Care Guide for Handmade Pieces

Handmade accessories should be kept dry, handled by their supporting structure and stored separately from heavier or abrasive objects. Because CLMADE pieces may combine fine fibres, woven textiles, sterling-silver components, plated metals, wood, glass and decorative details, always follow the instructions on the individual product page first.

This care guide provides general guidance for CLMADE earrings, hair clips, hairpins, brooches, sweater chains, gift boxes and decorative ornaments. Material composition and construction vary by product, so a method that is suitable for one piece may not be appropriate for another.

How should handmade accessories be cared for?

• Handle each piece with clean, dry hands.
• Keep it away from water, steam and prolonged high humidity.
• Avoid direct contact with perfume, hairspray, lotion, cosmetics, sanitiser and household cleaners.
• Lift and adjust the item by its base, stem, clasp, pin or supporting fitting.
• Do not pull delicate petals, textile surfaces, chains or decorative attachments.
• Remove accessories before bathing, swimming, sleeping or exercising.
• Store pieces separately in a clean, dry box with enough room to protect their form.
• Refer to the product page before cleaning, polishing or attempting to reshape an item.

For a clearer explanation of how CLMADE records composition and construction, visit Materials & Making.

General handling and storage

Handmade forms can be affected by crushing, pulling, snagging, repeated friction and pressure from heavier objects. Place each accessory down gently on a stable, clean surface and avoid carrying it by a flower, bead, chain or other decorative attachment.

Store accessories in separate compartments or individual soft pouches before placing them inside a rigid box. Keep enough space around dimensional flowers, suspended chains and raised decorative details so they are not compressed. Store the box away from prolonged direct sunlight, excessive heat, moisture and rapid changes in humidity.

Do not wash, soak, iron, tumble-dry or machine-clean a CLMADE product unless the individual product instructions expressly permit it. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, silver dips, abrasive polishing products and chemical jewellery cleaners on mixed-material pieces.

How do you care for natural mulberry-silk Ronghua pieces?

All current CLMADE earrings use natural mulberry silk for their shaped Ronghua flower forms. Metal fittings, beads and other supporting components vary by design, so check the individual product page before cleaning any non-silk part.

Ronghua is a Chinese decorative flower-making tradition in which carefully prepared silk fibres are shaped and assembled into soft, dimensional forms. The finished surface requires gentle handling because pressure, pulling and moisture can affect the arrangement of the fibres and petals.

• Lift Ronghua earrings and hair ornaments by their base, stem or metal fitting rather than by the petals.
• Do not press, fold, pull or repeatedly brush the flower surface.
• Keep the fibres dry and away from steam or prolonged high humidity.
• Apply perfume, hairspray and cosmetics before putting on the accessory.
• Remove the piece before sleeping, bathing, swimming, exercising or changing clothing.
• Store it in a rigid box with enough space to prevent the flower from being compressed.

If fibres move slightly during storage, do not pull, trim or apply water to them. Use only the product-specific reshaping guidance supplied with the piece. If no guidance is provided, contact CLMADE before attempting an adjustment.

Explore the Ronghua Silk Flowers collection, read What Is Ronghua? Chinese Velvet Flower Craft Explained, or learn more about Ronghua and Song Brocade craft traditions.

How do you care for Song Brocade accessories?

Song Brocade is a patterned woven textile whose character comes from the relationship between thread, structure, colour and surface. Repeated rubbing, snagging, moisture and strong light may gradually affect the fabric.

• Keep the textile away from sharp jewellery, rough surfaces and hook-and-loop fasteners.
• Do not pull loose threads or cut them without product-specific guidance.
• If light surface dust is present, use a clean, soft and dry brush with minimal pressure.
• Do not soak, scrub, bleach, tumble-dry or iron a finished Song Brocade accessory.
• Store the item dry, supported and protected from prolonged direct sunlight.
• Avoid placing heavy objects on brocade-covered boxes, fans or decorative accessories.

If a textile accessory becomes wet, blot it gently with a clean, colourfast cloth and allow it to air-dry naturally away from direct heat. Do not rub, twist or use a hair dryer on the fabric.

Explore the Song Brocade collection.

How should sterling-silver components be cared for?

Some CLMADE products may include 925 sterling-silver components. Sterling silver can develop surface tarnish through exposure to air, moisture, cosmetics and skin oils. Always confirm the composition on the relevant product page before using a polishing method.

• Wipe exposed silver gently with a clean, dry jewellery cloth after use.
• Keep polishing cloths away from delicate fibres, textiles, beads and adhesives.
• Store the item in a dry, closed container when it is not being worn.
• Avoid chemical dips, abrasive cleaners and vigorous polishing on mixed-material pieces.
• Stop cleaning if the cloth catches on a fibre, thread or decorative attachment.

Do not assume that every silver-coloured component is sterling silver. The confirmed metal and finish should be stated on the individual product page.

How should plated metal and alloy components be cared for?

Gold- or silver-coloured plating is a surface finish applied over a base metal. Friction, perspiration, moisture and chemicals can gradually alter a plated surface.

