Clay Care

Tips on how to best care for your jewelry:


Store your clay jewelry in a cool, dry spot. Avoid getting your clay jewelry wet - this includes taking them off to bathe, shower or swim. Avoid wearing to the pool, spa or beach.

Refrain from wearing them while sleeping or exercising.

Avoid contact with other chemicals, including perfumes, body oils and household cleaners.

Polish gently with a soft cloth, do not use a polishing cloth.

Polymer Clay is a porous material and can scuff easily especially the light colors.

Polymer clay is a porous material, meaning it can scuff easily. Be sure to store your jewelry in a safe spot where it can not fall or get damaged.

Be sure not to sleep with your jewelry on. Although it is sturdy, they are handmade and must be cared for delicately at times depending on the materials.

Do not try to bend your clay jewelry - this can cause them to break, especially pieces that are not as thick. Although polymer clay is baked to harden, and can be quite durable, it is still breakable.

I suggest using a damp cloth to wipe in-between wears, if you find there are marks that don't come off you can use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad and wipe sparingly to remove the mark - however do not do this on beads or earrings which have metallic leaf or hand painted detailing as alcohol will affect the varnish which protects the leaf and may even remove it.

Over time polymer clay that is well worn and loved will get a natural patina and what I like to refer to as a lived in feel.

All of the above also applies to my hand painted earrings, although they have a layer of non-toxic varnish they are still very susceptible to damage or color fading. Try to avoid touching or rubbing the painted areas too much, Although it is protected it will still over time and heavy wear eventually fade.




How to Care for Your Gold Plated Jewelry


*Plating is a process where a layer of gold is placed on to coat the surface of another metal. As the jewelry is not 100% solid gold, extra care should be taken to maximize its lifespan.*

Do not spray on perfume or other sprays while wearing your gold-plated jewelry.

Wait until your lotion or cream is dry or has been absorbed by your skin before you wear your gold plated jewelry.

Substances like oil, nail polish, nail polish remover, chlorine, and perfume may react with metal/plated jewelry and cause it to fade. Avoid wearing while working out.

After use, clean your plated jewelry with a cotton ball or soft cloth to remove any dust and dirt. Gently rubbing the surface of your gold plated jewelry using a soft jewelry cloth, helps restore shine. Do not use a polishing cloth as this will strip away the plating.

If your jewelry needs more cleaning you may clean it with warm, soapy water. Soak it for a few minutes and dry with a soft cloth. Stay away from jewelry cleaners and antibacterial soaps which may have certain components that will make your gold plated jewelry fade.

To avoid scratches, wrap your jewelry in a soft cloth after cleaning or keep it in a jewelry box separate from other types of jewelry. Small zip-locks work great.

Store like items together. Do not store gold plating and silver plating together. The different metals will cause each other to fade and/or turn colors. Have different storage places for different colors of metals like gold and rose gold. Store in a dry area.


How to care for Brass on jewelry

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and will naturally tarnish when exposed to oxygen. Tarnishing is actually a protective layer for the brass. Keeping it shiny is easy.

Polish by using a jewelry polishing cloth. Brass cleaner can be used but sparingly. Apply a very small amount (less then a pea size) to a jewelry or microfiber cloth and clean gently. Apply only to the brass piece. Do not apply brass cleaner to polymer clay.

To avoid tarnishing store in a dry space away from direct sunlight and air vent. Its best to keep in a jewelry box with a lid.


Important Warning to Note:
*DO NOT allow any children to play with, wear or chew on your jewelry. They are NOT for teething purposes at all and will break when chewed on - which is a potential choking hazard. NEVER leave a child unsupervised around your jewelry, beads are a small and could be a SERIOUS choking hazard.*


Stella Mae Designs does not take any responsibility for any damages if they are mistreated.