The Chain Gang I

Multi-Functional Pieces

STARTING AT $60.00 

The Extender (with clasp), 3-way Earring (with hoop earring) & Rolling Tea Ring

[See Below for Individual Prices of Each]  

 E-mail me so we can determine a size that fits your 1st knuckle

brenda@oneseedwonders.ca

I use my chain gang pieces as intention setters and daily reminders.I got this from my Dad who used to put his wedding ring on his right hand when he needed to remember something. Mom always asked, "what's your ring doing on your wrong hand again?" (then he remembered what he forgot)! They were quite the team. Let me tell you!

I end my day with a cup of tea. I usually get so engrossed in what I'm doing and forget the time so I set an alarm to warn me it's the end of the day. A lot of my time is spent at my desk either typing, writing by hand, drawing/painting or sewing.

When the bell rings, I clear my desk and go to the cabinet where I keep my silver pieces and my tea set ... and put them on. I have a silver leaf I put in the cup or my pot with the leaves I chose for the day. It's said that pure silver purifies the water. My jewellery is worn at the end of the day to set the intention that reminds me this time is special and it's time to relax. 

It's the time of day when I do a daily Review and Renew. I habit stack  and add the next new micro-action, if needed, that helps level up my next day and takes the trajectory I'm on for the week up another notch. At the end of the week, I do another Weekly Review/Renew and again up my game using intentions earlier set for each Month.

This late afternoon ritual reminds me of my accomplishments. It becomes a time to give myself a pat on the back. It's a time to quickly schedule and reschedule things for the next day or later in the week/month, etc. 

My jewelery is part & parcel of my tea pets. Before I put it on, I pour the first flush of tea, used to wash the leaves, over both in a spirit of cleansing and having them join me for tea, as tea friends - this time is when bren and her friends go zen. 

These pieces are displayed on the my tea pet characters. This is why. If you're unfamiliar with tea pets, here's a link to some fun info about their history and use. They are typically used as companions while enjoying tea with others or on your own. 

Putting my piece(s) back on my pets, signals tea time is over and it's time to get on with the next part of the day. Meal Prep. I enjoy cooking and so it's with pleasure that I gather up my tea paraphernalia and head into the kitchen to wash it and let it dry as I figure dinner out.

The Chain Gang is a multi-functional set of pure silver. There are 3 separate yet different bracelets that pair with the Extender/3-Way Harmony Earring Accessories (each piece is purchased individually).

These chains are an integral part of the TeaGardenJewelry collection. Same-size end links seamlessly blend in with one another using matching spring clasps to connect necklaces of varying lengths. They combine, too, with the Silk & Silver Charms and are as charming as the Beady Guys Rings & Earrings. 

All pieces are one-of-a-kind, 14 guage, .999 Pure Silver, hand-fabricated and fused (not soldered) chain links, made in my studio by me. Fusing the silver ensures the precious metal remains pure. However, the accessory clasps and endless hoop earrings ((included) are Sterling Silver. 

Working with .999 Pure Silver is different than with alloy metals such as Argentium or Sterling Silver. Pure Silver is softer and doesn't tarnish. It's recyclable and more sustainable. I purchase silver from places that also source theirs with integrity. Joinery maintained through fusing rather than soldering ensures that no other metals are introduced during the process.

I love the contradictory nature of pure silver. You both need and don't need to take care of it (because it doesn't tarnish like other metals); but need to take care of it because it's a pure metal and is soft like gold. 

These pieces have been work-hardened though friction so they can withstand daily wear. You will, though, want to take them off at the end of the day and put them to sleep in the tiny tin case(s) they come to you in. The sterling pieces will remain untarnished if you keep them there because there's a tarnish strip tucked inside the tins ... but if they do tarnish, it's easy to clean them (just buff lightly).

I tend to bed pieces not joining me for tea in the tin boxes and I keep these all in a dedicated space so I always know where they are. As for the botanical charms, I display them under pretty inverted crystal wine glasses and treat them as home decor where they're within quick reach to pair and wear before running out the door.

FUN FACT: Changing the purity and taste of water, used for tea (or coffee) by charging it with dedicated pure silver jewellery might be a bit of a new idea ... but did you know that pure silver-lined tea cups and pots have been used for this  purpose since well before the Tang Dynasty (618-907AD) when its use dramatically increased. 

Many swear by them. I know, I do.

I most often have my tea Grandpa-style but I usually include some basics below depending on how much time I have and have included some clips for you to look at so you get a taste of some of what goes on in gong fu tea ceremonies.

One of my favourite online tea houses recently added pure silver tea leaves to their product line. The line of silver leaves I've made for my own personal use are based on botanicals found on my roof, in my gardens and on walks through my neighbourhood. Originally intended as charms and pendants, I began dropping them into tea and that's as far as I've gotten with this line to-date. Let me know if you would like me to make you some for your tea pot. I am working on a pansiola collection for next year. 

Here is a quick look at a 60-second Gong Fu tea ceremony. A special tray is used when water is poured over pots, cups and tea pets. 

My silver pieces remain in my tea cupboard and are cleaned at the start of each tea session with boiling water. If you want to start using your pieces for this, too, clean them in the same way and toss them in your cup as your tea steeps. Do a before and after tasting and let me know if you taste a difference. Here is a longer calming overview of the Gong Fu tea ceremony filmed with music from a Buddhist chant called Green Tara Mantra. 

I have a lovely silver-lined cup that I use for Mei Leaf and The Tea Practitioner  pu'erh teas . I find it noticeably enhances citrus flavours in these teas.

Geek Out: Pure Silver is 99.9% Silver, Argentium is between 96% and 93.5% Silver depending on the percentage of metals added (the latter is 5.5% Copper and 1% Germanium) where Sterling Silver is 92.5% Silver (7.5% usually copper or zinc).

Mix&Match: the Harmony, Variety and Harmony with Variety Bracelets to create necklaces of various lengths. Extenders further vary bracelet/necklace lengths.

See Sizing Guide for Necklace Types and Measurements.

Bracelets and extender/earring sets are designed to be combined in various ways:

• The Anne Bracelets (each 7-1/2 " Harmony links -> all round links of the same size) can be joined together form a 15" Collar/Choker Necklace (clasps add about 3/4"). With the addition of The Laura Rolling Rings Extender, your piece becomes a low-sitting Choker at 17" and with two, a 19" Princess style necklace. Extenders can also be worn as rolling tea rings rings on your first knuckle and/or as earrings (3 ways, depending on how links are looped through the sterling endless hoop earrings that are included with them.

[Three bracelets seamlessly join to form a 23" Matinee style necklace. Add a couple of extenders and create a 27" Opera length necklace.]

THE ANNE: Harmony Bracelet: 15 links of 14 guage, Pure .999 Silver, 13mm (7-1/2 inches long x 5/8 inch wide), includes Sterling spring clasp) $140.00

Harmony w Variety Bracelet: 11 links of 14 guage, Pure .999 Silver, 16mm (8-1/4 inchles long x 3/4 inch wide), includes Sterling spring clasp) $140.00

Variety Bracelet: 11 links of 14 guage, Pure .999 Silver, 13/16/20mm (7-3/4 inches long x 7/8 inch wide), includes Sterling spring clasp) $140.00

THE LAURA: Single 3-Link Extender/3-Way Earring Accessory: 3 links of 14 guage, Pure .999 Silver, 13mm (1-7/8 inch wide) includes a Sterling spring clasp + a Sterling endless hoop earring, 12mm. $60.00 ... (psssst - the rings can also be worn as a rolling trinity ring on a finger of your first knuckle (e-mail your ring size after you make the purchase).