October 7, 2026
Caring for beadwork, leather and silver
Handmade work is made to be used and loved. A few small habits keep it looking the way the artist intended.
Beadwork
Glass beads are durable, but the thread holding them is not. Keep beaded earrings and medallions away from water, perfume and lotion, and store them flat or hanging so the fringe doesn’t tangle. If a thread ever works loose, stop wearing the piece and ask us about a repair before beads go missing.
Leather and hide
Moccasins, mitts and pouches don’t like soaking. If they get wet, let them dry slowly at room temperature, away from heaters and direct sun, and work the leather gently with your hands as it dries so it stays soft.
Sterling silver and turquoise
Silver darkens naturally over time. Polish it with a soft silver cloth, never a dip cleaner, which can damage turquoise and other stones. Take rings off before washing hands or using cleaning products, and store each piece separately so stones don’t scratch.
Paintings and prints
Hang art out of direct sunlight and away from damp walls such as those in bathrooms. Framing prints behind UV-protective glass keeps colours bright for decades.