Anne the Beadbear

2011-09-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

PANTONE COLORS FALL 2011

Bamboo
is a soft warm golden color, like butterscotch amber, golden calcite (http://www.beadbear.com/g0901.shtml), citrine, topaz, yellow sapphire, canary diamonds, champagne pearls (http://www.beadbear.com/c0111.shtml ) or serpentine; moissanite. Contrast with tiger-eye topaz (http://www.beadbear.com/i0308.shtml), or vintage tiger glass (http://www.beadbear.com/f1002.shtml) Wear with brown, green, or red (http://www.beadbear.com/h0905.shtml)

Emberglow
a gentle orange, like the glow of a Padparadscha sapphire, orange chalcedony, Madagascar citrine; carnelian (http://www.beadbear.com/f1007.shtml); red jasper; Baltic amber, a favorite gemstone of Catherine the Great(http://www.beadbear.com/d0907.shtml); some alexandrite; goldstone. Contrast with green (peridot), apple chalcedony or demantoid garnets. Wear with your favorite camel-hair slacks or skirt and cashmere.

Honeysuckle
in the rose family, suggesting rhodolite garnet(http://www.beadbear.com/d0909.shtml); lepidolite (http://www.beadbear.com/a0207.shtml; http://www.beadbear.com/g0910.shtml, mauve pearls (http://www.beadbear.com/c0907.shtml), pink tourmaline, rhodochrosite, pink sapphire, rubies (http://www.beadbear.com/b0111.shtml) or cherry quartz. Wear with white, black or purple suitings for dramatic effect

Phlox
purple-blue a versatile hue that is complimented by (http://www.beadbear.com/h0909.shtml), amethyst, tanzanite, iolite, blue aventurine, purple aventurine, blue lace agate, blue sapphire, aquamarine; mystic topaz. Can be contrasted with rhodolite garnet.

Cedar
a subtle greenish khaki or putty color: suggests rutilated quartz (http://www.beadbear.com/g0908.shtml), serpentine (http://www.beadbear.com/f0207.shtml), jade, labradorite, chrome diopside, peridot, nephrite (http://www.beadbear.com/g0909.shtml), green tourmaline, heliodor, chrome diopside, green aventurine (http://www.beadbear.com/f1005.shtml); nephrite; pearls; alabaster

Deep Teal
a perennial favorite to show off malachite (http://www.beadbear.com/d0908.shtml), emeralds, deep green tourmaline, rutilated quartz, bronze, or green peacock-dyed freshwater pearls (http://www.beadbear.com/h0907.shtml; http://www.beadbear.com/f0904.shtml; http://www.beadbear.com/d0901.shtml); moss agate, and turquoise (http://www.beadbear.com/f1010.shtml); amazonite-Chinese(http://www.beadbear.com/d0903.shtml) or Russian. Contrast with rubies (http://www.beadbear.com/b0111.shtml)

Coffée Liqueur
velvety brown with a grey undertone, like chocolate diamonds, smokey topaz or quartz (http://www.beadbear.com/e0311.shtml; http://www.beadbear.com/f1012.shtml), Siberian amber (http://www.beadbear.com/f1009.shtml); dyed freshwater pearls (http://www.beadbear.com/e0902.shtml); (http://www.beadbear.com/e0905.shtml)

Nougat
better than beige or ecru: kunzite, morganite, pearls (http://www.beadbear.com/c0902.shtml; http://www.beadbear.com/f1016.shtml), rose quartz (http://www.beadbear.com/f1014.shtml;http://www.beadbear.com/f0905.shtml), pink or champagne diamonds

Orchid Blush
palest gray: Akoya pearls, labradorite, moonstone, star sapphires, aquamarine; natural blue topaz. Contrast with onyx, black diamonds, Tahitian pearls. Contrast with rubies or garnet, or Venetian glass gold foil beads (http://www.beadbear.com/c0903.shtml)

Quarry
pale blue-gray; aquamarine, blue topaz,London blue topaz®, blue sapphires, star sapphires, pearls (http://www.beadbear.com/h0902.shtml), lapis (http://www.beadbear.com/f1003.shtml)or amazonite (http://www.beadbear.com/d0903.shtml); blue diamonds

Wedding Tips For A Successful Marriage

2011-07-27T16:13:00.000-07:00

I have found the more that is spent on the wedding, the shorter the marriage. There are some very famous weddings we've all heard about that cost thousands, which lasted only a few months or weeks!

When my husband and I got married in 1990, we spent a grand total of $658.00, which included the marriage license, engraved invitations, postage, wedding cake( had that made), food (we catered it ourselves), paper plates, glasses, cutlery, napkins, flowers (I went to the wholesale florist and bought flowers for the table, a spray of orchids for the bridal party to wear, roses for me, plus everything with which to assemble the bouquet and corsages and buttonieres for the groom and his best man, and my "best broad"), clothes and rings. We got married at our local bar. Actually outside, in front of a mural painted on the side of the building by an artist friend of ours. The owner was so tickled that we asked, that he gave us two cases of (very nice) champagne! We had a friend that was licensed to perfom weddings marry us. She was delighted that we asked, and we wrote our own vows. The photographer was the husband of my "best broad".

My fiance (now husband) found 2 beautiful velvet jackets for his best man and himself at a thrift store. They looked as if they had never been worn and were perfect fits for both of them! My dress came from a shop in the neighborhood. I had been lusting after it for quite a while; when I went to buy it it had been marked down from $99 to $35! Went to the fabric shop and bought a hat, and various bits of lace, ribbons, silk flowers and crystals. A friend of mine who is a costumer, assembled it for me. The lace designer shoes were marked down to $12.00,new from Bakers', and matched exactly the lace on the hat.

The diamond engagement ring is a beautiful antique,from 1897- just under 1/2 a carat, that I purchased from a local jeweler who was recommended to me by my orthopedic surgeon: he called him and told him to give us a good deal. As I am a jewelry designer, I purchased our wedding rings wholesale.

We invited 100 guests. Some of our friends also brought food for the occasion. We got married a little after noon; left around 2pm. As we lived and worked in the French Quarter, a buggy driver that we knew drove us away, with ribbons and flowers that he had decorated his carriage with, just for the occasion. We heard that the party lasted another 10 hours, and made the 6 o'clock news! A year after we got married, we were still receiving wedding pictures from tourists that happened to stop in. The bar owner said that was the biggest ring-out he had ever had.

We have been very happily married now for over twenty years.

Love, Laughter. Happy Ever After,
Anne the Beadbear
http://www.beadbear.com

A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry Featured in MUSES

2011-07-19T17:50:00.000-07:00

A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry designed by Anne Renée Timmons-Harris is featured this week at MUSES Shopping Magazine

Setting Boundaries When Your Home is Your Studio/Office

2011-07-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

Clearly designate the time of day when you are at work, and do not allow family members to interfere or interrupt during that period (unless the house is on fire). Be consistent. This includes pets, children as well as spouses. Walk the dogs before getting started. Feed the cats. Give them treats, toys, the catnip sock. Chances are your pets will learn to leave you alone before the kids or your spouse will; they understand low growls and snarling. The humans may require more behavior modification, and ask “why?” Closing the door may help. Borrow your teen's “Enter and Die” door sign. When all else fails, throw your shoes at them.(Just kidding, sort of)

Make sure the children have been fed, or have suitable snacks available. Schedule your work when the baby is asleep. Instruct them that you are “off limits” during the designated time. You will not be available to mediate spats during this time. If your spouse or partner is also home, let them supervise the kids, be in charge of dinner. Remind your spouse or partner that this is how you bring money into the family coffers. Enlist them as an ally; leave the red lipstick out on the bathroom sink as an inducement.

When friends call to chat, let the call go to voice mail. Call them back, but after work. The ones that get huffy or drop you weren't really your friends, and you're well rid of them now, before you hit the big time. Your neighbors are just being nosey. Explain as well as you can ahead of time to your mother and your mother-in-law, that you are conducting business during whatever time you've designated. Better yet if your spouse or partner is home, let them handle the calls. Try to arrange your schedule so that they are in charge of fielding social calls while you're at work, just like if you were working outside the home.

Make sure you call your Mom or your mother in law back, after work, and explain (remind) them that this is another way that you are able to bring income in, without the added expense of driving, or baby sitters.

Establish that boundary amd maintain it. Doesn't matter if it's different times during the week. It may help to post your schedule on the refrigerator for all to see. Good luck!

Anne the Beadbear
http://www.beadbear.com

Commentary on breakdown of the Kimberley Process:

2011-06-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

http://www.jckonline.com/blogs/cutting-remarks/2011/06/29/human-rights-and-kimberley-process?utm_source=JCK+eNewsletters&utm_campaign=3062d47770-2011_06_29_Diamond_Wednesday6_27_2011&utm_medium=email

One has to start somewhere. And granted, while the desired outcome hasn’t occurred, that doesn’t mean that having an ongoing discussion won’t have a positive effect…eventually. Of course when greed and profit are involved, good intentions will be left by the wayside every time. Note the lack of cooperation by China and Russia, two countries notorious for their casual regard for human life. india too has their nose out of joint because they were making profit from cutting contraband stones. Remember how upset they were when Tanzania nationalized their mines, and demanded that tanzanite cutting be done in their country, rather than exporting all their rough to India. India’s shrieking and keening was outrageous and deafening, but wholly out-of-place.

And especially China with their abhorrent record with respect to human rights. From Tiananmen Square, to the ongoing and futile US efforts to coax China into not using toxic materials in their manufacture of children’s jewelry. The Chinese government just doesn’t care. They’re just as unconcerned about killing their own people as killing others’.

Russia is also first and foremost all about Russia. Between the behavior of their government and their crime-boss oligarchs, all pleas fall on deaf ears.

Furthermore both countries function under the premise that anything the West and in particular the US is for they are automatically going to be against. Just because.

