Dichroic Glass Jewelry

This necklace is made with semi-precious gemstones, including 14mm aventurine, 12mm red jasper and poppy jasper, and sterling bali beads and sterling clasp.  Included with it are aventurine earrings with sterling earwires that match the stones in the necklace.  This makes a stunning set that will up your “wow” factor.     Check out my website www.dichroicglassbygail.com for many other terrific examples of must-have jewelry and fused glass. 

I have recently added a new category of fused glass wall art to my glass inventory.  This is fused glass art that has been mounted to  a brushed aluminum panel.  This particular piece of fused glass is entitled “Still Life, Vase with Flowers.”  This fused glass piece is 8″ x 12″ and then is mounted to a 12″ x 18″ aluminum panel.  

Even cultured pearls with thicker coatings are more fragile than most other gemstones (if you don’t believe me, check out a well used pearl necklace), so you must handle them carefully to keep them in the best condition.

Your pearls will stay cleaner if you put them on after you’ve applied your makeup and perfume.

Be sure to take off your pearl rings before you apply hand and body creams.
Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off. The cloth can be dampened with water or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away.

Dirty pearls can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution (try Ivory flakes).

Never clean your pearls with solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents.

Don’t put pearl jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner.

Don’t use abrasive cleaners or rub pearls with abrasive cloth. Both can wear away the nacre coating, leaving you with a plain looking bead.

Glass earrings are all the rage these days.  You don’t have to be high prices for great pieces of jewelry. You can find some lovely earrings online for a low cost.  While trends do come and go, with good care, glass jewelries can last a lifetime; and like gold or silver, glass pieces will be an investment in beautiful accessories.

Has anyone seen my glasses???  Here’s a unique gift idea for anyone who wears glasses (and who doesn’t?), whether for reading or driving or just regular old sunglasses.  This fused glass eyeglass dish is the perfect place to always put those glasses when not using them.  It’s great on the bedside table or for the bath and you will always be able to find them.  It makes a great gift–unusual and so affordable.  Check out my website for the entire collection of fused glass home decor items.

This fused glass vase combines art and function.  Many pieces of cut glass decorate this piece, which has been decorated on both sides and fired in a kiln to 1475 degrees to fuse all pieces into one.  This same process was done on the front and then again on the reverse.  Then a third firing was done at a lower temperature to slump the flat piece of glass over a floral mold to give it the shape of this vase.  When not using as a vase for flowers, it makes a bold statement turned on its side as a sculptural piece of artwork. 

Mosaic is the art of creating images with small pieces of colored glass, stone or other material. It may be a technique of decorative art, an aspect of interior decoration or of cultural and spiritual significance as in a cathedral. Small tiles or fragments of pottery or of colored glass or clear glass backed with metal foils are used to create a pattern or picture.

Mosaics are often used in jewelry, vases and hanging art.
 

Try not to get your glass jewelry wet or expose it to chemicals, as this will permanently alter the glass’ color. It is also fragile and needs to be protected against breakage from being dropped or hit.

If you choose to wear your jewelry daily, be aware that the surface color may change over time.