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From the lens The Society for Midwest Metalsmiths.

  • Metalsmith Oct 25, 2011 @ 10:05 am | delete
    This is not the first time this has happened. Whenever the price of gold and silver goes up the fate of sterling and gold vintage pieces is in jeopardy. That's why antique pieces are so rare. I have a set of circa 1971 sterling 12 place setting, that I have calculated the newest melt down price on. So far I haven't broken down, but I would love to use the silver to make something new. I feel guilty, as this silver was a wedding present, but I never use it.
  • earthybirthymama Oct 25, 2011 @ 9:51 am | delete
    Sad to hear so many people are selling vintage silver pieces for scrap.
  • Metalsmith Sep 18, 2011 @ 11:29 am | delete
    Will there be a METAL Inclinations3?

    The fate of METAL Inclinations3 for 2012-2014 is unknown. I will be retiring as METAL Inclinations exhibition chair and am looking for a replacement. The job requires someone comfortable with: Social media, Dreamweaver or similar software to design and develop the MI3 website and Photoshop or similar photo imaging software. The chairperson will have to coordinate a committees of volunteers to promote and advertise the "call for entries" and the actual online exhibition. Other committees must be formed to select the jurors and work directly with the online entry/jurying process.
    Hope to find a volunteer to take on this job,
    Dayne Sislen
  • Senora_M Sep 16, 2011 @ 8:05 pm | delete
    Very interesting lens!
  • Metalsmith Apr 18, 2011 @ 4:49 pm | delete
    I thought we could generate more comments on this interesting subject. The price of silver is rising everyday. I hate to see the trend of melting down fine old pieces to make a little profit. A friend of mine had a early George Jensen signed by the master. I told her what an important piece it was. She didn't like the style for herself. She could not find a buyer, so she sold it for scrap. What a shame!
  • Nancy Feb 5, 2011 @ 2:03 pm | delete
    "Hi Metalsmith -

    I've really enjoy your lenses and am glad to see there is such a thriving smithing community in the mid-west.  I live in VA and am an antique dealer - I specialize in silver for the table and bar.

    One of the issues I'm interested in addressing is how can we make silverware relevant to Gen X (and Y)?  For many of my clients and peers, silver is old fashioned and high maintenance.  I'm trying to address this by showing clients, customers and basically anyone I can reach that silverware comes in many styles and tastes to suit a range of budgets, and (controversial point here) can be cleaned (with some caveats) in the dishwasher.

    I know this last point is in complete contradiction to information I have found on many smithing sites.  As a fan of silver and wanting to stay in business, in our society no one has time to hand wash/polish anymore.  The common dilemma is, do we want the silverware to stay in storage (getting more and more tarnished) or use it and subject it to perhaps less-than-ideal conditions?

    For so many of the people I see they never use their silver because they hate to polish.  So, it sits in storage...or even worse with metal prices so high they sell it for scrap!  The pieces I have purchased from scrap merchants would make any silversmith weep!

    I think that this is an issue that would benefit from some discussion.  I love to chat with you about your feelings on the subject.

    Best regards,
    Nancy"  --Silver Magpies <customerservice@silvermagpies.com>
  • Metalsmith Feb 5, 2011 @ 8:22 pm | delete
    Hi Nancy,

    We love silver, we appreciate the older styles and antique pieces. We also love to make new pieces using ancient and more contemporary methods of using silver. METAL Inclinations1 has a lot of contemporary silver pieces other than jewelry. http://smm-metalinclinations.org/MI1_home.htm

    Sterling used every day develops a beautiful patina and a well loved look, I wish more people would use their sterling everyday. A newer type of sterling called Argentium is easier to care for, we all love using it. As far as washing sterling in a dishwasher, I don't think I would do that with my sterling silver pieces. Dish washing liquid or powder can remove the patina in the recessed areas and discoloration and streaking can occur on polished areas. I prefer to wash sterling in hot soapy water and dry with a soft cloth. That's really not that much to ask.

    I will open this discussion up to other members of SMM.

    Thanks for starting this discussion,
    Dayne Sislen
  • Genevieve Flynn Feb 8, 2011 @ 10:32 am | delete
    Hello my first gut reaction to the question of putting silver in the dishwasher is a big NO! I am sure that the chemicals in the cleaning powders/liquids would possibly tarnish the silver along with the heat produced by the dishwasher.
    As for the "no one has time to wash things by hand" issue, I have never had a dishwasher and have no plans to. You make the time to do the things that matter. Anything that is new to you is a habit to get into.
    I think we need to educate the public when selling them sterling silver anything. Just like a jeweler educates the buyer when purchasing a piece that requires a bit of care.
    I really appreciate the questions and concerns and would like to thank you for your thoughts!
    Genevieve Flynn
  • Metalsmith Aug 22, 2009 @ 4:50 pm | delete
    You can ask any questions you may have about the METAL Inclinations Exhibition here on Squidoo.
  • Orangeone May 2, 2008 @ 8:34 am | delete
    I have entered the Metal Inclinations exhibition and was so pleased that the process was an easy one. Juried Art Services made it painless. Thanks!
  • Metalsmith Apr 23, 2008 @ 2:40 pm | delete
    I have started a blog about METAL Inclinations at: www.metalinclinations.blogspot.com

    I also have a Wiki site with a Q&A page at ,www.metalinclinations.wetpaint.com

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Metalsmith

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