Thank you, Paula Deen

When celebrities are shown using or wearing an item, it can be a great boost to the people and companies that make them. It is common to see images of actresses wearing a jeweler's designs, included in marketing materials by that artist. Beyond jewelry, home accents and kitchen items are often endorsed (officially or unofficially) by the hosts of design & cooking shows. One criticism we've heard from customers is that far too few of these products are domestically made. It's a concern that has been raised more over the past year than ever before, "who made this?", and "where is this from?". Our customers are becoming more tuned into the impact that independent craftspeople have on their local economies. We're happy that one of our most popular studios has seen this boost in the form of "Cooking with Paula Deen" on The Food Network. Tin Woodsman Pewter Co. designs, casts and finishes all of their pewter in their Oregon studio. Deen has become such a fan of their measuring cup and spoon sets that several different designs have been spotted in her kitchen, often in-hand, being used to create her signature dishes.

The cups and spoons are all lead-free and accurate for both dry and liquid measurements. Far too beautiful to just sit in a drawer, they are offered with counter-top and wall-mounted displays to keep them handy. We think of them as functional art for the kitchen. We've carried these sets for many years, and are thrilled that the use of them by Paula Deen has so strongly and directly impacted American businesses, including 16 Hands.

Find more handmade pewter by Tin Woodsman Pewter Co.

ReCircles: Recycled Garden Art

This has been one of the most enjoyable design projects I've ever worked on. I began making these small wind sculptures in 2006 after only thinking about them for way too long. They are made of light sheet metals, including cookie tins, metal trays, bake ware, license plates, advertising signs, and a variety of other printed and painted metal pieces. They are all held together with stainless steel fishing spinners, attached at opposing axis. This gives them a gyroscopic look. The occasional use of "fins" on the outer ring helps them move in the wind. They are called ReCircles. For more information on them, contact 16 Hands at info@16handsgallery.com

Rick Wedel, 16 Hands

New Arrival: Mullanium Birds

We're excited to announce the arrival of 3 painted and embellished birds by Mullanium. This is the same studio responsible for the mixed media jewelry and wall mirrors. The birds are the work of Jim Mullan, and made from a 50's hand-carved wood bird. The form is painted and adorned with objects and materials that include at times, but not always limited to: watch & jewelry parts, cut metal rulers, and metal elements from their other work. Each piece is treated as an individual art piece, so no two are alike. Here, the birds rests on a spool. On other pieces here at 16 Hands, the bird has lighted on a croquet ball, and an upturned pair of opera glasses.

Other sculptures will make their way onto our site soon, but for now the piece shown above can be seen here.

Going to the dogs this Art Fair

We've had a great response to our addition of prints by Marc Tetro to the collection. With his colorful & graphic style, paired with an obvious love of dogs, this artist has become an instant favorite. His giclee canvas prints are stretched over a sturdy wooden frame. They are ready to hang without the need for additional framing, and are available in sizes, from 6" square, all the way up to a 36" square print. Marc Tetro was born in Ste. Anne, Manitoba, Canada, and now divides his time between Canada and a studio in the U.S.. We are looking forward to showing his work to lots of new people during this year's Ann Arbor Art Fair (July 15 - 18, 2009). To see more, visit the Marc Tetro page on our site.

Jewelry Care 101

What do I need to know before cleaning my jewelry? What is tarnish? How can I prevent tarnish? Does it matter when I put on jewelry? How should the following be cleaned? polished silver & gold matt or textured silver & gold bronze mixed metals pearls pewter precious & semi-precious stones other materials

What do I need to know before cleaning my jewelry? Always be sure you know which metals, stones and other materials are in your jewelry before cleaning. Although other tips are listed here, the safest cleaning method is to use a soft dry cloth. Please consult an expert before attempting to clean antique or damaged jewelry.

What is tarnish? Tarnish is the discoloration of metal due to oxidation. Most metals change with exposure to air. For jewelry, silver is the metal that tarnishes most quickly. This is due to the presence of some nickel and copper in most silver. Fine silver, which contains fewer other metals, will show less tarnish over time. Sterling silver contains 92.5% or more pure silver.

