The Penny in Copper's History
News
Gallery Profile - The Art Affair
Rosie Blowers of The Art Affair Gallery
At SLJ, we pride ourselves on establishing long-term relationships with our wholesalers, like Rosie and John Blowers from the Art Affair Gallery in Inverness, Florida. We first met them in the '70s while doing retail shows in Michigan.
For years, we've enjoyed knowing our bracelets sit side by side with the fruits of their own artistic efforts. Both John and Rosie are Renaissance humans: accomplished musicians, leatherworkers, glass artists, and jewelers. They also feature the beautiful, functional pottery of Tom and Denise Chamberlain.
If you're in their area, make sure to stop by and say hello!
216 Tompkins Street, Inverness, Florida, 34450
Copper's Correlation to Love
Our chosen metal copper has a mythical and planetary association with love and Venus.
From Weapons to Bells - Copper in History
The bells found in the tomb of the Marquis Yi are now in the collections of the China's Hubei Provincial Museum. (Wikimedia Commons/Vmenkov)
Copper was the most valuable metal for a thousand years.
As our technology advances different metals become more valuable. Silver for example was more valuable when we used it for photography. Platinum demand soared with catalytic convertors, and now lithium is in great demand thanks to the new batteries.
The metal that was most highly desired for the longest time is copper. This is because copper is needed to make bronze, the metal used for making the best weapons during the Bronze age. In China this period started around 1,700 BC and ended 1,000 years later with the adoption of steel weapons around 700 BC.
Many people heard of the early Chinese strongman who listened every morning to a tune that involved the ringing of each one of his large collection of bronze bells.
The common understanding was that he enjoyed the music. This was probably true, but there was a more practical and less known fact.
After winning a war, the prevailing leader will keep his own guard well armed and will order all other weapons melted and made into bells. Listening to a familiar tune was a quick way to take inventory and, if a note was missing, then know that trouble was brewing and to prepare accordingly.
Sergio Lub - January 2019
Inspired by the article:
A Rare Collection of Bronze Age Chinese Bells Tells a Story of Ancient Innovation
Five Ways to Clean Your Copper Bracelet
Traditionally, copper bracelets can be maintained with a soft polishing cloth. Regular rubbing is usually all that is needed to keep your bracelet sparkling and beautiful. In the case that your bracelet becomes tarnished, here are five simple ways to clean it.
Vinegar and Salt Method
Pour white vinegar and salt over copper bracelet and rub in to remove all tarnish.
Rinse off and polish with a soft, dry cloth.
Vinegar and Salt Method Two
Place one tablespoon salt and one cup white vinegar into a pot.
Fill with water.
Place copper bracelet in pot.
Bring to boil until all tarnish comes off.
Once cool, wash with soap and water and dry.
Lemon Lime Method
Cut a lemon or lime in half.
Sprinkle half with salt and rub all over tarnished copper bracelet until clean.
Rub with a Scotch Brite pad or rough side of a sponge.
Polish with beeswax for a lasting shine.
Salt, Vinegar, and Flour Method
Place one tablespoon salt and one cup white vinegar in a bowl.
Gradually add flour and mix together until a paste forms.
Apply the paste to the copper bracelet, rubbing over the tarnished areas.
Leave to sit for fifteen minutes to one hour.
Rinse with warm water and polish.
Ketchup Method
Works best for small areas of tarnish.
Rub a thin to moderate film of ketchup over tarnished areas.
Let sit for fifteen minutes.
Rub with a non-scratch pad.
Wash off.
Adapted from Wiki-How