Poppy Charm Necklace | Vintage Modern Collection

$137.00
This solid fine silver pendant features a beautiful engraving of a poppy.
Details:
  • This piece is made using fine silver metal clay that I press into a vintage die to capture the detail of the hand carved vintage tool without harming the tool itself (see "Vintage Modern Collection" below for more info on these amazing vintage tools). After removing the metal clay and allowing it to thoroughly dry, I refine and work the piece to take it from a simple pressing to a piece of wearable art.  After firing in the kiln for several hours to burn off the clay binder and fuse the fine silver particles that make up the clay, the piece is ready for more work, including soldering, applying patina, polishing, and setting stones if needed.  The result is a gorgeous, solid silver pendant with elements of the original hand-carved design combined with my own style to create a unique piece that spans the ages.
  • Solid fine silver pendant measures 9/16" wide x 11/16" tall.  Hangs on an 18" sterling silver box chain.
  • The pendant is patinated and polished to bring out the raised portions of the design and create a beautiful contrast and depth.  The metal has been coated to help protect it from excess tarnish.
  • Your piece comes with a polishing cloth and instructions to help maintain the finish on your jewelry.
  • Since each piece is completely handmade, some minor variations are to be expected.
  • Due to the nature of vintage tools (breakage, damage, etc), all items part of our Vintage Modern Collection are limited edition.
  • Fine silver, also known as .999 silver, is comprised of 99.9% pure silver.  Sterling silver, or .925 silver, is made from 92.5% silver with the remaining 7.5% being other metals, usually copper.  Because of its lack of copper content, fine silver generally tarnishes slower than sterling silver.  Both types of silver are great for people with metal allergies.  Sterling silver is harder than fine silver so it works better for items that see more wear and tear, such as rings, bracelets, and ear wires on earrings.

Vintage Modern Collection:  Vintage Tools Making Modern Jewelry

This pendant is part of our Vintage Modern Collection.  Each piece in this collection is made using vintage tools, most from the late 1800s to early 1900s.  Many of these tools are from now-defunct jewelry making companies that were made obsolete due to improvements in mass manufacturing and the tools themselves narrowly saved from the scrap yard.  Some of these tools were even carefully hidden during the World Wars when all steel was being taken by the government, melted down, and reused for the military.  The vast majority of these tools were hand-carved by highly skilled artisans and are stunning pieces of art.  Through the dedication of those obsessed with preserving this by-gone era of jewelry making, some of these tools have been saved and made available for modern-day artists to use, with each artist incorporating the tools into their work in their own unique way while preserving history in the process.

Metal Types:

Aluminum

Aluminum is an excellent metal for hand stamped jewelry.  This bright silver metal is just as beautiful as sterling silver but does not tarnish.  It is also lightweight, making it perfect for larger necklaces as you won't feel weighed down wearing it all day.  Also, aluminum is extremely hypoallergenic (even moreso than sterling!), contains no nickel, and is perfect for those with metal allergies.  To clean aluminum, simply wipe with a soft cloth to remove any fingerprints or body oils that may have accumulated.  No chemicals or cleaners are required or recommended.

 

Copper

Copper has been used for thousands of years in many applications, including architecture, sculpture, and jewelry.  It is extremely durable and will last a lifetime if properly cared for.  Copper is also nickel-free, making it a great alternative for those with nickel allergies.  This metal has a unique reddish-brown metal look to it that I absolutely love.  It is one of my favorite metals to work with because it is so versatile.  You will see us use it in many applications, including stamping, etching, texturing, and general metalwork.

Copper will naturally darken with time.  Many factors, including climate and the specific chemistry of your body, can speed up or slow down this process.  For our antiqued copper pieces, we chemically induce darkening of the metal to give it a rustic look.  We cover these specific pieces with a coating that helps to prevent natural oxidation (darkening).  However, it will still darken naturally.  If desired, the copper can be cleaned in a solution of 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of salt.  Please keep in mind, however, that removing the natural oxidation will also remove the darkening we added to the piece, leaving you with a shiny copper piece instead of the rustic-looking copper.  To help prevent excess darkening, copper jewelry should be stored in a resealable plastic baggie to help eliminate contact with the elements that may cause the metal to turn faster.    