Until some kind of way this becomes too (read expensive) painful to China, and Russia, and/or greed ceases to become a motivation, nothing is going to change. Angola , Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone will also continue to abuse their own people, because a) they can and b) its lucrative c) them’s what gots the biggest guns and the most ammunition makes the rules

Beadbear
http://www.beadbear.com

Fine Jewelers Advised to Avoid Beads

2011-06-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

Reply to GUEST EDITORIAL: BEAD-WARE!
http://news.centurionjewelry.com/articles/view/guest-editorial-bead-ware

I have successfully designed and sold fine bead jewelry FOR YEARS! I am highly amused by the retail jewelers that have come so late to the retail success that bead jewelry has enjoyed since the time of the Neanderthals.
You remind me of all those old European fuddy-duddy royals that sneered at Za Za Gabor when she married that Austrian noble. They were appalled that she wore with her lavish diamond necklace, bracelets and rings one of her lovely crystal and platinum beauty crowns when she was “presented” to them in the 60’s.
The problem for all those who march in lock step and buy the same items is REDUNDANCY. Your customers that like beads and wear them do not want to see the same damn thing everywhere they go. They are a more sophisticated and educated shopper than you obviously suppose.
What you fail to apprehend is that women and men who wear and enjoy bead jewelry also wear gold, platinum and silver. I know because many of them are MY customers, some of whom have ten or more of my designs. They are very comfortable wearing both, either separately or at the same time.
Of course, I create exclusively one of a kind pieces, that are hand-knotted, with quality findings. Selling the identical items that everyone else has is a sure path to failure.
Further, in these difficult times, the savvy retailer has merchandise that appeals to all price points. Pam Danziger also observed that the affluent shoppers are now shopping more at Target than Nordstrum’s.
I don’t mean to rip on you but this is the same attitude that keeps retails from using all marketing tools, including the internet and social media, as Scott Galloway stated so clearly at the GIA Symposium.

Beadbear
http://www.beadbear.com

Why Taxing Online Shopping Is Unfair

2011-06-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

The hysterical lobbying for sales tax to be collected by online retailers reminds me of a story about two farmers on a dairy collective in the old Soviet Union.

Vanya and Vasili were farmers at the dairy collective. They both came to the collective at the same time, and were alloted the same amount of cows. All the cows on the collective grazed in the same fields and meadows. All the farmers drew water out of the same well. The farmers supplemented the grazing with feed purchased for them by the collective.The collective did well, and were able to purchase more cows the following year. There was even a little money left over that was divided among all the farmers, based upon their cows' production.Vasili used the money he received for his cow's milk to build a big house a heated barn. Vanya seemed to prosper too. However, he did not build a big house. Instead he and his family shared the barn with the cows, like they had the previous year.

Gradually, it came to be noticed that Vanya's cows always gave a little more milk. The calves were frisky and healthy. And the cream was said to be richest and sweetest of all the collective. Vanya with fewer cows earned almost as much as his neighbor. This was not lost on Vasili. He watched as Vanya's cows were led out every day by Vanya's wife, and brought back in every night by Vanya's children. His heart became small and hard like a stone.He became envious of his neighbor.

One day Vasili could stand it no longer. He stormed into the office of the collective, where Anya was entering the day's totals. “I cannot stand it”, he yelled. “It is not fair”.

“What is not fair, Vasili, inquired Anya mildly. “Vanya!” Vasili spat his neighbor's name. “What is not fair about Vanya?” Anya asked. Vasili's face contorted into a rictus of rage. “It is not fair”, he said repeated. “”I buy cows like Vanya. My cows graze same grass. My cows drink same water. Yet His cows give more milk! people say his cows give better milk-is richer, sweeter. That is not fair!”

”But”, protested Anya. “You have same kind of cows. You have more cows than Vanya. What you want me to do?” Anya was clearly perplexed at Vasili's fury. Vasili smiled evilly. “I want you kill his cows”.

All this is to say that brick and mortar stores have an advantage over online businesses. Customers can walk into the store, and try on any item on the premises. Customers can walk out immediately with their purchase. The customer pays sales tax as a condition of purchase.

Online venues do not enjoy that luxury. Many of us cannot afford to invest in a well-appointed boutique and inventory. We rely more heavily on the random kindness of strangers, and the algorithms of Google and Bing. We invest more heavily in advertising, in far more media outlets, as we do not have window displays that face out onto the street or the mall, where hundreds of shoppers pass by daily. Packaging is a greater investment. To entice business, many of us have to offer free shipping, even on returns, exchanges, or repairs which quite an expense given fuel prices today. We also have employees, contrary to popular myth. We pay inventory tax. The overhead may appear to be less, however the mark up is not as generous.

In conclusion, the argument that tax-free online shopping for customers puts the physical stores at a financial disadvantage is specious at best, and mendacious at worst.
Beadbear
http://www.beadbear.com

Origins of Republican Hate Speech Language in America Today

2011-06-20T11:04:00.000-07:00

Neil Boortz’s comments last week are reminiscent of the attitudes of southern whites at the turn of the 20th century. The lynchings and Jim Crow laws were based of white fears of blacks developing themselves economically. This became quite evident in the aftermath of Katrina, when white outrage was sparked at the assistance offered New Orleans’ residents as they were evacuated, and were re-located into areas of the country that are content to have limited integration.The following quotes speak to the history of his comments:

WITHOUT SANCTUARY: LYNCHING PHOTOGRAPHY IN AMERICA
edited by James Allen
“Hellhounds”, written by Leon F. Lithwack
pp.12-13
“The cheapness of black life reflected in turn the degree to which so many whites by the early twentieth century had come to think of black men and women and permanently inferior, as less than human, as little more than animals. ‘We the people of the South don’t care to equal ourselves with animals’, a white Floridian told a northern critic.’the people of the South don’t think any more of killing the black fellows than you would think of killing a flea. And if I was to live 1,000 years that would be my opinion and every other Southern man’.A former governor of Georgia, William J. Northern, after canvassing his state in the interest of law and order, found the same disregard for black life. ‘I was amazed to find scores and hundreds of men who believed the Negro to be a brute, without responsibility to God. And his slaughter nothing more than the killing of a dog’.”

p.23
“The Negro as beast became a fundamental part of the South’s racial imagery, taking its place alongside the venerated and faithful Sambo retainer and whites were perfectly capable of drawing on both to sustain their self image“(my emphasis)

This is the basis of the Southern strategy, and current Republican efforts to reduce and in some instances, eliminate all assistance for poor and working class individuals, as is the basis for Neil Boortz’s disgusting iterations. The advent of Mr. Obama’s election exacerbates the belief that blacks and other non-whites have over-reached themselves. attaining the office of the President proves to those of his persuasion that their fears are justified. Consequently, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) is continuing to blast the government’s recent discrimination settlement with African-American farmers as “reparations” — and even predicting that the new Republican-led House will investigate it.

Today we see an active regeneration to those fears and active prejudices in part based upon (I suspect) white fears that non-whites will rise up and return the favor, as well as belief that non-whites in the US have “usurped” that which should be the purview of whites.

Why Not to Buy Chinese- Made Jewelry for Children

2011-06-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

China downplays risk to children from lead poisoning: report

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/15/us-china-lead-pollution-idUSTRE75E14O20110615?feedType=nl&feedName=ushealth1100

This news article today in Reuters proves that the Chinese don’t care about their own children, much less ours. That’s why I continue to stress that Americans should not buy their cheap jewelry products for our daughters. We know that lead is a serious toxin and quite detremental to the intellectual development of children.

We as a nation, have gone to considerable lengths to irradicate lead from any where there may be exposure.Since the 1960′s when the data first was presented, we mandated that lead be removed from household paint. We have emmission standards.We regulate safety standards for workers to protect them from harm and exposure. We continue to this day conducting tests on children that grow up in urban areas. Just recently in New Orleans two playgrounds were closed due to unacceptable levels of lead in the soil. These grounds had been treated previously, and then declared “safe”. The ground when the grounds re-opened, were covered with a cushioned surface, designed to be a further protection. recently, testing indicated that the lead had come through. Therefore work immediately commenced to removed more soil from the ground, re-seal the ground and again add a protective covering.

Given that level of concern for lead in the environment, why then do parents continue to allow their daughters to wear toxic jewelry, that comes in direct contact with the skin?

Another reason this is untenable is while poisoning our children, we are paying them to do it! That transfer of wealth takes away from our economic strength as a nation. A simple way to put a dent in that trend would be to shop for American made jewelry for your children. There are many jewelry artists and jewelry stores in everyone’s community. Support them. They are using quality, safe materials, including lead-free pewter, surgical steel, silver gold, goldfill, sterling silver, or vermeil which is an overlay of high karat gold (18-24) over silver. Goldplate is a lower karat gold (8-10) over base metal, such as nickel, brass, copper. There are items to accommodate everyone’s budget. THis is especially true at local art shows. When local artists are supported, the money spent there goes right back into the community.

Furthermore, in a recent survey conducted by the prestegious Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing, there continues to be a strong perception that goods manufactured in the United States continues to be perceived as better quality, better made. more valuable.

“According to a recent study by Unity Marketing, affluent consumers associate certain attributes with countries of origin of luxury goods, and the USA is associated with the qualities affluents desire most.

That elevates manufacturing decisions beyond the sourcing department to marketing where place of manufacture becomes a core attribute of product branding and positioning. “If you make your luxury product in the wrong place, you can seriously harm your brand,” warns Pam Danziger president of Unity Marketing and author of the recently published Putting the Luxe Back in Luxury: How New Consumers Values Are Redefining How We Market Luxury (Paramount Market Publishing, 2011).

“Affluent consumers believe that the country where luxury brands are produced implies information about the product quality, regardless of whether the company’s manufacturing standards and their production facilities in far-flung locales are held to high standards. Luxury consumers identified a slate of key qualities most important to them when they shop for luxury goods, including craftsmanship, authenticity, classic nature, distinctiveness, and trustworthiness. These attributes line up with affluent perceptions about domestically-produced luxury goods,” says Danziger.

