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This month's topic is quite interesting, and pretty personal actually! But very easy for me to answer as it is something I've thought about a lot and have talked about quite a bit too.
When I went to college, my plan was to be a photography major. The universe had other plans for me and working 3d in metal was something that suited me much better. I like to work with my hands and build things and hammer things and get dirty and dear god, how I love tools.
I'd also thought of becoming a painting major as it was something I really loved too. But the reasons stated above completely won me over.
I love the inherent value metal has. From a marketing aspect, it is fabulous. The value of the metal is there, regardless. AND, it can be melted down again! Try doing that with any other medium. Once paint is on a canvas, it is gone. Yes, it can be painted over, but the cost of the paint is gone. Photos? Don't get my started on the mass of paper I have in boxes from printed photos that weren't quite right (you know, back in the day before digital, when you could process your own photos in a dark room). What can I do with a bad photo? Use it for a fire starter I guess!
I also really like the size of small metalwork/jewelry. I'm a small person and even though I loved working on large sculptural pieces, I often had to ask for help moving or holding something. Small hands lend themselves well to making jewelry. And on the topic of storage... I can store 100 pieces of jewelry in a very small space. 100 paintings? I'd need a storage unit, or a lot of wall space.
Those are all very practical reasons. On an emotional level, jewelry is often something really precious and symbolic. Even just a simple pendant can mean so much to someone. Jewelry often makes women feel beautiful, happy and better about themselves. (maybe men too, I just don't have as many male in the regular jewelry side of my work).
Several years ago, the transition to making wedding rings occurred. It wasn't super conscious, it kind of just happened all on it's own. I had reached a point where I felt like I was just making jewelry. Yes, I could tell myself all these lovely things, but I craved a deeper connection and meaning to my work. Creating wedding rings provides that for me. Something so symbolic and filled with love and meaning is incredibly special to create. I like to think good happy thoughts when I'm working on my rings, thoughts filled with love and devotion and lifetimes filled with happiness. It is one of the reasons I love seeing photos of couples I made rings for (especially their wedding photos). I can't help but think there is a little tiny bit of myself given with each ring, traveling to weddings around the world, allowing people to give a part of themselves to each other.
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| photo by SHOCKins Photograph |
Hello hello!
I've had my FAQ posted on my Etsy policy page for awhile, but I thought having a nice complete list here would be most helpful and a maybe a bit broader in scope since some things may not have to do with Etsy. The questions and answers will be updated every so often, but hopefully each time you read it, it will be most current! Yay for editing on the interwebs!!
FAQ:
*DO YOU ENGRAVE?
Yes! See here for more details: http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com/2010/09/ring-engraving.html
*DO YOU DO CUSTOM ORDERS/DESIGNS?
If a new design is created, a $50 design fee may be added. If a simple
alteration is desired, just ask, there is usually no charge for that!
*DO YOU USE MOLDS FOR YOUR DESIGNS?
No, all of my rings are “made from scratch”. Most designs are made from a
huge lump of dark brown soft wax. This allows for any alterations you
might like in addition to creating a truly unique ring for each of my
customers.
*HOW ARE YOUR RINGS CREATED?
Most of my rings are cast using the lost wax casting method. You can see
my full process on my blog -
http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/03/lost-wax-casting-process.html
*WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR METAL AND STONES?
All of my metal comes from a supplier, Hoover and Strong, that offers
100% recycled metal. I recycle my own in addition to buying my “fresh”
casting grain, sheet or wire from this company.
All of my diamonds are conflict free. I also use some synthetic stones
(colored CZs) and will be adding similar options in the future including
synthetic diamonds.
*WHAT SIZES DO YOU OFFER AND HOW CAN I FIND MY SIZE?
Ring sizes available 2 - 15 including 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 sizes. Since each
ring is made to order “from scratch”, I can make exactly the size you
need.
As far as sizing for fit - Most hands do change through out the year,
generally a little smaller in the winter and larger during the hottest
months of the summer. Time of day can also affect sizing. Personally, my
fingers are larger in the morning but after I get up and moving they
are get back to their normal size.
Different people like a different fit for their rings. I prefer
something as loose as possible but that never falls off. There are times
during the winter when it gets close, but never does. And for the
summer, its just perfect. I do not like when a ring is too tight - it
makes me feel constricted and I find it really uncomfortable. Other
people wear rings so tight that they can't come off and they don't find
it to be a problem at all. The shape of the finger can have an effect
too as to what would be comfortable for you. Some fingers are very
slender and it doesn't take much for the sizing to be off. Other fingers
are more "curvy" and as long as the ring can go over the knuckle, a
full range of sizes will fit and be fine. The width of the ring can also
affect the size of the ring. A narrow band can be much smaller and fit
just fine, but for a wider ring (depending on how wide you get) The size
may need to be 1/2 or even a full size larger. One of my fingers I can
wear anywhere from a 5 (very narrow band), to a 6.5 (very wide 15mm+)
The ring sizers I offer are around 4mm which is a pretty standard width for most of my rings (4 - 6mm).
