Is This Sterling Silver?

Spring 2008 Color Trends by Pantone

For the latest trends click on the title above.

The Language of Pliers

I had no idea before getting into jewelry making what men got so excited about when it came to tools. Now I do.

WHAT TOOLS ARE MADE OF

The first thing to consider about buying pliers is their composition. Ideally, you'd like them to be made of high-carbon, high-chrome alloy steel. This means in laywoman's language - they keep their shape and won't be gouged during normal use.

Hardened tool steel is a very hard strong material for pliers and the same as above with normal use applies. These pliers may rust in humidity and it's best to coat them to protect them. A simple product like WD-40 will help stop rust.

Stainless steel is unable to be made into shapes to form pliers. They may be poured and it's a tough metal that gives reasonable life. It's rust resistent, and the jaws may require maintenance with use.

How are they made?
Some pliers are forged where a rod of tool steel is forced into shape to form each half of the plier. Compression and bending are done in the forging process and the metal becomes work hardened. Tempering metal prevents brittleness. This process creates a good combination of stength and durability.

Casting pliers is taking molten metal and pouring it into a mold to form each half of the plier. No work hardening takes place and the results are not tempered.

Handles can affect performance
Using a plier takes 42 muscles in your hand. The more the tool fits to the shape of your hand, the more comfortable and effective the tool is. And it equals less chance of suffereing repetitive motion injuries.

The handle coverings may enhance comfort and grip. Foam handles are heated sleeves slipped over the handle and allowed to cool, while coated handles are set, after being dipped into liquid plastic to coat them.

TYPE AND FUNCTION

Round Nose
Tapering from the pivot point to the tip, both jaws are round.
Uses: make loops, eye pins, clasps and jump rings, flat crimping closing bead tips and making angled bends.

Chain Nose
Both jaws are semi-round, with flat surfaces where they meet, tapering to a point from the pivot to the tip.
Uses: forming loops, opening and losing jump rings, flat crimping, closing bead tips and making angled bends.

Flat Nose
Jaws are flat.

Uses: metal forming, broader bends in wire, holding components, and angled bends in wire.

More tool information to come soon! Let us know if this information is helpful.

Complex and Exotic describes Fall 2007's Fashion Colors

Well, it's been a while, but we're back! Enjoy Fall 2007's color palette while creating using interesting and unexpected color combinations. Colors now tend to stimulate the taste buds while Cashmere Rose is the perfect complement for anyone's skin tones. I have to admit, it's my personal favourite too! Lots of earth tones, and beautiful neutrals are alive and well right now, along with a fascination for any colors metallic. And don't forget this year's fav, Chili Pepper. For more information, read on by clicking the link below:


http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20367&ca=4

The Mayonnaise Jar

Author Unknown - I wish I could give credit to who wrote this - and if anyone knows please send me the name. (Rachel Howard)

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. ! The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of co!urse, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar rep resents your life. The golf balls are the important things-your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else---the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."