However, this does not mean that affluent consumers are solely choosing goods that benefit them individually, with no thought of national impact. “Affluent consumers recognize the positive impact that purchasing domestic luxury goods can have on U.S. jobs and on the country’s way of life, and they want to contribute to that. It is a much more altruistic form of luxury consumption than we saw before the recession hit,” says Danziger

With this in mind, I call on everyone in the American jewelry community, our manufacturers, jewelry designers, jewelry retailers and wholesalers, the media who cover the jewelry industry, all jewelry associations, local arts councils to come together to promote our American-made quality jewelry. This really is a no-brainer. It could only be to our mutual benefit. If we present a united front to our consumers, parents wouldn’t have to worry about the safety of the jewelry that our children wear.

Anne the Beadbear
http://www.beadbear.com

Gold by Rajiv Mehta

2011-06-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

This is such a great discussion of gold purity and explanation of karat weight, and how gold is tinted that I just had to share it with everybody.
Regards,
Beadbear
http://www.beadbear.com

Gold Colour
Gold, the most commonly used precious metal in jewelry has a distinct colour of its own, and is so popular, that the term ‘golden colour’ is used to refer to a blend of orange-yellow colour. But you will be surprise to know that there are much more rare and exotic, colors such as blue, purple,
red, and various shades of green and not just the orange-yellow shade called Yellow Gold. This is definitely the most popular of the gold shades. Yellow Gold is closely followed by White Gold and Rose Gold.

Gold Colour & Carat Relationship

18kt yellow gold is more yellow than 9kt yellow gold with 18kt yellow gold having a richer golden color making 18kt yellow gold a more popular choice of yellow gold than 9kt for ladies engagement rings.

9kt rose gold has a darker rose-copper color than 18kt rose gold which has a more subtle rose color.
9kt white gold and 18kt white gold have a similar white color (as normally both have a rhodium plating finish).

When trying to decide between the gold carat types there are three things to consider.
1. The metals performance with every day wear
2. The difference in color between the 9kt, 14kt and 18kt gold
3. The difference in price between the gold carats.
9kt, 14kt and 18kt are each suitable equally suitable for use in rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and necklaces. Many people choose 9kt and 14kt for their earrings and pendants due to its lower price.

Tones

Jewelry can also be made using a combination of different gold colors. These jewelry items are sometimes called two-tone, three-tone or multi-colored gold..

Rhodium Plating

White gold rings are new they can be coated with another white metal called Rhodium. Rhodium is a metal very similar to platinum and rhodium shares many of the properties of platinum including its white color. The rhodium plating is used to make the white gold look more white. The natural color of white gold is actually a light grey color. The rhodium is very white and very hard, but it does wear away eventually. To keep a white gold ring looking its best it should be re-rhodium plated approximately each 12 to 18 months. Most local jewelers are able to rhodium plate jewelry for a cost effective pricet.

Purity

The gold content of yellow gold is measured in the same way it is measured in, for example white gold. So an 18kt white gold ring contains 75% pure gold, just as 18kt yellow gold contains 75% pure gold..

Rajiv Mehta
Surat Diamond Jewellery
http://www.suratdiamond.com/

How to Avoid Walkouts and Other Customer Service Disasters

2011-06-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

http://pressroom.consumerreports.org/pressroom/2011/06/consumer-reports-survey-two-in-three-consumers-have-walked-out-of-a-store-because-of-poor-customer-service.html

The solution to most of those problems is have enough good quality employees. Of course, to attact those individuals, companies have to cease the ‘race to the bottom’, and having respect for the people hired. That means investing in your staff. Whether your accountant realizes it or not, your staff, not your inventory, is your most valuable asset! If you indicate that you do not repect your employees, it will reflect in your business. Customers will walk out, complain, take their business elsewhere. You will not be able to keep staff. Your business will suck. I call it voting with the pocketbook.

Pay your employees better. If you cannot afford more employees, you need to explain honesly to them where you stand financially and actively recruit your help to become “stakeholders’ in the day to day operations.Take the time to get to know all of your employees. Invite them to offer suggestions. Listen to them w/o being judgemental. Chances are they’ve got good ideas on how the business can be improved. Reward good performance, either monetarily or verbally in a way that demonstrates that you truly appreciate their efforts to make you look better.

Show your employees that you owner, manager etc.aren’t afraid to work. Let them see you cleaning cases, untangling chains, answering phones, cleaning jewelry, running the vaccum.Be able to jump in and lend a hand when necessarily without stepping on your employee’s toes. Don’t hide from your difficult customers.

Have constructive meetings where goals are clearly outlined, along with the means to accomplish them.Everyone should have goals, and a reasonable means of achieving and charting them. Provide training sessions to learn about new products, sales techniques.Don’t ream your employees out in public. In fact learn to criticize constructively.

Be what you wish to seem. Come in every day with a smile and a good additude yourself. If you are honest and with your employees, they will respect you and be loyal and your business will grow.
How am I doing?
http://www.beadbear.com

Lead Violation Causes Children’s Jewelry Kit Recall

2011-06-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

Lead Violation Causes Children’s Jewelry Kit Recall
By JCK Staff
Posted on June 8, 2011

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and EKSuccess Brands announced on June 7 a recall of nearly 75,000 units of a children’s jewelry-making kit that contained excessive levels of lead.

The surface coating on some of the beads in the American Girl Crafts Pearly Beads & Ribbon Bracelets kit contained excessive levels of lead, the CPSC reported.

The kits were sold at Michaels Stores and other retailers nationwide from September 2009 through June 2011 for $8.

No incidents or injuries have been reported.

As I have said many times before:Stop Buying Your Children Anything From China! They do not give a damn about anything other than their own self-interests. They do not care whether our children are poisoned or not. We should care enough about our own children to buy safe, made in the United States beads and findings and supplies. They're out there, and they're better made than the cheap imports!

Contact your local Arts Council and find out who the glass artists are in your city town or community. Take your children to see how beads are made, and buy your local artists' beads. Purchase quality findings for your children, like stainless steel,sterling silver, gold fill or karat gold. Ask the craft store what the country of origin is for their products. Only buy the one that are made in America.

That will not only keep our money in our community as well as in our country. Your children will develop a better appreciation for the arts. You will support an artist in your community. What could be better?

Hanging Off The Wire: Liberty Guest Blogger

2011-06-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

Hanging Off The Wire: Liberty *Guest Blogger*

Jewelry Shopping Tips

2011-05-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

It's summer, when many take cruises to the Caribbean and shop for jewelry. There are a few things to know and have before you plunk down your hard-earned cash.
First, get yourself either a jewelrer's loupe, which can be either 10x or 15x magnification, or a magnifying glass, also 10x or 15x. Why? You may ask. Simple. I do not want you buying fake gems unless it's on purpose.

If you get a loupe, here's how to use it. One of your eyes is stronger than the other. For me it's my left eye. Therefore, hold the loupe in the opposite hand. I hold it with my right hand. Now, put your elbows on the table so that they are braced and you hands will be steady holding your loupe. Hold the ring in the other hand. Bring the loupe all the up to your strong eye, but KEEP BOTH EYES OPEN. Otherwise, you will screw up your depth perception; it's how your brain works. Now, bring the ring up to where it comes into focus in the loupe. I want you to look at the edges of the facets. They should NOT be darker than the rest of the stone. Yes, natural gemstones can have “color zoning” which simply means that there are areas in the gem that have higher color saturation. However, if the edges are clearly darker than the rest of the gem, chances are it's not a genuine whatever.

Granted, many stones today are heat-treated or irradiated (heating a gemstone with various metals or chemicals) to inhance the color. Always ask whether the stone is treated or not. Ask what the treatment is. I recommend if the sales clerk cannot give you straight answers, don't buy from them.You will hate yourself if you buy a gemstone, whose color washes out when you wash your hands. Emeralds and opals may to be oiled, which is very typical and traditional. In arid climates like Mexico and Australia where opals are mined, they are store in vials of olive oil, to prevent their drying out and cracking.No worries. However, you need to know because natural, untreated gems are more valuable, and I want you to know what you have.

Inclusions are not necessarily a bad thing. Some inclusions can be very interesting(think Pink Panther) Those are identifying characteristics that your appraiser will look at when they plot your stone for insurance purposes. (Not all stones have identifying number lasered into them) No two stones will be the same, just like your identical twins (one is a wee bit taller than the other, etc). Further, natural stones will have stuff in 'em. Those inclusions can even help experts determine where the gem was mined. Lab created stones tend not to have them. Further, they also do not tend to have color zoning. Also, ask after the country of origin. Some countries have dubious mining practices and should not be supported.

If the color is more intense on top of the stone, which is called the “table”, compared to the rest of the stone, then it may be a “triplet”. That's a lesser quality stone with a slice of better quality gem glued on.
Thre are a lot of counterfeit rubies like that as well as tanzanites.

Speaking of tanzanites, I'm going to teach you a fifty dollar word: pleochrism (pronounced plea-o-crow-ism). It means that the stone will show two different colors, which occurs because light passes through and exits through more than one path. (Remember when you looked through a prism in grade school?) Tanzanite will show blue, like a sapphire, but it will also appear purple, too.

Alexandrites also exhibit pleochroism. They will show variations of red and green (By the way alexandrite is the June birthstone, along with the more traditional pearl). There are a few color-change sapphires. However, they are very rare and priced accordingly, tend to be small-less than three carats.

One more note, check to see if the metal(gold) is stamped.When buying gold jewelry, always look for the karat mark. Generally, the higher the karat, the more expensive the piece (unless it's “hot” or stolen). In the United States, 14-karat gold, or 583 parts pure gold, is the most common degree of fineness. Nothing less than 10 karats can legally be marked or sold as gold jewelry in the U.S. However, lower karatages, such as 8-karat gold and 9-karat gold, are popular in other countries.

18-karat gold is 18/24ths, or three-quarters pure gold, and jewelry of this fineness is marked 18k or 750, the European designation meaning 75% gold.

Always look for the karat mark or "k" that appears on the back of the piece. By U.S. law, if a karat mark appears you should also see the manufacturer's trademark to assure you that the karat marking is accurate. The country of origin should also appear.

In addition to the karat mark, every piece of gold jewelry should be stamped with a hallmark or trademark of its maker, and sometimes its country of origin. These designations assure you that you are buying genuine karat gold jewelry. Heavier pieces contain more gold.

