Saturday, June 28, 2008

The Grand Tour in York, UK




http://www.thegrandtourinyork.org.uk/

"This summer, the National Gallery and York Art Gallery have set free some of the world's most famous paintings in the streets of York. Masterpieces by great artists - from Caravaggio to Constable - compete for attention in the medieval city centre.

"The Grand Tour in York is a celebration of great art and beautiful buildings brought together in the historic capital of the north."

Check out the Flickr group for lots of photos of this amazing art event in England:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/782533@N23/

Monday, June 9, 2008

Jewelry: Precious Metals?

There are just a few metals that are considered to be "precious": gold, silver, and the platinum metals group (ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum).

In jewelry, of course there are the various Karats of solid gold: 10K, 14K, and 18K being the most common, in both yellow gold and white gold.

Silver is either Sterling Silver (hallmarked ".925") or higher "fine" silver content metals (higher than 92.5% silver, such as Hill Tribe silver, PMC, etc., and can be 99% pure silver).

Often, silver jewelry is plated with Rhodium (a platinum metal) to give it extra durability and shine. Even white gold and platinum jewelry is plated with Rhodium!

However, there is NO SUCH THING as "sterling silver plated" jewelry! By law, jewelry which is sterling silver is marked as such (.925) and is only sterling silver, sometimes plated with rhodium. I think sellers use the term "sterling plated" to make their items SOUND much better than they are, and sadly, customers are fooled into thinking they are getting something that's better than other silver-plated items....NOT TRUE! There is Sterling Silver (.925), and there is silver-plated. That's it!! **SILVER PLATED** jewelry is "flashed" with silver, and wears off easily.

ALL metals will "tone" or tarnish over time, due to exposure to the environment! Even gold will "tone" but silver tarnishes quite easily. You can keep your silver jewelry tarnish-free by keeping unworn pieces in an air-tight, zip-lock bag. And a little swipe with a polishing cloth will make jewelry look beautiful and shiny!

Just be an educated consumer! Ask questions, use Google, and KNOW what you're buying!! Brass (a "base" metal), silver-plated and gold-plated jewelry can be a really cheap alternative to the skyrocketing cost of solid precious metal jewelry, so if you know what you're getting, you can make an informed purchase.


Gemstones: Natural, Enhanced, or Manmade??

I see a LOT of sellers on ebay and etsy (and elsewhere) who are selling various stones as "gems" or "gemstones" when actually, they are man-made or simulated stones, or glass. A lot of fault lies with wholesalers and manufacturers, who try to make their man-made glass stones SOUND exciting and new (such as "Cherry Quartz" and "Pineapple Quartz") and sellers just pass that along to customers.

I'm compiling a list of all common stones, and will update it as I go. I'm listing them as "Natural," "Enhanced," "Dyed," or "Synthetic" (meaning man-made, such as glass). Please note that MANY gemstones are routinely enhanced which IS NOT a bad thing--most gems are treated in assorted ways to bring out their color and beauty, and most treatments are permanent. Also, there are lab-created stones that have the same physical, optical and chemical properties as their natural counterparts (such as lab-created emeralds, rubies, and sapphires - "precious" gemstones). There are even lab-created diamonds, which are NOT to be confused with CZ's or any other simulated stone! (I see "lab created diamonds" on ebay ALL the time when this is false - the stones on ebay are cubic zirconias or crystals!)