 

Brass

Brass is an alloy made from a combination of copper and zinc.  This precious metal has a yellow tone that makes it a beautiful alternative to gold.  Brass will also darken/tarnish with time, so the information above about the care of copper can also be applied to brass.  Brass is nickel-free, making it a great metal for those with nickel allergies.

 

Pewter

Pewter is a beautiful, silvery-grey metal made from tin with a small amount of copper.  It is a soft metal that is fairly heavy for its size and has a beautiful luster when polished.  It is also completely lead-free and is considered a precious metal.  

Caring for pewter is easy.  Simply use a mild soap, water, and a soft cloth to keep it clean.  Like all jewelry, it is best to not wear pewter during activities such as sports or heavy cleaning to prevent damage.

 

 

Fine Silver/Sterling Silver

Fine silver and Sterling silver are very similar metals.  Sterling silver is an alloy of mostly silver (92.5%) with copper and other elements making up the 7.5%, while fine silver is made of 99.9% silver.  Sterling silver is more prone to tarnishing due to its copper content while fine silver generally doesn't tarnish as much or as quickly as Sterling silver (the extent and speed of tarnish depends, among other things, on the body chemistry of the wearer and the environment the jewelry is in).  Because of the higher percentage of silver, fine silver is a slightly softer metal than Sterling silver.  Due to this difference in hardness, each type of metal is better suited to different applications.  Both are so much fun to work with, and we like to use both in our work.

Both types of silver can be cleaned with a polishing cloth.

 

Chains:

Stainless Steel Chains 

All of the silver-toned chains we use are made from stainless steel.  They do not tarnish and are very durable.  They also are great for those with metal allergies because stainless steel, like aluminum, is extremely hypoallergenic.

 

Antiqued Copper and Brass Chains

Antiqued copper or brass plated chains are made by plating an antiqued layer of copper or brass over a base of brass.  They are extremely durable and hold their color well.  Just like regular copper and brass, our antiqued plated chains are great for those with nickel allergies.

Current Production Time:  1-3 business days

Please allow up to 3 business days for your order to ship.  Your order will ship as soon as we have all of your items ready.

 

Regular price $137.00
This solid fine silver pendant features a beautiful engraving of a poppy.
Details:
  • This piece is made using fine silver metal clay that I press into a vintage die to capture the detail of the hand carved vintage tool without harming the tool itself (see "Vintage Modern Collection" below for more info on these amazing vintage tools). After removing the metal clay and allowing it to thoroughly dry, I refine and work the piece to take it from a simple pressing to a piece of wearable art.  After firing in the kiln for several hours to burn off the clay binder and fuse the fine silver particles that make up the clay, the piece is ready for more work, including soldering, applying patina, polishing, and setting stones if needed.  The result is a gorgeous, solid silver pendant with elements of the original hand-carved design combined with my own style to create a unique piece that spans the ages.
  • Solid fine silver pendant measures 9/16" wide x 11/16" tall.  Hangs on an 18" sterling silver box chain.
  • The pendant is patinated and polished to bring out the raised portions of the design and create a beautiful contrast and depth.  The metal has been coated to help protect it from excess tarnish.
  • Your piece comes with a polishing cloth and instructions to help maintain the finish on your jewelry.
  • Since each piece is completely handmade, some minor variations are to be expected.
  • Due to the nature of vintage tools (breakage, damage, etc), all items part of our Vintage Modern Collection are limited edition.
  • Fine silver, also known as .999 silver, is comprised of 99.9% pure silver.  Sterling silver, or .925 silver, is made from 92.5% silver with the remaining 7.5% being other metals, usually copper.  Because of its lack of copper content, fine silver generally tarnishes slower than sterling silver.  Both types of silver are great for people with metal allergies.  Sterling silver is harder than fine silver so it works better for items that see more wear and tear, such as rings, bracelets, and ear wires on earrings.

