Posts Tagged ‘home’

Chic Jewelry Boxes with Ideal Attachments

If you are one of those who loves to create things, then making jewelry boxes would be a fantastic hobby for you. You can choose from a range of materials to make your boxes, like wood, leather, papier-mch, bamboo, and so much more. But adding that final touch to your box are elements like hinges, clasps, and latches that you use to bring it all together.

Hinges form the base of any good jewelry box and there are a few basic types. You have the butt hinge that is generally used in vertical boxes that have doors. Once fixed, you will not be able to adjust them any further.

There is also the butterfly hinge used on doors made of lighter materials. There is the flush hinge that does not require you to cut into recesses into the box and is great for smaller constructions.

When you are putting together a wooden box you could think of using solid brass side rail hinges that help with lid support. These go beautifully with music boxes or humidors and small-sized boxes and cases. These hinges will have to be installed by mortising the side panel of the box.

It would be best to opt for gold-plated brass hinges to give your wooden boxes that classy look. The lid support will help prop open heavier lids as well. Make sure that the hinges you procure have a non tarnishing epoxy painted on.

If you don’t want your hinges to be visible, you could go with the solid brass small box hinges that are specially made for this purpose. These are great for small boxes and will not be seen on the inside when you open the box. This is because the hinge will be mortised into the back of the box, on top and at the side.

If you are making a box that will hold movable trays then you will need a jewelry box tray support. These can be easily installed. A good tip would be to have them ready before you begin your project so that you can accurately gauge their placement and get a snug fit for your trays.

Locks and latches are also important factors to a good jewelry box. Protecting your belongings is important as well. You could opt for the half mortise small box locks which are simple and stylish and can be set easily with a home fashioned jig. There are full mortise locks available as well.

There are several other accessories that one can use in the creation of jewelry boxes. Necklace hangers in solid brass are a great addition to vertically designed boxes. They add a distinctive touch to the box and are solid pieces that will hold necklaces safely.

Jewelry box feet make for a perfect finishing touch. Decorative ones are great for small boxes and can be buffed to give off a shiny look. Most of these can be glued in place.

There are several ways in which a jewelry box can be created and enhanced. Your choice in accessories will determine how it will look in the end. So go ahead and use attachments that will make your trinket case stand apart from the rest!

Incoming search terms:

  • powered by phpBB home accessories
  • powered by phpBB sample letter of business closure
  • powered by phpBB base business home internet marketing opportunity

How to Clean and Polish Your Jewelry

How to Clean and Care for Your Jewelry

The most effective way to clean your jewelry is to bring it to your local jeweler. That may not always be possible. It always seems that on a Saturday night, before going to dinner or while getting dressed for a wedding, you realize that your jewelry is lacking a bit of its glisten and luster.

Jewelry Maintenance Schedule
Since most people keep their jewelry in a central location, such as a jewelry box or safe, it is easy to keep a basic checklist along with it. It is commonplace for one to let time pass before noticing one day when examining their jewelry that a diamond is missing from their ring or bracelet. Keeping a simple checklist in your jewelry box can act as a reminder. All fine jewelry that is worn regularly and is mounted with gemstones should be brought to a jeweler to be inspected for wear on prongs and closures on a routine basis. Over time, frequently worn jewelry often comes in contact with coarse surfaces during everyday wear, making it prone to erosion and metal fatigue.

Jewelry Erosion
“Erosion” takes place when gold or a precious metal rubs against itself or other surfaces. As precious metals rub against counter tops, stone, or mineral surfaces the soft precious metal slowly erodes. Your jeweler can advise you of needed repair before an item becomes broken and is lost. This recommended preventive measure can prolong the life of your precious jewelry.

Jewelry Metal Fatigue
“Metal fatigue” takes place when metal is stressed by constant knocking or bending. The easiest way to understand this is to envision a coat hanger being bent back and forth several times until it breaks. The impact of hitting a ring or bracelet on a doorknob or the constant depression of a spring clasp on your jewelry latches slowly contributes to its “metal fatigue”.

Professional Jewelry Maintenance
We recommend that everyday items such as engagement rings and tennis bracelets be viewed by a professional jeweler every 6 months, and annually for jewelry that is worn less frequently. A trained jewelry professional will inspect prongs and clasps for wear and tear. The jeweler will detect loose stones and arrange to tighten your prongs and repair or replace worn areas.

Professional Jewelry Cleaning
Most jewelers will clean and polish your jewelry while you wait and the more advanced jewelers will be able to machine polish your jewelry with several stages of compounds to restore its original luster. They may also be able to restore a rhodium finish on your white gold. The more highly qualified jewelers will also be able to steam clean and ultrasonically clean your jewelry. Your jewelry professional should understand the nature of delicate materials, gemstones, and patinas in order to avoid damaging your precious items while working on them.

