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I will be at the Open Book Gift Show on February 13 February 9th, 2010 |
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Open Book’s Valentine’s Day Gift Show
4093 N. Oakland Ave. in Shorewood, WI Saturday, February 13, 2010 10:00-4:00 10% of purchases will support Open Book |
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Resistance Jewelry February 9th, 2010 |
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Electrical components called carbon resistors are made of a solid cylindrical resistive element (finely ground carbon and an insulating material, like ceramic) with embedded wire leads or metal end caps to which the lead wires are attached. The body of the resistor is protected with paint or plastic, and color-coded for its value.
Carbon composition resistors were commonly used to block electrical current in the 1960s and earlier, but had gone out of fashion …until now. Resistance Jewelry makes new use of outdated components that would otherwise be stacked in boxes, dusty and forgotten in the basements and garages of Tesla and Ohm geeks everywhere. (Recycle, Resist, V=IR) |
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What is Chainmaille February 9th, 2010 |
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Chainmaille (chain maille, chain mail) is the relatively modern name for linking or weaving small, metal rings together to form a mesh pattern. “Maille” is from the French word for knitting, derived from the Latin macula, meaning "mesh of a net". Historically maille was created as armour, with separate pieces to cover and protect the head, torso and limbs from being injured in battle.
The making of maille dates back thousands of years, throughout Asia and Northern Europe. Today maille is used mainly for decorative purposes on clothing, for medieval re-enactments, and in jewelry. Handmade chainmaille jewelry is increasingly popular, and the variety of materials and weave patterns provide something for everyone’s tastes. |
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Jewelry Materials February 9th, 2010 |
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Ear Wires
I use sterling silver or gold plated earwires. For the colored wires I use anodized niobium. Niobium is a hypo-allergenic metal that is safe to wear. Rings The rings I use to weave chainmaille jewelry are made of copper, enameled copper, brass, stainless steel, aluminum, anodized aluminum, non-latex rubber and sometimes glass or recycled glass. Copper Copper, as native copper, is one of the few metals to occur naturally as an un-compounded mineral. Copper was known to some of the oldest civilizations on record, and has a history of use that is at least 10,000 years old. Some estimates place the discovery of copper around 9000 BC in the Middle East. A copper pendant was found in what is now northern Iraq that dates to 8700 BC. It is probable that gold and meteoritic iron were the only metals used by humans before copper. Pure copper has a pinkish or peachy color. As you wear it, and as it is exposed to air, it will oxidize to a warm, chocolate color (allowing copper to remain wet or moist for long periods is what turns it green). Copper can be “cleaned” back to some of the original color by washing in ketchup (no kidding), lemon juice or other mildly acidic media. The copper ring I wear daily has never changed color from the original bright peachy tone, probably because I wear it while washing my hands. Copper bracelets are believed to alleviate symptoms of arthritis, and copper has historically been used in medical settings and for food preparation, because of its naturally antiseptic properties. Enameled copper rings are made from copper wire that has been enameled. Some of the colored, metal rings I use are enameled copper. Brass Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Brass has a muted yellow color, somewhat similar to gold. It is relatively resistant to tarnishing, and is often used as decoration and for coins. In antiquity, polished brass was often used as a mirror. It’s a little harder than copper and will also oxidize to a slightly deeper, warmer color with wear. Aluminum Aluminum is a soft, durable, lightweight, metal with appearance ranging from silvery to dull grey. It resists corrosion and is an excellent metal for large pieces (especially earrings) because of its light weight and resemblance to silver. Anodized aluminum has been heated electrically to increase corrosion resistance and wear resistance, and to provide better adhesion of color. Some of the colored, metal rings I use are anodized aluminum. Stainless Steel Stainless steel is an iron alloy containing chromium, which resists scratching and corrosion. It is durable and heavy, and more difficult to work (think Superman, bending rods of steel). Stainless steel has a deeper grey color than aluminum. Rubber The non-latex rubber rings I use are made of silicone. Beads Any beads used are mainly natural stone, glass or metal, and sometimes electrical components* *see Resistance Jewelry |