It's hard to beat the feeling you get when you open your parcel from Frank Ideas.
There's the anticipation, followed by the excitement of actually trying your latest selection on.
Of course, you're feeling amazing (because, hello, bold designs make your heart sing), but before you take your statement piece on its first outing, let's talk about how you are going to keep your latest treasure looking its best.
The short version: Frank Ideas jewellery is made to be worn, not worshipped. Most pieces need almost no care at all. But each material has one or two quirks, and I'm going to spill all of them, including the mistakes I've made myself.
Rowan (Frank Ideas) wearing: Knot Necklace, Wide Rubber Bangle with Holes, Revenge Earrings, Square Ring
How do I care for rubber jewellery?
Quick answer: wipe it with a damp cloth, keep it out of long stints in direct sun, and don't stretch it like a slingshot. That's genuinely it.
The wonderful thing about all Frank Ideas' designs is that you don't need to be precious with them.
Frank Ideas' Rubber Jewellery is made to be worn often and admired endlessly.
- It doesn't like to be locked away and only taken out on special occasions. It is actually kept soft by the natural oil in your skin so wearing it is a good thing.
- It doesn't need you to worry that you might break it.
- It expects you to throw it on and march boldly into the world knowing that you look amazing.
I use a lot of recycled rubber disks, washers, o-rings and gaskets in my designs. These materials have often been rescued from being sent to landfill because they are old stock or surplus to needs. Because they haven't been freshly manufactured, the rubber may have bumps, scratches and imperfections in it. It's those very imperfections that give your jewellery its character.
I look at myself as an example: old, weathered and imperfect is what makes me fabulous...I think it's the same for Frank Ideas jewellery!
Occasionally, though, your rubber jewellery will respond well to a little loving care:
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A simple wipe with a damp cloth does the trick.
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For extra shine, use any car care spray designed for rubber (think ArmorAll or similar) and buff with a soft, clean cloth. You'll be amazed how much brighter it looks.
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Long periods in direct sun can fade rubber and eventually perish it — so don't leave it sitting on a windowsill (or in a hot car) for days.
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It will forgive almost anything except extreme stretching, so treat the cords a little gently while still having fun.
Dayle (@ArtfulCityStyle on Instagram) wearing 8 Chunky Felt Beads and Rubber and Felt necklace
How do I care for felt ball necklaces?
Quick answer: slide the felt balls gently (hold the cord close to the ball you're moving), keep them out of prolonged direct sun, and spot-clean only. NEVER machine wash.
You'll love the playful way the felt balls can be moved along the rubber to customise your look. Just hold the cord close to the ball you wish to move. That will prevent over-stretching the rubber.
The delicious felt colours will fade if left in direct sunlight for days, so give them a shady home when you're not wearing them.
If a felt ball picks up a mark, dab gently with a barely-damp cloth and let it air dry. You can use a needle or tweezers to rough up the texture of felt after you have cleaned it.
Dayle(@ArtfulCityStyle on Instagram)wearing Chunky Resin and Rubber Necklace
How do I care for resin jewellery?
Quick answer: Don't drop it, and restore its glow with a tiny dab of hand cream rubbed on and wiped off.
Resin is the slightly dramatic friend of the jewellery world: fabulous, but brittle. It may chip or break if dropped on tiles or concrete, so take a moment when putting it on or off.
Because the resin beads are handmade, there may be the odd fingerprint or small dent on the surface. These are a natural part of the beads - I choose not to over sand the bead, because perfection is overrated.
If the beads ever look like they've dried out, lustre can be restored (and minor scratches diminished) with a small amount (ie a tiny bit) of hand cream. Rub it on and then wipe off with a cloth and admire. Some companies recommend using baby oil, you could try this but I worry that residue might end up on your favourite top, so hand cream, rubbed in well is my pick.
Rowan (Frank Ideas) wearing: Flower Power Abstract Necklace Rings Cyclone Earrings
What about acrylic and perspex jewellery?
Quick answer: no harsh chemicals, no hot water, no dropping. A polish with a soft cloth keeps it gleaming.
Acrylic, like resin can break if dropped on hard surfaces so be a little cautious when putting on or taking off your jewellery.
It also doesn't like harsh chemicals: l nail polish remover and hairspray are its sworn enemies. It doesn't like hot water so remove when bathing and don't do the dishes wearing any Frank Ideas rings (in fact I don't think doing the dishes is ever a good idea.)
A polish with a soft cloth should be enough to keep it looking great.
How do I care for pearl and rubber jewellery?
Quick answer: pearls go on last and come off first. Keep them away from perfume, hairspray and sunscreen, wipe with a soft dry cloth after wearing, and let them breathe.
Yes, pearls are now officially part of the Frank Ideas family, rubbing shoulders (literally) with recycled rubber. The pearls are the divas of the line-up, and like all good divas they have a rider:
- Last on, first off. Put your pearls on after your perfume, hairspray, sunscreen and makeup, and take them off before you remove any of the above. The chemicals dull their lustre over time.
