Saturday, November 24, 2012

Probably the Easiest, Cheapest and Safest Way to Clean Your Silver

This is a long overdue post.
Some of the pictures were taken about two years ago.
Yeah! That looooooong ago.
Don't ask me why.
But I am finally sharing with you....jeng! jeng! jeng!.....

THE EASIEST, CHEAPEST and SAFEST WAY to CLEAN SILVER.
First thing first, here are the Before and After pictures.
The WHAT and HOW is further down the post.
Before and after cleaning the silver ring

How to clean your silver by Wirebliss - before and after

Finally, the WHAT?
The SAMFONG POWDER.
A traditional pressed powder that's been around for decades (maybe century?).
There are two types shown here, one made in Hong Kong (right) and one made in Indonesia (left, pink).
If you are on this part of the world, you wouldn't have problem finding this powder.
Its everywhere - sundry shops to mini markets to supermarkets. Not sure about the mall though.

Chinese Compact Powder or Sam Fong Hoi Tong Powder - WireBliss

I don't use it but mom-in-law does.
Not on her face but for her silver!

Yes, the secret is out! ha! ha!
I learn this method of cleaning silver from MIL and she said her mother did the same.
MIL is in her 70s so that's a long long time ago.

I snapped this picture while she was cleaning her silver cuff thinking at that time I must blog about this....and here it is, two years later...hahaha
Cotton is used here.
Easy peasy!

Mother in law cleaning her silver cuff - WireBliss

You can use an old toothbrush too.
Just scratch some powder on and brush your silver ring or silver jewelry.
Cleaning silver with toothbrush and Samfong Powder by WireBliss

 Cleaning silver with toothbrush and Samfong Powder by WireBliss

 Cleaning silver with toothbrush and Samfong Powder by WireBliss

The powder and the silver chain after cleaning.
Dirty powder, shiny silver!
Cleaning silver with toothbrush and Samfong Powder by WireBliss

Hope you find this post useful.
Just another cheap and easy alternative to clean your silver jewelries.
Have a great weekend.
Happy belated Thanksgiving to readers that are celebrating.

Thursday, November 01, 2012

Wire Wrap Donut Pendants

Took me few days to come up with this design.

You see, there are many ways to wrap a donut pendant. The easiest is to coil the wire several times around the donut and you are done. Simple, easy and fast.

But....but....but........
I like my donut to be able to turn freely around the wrap when done.
So, its worth the wait and I am quite happy with this design.
Wire wrapped donut pendant by WireBliss

This blue stone is a commissioned piece.

The rutile donut belongs to yours truly.
My constant companion :)

This pendant went through several changes over the years. You can see it here (simple wrap that didn't last very long) and here (also didn't last long...I change my mind rather fast...hehe).

The third and last design lasted several years (the longest) but I can't seems to find any picture of it here.....ish! ish!

The wire wrapping is similar to this one here though (the yellow stone on top).

Wire Wrap Rutilated Donut by WireBliss

Wire Wrap Donut by WireBliss - Rutilated Quartz
Enjoy your week.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Wire Weave Stud Earrings and Cross - Lapiz Lazuli

I have written about Lapiz Lazuli
previously – Lapiz as Healing Stone.
Well, it didn't get rid of my migraine
headache…yet….because I don’t put it on all the time but who knows.

However, I am still in awe with this dark blue gemstone which is regarded as a stone of truth and friendship and believe to helps the wearer to be authentic and allow self-expression/confidence.

Few months back, I purchased a teardrop and oval shaped Lapiz suitable for pendant and ring. Been meaning to wire wrap them for self but as usual, many ideas ran through my head when I first saw them but once they reached home, they’ll be sitting in the box for many moons to come…haha....bad habit.

These pair of wire weaved stud earrings and cross is commissioned by a friend. I employed the weaving technique for the cross as well as the Herringbone weave for studs.
Herringbone wire weaved stud earrings, Lapiz Lazuli

How do you like the earrings?
Me too…I love it…hehe
Notice the tiny golden shimmer?
They are not gold, how I wish, but pyrites.

Wire weaved cross with Lapiz Lazuli

Today is my favorite day....yay its Friday!
Don't we all look forward to Friday :)

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Silver- A Versatile Element (Guest Post)

Silver is a shining white beautiful metal and its name is originally derived from the Latin word “Argentium” which means money. Silver is a precious, and even though it is inferior in status compared to gold; silver is a metal with many versatile usages. Silver is good conductor of electricity with excellent thermal conductivity and commonly used in electroplating. Silver also have good ductility and malleability making it an effective lubricant, catalyst and alloy.

Silver has widespread applications since the early dawn of civilization. Records show that silver alloyed coins were used since prehistoric times of Peloponnese Greeks and Sumerians.  Romans and Carthage fought legendary battles over control of silver mines. Even to this date, American silver eagle and Canadian maple leaf used as an investment currency. Silver is also long used as an industrial metal. It has been used in photography before the arrival of digital photography.  Dentists use its alloy to make amalgams which are used to fill cavities in patients’ teeth. Various engineering and medical fields that involve generating radio frequency and very high frequency use silver due to its high electrical conductivity. Other applications of silver includes its use in making mirrors, flutes, use in nuclear reactors and is also used in medical sectors in its ionized form.

However, the most common use of silver is undoubtedly its use as jewelry. Silver Jewelry not only serves as accessory but with increasing value, it also can be considered as a sensible investment. So, if you are planning of buying it online, I suggest you must visit GoldenMine. It offers a wide range of silver jewelry like shining sterling silver chains, silver earrings, silver pendants to be worn with silver chains and many more jewelry items. The price is reasonable and the shipping facility is efficient and the order can be placed both by email and phone call.

By Smith Geroge
Smith Geroge is a freelance writer who enjoys the challenges of creativity, fond of art & jewelry. Not content writing strictly in the non-fiction arena, He is also researching on best travel services. He maintains a Facebook page to network with his friends and readers and blogs about the Travel and profession of writing at http://www.facebook.com/smith.geroge.5.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Twice Around the World (TAW) Necklace

It seems like rainy season is here.
We have been experiencing a lot of rain lately. Mostly in late afternoon.
Just nice to bring down the temperature at night including tonight :)

While you are enjoying a cool night too, here is a recently completed necklace.
A Twice Around the World (TAW) wire wrap necklace.
Stones are Tiger's Eye, red and golden.

If you'd like to learn how to make the TAW component of this necklace, check out the tutorial here.
Twice Around the World (TAW) Wire Wrapped Tiger Eyes Necklace

Twice Around the World (TAW) Wire Wrapped Tiger Eyes Necklace

Somehow, I am feeling very sleepy now.
Must be the weather.
Signing off here, off to zzz land.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Wire Jewelry - Wire Bookmark

Few weeks back I managed to find and purchase some 16g stainless steel wire (soft). Been looking high and low for this wire for a while. You know wire of this size (especially soft one) is really hard to come by so I was very tempted to buy the whole coil.
Refrain! refrain! :)

On the other hand, I have lots of 16g hard stainless steel wire but they are really tough to work with, if not near impossible (for me at least). I think I mentioned this before, so just bear with me. DH use them for his fishing "accessories" and of course arms and fingers are stronger.

Back to this bookmark, I find that this wire size is the best for this kind of wire bookmark. Thinner wire will feel very flimsy even with hammering.
With hammering, this bookmark is very sturdy and would withstand your reading habit.
This one is adorned with pearl and 8mm Swarovski Crystal and the bottom part with 3 short hammered wires.

Wire Wrapped Bookmark with pearl and Swarovski Crystal