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DLPom Jewelry Giveaway: Trio of Interchangeable Leverback Earrings

There is nothing ordinary about this jewelry giveaway!

A pair of interchangeable leverbacks can sport my purple amethyst lotus drops, Bali sterling silver diamonds, or the ring drop freshwater pearls. Three pairs in one! All sterling silver findings.

This giveaway is hosted by my Etsy shop, DLPom Handcrafted Expressions.

This giveaway is open to adult, U.S. residents only. It ends on Monday, August 11 at 11:59 P.M. Central Time.  Be sure to check back daily for the most chances to win!

Just enter through Rafflecopter below.

TIP: Try refreshing your screen if the Rafflecopter box does not show.

Best of luck!

Thanks for participating!

~Dana
Website

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How to Tell the Difference Between Argentium & Sterling Silver: Teach Me Thursday

And the answer is....{drumroll}....sometimes, you can't.  But that is not the end of the story!  Let's start at the beginning.  What do you need to know as a jewelry buyer to tell the difference between sterling silver and argentium?

Sterling silver is 92.5% fine silver and 7.5% copper.  The copper is what causes all sterling silver to tarnish over time from exposure to sulfides in the air, perspiration, etc.  Argentium is 92.5% fine silver, with the remaining 7.5% being an alloy called germanium and then less copper.  Argentium® Sterling silver is a registered trademark.

There are a number of differences for a silversmith working with one or the other.  Sterling silver often develops firescale during the soldering process - which has to be sanded away.  Argentium does not develop firescale and actually fuses to itself.  There are also some annealing and hardening differences between the two.  As a silversmith, I have to be very organized with my stock.  If a tag label falls off a coil of wire, or if sheet metal gets mixed up, I'll have a quandary on my hands to sort it out!

But for the buyer, the greatest advantage to a piece of jewelry made from Argentium is that it will often have a more brilliant shine, that is almost tarnish resistant over a long period of time.  Additionally, some people with sterling silver allergies can actually tolerate Argentium.

Argentium sterling can be hallmarked .925 or "sterling silver" since Argentium sterling is sterling silver.  Special "Argentium" hallmarks have been developed, but the stamps are usually pricey enough to cause a silversmith pause before making such a purchase.  In other words, you may not be able to tell which metal your jewelry is made from by the stamp alone.

Bottom Line:  The only way to tell the difference between traditional sterling silver and Argentium is through abrasion and/or heat analysis - which would likely ruin the jewelry!  Your safest bet is to purchase from a reputable artisan who keeps their silver stock well labeled and organized so they can tell you which product you are buying.  Jewelry designs from Argentium are often a little higher priced.

  

~Dana

Website



Join the Jewelry Giveaway: Mixed Metal Pearl Earrings

I purchased some copper washers awhile ago and wanted to make some mixed metal link earrings.  This pair is what resulted!  I added an ivory, cultured pearl drop as a striking contrast to soften the look of the hard, textured metals. 

These casual earrings have several articulation points for maximum movement.  They will twist and turn to catch the light.  Even though the repeating pattern is one of circles, the earrings are quite long and linear, too.  They measure about 2-1/4 inches from the top bend of the earwire.  All sterling silver and copper!  If left unpolished the copper will age to a warm patina over time.

This is a limited edition of just 5 pair - so you will not see anyone else wearing these!  The pair for the giveaway is No. 1.  They are hand engraved by the artist (me) and numbered on the back side.  The other pairs will be for sale in my Etsy shop, Coil and Flame...just in case you fall in love with these and don't win them!

This giveaway is open to adult U.S. residents only, and ends on Monday, July 14th.  Be sure to check back daily for the most chances to win!  Just enter through Rafflecopter below.

TIP:  Try refreshing your screen if the Rafflecopter box does not show.

Best of luck!

Thanks for participating!

~Dana
Website


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Etsy Treasury Feature

Ken of sparklequest on Etsy was kind enough to include my Hell's Canyon petrified sequoia wood cocktail ring in his treasury, Petrified Fossil Wood: Another of Earth's Treasures. I'm always excited when one of my items is well-liked enough to be included in such a collection of beautiful things. Please have a look at Ken's shop, and the lovely treasury on Etsy!

