Why buy from an Online Jewelry Designer?

Unique Handmade Jewelry Boutique-Kincaidesigns Handmade JewelryWhy buy from an Online Jewelry Designer?

Why should you buy your jewelry from an online jewelry retailer instead of shopping at your local jewelry shop where you can touch,
feel, and try on the jewelry? You might think it's a no brainer, however, I would encourage you to give your online jewelry retailer a chance. You just might be pleasantly surprised at the unique jewelry designs and consistent high quality you'll find online, not to mention better pricing.

Handcrafted vs. Mass Produced


Most of the jewelry you'll find at your local fashion retailer has been mass produced and the jewelry you'll find from online jewelry designer is usually handcrafted. While some people don't appreciate the quality and value of a unique handmade piece of jewelry, other thrive on it. There are many reasons to shop online for handcrafted jewelry verses mass produced jewelry at your local fashion retailer. For example, when a jewelry product is mass produced, the biggest concern for the manufacturer is their bottom line. How much money will each piece cost them and low can they get their costs? This could mean the compromise of quality materials and assembly, which means you need to ask yourself if the metal is sterling silver or nickel, or, are the pearls on this necklace real? However, when a designer is constructing their jewelry designs by hand, they have complete control over each piece, it's quality and materials, and each piece is approved by the designer because it was crafted by their own hands. All the jewelry at www.kincaidesigns.com is handcrafted
by the artist, Holly Kincaid, and uses only quality materials and precious metals. To shop for your own unique handmade jewelry online visit www.kincaidesigns.com.

How does buying more expensive handcrafted jewelry online mean greater savings?

When you buy from your online jewelry designer you are paying for the jewelry and for a very small percentage of their overhead costs. An online jewelry designer doesn't have nearly as much overhead as your local fashion retailer. Your online jewelry retailer has to pay for their website store front, advertising fees and materials to make their jewelry. Most online jewelry retailers work from their home, so they are using their home utilities and they don't have to pay for studio space. It's true that as an online jewelry retailer grows, so does the need for more space, however, studio space vs. store front space is a huge difference in rent.

A local jewelry retailer with a store front has to pay rent for their location, which is usually the most expensive of their overhead costs, salaries for their employers, advertising costs, licensing fees, utilities, wholesale merchandise and much more. In addition to these overhead costs, the merchandise itself is passed through many hands b
efore it reaches the retailer. The manufacturer has sold their merchandise to a wholesaler, who then sells the merchandise to the retailer, who then displays the merchandise to sell to you, the customer. In many cases, the prices are doubled at each stage, starting from the manufacturer.

So, as for your savings...When you buy your jewelry from your online jewelry retailer, you are technically buying straight from the manufacturer, also known as the designer. You will find that materials and assembly aren't compromised and the amount of money you are paying for your jewelry is much closer to the actual cost of making the jewelry. Yes, your online jewelry retailer is making a profit because it is their business. However, they aren't selling their jewelry to anyone before it reaches you. You might be paying more for handcrafted jewelry, but you are paying for your handcrafted jewelry instead of price inflation, your local fashion retailer's rent and advertising costs on an add you never even saw. Therefore you are getting the quality of jewelry that you are paying for. In addition, since each piece is originally handcrafted, you are guaranteed a truly unique piece of jewelry that will serve as a keepsake for years to come. To shop for your own unique handcrafted jewelry, visit www.kincaidesigns.com.

Small Business vs. Big Business

Unique Handmade Jewelry Boutique-Kincaidesigns Handmade Jewelry Online StorfrontWhen you buy from a small online jewelry business you are going to receive the personal attention you deserve as a customer. In many cases you may hear directly from the designer when you place an order and you wont feel like a number in a huge array of orders. Unlike a large business or department store, a small online business can offer great customer service, which will result in a higher customer satisfaction. When you are buying unique handmade jewelry that will serve as a one-of-a-kind accessory in your collection, you want the personal attention that a small business can give you. In addition, you will probably find out about the designers background, or exactly how each piece of jewelry was made, which adds character and greater personal value to your purchase. Custom orders are a common service through online jewelry retailers. If they don't offer custom orders on their website, send them an email. You might be pleasantly surprised at what they can offer you. To see what www.kincaidesigns.com can offer, visit the Unique Handmade Jewelry website.

