What's the difference between a nursing necklace and a regular necklace?
There's really nothing specific about a nursing necklace, technically, other than it's durability.
The necklaces that I call nursing necklaces are simply necklaces that are constructed very strong, so that there's no part that would break off or snap even when wildly yanked. (That is not to say these pieces are completely indestructable, and they should never be used as teething rings for a small child. Beads can and do break on a teething baby- I've seen some amazing strength in those baby gums, even when there's no tooth to chomp. I have even heard stories of babies managing to break solid pieces of metal, so these necklaces should not be confused with the colorful plastic toys at your local kid store!)
There are many sellers of nursing necklaces online that sell work which implies that babies will be unlikely to notice a piece of jewelry unless it is "colorful" and looks like a toy. It has been my experience, however, that my children always preferred things that were more adult - as illustrated by the dozens of times I spent hours trying to locate what they did with my car keys while their colorful plastic ones sat ignored in their toy box. I suspect the plastic ones are born out of the idea that teeny infants see bright colors better, but infants at that stage haven't yet reached an age where nursing necklaces come into play. Nursing necklaces worn by mothers of infants before the age of about 3-4 months are really purely ornamental, as is all jewelry. That is why I try to make all of my nursing necklaces something that is beautiful and will be enjoyed by everyone, not just baby. And indeed, many of my customers buy the loop-style necklaces constructed as nursing necklaces without ever intending to use them for their "functional" purpose.
Necklace Size:
I am often asked how large the loop pendants are. Each necklace is unique and I do not have a standard answer. However, I always try to provide an image of the necklace worn, so please be sure to take a look at that photo to get a sense of the size. The model in the photos is of medium build.
About the length of the necklaces:
For nursing necklaces, each pendant is strung according to the customer's desired length at the time of purchase.
This is to remove the need for extensions, which will make the necklace less sturdy.
My necklaces are not adjustable - so far I have found that most necklaces of this kind that claim to be "adjustable" turn out to be hanging from a cord with a slip-knot tied on the end - I use large easy to use lobster claw clasps on my work.
My pieces have several tension points and many of them are designed to slide around on the cord to keep some of the tension down. (It also had a very calming effect on my daughter to be able to play with it in this way, without driving me as crazy as when the whole necklace yanked on my neck)
Because of this, I ask that when you order a necklace from me, please let me know how low you'd like the loop to hang so I can adjust the length of the cord.
More informatin
Why Loops?
There's nothing about a nursing necklace that requires it to be a loop pendant. This is just my signature style.
When I started making this jewelry for myself as my children were both easily distractable nursers, I searched online for something I would like and didn't really find anything that fit my taste. I didn't wear much jewelry at all at the time, but the functional aspects of such a necklace was rapidly gaining appeal as my daughter was quite the pincher. I made regular beaded necklaces with large beads on wire with magnetic clasps but found them too heavy for me to wear comfortably.
Then I someone showed me a nursing necklace that consisted of a leather cord with a knotted pendant on the end with big beads and chinese coins. This gave me the idea of creating pendants.
My mother had a little gold pendant with a single pearl in the center given to her by my father when I was born, which I wore at my wedding and this gave me the idea of a round loop pendant that could be grabbed by a baby. I worked on a design where form follows function, gaining sturdiness and allowing for the pendants to slide to relieve some of the pressures that exploring fingers might cause when yanking on the loop. I use satin non-organic materials that wont break down over time, and I use large easy to grasp clasps because I didn't like struggling with getting my jewelry on and off each day.
I no longer need the jewelry for it's functional purpose, but I continue to make these pendants for all to enjoy if only for their ornamental value. I like that they have a pleasurable tactile aspect to them, a bit like worry-beads, that adds to their appeal.
Shipping and Payment Policies
Shipping and payment policies .
Sold Work:
If there is an item in the archives of sold work that you were particularly interested in, I may be able to reproduce something like it, depending on how difficult it is to get the required components to make it.
Many of the pieces, especially those with artisan lampwork centerpieces, however, are unique one-of-a-kind creations, and I am only able to make more if the centerpiece came from a set of beads that I still happen to have more of here, or if the artist can remember how they made that piece (assuming that the artist is one that I am in contact with regularly.)
I have been asked about sold work prices frequently. Prices of sold work are not displayed, because it can cost me very different amounts to ask an artist to recreate something custom for me, assuming that they are able to recreate it at all. I tend to find my beads and components at a wide variety of places, from random bead shops encountered while traveling to special bead shows to direct from artists at various sales, so I look for the best possible deals so that I may keep my prices reasonable for new moms to still be able to afford some lovely jewelry for themselves. Because of this, a piece I sold a year ago may cost a different amount if I have to go out of my way to relocate the components now.
