Jewelry Lovers: Nickel Allergy Cream Topical Relief On The Way

Nickel allergy sufferers a cream to relieve your allergy may be on the horizon. Researchers may have discovered a new way to ward off the red, itchy rash caused by allergies to nickel..... read more at FYI Living:

http://fyiliving.com/health-news/nickel-allergy-cream-topical-relief-on-the-way/

China jewelry makers say toxic metal cuts costs

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January 12, 2010

China jewelry makers say toxic metal cuts costs
By EUGENE HOSHIKO and ALEXA OLESEN
Associated Press Writers
For China's low-cost jewelry makers, it was an open trade secret: The metal cadmium is shiny, strong and malleable at low temperatures, regardless of its health hazards. And it's cheap.
Despite the risks, manufacturers in factories ringing this city on China's east coast say their top priority is profit. So offering cut-rate goods often means using lower quality materials, including cadmium, which is known to cause cancer.
"Business is business, and it's all up to our client," said He Huihua, manager of the Suiyuan Jewelry Shop at International Trade City in Yiwu, a sprawling wholesale mecca where sellers pitch their wares in hopes of landing a lucrative export contract. Read more here


After reading this AP article “China jewelry makers say toxic metal cuts costs” it should incense all of us! We have passed laws to protect ourselves and our children after learning "the hard way". Here we are fifty years later fighting the same battle only this time, the perpetrators are KNOWINGLY exposing people to a heavy metal. Here is a bit about Cadmium and what it does to the human body:

Cadmium has no constructive purpose in the human body. Cadmium and its compounds are extremely toxic even in low concentrations, and will bioaccumulate in organisms and ecosystems. In the 1950s and 1960s industrial exposure to cadmium was high, but as the toxic effects of cadmium became apparent, industrial limits on cadmium exposure have been reduced in most industrialized nations and many policy makers agree on the need to reduce exposure further. Ingestion of any significant amount of cadmium causes immediate poisoning and damage to the liver and the kidneys. Compounds containing cadmium are also carcinogenic.
(Wikipedia)

In a reaction to this blatant disregard for human life a NY Senator is calling for a cadmium ban in kid’s jewelry & Wal-Mart is pulling jewelry cited in the AP report off the shelves. (Idaho State Journal).

I’m concerned as a jewelry maker that I’m not purchasing this “junk” and incorporating it unknowingly into my designs! How can I / we be sure??

Speaking from knowledge obtained on my day job, I handle compliance concerns regarding the flexible packaging that we print, laminate and convert- we have strict guidelines for direct food contact packaging as well as packaging for children’s products that they be compliant with CONEG Model Legislation. The sum of the concentrations of mercury, lead, cadmium and hexavalent chromium in these products do not exceed 100 parts per million by weight and that these metals are not intentionally added to these products.

Comparably, China has regulations limiting cadmium to tiny amounts in fashion jewelry and children's toys. Fashion jewelry should not contain more than 0.1 percent cadmium. In materials for toys, cadmium should not exceed 75 parts per million, or 50 parts per million for clay and paint. We are talking about cadmium in the realm of 90 percent!! Why is there no one responsible??

At a minimum, those artisans that buy components and resell them have a duty to request from their supplier an MSDS sheet. (Material Safety Data Sheet) That document, by law, lists any hazardous or toxic substance contained in the product being purchased. If we all become more vigilant it will become more difficult for products like this to infiltrate so easily. This is only one small step in what really needs to take shape. Again, speaking from my quality management background there lacks a system to test and hold suppliers accountable for their products.

Haven’t we learned anything from the toxic toys covered with lead paint that we were buying our children as gifts a few years ago?? Where is our government on these issues and holding those that deliberately break the law accountable??

New Studio in progress! New member to a Jewelry Collecting group and New antique bracelet added to my Collection!

It has been a long time coming.... I have been creating jewelry on the island in the kitchen, on the couch in the living room....stealing any spot I could. I'm hopeful, that one day in the very near future I'll be able to report I finally have a studio!!
My husband, Fred, is very handy and has wanted to convert the 3 season room for me for sometime now. But, one thing after another~ including this health issues have prevented this from happening. He is feeling better now....so I benefit! I love sunflowers and that is the color I have chosen for the Studio that has a wonderful view of the pond. Ebony, our cat, is over-seeing the project.

