Green your studio!

[H. Palleiko Designs]

I actually just blogged about this subject yesterday with a few small steps that can be a catalyst to creating a more green studio. Here are a few things I listed:

I don't use paper towels in my studio. Instead I use rags I have cut from my husband's old cotton t-shirts. When they need washing I simply throw them in the wash with everything else. Think about the amount of paper towels you go through. Can you eliminate half that amount?

I recycle and use recycled/upcycled metal scrap in a lot of my work. I also recycle or reuse plastic and paper products use in shipping and packaging.

For pickling my metal after soldering I do not use a toxic substance. Instead I use straight distilled white vinegar. It takes a little bit longer but the end result is exactly the same.

I currently use a store bought chemical flux (as little as possible when needed) but one can also make their own using boric acid mixed with denatured acohol; yielding a much safer product.

You can see the entire post here: http://hpalleikodesigns.blogspot.com

I am interested to see what other do in their studios to create a more green space.

[Heather Skowood]

you should hook up with Christine Dhein who send out a monthly green jewelry newsletter!

[H. Palleiko Designs]

Well... Tom, Its now October and I am finally back chiming in. The salt definitely speeds up the pickling process. Interestingly, I attempted using apple cider vinegar today as I ran out of regular distilled white vinegar. It did NOTHING.

"As to the plating it should work (I'm in the process of trying it now for you). You get the copper plating because the free copper floating around in your pickle--why it turns blue-- is negatively charged, most of the non-ferrous metal ions are. Iron, on the other hand is positively charged so when you add binding wire or whatever steel into the pickle you create a plating situation since acids are electrolytes."As to the plating it should work (I'm in the process of trying it now for you). You get the copper plating because the free copper floating around in your pickle--why it turns blue-- is negatively charged, most of the non-ferrous metal ions are. Iron, on the other hand is positively charged so when you add binding wire or whatever steel into the pickle you create a plating situation since acids are electrolytes."

You know, now that you mention it, those college courses are coming back into memory and what you said makes perfect sense.

I will definitely check out Christine Dhein's green jewelry newsletter.