Quails' Nest Studio Newsletter

Congratulations to our Valentine Day's Draw winners -

Wilna W. from Aberdeen Washington won her choice of a copper cuff bracelet - she chose "Je Suis une Parfum!"

Kathe F. from Burnaby B.C. and Malcolm B. from Victoria B.C. both won the store credits and will get to treat themselves!

March is going to be Wall Art Month - stay tuned for the new Fleeting Features!

Headlines:

• Quails Tales
• What's Hatching?
• Quails Sales
• Win-Win-Win a Copper Cuff! Valentines Day Draw!
• A Great Little Video

Quails Tales:
After a busy holiday season our artists are back to work creating new and wonderful things. Many of our artists are teachers, training hobbyists and other artists in their particular craft.

Watercolourist Joanne Thomson teaches drawing and painting, beginners and intermediates, through the University of Victoria, Royal Roads University, and a couple of the Rec Centres in Victoria. She also has some fabulous retreats scheduled for Spring - see Joanne's website for more info.

Jill Rockwell and Mary Lou Moffat also teach jewellery making classes - in fact a reporter from one of our local Victoria newspapers, the Times Colonist, dropped in on one of their Viking Knit classes and wrote all about it! Unfortunately, they mixed up the credits - in the photo, Jill is on the left, Mary Lou is on the right. Be sure to check out the contest below - you could win your choice of one of Jill's copper bracelet cuffs!

Raku pottery artist Ellen Statz is teaching classes in Campbell River this Spring - she is always busy thanks to her very unique raku glazes and her organic leaf and starfish designs - we can't wait to see her newest creations. Also known for her unique raku is Lorel Sternig who has created some wonderful "B. C." pieces in honor of the 2010 Olympic Games. Don't miss her Inuksuit (plural of Inukshuk)! As the official symbol of the Olympics, they make wonderful gifts to recognize a 2010 special occasion or for a BC visitor. While you're there, you may wish to visit her bears, fish and birds!

What's Hatching?
In the near future we are looking forward to the month of February and the Winter Games on our doorstep. Having lived and worked in Calgary in '88, the Quails appreciate the amount of work and organization it takes behind the scenes to host a successful, safe, and memorable event. Best wishes to those of you who are in any way involved, Enjoy the Experience! Good luck to all of the athletes, and, EH, OH, Canada, GO!

Back in the Nest, we are looking forward to Spring which means some new Garden Art is coming, new jewellery pieces and some new paintings! We will be adding some exciting new gift items made from recycled items, and a couple of brand new artists - stay tuned!

Quails Sales
Sadly, we are saying a fond goodbye to one of our very first artists, Lynne Browne, who has moved to Alberta and will no longer qualify as a "BC Artist" for our site. It's good news for you as Lynne's wonderful silver and gold jewellery, is on sale in Fleeting Features at some pretty ridiculous prices. There are wonderful buys in Fleeting Features for Valentines Day - and if you are really thinking ahead, Mother's Day is May 9th!

AND, until February 14th, for all orders over $150 in product, we will refund the shipping charges! Yes, Free Shipping !

Win, Win, Win!
You could win one of the following -

• 1st prize - your choice of a Copper Cuff Bracelet made by Jill Rockwell. Great bracelets that will fit anyone, go with anything and look fabulous!

• 2nd Prize - a $60. credit that can be applied to any purchase over $75.

• 3rd Prize - a $25. credit that can be applied to any purchase over $30.

How?: Send an email to QNScontests@shaw.ca just giving us the name of one of our artists that creates "Garden Art", before midnight February 13th, 2010. We will draw from the correct answers and notify you Feb 14th if you have won!

Last words
- A picture is worth a thousand of them! If you can spare another minute (or 4) and love clever, beautiful photography,have a look at this video of Vancouver made with time lapse photography - you will enjoy it more with 'full screen' (click the 4 arrows) and, turn up your speakers!

Have a great Valentines Day!
Cheers,
The Quails

Happy New Year Everyone!
We will have a new batch of News and Fleeting Features for you by Jan 15th,
please check back with us!

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.)

Gold is now at its highest value ever. There are some good alternatives, but do you understand the difference between the options?

Solid Gold - is 24K. The karat is an old measure of how much gold is in a blend, an alloy, of metals, 24 being the maximum number. While 24 karats is pure, 1K is 1 karat of gold + 23 parts other metals, 18 K is 18 karats of gold + 6 parts other metals, therefore 75% gold, 14K is 58% gold, 10K is 41% gold.

Gold Filled - also known as Gold Overlay. A layer of 10K or better is mechanically bonded under heat to a base metal, usually brass or copper. Keyword is layer - it must be thick enough to be greater than 1/20th of the total weight to be legally called Gold Filled. Gold filled items are generally considered the best cost-effective option to pure gold products as they have excellent long life expectancy and the gold layer will not tarnish, chip, or wear off. Most people who have metal allergies to anything other than gold, have no problem wearing gold filled. You will often find hard wearing chains and earring wires at reasonable prices that are gold filled.

Gold Plated - This is a much thinner coating of gold over a base metal such as steel or brass, usually bonded by electroplating. It is a thin coat of gold particles, less than 1/20th total weight, and it can chip, flake and wear off in time. Its a good option for fashion jewellery that will have only a few years use. People who have metal allergy problems may have a reaction to gold plating.

Vermeil - (pronounced: vermay) - Sterling Silver that has been gold plated, usually with 22-24k gold. It usually has a yellowy tone. Can be an option for people with metal allergies as Sterling Silver is often able to be tolerated.