Wordless Wednesday!
Brand-New Series Unveiled:
"Brandy Bracelet" Line by LayneDesigns

These new interchangeable pieces can be worn as either a bracelet or pendant. The best of both worlds!

Oppi Untracht and the Jewel Mandala

I came upon this chart recently, and have been fascinated with the concept ever since. A student was reading a few pages from the beginning of Oppi Untracht's "Jewelry Concepts and Technology" when she stumbled upon this chart. She showed it to me, and I had a reaction of amazement that has stuck in my mind for nearly a week. I have read the entire chapter pertaining to this chart entitled " the jewel mandala" and have fallen in love all over again with Mr. Untracht.

He writes" The mandala deals with the functions that jewelry serves the wearer. Staring with the more basic uses which are later subdivided.....All of these uses relate to areas that consern basuc aspects of the human being: the self image, the root image, and the public image."

This chart is now poster-sized on the wall of my studio.

Rather than the simple intention of the jewel that Oppi discusses, from my perspective, this chart is like a roadmap to the destiny of the jewel (which is eternal--at least more eternal than we are) To take into consideration all of the roles that a jewel plays to a person, and in society has given new spark to my imagination which is constantly creating.

The chart is thorough and meticulous, mapping a jewel's purpose to anything from a remembrance jewel to a magic jewel, it continues by listing the ways in which a jewel might be used to remember, or assume special powers.

In the center of the entire chart (and this i find most fascinating) is Self image. Neither the jewel nor the wearer takes center stage in this intellectual display of the jewel's destiny. It is, rather, the image of self that determines the destiny of all jewels, even those which are purchased for investment or collection rather than for wearing.

Thank you Oppi Untracht, for your book Jewelry Concepts and Technology. Oppi Untracht passed away in 2008 at the age of 85. His books revolutionized jewelry making in America. He respected jewelry making as an art first, and an industry second, and he was the most thorough, knowledgeable, and well researched english speaking person on the topic of jewelry and metalsmithing. His book on Amazon. Thank you Oppi, for your absolute interest in sharing your knowledge, passing on the fine tradition of handmade metal arts. It is a dying trend for one to make anything with their hands. Thank goodness for your legacy of keeping it alive.

New! R.Lynn Photo Greeting Cards

R. Lynn's Etsy Shop is building an inventory of adorable cards for animal lovers, and the best part is that she is donating $1.00 from each card to Furever pet adoption center, a no-kill pet shelter start-up. These adorable cards are pur-fect for many occaisions, and they are blank inside for your creative input, and at only $3.50 each, you can make this wonderful donation for the same price as a card at the drug store!! Hurry to get your Halloween orders in on time!

Furever Home Adoption Center is an all-volunteer organization, and we are totally supported through private fund-raising and the good-will of the local community. Committed to the no-kill philosophy and to relieving the suffering of homeless animals, our vision is to make Lancaster County a safe-haven for animals

THE HAND IN HANDMADE

(metalsmith version)

-Layne Freedline

think think thud

think think thud

I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier…

(it’s my best hammering song)

think think thud,

think think thud.

I’ve got soul, but

there is no clock

in my studio.

If my shoulder found out

that I had been hammering

for two hours

I think it would quit

by way of yelling and storming out.

think think thud

think think thud.

This is the easy part.

It’s getting late.

I’ve worked through

the intensity of miniature construction

torch in hand,

steady, straight, even, still

the heat builds in the body of the metal

creating connections,

a breath away from destruction,

over heating,

melting down.

think think thud

the day is a memory

Lazer like concentration

carried the little lovelies

through grinding, sanding,

polishing.

A wheel rushing round

over 3000 rpm

horsepower ringing in my ears.

keep your corners crisp

Eagle eye,

keep your hands steady,

purposeful.

Don’t let go.

friction builds with screaming heat

the tiny stuff

gets hotter faster

Sting

It sticks around.

Tough, get back to it toughy

think think thud

think think bling.

A swing and a miss

Here she goes.

That’s enough.

A burn or a cut

wont shut me down,

but a missed swing

a knick in my anvil

That really does it.

Go to sleep my whirring machines.

The hand in handmade

is not as tireless as you.

I will recharge

and return

with spirited concentration.

