You might know that I unpacked my jewelry from our first house in Florida a few months ago. Yes, it has been in storage for a long time. Ten years! And because of the humidity, there was tarnish, and corrosion, and repairs needing that I didn’t know how to do. One step at a time. I learned from a professional jeweler’s website, how to clean jewelry.
1 c lukewarm water
1 tsp Dawn dishsoap
1/2 tsp Windex
Combine, and immerse your jewelry for 5 minutes. Then take out, and dry thoroughly. It works. I did everything but the pearls, opals, and shells. Those I cleaned with a soft bristled toothbrush with the same solution, but rinsed and dried right away.
Some of my things (all costume, thank goodness) could not be saved and a lot went in the trash. What was saved, is now being worn. I am over 60, and I do not want all my beautiful things sitting in a jewelry box until I die. I am wearing them every day!
I am learning to repair what can be repaired. Steffie is helping me with her expertise. But the point of this post: I had a pair of paua shell earrings that I could not save. I have a beautiful paua shell brooch, which did clean up, and those earrings went with it, and I was heartbroken over it. So, I have been reading, and researching, and an idea for a new pair of earrings popped into my head a few weeks ago. I have been collecting the silver findings, and freshwater pearls, and paua shell beads, and I put them together this afternoon after much trial and error.
I have lots of paua shell left over, and pearls, and silver findings. And then I found the paua shell and mother of pearl pendant online. So now I am thinking of a necklace to match… when I have it finished, I will do a new selfie at the beach modeling it all.
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