And yes, those are wire wrapped onyx and citrine gemstones hanging from the pull chains on my ceiling fan!

I have joined a new group of Jewelry Collectors at http://www.jewelcollect.org/ and they have given me a wonderful welcome. I'll keep you posted as to the types of information that is traded on that mail list. So far, everyone has gone out of their way to make me feel welcome. I'm looking forward to making new friends there as well as networking.

I'd like to share with you one more new item... I splurged and bought myself a piece of vintage jewelry I have wanting for I don't know how long.... a Renoir piece: this is a classic 1950's piece. I can't wait until it arrives!!


Don't forget to sign up for my earring give-a-way!!

1) Leave a post to any one of my entries for the month here on my blog ;2) Visit my Etsy site at http://www.unicorngem1994.etsy.com/ and pick your favorite piece. Return to my blog and leave an entry telling me your choice;3) Visit BellaOnline at http://www.bellaonline.com/about/JewelryCollecting let me know what your favorite article is or leave me an idea for a future jewelry collecting article.

These could be yours:

Handmade Product Directory and meet Dani Garcia of eSMArt's team

MyGemStoneBox by Diane is now listed in the Handmade Product Directory and the Arcade! A different storefront- but the same great items! Come by and visit.

I’d like to introduce you to Danis Garcia known to us at eSMArt’s as Dani. She is an independent jewelry artisan living in the Texas Hill Country just outside of San Antonio. She runs a Bulkbuy group on Yahoo selling lovely gems, stones and jewelry supply for those who share the love of creating their own designs.

Besides selling gems she also started making jewelry years ago, mostly for her, family and friends but it blossomed into a full time love of creating after her four children were grown and doing their own thing. She also loves creating that one truly unique element for some of her jewelry designs by custom wrapping stones, shells and other materials with sterling silver, copper or gold filled wire as well other handmade findings. Dani is currently learning to make pendants and other elements in glass and precious metal clay.

You can find Dani at DG Designs on Etsy and on her blog. I invite you to check out her store and here are a few of her wonderful pieces.

I created a new necklace this weekend… this is the first showing and soon to be listed on Etsy. I have always loved the sun/moon motif maybe that is the Aquarius in me?? Most of the beads came from Dani .... Here I used the translucent seaglass mixed with dumortierite round faceted beads, Bali style sterling silver and a touch of light blue Swarovski crystals. This has become my new favorite for everyday wear. It matches my jeans perfectly. This stone is said to act as an aid to your mental capabilities in overcoming tough situations. It opens the third eye chakra to enhance mental (and emotional) intelligence. Another good reason to wear it!

Etsy eSMArts Team Paying it Forward....

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO WORTHY CAUSES!

eSMArts (etsy Social Marketing Artisans) is a global collaborative of mixed media artisans whose mandate is to foster friendship, creativity, connection, inspiration, discussion and plenty of cross promotion via implementing social marketing principles in order to drive traffic to our Etsy storefronts and other sales sites.

Our team believes in Paying It Forward and our intent is to utilize this shop to do just that and support those in need. Recently, one of our flock, a fellow Etsian, suffered a loss that makes it impossible to sell her products. All proceeds from the sales of these items go to replace her stolen computer. The items in our shop are donated by the caring and wonderful members of eSMARts towards that end.

In the future, we will select other groups or people with a serious need for financial support and it will be announced here who we are supporting. Come and help us help someone who really needs us right now.

The team shop is run by ABeadedAffair... Lois is a wonderful caring jewelry artist that is always looking to lend a hand. She is a successful business woman who runs a title insurance company and a growing jewelery business and yet finds time to champion worthy causes like this. Please visit A Beaded Affair to see more of Lois' designs and supplies.

Here are other samples of items you can purchase and help out a worthy cause:

A pair of Canada Geese guard their nesting spot. Artist: Van Stewart Bevil

This is a 7.5 inch Biaggi/Troll bracelet with sterling silver stoppers. The beads are cored with Sterling Silver and made from Cyan Blue and Cyan Green glass mixed together for the subtle effects seen. Each bead measures 20 mm wide x 12 mm high. Artist: wilmas-whimseys

Warm brown etched glass rectangles with copper trim are matched with copper beads and goldstone to form this lovely fall necklace and pierced earring set. Copper beads in a decorative disc form are paired with golstone, and other copper beads are matched with brown etched glass beads that match the larger rectangular ones. Artist: S & T Creations

Please stop by and see the many other offerings the eSMArts team has put together to help one of their own.

