How to Care for your Great Lakes Art Jewelry by Julie Maxon

I’m so grateful for the positive reception of my work within the state of Michigan and way beyond! Thanks for your interest and kindness.

The various metals and materials that I use often require some maintenance to keep the desired appearance. I want to share my favorite Metal Maintenance Tips so that you may get the most enjoyment and wearability out of your Great Lakes Art Jewelry.

Sterling Silver:
Most of you are familiar with Sterling Silver. Over time, oxidation causes a dark patina to form on your jewelry. Because there is so much texture involved in my work, I use patina to enhance the depth of that texture. That is why I recommend using a soft polishing cloth and gently rubbing the piece on the highest surfaces. Be sure to allow some patina to remain in the low points to enhance the texture.

Fine Silver:
Fine Silver oxidizes differently than Sterling Silver because of their different chemical components. Fine Silver consists of 99.9% Pure Silver while Sterling Silver is an alloy/combination of 92.5% Silver and 7.5% Copper. While the Copper adds strength to the metal, it also creates a much greater opportunity for oxidation.

Fine Silver does not naturally form a black patina like Sterling. Therefore, I apply a special acid called Liver of Sulfur to create the defining patina. Do not soak your Fine silver in jewelry cleaning solution; you will lose the depth of image provided by the patina.

Copper/Bronze Treated:
Your piece should require no maintenance. The metal has been sealed to prevent oxidation causing oxygen from touching the metal.

Copper/Bronze Untreated:
Copper and Bronze naturally oxidize and turn quite dark over time. Eventually, they will even form the characteristic green patina. If you want your metal with a dark or a green patina, that’s great, leave it alone.
However, if you would like to maintain the original finish, you will want to use a soft polishing cloth to polish off the high points and leave the low points dark. As with Silver, I love to use a darkening patina to accentuate the depth of the texture!
If you want to really make your piece shine, do not use a traditional jewelry soak. I recommend Brasso or your favorite polish. If you decide that you don’t like that high shine, that’s fine, your piece will oxidize again.

Scratches:
Normal wearing of jewelry will create scratches over time, especially with softer metals such as silver. This is fairly easy to remedy. I learned this trick from jewelry instructor Lexi Erickson; find a piece of Scotchbrite (or your favorite scrubbing pad) rub new scratches into your jewelry.
Yes! Create more scratches. Don’t worry, you will not ruin your jewelry.
1. Grasp the scotchbrite in your dominant hand
2. Push the Scotchbrite across your piece in the direction of the original Matte I have created (probably the Northwest Wind Matte)
3. ONLY PUSH IN ONE DIRECTION; scrubbing back and forth with make unattractive Zig-zag scratches.
4. The more well used the Scotchbrite pad, the softer and more lustrous your matte will be.

Feel free to ask questions!!! You may comment/ask here!

Notice my Signature Northwest Wind Matte; you can repair and recreate this… read on

Why I love Matte Finish:

I have owned Silver jewelry and inevitably, I add unintentional scratches.  Adding a Matte Finish not only  creates a more subtle, deeper luster but it serves another practical purpose:  It increases the wearability of your jewelry.

When the Matte is present, those scratches caused by natural wearing are far less likely to mar the appearance of your piece.

I really want you to enjoy your Great Lakes Art Jewelry for many years to come.  I want you to be proud of them and pass them down to your children as heirlooms.

Thanks again for choosing my work.  🙂

Written by Julie Maxon  www.greatlakesartjewelry.com

With the Ice finally melted, we are free to scan the beaches for Agates, Basalt, and Unakite, among other Lake Superior Stones! I love to collect these stones and add the raw elements to my jewelry. It’s a perfect way to remember a day at the beach. Even for me, as I create each piece, I remember collecting the stones. My daughter often helps me in this endeavor. Even though the stones she picks are usually the size of an adult’s fist, it’s great to have her with me. 🙂

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

EXCITING NEWS: The Great Lakes Art Jewelry Family has scheduled a “Circle Tour” around Lake Superior. I will be sharing our photographs here and writing about our unique experience. We’ve worked in a few days at various campgrounds for hiking and beach strolling.

Indian Rock, part of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Some of the places include Pukaskwa, and Lake Superior Provincial Park! We’ll also be hunting for some local Amethyst! That’s right, Amethyst is found here in Lake Superior as well. We’ll be heading out some time in July! For now, we’re doing home improvements and I’m trying hard to build up my stocks before the busy summer season begins. ON THE WAY: More Enameled Great Lakes, Traditional Stone and Bezel Settings, Turtle Pendants, and so much more! It’s amazing how many ideas I have that I wish I had the time for!

 

Autumn is So Here

As I drove into Munising, the home of Pictured Rock National Lakeshore, my breath was taken away by what I saw… the bright blue of Munising Bay hugged by the Golden Ambers of the Maple Mountain Range. Wow. Autumn is so here.
This is my favorite time of year, the reason I live here. The reason I raise my family here. The reason I started making my Great Lakes and Northwoods Jewelry.

Today, I made the Sterling Silver Michigan Pendant Available on Etsy!

What a delightful way to cherish your Michigan Memories! This heirloom quality gift is sure to give you and your family pleasure in the years to come.

Next weekend, I am attending the Mitten Moms’ Blogger Conference in Petoskey, MI. I’m really looking forward to learning more about blogging so I can share Quality Content and FUN with You!

Thanks for reading and Stay Tuned!!!