I don’t know about you guys, but I am always on the search for the perfect jewelry holder.  If you are a jewelry lover like me & have way too much jewelry, then you are constantly in need of  a place to hang lots of earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

One thing I need in a jewelry organizer is space!  I like to be able to see all of my jewelry, while also having it organized.  I came across this great and inexpensive alternative that I would love to share with you.

This is an easy & fun way to organize & display your jewelry.  It is also a great homemade gift to give to your friends & family.

All you need is:

1.  A frame of any size

2.   Piece of material.  I love using pieces of old fabric.  If you are feeling daring, you can sew together a couple of different patterns to create a more funky and crafty look.

3.  A staple gun

4.  3 or 5 small nails

5.  A Hammer

6. Scissors

4 Easy Steps:
Step 1: Take your fabric & lay it on top of the back side of the frame.

Step 2: Pull the fabric  taught (The tighter it is, the better)Staple all sides. Especially corners, because they tend to pucker.

Step 3: Cut off the excess fabric.  Make sure not to cut TOO close to the staples. Turn the frame over now and then to check how the front is looking.  You now have a place for your earrings!

Step 4: Along the bottom of the frame, nail some nails.  This will create a place to hang your necklaces & bracelets.

Now that you are finished, your search for the perfect jewelry holder is over! Time to keep creating to fill in those empty spaces!  Happy Beading!

Plain and simply living has gotten extremely expensive.  We are all looking for ways to get the most for our money, while still getting the quality goods we love. If your anything like me, the one thing I will never give up in buying & making new jewelry.  I find that it has gotten hard to do on a budget, yet I promise you it can still be done! Here are a few ideas, to keep your creative juices flowing.

1. Visit your neighborhood Thrift shop or Good Will!  Many will carry a large stock of vintage & refurbished jewelry.  There are so many treasures, that your eyes will tear from excitement.  It may take a chunk out of your day, but I promise you it is worth your time.    Remember one man’s trash, is another man’s treasure.

2.  Re-create.  We all have old necklaces & earrings laying around that we never wear.  Why not take them apart? Your initial reaction to hearing this may be weary but why not try!  Turn a pair of old earrings into a new pendant.  Think of all the elastic bracelets you can make out of your old 20″ necklace that has been catching dusk in your jewelry box.

3. Play a game.  Check if your town has a Bead Store. Most of the time, they will have a sale section.  Give yourself a $20 minimum & see how many beads you can get within your limit.  Yes, a bead shop is an adult version of a candy shop for us but a little discipline never hurt anyone!

There you have it, three easy ways to save money & keep up your jewelry sweet tooth.

The question of wearing too much  jewelry has been completely thrown out of the picture.  Jewelry this season is going to be the biggest statement on the runway and off.  With styles running the gamut from bold and playful to sleek and modern, its shaping up to be an interesting fall for jewelry.  Styles will be bigger & more extreme than you have seen in past years.

We will also continue to see many natural jewelry options, such as wood & bone bracelets, rings, & of course necklaces.  This a good thing for all of us who like the complimentary components of  neutral colors.

Of course, gemstones are still in! Black onyx and smoky quartz are the  hot stones for cooler weather.  People will be on the prowl for multifaceted and irregularly faceted shaped beads.

Bold is in! This means, its time to breakout all of your funky old gemstones & metals that you have contemplated wearing.  Just take a chance & Go for it! A little diversity in your accessories will make you feel more excited about your look & will not be out of place by the way the trends are playing out.  There is no doubt in my mind that Jewelry will play a very important role in fashion this fall.  So for all of your jewelry lovers out there, happy styling!

Wondering what’s underneath the shiny exterior?

We understand that it’s important to know what materials you are working with when making your jewelry.  With Sterling and gold prices sky high, plated metals are becoming an ever more tempting alternative to putting a major dent in your wallet. Here’s some answers and FAQ to the most common questions we get about plated metal, findings and chain.

1.) How are plated metal beads and findings made?

Most metal findings and beads in this industry are made by casting.  A mold is made in the shape and design of the item. Then the mold is filled with molten metal, cooled, and then finished (usually) to a high polish.  Objects made of Sterling or Gold are cast directly in those metals.  Most plated metals start as copper or pewter castings that then receive a silver or gold plating.

The process of plating can be accomplished by using any number of methods. One common method is electroplating, where the piece to be plated is submerged in a chemical solution bath that has an electric current running through it.  The power within the current can coat a conductive material with a thin coating of a desired metal or provide the object with a number of other properties (such as reducing corrosion).

This is a casting tree, ready to be invested in a flask.  Once the investment has set, these will be put into a casting machine.

2.) How long will the plating last?

Since the plating on most metals is very thin, it important to know what to expect.  Unlike pure metals or silver and gold alloys, plated metals may deteriorate in quality much quicker.  One thing that may happen is that the surface of the metal may darken or lose the original shine that it had.  Some people refer to this as “turning”.  What is actually happening is the copper base metal is reacting with the oxygen in the air after a period of time and that COPPER OXIDE is rising to the surface of the metal, causing a tarnished look.  Unlike sterling, this oxidation is not easily polished away since that may end up damaging the plating even more by removing it all together. In some other cases, plating can actually be chipped or removed from the surface of the metal, exposing the copper casting underneath the plating.

This is a basic electroplating bath set-up.

3.) How can I prolong the life of plated metals?

The best way to keep your plated metals happy is to make sure that they are not exposed to any other undue chemical corrosion.  This chemical corrosion can be caused by simple things like perfumes, make-ups, direct sunlight and human sweat over time. People that live in much warmer climates tend to see their plated items deteriorate faster due to these causes. When using plated metal beads in jewelry design, spacers may be helpful, since scratches to the surface can expose the base metal.

4.) Once the plating is compromised, what can I do?

If the damage is minimal, a very SOFT cotton cloth can remove some tarnishing.  However DO NOT use regular silver/gold cleaning solutions or coarse cloths on items that are plated.  If the piece is dear to you and it has lost much plating, the best thing to do is bring it to a jeweler and have the item re-plated.

Once a year, people from all over Connecticut find their way to our quaint town of South Norwalk for The Sono Arts Celebration.

Tonight, will kick of the 38th year.
Two of the main streets in town get shut down, allowing people to walk thru the streets and enjoy performances, local art, food, & fun.
The mission of the Festival is to develop and expand a clear appreciation of the Arts.
True to the mission, acts are selected for their original music, dance, performance art & theater presentation and they strive to present a diverse & eclectic array of genres.
This unique festival allows local artists to share their special talents, while also drawing in many people to our small town.
There is no better time of year in our area, to get those creative juices flowing & show off what you’ve got.
Come stop by, walk around, and enjoy this beautiful weekend surrounded by local art & talent.