A word about materials and sources.
In the jewelry I make, I like to use glass and crystals because they reflect the light so well. I use materials from good quality sources such as Swarovski crystals and pearls from Austria, Czech glass beads from Bohemia, Czech Republic, Murano glass beads from Venice, Italy, Japanese seed beads, and natural stones. Swarovski is well-known in the industry for high standards of quality and their beautiful colors and faceting which gives their crystals so much sparkle. Czech glass is made in smaller, often family-owned and run factories largely in the Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Murano glass is made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy where glass artisans still make elegant and lovely glass items from the size of beads on up to chandeliers and art pieces. Bracelets and earrings that are chain maille styles use 100% copper rings. Store your jewelry piece wrapped in a soft cloth or a plastic zip-lock bag to help prevent tarnish or damage.
The crocheted scarves use a variety of materials but I try to use natural fibers as much as possible. The beads that are crocheted into the designs are Czech glass or occasionally Japanese seed beads; those with dangles may include Czech glass or Swarovski crystals.
Copper Cleaning Suggestion
Copper will tarnish when exposed to the atmosphere. You can delay tarnishing by storing your piece wrapped in a soft cloth or with commercial anti-tarnish strips or a small chunk of chalk. Polish it periodically with a jewelry polishing cloth (available to buy at most jewelers or online).
To clean lightly tarnished copper, soak the piece for 10-15 minutes in pure lemon juice, rinse thoroughly in clean water, and pat it dry. To remove heavier tarnish, lightly scrub the piece with gel toothpaste and an old, soft toothbrush and then rinse it clean and dry. There are many suggestions on the web for how to clean copper jewelry using common household products (yes, with even ketchup or Worcestershire sauce). If your piece has glass beads, the lemon juice method should not be a problem but anything with gemstone beads or enameled pieces should not use the lemon juice as the acid could cause damage.
In the jewelry I make, I like to use glass and crystals because they reflect the light so well. I use materials from good quality sources such as Swarovski crystals and pearls from Austria, Czech glass beads from Bohemia, Czech Republic, Murano glass beads from Venice, Italy, Japanese seed beads, and natural stones. Swarovski is well-known in the industry for high standards of quality and their beautiful colors and faceting which gives their crystals so much sparkle. Czech glass is made in smaller, often family-owned and run factories largely in the Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Murano glass is made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy where glass artisans still make elegant and lovely glass items from the size of beads on up to chandeliers and art pieces. Bracelets and earrings that are chain maille styles use 100% copper rings. Store your jewelry piece wrapped in a soft cloth or a plastic zip-lock bag to help prevent tarnish or damage.
The crocheted scarves use a variety of materials but I try to use natural fibers as much as possible. The beads that are crocheted into the designs are Czech glass or occasionally Japanese seed beads; those with dangles may include Czech glass or Swarovski crystals.
Copper Cleaning Suggestion
Copper will tarnish when exposed to the atmosphere. You can delay tarnishing by storing your piece wrapped in a soft cloth or with commercial anti-tarnish strips or a small chunk of chalk. Polish it periodically with a jewelry polishing cloth (available to buy at most jewelers or online).
To clean lightly tarnished copper, soak the piece for 10-15 minutes in pure lemon juice, rinse thoroughly in clean water, and pat it dry. To remove heavier tarnish, lightly scrub the piece with gel toothpaste and an old, soft toothbrush and then rinse it clean and dry. There are many suggestions on the web for how to clean copper jewelry using common household products (yes, with even ketchup or Worcestershire sauce). If your piece has glass beads, the lemon juice method should not be a problem but anything with gemstone beads or enameled pieces should not use the lemon juice as the acid could cause damage.