~D.
DLPom, LLC

Etsy Treasury - Copper Turquoise Earrings

Thank you to Chris from CkshopperVintage on Etsy for featuring my Copper Turquoise Fringe Earrings in the Etsy Treasury, Fringe Benefits. Please check out the great items in this treasury and Chris's vintage shop.

~D.

Tackle it Tuesday - Finishing Earwires

"Tackle it Tuesday" will be a new feature on my blog where (hopefully) I'll be sharing a tiny (or maybe not so tiny) tip for making your jewelry or soapmaking crafting better. I am a huge proponent of attention to detail in my work, along with working efficiently, and *trying* to stay organized with all of my supplies. I hope to bring you "ah-hah" moments, ideas to springboard your crafting from beginner to pro, and ways to improve your crafting time productivity.

Even better, other crafters around the world have a wealth of information to share about their handcrafted work. And this will be the place YOU can share a link back to your blog for any "Tackle it Tuesday" tips you have recently written about on your blog.

So, let's get started! Today's "Tackle it Tuesday" challenge is for all earring makers to finish their earwires.

What do I mean by "finish?" I'm talking about the end of the wire that goes through your piercing first. I see so many commercial and handmade earwires with blunt and/or prickly ends that it makes me cringe just thinking about putting those earrings on. You and your customers will appreciate a more finished product once you can tell the difference. Even if you use flush cutters to make your own earwires, the ends are blunt, and therefore more uncomfortable to put on than they need to be. 

Here is an example.  These photos are commercial earwires - the first earwire has a rough, pinched end, the second earwire has been smoothed:

All you need is a small piece of extra fine sandpaper. Round off the blunt or pinched end and remove any burrs by gently rubbing the wire end at an angle on the sandpaper. We aren't looking for a sharp point, just a rounded, smooth end to the wire.

If you have a tumbler with steel shot, just add a little water and a splash of Dawn dishwashing soap and tumble for about an hour to polish the sanded end, and add a little extra hardness to the wire.

You're done! You and your customers will notice the difference.

Now, it's your turn! What crafter's tip would you like others in your field to know about on "Tackle it Tuesday?"  You may enter your link below...but please visit and comment on at least two of the other links that inspire you!

The Magic of Dichroic Glass

I've had a fascination lately with the chameleon color and ever-changing sparkle of dichroic glass -- so much so that I've created a series of "Cosmic Glitter" pendants and rings to celebrate the magic!

All backed in sterling silver and set in fine silver bezels...  All numbered and signed by the artist (me!) on the back side...

Dichroic glass is created by fusing small bits of colored glass and metallic oxides to a clear or black base of glass inside a kiln. The applications range from cabochons, to beads, to large pieces of glass art.

Everyone should have a little piece of this sparkly magic for their very own to wear!  Each piece is versatile and often picks up the colors in your wardrobe for a splash of neon color and a very coordinated look.  And all of them look spectacular with black! 

Maybe a gift for someone special, or a treat for yourself?  Enjoy!

~Dana @ Coil and Flame

Walking Stick Earring...GIVEAWAY!

Another giveaway...this time, a short pair of my walking stick earrings from Coil and Flame on Etsy!  Hand forged and silk-textured - all in sterling silver, they measure 1-1/2 inches from the top bend of the earwire.  The earwires are hand formed in standard 20 gauge wire.  My customers who have purchased these just rave about how they are now their favorite, everyday pair of earrings! 

Contest runs through Monday, July 2nd, and is open to U.S. and Candian participants.  Just enter through Rafflecopter below.  Visit daily to better your chances of winning via a random, automated drawing.

Value:  $32.00

TIP:  If the Rafflecopter entry box does not show, try refreshing the page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Coil and Flame Jewelry Featured in Etsy Treasury!

Lexi from TheLostNova on Etsy was kind enough to feature my aquamarine necklace in her Etsy Treasury, "No Rhyme or Reason."  Please drop in and have a look at the other great items featured in this treasury by following the link.