If you are sized at a jewelry store, make sure they use sizers that are
close to the width of the ring you are interested in. Or try rings on
that are the same width you want.
For the majority of my rings, it is easy to size them up a 1/4 or 1/2
size. Sizing down usually requires remaking the entire ring. The subtlety and love rocks bands are the easiest to size up or down.
*DO YOU HAVE SAMPLES?
I have samples of some rings in some metals. Feel free to ask if you know what design and metal you're interested in seeing in person. In some cases, two samples may be sent, one in the correct metal and one in the correct design. It just depends what I may have in stock. If you are looking for a wider than average ring I encourage asking for a wide sample to test out your correct size. A deposit is required for a sample. The amount is either put towards the ring being purchased or refunded at the time it is returned.
*ARE THEY COMFORTABLE? HOW WILL THEY WEAR OVER TIME?
I do think my rings are comfortable - I wouldn’t want to make a ring
that wasn’t. Though many of my designs are too wide or thick for my own
personal preference. I have very small hands and wear a 3 1/4 - so large
rings don’t make sense for me to wear every day, especially with some
of the tools I use! I find that it really is about personal preference.
Some people will want a very thick ring, while others like me need
something a little daintier. Most of my styles can come in a narrow
thinner version to a thicker chunkier version. Average widths are
between 1.5 and 2mm thick.
Metal does wear over time. A softer metal such as sterling will show signs of wear faster than white gold or the palladium/silver alloy. Patinas over time will wear down as
well. It may depend on the person as to how quickly it may wear down as
well as the texture of the ring. For some, it may look nearly
identical 20 years later, for others, it may wear down in a week or so. How quickly the patina wears also depends on the metal - see next section.
*WHAT METALS DO YOU OFFER AND WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?
*New Silver/Palladium alloy - AGPD - the same metals in palladium
sterling, but lower silver content, higher copper and much higher
palladium making it much harder than sterling, but more more affordable
than white gold. It is darker than sterling, but a touch lighter than
14k palladium white gold. Color wise, it is cooler than 14kpw since it
doesn't have the high yellow gold content to compete with.
Silvers:
Sterling Silver - 92.5% fine silver, 7.5% copper. This is a standard
sterling alloy. Fine silver (99.9) by itself is much too soft (in my
opinion) for a ring. Sterling is much softer in comparison to gold (will
wear faster), but the addition of copper makes sterling much stronger
than fine silver.
Palladium Sterling Silver - 92.5% fine silver, roughly 4.5% copper and
3% palladium. Palladium is a more precious metal and a relative of
platinum. It gives a little added preciousness to sterling and makes it a
little harder and a little more expensive. The color is nearly
identical to regular sterling, but has a very slightly warmer tone when
they are next to each other.
Argentium Sterling Silver - 92.5% fine silver, 7.5% copper and
germanium. Though I don’t cast with it often, it is an option. Similar
to the palladium sterling, some of the copper is replaced by another
metal, germanium. It gives some different and unique properties to the
alloy. (different melting temps, tarnish resistant, fuses easily)
Golds:
All the gold I use are alloys. 24k is close to as pure as you can get
with gold and it is very soft. Mixing it with different metals creates a
variety of properties and colors.
14k Yellow Gold - a traditional yellow gold. All 14k alloys contain
58.5% yellow gold. The other metals vary per alloy and in amount. I buy
all of my casting grain alloyed already, so the make up per % of the
rest of the alloys is unknown to me.
14k Palladium White Gold - contains 58.5% gold, and instead of nickel as
in traditional white gold, it contains palladium as a "bleaching"
metal. The color is often referred to as “straw white” though I think of
it as a “warm steel” color. It is a lovely soft and buttery gray color
that is not plated in rhodium as traditional white golds are. If you are
attempting to match a current white gold ring, be aware that it may
not. It is the hardest of all the metals I use and is more expensive
than other 14k alloys. The qualities that give it added hardness as far
as wear is concerned, also make it harder to work with. This and the
added value of the palladium are the reasons for it being more expensive
than the other 14k alloys.
Palladium is in the platinum family and makes the alloy overall and more
precious metal. (though palladium is much less expensive than
platinum!) If you want the bright white look, you are more than welcome
to have your ring plated at your local jewelry store. Most rhodium
plating needs to be redone every year or couple years depending on your
wear.
