Etsy Metal Blog Carnival

Etsy Metal is a talented group of metal smiths from all around the world. Every month we hold a blog carnival where we all blog about the same thing and attach links to each others blogs so everyone who reads one can read and find everyone elses too.This month's Etsy Metal Blog Carnival is "Holiday Previews". The Holidays are fast approaching! Give us a preview of what you are working on for this special time of year.


This year I have been working on a lot of mixed metals. My top selling cuff over the summer has now become a full line. I have been making cuff, earrings, necklaces and rings all from sterling silver, copper and brass. Each with different textures and patterns imprinted into the metal. The new line is reasonably priced and perfect for holiday gifts! You can see some more of my mixed metal pieces in my Etsy Shop.

To see what other Etsy Metal members have created for this holiday season....
Erin Austin: http://www.metalmusing.blogspot.com/
Cynthia Del Giudice: http://cynthiadelgiudice.blogspot.com/ 
2Roses: http://www.jewelrytutorial.blogspot.com/
Nodeform: http://nodeform.blogspot.com/
Rebecca Bogan: http://www.AdobeSol.com/blog
Danielle Miller-Gilliam: http://daniellemillerjewelry.blogspot.com/
Panicmama Jewelry: http://panicmama.blogspot.com/
kate jones: http://katejonesdesign.blogspot.com/
Evelyn Markasky http://markasky.blogspot.com/

10th Annual Artist Holiday Trunk Show

The postcards are printed and soon to be stamped and sent on their way. There are 12 artists participating so far and the planning for the show has long been underway for at least a month now. We have food, drink and lots of handcrafted holiday shopping! You can see more info on this event here. I can't believe this is the 10th year of doing this show! I remember the first show like it was yesterday. This year, since it is our 10th year, we are trying to come up with some extra special surprises for our guests...You'll have to stop to see what they might be so mark your calendar! 



Etsy Metal Anniversary Sale

Etsy Metal is having a birthday! And to celebrate each of the following shops will be having a sale the week of Oct 16 thru Oct 22, 2011. Check out the shops below, including mine, and use the code "ETSYMETAL" or check the shop announcements for other codes when checking out to claim your discount! I am offering 20% off!


Michele Grady Designs
discomedusa
metalriot
Inbar Bareket
markaplan
bcyrjewelry
BethCyrWeddings
Juju By Sarah
Maria Goti
wildflowerdegsigns
AdobeSol
Silentgoddess
Shirlee Grund
Lichen and Lychee
Under Distress Jewelry
Hartleystudio
ReaganHayhurst
Panicmama Jewelry
alisa miller
LaJoailliere
Cynthia Del Giudice
L. Sue Szabo
Erin Austin
Jennifer Lawler
Karla Wheeler Design
NRjewellerydesign
LivelyHood
Victoria Takahashi
SimplyAdorning
Quercus Silver
Kathryn Cole
Ruby Iacuaniello
Sarah Hood Jewelry

Etsy Metal Charm Swap

As you may already know I am helping curate the Etsy Metal Charm Swap this time around. The way it works is there is a sign up list for the Etsy Metal members who want to participate (limited to 20). We each make 22 charms, 20 to swap with the other members on the list, 1 to sell in the team shop, and 1 will go on a charm bracelet along with 19 other charms and the bracelet is then listed in the team shop and the proceeds go to a non profit organization of the curator's choice. Not only is it a great way to raise money, but it also is very cool to receive charms from other metal artists from around the world. This time around charms are shipping from Israel, Spain, New Zealand and well as all over the USA!

The charms are due in by Sept 30. I finished my charms on Friday and have shipped them out as of yesterday and can't wait to get all the rest back from everyone else! You can see my charms below....

Some new cuffs for the Wheaton Arts show...

A new batch of cuffs right off the bench just in time for the Wheaton Arts Festival of Fine Craft this weekend! The show runs Saturday and Sunday, October 1 & 2. For more info and coupon for $2.00 off admission check out their website.

Brandywine Festival of the Arts

I will be exhibiting at the Brandywine Festival of the Arts this coming weekend, Sept 9 & 10, in Wilmington, DE. This is the 51st year for this show and it is packed with talented artists and their creations! For more info and directions check out their website. Hope to see you this weekend!

Cleaning your handcrafted jewelry

Sterling silver, copper and brass do darken when exposed to the air over a long period of time. If you would like to keep your Michele Grady Designs jewelry pieces looking like they did when you first purchased them there a few simple things you can do to keep them looking as good as new! Keeping your jewelry in a sealed, zip lock plastic bag when not in use will minimize tarnishing. You can also use anti-tarnish strips which can be purchased at most department stores or online. The anti- tarnish strips help to retard tarnish when placed in a jewelry box or other container with the jewelry. Using a pre-treated jewelry polishing cloth to buff away tarnish, oils and grime before and/or after wearing each item will help retard the oxidation process and keep your jewelry shining. If you notice an unusual amount of tarnish, a good quality commercial liquid polish and a soft, 100% cotton cloth or gloves will buff it away. DO NOT USE THE LIQUID POLISH ON ITEMS THAT YOU HAVE PURCHASED ALREADY OXIDIZED! You will remove the the patina from the item and you will not be able to get it back. These pieces will not tarnish due to the fact that they are already blackened. Copper pieces that are oxidized will turn a more warmer darker brown color over the years which adds to the beauty of the copper.