Quails' Nest Studio Newsletter

Yes, the Late Summer Sale is on until Saturday (September 4th) midnight.   For a whopping 30% off all purchases, use Appreciation Code:   NNews30  in step 2 of the Checkout.   

Don't forget to play the Treasure Hunt while you're there! (see post below)
Cheers!

8 Great Prizes,  Total value over $800.!

It's an Online Treasure Hunt!   

Browse through the Art & Craft in our Gallery.  There are eight  treasures to find - actual pieces of art and craft that say ***WinMe*** in their descriptions.  When you find one, send the exact name of that piece on the subject line of an email to us at  QNScontests@shaw.ca .  Do this for each treasure you find (only one email for each treasure).  Your name will be entered in a draw for that particular treasure.   Everyone has 8 possible entries. (We'd love to see your first name and home area in the body of the email, too! ...and we love to get your comments!)

Take your time - entries will be drawn at the end of Summer (sigh) September 23rd, 2010.  Each treasure piece will be given away - there are no substitutions! ....(unless size is an issue... hint, hint)   We will cover all shipping costs.  Is 8 your lucky number????

More Hints -

• Don't overlook "sold" items - if they are totally unique, we've marked them sold so no one can buy them while the contest is running!
• There may be more than one treasure in a category.
• When someone asks you what you did this Summer, say,    " I Eight ! "    (sorry......)

Have fun!

- The Quails

Hi Everyone!

Hope you are all enjoying a wonderful summer!  To those of you who are having a lousy time with weather, our condolences - we hope the rest of the summer will make up for it!

We've had a few technical glitches lately and haven't been able to post to our blog since May - but now we're up and running again!

Many of you are wondering how BC's new HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) will affect your online purchases - especially to or from out of the province.  The basic rule is that the amount of tax charged now depends on the shipping destination, and the tax rate applied will be the same tax you would pay if the item was physically bought at the destination.

First, orders from the U. S. being shipped to the U. S.,  will have no tax applied. 

Canada - Obviously, we have to charge BC HST (12%)  on all orders shipped to BC addresses.  If you order from Alberta to be shipped to Alberta, the 5% GST is charged (as that is the only tax Albertans have to pay).  If you order from BC to be shipped to Alberta, the order will be charged 5% GST.    If you order from Alberta to be shipped to Nova Scotia, the 15% HST for Nova Scotians is charged.  If you order from Ontario, where HST is 13%,  and have it shipped to Uncle Bob in the U.S.,  no tax will be applied.  Hope that makes it  clear as mud?  

This was a big change to our Shopping Cart - to ensure it all happens properly, automatically and seamlessly! 

Cheers, and happy summering,

-The Quails

As we said last month (on the subject of Gold Terminology), the price of precious metals continues to rise so it only makes sense to know what sort of silver you may be buying, what is involved in the care, and the life expectancy. There are many terms used when talking about silver, here are the most common that we've encountered:

Fine Silver - this refers to silver in its most natural state when it is considered about 99.9% pure. Usually fine silver is too soft to work with so it is mixed with other metals for stability. Where fine silver is useful (because of its pliability) is wire - for earring hooks and findings, and creating art forms such as Viking Knit jewellery and crocheted jewellery, and as accents on other metals.

Sterling Silver - is a mix of fine silver and other metals, usually copper. To be called Sterling, it must be 92.5% pure. Usually, there are very few allergic reactions to fine silver or sterling silver. Good Sterling silver is likely to tarnish over time due to the addition of copper and exposure to light and heat. Because Fine Silver is difficult to work with, Sterling silver has become the usual high quality standard to look for. To store it, keep in a sealed baggie out of direct light.

Silver Plate - a common term when talking about household items but more and more, silver plate is being used in jewellery making. This where a thin coating of at least .925% silver has been electroplated to a base metal - sometimes it's nickel which many people find they have an allergic reaction to, sometimes brass, which seems to be a more popular alternative. For fashion jewellery that is not worn every day, for years on end, it is a viable, less expensive material that will look good for a somewhat shortened life. Polish and treat it gently and it can look every bit as good as Sterling, it just won't last as long.

If your "silver item" doesn't tarnish - you may have Nickel Silver - a combination of nickel, silver and zinc... a very inexpensive "look-a-like" that will not wear as well as the three types we've talked about above. Not a great option for people with a nickel allergy. It can also be called Alpaca Silver, German silver, and New Silver.

PMC - Precious Metal Clay , If you are interested in jewellery you will have noticed we have several artists who work with PMC - it's fascinating stuff for creative artists. Basically, it is microscopic precious metal particles that are suspended in an organic substance to create a pliable material - like clay. The artist works with the clay in a mold or free-form, then fires it in a kiln. The binder burns off and the metal particles fuse to form a solid metal. The item can shrink up to 28% of its original size. It can be sanded, soldered, polished, coloured and lacquered just as the regular original metal could be. (Jill and Mary Lou have been able to create some amazing pieces with this material.) Now, precious metals such as silver, gold, copper, and bronze are being used in PMC. The quality of silver produced depends on the manufacturer. (Our artists use a clay that produces 99% pure silver.)