I loved it!

They were once used by fishermen in many parts of the world to
keep their fishing nets, as well as longlines or droplines afloat. 
Large groups of fishnets were strung together, sometimes up to 50 miles long, and were set adrift in the ocean and supported near the surface by hollow glass balls or cylinders containing air to give them buoyancy. These glass floats are no longer used by fishermen, but many of them are still afloat in the world's oceans, primarily the Pacific. They have become a popular collectors' item for beachcombers and decorators.


Surprisingly it was a Norwegian, Christopher Faye, that was credited for the invention in 1840. The Japanese started using them around 1910. Today, most of the remaining glass floats originated in Japan because it had a large deep sea fishing industry which made extensive use of the floats. 
Today most are replicas that are used in nautical or coastal
interiors, however, if you are lucky, you can still find one on a pacific beach!

Fishing Float Earrings

You can always pick up a pair at Handmade Jewelry Haven to dangle from your earlobes!
I make these using the glass ball found inside Japanese soda bottles, also known as a Codd Neck bottle!

source: Wikipedia





Feeling adventurous? I have a free download on how you can make your own Japanese Fishing Float!

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Monday, August 13, 2018

Wordless Wednesday - Cool Beach Finds!



Here is just a little teaser for next weeks post! Enjoy!









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Monday, August 6, 2018

August means Back To School



So we give so much of our time and energy to our kids, especially during the summer when you are trying to keep them busy while secretly praying for school to start.

Trust me, I know, I have been there...who am I kidding, I am STILL there! With TWO teens, you would think it would be a little easier, however, in reality, it just brings a different set of challenges.

Then comes August...the BIG BANG at the end of the summer when it is time to pull out the wallet and get all those supplies! If you have more than one child...then you know, by the time you are done with all that shopping, nothing sounds better than dropping on your sofa at the end of the day with a nice glass of wine! 

Well, why not treat YOURSELF this year with a beautiful Back-To-School Jewelry piece from Handmade Jewelry Haven? I mean...you really DO deserve a little something just for yourself right? Self therapy if you will (it is certainly cheaper!).

Dragon Bracelet
If you are one of those loving spouses that work, while your significant other stayed home all summer...well THIS is the way to say, THANK YOU!!!!

You will never look more fashionable dropping off the wee ones in the car pool lane on that first day of school!

I have another treat for you too....
Need a back to school checklist? Download our FREE one here.....




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