Comments on: Earring Display Cards For Selling Handmade Polymer Clay Jewelry

By: Jocelyn

Jocelyn — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:35:00 +0000

@Polyanya: Some folks seal their work in that food storage vacuum system, especially when you can use it to dictate the size of the bag. Definitely something to consider in a moist atmosphere, it keeps the family silver Thanksgiving ready.

By: Sue G

Sue G — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 15:48:19 +0000

I have tried this method before and never been happy with it. The tent folds never stay firmly upright, especially with heavier earrings. However, I discovered a tri-fold technique that works very well! Take a 7-1/2″ long by 2-1/4″ wide strip of cardstock, make a folding crease 1-1/2″ from the bottom and another one 2 inches from the top. Fold the bottom one flat under and the top one down, and presto! You have an earring card that can support itself under almost any weight earrings! This fold pattern can of course be modified to any size that you need.

By: Cindy Lietz@Handmade Jewelry Packaging

Cindy Lietz@Handmade Jewelry Packaging — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:27:00 +0000

I’m not sure what you could do for metals in the open air Polyanya. I’ll keep an eye out for info on that.

Love your packaging idea! The swatches of fabric are an excellent idea. Bet it really gives your work a nice background to sit on.

Tarnishing happens because of Oxidation, so sealing them up in cellophane protects them quite nicely. Great job!

By: Polyanya

Polyanya — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:58:45 +0000

Thank you Debi, I read that article, its made me want to explore the potential of craft wire. I use copper wire for findings as it is.

I know I can get anti-tarnish pads or strips to put in a drawer or box perhaps, but it was more to find a solution to earrings that hang in the open in craft shops.

I decided to repackage my last lot of earrings and I think they looked much better. Here’s what I did:

I cut 300gsm cardstock using stanley knife, cutting board and perspex sheet (the ones used for cutting fabric with the rotary cutter) to the same size as the cellophane bags, leaving a little over 1 inch to fold over.

On to that I stuck a swatch of denim on some and a swatch of felted shetland lambswool jumper, in a lovely Chartruese shade on others.

Made two holes using an awl. Put the earrings on.

Then folded over the bag opening and stuck it down with my watermark label and finally stuck on my signature heart bead.

I must say it was a great improvement and no tarnish!
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By: Cindy Lietz@Bead Making Tools from the Kitchen

Cindy Lietz@Bead Making Tools from the Kitchen — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:39:02 +0000

Excellent Debi! Thanks for passing that info along!

By: debi

debi — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:48:12 +0000

here is some info regarding the silver tarnish
found a blog on some ideas re silver with coating

beadingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2009/06/29/how-to-use-silver-wire-and-findings-on-any-budget.aspx

By: Cindy@Polymer Clay Color Recipes - Cornflower Blue

Cindy@Polymer Clay Color Recipes - Cornflower Blue — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:21:57 +0000

There are anti-tarnish papers and cloths that jewelers place in drawers and packaging that emit some sort of fumes that slow down tarnishing. If you Google ‘anti tarnish strips’ you’ll be able to find them.

By: Polyanya

Polyanya — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:03:45 +0000

Thanks Debi, I don’t know the answer to that, I did look up anti tarnish silver wire, but it was just craft wire not sterling. I wonder if its just a case of faster turnover, specially with the bigger stores. But I’ve certainly noticed tarnished silver earwires in my jewellery box.

By: debi

debi — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:00:40 +0000

Is it possible to coat the wires with some ‘non-tarnish’ stuff? I have never noticed this to be a problem with sterling silver in stores, ie. Macy’s etc. Certainly the store clerks wouldn’t have to polish all the sterling pieces….?

What do big jewelry company’s use to keep “sterling silver” coated products so tarnish free? Must be some sort of liquid to dip in?

Hope you can find an answer that is cost and time efficient.

By: Polyanya

Polyanya — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:49:30 +0000

I have just packed a series of felt earrings with sterling silver findings, which I made myself using ss 20 gauge wire. My biggest problem with these is that when they’re lying around in craft shops and galleries, people do like to touch them and if anyone else has noticed, the wires can tarnish if they’re left exposed to the air too long. I thought I’d got around that by pushing the wires through a stiff card and putting it into a cellophane (do you get that in the States?) bag, but to be honest it makes the whole lot look homemade not handmade and I think devalues the earrings.

I do like your printed tent cards Cindy, I have a little polymer heart bead stuck onto the top of my card and I put a watermark label of our cottage with bead information on the back – but it still looks ‘tacky’.

So I’m still trying to figure a way out, but I have spent ages trying to find a solution.
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