Author: laurelsilver

A few tutorials on polishing jewelry at home

Hello, I hope this finds you healthy and safe. I was trying to think of something that people could do at home that might be useful, informative and hopefully a bit fun/interesting. I often polish things when I am watching a movie or listening to music or podcasts. I really like to have something to occupy my hands and polishing jewelry is easy and useful.

Sometimes jewelry can start to look a bit tarnished, dull or faded. Usually all it needs is a little polish to bring back the shine. Jewelry that has developed a patina can be even nicer then shiny as long as you like the way it looks. Brass can be beautiful and earthy or silver can look antiqued and rustic. If however you want your pieces to sparkle here are a few tips. I have two options, one that uses my polishing kit that I give out with jewelry. The other uses alternate materials you probably have at home such as a green scrubby, dish sponge with scrub side and a toothbrush.

Make sure whatever jewelry you are cleaning is made of solid metal (not plated). Most of my pieces are either solid brass or sterling silver except my gold hoop styles (which are 14k gold-fill or rose gold-fill). If the gold hoops are looking a bit dull you can use the soft yellow cloth in my polishing kit to shine them up. If you don’t have one a very gentle scrub with toothbrush and dish soap should help.

How you store your jewelry when you are not wearing can help too. Air will darken silver, brass and copper so if you can close in a box, baggie or container they will stay bright longer.

I made a couple of video tutorials (my first!) one with my polishing kit and one with a green scrubby but hopefully you will get useful info from all of them. This first video link uses the green scrubby:

These next two videos show how to use my polishing kits:

Thanks for visiting and hope this was helpful. Grateful for all of you that have supported my biz, followed along and enjoy my work. Wishing good health & all the best.

Handwork – Ithaca, NY

Handwork, Ithaca’s Artist Cooperative is a unique spot to find useful local art – art that is a statement piece on its own but has a functional side. For example, we feature local artists who create cutting boards, hats, mugs, tool caddies, earrings, leather belts, etc! The list goes on.

As the name suggests, the artists in the cooperative own and staff the shop. It can be challenging to have enough time to own and run a shop, as well as create enough work to fill the shop. So by splitting our time, all the artists can have time to make new art and support each other by minding the shop. It also gives us an opportunity to meet people in the community that are familiar with our work but maybe we haven’t gotten the chance to meet yet in person.

The cooperative (initially called Cooperative Craft Store) was founded in 1976 by 12 local artists banding together and now features more than 40.

Stop by sometime and meet the artists!

Sundrees – Trumansburg, NY

A locally owned shop featuring a fun curated mix of pieces including a variety of locally made ones. The shop frequently rotates their collection of goods – handmade journals & handbags, local pottery, fun kitchen tools, luxurious soaps & lotions, and cute dresses – as well as their whimsical window displays.

If you’re making the trip to Trumansburg visit Taughannock Falls State Park to check out the tallest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Maybe treat yourself to some ice cream from Cayuga Lake Creamery or lunch at Creekside Cafe. If you’re going to dinner at Atlas Bowl or Hazelnut Kitchen stop at Garrett’s Brewing for a beer first! Sundrees is right next door!

I also have a handful of pieces at Little Button Craft in Rochester, NY as well.

Lots of great things have been happening in 2018 including visiting the Gem and Mineral show in Tucson, AZ this past winter. I found some beautiful stones including the natural labradorite featured in the new pieces above. I also fell in love with all the cacti!

I was excited to invited to be a part of the ongoing  sweet Bough Wedding collective !   This is great finger lakes region resource if you are getting married or know someone who is!

In the meantime I  am continuing to keep busy with making jewelry, attending  shows and being a part of Handwork Cooperative and Sundrees.
    

Late Summer and fall shows are scheduled and I am working on creating some new styles and projects. Hope you have a had a great 2018 so far and thanks for following!

As summer shows wind down I wanted to say Thanks! Thanks for following along and gratitude to everyone who came out to shows and shops. It was nice to see so many people in person!

