Brazen Design

Where can I buy your stuff?

The very best place to buy my stuff is on Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade craft. It has the most complete collection of my designs. If you prefer to shop in person, check my list of retailers – and if you’d like your local boutique to carry my goods, feel free to mention my work to them!

What’s your return policy?

If you’d like to return a piece purchased directly from me (not a retailer/boutique), that is no problem! I want you to be happy with your purchase. The cost of shipping back to me (and then back to you if it’s an exchange) is your responsibility, and I only refund upon receiving the returned item. If you’ve purchased a gift for someone, and they’d like to exchange it (perhaps it’s a ring that isn’t the right size), that’s also easy-peasy, and again, I only ask you to cover shipping costs.

How long have you been making jewellery?

I have been making jewellery since I was a kid! Fimo, Friendly Plastic and beads were my medium of choice as a 6 year old. As a teenager I worked as the Beadworking Counsellor at a Day Camp, where I taught kids how to do fancy woven beadwork. After completing my Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, I enlisted at the Montreal Jewellery School, where I was introduced to the art of silversmithing. I have been working with silver since 2006.

Do you make all your own jewellery?

I make all the jewellery myself. I design the pieces, carve the wax originals, sand, file, polish, etc. I use a casting company in Quebec to cast my pieces from wax to silver, as this requires large expensive equipment and proper ventilation. When the description of an item says “cast from a real pinecone/branch, etc”, it was REALLY cast from a real pinecone/branch, etc. The pinecone/branch isn’t still inside the silver – it has burned away completely and been replaced by solid sterling silver.

Is your jewellery made of real silver?

I believe in using noble and natural materials of the highest quality. All the pieces in my collection are real silver. For the most part, it is sterling silver, which means that it is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper, which is used to strengthen silver, which is naturally soft. This is why you see “925″ stamped on the inside of a lot of silver jewellery.

Occasionally I use pure silver, in which case the piece is 99.9% silver, with no copper content. These pieces are very porous and slightly more delicate.  I also occasionally use stones, seeds or pearls. The description of each item in my store details what the materials are.

My Brazen Design jewellery doesnt have a 925 stamp… why not?

If I feel I can not stamp the piece without marring it, I will not stamp it. And, to be perfectly honest, sometimes I simply forget! This doesn’t mean my pieces aren’t 100% sterling silver.

Do you hand make your chain?

Nope, and no one does – not when you are referring to the small chains that come with Brazen Design items. Hand made chain is very pricey, as it is highly time consuming. And the small chains you see on most jewellery are all machine made. My chains are made in Italy. Occasionally, a link will be weak and open up – in this case, I will gladly swap your chain for another.

How and when should I clean my silver pieces?

Each piece of Brazen Bling comes with a lifetime of free cleaning, though you’ll have to take care of shipping to me and back.

Your silver should be cleaned when it becomes oxidized (unless it was darkened to begin with). Humid summer days tend to oxidize silver fast.

My preferred and recommended way to clean your sterling silver is NOT with chemical or liquid cleaners but rather this gentle formula:

You’ll need:

baking soda
aluminum foil
boiling water
small bowl.

Put water on to boil.

Take a small bowl that will fit your item, place a square of aluminum foil in the bottom, followed by your jewellery.

Pile baking soda on top until it’s covered.

Pour boiling water until piece is submerged.

When water cools, check your jewellery. If still oxidized, take an old toothbrush to it.

Your shipping rates seem a bit high, in comparison to others. Why is that?

When I first launched Brazen Design, I lost many an order in the mail. Since then, for my peace of mind as well as yours, I ship all my orders expedited with insurance and tracking. Canada Post rates are already higher than USPS, and sending with insurance and tracking is even more. It’s nice to know your piece will arrive quickly and safely.

Also, high volume stores have steeply discounted rates with shipping companies.

Do you work in gold?

I very very very rarely work in gold. If you are interested in having one of my pieces made in gold, please email me and I’ll see what I can do!

Why is silver jewellery so expensive?

The cost of silver, like gold, has risen dramatically in the last five years. All of my items are made by hand – there is no automation involved. The cost of each of my pieces reflects the time and materials invested in the item, as well as the cost of maintaining my studio and tools. I price my pieces very carefully in order to make them as accessible to my clients as possible.

Is your work plated?

No, absolutely not. I choose not to plate my pieces because plating (a thin surface of silver applied to a base of brass, pewter, etc) will eventually wear away, exposing the cheaper metal beneath. I want all Brazen Design creations to be passed from generation to generation, a true investment in a work of art and beauty.

I am allergic to nickel, can I wear your jewellery?

There is no nickel present in sterling or pure silver, and all my “findings” (earwires, jump rings, wire, clasps) are all 100% sterling silver. However, if you have a very severe allergy and have been told to only wear gold or surgical steel, I can not guarantee that you won’t have an allergic reaction to silver. Allergies to silver are very rare – it is the copper or other metals alloyed with the silver to which a rare few have an allergic reaction.