Other "artsy" endeavors...and Marketing tips

As I was rewriting my profile for my Etsy store, I gave some thought to sharing more about myself with my online family and visitors alike. Before my jewelry there was art... before my 30's or 20's...there was art. All my life I have drawn, painted, crocheted, made quilts, tatted, knitted and have tried various other mediums. Of all these, jewelry making is by far my favorite. I love the feeling of taking a mass of beads, gems and wire and making something that someone will proudly wear! There is nothing like hearing the "ooohh and ahhhs" of a satisfied customer.

Here are some other artsy creations....My room divider \ Photo display ~I painted the rose trellis freehand.

My Wedding album... I designed the album and painted each flower on paper individually then cut them out and arranged them on the photo page. Labor intensive...but I love it!

And glass painting... these goblets found a home with my Mom.

Marketing tip:

Never compete on price alone. If you do, there'll be no reason for customers to return if a competitor has a better deal. You need to offer added value, whether it's a strong guarantee or better customer service, or discounts to repeat customers... to draw customers permanently into the fold.

Personal Milestone and more Marketing tips!

This week I broke into the 200’s…. hearts that is….in my Etsy store. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Etsy, it is a system set up to show your approval or liking of a certain shop or item within the shop. Does it mean more sales? Not necessarily, but it is nice to know there are more than 200 people that have visited my shop and have liked what they see!

Marketing tip:
On occasion, I have received letters from charitable organizations asking for auction item donations for a worthy cause. Your donation can be written off as a tax deduction plus you will get FREE Advertising & Business Exposure for participating! Or, donate a Product to your local area Radio Station, they have numerous contests and they are always looking for sponsors!

Would this interest you....and of course, Marketing tips

I know I'm not the first to make something like this.... I think my grandmother would call these added pieces "skirts". I was playing with the idea of introducing a few of these designs I would call "Impact" pieces. They fit neatly over any stud earring taking you from a business daytime look to a more dramatic night time look. Would you be inclined to use them? I’m looking for feedback. To those of you in my jewelry making eSMArts team, a special question for you.... Would you consider the purchase a tutorial on how to make these earrings? Is this something I should develop? I'm interested in your ideas and feedback! Thanks in advance.

Marketing tip for tonight:
Handout your business cards with a little pizzazz. Take a small zip lock baggy (snack sizes work well) with your Business Card or a flyer, a piece of candy such as hard candy or a lollipop, discount coupon is optional and a "small gift". I use my leftover stones that don't have a home and make up cell phone lanyards. I hand these out to the bank tellers, retail cashiers, even at my son's sport events. Keep a stash of them in the car, this makes it really easy as you go through any drive thru to pass them out!

Squid School Checklist

Here is a list of information that you should gather together when you decide to put a lens together. One step at a time. You'll see that many of you will already have this info available and some of this may not apply to you.

1) Begin thinking of an introduction.
A good place to start is you profile on Etsy....doesn't have to be long. You can do what you like.

2) A picture to represent you.... your Etsy avatar can be used here as well.

3) Have your Etsy address handy

4) Have your blog address handy

5) If you have a Flickr account, have that address available

6) If you have a twitter address, we can use that too

7) Have our team blog address

8) If you subscribe to Del.icio.us...have your user name available

9) If you want to add a Poll to your lens you can begin to think about what the topic might be.... this will increase interest an may bring visitors back again. For example I've used :
What metal is your favorite jewelry made from?
Gold
Silver
Copper
All of the above
If you think of a good topic that would apply to your work, you can get some useful information that you can act on!

All for now!

Magnetic closures

Let me start by saying I was never a big fan of magnetic closures until my Mom asked me to add one to a necklace for her. What a great little invention! I have been using them more often on my own jewelry and incorporating into my designs. I was always a toggle or lobster clasp gal until I bought a 10 pack to use for her (less expensive per piece). I didn't realize how much of a hassle putting on a bracelet was until I put on my Delicate and Raku for a size and comfort check and what a surprise! No muss no fuss! These things are great, no more "Hey hon, can you help me out here....." feeling all of my 40 “somethingness”. Check them out for yourself-