Per the American Gem Trade Association's (AGTA) Gemstone Information Manual, here is a partial list of some of the most common stones:
  • African Agate: Natural
  • African Jade: Natural
  • African Opal: Natural
  • African Turquoise: Natural
  • Amazonite: Natural
  • Amber: Enhanced
  • Amethyst: Enhanced
  • Apatite: Natural
  • Aquamarine: Natural
  • Arizona Turquoise: Stabilized
  • Aventurine: Natural
  • Azurite Malachite: Assembled
  • Beryl: Natural
  • Black Coral: Natural
  • Black Onyx: Dyed
  • Blue Agate: Synthetic
  • Blue Goldstone: Synthetic
  • Blue Lace Agate: Natural
  • Blue Chalcedony: Natural
  • Blue Quartz: Synthetic
  • Blue Topaz: Enhanced
  • Bronzite: Natural
  • Calcite: Natural
  • Carnelian: Dyed
  • Cat's Eye: Synthetic
  • Charoite: Stablized
  • Cherry Quartz: Synthetic
  • Chinese Turquoise: Stabilized
  • Chrysocolla: Stabilized
  • Chrysoprase: Natural
  • Citrine: Enhanced
  • Coral: Natural
  • Corundum: Natural
  • Cotton Candy Jade: Synthetic
  • Emerald: Enhanced
  • Emerald Jade: Dyed
  • Garnet: Enhanced
  • Goldstone: Synthetic (copper infused glass)
  • Fluorite: Natural
  • Green Garnet: Natural
  • Green Jade: Natural, but often dyed
  • Green Onyx: Dyed
  • Green Hemimorphite: Natural
  • Iolite: Enhanced
  • Jasper: (all kinds): Natural
  • Kunzite: Stabilized (!)
  • Kyanite: Stabilized
  • Lapis Lazuli: Natural
  • Lava: Natural
  • Laramar: Natural
  • Labradorite: Natural
  • Lavender Quartz: Dyed
  • Lemon Quartz: Enhanced
  • Lemon Chrysoprase: Stabilized
  • Moss Agate: Natural
  • Mother of Pearl: Natural
  • New Jade: Natural
  • Obsidian: Natural
  • Ocean Jasper: Natural
  • Olive Jade: Natural
  • Olive Quartz: Natural
  • Opalite: Synthetic
  • Orange Calcite: Natural
  • Peach Jade: Dyed
  • Pearls: (Freshwater, Akoya) Natural, can be dyed
  • Peridot: Natural
  • Pineapple Quartz: Synthetic
  • Pink Jade: Dyed
  • Purple Jade: Dyed
  • Rainbow Moonstone: Natural
  • Red Aventurine: Natural
  • Red Jade: Dyed
  • Red Tiger Eye: Enhanced
  • Rhodochrosite: Natural
  • Rhodonite: Natural
  • Rock Crystal: Natural
  • Rose Quartz: Enhanced
  • Ruby: Enhanced
  • Rutilated Quartz: Natural
  • Sapphire: Enhanced
  • Sodalite: Natural
  • Smoky Quartz: Enhanced
  • Sugilite: Natural
  • Tiger Eye: Natural
  • Tourmeline: Enhanced
  • Turquoise Quartz: Synthetic
  • Turquoise: Stabilized, rarely (less than 8%) Natural, can be dyed
  • White Jade: Natural
  • White Opal: Natural
  • Yellow Jade: Natural
  • Yellow Opal: Natural
  • Yellow Opalite: Synthetic
Stones can be Bleached, Coated, Dyed (for color intensity or uniformity), Filled/Impregnated (with colorless glass, plastic, solidified borax or similar substances, which are visible under 10X magnification, to improve durability, appearance and/or add weight), Heated, Heat and Pressure treated, Lasered (in diamonds, to alter inclusions), Oiled/Resin Infused/Waxed, Irradiated, and Stabilized (infused with clear resin to enhance hardness and deepen color).

If you have any questions, or additions to the list - please let me know!

Sunday, June 8, 2008

What is Wabi-Sabi?

I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best both for the body and the mind.
- Albert Einstein


I gave up my high-profile job and lifestyle in Chicago, and have moved to a slower, simpler, MUCH more unassuming and relaxed lifestyle in the Desert Southwest. It is totally unpretentious here, and everything about the slower-paced southwestern US fits me perfectly!

I have become fascinated with verdigris patinas! I guess it's partly because my favorite color is turquoise, and partly because the aging process on various metals is beautiful. Oxidation, rust, toning, patinas of all sorts are each lovely in their own way. I've been experimenting with different methods of hand-patinating copper, brass, silver, even gold, and the fun is in the surprising end result!

I've incorporated these patinated metals into my jewelry, and I've named my store "Wabi Sabi Chic."

The Japanese word "Wabi" means simple, humble, and being one with nature. This word stems from the root wa, which refers to harmony, peace, tranquility, and balance.

My Wabi Collection of jewelry is simple and humble, and beautiful in its uncluttered, authentic imperfection; things that resonate with the spirit of my hands and heart. Wear it to celebrate its minimalism and to remind yourself that beauty lies not in the obvious, but in the imperfect and unique.

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The Japanese word "Sabi" means "bloom of time." It defines the natural progression of things that once sparkled as new, but now "bloom" with tarnish, patina, rust, oxidation. It's the understanding that beauty is fleeting, and Sabi things grow old with grace, dignity and beauty. I've taken vintage objects and re-configured them to show each piece's gift of time. I also give objects of nature a beautiful, rich patina and showcase these pieces on necklaces and bracelets, often with genuine gemstones.

Please check out my jewelry: http://wabisabichic.etsy.com

Your Moment of Zen...

Here is an amazing contact juggler, who I think is in a park in Japan. Just watch it and you will become mesmerized!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

GETTING STARTED - WELCOME!

Welcome to my brand-new blog! I promised myself that I'd start a blog in 2008, and here it is! (Even though the year is almost half over...!)

A little about me: I'm an artist and graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I love to draw and paint (especially oils), but recently, I've developed a huge passion for jewelry (wearing it and making it!). I love the various patinas on metals (naturally aged, or hand applied), especially verdigris, and I enjoy working with pure silver, sterling, gold, and copper; plus genuine gemstones.

I've just decided to try selling my jewelry on etsy.com. I'm in the process of setting up the shop, taking pictures of my jewelry, writing descriptions, etc. So I hope to launch my jewelry shop next week. Please come visit my shop: http://wabisabichic.etsy.com