SNOWFLAKES

“The Snowflake Collection” was inspired by the work of a Vermont gentleman farmer nicknamed “Snowflake Bentley”. Mr. Bentley spent 41 years photographing snow crystals in an old barn using a crude microscope and camera. He died in 1931, leaving behind his photographic collection which was published by the American Meteorological Society. While living in Vermont , Karen happened on this book at a yard sale. Excited by the photographs, she created a necklace for her mother and imagined the possibility of endless designs. The seed was planted and made serendipitous by the fact that Mr. Bentley actually grew up and worked at a farmhouse just down the road from where Karen had been living. “The Snowflake Collection” exists today as a testament to the patience and perseverance of Mr. W. A. Bentley.

Each intricate snowflake design begins as a study of a photograph. The design is then transferred to a sheet of metal and cut by hand using a very fine saw blade in a jeweler's saw. A tool is made from the hand cut piece. The tool is then used as a resist to obtain an etched sheet. Each piece is then formed, soldered , and polished.

The “Snowflake Collection” was initially offered only in sterling silver and 14k or 18k gold. In 1997, an electroplated version was introduced which is most popular today. The pieces are constructed out of brass and are then heavily plated with either gold or Rhodium. Rhodium is the most durable, non-tarnishing, silver finish available on the market today. It is virtually indestructible and a member of the platinum family of metals.

All ear wires, posts, and chains are made of sterling silver which is rhodium finished.

EQUINE

All pieces begin as fabricated prototypes. This means that each piece is made from flat sheet metal and or wire which is then hand-cut, formed, stamped, forged, carved, and soldered into a finished piece. This process may take days. If the finished piece is then worthy, a rubber mold will be made and it will be cast in sterling silver or gold. This casting is then meticulously finished and patinaed by hand. Often, the best patinas on sterling are the ones which occur naturally, with wearing, over time.

CARE

All jewelry should be stored in plastic if possible because it cuts down on scratching and tarnishing (sterling). Rhodium and gold plated pieces will not tarnish but should be lightly cleaned with a paper towel and glass cleaner to remove fingerprints and dirt. Do not use dip cleaners or polishing cloths as they remove plating.

Sterling silver pieces can be cleaned with a polishing cloth. Sterling that has been blackened with a patina CANNOT be dipped or scrubbed with a liquid or paste cleaner. It will remove the patina. Sterling, which is not blackened any where, can be treated with any silver polish or dip on the market.

METALSCAPES JEWELRY • Karen Twombly • 15 Moore Rd.• Brownfield, Maine 04010
207-935-1816      E-Mail