Home Jewelry Cleaning
In order to properly clean your jewelry at home you should first have an understanding of what your jewelry is made of.

Jewelry Cleaning No No’s
Many materials should not be cleaned at home. Below are a few examples of jewelry that should be handled cautiously.

Organic stones or materials such as pearl, ivory, bone, coral, wood, leather, cord, or string should not be exposed to harsh detergents or soaked in liquids or ultrasonically cleaned. These commonly used jewelry materials may absorb the fluids and be damaged or stained permanently.

Antique or rare artist jewelry should not be tampered with at home. Polishing and cleaning can destroy the patina and integrity of some rare jewelry.

Coins should never be polished and cleaned by a non-professional.

Some gemstones are treated with or have natural oils that can be disturbed by detergents. Some stones are porous and can absorb detergents or moisture. Here are a few gems that caution should be used with: Emerald, Opal, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, and all of the organic stones and materials listed above.

Chemical exposure can lead to disaster. Soaking jewelry in chlorine-based cleaners can completely dissolve a piece of jewelry, leaving behind only the stones. Likewise, constant exposure to pool chlorine can decay the solders used to make jewelry. A small bead of mercury from a broken thermometer can attract to gold and contaminate all other jewelry that it comes in contact with, turning the gold white. This has been known to render entire jewelry boxes of valuable jewelry useless. As a rule, any corrosive product in household use containing acids, lye, or chemicals that you yourself should not be exposed to is probably not good for your jewelry.

Polishing plated metals with abrasive compounds can wear through the plating. The micron plating solution used on many pieces of costume jewelry is thin and abrasive compounds can wear through to the underlying metals. Once the base metals are exposed, they may vary in color or tarnish with time.

Caution should be taken when using ultrasonic cleaners. Ultrasonic cleaners use high frequency waves to release makeup grime and dirt from your jewelry. The process involves vibration.

* Vibration causes erosion when two items are rubbing against one another or the side of an ultrasonic tank.
* Vibration can also loosen stones and epoxy or glue.
* Vibration can also shatter fragile materials such as amber and enamel.
* Vibration can change the color or remove the surface enhancement on many of the novelty gems in the market place today.
* Vibration can dislodge fills from stones that have additives.

Once you have determined that your jewelry can be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, the tips below can help you with your safe cleaning.

* Use only recommended ultrasonic cleaning solutions.
* Be sure that your items are positioned so that they do not rub on one another or the bottom and side of the ultrasonic tank.
* Do not leave jewelry unattended in an ultrasonic cleaner for extended periods of time.

Proper Jewelry Cleaning at Home
Now that you have an understanding of what you need to be careful with, let’s review the many things you can do to take care of your jewelry and make it look great. The easiest way to keep your jewelry looking terrific is by cleaning it regularly. It is much easier to remove a thin layer of hairspray, lotion, or makeup than a long-term build up. The more often you clean your jewelry the easier the process.

Polishing Precious Metals
You can brighten your jewelry by obtaining a jewelers rouge cloth or a velvet cloth from your local jeweler. These are soft cloths charged with mild polishing compounds used to brighten jewelry. The polishing materials on the cloths are not abrasive enough to damage your stones or metal, but when rubbed vigorously against gold or silver will provide a nice luster. When you are finished polishing your jewelry, you can clean it to remove any of the compounds left behind. Be sure to put your jeweler’s cloth in a dust free container such as a poly bag when you are finished. This will prevent the cloth from picking up grit and foreign matter that may scratch your items on it next use.

Cleaning Diamonds Gold and Platinum
Gold, diamonds, platinum, sapphire, ruby, and most durable stones not listed above in the “Don’ts” section can be easily cleaned. Simply mix a solution of 1/2 Windex and 1/2 warm water. It is not necessary to create a large batch; a half cup is usually sufficient. Make sure the room is ventilated. Soak the items for as long as it takes to loosen the buildup. Remove the items and simply scrub them with a soft toothbrush. Be sure to press the bristles gently between the prongs and in all of the creases of the jewelry. If the residue is stubborn repeat the process. Be sure to rinse your jewelry thoroughly and dry to avoid irritation of the skin. Some people like to dry the stones on the underside with canned air, in order to avoid water spots. Once again, the more frequently you clean your jewelry, the easier the process.

Jewelry Ultrasonic Cleaners
It is very important to read the above warnings about the use of ultrasonic cleaners, as they are very aggressive. That being said, aggressive can be good if you follow the rules. Use only ultrasonic cleaning devices that are designed for home use and read the instructions thoroughly. It is wise to use the solutions that are sold to be used for ultrasonic jewelry cleaning, however, small units can be used with 1/2 Windex and 1/2 warm water. Make sure the room is ventilated.