Finally, if you buy a loose stone, don't have it set while you're there. You may become the victim of a bait and switch. And once you're back on the ship, or back home, there isn't anything you can do to recover your damages. If you find a setting that you cannot live without, buy the setting and take both home with you. Let your jeweler in your home town, whom you know and have a relationship with, set your stone.

Of course, there are lots of other things to look for. However, with these basics you are better prepared.

Anne the Beadbear
http://www.beadbear.com

How to Keep Your Jewelry Clean Between Trips to the Jeweler

2011-05-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you cleaned your jewelry? Bet you can't remember. That's alright. We can fix that. Here's how. And you don't need any fancy-schmancy equipment to get the job done, either.

GOLD jewelry: Fill a large (like a salad bowl) bowl with tepid or lukewarmwater. The container should be big enough to hold about a quart of water . DO NOT USE AMMONIA! DO NOT USE ANYTHING WITH CHOLRINE! Chlorine dissolves gold, so if you clean house with your jewelry, you're losing gold everytime.Squirt a little dishwashing liquid in, about a quarter teaspoonful.I prefer Dawn(it's petroluem based, did you know that?) because it's inexpensive and effective at lifting the skin oils, lotion, hairspray, makeup, etc. away. Add one capeful of rubbing alcohol. When you put your necklaces and bracelets into the bowl, make sure you've closed the clasps. If you've got earrings to clean, pour some of your cleaning water into a teacup, and drop in your earrings. If they've got posts with backs, take them off and drop them in with the earrings.

Let everything soak for a little while. Take an old toothbrush, and if you've still got crud on the earring nuts, or on the clasps, gently scrub them with the toothbrush to loosen it up. Use the bristles to get underneath the mounted stones. When you're ready to rinse, fill another big bowl with tepid or lukewarm water. Put the jewelry in the clean water and swoosh everything around very gently. Get a clean towel, and lay everything out to air dry on the towel, except the earrings.

For the earrings, get a tea strainer or a tea ball, and put them in there, and then put that into the bowl of water to rinse. That way those little pieces won't get away from you. I DO NOT recomment rinsing your jewelry out under running water in to sink. That's a great way to lose an earring or an earring back and we don't want that to happen. If you give a little shake to the strainer or tea ball, anything your brushing and soaking didn't remove should lift off the earrings. Note: when pouring out the water, pour it out through a strainer, just to make sure you don't lose anything! Use a seperate clean washcloth to lay out your earrings to air dry on.

If you don't have a polishing cloth, use an old cotton (nylon or acrylic socks aren't absorbant) sock to polish, and wipe away any excess moisture. If you use polishing cloths, you'll need one for you silver, and one ofr the gold, or platinum. Silver tarnishes like crazy (I know you've noticed) and you don't want to rub that onto you nice clean gold. Gold tarnishes too; it just takes longer.

If you have lots of chains, do them seperately from your pearls or other gemstone and bead jewelry. I recommend doing them last, after the earrings. Make sure they're clasped. If you don't have a jewelry box with hangers for them, I suggest keeping them in seperate lunch baggies. That way they won't get tangled up together between wearings, and they're less likely to get kinked.
SILVER:
Keeping silver free and clean from tarnish can also be a challenge. A good quality paste silver polish generally can be found at your local hardware store. In a pinch, baking soda may be used. Pour a some into a saucer. Dab it with a soft damp cloth. Rub gently on the silver. Be very careful that you do not scratch the suface! Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Pat dry with clean, soft cloth.

Remember:
DO NOT USE AMMONIA! It will pit and blacken your silver!
DO NOT SWIM IN CHLORINATED POOLS OR ALLOW CHLORINE to touch your jewelry. Chlorine with dissolve it, little by little.

Always take your jewelry with prongs, like earrings and rings to your jeweler once a year to have them checked. That way, if one has gotten a little loose, you can have that fixed, and hopefully not lose the stone. And a good jeweler generally will not charge you for that service, unless a prong needs to be replaced, which is more cost effective than replacing the stone!

And, as general rule, never go into a pool with any jewelry, or anything loose. It can:
a) come off and go into the drain
b) if you're in it, YOU can get stuck along with it.
c) if you're in a body of water, like the ocean, Gulf, lake or river, a good current can pull your rings from your fingers, and your earrings out of your ears. I witnessed a woman lose her engagement ring at the beach in St.Petersburg. She was not a happy camper. (Nor was her husband)

Final Note:
To prevent build-up of tarnish, when piece is clean (brand new, BEFORE it's worn) paint item with clear nail polish, on one side. Let dry thoroughly. Do other side.

And for good measure, when it's not being used, store your silver in an air-tight container, like a baggie. The next time you are at your favorite jewelry store buying silver, ask your jeweler for some anti-tarnish strips, so that you can keep your silver shiny.

Liberty

2011-05-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

I have always considered myself to be patriotic, although initially I didn't know what it meant. When hearing Jimi Hendrix' rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner"during Woodstock, it suddenly became clear to me.I wept at the pride that I suddenly felt. At the same time, all the anguish of being of African, and Native American ancestry.Because not everyone acknowledged "that all men were created equal", although much lip service it made.

I appreciated and understood the statement when Abbie Hoffmann's wore the shirt made out of the American flag, meaning we Americans wore our patriotism like a brand or logo.It depressed me that some people chose to interpret a desire for peace and racial equality as somehow not being American.It made me physically ill a few years later when it became 'chic' for the Bicentennial to wear red, white and blue bikinis, and baseball caps, when the Confederate-sympathizing Southern rednecks adopted it as statement,it became a symbol to me of the dichotomy between the words of the Constitution, and how people of color, women and gays were still being treated.

It wasn't until the election held in 2008, that I started to become more optimistic. When Mr. Obama was inaugerated, I designed my first piece in the colors of the flag. This is the second piece I have created, in hope for the future.

The colors of freedom and liberty, the American flag rendererd in blue aventurine, and carnelian, with vintage Venetian glass rose or "wedding cake" beads. They are hand-knotted with Bohemian glass rose beads, and gold-coated seed beads, 14/20gf findings; clasp is 14kt vermeil. Approx. 18 inches, earrings approx. 1¼ inches. Available online at A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry http://www.beadbear.com/e0211.shtml

Wear Your Beads in Good Fortune!

Talismans & Charms in Jewelry

2011-05-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

News from the Couture Blog Trend Report 2 indicates that charms and talisman jewelry is trendy again.

At A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry we feature many items that include eye beads from aroung the world ans well as other talisman to protect for evil and to attract and promote good fortune. I have collected eye beads for over thirty years.

I use antique and contemporary Venetian, French, Dutch, Bohemian and Turkish glass beads to make necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other unusual ornaments. Precious and semi-precious gemstones of the highest quality, gold and silver are used to accent. Quality craftsmanship distinguishes my work from the rest.

Beads reflect a tradition dating back to 3000 BC These beads were worn to promote good luck, and for protection from misfortune (the evil eye or malocchio). Archeological evidence suggests that concepts linking eyes and protective magic to beads evolved in western Asia and Africa, and were carried west and east with developing trade routes. The oldest eye beads made were drilled stones like agate and carnelian.

The evolution of glass beads began with human discovery of glassmaking techniques in ancient Egypt. Beads were incorporated into jewelry, personal adornments, and everyday utensils of Egypt, the Hebrews, China, India, Persia, and Italy.
Beads are still used and admired in Africa, the Middle East, and southern Asia, as well as the Americas. As in ancient times, they adorn people, homes, pets, livestock and vehicles as protective talismans.

I see both antique and contemporary beads as a link to the past through work that will last into the millennium. Beads and jewelry reflect where we are today, what we were, and who we will become. One can neither break nor ignore the thread of history, for like a strand of beads, the result would be chaos. Below are links to a few of my evil eye bead and talisman items.

http://www.beadbear.com/g0904.shtml

http://www.beadbear.com/c0905.shtml

http://www.beadbear.com/e0901.shtml

http://www.beadbear.com/f1003.shtml

http://www.beadbear.com/h1001.shtml

Wear your beads in good fortune!

Gold

2011-05-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

Gold jewelry demand declined 10 percent by volume in the United States in the first quarter year over year, according to the World Gold Council’s Q1 gold demand trends report.

http://www.nationaljeweler.com/nj/fashion/jewelry-fashion-reports/article_detail?id=26496
Fear not Goldbugs! I am here to satify all your aurous jewelry desires
At A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry we offer jewelry designed with a variety of different media to provide affordable beautiful fashion jewelry. I use vermeil, which is sterling silver overlaid with thick coatings of either 18, 22 or 24kt gold. I also use Swarovski aurum crystal (crystal beads with gold (overlay), as well as your favorite high-karat goodness! Shop today at beadbear.com
Wear your beads in good fortune!

Green is the IT Color this Year

2011-05-23T13:46:00.000-07:00

Green is the hot color this year. All shades of green as indicated in the May 16 at Couture Trend Report 3
Couture Jewelers are always on the cutting edge -- setting trends and keeping their customers in vogue.
This year everyone will be green with envy over this bevy of Couture jewels that showcase the color of the year from pale seafoam to deep, dark emerald.
http://njn.typepad.com/couture_blog/2011/05/couture-trend-report-green-with-envy.html

Visit A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry http://www.beadbear.com

has your favorite shade of green, in pearls, gemstones from amazonite to turquoise with all kinds of unusual glass beads. Shop today! We use Google Checkout for your secure shopping convenience.

Ruminations on Freedom

2011-03-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

I'm discouraged. I don't get it.I don't understand why more Americans aren't as upset and raging in the streets about the assaults that have and are being perpetrated upon our freedom and rights as citizens and human beings. Maybe because my heritage includes the ones on whom genocide was practiced and land was taken in the formation of this country as well as the ones who were enslaved and brought here.

Maybe it's because I have experienced being treated as less-than-human, fairly regularly first for being a child, then for not being white, and being female. Didn't like it worth a crap. Who is any one to tell me what my “place in society” is?! It especially rankles when the standards to which I am/was held were not uniformly enforced, shall we say

Perhaps that's why I'm so touchy. Or maybe because I bothered to read the the letters and study the history of how we got such an awesome Bill of Rights and Constitution. I understand and absolutely appreciate how throughly amazing that a country would dare to establish itself with such lofty but bloody obvious precepts. And the struggles and necessity make modifications as were needed to continue the goal of fulfilling those promises.