Online Shopping Tips

There isn't a better place to buy unique handmade jewelry than directly from the jewelry designer. You will find the quality and value you are looking for in addition to a truly unique piece of jewelry for your collection. Below are some tips for buying jewelry from your online jewelry retailer.

Check out their return policy: If you can't return the jewelry you might not want to order from them. Many return policies have restrictions, such as keeping all tags on the jewelry or returning the jewelry in the original packaging. These policies are to protect the designer from a customer purchasing the jewelry for one occasion and returning the jewelry once the occasion is over. This is an understandable return policy because most online retailers aren't loaning jewelry out, they are a business and they are selling their jewelry.

Have the designer insure your package. This may cost you more in shipping, but it's worth the extra to guarantee your package will arrive to you safely or it can be easily replaced. Simply request insurance in the comments or special instructions upon checkout. An additional cost may be added to your order for insurance, if you would like to be notified of the extra cost of insurance before your credit card is charge, note that in the comments or special instructions upon checkout as well.

• Never send your credit card information over email. Always use the online retailer checkout process and check for the security pad lock in your browser window when you check out. This ensures that your information is being sent over a secure server. This pad lock may only show up when you check out, it's not on all the pages of their website. This is fine, only the pages that you are entering your sensitive information is necessary. You can find out more information about Payment and Privacy Policies on most e-commerce websites. This information should be available to you. If you can't find it, request that information or shop elsewhere.


If there is a guarantee on their website, print it out. All return policies, warranties and guarantees are subject to change. If you print out the return policy, warranties and guarantees when you make your purchase, the online retailer should honor those documented policies.

• Remember, if you have any questions about anything on an e-commerce website, you should be able to contact them easily. If you can't find a method of contact you probably shouldn't be dealing with them. Every reliable online retailer should allow their customers to contact them. Many online retailers don't want to receive phone calls because their phone would ring off the hook, but you should always be able to email the designer or an associate.

Kincaidesigns is a unique online jewelry boutique for handmade jewelry for bridal, formal and casual everyday wear. If you would like to shop for your own Unique Handmade Jewelry, visit www.kincaidesigns.com. All the jewelry at www.kincaidesigns.com is handmade using lampwork beads, handcrafted by the artist, Holly Kincaid, Swarovski Crystals, Semiprecious stones, pearls, sterling silver and gold fill materials. You'll find unique gifts for yourself and family and friends. Easy online ordering, gift certificates available, FREE shipping available.

Buy Unique Handmade Jewelry: Handmade NecklaceHandmade BraceletHandmade EarringsHandmade RingsHandmade PendantsHandmade Bridal JewelryHandmade Seasonal JewelryHandmade Glass BeadsHandmade Glass ArtVisit the Online Handmade Jewelry Boutique...

Sterling Silver

What is Sterling Silver?
Sterling silver is one of the three precious metals, the other two being gold and platinum. Sterling silver is an alloy (mix) of 92.5% silver and 7.5% of another metal, usually copper. This sterling silver standard of 925 was set by the British by 1300 ad. when the term "sterling silver" was established. This is why you see 925, 925/1000, or "sterling" stamped into your sterling silver. This ensures that your silver jewelry or other silver items are sterling.

Copper us usually used and has been proven through trial and error to be the best metal to alloy with silver. It provides strength, durability, and it enhances silvers bright natural sheen. However, other metals may be used. Some of the more common replacements for copper are zinc, platinum, geranium and a variety of other additives including silicon and boron. These metals are used in place of copper to improve various properties of the sterling alloy such as reducing casting porosity, eliminating fire scale and increasing resistance to tarnish. At this time there is no industry standard formula for tarnish resistant sterling silver, therefore the competition is high between the manufacturers offering tarnish resistant sterling silver.