Custom Orders:
Yes, I do custom orders.
Need a matching pair of earrings to go with that necklace? Yes! I do offer those as well!
I can also do custom work based on themes and colors too. If you have a specific idea such as "elephants in blues" these are especially fun for me to try to do.
Bear in mind that I fill current orders before I do custom work, so how long it will take me to do something will totally depend on how busy I am. So, if you're looking for custom work right before Christmas, Valentines Day, or Mothers Day, expect it's going to take longer to get to individual special requests.
I'm going to have to start asking for advance down-payment for larger custom orders. I've simply run into too many vague requests that ended with me spending a lot of time, energy and money getting supplies together for folks who changed their mind on what it was they wanted or suddenly realized "oops" they didn't actually have any disposable income to spare right now.
Brochures/Samples:
I have been asked repeatedly if I have brochures or free samples of the nursing necklaces for folks to bring to classes and clinics where they teach and work with new moms. Unfortunately, at this time I am just a home-based mom-artist, and I do my best to keep my prices very reasonable to cover the cost of my beads and supplies and a little bit for the work. I do try to always have a few inexpensive items on the available-for-purchase list, offering some low cost pieces as well. Be aware that I use artisan glasswork for much of my work, and these are usually the biggest driving factor for my pricing.
As for brochures, I don't really have anything like that - I would be happy to include a bunch of extra business cards if you mention it at the time of your order, and when I ship necklaces that will be used as a nursing necklace, I always include a card or letter of explanation of the concept of what a nursing necklace is used for, which can be used, for example, when gifting such necklaces at baby showers to new moms. I can also provide you with a link to this document for printing out multiple copies. I don't have any sort of printed catalog, as my website shows the currently available stock, which changes on a regular basis based on what has sold and what new items I have made!
Who makes these?
I do! All items you'll find here are handmade with love by me!
You can read more about me over here.
Are the materials you use lead-free?
I go out of my way to try to use lead-free metal components for all my work. I cannot test all components, but I always ask when buying to make sure that they are labeled lead-free.
Most of the silver accents in the nursing necklaces are lead-free pewter (it doesn't seem to tarnish as much) or silver plated base metals that have been labeled lead free.
The only exception that I am aware of when it comes to using leaded materials is the use of Swarovski crystals.
Swarovski crystal information
On my site, I offer some beaded designs that are made with leaded crystals by Swarovski.
For more than a hundred years, Swarovski has been the world's leading brand for cut crystal. Swarovski crystal is the culmination of merging natural materials, cut to provide ultimate brilliance. If you want to learn more about Swarovski crystal, please click here to visit their Web site.
Swarovski crystals, like most other crystals, contain lead oxide. Lead creates the refraction of the crystal with the maximum refraction at 30-32% lead content. Lead also adds to the weight of the crystal giving it a more substantial feel. Austrian Swarovski crystal contains approximately 32% lead. Full lead crystal must contain above 30% lead oxide content in order to be consider full lead crystal.
Please note, Lead levels in these products comply with FDA standards.
There are a couple of pieces in the nursing necklace category that use genuine Swarovski crystal as accents, though I use these in small quantities for accent rather than as a dominant part of the design. The Public Health Statement for Lead states that "not much lead can get into your body through your skin" and routine handling of leaded metals is more likely to cause a transfer than getting the lead out of the crystal, but to be on the safe side, I am discontinuing use of the Swarovski crystals for all future designs in the nursing necklace category. (New designs in other categories, however, will still occasionally use the leaded crystals.)
Having said all this, I want to stress that nursing necklaces should never be used as teethers anyway (regardless of lead content or lack of it in any particular piece.) Children should not be placing the jewelry in their mouths and they should not be left unattended with a necklace either. Glass can crack, stones can break, metal can break, beads are choking hazards, and the cord is a strangulation hazard. These are designed for mom to wear with the idea that a child can yank on it without breaking mom's favorite necklace (and give the child a distraction to tug on when in mom's arms, while giving mom's hair/glasses/shirt etc a break from constant grabbing), but they are not plastic teether toys for babies to munch on. Please use your jewelry responsibly.
California Proposition 65- For California Residents
I try to ensure that the products sold at my store comply with all applicable safety and health requirements. Below is the lead warning that is required by the State of California in conjunction with the use of Swarovski crystals.
If a person is from California when they purchase something containing Swarovsky crystals from my store, California requires the following notice of the Proposition 65 warning to be shown.
Attention California residents. Proposition 65 WARNING:
Consuming foods or beverages that have been kept or served in leaded crystal products or handling products made of leaded crystal will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or reproductive harm.
The Public Health Statement for Lead is available online here.
Wholesale:
Please contact me for large orders.
Click here for details about my wholesale policy.
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