Rachelsdesigns’s Weblog

Vintage or New Cloisonne

Notice the pattern beneath the metal on the green cloisonne heart! The metal pocket with the missing enamel is shaped like a shallow cup and shows the ridged pattern which can be seen through the transparent enamel on the other pockets.  The old cloisonne had little pockets which were filled over the metal base which usually had a pattern. Hense the name cloisonne! The pattern on the metal show through the enamel. Newer cloisonne is usually made with wire wrapped into a design on the bead etc. There are several ways in which the technique is used today. The oldest cloisonne was used to decorate Chinese brass vases!

Beaders & Buyers Beware

Some fine looking beads are coated with a cheap paint which can chip and flake off. These are not necessarily cheap to buy! Some are painted metal and some are painted glass or plastic. Always try to buy from a reputable dealer. Check beads through a magnifying glass or jewelers loop for signs of chipping or other defects.  If your beads are plastic a simple hot needle to the beading hole will quickly confirm it.   

Caring For Your Creations!

You’ve worked hard and spent hours designing your beading creation or you’ve purchase a wonderful and unique design. I could be worn and loved for a relatively long time or it could be ruined overnight. Treat all jewelry with care whether genuine or costume or faux. One oversoaking in soap and water can ruin many nice costume jewelry beads and silver cleaner can be too harsh even for some fine jewelry and semiprecious stones. It is important to know what cleaner and cleaning techniques are best for your particular creation. Rachel’s Designs are mainly costume jewelry components and will need to be cared for gently as soaking may loosen the film or artwork on some beads. They should also be stored so that they don’t tangle and twist or rub against other jewelry. Some costume jewelry beads are more durable like those encased in glass, but why take chances. You made it or bought it to love and enjoy!

Testing for dyed Beads or Stones!

Dyed beads can bleed color out onto your hands or clothing. For this reason it is important to test your beads to see if they have been dyed before using or selling.  Some stones such as dyed lapis , which s not genuine lapis can be very bad about bleeding the color out and are a mess to work with! I placed the dyed oyster shell necklace on a white paper towel after wetting it down and looked for color to bleed out. I could find no color bleeding out. Then I rubbed it with a wet q-tip. Again I could find no color bleeding out. Therefore my conclusion is that if it bleeds at all it is very little. I would still be careful to check and disclose everything.  Quality is important especially with dyed beads and stones!

Back to School Jewelry

During the Great Depression folks often had little to wear for school or anytime! The some dress for school might be washed out each night to be worn over and over.  I wonder how many people found inexpensive beads back then and began to design jewelry for themselves to make that little dress more interesting.  Native Indians were skilled in jewelry artistry. Much of it was from silver. Bead were made from various items found naturally in nature. Some were made from rocks, or wood, or even from seeds! Today our children want the very best and lots of it. Some want the most unique, or the most stylish. For items for sale here see our Shopping for Jewelry page here or go to our ebay store at Penney’s Collectibles. 

Recycling with Jewelry Designing Ideas

As with most things jewelry designing starts with a passion and a need. How do I make lightweight earrings for pierced ears? What can I do with a silver spoon? How can I keep a tablecloth from blowing away taking everything with it? How can I make this favorite drape look good with this favorite lamp? How can I make one basic outfit look like a dozen different outfits or maybe go from day at the office to picnic to evening out? All of these questions may be asked by the true designer.  He loves to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. He loves to recycle something as much as he loves to take the new and expensive things and create from them. Very often the designer creates things first for himself and then for others who ask him. Designing isn’t just a job for him it is an art and a feeling. 

  Click the pic to see more great jewelry!

Starving Artist

This blog is dedicated to the artists and especially to those whose sheer delight is in designing or creating something of beauty. These are the so called starving artist because they would rather be making something of beauty, that one of a kind special jewelry item or painted bisque figure or oil painting than making a living with a “real” job. In the past these artist were usually not recognized for their talent and passion until after their death. Even today cheap factory made items makes it difficult for these talented artist to get the recognition they deserve, but some will shine forth and be appreciated. We hope you enjoy reading here. If you do please check out The Art of Jewelry Designing for more tips, resources, and beautiful artisan jewelry.