What is Pure Silver?
Silver itself is an element and can be found on the periodic table. Fine silver, which is 99.9% silver, is usually too soft for producing any functional objects or jewelry. Although you can find jewelry or elements of jewelry using fine silver. This is why copper or other metals are alloyed with silver. These alloys give silver strength and durability while preserving the precious metal content.

Where did the name sterling silver come from?
There are a few theories of the origin of the term "sterling silver."

Theory 1
The term emerged in England by the 13th century. The 1971 Oxford English Dictionary states that the early middle English name sterling was presumably descriptive of small stars that were visible on early Norman pennies. (Referring to the old English term "steorling.")

Theory II
Sterling silver was first known as "Easterling silver", which was used in reference to the grade of silver originally used as the local currency in an area of Germany, known as the "Easterling."

King Henry II set to adopt the alloy as the standard for English currency. He imported metal refiners from the Easterling and put them to work making silver coins for England. The silver these refiners produced came into use as the currency by 1158 in the form of what are known as Tealby Pennies. These Tealby Pennies were eventually adopted as a standard alloy throughout England and the original term "Easterling Silver" was abbreviated to "Sterling Silver."

Most silver coins today are 90% silver and 10% copper. This standard was established in the 1820's.

Why does Sterling Silver tarnish?
Sterling silver tarnish build up is the dulling that naturally occurs when sterling silver reacts with sulfer or hydrogen sulfide in the air. Chemically, silver itself does not react with oxygen or water at ordinary temperatures, so it does not easily form a silver oxide. However, other metals in the alloy, usually copper, may react with oxygen in the air.

How can tarnish be prevented?
Sterling silver tarnish can be prevented by storing your sterling silver jewelry in air tight and tarnish-free containers. Air tight plastic bags work well for keeping your sterling silver jewelry tarnish free. You can also use tarnish free jewelry storage bags or jewelry boxes. Wearing your sterling silver jewelry is another preventative way to keep your jewelry tarnish free. If your sterling silver jewelry is already tarnished, you can use a polish formulated specifically to remove tarnish. Rinse with clear water and pat dry. Only use a soft cloth when removing tarnish from your sterling silver, other materials may scratch the soft metal. Do not use toothpaste or other abbrasives to clean your sterling silver. Do not wear your sterling silver jewelry in chlorinated water or expose it to household chemicals such as bleach or ammonia.

box. This will prevent To protect your jewelry from scratches and other damage, store your jewelry away from other pieces in your jewelryjewelry from rubbing against your sterling silver, pearls or other vulnerable elements.

Sterling Silver vs. Silver Plated
Silver plated is usually a sterling silver overlay or plate over a base, non-precious metal. Since the sterling silver is layered over a base metal, it cannot bear the 925 mark of sterling silver. Silver plate has no intrinsic silver value.

Sterling silver will last forever if you want to use it and care for it properly. Silver plate will last about 20 years or less depending on the use and the proper care.

What is Vermeil?
Vermeil is a 22kt gold plate or overlay over sterling silver. This is an increased trend making gold more affordable while keeping the precious metal value. It bridges the gap between gold fill, which is a base metal rolled in gold, and solid gold, which is expensive and increasing regularly. All three choices, gold fill, vermeil, and gold hold more value than gold plate. Read more about gold fill.

What metals does Kincaidesigns use in their handmade jewelry?
Kincaidesigns uses precious metals of sterling silver and gold fill. Gold-filled, or gold overlay, is made by heat and pressure-bonding a thin layer of gold to a brass core. The gold covers the brass surface, making it tarnish resistant. The value of gold-fill is greater than gold-plated because gold-fill has an actual layer of gold, not just a microscopic film. All the 14kt gold-filled materials used by Kincaidesigns handmade jewelry meets federal standards for quality and content.