Palladium white gold will take a patina, though it is not as dark as the
patina on sterling, nor is the contrast as great since the metal is
darker and the patina not as dark. There are several comparison shots if
you search for “comparison” on my flickr site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcyrjewelry The patina also does not wear
as well and for most textures may wear off very quickly.
14k Rose/Red Gold - a lovely coppery rosy reddish toned gold - again
contains 58.5% gold. Can take a light patina, though wears off more
quickly, so starting out with just a little is best.
14k non traditional colors - Though not commonly used, brighter “royal”
yellow, green and peach gold - just slight variations of a traditional
yellow.
18k - contains 75.2% gold - due to the higher gold content, 18k alloys
have a different color than their 14k relatives. Most commonly requested
for the subtlety bands, though I can upgrade most styles to 18k instead
of 14k. It is a little softer, quite a bit heavier/denser, and more expensive.
*IS YOUR METAL PLATED WITH ANYTHING?
No. Rhodium plating is common for traditional white gold and much of the
mass produced commercial jewelry is also plated in rhodium for a bright
white finish that doesn’t tarnish. Plating WILL wear off over time. I
do not offer the service, though most jewelry stores can rhodium plate a
ring for you if you want.
*DO YOU USE PALLADIUM OR PLATINUM?
I am not able to personally cast with either in my studio, though I use a
larger casting company that has the facilities to cast both of these
metals. The melting temperatures are much higher than I am able to do
with the equipment I use for silvers and golds. A model can be made in
sterling and then sent off to be molded and cast in either of these
metals. Generally this adds an extra 3 - 4 weeks. For some styles, such as the subtlety, love rocks or sands of time, I can buy a ring blank and create a ring that looks just like my cast bands. This is often less expensive and faster than having them mold and cast a sterling model.
*HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY JEWELRY?
For rings that get worn ever day, the natural oils from your skin and
constant wear should keep it an even color and shine. Certain chemicals
like chlorine can cause a bad reaction and dull or even darken the
metal. I find that it will come off as you wear it, though a
polishing cloth can be used to clean it up. It is best if you frequently
are around chlorine to take the ring off as it can corrode the metal
with prolonged exposure.
For jewelry that gets taken off, with proper storage, your piece should
remain lovely for a long time. Air and moisture cause tarnish and
letting a piece sit on the bathroom counter will dull it rather quickly
(yes I know this by experience!). Keeping it in a bag or box will help
to keep this from happening.
Some of the patinas will wear down over time - in addition textures of a
ring may develop their own patina naturally. This will depend on the
wearer.
Most bands that are worn every day will show signs of age, little nicks or dings or scrapes. I try to design most of my rings to fit lovingly with this natural progression of your wedding band. I also tend to make my rings a bit thicker than a lot of traditional bands to give a longer life and sturdier product for every day wear.
*I HAVE METAL ALLERGIES, WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST?
Everyone has a different body chemistry and will react (or not react) to
different metals or chemicals. Usually an allergic reaction occurs
when another chemical is introduced and gets trapped between the ring
and the skin. Certain lotions, perfumes or soaps can cause a reaction.
While one person may be able to wear a particular metal and use lotion
with no reaction, their spouse may have a completely different reaction
due to their own personal body chemistry. People are different and not
everyone can wear the same metals.
The most common metal allergies are copper and nickel. I have a
completely nickel free studio, though there are small amounts of copper
in all of the alloys I use. I have had some great feedback for the
palladium sterling and palladium white gold. Some customers w/ a slight
intolerance to regular sterling have worn the palladium sterling with
no problem. Since there is no nickel in the palladium white gold, it is
an excellent alternative to customers who have had problems with
standard white gold.
Rhodium plating often tricks people in to thinking they are not allergic
to certain metals - though as they plating wears off, they may find
that they are in fact allergic to the metal underneath. None of my rings
are plated with rhodium or any other metal.
*DO YOU WHOLESALE OR SELL ANYWHERE ELSE?
No, not at this time. Some designs may be available for a sample ring to be sent.
*HOW IS YOUR NAME PRONOUNCED?
Beth is pretty self explanatory (and just Beth, no Bethany or Elizabeth or anything)
Cyr is pronounced like "Sear". Family lineage to CT, ME, Canada and France.
If you have any questions or comments, please let me know! beth@bethcyr.com
For right now, info on payment, shipping, returns, etc are on my Etsy Policy page. I will be doing posts for each of those separately in the next month or so. For the mean time, just check out Etsy!
This month's topic - favorite color - or as Andes says - Favourite Colour!
Well, I can tell you what my favorite color isn't. Red.
then Yellow.
then, it's kind of a toss up.
For a long time blue - particularly light blue, was my favorite.
I have to admit, this graphic makes me ever more hopeful that Etsy will be a greater change to the way we shop - buying more from individuals and small businesses as opposed to large companies.
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