and now for something completely different

I've been avoiding my blog because I've been avoiding writing the post that I think I should be writing.  But why should I write what I don't want to write? 

Instead, I'm going to share a simple how to that I've been wanting to share for months and months and months (I photographed this in March).  Those of you who blog might understand the way imagined blog entries pile up in your head and how some of them never make it into the blog.  You get carried away by circumstances and things fall to the side.  This post is one of those things.

I love silver jewelry.  Especially with cabochons of semi-precious stones.  Moonstones and labradorite are my favorite.  But my jewelry had become seriously tarnished.




I wanted to find an environmentally friendly and easy way to get it clean.  In the past I'd used a natural, baking soda-based toothpaste and gently scrubbed the silver with a toothbrush, but that was time consuming and a bit labor intensive, not to mention messy.  I kept putting off the task.  I read somewhere about cleaning silver with baking soda and an aluminum pan, did a little bit of research and then decided to try it.

You can use an aluminum pan, but not if you want to use the pan again for cooking.  What's easier is to simply line a glass dish with slightly crumpled aluminum foil.  Next, place the silver onto the foil and sprinkle liberally with baking soda.




Finally, pour boiling water over the whole thing.




The chemical reaction will bubble like crazy and in the process the tarnish will disappear.




I was really amazed by how well it worked and how easy it was to do.  I wish I'd been able to capture it better in photos, but I think you can get the idea.

Comments

  1. That is soooo cool and useful. I cannot wait to get home and try it on some seriously cruddy jewelry that I've been stumped about. Yay!!

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  2. This is a great idea Anne and you can really see the difference in the before and after photos. Thank you for your lovely words on my blog. It seems as though we are all in need of a bit of support at the moment!

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  3. Oh cool....you have a lovely collection!! You know, I may be in the same boat as you, blog wise. And so I feel that perhaps my blog is coming to it's natural end in the next few months (as I feel my Etsy shop is). I still like the idea of blogging and may begin a new one in the next year (along with a bunch of changes that are happening in my life). But I do feel like my current one is just kind of reaching the end of it's life cycle. I was kind of upset about it at first but since I do feel like it's a natural transition, now I feel kind of peaceful about the whole thing. We'll see in the next few months though. Of course, I'm still going to be one of your biggest fans and keep reading all of my favorite blogs! It will be nice to just be in the audience part for awhile though :) ~Kerry @ This Tinder

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  4. Wow, that works really well! I will have to try it with my jewelry (and forks!). I definitely understand how some posts stay in your head and never make it to the blog. I also have lots of photos in my "will blog someday" pile. And yes, I'm taking the 2nd GYPO class that starts on Monday. It looks like a lot of fun - are you taking it too?

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  5. Awesome, Anne! I will definitely give this a try. To me, there's nothing sadder than tarnished silver. And I, too, love your jewelry. I have a pretty big collection of silver pendants and necklaces, some of which I made myself out out of silver clay. Also, a s.s.chain maille bracelet which has been impossible to clean!! Can't wait to try it!!
    Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Thanks for the tip sweetie.
    Hugs
    Kat Xx

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  7. Dearest sweet anne, oh my thanks so much for sharing! I always wonder how i could clean my jewelries too! Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to you!

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  8. I really needed to know that Anne - no really! Thank you you've solved a problem for me :)

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  9. Amazing and so simple :) I have quite a few jewellery items that defo need the baking soda treatment. Thankyou!!
    I have a huge love affair with moonstone but strangely enough every item of moonstone jewellery I have owned over the years somehow has always been lost! Go figure!?!
    Always glad to see you here in bloggy land..what ever you feel inclined to write :)xx

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