Yet today, as we are ostensibly being challenged by fiat to justify existence and then aoplogise for being, I cannot keep quiet. Demanding ever more proof of citiznship, submitting to be poked, prodded, groped, fondled, inspected. Agreeing to have the contents of one's person sampled to see if your chemistry is appropriate. Being assessed for employment based on our alleged (or not)intergrity, ability to maintain timely credit payment in the face of fewer means to do so, without ability or recourse to demand the same of potential employers. Worse yet, there are those who are desirous that we accept the abuse, without complaint, and support the destruction of our selves for their benefit.

That may occur in other countries, but this one was formed on the principle that we are all entitled to the persuit of happiness. Furthermore, we affirmed that the role of government is to provide for that opportunity. And realistically, any government that does not, has little chance for sustained existence. no reason and even less motivation and inclination for the residents in such an area, to abide by such.

Therefore it's easy to see howand why anger and disstisfaction occurs, but ennui? Rolling over and playing dead, accepting the abuse is unnatural. It's self-destructive.Allowing somone other than yourself to inflict ham and injury, in the hope that it will stop, is both irrational and idiotic. I shudder to think how much force (Pain? Poverty? Sickness?)) it will take before their entropy/ennui is overcome. Looking at it in physical terms,when will the equal and opposite finally occur here?

I am truly flabberghasted by my fellow Americans who watch the events in Northern Africa and fail to apprehend the parallels within our own states and borders. There is no “app” for freedom, folks. There is nothing that can be downloaded, defrosted, sprayed on or rented that will allow you to be free without actively being responsible for your ownright to freedom, for your persuit of happiness. It's not an entitlement. But it can be achieved by standing up for your self, by speaking out when the attempt is made to strip you of your rights, by voting. Don't allow that most precious of all our rights be taken from you.

Using Chemical Enhancements in Competitive Sports

2011-03-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

Feeling old, ignorant, naive and shocked. I just read about a Olympic swimmer that got banned for using tamoxifen to block estrogen production so that he might swim faster. When I was a kid, I dreamed of swimming in the Olympics. Swam the butterfly, freestyle and had a half-way decent back stroke. But it never occurred to me to try to improve my time by using stuff.

Fact is, when a hot-shot swimming coach told me that the only way I get trained for the Olympics was if I “bulked up”. I was appalled! I mean, I was already pretty darn good, third best in the state when I was thirteen. I was the best 'flier on my swim team and at my school. I could beat the guys on the team and the boys at my high school. Naturally, he didn't become my trainer. It was discouraging, because I wanted to go to the trials, and every one said that one needed a good coach to advance. Besides, my parents weren't really in a position to pay for that sort of thing.

So discouragement started to set in. But I kept going to practice with my local YMCA where I had been a member of the swim team for years. Then one of the gym teachers at my high school offered to coach me. Mr. P (I don't think I should include his name out of respect for his privacy) was very thoughtful and encouraging. Furthermore, when I told him what I had been hearing about the “necessity” of taking steroids, he became very angry and said that the only reason he had offered to coach me was because I was and “honest” swimmer, which I was. Besides, the school was not going to renew his contract and give him tenure was because he was gay, and many parents didn't want him teaching there.

So for Mr. P, coaching the black kid to the Olympics would have been a good way to “stick it to the administration”he said, getting me into the Olympics. And he would coach me for free! Just because.When he was re-assured that I hadn't gotten involved with any of that sort of thing he calmed down, and I started working with him. That is until I got a terrible cold, with a horrible sore throat and couldn't breathe. My mother thought I was faking to get out of school, but I was really sick. It got so bad that I became increasingly short-winded, and eventuallycollapsed at school and got sent to the hospital. The doctor ordered me not to swim until he gave premission. Further, he gave my parents a note telling them that I needed lots of bed rest, and that when I returned to school I was to use the elevator, not the stairs and absolutely no PE until I got my strength back.

That didn't happen. I got sent to school anyway. Then my voice quit. Completely. Could not even manage a croak or a whisper. Did not even have the lung capacity to manage a hiss.Got oredered to stay home until further notice and not to even attempt to vocalize at all. The upshot of all that was after I got well, I had no wind any more. It wore me out at school trying to use the stairs because my mother wouldn't sign the form to get permission to use the elevator. I

Eventually, I did start training with my coach, but it all over. I just couldn't breathe like I used to, and learned that the medicine that my doctor gave me to breathe, wasn't allowed for competive swimmers. Not steroids, but still a banned substance. I kept trying to get my time back up to what it had been before. But I couldn't swim and breathe. I cried and cried; that didn't help either. Coach tried to keep my spirits up. We tried to get my timing back. Yet it never occurred to me to take the medication, which did allow me to breathe as well as before, but break the rules.

Two years later, the committee changed their minds and allowed the meds I was required to take. But by then it was too late. That was end of my swimming career. So it still just wierds me out now when I read about the doping. See what I mean?

2011-03-23T11:22:00.001-07:00

I am donating 5% of my sales to aid in the relief of the great people of Japan, who donated over 44 million dollars to help New Orleans, my home town, recover.

Shop today at A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry

http://www.beadbear.com/

Treat yourself and help Japan all at the same time. Remember shipping is free.

Wear your beads in good fortune!

Women Who Have Inspired Me

2011-03-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

I need to pay homage to the women that have inspired me:

Queen Hatshepsut, who as a very young woman assumed command of the army to save her country, and made Egypt strong and great.

Eleanor of Aquitaine, who defied a King and the Pope, had the nerve to love whom she chose, in the manner she saw fit, and not be cowed by men.

Ann Boleyn who understood the hazard of love when combined with power, but did it anyway. I visited your cell in the Tower, and felt your presense;

Elizabeth Tudor,her brilliant daughter, who survived a terrible childhood, but used that pain to become a strong yet compassionate ruler who was England's greatest Monarch

Marie Antoinette, who had to know from the moment she entered France, that she was a sacrifice, and her life would not end well.

Mae West, for teaching me what risqué meant, and double entendres;

Marilyn Monroe, who taught me about the vulnerable side of sexuality, what it meant to be “her”

Elizabeth Taylor, where I learned that a woman can have a career and still have time, love and passion for her children. As a child I adored that she always took her children with her where ever she was shooting a film, no matter the cost or inconvenience to others. Also, that it was okay to love jewelry, and that it couldn't be too much.

Joan Rivers, who taught me to be myself, and damn the consequences;

Golda Maier who taught me not to be afraid to ask for what I needed. I loved that she always brought her string shopping bag, whenever she visited the President.

Yoko Ono who taught me to hold my head up with dignity in the face of scorn and ridicule. I met her briefly at a show of John Lennon's artwork in New Orleans. You smiled at my tears at your husband's art, even while there were people there hissing unkind words about you within earshot.

ZaZa Gabor, who taught me that glamor and style come from within, and not to take beauty contests seriously (I had recently been in one and had gotten eliminated early). I met her at a grocery store in Long Beach, decades ago. She was wearing her Miss Universe crown. She told me she had “seven of dese damn things, and that they were just the thing to put your hair up with when doing housework”. I fell for her when she was ctitisized for wearing one of her beauty crowns made of crystal, when she was presented to European royalty, but wearing diamonds around her neck. She was the only one in the room that didn't look dour, dowdy and frumpy.”It's all costume jewelry dahlink; how expensive is your costume?”

Queen Noor, what incredible grace and compassion;

Mother Theresa, who questioned her own faith;

Susan McDougal, who went to jail rather than lie;

Hillary Clinton, for not baking cookies, for hanging tough when her health care initiative was ripped to shreds

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the best and greatest Speaker of the House ever. How she can manage to keep a civil tongue in her head and not rip the opposition a new one, is totally beyond me

Jan Shakowsky, another great example of why women should rule!

Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward, Operation Odyssey Dawn Joint Force Air Component Commander

And my mother in law, for loving me as her own.

2010-11-23T13:52:00.000-08:00

Free Shipping for all my wonderful collectors via U.S. Priority Mail. We will also gift wrap your treasures for the Holiday Season!

Shop at www.beadbear.com for your holiday gift giving, your self, family and friends.

Email us for special requests beadbear@beadbear.com

Wear Your Beads in Good Fortune!

Why I Design Only One

2010-11-15T11:23:00.000-08:00

Why do I design one of a kind jewelry? Because I’m not designing for everybody. I’m designing just for you. I want you to have something that speaks to your heart, that allows you to feel really good about yourself and whatever you’re doing. I want to make the piece that gives you the extra confidence to make that presentation, sing that song, argue that brief; make that sale, get that promotion. I want them to be absolutely wowed by you. I want to make your “magic amulet”. I want to have your precious just ready and waiting. I want to create your valued treasure that you can wear and enjoy for years to come.

I knot between the beads because I want it to last. It’s always so sad when I hear that someone’s favorite necklace came apart, and all the beads scattered, and they couldn’t find all of them. That’s why I knot between the beads. Yes, strung art does wear and break. But you don’t want to lose your treasure.

So that’s why I do it. That’s why I guarantee my workmanship. And when the inevitable happens, I’m there to make it all better.

To that end I want to remind everyone that I am happy re-string your broken treasures. I can make better, stronger. I can find the right bead or centerpiece to refresh and renew your necklace, and let the song return to your heart. So don’t dispair. Email me today. I care. I’ll listen.Let me help. It’s what I do.

Visit www.beadbear.com today

Wear you beads in good fortune!

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of Where?!

2010-10-29T17:02:00.000-07:00

I’m beginning to think that it’s time for the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts to go away. When I was growing up during the 50′s and most of the 6′s, I was not allowed to join the Girls Scout troupe in my neighborhood. My parents were informed that there was a “colored” troupe I could “join” on the West Side of Chicago. However, that group was NOT allowed to participate in activities with the other troupes in the City. Besides, I lived walking distance from Lake Michigan. So, it was really too far to go across town. Furthermore, it was insulting and discriminatory.The same thing happened to my brothers with the Boy Scouts (of America?! my ass!).

