White bronze rosary parts are finally here!  Many of you may be wondering  what that is.  White Bronze is not actually Bronze though both are metal alloys.  The recipes are different.  White Bronze is made of copper, tin, and zinc and is also known as ‘Miralloy’.  Whereas Bronze, is made of copper with Tin as the main additive.

Both are Bronze and White Bronze are strong, resist corrosion and breakdown, are solderable, non-magnetic, smooth and virtually non-porous.

White Bronze is a perfect alternative to nickel and silver.  It has the look of aged silver, but the advantage is it does not tarnish.  Your pieces will not turn black.  Though, I have heard that over time they can take on a warmer look.

There are two reasons for the recent appearance of white bronze in the rosary making and jewelry world.  Many people have developed nickel allergies.  A documented 15% of the US population...as opposed to 10% during the 80's.  With allergies to nickel on the rise, it is no wonder that nickel is  being banned for jewellery use in the European Union.  

Over the summer I have been increasing inventory in several different supply areas.  One of these is bead caps.  I have several new varieties that are coming in soon.  At present the raw brass is being antiqued and finished, so they will be a perfect match to the antique rosary parts I sell.   I am especially looking forward to offering a few more caps that are both beautiful and affordable.  I am working on photography now. (pictures always slows me down!)  I hope you like our new bead caps.

For those of us who make rosaries everyday, a rosary workspace can quickly outgrow a dining room table.   I encourage the avid rosary maker to create their own designated work area.  It actually can save you a lot of time in the long run. 

Do you have a storage room, or little used room in your house?  The first step is to make sure there is adequate lighting.  I installed fluorescent light fixtures with 'natural' light tubes in them.  If you don't have a storage room, you might consider a rosary workspace in a recreation room or TV room.  Just be aware that if you have small children, beads should be behind a closed door and out of reach of toddlers.

Pictured above is my rosary workshop.  I used an old metal shelf to hold all my plastic bead boxes (which I purchased at Michaels) and a fold open table (I bought mine from BJs but Costco and office supply stores would be another place to check).    I recycled an office chair that rolls around (but is missing the back....I don't lean back when I make rosaries).  

But the best idea of all is hanging a large peg board.  Peg boards are sold at most Hardware stores.   Hang the board so that you leave a quarter inch space between the wall and the board.  Then you can insert hooks as needed, and hang all your beads, tools, and wire.  It is so much easier to place orders, when I can see my inventory at a glance! 

Below my Peg board I have two sets of plastic drawers ($12 from Walmart )  I have all kinds of miscellaneous cord, business cards, mailing bags and supplies in these drawers. 

I love my rosary workshop!  I hope that you can find a great way to organize your supplies as well!