Vintage Modern Collection:  Vintage Tools Making Modern Jewelry

This pendant is part of our Vintage Modern Collection.  Each piece in this collection is made using vintage tools, most from the late 1800s to early 1900s.  Many of these tools are from now-defunct jewelry making companies that were made obsolete due to improvements in mass manufacturing and the tools themselves narrowly saved from the scrap yard.  Some of these tools were even carefully hidden during the World Wars when all steel was being taken by the government, melted down, and reused for the military.  The vast majority of these tools were hand-carved by highly skilled artisans and are stunning pieces of art.  Through the dedication of those obsessed with preserving this by-gone era of jewelry making, some of these tools have been saved and made available for modern-day artists to use, with each artist incorporating the tools into their work in their own unique way while preserving history in the process.

Metal Types:

Aluminum

Aluminum is an excellent metal for hand stamped jewelry.  This bright silver metal is just as beautiful as sterling silver but does not tarnish.  It is also lightweight, making it perfect for larger necklaces as you won't feel weighed down wearing it all day.  Also, aluminum is extremely hypoallergenic (even moreso than sterling!), contains no nickel, and is perfect for those with metal allergies.  To clean aluminum, simply wipe with a soft cloth to remove any fingerprints or body oils that may have accumulated.  No chemicals or cleaners are required or recommended.

 

Copper

Copper has been used for thousands of years in many applications, including architecture, sculpture, and jewelry.  It is extremely durable and will last a lifetime if properly cared for.  Copper is also nickel-free, making it a great alternative for those with nickel allergies.  This metal has a unique reddish-brown metal look to it that I absolutely love.  It is one of my favorite metals to work with because it is so versatile.  You will see us use it in many applications, including stamping, etching, texturing, and general metalwork.

Copper will naturally darken with time.  Many factors, including climate and the specific chemistry of your body, can speed up or slow down this process.  For our antiqued copper pieces, we chemically induce darkening of the metal to give it a rustic look.  We cover these specific pieces with a coating that helps to prevent natural oxidation (darkening).  However, it will still darken naturally.  If desired, the copper can be cleaned in a solution of 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of salt.  Please keep in mind, however, that removing the natural oxidation will also remove the darkening we added to the piece, leaving you with a shiny copper piece instead of the rustic-looking copper.  To help prevent excess darkening, copper jewelry should be stored in a resealable plastic baggie to help eliminate contact with the elements that may cause the metal to turn faster.    

 

Brass

Brass is an alloy made from a combination of copper and zinc.  This precious metal has a yellow tone that makes it a beautiful alternative to gold.  Brass will also darken/tarnish with time, so the information above about the care of copper can also be applied to brass.  Brass is nickel-free, making it a great metal for those with nickel allergies.

 

Pewter

Pewter is a beautiful, silvery-grey metal made from tin with a small amount of copper.  It is a soft metal that is fairly heavy for its size and has a beautiful luster when polished.  It is also completely lead-free and is considered a precious metal.  

Caring for pewter is easy.  Simply use a mild soap, water, and a soft cloth to keep it clean.  Like all jewelry, it is best to not wear pewter during activities such as sports or heavy cleaning to prevent damage.

 

 

Fine Silver/Sterling Silver

Fine silver and Sterling silver are very similar metals.  Sterling silver is an alloy of mostly silver (92.5%) with copper and other elements making up the 7.5%, while fine silver is made of 99.9% silver.  Sterling silver is more prone to tarnishing due to its copper content while fine silver generally doesn't tarnish as much or as quickly as Sterling silver (the extent and speed of tarnish depends, among other things, on the body chemistry of the wearer and the environment the jewelry is in).  Because of the higher percentage of silver, fine silver is a slightly softer metal than Sterling silver.  Due to this difference in hardness, each type of metal is better suited to different applications.  Both are so much fun to work with, and we like to use both in our work.

Both types of silver can be cleaned with a polishing cloth.

 

Chains:

Stainless Steel Chains 

All of the silver-toned chains we use are made from stainless steel.  They do not tarnish and are very durable.  They also are great for those with metal allergies because stainless steel, like aluminum, is extremely hypoallergenic.

 

Antiqued Copper and Brass Chains

Antiqued copper or brass plated chains are made by plating an antiqued layer of copper or brass over a base of brass.  They are extremely durable and hold their color well.  Just like regular copper and brass, our antiqued plated chains are great for those with nickel allergies.

Current Production Time:  1-3 business days

Please allow up to 3 business days for your order to ship.  Your order will ship as soon as we have all of your items ready.