My father thought socializing with children our age, learning about nature and learning crafts and camping skills were important, so were enrolled in both the local YMCA and also a neighboorhood club, that provided lots of activities for children during the summer. Neither association discriminated. All were welcome. Consequently, there were white, black, Asian and Hispanic children. And we all got along for the most part, if for no other reason than we all lived in the same neighborhood, and went to the same schools, public, private and parochial. We played outside together on the street.

The only time there was a problem was when there was the annual trip to the television show, Bozo’s Circus. All the non-white children were forced to remain on the bus, or stay home and not participate because Bozo didn’t want non-white children on his show. That didn’t change until the late 60′s, due to a court order. It was the same order that required that the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts integrate. By that time, it didn’t matter to us. However, I suppose it was good for the children that grew up later.

I became disgusted again with the Boy Scouts when their blatant hostility to homosexuals came to the fore during the 80′s and 90′s. Although I have supported the Girl Scouts over the years. The only reason I did was to support them was because I was supporting my neighbors and my friends children by purchasing cookies from them.

Today I have learned that the Girl Scout are considering having their uniforms manufactured in China! That would cause several hard-working AMERICAN workers to lose their jobs! The GSA claim they are “concerned about providing good value to their members”. Oh, please! If the almighty dollar is more important than instilling American and patriotic values, just disband now. Otherwise, it won’t be the Girl Scouts of America, will it? No, it will then be the Girl Scouts for China! It’s already the Boy Scouts Just the Ones We THINK Are Straight. What kind of values will be instilled in our children?! That money is the only thing of value! Some moral compass THAT is!

Stop Poisoning Our Children!

2010-09-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

Children’s Jewelry Recalled Because of High Lead Content By JCK Staff Posted on September 23, 2010 D&D Distributing-Wholesale, Tacoma, Wash., is recalling children’s “mood ring” jewelry because of high lead content, according to a report in The Seattle Times. The jewelry was made in China, the report said.

Please, please stop poisoning our children!

Stop buying this crap!

Listen, everyone. China got the bright idea to substitute cadmium for lead. However, it’s just as toxic! Granted, it was because the US raised their regs and came down on China last year about this problem. However, you need to still be vigilant.

Stop buying ‘cheap jewelry” for your children. China is only concerned with China. It makes no difference to them if your kids get sick, because they already have YOUR DOLLARS!

Yes, I KNOW your daughters and their friends like it, it’s cute, and “everybody has one”. But I’m begging you, before you buy that trinket for your children, ask the store clerk or the manager about the country of origin for the product. If it’s packaged, read the damn package! If they cannot tell you, or will not tell you, DO NOT BUY IT.
Buy jewelry that’s stamped as sterling silver. Often you’ll see the symbol .925. ( Or buy gold.Yeah, I know it’s more expensive. ) And again, quiz the sales help. If everyone keeps up the pressure, the corporate honchos will learn to stop trying to make a fast buck at the expense of the safety and health of the American public.

Why Customer Service Means Respect

2010-09-23T08:47:00.000-07:00

I recently made an online purchase. No big deal, done it before. However, what got my goat, was their attitude towards customer service. I placed the order and received the confirmation email. I didn't expect to receive the tracking number immediately, because I ordered over the weekend. Monday morning, I sent an email, requesting the UPS tracking number. Later in day received replay that request had been forwarded to shipping department. After two days, and no response, I called to request my tracking number. The person who answered the phone was polite enough. She indicated that the person who did the shipping was on the phone. Did I want to hold?

I assented. After ten minutes of listening to dreadful “on hold” music, I hung up. Upon calling back, and making the same request, I was tersely informed that the shipper was very busy. I indicated that I had been waiting for over two days for a reply to my question. She then got quite snippy with me, telling me that they were just “too busy”. I asked to speak with a manager. She then said she would take my name and number, and assured me the shipper would call as soon as possible. She also indicated that it had been shipped; so what was my problem? I reiterated that I wanted the tracking number. Period.

About three hours later, the shipper called and was obviously irritated that he had to deal with me. I had left with the person that took my phone number, along with my name, order number and phone number. Upon providing the same information, he indicated that he would have to take time to look it up, a major inconvenience for him as he was “so busy”.

At that point, I admit I became quite annoyed. He said it "just too much trouble, and took too much time, to notify customers of their tracking numbers". I gently pointed out that since he was using UPS online shipping, all he had to do was check the box to inform customer of their shipping details, which would automatically generate to email and send it to the customer. Some have to plan to receive deliveries. Further, as a business-owner who serviced online clients, I always sent my customers their detail information.

At that point, he informed me that he had been shipping for“almost a year”, and that “he knew what he was doing”. I told him that I would take that into consideration, the next time I needed that sort of product, his company offered and make another decision as to where I would shop in the future, because I was not happy with their customer service. No aplogy was forthcoming.He informed me that they had “the best customer service, and that I did not know what I was talking about”.It was more important to justify himself than appreciate his customer's needs!

Yes, red fire jumped out of my eyes. I have served my customers online for over ten years. I lose sleep thinking about how I can improve their online experience with me. Because I'm here and they're way over there, somewhere. I want them to feel like I am accessible, and considerate of their needs and wants. One of my main concerns as as online retail merchant is to provide as much assistance to my customers as I can. After all, they don't know me. They're making a selection on faith, trusting that I will not only provide them with a product exactly as described and seen (if not better), but also provide them with a pleasant experience, reinforcing their decision to trade with me, and by extension, their good judgment. To that end, I will confirm the order by email immediately, and thank them for their custom. When I ship their selection, I email the tracking number so that they know I take them seriously and have care for them.

I respect my customers. I know my customers are very busy. That's one of the reasons they shop online. They do not have time to call, sit on hold, or email repeatedly. Nor should they have to! I value their consideration. They are not simply marks, or suckers ripe for picking.

Customer service is all about respecting your clients. And, whether or not someone makes a purchase or not, I still consider them to be very important. Showing respect will also garner more business. The person you satisfy and positively reinforce, will trade with you again. They may not tell anyone else about their satisfaction. They may not even inform you that they're unhappy. You simply will never hear from them ever again. But I guarantee that if a customer is displeased, then all their friends will know about it. And you will have devalued your own product!

www.beadbear.com

Meditating on America: Ben and Now

2010-08-23T08:04:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I watched a re-run of a documentary about the inventions of Benjamin Franklin, and how his scientific way of thinking had influence on his approach to politics.. I've always admired him. I think he's the greatest American thinker. Ever. And one of the greatest minds humanity has ever turned out. I believe the secret of his creative genius was his use of reason. His analysis of form and function was amazing. By using the most basic of scientific principles of observing and accurately recording, he could arrive at the operational definition, thereby solving a problem (better heating) or answering a question (electricity).

Right now people are operating under the assumption that we live in a zero sum universe, either shrink, ing or fixed. That translates into if your make a penny that's bread of out my mouth. Meaning there are finite resources and therefore finite opportunities for survival.

Enter the concept of organizing: sharing and pooling resources for mutual gain. (We used to call it hunting and gathering) It's the ability to rationalize another's behavior is why we decided to organize first, for survival. That in turn changes perception where the sum of the parts is greater: out of many we are one. If that's true, i.e it works, and we survive and thrive, then the universe is expanding, neither fixed nor static.


How in the hell did we get from the reason and logic to superstition and fear in 200 years?! What the hell is the matter, here?! This is asinine.

History has clearly demonstrated that the universe is expanding. We're still here, aren't we? Therefore so our our possibilities. Just go back to figuring out the ways it can be done. WWBD

Letter to The First Lady on the Occasion of Her Visit to the Gulf States

2010-08-11T09:24:00.001-07:00

Dear First Lady of the United States:
Thank you for planning to visit the third world part of the country. No doubt, while you are here, you will be shielded from the less savory parts, the sharecropper farms that still exist in Georgia and Alabama, the parts of Louisiana where there are regular daily power failures (Orleans parish). Bring a flashlight, and extra batteries.

Perhaps Ms. Sherrod will be available to sneak you away for a few hours, so that you can see how we really live down here. If you can slip the Secret Service, you will have the opportunity to experience what it's like to be a “person of color” in the South.( I know what I'm talking about. I am a black woman, who grew up in Chicago. I went to Lab School like your daughters. I'm college educated, and working only 10 hours a week). If you get caught, make sure you have your passport and White House credentials on you, or you could end up in jailed as a “street-walker”.

No doubt the satraps in charge will grovel obsequiously in your presence. remember however that behind your back they will be plotting ways to demean ad belittle any good work you will try to do. It'll be just like visiting South Africa in the 1960's. You will treated like an “honorary white person”. Make sure you are well-vaccinated. bring your mosquito repellent, first aide kit and malaria tablets. Do not drink the water. Do not get sick in Louisiana! If you do, fly home immediately. Health care in Louisiana is wholly inadequate, as in the entire South. Bobby Jindal, Richard Shelby and Haley Barbour have worked very long and diligently to keep us ill and unemployed, so we may be too weak to greet you if you come.

Enjoy your stay!

How to Take Care of Your Jewelry

2010-07-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

How much have you invested in your jewelry? Actually, it doesn't matter. It's your treasure. That does not mean that you should never wear your jewels. I want you to exercise a little common sense.

Take off your jewelry when doing house cleaning. Prongs can snag on polishing rags and scrubbies as well as laundry. Rings can slide off fingers doing dishes. Many solvents are not good for jewelry. Chlorine bleach dissolves gold. Take off your jewelry when cleaning the bathroom! Because swimming pools also use chlorine to disinfect, take off your jewelry when swimming in a pool, too! I also think it's a good idea not to wear your good to the beach. A few years ago, when in Florida, I witnessed a woman who was body surfing shrieked with horror to discover that her 2-karat diamond solitaire had fallen out! (That marriage got off to a rocky start!)

Many people who have gold jewelry think because it's gold it doesn't tarnish or have to be polished. Well, guess what? It does need cleaning from time to time. And if you have stones set in your gold, it is a very good idea to have your prongs checked on your jewelry. This is especially true if it's your favorite piece, like your engagement ring, which you never take off.(That's why it looks so grotty!)

Besides, it's a major pain in the arse to take the plumbing apart to find your ring. Your husband will not be a happy camper. Chances are, if you have to call in a plumber, he/she will not be thrilled either, even though you pay them.

While diamonds are the hardest gemstone, they do require some care. Diamonds are attracted to grease. That's why your ring gets so "googy" when you fry, never mind the breading! Why not take off your jewelry, when you're in the kitchen? Get one of those cheap glass ring holders that the dollar store in your neighborhood carries? Actually get a few, and keep one by the kitchen sink and one in all the bathrooms.(Your guests will think you're so posh!)

Opals, aquamarines and emeralds are softer, and can chip. Ammonia based cleaning agents will blacken your silver. If you like it shiny, don't give yourself more headaches. Vinegar will dissolve pearls. So, take 'em off when doing housework. Besides, if you have carpet, and you loose a stone and it gets sucked into the vacuum, good luck finding it! (Ask me how I know what a exercise in futility that is)

Platinum can get dinged up. It does not have a high sheen to begin with, so if you're not careful, you will find that your platinum will need to be re-plated.

If you've got stuff in your jewels, carefully, over a towel of contrasting color to the jewelry, use an old toothbrush, with a little paste of baking soda and water, and gently brush. Have a bowl of warm water next to the towel, to dip the ring, and rinse off the crud. You really don't want to stand in front of the sink, and run water over it. Because, if anything is loose, there it goes. Or, worse still, it may slip out of you hand, and down the drain it goes.

And, keep a soft cloth around to wipe off your pearls when you take them off. Skin oil can damage the cord, and dull the luster of the pearls. If you use hairspray, lotions and perfumes, your pearls will get dirty more quickly (duh!). Fill two bowls with tepid water, put a few drops of shampoo in and swish your pearls around. Rinse them in the other bowl of water. Lay pearls out on the a towel to air dry. I don't want you pulling the strand through the towel. If there is a fray in the cord, you could pull it apart. Do take the time to inspect your pearls for signs of wear. Generally speaking, if you wear them a lot, or any strung jewelry, it's a good idea to have them re-strung, periodically.

Invest in a couple expensive polishing cloths. Get two, one for your gold and one for your silver.The reason is that they both get black, but your silver cloth will get blacker quicker, and will make it harder to shine up the gold.

So, don't run the risk of ruining your jewels. Take care of your jewelry and your jewelry will be around a lot longer to make you happy and resplendent.

Fun Facts about the Zőe's

2010-07-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

The Zőe Necklace and the Zőe Set are homage to one of my cats: Zőe. A little over six years ago, my friend Katie called me and asked me, as I am a cat lover, if I had room for another. I said “sure”. She said she'd be right over because her friend has two kittens that were going to the pound to be euthanized. When she arrived, Katie had a carrier with the kittens inside. When she opened the door, a tiny kitten, about a quarter of the size of the other cat, climbed over her litter mate, hopped out, raised her front legs like a toddler being asked to be carried. “Her name is Zőe. We think she's a girl. She was born on May2”, was what Katie's friend who was getting rid of the kittens, said. Zőe was purring quite loudly, and kissing me. I said, “I guess she's picked me”. She think jumped down on the floor, and toddled of unsteadily on short little legs in the direction of the kitchen, at the back of the house.. And then they left.

I subsequently learned from my vet that she was barely five weeks old, and not old enough to be away from her mother. He was very annoyed with me. I explained that if I hadn't taken her, she would have been killed. Then he relented. He warned me, that she would have digestive issues, because I had started her on solid food. I told him that I had tried to give her milk, but she didn't seem to care for it. I thought that was strange, as all my cats were dairy cats. He explained that not all cats like or can tolerate dairy, that I should have gotten kitten formula. I didn't know that thee was any such thing. Long story short, we had some occasions where we thought we were going to lose her, because of her digestive issues. But she's a big girl now, twelve pounds! (Who knew she'd grow from less than one pound, to be such a big broad?!)

Zőe is a beautiful taupe and gray tabby, with eyes the color of key lime pie. She is also extremely inquisitive. I have learned NOT to store my crystal beads and rondelles in screw cap containers, and not in small clear plastic baggies, or compartment boxes, because Zőe will chew through the baggies. She is also very clever with her little digits, and can open LOTS of things she should not get into. As a consequence, her middle name is Dexter, from Dexter's Lab, a television cartoon. There was a brief time when we first got her, that were weren't sure if she was a boy or a girl. And my husband wanted to call her Dexter , if he was a he. As a consequence, I have learned that she has a definite preference for ruby red, and iridescent red crystals. She likes the rondelles in gold, rather than silver. In fact, if you offer her something gold over the same in silver, she always goes for the gold. She cries for any red bead she sees me working with.

So, when I noodling around one day in the beads, I got the idea to see what beads I had that were her coloring, or favorite colors. After pulling out some labradorite, and the deep red Moretti Venetian glass beads that had white or yellow 24kt gold foil, and the unusual gray German glass leaf beads, and started to play. I couldn't figure it out at the time, so I put all of the beads into one large plastic bag and set it aside. I often do that. I find some beads that I think look good together. Toss 'em in a bag, and the the beads figure it out.is free

While I was occupied at the table, Zőe managed to get into the vermeil beads. They were in a compartment box, in sealed zip lock bags in each compartment to guard against tarnish. The DLDC (my husbands' nickname for Zőe. It stands for Damned Little Devil Cat). had gotten into the beads and had pulled one of the bags of vermeil beads and was busy chewing a hole it it. Were it not for the fact that she selected the perfect bead, I would have swatted her butt! As it happened, I looked at the fancy beads she had pulled out to play with and realized that they would work perfectly with the gray leaf beads. And the rest is history.

Have a closer look at the Zoe I at http://www.beadbear.com/c0903.shtml, or Zoe II
http://www.beadbear.com/c0904.shtml

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Wear Your Beads in Good Fortune!

Beadbear.com Now Offers Free Shipping

2010-07-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

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Wear Your Beads in Good Fortune!

What Your Jewelry Says About You

2010-07-01T08:10:00.000-07:00

Jewelry is all about identity.

After all, we select the piece before buying it. We select the item you are going to wear . We have jewelry that is for everyday. We have items that are for special occasions Some items acknowledge our part in the group, like class rings, or sorority pins. Jewelry can mark event in our lives, within society like wedding rings or anniversary rings, or retirement watches. It 's all about ourselves and how we perceive ourselves, both as unique being, as how we perceive our role in society.

However, we are all not the same in that group. So jewelry is also a form of personal identity, as well as a symbol of status and rank within the group.

When people wear the same mass produced item that is seen everywhere, it says that they do not have the status or that you lack the self confidence to express who you are. It demonstrates a level insecurity, and discomfort within their own skins, trying not to be noticed either for good or ill. Those motivations may be due to income, psychology, or even race. Conformity means denying self A person who only wears what is common announces that they do not have the status to be themselves.

Chains symbolize bondage. Doesn't matter if they're made of iron or gold. That's why I don't use chain in my jewelry

Wearing beads tells a different story about the person.

Traditionally, certain beads have been ascribed to different functions. Evil eye beads are worn for protection from evil and to promote good fortune. The oldest beads were for protection. Before the invention of glass, beads were made from agate, a relatively easy stone to carve and shape. The hole in the center of the bead was just so that it could be strung for wearing. The aperture symbolized the iris, looking out and protecting the wearer.

Other beads have been used for mnemonic purposes, like rosary beads, remembering which prayers or incantations are to be done in what order. Others were used as a means of inventory control, and counting, like an abacus.

So what else do beads mean?

Beads have always been a sign of status. Beads are very labor intensive to make. So they have always been valuable. Gemstones are not easy to acquire. They may have to be mined.. Then the rough has to carved (shaped), and drilled in order to be strung and worn. Over the years, gemstones have different powers attributed to them, and are coveted for reasons of belief, as well as for color preference. And of course, the harder it is to get, and work, the more valuable.

And some colors are more highly prized than others. Traditionally, many cultures revere red beads and stones as symbols of the life force and/or blood. And just for the record, red glass is the most expensive color to make. It requires dissolving gold into the glass! Mercuric oxide can also be used. It produces an orange-red. And is less expensive. However, for that juicy, true red, gold is absolutely needed.

So wearing handcrafted good indicates that you have the power to acquire and wear the products of many peoples' efforts. That indicates a certain level of education, another status symbol. Wearing beads further acknowledges that power in an understated fashion (think iron fist in velvet glove).

And lastly, wearing beads that are hand-knotted into place indicates that the wearer recognizes the value of what the possess and wish to keep it.

So, who are you?

Wear Your Beads in Good Fortune!

www.beadbear.com

Chevrons

2010-06-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

Chevrons are the most difficult and complicated of all the Venetian beads to make. Created by the Constantini family, they are made up of several layers of colored glass rods. Historically, chevrons were used in the rosaries of cardinals. Some of the most sophistacated chevrons had seven, eight or occasionally nine layers of color!

In Africa, during the bead trade, chevrons came to represent absolute power and authority. They were worn and collected exclusively by the tribal chiefs. During the American bead trade, tribal chiefs also retained chevrons for themselves.

In recent years bead makers in India and China have started copying them. I exclusively use and collect the chvrons created by the Constantinis.

Rosary

2010-06-08T09:08:00.000-07:00

I seldom create rosaries. However, beads have always been used in prayer. While personaly agnostic, I respect and honor those who have faith. The recent events in the Gulf are as good a reason as any to put it out there. You may have a closer look at
http://www.beadbear.com/f1008.shtml

My Inspiration for Jewelry

2010-06-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

My inspiration for jewelry that I design often comes from history. For example, the Empress series was inspired by the jewelry of Catherine the Great. There is a portrait of her, wearing a multi-strand choker of pearls, with two strands of pearls that looked like it went all the way to her navel. In between the two long strands of pearls, there is another strand of either rubies or garnets, with a red crystal pendant, of either ruby or garnet, that's as long as my hand! I have dreams about that necklace!