Wordless Wednesday-Cosmos Collection

How to Keep Silver Jewelry Looking Brand New

It's no secret that silver tarnishes. A lot of folks out there prefer white gold because it is not prone to tarnish, and therefore less maintenance. I feel that silver is a gorgeous metal, more pure and honest than white gold. I like that it has character and coloration as it tarnishes. It grows mature, and it can do so gracefully and beautifully if you follow a few simple rules.

1. if you are not going to wear silver jewelry frequently, store it in small ziplock bags. Tarnish is a reaction of metal and air. If your jewelry is stored in a sealed container, it will inhibit tarnish.

The only exception to this rule is pearls. I'm not talking about a tiny pearl accent, but if you have a large pearl centerpiece, or a silver pendant on a strand of pearls, these should never be kept in plastic. Pearls are organic material, and they need to breathe. They turn yellow and brittle when kept in plastic for long time.

2. Do not keep your jewelry in the bathroom when you take a shower! The moisture in the air accelerates tarnish!

3. Especially with pearls and gems, but also for silver, jewelry should be the last thing you put on in the morning. After perfume, lotion, hairspray, etc...,

4. Wear your silver jewelry often :) Silver is continually polished by rubbing against your skin and your clothes. This will help the tarnish only to develop in the recessed areas, giving the design depth and dimension. The top surface should stay bright and clean! (of course it may be a bad idea to wear your jewelry for tough labor like moving furnature, gardening, etc.., duh! )

5. Clean your jewelry occasionally. You might not notice it, but your jewelry gets gross! bits of food, skin, lotion etc. can get stuck especially behind stones in your rings. Clean that stuff! It just takes some soap and water and a soft toothbrush. Always rinse thoroughly.

For a really deep cleaning, visit your local jeweler (or me!) and ask them to clean it while you look around. Most jewelers offer cleaning as a free service, even if you didn't buy the jewelry there. They may also offer to remove tarnish by dipping the jewelry in a chemical tarnish remover. Be sure to mention whether or not you wish to have that done. You can also do this yourself. See previous article "How to rejuvinate old silver jewelry."

That's all it takes! Silver is a quality precious metal, and it will last you a lifetime if you follow these few simple steps.

How To Rejuvenate Old Silver Jewelry

Last week, when my own sister brought me a bunch of "old" jewelry that she was going to "throw away" it really made me realize how the proper care for jewelry is relatively unknown to most folks. She gave me a handful of perfectly good jewelry which had been tarnished. The tarnishing happened so slowly, I think she was uncertain as to why the items didn't hold the same beauty as they once did. She determined that the necklaces and bracelets were just no good anymore. How Sad! I was floored that she didn't know that the tarnish was removable, and the jewelry could sparkle like brand new!

Silver tarnishes slowly over time. Tarnish is a layer that builds on the surface of silver when the air reacts with the metal. The good news is that there are many ways to remove the tarnish! I find it easiest to purchase Tarn-X which sells for 6.99 at Walgreen's. You can put some in a container and dip your silver jewelry in it. The chemical strips the tarnish right off silver! You may need to dip the jewelry a few times to get the full effect. After that, rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a towel.

Do NOT dip pearls, amber, coral, or treated gemstones (like mystic topaz or titanium druzy) in Tarn-x! That is the only restriction. These materials may be damaged by the strong chemical. Most other gems will not be effected by the chemical.

After your jewelry is looking sparkling and new from the Tarn-x, you can brush it with a soft toothbrush and tepid, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly again. Lay the jewelry on a towel, and pat dry with another towel. Air dry the jewelry overnight to insure that it is not stored with moisture in the crevices. Moisture accelerates tarnishing on silver. Do not keep your silver jewelry in the bathroom when you are taking a shower! This also accelerates tarnish.

If you will not be wearing the jewelry frequently, it should be stored in a plastic zip-lock bag to inhibit tarnish. Items that you wear regularly remain relatively tarnish-free because the metal is somewhat polished (actually burnished) by rubbing against your clothes and skin.

So now you know! Jewelry does not have a shelf life! Your old jewelry that doesn't look the same anymore is just in need of some TLC. Check out the following link for info on removing tarnish from flatware and other silver housewares: http://www.ehow.com/how_2118645_clean-tarnish-sterling-silver.html