Gifts for the Anti-Metro-Sexual Man on Etsy

 

I don’t know about you, but I like my men a certain way.  I  don’t want to see my man  carrying a man-purse, (gasp), and a cowl neck scarf will not be under my man's Christmas tree.

Under no circumstance  would I ever ask my man to hold my purse, not even for one second. During a sad movie, if his eyes well up with tears, that's OK, more than this would worry me. One appointment at the spa, and I would seriously have to reconsider things.

I know I am a little over the top with my “rules” for the manly man, but this is just one woman’s opinion, and here I bring you one woman’s perfect Etsy.com gift list for him. My “him”; the manly man.

The manly man should get a new wallet every twenty five years, or so. I love this wallet. It is about as  kitschy as I would ever go for my manly man, but it makes the list for its strong sense of irony. It already looks 25 years old.  Not right for your man?  There are plenty of other appropriately manly leather goods to chose from on Etsy.

In Blue - on Etsy

Copper is on the manly man list of perfect material to make anything out of. I love this money clip that can double as a book mark. And it is made by a JET!  There are also lots of lovely things in Adroit Jewelers that a manly man could buy his girlfriend/wife for the holidays, (Frank). Fact: Most manly men know the current market price of copper piping on any given day.

Adroit Jewelers - on Etsy

This is on the list because it looks like it smells good and leathery and we all need a phone case.

Robbie Moto - on Etsy

This manly man briefcase is hand-stitched by LusciousLeatherNYC

Rugged leather; carried like a briefcase, the way men used to carry a briefcase,  no shoulder strap, hence, no mistaking it for a man purse.

The Curly Bottle Opener - This Hand Forged Church-key looks like it will last forever, thus, like a good wallet, meets the strict criterion for the manly man gift.

hammeronsteel on Etsy

About the only jewelry my manly man would wear is a wedding ring. And I cannot imagine one more perfect than this one by our own Smacky. It is has a masculine aesthetic, it is made to last forever, and it is affordable;  which, in my case, is important  because my manly man would most likely lose his now and then, and need a replacement or three. I need not worry, however, because my man will not be wearing this any time soon. We have only been together eight years. Apparently we still have to get to know each other.

SilverSmack - on Etsy

Cufflinks. Oh I do love cufflinks on a man. They have been a manly staple since before "metro-sexual" men's  grandparents were born.  Somehow, cufflinks get away with not being jewelry. Something about a man in French cuffs…

JET Team Mascot

This perfectly manly pair is made by the shop "Metalicious" on Etsy, where the manly man can find many other suitable items. And lots for his lady too.

Metalicious - on Etsy

If you go with a traditional gift of socks, look no further.  These handmade beauties look so comfy and warm (even though manly men are not supposed to feel the cold), and they are made in  Russia, an epicenter of manly men.

SockClub - on Etsy

The manly man is the picture of efficiency. Left to his own devices, my man would  use a bar of Dial soap to shower; and as deodorant, as shampoo, (well, he is bald, but for where his hair used to be), and to wash the dishes. Maybe even laundry in a pinch. Its funny, he always smells great!
So this, is perfect for the efficient manly man:
A belt/bottle opener:

Metalogical - on Etsy

Man-décor, please don’t get carried away giving his cave “the feminine touch”! No tchotchkes. No cafe curtains. However, if you are compelled to spruce his place up, try some vintage details or industrial design pieces. Etsy is filled with these items. At a shop called Hoof and Antler, you cannot go wrong.

HoofandAntler  (see what I mean?)

Contemporary Earth Art - on Etsy

I love these high ball glasses. The manly man does entertain. And when he is wearing his cufflinks he can serve drinks in these:

justbecauseshecan - on Etsy

A chunky cedar phone dock will fit into any manly man decor and cedar smells great with Dial soap.

woodtec - on Etsy

This is just a smattering of the endless gifts for men that can be found on Etsy.

My man needs nothing, uses nothing, wants nothing so he is not easy to shop for but Etsy is packed with suitable gift ideas for him. Just don't look for him wearing fingerless gloves anytime soon.


