Watches

HISTORY OF WATCHES
In the Middle Ages clocks were driven by heavy weights that made them stationary. Spring clocks were invented in the 15th Century which made them light enough so that by the 16th Century small clocks could be carried by a person leading to the development of the pocket watch which was carried in the pocket and hung on a chain. In the 20th Century the pocket watch was replaced by the wrist watch. The electronic quartz watch was introduced in 1969 which is more accurate and more convenient than the spring driven mechanical watch and has largely replaced it. Now we also have digital watches although the quartz watch remains popular.

You can find fashionable watches with hand made beaded wire wrapped watch straps at Beadshaper Gallery

History of Onyx

HISTORY OF ONYX
Onyx was popular with the Ancient Greeks and Romans. The Greek Onyx was of a number of colors, but the Romans used the word to refer only to the black variety (which is what we usually call onyx today) and a reddish brown variety called sardonyx. Onyx has been often been used in making cameos both in ancient Rome down to more recent times because it's softness is conducive to carving. The black color of black onyx is often enhanced by a dyeing process because of its porousness. Black onyx and black clothing were worn by Queen Victoria of England after the death of her husband, Prince Albert. This made onyx very popular in England in the late 19th Century. It has remained a popular stone for jewelry to this day.

Handcrafted lampwork jewelry pieces complemented with onyx stones can be found in the Beadshaper's Boutique on the second floor of the Andersonville Galleria at 5247 N Clark Street in Chicago as well as on the web at http://www.beadshaper.com/