Sharma Designs - Behind the Scenes of a Handmade Jewelry Business

Let's Learn About Thai Silver

A few months after I began making jewelry I discovered Thai Silver and I fell in love.  I knew that the silver pendants and beads were made by the Karen hill tribe in Thailand but I didn't know the whole story until recently when I read a newsletter from my supplier.

They gave a long history of the economy and farming practices in Thailand but here is where the silver comes in...

"Opium cultivation was a major source of income for many of the hill tribes and the government worked hard to eradicate this cultivation by successfully substituting it with other cash crops, such as cabbages, peppers and fruits. In the early 1960's, their Majesties, the present King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, undertook to help the Karen hill tribe people develop an alternative to growing their traditional cash crop- opium. As part of a royal project, silver experts were dispatched to impart their knowledge of jewelry to the farmers of the Karen Hill Tribe.

The first generation of Karen silversmiths was taught to carefully handcraft each design from scratch, using high-content silver. They learned to give each design a unique appearance only seen in their own creations. From Karen mothers and fathers to Karen sons and daughters, they have passed down their silver work skills and traditions. Today, each handmade ornament is a unique masterpiece that represents centuries of Karen culture and art. Often, the jewelry is engraved with plant, animal, or geometric designs, symbolizing their direct connection to their land and water.

Choosing Karen silver is much more than buying jewelry of rare distinction. Your purchase also helps preserve the timeless culture, art, religion, and language of the gentle Karen people, and helps their Majesties, The King and Queen of Thailand, in their goal of providing a stable economy for the Karen hill tribe people, an economy based on beauty instead of illicit drug crops."

If that's not a good reason to buy Thai silver I don't know what is.  I love that these pendants are handmade and come with such a rich history.

Here are a few necklaces made with Thai Silver pendants that are currently available in my store:

Thai Silver Flower Handmade Necklace, Stamped Thai Silver Handmade Necklace, Thai Silver Mini Flower Handmade Necklace , Red Thai Silver Handmade Necklace , Thai Silver Flower Handmade Necklace , Thai Silver Swirl Handmade Necklace , Thai Silver and Black Drop Handmade Necklace

Let's Learn about Freshwater Pearls

I never used to be a fan of pearls. I thought they were dowdy and stuffy and considered myself the unluckiest girl ever because it was my birthstone. Then I discovered freshwater pearls....

While the round (pricy!) oriental pearls are harvested from oysters these little guys are harvested from freshwater mollusks in China. The pearls do come in a variety of colors but most of the really bright alluring colors are a result of enhancing the color of the pearls.

I love using freshwater pearls because they have a really pretty luster to them.  They really compliment the sparklieness of faceted beads and at the same time look right at home next to wood beads.

To keep your pearls looking their best you should keep them out of direct sunlight. Do not expose them to lotions, hairsprays or perfumes (ie put your necklace on AFTER). If they need cleaning do not dip them in a jewelry cleaning solution. Wipe them with a lint free cloth.

So What are These Gold Leaf Pendants?

I am so excited about my new leaf pendants. They are made from real leaves.  What could be more appropriate for a one of a kind jewelry website right? Every leaf is unique!

Each pendant is a handpicked leaf. The leaves are first painted with a copper based paint. Then 24kt gold or silver is electoformed onto the leaves.

With the filigree pendants (the lacy look), everything but the veins are removed with acid and then the leaves are coated. The result is a delicate work of art.

I even bought a few of these to make necklaces for myself...which I rarely do (who has the time?)

This leaf has a beautiful coppery coat. Perfect for fall!

When will you see these beauties made into necklaces? Well there are a few in the Golden Goddess category and the rest should be up shortly. They will most likely be in the Simply Stated category. Until then, enjoy the pictures!

Let's Learn about Jasper

I have realized that the bead and stone lingo that I understand and use on a daily basis may not be common knowledge to my friends and customers.  With that in mind, I have added a new category called "Learning the Lingo".  Once a week I will define a stone, a type of bead, a cut of a gem or some other jewelry term that may not be common knowledge.

Jasper is an opaque, impure variety of quartz that is usually red, yellow or brown in color. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface, and is often used for ornamentation or as a gemstone.

There are many varieties of jasper as you can see above. It seems that so many "new" jaspers have popped up in the last few years that I never know if I am being told the correct name of the jasper. For example, Paintbrush jasper is also called Artistic Jasper or Coffee Bean Jasper. I tend to just call them all plain old Jasper in my descriptions.

I love the variety of Jasper.  My favorite jasper is probably Ocean Jasper.  You can buy a strand of ocean japer and each bead will be so completely different!  The colors will vary from pinks to greens to browns.  The red, cream and grey diamond shaped pendant above is ocean jasper.

Here are a few necklaces I have made with Jasper Pendants: