Jewelry is beloved not only for its connotations, but also for its beauty. Traditionally, jewelry has been used to mark important occasions and celebrate treasured relationships between people. When you understand how jewelry works, it makes the whole process more memorable.
Try making your own jewelry pieces. It just takes some tools and some materials to get started. More specifically, there are many kinds of materials you can use. You can use wire, string, beads, yarn, thread, glass, stone, metal, etc. The only limitation is your hands and your imagination, so have fun with it.
Sites like Etsy have a wide selection of handmade jewelry. You can find many unique, one of a kind pieces, but be careful. Some sellers may use pendants or other findings that can be widely purchased in bulk or from craft stores. Read reviews or search for similar items to make sure you’re getting the best value.
If you’re planning a traditional wedding, then you can’t go wrong with pearls! You can have them on your tiara, wear them as stud or dangle earrings, have a gorgeous “Y” necklace adorned with them, or even a pearl and Swarovski crystal bracelet. Blue pearls are an excellent way to get really traditional, or borrow your Mother’s or Grandmother’s single strand necklace.
A fun craft for your wedding is to make your own jewelry. It really is simple and it gives you the ability to customize the items exactly as you wish. For my wedding I used various shades of purple pearls and Swarovski crystals to make all my jewelry and my daughter’s as well. It was stunning AND affordable!
Use an egg to antique your sterling silver jewelry. Just boil the egg, chop it up, and put it in a bag with your silver piece. In a few hours your jewelry will change colors and then you can polish it to a beautiful antiqued look. This is an effective method because egg contains sulfur, and sulfur causes the reaction when mixed with sterling silver.
Costume jewelry requires specific care. Many of their settings are glued instead of set. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or clean it with harsh chemicals. To care for it best, wipe your jewelry with a damp, warm cloth and dry it with a different cloth. This will ensure that your costume jewelry looks perfect.
Soak diamonds for twenty minutes in a solution made of four parts water and one part ammonia for a sparkling shine. Scrub them with a soft dampened toothbrush allows cleaning of hard to reach places, such as under the gem or around the prongs. Dry it with a soft cloth to keep it shining and looking new.
Your jewelry will stay cleaner if you wait until after you apply make-up to put it on. Jewelry will get grimy from the makeup as you apply it, attracting dirt that will make it look dull. This is extra important when you are cleaning necklaces or earrings.
If you choose to make and sell jewelry at craft bazaars or flea markets, take time to ensure that each piece has a clearly marked price tag that cannot be tampered with, yet can be removed without damaging the merchandise. Although nobody likes to think that theft can happen to them, it is best to protect your investment of time and money.
When you want to buy something nice for someone, think about getting them a jewelery set. Buying a set of jewelry can get you a deal many times. Give away one piece at a time to different people throughout the years. This is an excellent way to give something every holiday season without having to worry that you will forget.
Each piece of jewelry bought, sold or owned will hold a little spot in your memories for the years ahead. Jewelry symbolizes many things in the human journey; past, present and future.