Grandma's Simple Jewelry Cleaner

We got a phone call yesterday from a lovely lady in a part of Texas that we didn’t even know existed. She was kind enough to share an old fashioned recipe for cleaning silver jewelry. Now that is a sweetheart!

Her grandmother had a step by step approach that is pretty simple and definitely eco-friendly:

*Get a little bit of salt and a little bit of baking soda.

*Add a little water to make a paste.

*Use an old toothbrush and scrub it on.

*Rinse.

That’s what I love about Grandma. Pretty basic, and a little elbow grease. Don’t know about using with pearls, opals, or other soft stones, but it works just fine with Broken China Jewelry charms and the like.

Of course, wearing it frequently is the best way to keep tarnishing away!

What’s your favorite way of cleaning your jewelry?

It's just that easy.

I was working on cleaning up some files and getting a little more organized for the upcoming holiday season when I came across this wonderful file. I had been hoarding some pictures of my favorite pieces designed by lovely, thoughtful women. Hearing their wonderful and touching stories was such an honor. It continually reminds me so much of the beauty of family and friends, and the love that binds. These inspiring pieces are just a little glimpses of what others have designed. Many of these were gifts so we hope that we aren't spoiling anyone's surprise!

I had also collected them not only because they are so very special but because we were working on making an order form that would make it easier for you to design your own unique engraved pieces for gifts. Then it occurred to me that several of the core pieces of the engraved charms related well to coins: dimes and pennies. And as to the font, it's usually script or block. And finally, the months of birth. Now how easy is that?

So we just need to know three things:
a) dime or penny
b) script or block
c) birth month(s)

So go get your coin purse out, a pencil and paper, and start your own design. It's easy and just in time for the gift giving season. Now who doesn't love getting something with their name one it and made just for them?!

Ideas & How to's for DIY Jewelry

We thought that we would share our little informal how-to that will be posted later on our website. Send us your ideas of how we could improve this little article or some more ideas on what can be put in these frames or any other ideas that you might have. We would love to hear from you!

Photos, Postcards, a child's refrigerator art, holiday themes, a photo of your favorite pet, a love letter...all become jewelry ready to grace the beholder in this versatile frame necklace. A longtime customer favorite at RoseBlossomCottage.com for making showing off things that mean something to you. A gift for grandma, a remembrance of a treasured summer vacation, or a lovely project for young ladies to adorn, the ideas are endless. These are so easy to do:

You will need:

A frame necklace (click here for choices)
Your favorite photo, postcard art, letters, scrapbooking art, cards, etc. We recommend that you copy and/or shrink them if needed on your printer.
Scissors
German Glass Glitter (opt.)
Glue (opt.)
Jewelry findings/flatback crystals/charms... You can even use parts of old jewelry. (opt.)

1) Purchase your favorite pendant shape (we even have the new copper toned that would look fabulous for Halloween and Thanksgiving). All come with black cording.

2) Assemble some pieces of ephemera, scrapbook materials, postcards, photos, greeting cards or whatever you would like. Open up the frame and lay it down to get an idea of what you think would look best. Don't be afraid to cut on the angle. Not everything needs to be straight up and down.

3) Use a pencil to outline one side of your frame and then trim it to fit in the frame. Consider putting another choice on the other side. Embellish with glitter (we love German Glass Glitter- Fine or Very Fine.) also available on our site. Don't get carried away or it won't close!

4) Embellish your cord and frame with crystals, bells, charms, or old jewelry parts.

5) Give as a gift or show it off yourself. It is a masterpiece and needs to be bragged about and you can tell everyone that you did it yourself!

It's a Matter of Shopping

Despite the heat, Charlene and I were able to get out and shop the countryside looking for new treasures. It is such a pleasure to meet shop owners. You can tell that they love their shops as much as we love RBC. When we first got into the antiques business back in 1992, we were under the impression that shop owners are competitive and don't share with other owners. That couldn't be farther from the truth! Many we met have long since become wonderful friends and we are thankful for their insight and wisdom.

We wandered into one delightful shoppe courtesy of Miss Charlene's great eye was Keeping Up with the Jones' in Odem, Texas. What a precious shop with treasures of every kind (the owner, Sandra, was gracious enough to let us take her picture. The ladies there were just treasures!). This shoppe is a home that has been lovingly made into a customers dream. Packed with everything that you can imagine for the well appointed home. I picked up some lovely dishes for Broken China Jewelry that you will see soon. We spent almost an hour and a half just going through it several times and we still probably missed seeing some things. You know that kind of shop, don't you? Would love to hear your favorite brick and mortar store!

Patty & Belle

Just a short post today, but I had to introduce you to two new bracelets. One is custom designed Broken China Jewelry Bracelet for Patty from Pinkhugssweetshoppe.com. She picked some wonderful antique pieces while we were at Cape Cod so it has been a couple of weeks since she's seen her little piece of confection. I so like showing what people design with our pieces and will try to make a habit of sharing. She did a great job didn't she?

The second bracelet is made of carved antique mother of pearl buttons and we named her Belle. She was definitely a labor of love and I wish that you could see her in person. Each sweet iridescent button was handpicked, set in silver and joined one at a time to create what you see. One thing about using antique mother of pearl is that the luster is so intense and pretty. Miss Belle has a bigger sister (I won't tell you who got her...but it is someone you know...ahem...ahem...) and she will have another sister soon. Look for Belle on the website soon.

Our next post: How to make a bracelet into a necklace. Come back for a great idea!

Oh Horsefeathers!

Well, it has been three weeks since I came home and am still not caught up! Small wonder with the sweet little goodies I found hither and yon. There was so much to see and too little time. One absolutely wonderful side trip I got to make was with Susie and Patty to the town of Sandwich on the Cape. It was really neat for personal reasons: my first American ancestors had began their adventure there in Sandwich circa 1650. How beautiful it is!

Joyce had recommended that we go to a shop that happened to be located there and I had seen in magazines. Oh my, it was absolute confection. A quaint and lovely beyond measure little shop called Horsefeathers. When we initially got there, the shop was closed but we got to ooh and aah at the sweet garden. You just knew from the garden that there were treasures to be had in that shop. Patty had hopped out and peeked in the window to confirm our suspicions. Needless to say, it was like sugar to a sweet tooth...we had to go back...absolutely had to go back. Luck was with us because about an hour later, it was open! It was well worth the wait. More about that in another post where I will have another picture.

So...I have been working on one of my little confections purchased there. The large mother of pearl button is from Horsefeathers. I painted some little roses and then sealed it against the test of time. You are among the first to see it and I would love to honestly know what you think!

My Precious Dad

Dad, the words elude me but the feeling does not. How lucky I am, very lucky I am to have you as a father. You have instilled in me a deep love of history, family, loyalty, love of country, and quiet strength. You are such a powerful undercurrent in who I am and I am so very grateful.

I have already won the lottery of life, the spin of the genetic wheel, the jackpot in the casino. I got you for a dad. I am so proud of you and I love you dearly.

PS I am taking my vitamins, dear, dear "Silver Dad." Fret not.
Happy Father's Day!