With love and smiles,
Norah

Jet of the Day 12/6/11 - Willow Creek Jewelry

Green Amethyst and Oxidized Sterling Silver Earrinngs

Adding Interest to Your Metalwork with Oxidization

The term "oxidizing" simply means artificially tarnishing or aging metal. This method can add depth and character to your jewelry designs and even give a piece an entirely different look. In oxidization, when the high areas are polished back and the low areas are left dark, your wire and metal work will stand out; giving more interest to your swirls, coils, folds and bends. This will draw your customers’ eye to the artistic details within your pieces.

Granted, there are those die-hards that prefer the “shiny” polished look but a growing number of jewelry customers are gravitating toward the oxidized look. Oxidized metals add a modern look that’s a little more casual and relaxed as compared to its “shiny” original state. Also, a big plus is that it requires less polishing and upkeep.

Now, let’s talk about a few methods for oxidizing metals. I’ll be covering sterling silver, copper and brass. I have tried oxidizing silver plate and copper plate with success; you just need to be careful with the polishing process, as you can also remove the silver plate along with the oxidization. In addition, keep in mind that Argentium silver, fine silver and silver treated with anti-tarnish can be difficult/impossible to oxidize. I haven’t tried base metal, but experimentation is half the fun! After we cover a few oxidization methods we will then go over the polishing techniques.

Oxidized Copper

Method #1 ~ Liver of Sulfur (LOS)  (works well with sterling silver and copper; I’ve had very little success with brass)

This method is quick and probably most commonly used. Follow the directions on the particular brand of liver of sulfur you have. Basically you will dissolve the rock or gel in HOT (not boiling) water. You can keep the solution hot by using a mug warmer. Submerge your pieces in the solution until the desired effect is achieved. This is the fun part as different times and temps will yield different and equally wonderful results. Remember to take notes in order to recreate your results. Rinse your pieces thoroughly in cold water and dry. I have read that some people dip their pieces in a neutralizing solution of baking soda, but I’ve noticed no difference in using baking soda versus plain cold water.

Sterling Silver - Shiny and Oxidized with LOS

NOTES *Liver of Sulfur is a chemical so have designated supplies for your liver of sulfur and don’t reuse these utensils in food preparation. Follow package directions very carefully on the use and disposal procedures. I have also found that if you’re doing a mixed batch of copper and silver you will need to do your silver first followed by the copper. The copper leaves something in the solution that can alter and prolong the process for silver.

Pink Mystic Quartz and Oxidized Sterling Silver Earrings

Method #2 ~ Heat (works well with copper and brass)
This method will give a totally different look to copper (the one I prefer). It turns copper a rich brown color that doesn’t rub off onto your hands. Simply place your copper on a cookie sheet in a 350 oven for several minutes. Watch carefully and remove when desired color is reached; cool completely.

In addition, your torch will elicit beautiful rainbow colors on your finished copper pieces.

Copper; Shiny, Oven Oxidized and LOS

Fold Formed Copped Ruffled Earrings

Hammered Copper and Magnesite Spinner Earrings

 

For Brass you can do exactly like you did for the copper OR you can dissolve 1 Tbs. salt in 1 cup vinegar in a plastic bowl. Soak brass is solution for 5 minutes, remove and pat dry. Place in 450 oven and watch for desired color to appear; remove and cool. Your brass needs to be raw brass and should be cleaned first with nail polish remover if you suspect there might be a sealer applied. Also, heating brass in the oven will emit an odor.

Brass; Shiny and Oven Oxidized

Pineapple Crystal Quartz and Antiqued Brass Bracelet

Method #3 ~ Ammonia (works well with copper and brass)
You’ll need two plastic or glass containers. The large one needs to have a plastic or glass lid and the smaller one needs to be small enough to sit in the bottom of the larger one with space all around. I use a large square see through Rubbermaid container with plastic lid and a small glass dish. Place the small dish into the larger one and put a little ammonia in the large container (without getting any in the small dish). It only takes a very small amount here, perhaps a couple of Tbsp. if that. Place your copper or brass in the glass dish and close the lid. It can take up to an hour or longer depending on the look you desire. Copper reacts much quicker than the brass and you may need to reposition your wire or metal pieces to achieve an even effect. Be very careful when removing the lid as the ammonia fumes can be overpowering and take your breath away. Also, it is possible to leave your metal too long with this method. Once I forgot about it and the next morning my wire was extremely brittle and unusable.