Cleaning Pearls and Other Organic Jewelry
Pearls, coral, ivory, bone, and other organics can absorb moisture and chemicals. It is for this reason that all make up and hairspray should be applied before putting on your pearls. It is also wise to wipe them down with a soft clean moist cloth when you remove them. In the case of pearls and beads, try not to get the cord and knots wet to avoid staining and rotting of the string. * Never use chemicals or detergents to clean your pearls

Selling Jewelry From Home

Today businesses are home businesses in a particular time high due to the recession that has increased the need for more jobs based on home-related lower number of office jobs. In fact, home based business craft has a number of benefits that go beyond being a useful tool to save the recession.

After all that allows you to stay home and work according to their own wishes and priorities where the task that you like best and, basically, after receiving payment for your hobby. In this article we will talk particularly about the sale of jewelry in the house.

Most people who have more in common creative skills to make Perfect Jewelry, but not have the knowledge on how to sell their jewelry. Well, not so difficult to sell their jewelry. You just have to take some time and have complete knowledge of the market. Market knowledge will help you make more profit from your sales.

To increase your knowledge in the market, has a range of options such as visiting a jeweler or a commitment or simply using the Internet. Once acquired sufficient knowledge, you can devise ways to sell their jewelry. One of the best selling jewelry at home is the use of Internet. You can easily display their jewelry through his personal website that you can look for potential buyers. Create your own website is not a difficult task. To do this, you can hire an agency that is good in web design and can help you keep on selling your jewelry.

Thus, home craft business is an important source of income as additional income or even a full time income sitting at home and their fans. Selling Jewelry is not difficult, you just need to explore and understand your options.

Incoming search terms:

  • powered by phpBB great business ideas
  • powered by phpBB work from home home based business
  • powered by phpBB best business home
  • powered by phpBB work home
  • powered by phpBB home sales
  • powered by phpBB home based business for sale
  • powered by phpBB in home business
  • powered by phpBB rental business for sale
  • powered by phpBB home business
  • powered by phpBB money at home

Best Anniversary Gifts Wooden Jewelry Boxes

It is that special week in the year. Your parent’s anniversary. And you need one of the best anniversary gifts. You got a trinket for mom. Now, what would be the best companion for it? Something to hold it and keep it safe. You want her to treasure it for the years to come. Therefore, for this very special occasion, what you need is a handmade jewelry box with exquisite carvings to make the present a very special one.

In addition, the box also has a very practical use of keeping the ornament safe from dust, dirt, and shock. In these days of quick travel, it will also come in handy while your mom is traveling. Not only for that, even while at home, she can use the case to keep her gems neatly in place.

We know that diamonds or rather jewels are a girl’s best friend. So the box containing them must not look shabby at any cost. It deprecates the gems lying within it. Therefore, you have to choose with utmost care.

A wooden jewelry box with some exquisite marquetry designs will do wonders to this role. The color and the design on the box are also very important. They must complement the trinkets it contains. Marquetry is a special skill by which artisans create wonders on simple wooden boxes rendering them quite out of the ordinary.

Jewel cases have been in vogue since ancient times. In olden days, women did not have many options to keep their valuable possessions. These boxes were a medium to keep their important and treasured articles. From that time, ornament cases have gone through a lot of transition and today we have different types of them to suit all sorts of purposes.

These cases can be made using various materials. However, wood seems to be the most useful one. It is more durable and lighter than many other materials. Hence, ornament containers are usually made of wood. There are several types used for this purpose. The most common ones are cherry and maple. Some other expensive varieties are satinwood, mahogany, and rosewood.

There are several forms of wooden ornament cases. It could be big with multiple drawers to fit several trinkets. Alternatively, it could be small to fit one single piece of jewelry. It could have a flip lid as well. Suiting your own needs, you can go for a specific kind. Also, depending on your budget, you could go for an expensive one made of mahogany or a simple one made of cherry with some exquisite marquetry designs on it.

We have all read stories of the famous kings and queens and their treasure troves. Since then, jewel boxes have signified power and wealth. So this year, turn your parents into an emperor and empress by presenting mom a handcrafted wooden jewelry box and dad a handcrafted wooden accessory box. Be remembered forever!

The Details of Becoming a Lia Sophia Jewelry Advisor

Lia Sophia jewelry is perhaps the greatest professional decision Ive ever made. But before jumping into direct sales jewelry as a personal jewelry consultant, you need to know the details about getting started in Lia Sophia.

How Do I Sign Up?

To sign up as an advisor, you simply go to your advisors personal website (example: http://www.liasophia.com/haleypace) and click on the Join Us link. When you come to the advisor agreement, it will ask you for a password. The password is something you must obtain from your advisor, as she has set it. Typically, it is the first five letters of her first name, in all caps. (example: mine is HALEY).