~Dana @ Coil and Flame
www.dlpom.com

Too Cute Pendant for Valentine's Day!

A tiny, understated, hand forged heart with abstract curls and asymmetrical drops of sterling silver.  When you don't want to SCREAM "Valentine's Day," this may just be the perfect accessory!  Click the pic to find out more...

~Dana

Christmas Shopping...Already?

Have you started? Have you finished?

I can't even bring myself to think about it yet. The temperature is still in the triple digits, and I want to give Halloween and Thanksgiving a fighting chance.

Still, many are talking about shopping for the holidays. And everywhere I go, Christmas trees and aisles of decorations are everywhere.

So, if you are in the mood for a little holiday color, maybe you might like these selections from my shop:




Until next time,

Dana @ DLPom & Soap Sense

Drumroll...

And the winner is...



Comment #19 by SentMyWay!

I'll be sending you an email shortly about how to claim your earrings!

Dana @ DLPom

2010 Collection: Shades of Silver

Introducing a new collection of jewelry, celebrating all the different hues of oxidized sterling silver!

Silver doesn't always have to be bright and shiny. In fact, different metal colors in the same design can actually compliment the piece and make it more well rounded, eclectic, or even antiqued like a vintage piece. And jewelry with interest is all the rage right now!

Oxidized sterling silver can occur 3 different ways. The first is just with time and exposure to air. Have you ever uncovered sterling silver that you haven't used or worn in awhile and it is darkened beyond recognition? Time and air have done a number on it! This process can be accelerated by the acid from your skin that has been left on the sterling silver.

The second way is with a boiled egg. Huh? Yes, I said boiled egg! If you boil an egg, mash it, and put sterling silver in a plastic bag with the egg, the silver will darken within minutes.

The third and final way (that I know about) is with liver of sulphur. This can either be a liquid or solid chemical that is
dissolved in water. When it is heated and touches sterling silver, the darkening effect is almost immediate.

But sometimes what you get is a surprise. Oxidized sterling silver can be pitch black, gunmetal gray, copper, or any number of green or blue shades I like to call peacock hues. Usually after oxidizing the silver needs to be tumbled or rebuffed to bring out the complete beauty of the metal.

The four designs pictured here are just the beginning. The first necklace and earring set have been designed with faceted, rock quartz and kyanite. I named it "Tyrrhenian Sea," inspired by the Italian coastline.

The second set features crystal clear round rock quartz, named "Mystic Morning," reminiscent of early morning dewdrops. The stones in both sets are gem quality. Click the pictures to get full descriptions and to SHOP!

Later, check out my Etsy store, DLPom, often for new listings.

Christmas in July Sales on Etsy

It's that time of year again! Etsy sellers are gearing up for all kinds of spectacular deals for the annual Christmas in July promotional sales. Each seller's shop deal is different, but all you need to do is search Etsy for the tag "christmasinjuly" (no spaces) to see all that is being offered. How easy is that? And it isn't too early to get a head start on Christmas shopping and save some money at the same time. Over 200 Etsy shops will be participating!

My two Etsy shops will also be participating! My DLPom artisan jewelry shop will be offering FREE SHIPPING on all items. The shipping charges will be refunded to your PayPal account after purchase. My Soap Sense bath shop will be offering 15% off all items. Again, the discount will be refunded to your PayPal account after purchase. For my shops, Christmas in July begins July 15th through July 25th.

So, come shop with us soon!

Name It to Win!

Typically, as I am creating a jewelry design, a name just comes to me somewhere along the way. I can't explain this phenomenon...a fitting name just pops into my head and the jewelry piece is named!

But every once in awhile, nothing pops. No name ideas...nothing. And the harder and longer I think about it, the worse it gets. Writer's block sets in and sometimes I don't list it on Etsy for weeks because it is an orphan until I have the time to revisit it.

So, throughout the summer I would like readers to help with this dilemma. The carnelian and turquoise necklace at right has no name. This contest is about creatively naming the necklace for my shop, DLPom, to win a bar of soap from my other Etsy shop, SoapSense. Good for me, and good for you if you win! I'm hoping you will love both of my shops and visit me again in the future.