Antiqued Brass, Chalcedony and Pearl Necklace

Polishing ~
There are several polishing techniques that can be used to achieve your desired results. Using a very fine grade steel wool (0000) will give a nice aged burnished look. Just be careful not to apply too much pressure or you may scratch the metal. You may find you like the look a paste tarnish remover gives. It can be applied sparingly, and creates a warm gunmetal look on silver and warm brown tones to copper. You can even use a tarnish cloth or a green Scotchbrite pad.

Confetti Hammered Sterling Silver Earrings

Be advised that the steel wool or Scotchbrite pad can leave little fibers that might show up in your micro photography. Lastly, the method I prefer is the tumbler. This not only polishes the high areas of your metal pieces but hardens it at the same time. You will need to experiment with tumbler times in order to get your desired results. Never dip oxidized metal in liquid tarnish remover as this will remove all oxidization.

These are only a few of the methods floating around; others can be found by doing a search on the internet. Finally, in order to preserve your finished pieces they will need to be sealed in a plastic bag because they will continue to naturally oxidize over time. The good news is that you can pop them in the tumbler to freshen the look if needed. Happy oxidizing and have fun experimenting!

Thank you for reading!
Wendy

Reclaimed Copped Bangle Bracelet with Vintage Button

December Birthstone: Blue Topaz

December Birthstone: Blue Topaz 

Hello and WELCOME!! 
I have gathered, from various sources, some information about the awesome December Birthstones of Blue Topaz and the alternative gemstone of Turquoise.

I have included some wonderful handmade one of a kind jewelry available from the JET Team and myself. 

Birthstone Color: Blue

Blue Topaz is the hardest of the silicate minerals.  While pure Topaz is colorless, minor changes of elements within the stone result in a variety of other colors, such as blue, pale green, red, yellow and pink.

The December Blue Topaz is derived from the Sanskrit word "tapas," meaning fire. This is because Blue Topaz was considered by ancient civilizations to have cooling properties. The Blue Topaz was thought to have magical properties in its ability to make its wearer invisible in a threatening situation. 

 Not only was it believed to cool boiling water when thrown into the pot, but to calm hot tempers as well as the ability to cure insanity, asthma, weak vision and insomnia. The blue hue is created when Topaz is heated, either by natural means or engineered by man. Sky Blue, Swiss and London Blue are the three shades of Blue Topaz.  The latter is the deepest blue and is often used as a less expensive substitute for Sapphire. 

Blue Topaz can be found primarily in Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Pakistan, China, and the United States. 

A gift of Blue Topaz is symbolic of love and fidelity.  Luckily, this cool blue gemstone has no legendary power to put out the burning flame of love! Pictured here is a gorgeous selection from the JET Team:

Your Daily Jewels

Wearable by Design

Beadsme

Alternate Birthstone: Turquoise 

An alternate birthstone for December is Turquoise, because it was initially brought to Europe by way of Turkey. One of the first gemstones to be mined, turquoise has long been prized for its intense colors, which vary greatly from sky blue to green, depending on the quantities of iron and copper found in it.

Turquoise is a complicated gemstone. Just the right type of minerals must be in just the right place for a very, very long time (millions of years) before turquoise is finally created.

Egyptians prized Turquoise as a Life Stone. The oldest pieces of jewelry set with this gem are four bracelets found on the mummified arm of Queen Zar. She ruled in Egypt about 5500 BC.

Highly revered in Tibet, a Turquoise stone was carried throughout one’s entire life. It was even exchanged as currency & the finest stones were considered more valuable than gold.

Turquoise was considered by ancients to be a sacred stone, protective against all manners of evil and ill health.  This beautiful gemstone is mined in Iran and the southwestern United States. 

