sterlingsilver — K. Claire MacDonald Jewellery Design & Sculpture Blog

Summer Learning Inside and Outside the Studio

It’s been such a beautiful summer here in Nova Scotia. The summer season certainly got off to a slow start; it feels like not long ago everyone was in a collective slump moping around the city due to the unseasonably cool and wet weather stuck around for a lot of May and June. All good things come eventually though, and here we are nearing the end of August having enjoyed plenty of indulgently warm days and long evenings of daylight.

It’s been a good summer, and this year I’ve really tried to allow myself to enjoy it, and to take it all in. As a self-employed jeweller it can be difficult to let go of the tight reigns I hold on my business in order to take a day or an evening, or even a whole weekend away from my studio to relax. I realized that by stepping out of my studio to explore and connect with people and places, I end up returning to my studio with a more efficient mental headspace to tackle my work, and a renewed inspiration to create new designs.

Your Jewellery Needs Some Spring Cleaning Too!

As the temperatures begin to rise, the ground slowly thaws, and the days become more light-filled, it’s hard not to catch a flutter of springtime energy. I often find myself feeling a renewed motivation to clean and organize my home in order to eliminate the stale air that accumulated over winter, and to welcome the fresh scent of spring!

Amidst the flurry of spring cleaning, you may stumble across some jewels that you had stashed away that have become lacklustre, and maybe even badly tarnished. Just like your home, your jewels need a little cleaning sometimes too in order to look fresh, and just like new.

I’d like to share with you a simple cleaning method for removing tarnish, grease, and dirt on sterling silver jewellery. Following these simple steps, you can bring all your jewels out of winter hibernation, and back to their sparkly original state!

News and Updates

As someone who works alone, and spends long solitary hours in a studio, getting the chance to spend a few weekends at craft shows meeting clients and connecting with other makers is not just a change of scene, but also a rewarding experience that reminds me why I do what I do. The month of November has certainly been a busy one! I am very fortunate to have been accepted as a vendor at three local holiday craft shows this year. Needless to say, I have spent most of the last month in an endless loop of being glued to my work bench, walking my dog, eating, and sleeping (probably less than I should!). Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love what I do, and show season always reinforces how grateful I am to pursue my passion.

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