Bronze Rosary Parts Vintage Antique Reproductions
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Patina on Wire

5/1/2014

9 Comments

 
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I have offered brass wire since my shop first opened.  But it took much more effort to find a Bronze wire that matched the rosary parts.  Most bronze wire is Phosphor bronze which is more copper colored than gold.  And it does not look right with our rosary parts.  But I have found a Bronze wire that is the same composition as our rosary parts. I am so thrilled to offer it to my customers.  

I hand patina all the wire that I offer on this website.  The process is individual to the type of wire.  I aim for uniformity but different rolls of wire may vary slightly in color.  Also, I sell the wire in 10 ft rolls for easy in handling the wire and coiling it for sale. 

I only put a light patina on my wire so that the rosary made will maintain some brightness while still matching the parts. 

 If you wish to remove some of the patina on your wire, swish it in vinegar and baking soda and then rinse in water.  That tends to brighten it up a bit.  But for my personal preference I rarely need to alter the wire after it is has a patina.

I hope that information is helpful. 

9 Comments

Matching crucifix for vintage rosary

8/8/2013

9 Comments

 
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When you are making repairs to a vintage rosary, it can be a challenge to find a rosary crucifix or center that fits the vintage style.  I am so happy when a customer is able to find the perfect piece from Beaded Rosary.com.   

This photo at left was sent to my from Nancy.   She purchased #243 Leaves Crucifix in bronze to match the vintage rosary that she was repairing.  I think it looks great! 

Thanks for sharing your photo, Nancy!

9 Comments

Gardens of Grace

6/1/2013

26 Comments

 
Thank you to Alice from Gardens of Grace website for her recent website link and for referring customers to BeadedRosary.com for antique reproduction parts.   GardensofGrace.net recently closed its doors and will only be offering a few exclusive parts on her Etsy shop. 

If you are missing any bronze rosary parts that Gardens of Grace no longer offers, be sure to ask.  There is a good chance I do have it in stock.   I will be offering many more parts for sale in the near future.


Alice has been a source of inspiration and support for many rosary makers for many years.  Thank you and best wishes in all your creative endeavors, Alice!
26 Comments

Our New Puppy

3/17/2013

5 Comments

 
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There's a new little bundle of fluff bouncing around our rosary workshop.  Her name is Coconut and we call her Coco for short.  She's a Small Miniature Schnauzer, currently weighing a wee 3 lbs.  I just thought I'd share the photo I took.  Isn't she too cute!

5 Comments

A note on Sterling Silver Parts

2/9/2013

10 Comments

 
The vintage rosary is becoming more and more popular as rosary makers everywhere discover the beauty of hand cast vintage parts.  Unfortunately the cost of Sterling is still prohibitively high.  For this reason, I have only a small stock of Sterling Silver on hand.  If you would like to special order any Sterling Silver parts, just send me a note on the contact form.  The parts will arrive in about a week...sometimes more.  So allow yourself a little time.    God bless!
10 Comments

April 16th, 2012

11/16/2012

14 Comments

 
When you first start using Stainless steel wire and bronze wire for rosaries, you have to be very careful not to use your expensive wire cutters.  They are not suitable for cutting Stainless steel and bronze wire and will dull them pretty quickly.
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      What I like to use are Memory Wire Sheers.  They are made for cutting Stainless steel wire....and they also work great for bronze wire.  They cost less than $10 at many stores....so they are very reasonably priced. 

Here is a description from the manufacturer....



 "Memory wire shear, approximately 5-1/2 inches long.
Made specifically to easily cut hard wires such as memory wire (steel) and precious metals. These shears will create a straight (flat) cutoff, so they work wonderfully for headpins too. Rubber coated, spring return handles are easy to use.
14 Comments

White Bronze

8/29/2012

94 Comments

 
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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.  


94 Comments

Bead caps update

8/29/2012

7 Comments

 
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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.

7 Comments

Create a Rosary Workshop

8/29/2012

189 Comments

 
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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!

189 Comments

First Post!

4/6/2012

8 Comments

 
As I am preparing for Easter both spiritually and physically, I am spending less time in the rosary work shop these past few days.  I am excited about Easter and all the good times that it will bring with family and friends.  I wish all my customers a very Holy and Happy Easter!  Look for more parts to come in the next few weeks.  I have many goals: Updating photography, putting up tutorials, and adding new parts....and amidst all of this, I can't stop making rosaries:)
8 Comments

    Mary - Rosary Designer

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