Turquoise is frequently used in many Southwest and Native American designs. A gift of Turquoise represents friendship and luck.

Turquoise is a purification stone.  It is believed to rid us of negative energy and can be worn to protect against outside influences or pollutants in the atmosphere.  

Turquoise balances and aligns all the chakras, stabilizing mood swings and instilling inner calm.  It is excellent for depression and exhaustion; it also has the power to prevent panic attacks.   
Turquoise promotes self-realization and assists creative problem solving.  It is a symbol of friendship, and stimulates romantic love. 

Turquoise aids in the absorption of nutrients, enhances the immune system, stimulates the regeneration of tissue, and heals the whole body.  It contains anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects, and alleviates cramps and pain.  

Turquoise purifies lungs, soothes and clears sore throats, and heals the eyes, including cataracts.  It neutralizes over acidity, benefits rheumatism, gout, stomach problems, and viral infections.

The JET Team and I have numerous beautiful examples of Turquoise jewelry if you are considering this alternative gemstone as a December birthstone gift, here are just a few:

DonnasArtisanDesigns

BrookeJewelry

Jewelry24Seven

There are so many more beautiful Turquoise jewelry listings by the JET team, I couldn’t possibly fit all of them in here, so please take a look yourself, to find ALL of the wonderful offerings this team had currently available!!

As you can see the Team and I will never have a shortage of beautiful gemstone jewelry for ANY occasion or any birthstone you may hope to find.

Thank you for reading,

Donna

Jet of the Day - Wandering Jeweler

One of the things I love about creating jewelry is that I’m always experimenting. Sometimes the end result goes in a totally different direction than where you thought it was going to go. Other times it’s the happy accidents that end up in an amazing result. Don’t get me wrong, most pieces that are created take a lot of planning to get the end result. In some cases things just have to happen in a specific order for it to work.

Today I wanted to share one of my experiments. I am by no means an expert; there are probably many different and better ways to patina copper. The idea for this came from an accident that happened one day when I was cleaning a copper ring using my vinegar, water and salt pickle solution.  I didn’t have enough in the crockpot so part of the band was above the solution. I left the ring for a few days and it started to turn green where it wasn’t submerged.  This wasn’t what I wanted to happen at the time so I cleaned it off but I thought I’d try to do it on purpose on another project.

Note this project takes days to complete, if you want a heavy patina.

1.       Before starting I cleaned and roughed up the copper with a metal file (so the patina would have something to grab on to 

 

2.       I then mixed a half cup of vinegar, ¼ cup of water and a tsp of salt (please note the solution is blue because I used it to clean the copper before starting)

3.       Next I cut some steel wire  to hang the copper pendants. I found it is best to keep the pendants from touching each other so that the voids in the patina are not so large. I also put some cling wrap so the fumes wouldn’t make my whole workshop smell like vinegar. 

4.       After 24 hours 

5.       After 72 hours 

And, if you find that you don't like the result, you can always throw the item in the pickle and start over! 

6. Add your protective coating so that the patina doesn't rub off on while you are wearing the items.

I'll be adding the finished pendants to my shop this weekend.

Thanks for reading,

Kerry

Aaaaaaaaaaah! It is December 1st!

Good Bye Autumn!

We've been blessed here with the last days of blazing color being just perfect.  Already mother nature played a trick on us in New Jersey with a surprise snowstorm on Halloween, and some parts of the country are full into winter as we speak.  Did you know that The United States is the only place in the world where there are all the different colors of the leaves?

The brilliant colors of yellow, orange, and gold are inspiring throughout the year.  Just browse through the jewelry shops of the JET team and you will find many pieces of lovely autumn inspired jewelry and accessories

what would autumn be with out the busy squirrels?

The Brass Hussy

of course they are busy collecting acorns....

A big chore is raking the leaves in many colors!

SatinDollCo

RoughMagicCreations

JemsByJBandCompany

Long rides in the country to view the vistas with blazing colors

Emotional Oasis

Enjoy the last of the brilliant days!

Barbara

CapitalCityCrafts