To shop for your own unique sterling silver or gold fill handmade jewelry, go to the Glass Art and Handmade Jewelry Shop at www.kincaidesigns.com.

The History of Lampworking and Glassblowing

When did Glassworking begin?
While the age of lampworking is unknown, it was developed well before the invention of any torch, burner, or furnace. Glassworking was rumored to have been discovered by someone accidentally dropping glass into a campfire. From there they used a "small fire" for any form of glasswork and developed small beehive shaped furnaces in the ground. These small furnaces have been recorded in many ancient civilizations and they seem to have dominated glassmaking before the birth of Christ. These glasswork techniques spread throughout the ancient world from Japan to North Africa.

The Romans were known to have used these beehive furnaces or kilns, and are responsible for making some significant changes to their design. They were the first to add more exhaust vents and more options for side access to these kilns. More tools were experimented with and refined.

Just before the birth of Christ, someone thought of using a hollow pipe to extract glass instead of glass rods. It caused a bubble of gathered glass. While glass beads were still used the old way with rods, glass blowing dominated the glass forming technique for the next thousand years. Italians achieved the highest technical achievement around the world. In 1921, the Italians were sent to Murano (An island off the mainland of Venice, Italy), due to the fire hazards of Glasswork.

As Europe entered the Renaissance, a new use for glass was developed. Angelo Barovier, working in Murano, invented Crystallo, a clear soda glass in 1450 AD. There was a new need for clear durable vessels as chemical science was developing. This was the best glass for the job. The pipe glassblowing technique wasn't suitable for making these small objects. It was discovered that forcing a small narrow stream of air into a flame from an oil lamp created sufficient heat to work with the small pieces of glass. By the beginning of the fifteenth century this technique was spread throughout Europe and Lampworking was born.

Although the tools continued to become more sophisticated, the basic material, glass, has remained essentially the same as when Crystallo invented it. This glass is commonly referred to today at Moretti Glass, or Effetre.

In 1921, a scientist from the glass factory in Corning, New York, invented a new glass more resilient when heated and cooled, called Pyrex. It was 15 percent lighter and much stronger than soda glass. However, it required a much higher and more powerful heat source to work with the glass.

It was found that adding oxygen and natural gas produced the heat and power needed for pyrex and the traditional oil lamps were replaced with new oxygen and natural gas burners which clamped to the lampworkers workbench.

Today, equipment and tools have continued to become more sophisticated and new tools are experimented, however, many of the original tools from Murano are widely used and are still the most effective.

All the glass beads at Kincaidesigns are handcrafted by the artist, Holly Kincaid, using the lampwork techniques described in this article. She then uses her handcrafted glass beads in her unique handmade jewelry designs. To shop for your own handmade glass beaded jewelry, go to the Glass Art and Handmade Jewelry Shop.

Visit www.kincaidesigns.com to shop for Unique Handmade Jewelry.

Swarovski Crystals

What is a Swarovski Crystal?

Swarovski Crystal is the brand name for the range of precision cut crystal glass produced by companies owned by Swarovski AG of Feldmeilen, near Zurich, Switzerland. Austrian glass cutter and jeweller, Daniel Swarovski (1862-1956), began cutting multi-faceted crystals at the end of the 19th century creating new opportunities for jewelry makers everywhere. In 1892 he invented the automatic cutting machine creating new dimensions to raw crystals. Then in 1895, Daniel Swarovski established a crystal cutting factory in Wattens, which marks the beginning of the Swarovski Company.

How are Swarovski Crystals Made?
Swarovski Crystal is manufactured from a man made raw material and does not occur naturally. The formula for these man made crystals was perfected by Daniel Swarovski and his three sons. The crystals contain 32% lead to maximize refraction, which categorized Swarovski crystals as a "fully leaded crystal." Although lead can be a toxic substance, wearing leaded crystal jewelry does not pose a health risk
.