• Remove plated accessories before bathing, swimming, sleeping or exercising.
• Keep them away from perfume, sanitiser, lotion, hairspray and household cleaners.
• Wipe the metal gently with a soft, dry cloth after use.
• Do not use metal polish, abrasive cloths or chemical jewellery cleaners on plated surfaces.
• Store individual pieces separately to reduce scratching and repeated friction.

Metal composition and finish vary between products. Refer to the product page for confirmed information instead of choosing a cleaning method by colour alone.

How should wood components be cared for?

Wood can respond to moisture, heat and changing humidity. Natural differences in colour and grain may be visible between handmade pieces.

• Keep wood dry and away from prolonged direct sunlight.
• Do not soak it or clean it with alcohol, solvents or household chemicals.
• Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth.
• Do not place wooden components against wet textiles or recently applied cosmetics.
• Store the item where it will not be bent, crushed or pressed by heavier objects.

How should glass beads and decorative components be handled?

Glass elements, pearl-like beads and small decorative components should be protected from impact, sudden pressure and repeated pulling.

• Place the object down gently on a stable surface.
• Do not carry or lift an item by a glass bead or decorative attachment.
• Keep small components away from young children and pets.
• Stop using the product if a bead becomes cracked, chipped or loose.
• Do not attempt to repair a loose component with household adhesive.

Care for earrings and brooches

Put earrings and brooches on after applying perfume, lotion, makeup and hairspray. Open and close the fastening by holding its metal structure rather than the decorative front. Remove earrings before sleeping, bathing, swimming or exercising.

Fasten a brooch only through a suitable fabric. Delicate or loosely woven clothing may be marked by a pin. Do not force a pin through thick material, and close the fastening before placing the brooch in storage.

Care for hair clips, hairpins and hair ornaments

Arrange the hairstyle before adding a delicate decorative piece. Insert and remove the ornament by holding its structural base, clip, pin or fitting rather than its flowers, textile elements or suspended details.

• Do not force a hairpin through tightly bound hair.
• Avoid direct contact with hairspray, styling products and wet hair.
• Remove the ornament before sleeping, bathing, exercising or changing clothing.
• Close clips before storage where the construction allows.
• Keep long pins protected so their points do not damage other products.

Care for sweater chains and hanging ornaments

Sweater chains, bag charms, phone charms and other hanging ornaments are decorative accessories rather than load-bearing straps. Repeated pulling, swinging, friction and contact with hard surfaces may affect chains, textile loops and connecting fittings.

• Attach the product only to a secure and suitable fixing point.
• Do not use a decorative charm to carry the weight of a phone, bag or other object unless the product page specifically states that use.
• Keep suspended ornaments away from zips, rough edges and moving mechanisms.
• Check connecting rings, cords and clasps before use.
• Stop using the accessory if a cord, ring, chain or fitting becomes loose or damaged.

Safety guidance for car ornaments

A car ornament must never obstruct the driver’s view, mirrors, controls, displays, airbags or the safe operation of the vehicle. Do not attach an ornament where it can swing into the driver’s field of vision or interfere with a moving component.

• Confirm that the attachment point is secure before driving.
• Keep the ornament away from airbags, steering controls, pedals and gear controls.
• Remove the product if movement, sound or reflection becomes distracting.
• Do not leave delicate fibres, textiles or plated components in extreme heat or prolonged direct sunlight.
• Inspect cords, knots, clasps and connecting rings regularly.

What should you do if a handmade accessory becomes wet?

Remove the item from use. For shaped Ronghua silk fibres, do not press or rub the wet petals; place the piece on a clean, dry surface, support its form and contact CLMADE for product-specific guidance. For other materials that can be safely blotted, remove surface moisture gently with a clean, soft and colourfast cloth, then allow the item to air-dry naturally in a ventilated indoor area. Do not rub, twist, squeeze, iron or apply direct heat.

If moisture has reached an internal structure, textile backing, adhesive or enclosed component, contact CLMADE before further cleaning or reshaping.

Can a bent or compressed handmade piece be reshaped?

Do not reshape a piece unless the product page or supplied care card gives a specific method. Pulling petals, wire structures, threads or suspended components may cause permanent distortion or loosen a connection.

Send clear photographs of the affected area through the CLMADE contact page before attempting a repair.

Are small differences between handmade pieces normal?

Small differences in hand-shaped forms, fibre alignment, textile motif placement and assembly can occur between pieces. These variations are part of handmade production and do not mean that care requirements can be ignored. Significant damage, missing components or a product that differs materially from the selected design should be reported promptly.

Before wearing or displaying a CLMADE piece

• Read the individual product description and care information.
• Check that clasps, pins, cords and connecting rings are secure.
• Confirm that the product is suitable for its intended use.
• Keep packaging and product-specific care cards for future reference.
• Contact CLMADE if the material, finish or care method is unclear.

Explore our handcrafted accessories and cultural objects, or read about the materials, techniques and cultural context presented in Materials & Making.

Care guidance must reflect the actual materials and construction of each product. When product-specific instructions differ from this general guide, follow the product-specific instructions.