The starter kit is $149 plus tax and shipping. However, when you sign up in January, you will typically get $25 off your starter kit. (January is a slow month for direct sales.) You will pay for your starter kit online when you submit your advisor agreement. You must pay with a credit or debit card at the time of signing up. The kit takes about 10 days or less to ship to you. Mine arrived in less than one week.

Whats In the Starter Kit?

The contents of the starter kit include: jewelry kit bag, two jewelry display trays (one inch), 20 current catalogs, 200 invitations, a quick start guide, a ring sizer, 6 hostess envelopes, a display cloth, 50 wish lists, 12 hostess selection and order summary sheets, 12 guest lists, and 50 customer selection tickets. And, 24 pieces of jewelry valued at over $1000. The supplies are enough to last you three to six shows. The jewelry you get in the kit is more than worth the $149 cost of the kit.

How much are supplies through Lia Sophia?

Catalogs are normally $6.50 for a package of ten. During the two months prior to the new catalogs coming out, lia Sophia typically offers a buy one package, get one package free special. (There are two catalogs per year, one every six months; 30% of jewelry is taken out and 30% new jewelry is added.)

Invitations are $4.00 for a package of 100. You can get them half off most of the time, however. A stock list is only 25 cents. Drawing slip pads for craft shows and fairs, etc are $3.00 for 500 slips. Hostess and customer wish lists are $2.00 for a pad of 50. Guest lists are $3.75 for a package of 12 (I make my own). Customer selection tickets are $2.75 for a set of 50.

Supplies are very affordable through Lia Sophia. As with any business, its important to keep your supplies cost low, so you take home more profit!

How Do I Get Started So That Im Successful?

I recommend and Lia Sophia recommends doing their Excellent Beginnings. This is a 15 week period starting from the day you sign up as an advisor. I did this and earned $600 in free jewelry, plus got a GREAT start.

I cannot over-emphasize the importance of getting a good start. By getting a good start, you are ensuring your business lasts. Youre giving it a much greater chance of success.

To do this, I encourage you to schedule 6 shows within your first five weeks.

You simply ask 6 different people to host a show for you to get your business started. Get them from different areas of your life: friend, family, church, work, acquaintance, neighbor, etc. This gets you into 6 different networking circlesVERY important to your success. And dont be afraid to ask! If they dont want to, theyll say no! No big deal!

In your first five weeks of Excellent Beginnings, if you do $1500 in sales and three shows total, you get a $200 jewelry premium. Same for the second five weeks and the third five weeks. When you recruit someone who is qualified (does $1500 or more in their first five weeks, with three shows), you also get an additional $300 jewelry premium!) This applies for your entire fifteen weeks and there is no limit when it comes to recruiting! So go for it!

Is there Training Available?

Lia Sophia is awesome about providing training online. Ongoing FREE web classes focus on hostess coaching, recruiting, selling, display techniques, the FREE vacation, and more. In addition, you have the support of your up-line. Never forget this support. Your manager has been there and done that talk to her for advice. It is invaluable.

Conference is a great way to connect and learn, as well. Conducted once a year in June, conference typically takes place in Milwaukee.

In addition, teams conduct quarterly rallies to help advisors learn even more.

What are the PERKS of being an Advisor?

As an advisor, you get 30% of your sales in profit. For example, if you sell $1000 of jewelry in one month, you will make $300 in profit. As a manager, you get 40% of your sales in profit. So, if you sell $1000 of jewelry in one month, you will make $400 in profit. Also as a manager, you get 10% of what your down-line sells! Cha Ching!

You get 70% off the jewelry any timea huge discount! Also, you may order up to two hostess bonus items at any time. These are amazing deals. You can get any item out of the catalog, $100 or less, for only $15.

You also get monthly specials for doing well in sales. I have gotten every one of these specials since Ive been a part of lia Sophia. They are not very hard to attain. Ive gotten free jewelry premiums (up to $100, sometimes more), nearly 80% off the jewelry, a leather mirror to use at my shows, FREE jewelry, and more.

And one of the BEST parts is, you get the chance to earn a FREE vacation every year!!! This year its a Caribbean cruise!!! Next year its Cancun!!! And it isnt that hard to earn! To earn a trip for one, you must sell $25,000 in jewelry and have $25,000 in new advisor sales. To earn a trip for two, you must sell $45,000 in jewelry and have $45,000 in new advisor sales. And by free, I mean FREE. They pay for airfare, room and board, room service 24/7 its awesome! And the rooms in Cancun have a Jacuzzi and are ocean-front!

Oh, and if youre wondering, What can I write off my taxes for my lia Sophia direct sales business, the answer is A LOT! Its important to be legitimate, but by running a business out of your home, many tax advantages exist. Im excited to see what our refund will be this year!