When these raw materials are produced, they are cut and polished using the superior techniques invented by Daniel Swarovski. Swarovski Crystals are unmatched in quality and brilliance. No competitor has come close to the sharp facet angels, symmetry and exceptional sparkle of the Swarovski Crystal. They are considered the "Diamond of the Crystal Market."Swarovski Crystals

How are Swarovski Crystals used?
Swarovski Crystals are used in crystal sculptures and miniatures, jewelry and couture, home decor, chandeliers, beads and rhinestones. They are the most popular element and crystals used in jewelry today. Their increasing demand has lead to the hundreds of shapes, colors, sizes and finishes. The Swarovski company has been able to replicate the colors of semiprecious and precious gemstones such as Amethyst, Alexandrite, Aquamarine, Citrine, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire, Tanzanite, Topaz and many more. The abundance in selection available from Swarovski Crystals has paved the
way for unique handmade creations and jewelry everywhere.

Unique Handmade Bracelet with Swarovski Crystals-Kincaidesigns Handmade Jewelry

Kincaidesigns is proud to use Swarovski Crystals in their unique handmade jewelry designs. The Swarovski Crystal is a valuable and unique accent to the glass beads, semiprecious stones and pearls we use in our jewelry designs. We invite you to shop at the Glass Art and Handmade Jewelry Shop at Kincaidesigns for your Unique Swarovski Crystal embellished handmade jewelry.

Go Shopping for Unique Handmade Jewelry using Swarovski Crystals: Handmade NecklacesHandmade Bracelets • Handmade EarringsHandmade RingsHandmade PendantsHandmade Bridal JewelryHandmade Seasonal JewelryHandmade Baby JewelryHandmade Jewelry Gift CertificatesVisit the Online Handmade Jewelry Boutique...

Handcrafted Glass Beads

What is lampworking and how is a glass bead created?
Glass rods are melted and wound on a mandrel using either Moretti (Effetre) or Bullseye glass, there are other brands of glass, however these are the two types of art glass used in Kincaidesigns Handmade Jewelry. This glass comes in long rods and their diameters range, not usually exceeding a quarter inch for bead making. The glass begins to move at around 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, and the glass is workable (it can be shaped or molded) at 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. There are many different tools used in flameworking, usually made of stainless steel or graphite. Graphite tools are used because they don't stick to the hot glass. Stainless steel tools will stick to hot glass while in the flame or when its at it's hottest temperatures, however, they are very effective in shaping glass when properly used. Each of the glass beads are individually flameworked (torch-blown) and properly kiln-annealed overnight.

By annealing the glass beads, they are guaranteed hard as rocks, durable enough for everyday wear with long lasting heirloom quality. When a glass bead is finished, the hot bead (while still on the mandrel), is placed in a kiln heated at 960°F. The annealing process releases the stress from the glass and slowly cools the beads down to room temperature. Cooling the glass beads too quickly will cause them to crack.

Handcrafted Glass Frog Bead KeychainAll the handmade jewelry at Kincaidesigns is made using lampwork glass beads, which are handcrafted by the artist, Holly Kincaid. Also used in the handmade jewelry are Swarovski crystals, pearls, semiprecious stones, sterling silver and gold fill materials, which will be covered in posts to come.

To shop for your own unique handmade jewelry, visit www.kincaidesigns.com.


Shop for your own Glass Beads and Handmade Jewelry: Fancy Glass BeadsGlass Fish BeadsGlass Frog BeadsGlass Ladybug BeadsGlass Flower BeadsMore Glass Beads...Glass Bead KeychainsGlass Bead Wine CharmsGlass Bead JewelryGlass Beaded NecklacesGlass Beaded BraceletsGlass Beaded EarringsGlass Bead RingsGlass Bead PendantsGlass Bead Bridal JewelryGlass Bead Seasonal JewelryGlass Bead Baby JewelryMore Glass Art...Visit the Online Jewelry Boutique...