Sterling vs Fine Silver

Let’s talk about it!

When it comes to silver jewelry, there are two main types of silver used: sterling silver and fine silver. While they may look similar, they have distinct differences in their composition and usage.

Sterling silver is an alloy of silver and other metals, typically copper. It contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals. This alloy makes sterling silver more durable than fine silver and less prone to tarnishing. It is also less expensive than fine silver, making it a popular choice for everyday jewelry.

Fine silver, on the other hand, is 99.9% pure silver. It is softer and more malleable than sterling silver, which means it is not as durable and can easily scratch or bend. Due to its high purity, fine silver is more prone to tarnishing, making it less suitable for everyday wear. However, it is an excellent choice for pieces that require intricate designs or details because it is easier to work with than sterling silver.

When purchasing silver jewelry, it is essential to consider the intended usage and personal preference. If you're looking for everyday wear, then sterling silver is an excellent choice for its durability and affordability. However, if you're looking for a statement piece or something with intricate details, then fine silver may be the better option.

In summary, sterling silver and fine silver are two distinct types of silver used in jewelry making. Sterling silver is an alloy of silver and other metals, while fine silver is 99.9% pure silver. Sterling silver is more durable, less prone to tarnishing, and less expensive than fine silver, making it an excellent choice for everyday wear. Fine silver is softer and more malleable, making it ideal for intricate designs, but it is less durable and more prone to tarnishing.

Sade S.

It's on us Podcast!

Recently, I had the pleasure of being a guest on the podcast "It's on Us Podcast" where we discussed entrepreneurship, owning multiple businesses, and how to be the best version of yourself in business while staying grounded. It was an incredible experience, and I'd like to share some of my insights with you. I had a great time with these guys and you can tell they are moving in the right direction in the media world! I look forward to seeing their growth.

First and foremost, being an entrepreneur is not for everyone. It takes a tremendous amount of dedication, hard work, and persistence to succeed in this field. However, if you are someone who is willing to take risks and work hard, then entrepreneurship can be a fulfilling and rewarding career path.

During the podcast, we also talked about owning multiple businesses. I shared my experience of running several businesses simultaneously and the challenges that come with it. One of the most significant challenges is time management. It's crucial to prioritize tasks and make sure that each business gets the attention it needs. It's also important to delegate responsibilities and trust your team to manage things in your absence. Another crucial aspect of being a successful entrepreneur is being the best version of yourself. This means constantly working on personal growth and self-improvement. It's essential to understand your strengths and weaknesses and work on them accordingly. You should also be willing to learn from your mistakes and take feedback from others.

In conclusion, being on the "It's on Us" podcast was an amazing experience! I enjoyed sharing my insights on entrepreneurship, owning multiple businesses, and how to be the best version of yourself while staying grounded. If you're considering starting a business, I encourage you to listen to the podcast and gain valuable insights from the host and other guests. Remember, entrepreneurship is not easy, but with hard work and dedication, you can achieve success.

Here’s a snippet of the episode! You can view the entire conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOwlP2DD2ic

Behind the Scenes: Becoming a Jewelry Designer

As a jewelry designer on a small scale, creating handmade pieces with semi-precious stones, I can tell you that it is both an incredibly rewarding and challenging profession. I started my business seven years ago, and the journey has been filled with ups and downs, but I wouldn't change a thing.

The first challenge I faced was going from college to being a professional. In college, I learned the technical aspects of designing and creating jewelry, but I had no idea how to turn my passion into a viable business. I spent countless hours researching, attending workshops, and networking with other artists and business owners. It took time and patience, but eventually, I figured out how to price my work, create a brand, and market myself effectively.

One of the main advantages of being a small-scale jewelry designer is the ability to use high-quality materials such as semi-precious stones and real gold. These stones are not only beautiful, but they also have unique properties and meanings that can add value to a piece. However, using these materials can also be a challenge. Sourcing stones can be time-consuming and costly, and it takes skill to know how to cut and polish them properly. Making ethical choices is another challenge that I’ll speak more on in a different post.