- After wearing, give them a quick wipe with a soft, dry cloth, they pick up skin oils during the day.
- Don't seal pearls in an airtight plastic bag; they actually prefer a little air. A soft pouch is their happy place.
- No swimming, bathing or dishwashing in pearls. (Sensing a theme with the dishes? Good.)
Rowan wearing Wooden Pebble Necklace -reclaimed timber
How do I care for wooden bead jewellery?
Quick answer: keep wood dry, wipe promptly if it gets damp, and keep it out of prolonged direct sun.
Wooden beads are wonderfully light and warm to wear, but wood and water are not friends. Take wooden pieces off before showering or swimming. For the natural wooden beads it's a good idea to occasionally buff them with a soft cloth and timber polish (something with beeswax is what I prefer)
Like rubber and felt, wood will fade if left sunbathing for days — so no permanent residency on the windowsill.
How do I stop sterling silver earrings tarnishing?
Quick answer: store them in a small zip bag or pouch away from open air, buff with a silver polishing cloth when needed, and keep them well away from pools and spas.
Sterling silver naturally tarnishes when exposed to air — it's chemistry, not a character flaw. To slow it down, store silver pieces in a small zip-lock bag or soft pouch when you're not wearing them.
If they do dull, a silver polishing cloth (from any supermarket or jeweller) brings the shine back in seconds.
One absolute rule: no chlorine. Pools, spas and silver are a terrible love triangle. Take your silver earrings off before you swim.
How do I care for textile and ruffle collar necklaces?
Quick answer: spot-clean with a damp cloth, never machine wash, and store flat or loosely rolled rather than crushed.
Can I swim, shower or exercise in my Frank Ideas jewellery?
Quick answer: rubber is tough, but the safest rule for ALL Frank Ideas pieces is take it off before you get wet.
I know, I know, the rubber looks indestructible. And it nearly is. But chlorine, salt water and hot soapy water are unkind to silver findings, pearls, wood, felt and resin, and sunscreen is unkind to everything.
So: beach day, pool day, gym session? Statement jewellery goes on after, when you're ready for your fabulous entrance. Which is the better moment for it anyway.
How should I store my Frank Ideas jewellery?
Quick answer: cool, dry, out of direct sun, and not crushed. Hang or lay necklaces loosely, pouch the silver and pearls.
Where your jewellery lives matters almost as much as how you treat it when it's out:
- Out of direct sunlight: sun is the common enemy of rubber, felt, wood and resin alike. Just like our skin, long exposure causes fading and damage.
- Away from heaters and hot cars, heat ages rubber prematurely. (If only we could store ourselves in a cool dark drawer occasionally.)
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Necklaces: hang them or lay them flat and loosen so the cords aren't kinked or stretched. Rubber is forgiving, but it doesn't love being scrunched into a ball for six months.
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Silver and pearls: soft pouch or zip bag, as above.
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Textile pieces: flat or loosely rolled.
Does Frank Ideas jewellery travel well?
Quick answer: brilliantly. Rubber is light, nearly indestructible, and sails through airport security without a beep.
This is where rubber jewellery truly shows off. It weighs next to nothing, doesn't care about being squashed into a suitcase for a flight (just unpack it when you arrive), won't shatter, and won't trigger the metal detector drama that proper-metal statement pieces can.
Pop pieces into individual pouches or zip bags so cords don't tangle, tuck them into your suitcase, and you're ready to be the best-dressed person at every European café. Several of my customers plan their entire travel wardrobes around their Frank Ideas pieces; I consider this extremely correct behaviour.
The golden rules (if you remember nothing else)
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Jewellery goes on last. After makeup, hair, perfume and sunscreen - not before. (Ask me how I know!)
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Sun fades things. Don't let your pieces live on a windowsill or in the car.
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Water off, jewellery on. Swim, shower and wash up without your rings, bangles, earrings or necklaces.
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A damp cloth fixes most things; a soft dry cloth fixes the rest.
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Wear it often. This jewellery was made to be out in the world turning heads, not hiding in a drawer.
Frank Ideas jewellery care: quick answers
Can I wear rubber jewellery every day? Absolutely, it's designed for it. An occasional wipe with a damp cloth is all the maintenance it needs.
Why does my recycled rubber have marks or imperfections? Because it's genuinely recycled, ie rescued washers, o-rings and gaskets that have lived a life before becoming jewellery. The marks are part of its character, not flaws.
Can I swim in my Frank Ideas jewellery? Best not to. Chlorine and salt water are hard on silver, pearls and resin. Take it off before the water, put it back on for your grand exit.
How do I make dull rubber shiny again? A rubber-safe car care spray (like ArmorAll) on a soft cloth. Wipe on, buff off, admire.
How do I clean a felt ball necklace? Spot-clean only: a barely-damp cloth, gentle dabbing, air dry.
How do I fix scratched or dull resin beads? A tiny amount of hand cream rubbed on and wiped off restores lustre and softens minor scratches.
Got a care question I haven't answered? Email me at info@frankideas.biz . I love hearing from you, and your question will probably improve this guide for everyone.