A little info on some materials I often use:
Bali Silver - All of the Bali silver in my artisan jewelry is sterling silver. I import most of my high quality Balinese components directly from Indonesia. Bali beads are amongst the most popular items used in making beautiful artisan beaded jewelry. Balinese silversmiths are known worldwide for their intricate designs and meticulous attention to detail. Their skills are passed down from generation to generation.
Borosilicate Lampwork Glass - Often referred to as boro glass, this stuff is wonderful and very sought-after these days! Where regular or *soft* glass contains soda and lime particles, boro glass substitutes boron oxide particles. The use of boron oxide particles results in a glass that is harder and more durable. The colors and variations that appear in boro glass beads are like no other. They are best appreciated in bright light, and are at their best in direct sunlight. My advice - when you purchase a piece that contains boro glass, run, don't walk, outside to see it in all of it's glory!
Gold Fill - A layer of 10Kt or better gold mechanically bonded under heat & pressure to one or more surfaces of supporting base metal, then rolled or drawn to a given thickness. In the jewelry industry the quantity of gold must be at least 1/20th by weight of the total product. Under FTC (Federal Trade Commission) regulations, a product may be marked as 14, 12 or 10Kt Gold-Filled. Gold-Filled items are generally considered life-time products, and the gold layer will not quickly wear off, as it will in electroplated products.
------ Don't confuse gold plated with gold fill.------
MUCH more gold is used in a gold filled item.
Karen Hilltribe Silver - All of the Karen silver in my jewelry is high content silver (purer than sterling silver). You may have recently heard the term "Karen Silver", or "Hilltribe Silver" because of it's ever-increasing popularity. The Karen Hill Tribe, called "Kariang" or "Yang" in Thai language, is by far the largest hill tribe in Thailand. The Karen people have passed down their silver work skills and traditions for generations. Today, each handmade bead and ornament is a unique masterpiece that represents centuries of Karen culture and art. Often, the jewelry is engraved with plant, animal, or geometric designs, symbolizing their direct connection to their land and water. Choosing Karen silver work is much more than buying jewelry of rare distinction. Your purchase also helps preserve the timeless culture, art, religion, and language of the gentle Karen people.
Lampwork Glass Beads - The art of bead making by winding molten glass around a steel mandrel is often referred to as "Lampworking". This is because the early glass bead makers in Venice used oil lamps as their heat source for melting the glass. Today, it's more common to use torches. Lampworking today is gaining popularity by leaps and bounds and lampwork bead sets from talented artisans can sell for hundreds of dollars. I buy my lampwork beads from well-respected glass artists. Each bead is a beautiful, one of a kind work of art!
Sterling Silver - Sterling silver is composed of 925 parts of pure silver and 75 parts alloy. The silver, from the findings to the beads, in most of my work is sterling silver or higher unless I state otherwise.
Swarovski Crystals - Swarovski is the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of cut crystal, and it is widely regarded as the finest crystal in the world. They make amazingly beautiful beads. Very sparkly, very good beadies!!
I also regularly use organics such as gemstones, cultured pearls, and the occasional horn or bone component!
Unless otherwise specified, all items (gemstones, Bali silver, Karen silver, etc..) used in my items are genuine. I do sometimes use plated metals, copper, brass, steel or other metals in items such as keychains or suncatchers where it is appropriate. All of my items are clearly described so you know what you are getting!
If you have questions, please feel free to ask.
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OzmayTM
10119B 33rd Ave SE
Everett, WA 98208
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