So, enter your best, creative name for the necklace by 7/10/10 in the comments below. Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you via blog, shop, or email if you win. I'll choose my favorite of the names suggested, and you'll receive a bar of my wonderful "Relaxation" soap as listed on Etsy. If you are an Etsy shop owner, I'll reference your shop in the necklace listing as winner of this naming contest as an extra perk.

Other contest details:

- 1 winner, must be 18 years or older
- 1 entry per person
- Winner must reside in U.S. or Canada
- Prize Value: $5.00 and shipping to you is FREE
- Winner must respond within 3 days. If not, another winner will be chosen.

Good luck! I can't wait to see your name submissions

~Dana @ DLPom and SoapSense on Etsy

Are Anklets "In" or "Out"?

...doesn't matter, I still enjoying making them for summer. I think they are very cute with sandals, maybe when other jewelry is just a little too heavy in hot weather.

I like to design all my anklets (or ankle bracelets) to be adjustable. You can wear one above the ankle, tight enough so it doesn't slip down...or, more loosely below the ankle. It is impossible to wear an anklet directly across the ankle, otherwise, even the most sturdy construction will snap with the pressure from bending your foot.

I've found that 9 inches is about medium-sized for an anklet. So a small section of chain makes it adjustable up or down by 1/4 inch. Wrap a cute little Swarovski dangle at the end of the chain, and the anklet is ready to go.

The anklet shown here was made with Hill Tribe, hand stamped tubular beads, tiny rounds, and pastel freshwater pearls in pink and aqua. This piece is for sale in the Anklet Section of my Etsy shop, DLPom Handcrafted Expressions.

Enjoy your summer!

A New Venture - Hand Stamped Sterling Silver Pendants

I love it when a little window of time opens up and there is a chance to try something new! Creative people always have a thousand more ideas on their list than what they really have time for. With my little window of time, I tried my hand at a new jewelry venture that has been on my list for quite some time...or should I say "adventure!"

Hand stamping sterling silver jewelry does take a little practice, and you will likely "mess up" your first few attempts. (So don't try this for the first time on your expensive sterling silver!) But it really is easy once you get the hang of it.

For beginners, I recommend measuring twice, just to be sure! And take into consideration any holes at the top of a pendant which will lower the visual center of your piece. When ready to stamp, I've found that 2-3 confident whacks with the hammer give a better quality stamp than 9-10 tentative taps. You will also need a very smooth, steel surface on which to stamp so as not to introduce any unwanted marks on your project.

I had previous experience with oxidizing, brushing, and repolishing silver pieces. So these steps came naturally after the hand stamping was completed. The results of this entire process are some nice, organic pieces that look awesome on a ball chain!

Check out my website for more pictures and details: DLPom dot com

Raising Sand Treasury on Etsy

Kara of BeadedandButtoned was kind enough to include my Desert Palette Necklace from DLPom Handcrafted Expressions in her Etsy Treasury. Some gorgeous Southwest colors here!

Gemstone Mania to Win a Pair of Custom Earrings (We Have a Winner!)

I wanted to do something a little different with my custom earring giveaway this time around. All you need to do is be the first to identify the semi-precious gemstones in the jewelry below. You'll have to figure out where to get hints if any of them confuse you, but check the comments because I may also be giving some clues along the way!

Here's the fine print:

1. The winner's custom earrings may be choosen from any of the semi-precious gemstones and metal findings I have in inventory - see my Etsy shop, DLPom Handcrafted Expressions for ideas! I will work with you to achieve a design that you love!

2. You may post more than once if you want to correct one or more of your answers, however you need to repost ALL of your answers, not just the corrections. Your latest post will be considered your answer.

3. Contest ends when someone correctly matches my list of semi-precious gemstone names -or- by Saturday, January 24th, 2009. At midnight on the final day, the recipient with the most correct answers will win, and any ties will be broken by random drawing.

4. Only U.S.A. and Canadian participants, please. Be sure to leave an email or link so I can contact you if you win! I will post in the comments section as soon as I identify the winner!

Good luck!