BMJ Blog

DIY Jewelry Hair Pieces

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Mary Hood | 0 Comments

For women—and men!—hair is an outlet for self-expression. Whether we like to keep things minimal or try bold and creative styles, there are endless ways to say a little something about ourselves with our hair style. Wearing a hair accessory, for one, can elevate your look instantly—especially if said hair add-on is made with your favorite style of jewelry.

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Posted in custom jewelry, DIY, fashion, hair, jewelry, style

DIY Fall-Inspired Thanksgiving Decor

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Mary Hood | 0 Comments

Embrace the late autumn season with these hearth-and heart-warming, fall-inspired DIY Thanksgiving decorations. Whether you tackle these crafts alone (as a splendid way to relax and unwind) or with family and friends (warm cider for all!), your DIY handiwork will add a little something extra to your holiday get-togethers.

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Posted in Decor, DIY, fall, Fun, Holidays, Thanksgiving

5 Things to Do with Pesky Broadleaf Plantain Weeds

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Mary Hood | 0 Comments

Known to many as a stubborn weed, broadleaf plantain (plantago major) is common to many areas across the US. Although we often curse it when it crops up in our gardens, there are several reasons to celebrate this hardy crop. We’ve rounded up a few things to do with broadleaf plantains—and the best way to get rid of them if they’re still not your thing.

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Posted in DIY, informational, lifestyle

How and When to Use a Jewelry Bath (Ultrasonic Cleanser)

Posted on August 06, 2014 by Mary Hood | 0 Comments

Lotions, oil from your skin, soap residue, and good ol’ everyday dirt can collect on your ring, obscuring it’s sparkle and making it look cloudy. Fortunately, there are a few at-home methods to bring the dazzle back to your gem. In our post on Caring for Your Jewelry, we’ve detailed how 

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Posted in clean jewelry, DIY, Informational, jewelry, jewelry care, ultrasonic cleaner

How to Untangle Chains with Olive Oil and a Pin

Posted on June 08, 2014 by Mary Hood | 0 Comments

Untangling your jewelry doesn't have to be be a chore.  Next time your necklace has a knot, try this simple trick  -  Even the most careful among us find ourselves with a case of the dreaded tangled necklace chain. (Doesn’t it seem that our most delicate jewelry likes to tangle itself as soon as we look the other direction?) Initially, the problem may seem near impossible—no matter how nimble our fingers. Even a small, simple knot on a single chain can try our patience. 

Fortunately, there’s an easy DIY solution to this common issue.  

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Posted in DIY, jewelry care, Natural solutions, necklace, Olive Oil Tricke, solution, tangled chains, untangle chains

5 Stylish Ways to Wear a Brooch

Posted on June 04, 2014 by Mary Hood | 0 Comments

Brooches are back, and we’ve got five creative and stylish ways to wear both new and vintage pins.  To keep the look modern, avoid matching the color of your brooch to the color of your outfit—and don’t be afraid to take risks! Pair a sweet, feminine brooch with an edgy pair of boots or wear a cluster of brooches together. There’s no harm in experimenting.  

Tip: To make sure you don't loose your brooch while you're wearing it, create a DIY safety catch using a rubber earring back or a small piece of pencil eraser.  

Here are 5 fun ways to wear a brooch:

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Posted in brooch, brooches, classic, contemporary, creative, DIY, fashion, fun, how-to, jewelry, pins, retro, shopping, style, style tips, vintage

DIY Oxidized Silver Jewelry

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Mary Hood | 0 Comments

Oxidized silver is sterling silver that’s been purposely tarnished using a controlled method. While effective, chemical oxidation solutions like Silver Black, Black Max, Win-Ox, and Liver of Sulfur are hazardous and must be used with caution and appropriate, protective equipment. 
To save your kitchen from toxic fumes, we’ll explore a safer, simpler method of silver oxidation you can do with a hard-boiled egg and a little patience.

Why Oxidized Silver?

Oxidizing sterling silver emphasizes the details of the design and setting. This extra step gives an organic, natural look to a piece, and depending on the style of the jewelry, an oxidized finish can make it look rustic, antique, earthy, or even edgy. 

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Posted in antiquing, DIY, jewelry, jewelrymaking, oxidized silver, oxidizing, silver, sterling silver