Craft and Design Newsletter

The lastest edition of the Craft and Design Newsletter is available to read on my website - Handmade Silver Jewellery.
An interesting read - with the design month of May fast approaching it's great to see what's happening in the world of Handmade Jewellery and all sorts of other mediums.
Prince Charles is featured in the March edition - do enjoy it!
http://www.lesleyhphillips.co.uk/informationjewellery.html

Jewellery Care - Cleaning Silver Jewellery

www.lesleyhphillips.co.uk/cleaningsilver


As a natural material, silver reacts with its environment, especially the chemicals in the air and, over time, silver can tarnish. (known as oxidation). This doesn’t mean that your lovely jewellery is defective, far from it, it just proves that your beautiful accessory is good quality silver.

* Perfume, soap, hairspray, salt water, water and heat, household cleaning products and perspiration all speed up the tarnishing process.

* Leaving silver unprotected in the air may cause the silver to lose its shine.  Preventable if not worn frequently by sealing in an air tight container.
* Please note that chlorine can seriously damage the silver.

Oxidation is an easily reversable process and the silver can always be cleaned to bring it back to its former glory, so there's no need to be concerned.  Cleaning the silver when it begins to tarnish will obviously be an easier task.  If it's left too long and turns completely black then it may require professional cleaning.

An inexpensive silver polishing cloth can be used to gently rub your jewellery or alternatively silver dip may be used (both are available from any high street jeweller).  Please ensure you follow the instructions on the pot if you use silver dip.  Do not use silver dip with purposely oxidised /drop cast/ enamelled jewellery or with gemstones. Gemstones that are particularly affected by silver dip are pearls, sodalite, malachite, lapis lazuli, white opals, turquoise or any soft or porous stones.  Some high street jewellers sell combination silver and gold polishing cloths and these are perfect for jewellery I make with the touches of 9ct gold. The specialised cleaning cloths are impregnated with cleaning and anti-tarnishing agents, so a normal soft cloth will not provide the same results.


It is advisable to ensure you don't damage your jewellery to remove it at night, when swimming, bathing or undertaking manual or domestic tasks.

Store your jewellery in an air tight container. Also store separately from other items as this will also prevent scratches from items rubbing together.
If you always remember to get ready first (make up, hairspray, perfume) and then put on your jewellery you can assist in keeping your silver jewellery bright and beautiful for many years to come.
www.lesleyhphillips.co.uk

The Guild of Jewellery Designers - Guilded Gems

This last week was a busy one again.  Making jewellery, working on the new website and also a 'phone call from Jayne at Guilded Gems.  Having noticed my new website design she'd emailed me asking if I could participate in an article for other members of the Guild of Jewellery Designers.  She felt my website could be an inspiration to other members of the Guild.  It was launched on the 1st March and on 16th March we had our interview.  www.lesleyhphillips.co.uk
I spent in total 8 months designing and building this website and was very pleased that the desired results had been achieved when Jayne mentioned it looked 'luxurious'. 
We discussed the thought processes and the decisions I had made with regards to its build and most importantly the importance of SEO and marketing of it. Without which, there is very little point in having a website. She stated that she sees many Guild Member's websistes that have been built for them and not the customer and it was not only the look, but this factorshe liked. Mine is most definitely directed towards making the customer's experience an easy and nice experience to shop.
When the article is released, I'll post a link for all to read

www.lesleyhphillips.co.uk/entercompeition

A fantastic opportunity for someone to win this amazing sterling silver necklace is available. A 100 club draw, so one in one hundred chance of winning it! Take a look at the competition page and see how you could be in with a chance of winning it (with a chain)

Not only that, to celebrate the launch of the new website all purchases from the Handmade Silver Jewellery site www.lesleyhphillips.co.uk are available with £5 off the first customer purchase.

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED TODAY 1ST MARCH

My new website has been launched today!
6 months in the making and well worth the wait I'll hope you agree www.lesleyhphillips.co.uk