Inspired Pendants

Hi there, I want to tell you about a custom piece I just designed for a gal who had just come back fully inspired from a retreat. Her sister wanted to give her something to remember it by and keep her focus strong. I can make anything like this in backgrounds of your choice. It is reversible, so you can wear either side depending on what you want to show. This can include photos as well. Simply flip the crystals over to the side you are wearing. Lead-free solder surrounds two 1.5" x1" panes of microscope glass slides. Swarovski crystals embellish the piece in colors of your choice. Comes with an 18" stainless steel ball chain or a 16.5" sterling plated chain, or you can upgrade it later by using a sterling chain you already own. $25.

About Chain and Precious Metals

Hello again - I've had several clients ask me to explain some facts about chain and precious metals.
ABOUT PRECIOUS METAL CHAIN
Since I very rarely use anything other than sterling silver, I will speak to this precious metal.

Metal type - if you see jewelry mentioning "silver", realize that it is not sterling silver. Anytime it is sterling silver, it will be called as such. "Silver" means silverplated, which is a lot less expensive and not a precious metal. It can rub/wear off over time down to the base metal of nickel or pewter, etc.

Link Size - the larger the link of chain, the more expensive it is. This is especially true for sterling silver or gold/gold-filled. More metal = greater cost. That is unless the chain is silverplated, pewter or other low cost metal. If a pendant with a large linked chain is higher than the same necklace with a very small linked chain, that is the reason. Also handformed chain tends to cost more, since each link is handwrapped wire that is possibly textured, assembled with other links, soldered, pickled, and polished.

Length - it might be stating the obvious, but if the necklace is extra-long or multi-stranded, you will pay more than a single strand or shorter length piece - more chain used.

Texture - if links are textured in any way (hammered, dotted, lined, grooved, punched, etc.) this will also increase price, because of extra time spent in production. Hand texturing means more than machine texturing because of the amount of time and effort put into each and every link.

Finish - Often oxidized or antiqued sterling silver will be more expensive than shiny sterling silver. Not only is this finish increasing in popularity and doesn't tarnish as easily as shiny sterling, but there is more time involved in the process, since after the metal darkens, it needs to be repolished to bring up its lustre. Oxidizing can be done with liver of sulfur or by other eco-friendly methods using ingredients like eggs yolks. (I really love this finish and use it a lot)

ABOUT GOLD
Q.     What is Gold-Filled? (I always use gold-filled chain in my designs by the way)
A.     14K/20 gold filled is a durable metal that lasts longer than gold-plated and is less expensive than solid gold jewelry (currently over $1000/oz.) A layer of gold is mechanically bonded with heat and pressure to one or more surfaces of the supporting base metal (often brass), then rolled or drawn to a given thickness. The quanitity of gold must be at least 1/20th by weight of the total product. Gold-filled items will remain gold for a lifetime is cared for properly. The occasional silver spot is from solder holding joints together. Unelss you are using harsh chemicals or abrasives, the gold layer will stay gold for years to come.

Q.     What's the difference between gold-filled and gold-plated?
A.     The difference is in the amount of gold. Gold-plated products have a very thin layer (seven-millionths of an inch) of gold, while 14K/20 gold-filled products must have at least one-twentieth of their entire weight in 14K gold. Eventually the thin gold layer will rub or wear off. Gold-filled items, however, will remain gold for a liftetime if cared for properly.

Ok, so there are some thoughts to lull you to sleep (LOL) or increase your awareness about the components used in jewelry. Remember, you tend to get what you pay for. If you buy cheap, it can be a short term thrill  because it often doesn't last and the quality is apparent as things break and metals tarnish. Spending a little more to get the real thing makes it more fun for you to wear longterm and for others to admire.

NEW Fall Jewelry

See the latest Fall jewelry to take you through to Thanksgiving and beyond if you love orange. Bracelet and earrings that look great together with all those cozy sweaters or wear the earrings by themselves. Super cute orange vintage lucite from the '50's paired with sterling and sparkle. These are on trend seasonal pieces you will pull out to wear year after year.

Plus delicate black filigree oversized filigree earrings that are popular this season and make a statement.

Stay tuned for SJD's 2009 Holiday Collection coming very soon...

Location is Everything

This has nothing to do with jewelry, but it will ring a bell for gym junkies. Just for chuckles, I have to share before I go and cleanse off the bacteria. We all know location is everything. That is true for real estate, for parking spots, and for many things...including which machine you choose to workout on in the gym. Today I made a mistake. In my focus to get through my workout, I became the meat in the sandwich between two closely positioned eliptical machines and had to pick the only one available. I soon realized why it was open. The heavy, sweaty guy on my left certainly gets brownie points for being there and he was working really hard, God bless him. At first I didn't realize why my left arm was so cold, so I did a doubletake to see if I was under a fan, but NO, I wasn't. I sudddenly realized it was him. Aside from the noises he was making that mimicked childbirth, he was panting and blowing so terribly hard on every breath that my hair was blowing sideways and working out with your head turned at a 90 degree angle isn't much fun. I also wasn't so sure he might have a heart attack right there, and the thought of giving CPR to this guy wasn't on the top of my to-do list today. That wasn't all. This early on a Monday at the gym with folks who just rolled out of bed and dragged themselves there, I wasn't breathing fresh Alpine air. I found myself holding my breath and instead of being able to continue, I ended up flying off the machine on mid cycle, probably on the highest point of my random cycle, but I didn't care. I could breath again and that felt really good. Anyway, get out there, workout and push yourself - knock 'em dead. Just not literally.

The Big Fantastic

People, I'm still here. Just wanted to let you know that I'm away from my jewels for a short time while I am working at the Puyallup Fair. I am helping out this year as the Education Stage Director, which means I scheduled all the acts on the Education Stage in the Pavillion Building. We have it all from Little Elvis to belly dancers to tap dancing seniors to many area dance studios and so, SO much more. Go to http://www.thefair.com/ and click on THINGS TO DO/FREE ENTERTAINMENT, and then the Education Stage to see the full lineup. It is taking me away from my jewelry for a short while, but I'll be back full throttle come October, so don't you go anywhere. I have plenty of fabulous ideas for Fall/Winter 2009, including dazzling holiday pieces, and even some whimsical ideas I'd like to have ready for Halloween/Harvest. I'll be working hard to get ready for my Holiday shows www.sarahjaned.com/events.htm. I work everyday except Sundays 9-3pm, so stop by and say Hello and have a scone while you're there. Just know that I'm still in business and I'll be back....