ZestyBetsy

I wanted to have some container herbs this year, but really didn't want to splurge on pots and hangers so I came up with another use for the left overs from my typical breakfast

There are things grandma & grandpa used to save before recycling ~ "just in case"
*coffee cans*
perfect storage for nails, screws, drill bits, handful of pencils, files, rubberbands or whatever. They can be used to bake bread in, cover in colorful papers & use for toys, tea light hurricanes, pencil cups...the list goes on forever. So I can't even really bear to recycle them usually.

*plastic food containers* from the grocery store
You'd think I'd lose more left overs thinking that there is a lot of sour cream in the fridge...but it only happens once in a while. The yogurt I really like comes in plastic pint containers ~ same size as sour cream.

Recycled planters
coffee cans with lids ~ these cans are 13 oz size. They have a lip on the inner top edge
same number of sour cream or large yogurt containers that fit inside the coffee can
paint & brush
for hanging: heavy gauge wire, chain, lighter wire; hook.

remove bottom from empty can and lightly sand surface for better paint adhesion.
paint the can ~ I used some paint leftover from a previous project.

put damp dirt in yogurt container then follow directions for your seeds/seedlings
slice a couple of holes in the bottom to avoid root rot

slide the coffee can over the yogurt container. replace the lid on the bottom.
paint can again with lid on to create a paint seal.

line them up in the sun & don't forget to water them

Posted by Betsy at 08:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sterling silver can hold a high polish, bright white shine. But one of the neat things about it is that is can hold a deep black patina ~ which is really cool in some designs.

The patina can be applied, but sterling naturally reacts with the environment to develop a patina or tarnish over time. If you want to keep your piece bright, or maintain the high contrast in a piece of jewelry, I've compiled some suggestions for you.

There are a couple ways to keep sterling sparkling. Wearing your jewelry often is the best way to prevent tarnish from building up, but proper storage and cleaning are super helpful.
* Store each piece in an airtight plastic bag, tarnish resist bag or box with anti-tarnish paper. Exposure to air, light and humidity will encourage tarnish, so eliminate the environmental factors as mush as you can. (I include a strip of anti-tarnish paper in my jewelry orders. It is good for about a year.) Another benefit of storing your jewelry in individual bags is to reduce scratching ~ most metals & gemstones can be scratched over time.

* Try not to get any cleaning or make~up products on your gems & precious metals! Some of them can interact with the metals. You guessed it ~ discoloring or marking them. Chlorine from pools should be avoided. And of course for safety, you should remove jewelry when doing handy work, gardening, and other heavy physical work.

* Buff with a plain soft cotton cloth or a polishing cloth after wearing. Mild dish detergent and water is gentle enough for removing any heavy dirt. The jewelry specific cloths often have a cleaning compound embedded in the fiber. These are available at jewelry, grocery, large department and some hardware stores. ZestyBeads.etsy.com is another source.

* if you notice tarnish, start with gentle cleaning. Try the jewelry cloth first.

* I don't suggest coating/sealing or the silver polish solutions. Sealing can wear unevenly. Solutions are intended for silverware and leave residue on the surface. But if the coloring is deep, you can try an old home-made solution:
Hot tap water in an aluminum pan ~ add 1t salt & 2t baking soda and soak the ring for 10 minutes. Remove and dry throughly with a soft cotton cloth.

Posted by Betsy at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm pretty excited to be teaching a jewelry class mid-May! A new shop ~ Oak ~ opened up on Gloucester St in Boston & she's offering space for classes.

Ohhh ~ so how does a bracelet & earrings sound? I'm having fun packaging up supplies & beads for a funky fun cha-cha style; ordered new tools for students, and have been writing up some information for handouts.

To sign up please e-mail Oak at Bostonartisans@gmail.com and she will confirm your spot.

Here is the description:
Jewelry making with wire and bead techniques (Do the Cha-Cha)
May 18th, 3-5pm. $60 ($35 if you have your own supplies)

Introduction with a hands on lesson in the fundamentals of jewelry making with wire. The class will cover instruction in the tools, wire and beads. You'll have time to practice wraps, links and loops by making a beaded cha-cha bracelet and matching earrings. Required tools and materials included in materials fee.

I'd love to see you there.

Posted by Betsy at 04:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I purchased some steel mesh at the local hardware store so I could make some tray like trivet stands. These would be like cookie trays, but not for cookies ~ for moving, cooling and keeping the metal off the kiln floor for the enamel work I'm planning. The trays are only 3 or 4 dollars from the jewelry supply catalogs ~ but a 4 ft tall 15 ft long piece cost only 10...

The catalogs sell stainless steel; I found galvanized steel. Can't be too much different right? Galvanized is just not shiny? No so.

Factoid: galvanized steel is not much like stainless steel really.
Galvanized steel is coated with zinc and this changes the structure so that is is highly resistant to corrosion & rusting, even in salty conditions ~ and it's melting temperature is about 785 degrees Fahrenheit. No good for kiln trays. phoey.

Stainless steel on the other end of the range, melts at about 2700 degrees Fahrenheit.

I'll have to find the receipt to return it.

Posted by Betsy at 02:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)