Creating handmade pieces is both rewarding and time-consuming. Every piece I make is unique, and I take pride in the fact that I am creating something that will last a lifetime. However, this also means that it takes me longer to create each piece, and I cannot mass-produce my work. This limits my output and makes it difficult to keep up with demand.

One of the biggest challenges I face as a small-scale jewelry designer is staying relevant in a market that is constantly changing. Trends come and go, and it can be difficult to keep up with what customers want. I am constantly researching and experimenting with new techniques and materials to keep my designs fresh and unique.

Despite the challenges, being a jewelry designer on a small scale is incredibly fulfilling. I get to do what I love every day, and I have the freedom to create pieces that are meaningful to me and my customers. I have also had the opportunity to connect with other artists and business owners who share my passion, and that has been invaluable.

In conclusion, being a jewelry designer requires a lot of hard work, patience, and creativity. It can be challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding. If you are considering starting your own jewelry business, my advice would be to do your research, network with others in the industry, and be prepared to put in the time and effort required to make your business successful.

Sade S

Manifest. 💫

This year has been amazing.

COVID has really been bliss in disguise.

S4B has wonderful changes happening.

Express Ya'self!

What’s that whole thing they say about using art to express yourself. Well this one is perfect, I’m sure somebody pissed me off this day and I was just tired of reminding them how I felt. This is something you can wear when you just put your two weeks in at your sucky job, or if customers have been pissin you off OD! Even in a corporate setting when your co-worker won’t stop bother you. I can also make this say “F*ck Off” 😉

Check this one out in my sweet shop for $18 doll hairs. (Disclaimer: I mean dollars.. not actual doll hairs, I’m not requesting doll hairs… yet)

Peace

Sade S

Collection Vibes

So, after a short hiatus.. I return with HEAT.

I’ve been going back and forth with self about creating a collection of my own.. mostly because I’m very indecisive and have a super hard time sticking to set themes and styles so this will be a challenge for me as an artist and a person. (Libra problems)

The collection I’m working on will be a space to hone in on some ideas i’ve always wanted to express as wearables. I’m leaning towards more of an everyday style things people can wear with whatever while incorporating some statement pieces for date nights or just because. Oh, yeah its gonna be jewelry! I know I make a lot of things and dabble in a lot of creative ventures but its time to pay ode to my hands and my degree lol and create mini wearables.

Below are some of the pieces I’ve been playing around with to give me collection vibes. I’m gravitating more to higher end materials sterling and fine silver, 14k gold filed and maybe even a guest appearance from gold!

💍

Peace!

Sooo, I whipped up a quick rendition of my stacking ring, I’m trying to add a bit of variety to the simple, minimal jewels I make and I thought this would be a great addition. But, I never know what to name things, right now lil baby is listed as ‘u ring’ and thats just so pathetic lol! Help me out ya’ll what would be a good name for this?

Sade S.

New bag alert 💰

What's goodie?

So, December 2015 I graduated college and surprisingly got a job about 4 months after in my field at the than Oceanne studio.

Oceanne Studio circa 2017

I was an studio art major with a focus in metal and drawing. For art purposes I make all things.. my favorite is sculpture. Wearables, I call them body sculptures. And for the bread, I make jewelry. I have my own business and also work for and with local designers in the Northeast Ohio area.

I recently decided to link back up with the now Oceanne Boutique and studio located in Gordon Square!

Helping to keep my craftsmanship tight and brain memory up to par with metal smith processes and really just to experience the small business lifestyle to seee if this is something I could fit in with.

If your ever in the area, stop by! I'm there twice a week.

Here's some pieces I've created in the past for Oceanne

More recently I've been casting for a few companies, here's some Oceanne pieces using the lost wax casting process.

And always custom pieces!

If you see anything you love head over to Oceanne and check out her newest collections. Tell em I sent you!

Peace.

Sade S.