How can I prevent tarnish? Jewelry boxes are a great way to keep your jewelry organized and dust-free, but they don't protect against tarnish. To slow the appearance of tarnish, silver jewelry can be kept in sealed plastic bags. Keeping the air out will slow the process of oxidation. Try laying the plastic bag containing the jewelry piece on a flat surface. Press excess air from the bag before sealing. Anti-tarnish paper strips can be helpful when placed where jewelry is stored to inhibit oxidation. also see: what is tarnish?

Does it matter when I put on jewelry? Many jewelry surfaces are affected by common skin and hair care products. Putting jewelry on last, after hair spray, fragrances, soaps, lotions and oils will help retain their original appearance. Soaps and detergents are especially damaging to the elastic used in "stretchy" bracelets and rings. Take these off before washing to extend the life of the elastic.

Polished gold & silver A jewelry polishing cloth can be used to clean and shine jewelry quickly and easily. These cloths contain a fine polishing compound that removes tarnish and grime, but can also smooth out matte or textured finishes. Be careful: Most liquid tarnish removers contain strong chemicals to remove tarnish. They should not be used on jewelry with artificially oxidized metals, special finishes, pearls or porous stones. See product label for warnings and directions. Liquid tarnish removers can be used by either dipping pieces, or by using small amount on a cotton swab. Be sure to rinse jewelry thoroughly, as any residual chemicals can continue to eat away at the metal.

Matte or textured surface gold & silver The safest method is to use a soft, dry cloth or small brush, like an old toothbrush, with soapy water. Very fine steel wool can be rubbed to remove tarnish from matte finish silver. If you are unsure about the finish, test on a hidden part of the jewelry. You can also consult the artist or store where the piece was purchased for advice. Be careful: Most liquid tarnish removers contain strong chemicals to remove tarnish. They should not be used on jewelry with artificially oxidized metals, special finishes, pearls or porous stones. See product label for warnings and directions.

Bronze Bronze patina is often considered desirable, becoming warmer and darker as the piece ages. To return the finish to polished bronze, use a polishing cloth, liquid tarnish remover, or soap & water with a soft brush.

Mixed metals If your jewelry piece is comprised of many different metals and surfaces, you may be limited to using only the safest methods available. Dipping a piece that has burnished, oxidized or textured surfaces may change the appearance of the metal, and the piece overall. A mild soap used with a soft cloth or brush, like an old toothbrush, is a much safer way to clean your mixed metal jewelry than with polishes or dips. also see: matte or textured surface gold & silver

Pearls Softer and more porous than you might think, pearls can be damaged by liquid tarnish removers, abrasives and heat from soldering irons and torches used in jewelry repair. A soft cloth is all that's needed to polish up your pearl jewelry. If cleaning other parts of the jewelry piece is needed (such as settings or ring bands), use care to only apply treatment to these surfaces, avoiding the pearl itself.

Pewter Although it will darken, pewter will not tarnish the way silver does. A soft cloth and mild soap will brighten up this soft metal.

Precious & semi-precious stones The safest way to clean any stone is to rub it gently with a soft cloth. Be careful: Cleaning agents can damage some stones. Porous and brittle stones can dissolve in strong solutions, such as liquid tarnish remover. Some examples of soft, porous or brittle stones are coral, lapis, opal, turquoise and pearl.

Other materials Enamels (both glass and resin) can be cleaned with a soft, dry cloth. The surfaces of these materials, as well as the adhesives that sometimes hold them in place, can be damaged by polishing cloths and liquid tarnish remover. As designers come up with more inventive materials and techniques, the need for proper care information becomes more important. If you are unsure of how to care for your jewelry, consult the artist or store where the piece was purchased. A soft cloth is also the safest way to clean jewelry made with materials, such as: lucite, rubber, wood, fabric, polymer clay and bakelite.