I also wanted to share some unseen aspects of handmade jewelry. Each piece is made with hands and tools. Here are a few of my favorite tools… my hammers (I love the most!) Each hammer creates different textures and can change and form metal. My classic jewelers saw cuts out shapes and creates silhouettes inside those shapes as well if I choose. I also use many more pliers and mandrels then shown. I hope to do a virtual studio tour next….

November is coming to a close, leaves and snow have fallen and the studio is strewn with projects in process. It is always a challenge to take a day off for Thanksgiving. As much as there is to do I know how important it is to take time to reflect on how much there is to be grateful for, spend time with family and eat good food!  I feel so very grateful for the enthusiasm, support and encouragement I receive from my customers and my community, so thankyou for being a part of it!  I have to pinch myself that I have so many wonderful people in my life and supporting my work. Wishing you happy and grateful hearts and belly’s this Thanksgiving.

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After the long winters in central New York, summer is always sweet. This year has been hot and dry with lots of sunshine. As the warm days skip by  I am grateful for an hour or two to get in the garden, go for a hike, check out a new waterfall or swim in the finger lakes.

Hand forged Silver with Turquoise

My first ever Fingerlakes Lavender Festival at Lockwood Farms, beautiful place!

Local Farm Flowers

Most of my summer is a made up of making jewelry and preparing  for art fairs. I always feel as if I am in a marathon of late night forging, hammering, soldering and polishing followed by early morning tent set-ups. The shows I attend are sprinkled arounds NY state and I love meeting new & returning customers and artists. It is always fun to see what work fellow artists have made, try out a new food truck or explore a different city. It is also just fun to be out of the studio for a bit (as much as I like it here).

A rose gold bag from Planetarium design by Esther Yaloz with rose gold hoops oxidized silver pieces.

Brass cuffs in process

I am always working on concocting new ideas for jewelry designs but summer can be a bit of a challenge with so many shows.  I have recently created a botanical series I hope to expand and have some new forged silver pieces. Also a newly updated show schedule is up! Hope to see you out and about!  I wish you long, happy and relaxed summer days!

New botanical series in process…

If you can’t make it to a show or just prefer ordering online you can use code SUMMER16  for  10% off my etsy shop. I am also have my work available Sundrees in Trumansburg and at Handwork Coop in Ithaca.

Online Shop: https://laurelobrien.patternbyetsy.com

I appreciate that there is usually a lull in shows, sales & business during the winter. This allows me a bit more time for creative projects, updates and new ideas. I almost missed that opportunity this year, my schedule stayed full with plans, re-ordering and catching up on overdue projects. Last week I felt Spring was here! However we have winter again in Upstate NY! I can’t say I am excited about the snow but I am excited that I finally have some new things to share. I got a few snow filled days to start and complete some long awaited projects….

I am happy to say I finally have some new pieces in my Etsy shop, (and I am trying out a new Shop format). I am Thankful to Olivia Royale who I hired to do some photography on models! Now you can get a better sense of how the big the jewelry is, how it will look on and how it hangs and falls. I also updated the retail locations page to include Mint Velvet Vintage in Corning and Little Button Craft in Rochester (Check them out if you can!). I am working on updating my Craft Show page but hoping to get a few more show acceptances first…keep your fingers crossed for me! Additionally I have been been busy working on some new designs that I will share as soon as they are presentable! Thanks for following along!

Here is the new shop look, still being  worked on…..http://laurelobrien.patternbyetsy.com

I am really excited and lucky to be taking part in a February show this year. This Sunday on February 21st in Elmira I will be at Chamberlin Acres (in a greenhouse!) for the Spring Fever Makers Fair! We will have lots of beautiful things….Ceramics, textiles, jewelry, illustrations and more! I have been sawing, hammering and soldering away getting ready. Hope to see you there! Show up between 11am-4pm at 824 Broadway Street, Elmira, NY, 14904, https://www.facebook.com/events/1561240704167524/