I also read that her favorite gemstone was actually amber. She commissioned that room in the Kremlin that is wall-to-wall amber! It's amazing. Hence many of the amber necklaces I design are named for her.

Another item that I have drooled about is the turquoise and diamond earring and necklace set that is shown in the Smithsonian, that once belonged to Marie Antoinette. Oh, my God! Perfect, Persian, robins-egg blue turquoise pendants the size of duck eggs! Hand-carved rosettes and briolettes of diamonds inches long. I had read about it. It was presented to her by her father-in-law, Louis X!V. It was said that his mistress, Madame Pompadour, was furious that it went to Marie Antoinette, and not to her. She also coveted the Tavernier Diamond, a phenomenal five-sided blue diamond that was initially presented to Louis XIV by the explorer Henri Tavernier. It was first set in a brooch, and was called the Medal of Freedom. After the French Revolution, it disappeared.(Gee, what a surprise) It turned up decades later, and much smaller. It was to become what we have come to know as the Hope Diamond. Damn! That's another piece that haunts me.

In many respects, my tastes are from the Bronze Age. I just groove on the idea of rubies the size of my fist, that are too big too fit in my navel, and I've got a perfect “inney”. Yeah, arm cuffs studded with gems! Gold, jewel-studded necklaces that would stagger a goat! I drool when I think about it. It's why I make big jewelry.

Elizabeth Tudor loved pearls. There are over 2,000 seed pearls sewn onto the gown in which she was corona ted. Some whispered that her love of 'gems was“mannish”. Don't forget, back then, gold, precious gems, were exclusively the purview of priests and the Holy Roman Empire (for the glory of God) and kings, who represented God's rule on Earth.

Eleanor of Aquitaine was the first European woman of record to receive an engagement ring. It was a diamond, set in gold. The Pope was horrified when he heard about it. And it scandalized both the French and Norman(English) court. People whispered that Eleanor had “bewitched” Henry Plantagenet. The tittering turned into a roar when she married Henry, and was crowned Queen, with a little, tiny gold circlet, that wouldn't keep your hair out of your eyes, its so to thin. But she was the first woman in Europe to be Crowned. That really got the Pope's bowels in an uproar. He called Eleanor a witch. He threatened Henry with excommunication, if he didn't take it back. Eventually, he was, but that had more to do with Thomas Beckett, than Eleanor. Although, she had no love for Beckett, and urged Henry to disassociate himself from Beckett. But that's another rant.

And pearls were worn more by men than women. No gentleman would ever be caught dead at Court, without a nice pair of pearl bobs! Christopher Columbus, was so poor, that he did not own a pair of pearl earrings. When he was first invited to the Spanish Royal Court, he had none to wear. Ferdinand was contemptuous of a man with no earrings, and refused to see him. A courtier, who was friendly to Columbus, loaned in his best pair, when Isabella agreed to see him. She was intrigued by a man with bold ideas and great ambition, yet from such humble origins begging audience with her. It is said that she was so taken with him, that she gave him a pair of his own. Those he wore when he made is formal appeal to the King and Queen of Spain, when he presented his Letter of Recommendation from the Pope. But it was said that his clothes were quite shabby, and not in fashion. No doubt he dressed like an Italian sailor, not a Spanish courtier. And they said he smelled. History has shown us that he must not have stunk too badly for Isabella. She granted him a private audience, and the money received to buy those the ships came from her.

It's That Time

2010-06-06T18:03:00.000-07:00

It's time:Time to step away from the oil and the coal. Wanting something real bad doesn't make it right. Yeah, we use the oil. We think we need the oil. But let's face it. We use too much. We've over done it. And now we're sick because of it. So we're gonna have to change. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Change is good. Life is about change. Be more energy efficient. What does that mean? It means it's time to take responsibility for what you use.

Well, for starters, drive less. If you live in an area with public transportation, use it. If it's not readily available, holler for it. Make it happen in your community. If you take the bus or the train to work, you can get stuff done, without having to hang on to the steering wheel. And, insurance rates will go down, because we won't need to drive everywhere. There will be less fender-benders. Drunks will be able to barf in taxis, and chat with you on the subway. Isn't that better than side-swiping your car, or killing you? See, and you won't be getting tickets for running the red light, either.

Walk there and back. That's a two-fer, right there. You'll accidentally get some exercise. That'll increase the circulation, maybe increase the metabolism, lose a little weight. Your doctor will be so proud. He/She will think you're following their advice. Ya might even get “lucky”, because you feel better, and look better, eh? And your dog won't look so much like a barking pig, because you're walking him/her. (Pick it up! That's what those plastic grocery bags are good for)

Ride a bike as part of your transportation system. Get one with a good sturdy frame, and nice fat tires. Get one of those nice cushy seats, not an butt-killer like they put on racing bikes. Hell, it's your bike: detail it like you wanna. Get streamers, paint it, put some good baskets on it so you can carry stuff. Get a really loud horn. Put all kinds of reflectors on it. And good breaks. Really. (Your reflexes ain't what they used to be) And a good sturdy lock and chain/cable!

Turn off some of those lights. Get dimmer switches. Don't waste electricity. Don't forget, someone probably died in a mine, for that coal that's used by your local power plant. Put solar panels on the roof. Look into tank-less water heaters, or the ones that run under solar panels. Put everything on a surge protectors, and when you leave the house, turn everything off, except the fridge. Window units are more efficient that central heat and air. Use screens on the windows on nice days and get some fresh air in there. Get that film for the windows. Honestly, it works, and it's neat stuff! Hang the laundry outside to dry. Saves energy; the clothes will be fresher. If you're shy, hang the undies inside.

Let's invest in wind energy. We should be manufacturing our own turbines for them. Let's not sub-contract everything out to the Chinese. It's stressing them out. They're not used to having to treat their workers like human beings.( It's freaking them out at the Fox Comm Factory!)So let's take advantage of the situation, and get back into making things ourselves for our selves.

Or else, we're gonna kill ourselves. It's a national gut-check time

Dude! Save yer ass, save the planet
.

Remembering the Wetlands

2010-06-06T15:09:00.001-07:00

I love the wetlands. I used to love going out in the bayous and estuaries in my perouge, and trawling motor. I’d set trot lines for catfish, go crabbing, go crawfishing. I found oysters. I could never get enough of watching the graceful blue herons, gliding over the water. I would be at peace there, one with nature. I remember when I flew to New Orleans from Chicago, in 1977. We circled over the wetlands. It was mesmerizing.You used to be able to drive out to where Jean Lafitte’s fort used to be. We saw some of the other forts that were there. Within two years of my moving here, they were covered with water. I was grateful to have seen and walked across a piece of Ameican history, when I could.

But you can’t see them now. The Gulf has washed over them, as the wetlands have been destroyed, in favor of the oil companies with their barges. I live closer now than I did thirty years ago, to the Gulf, because of the erosion. I wanted to come back to see the beauty again first hand, and to show Wes how beautiful Louisiana really is

And now, BP has gone and ruined it. You evil, sorry rotten bastards, I hope you go bankrupt, and die in prison, you dirty rotten money grubbing life-hating, nature-abhorring bastards. I hope you rot in hell.

2010-06-05T11:48:00.001-07:00

Multi-Strand Necklaces

I enjoy the challenge of creating multi-strand necklaces. It doesn't matter whether it's graduated strands, or entwined, or braided. All necklaces are equations. The goal is for it to be balanced, hang the way it's supposed to and lay against the body like it's a part of the wearer. What's done on one side must balance the other side. Not necessarily mirror, but balance, just like a quadratic equation. I relish trying to give the illusion that the laws of physics have been defied.

I suppose my favorites are the entwined strands with lots of different sized and different shaped beads.
These necklaces can be particularly aggravating. They can take several attempts at laying them out and doing a temporary stringing. I don't do any knot-work until I have all the strands created, and I can see how it's going to hang.

The next part is to determine with what to string the final piece on. That has a lot to do with what is in the necklace: large or small-hole beads, glass or metal, the quality of the holes in gemstones (are they well-drilled or are the edges ragged, with nasty little holes?). I have about eight or nine different spools of small cord, various thicknesses of silk, and several types of kevlar. I think I've got about three different types on linen cord, too.

I have to file and smooth out the edges of the holes in some beads. I have a bunch of different kinds of bead reamers and pin-vise drill bits, probably fifteen or twenty. There are also several files of varying degrees of fineness. I have emery boards and a couple of diamond-grit nail files, just like are used for manicures.

Occasionally, I have to make to hole larger. This requires patience, and a steady hand, or a bead could be cracked. If they're precious stones, screwing one up is a costly mistake. Lots of swearing, cursing and praying occurs at this time. (If I've got a lot of that to do, then everyone gets out of the room! The cats go hide under the bed. My husband suddenly finds something very fascinating online.)

Of course, graduated strands can also be a pain in the arse. Nefertiti proved to be quite tedious. I knew exactly what the beads wanted. But it took over twelve hours, before I got it right. All the gemstone beads were so not the same size and weight. The serpentine strand damn-near killed me! And with Aventurine Dream, I actually had to get out my bead ruler, and measure some of the beads.

They call football a game of inches. This is a game of millimeters, or less!

A Humorous Rant about the Live Feed

2010-06-03T09:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I’ve been looking at the live feed from the Gulf all morning. I’m sorry, but it looks like a damn ultrasound.
I got just one question, when is the baby due?! Why don’t they just put it in some stirrups, for crying out loud. That’s what the doctor does. Maybe that’s what BP needs, and OB-GYN. Nurse, Get the forceps.
I just thought we needed a little levity at this point. This is just so godawful. However, I simply can’t go on like death warmed-over.
(Pause while I channel Sam Kennison.)
Why don’t we just jam Dick Cheney’s fat ass in there? I’d feel so much better. And, he would finally have served his country. Just a suggestion….

(Yes, the anti-depressants are finally working!)

Lariats

2010-05-30T06:22:00.000-07:00

Lariats are my signature pieces. I design them with pearls or other gemstones. Lariats are an American jewelry invention. A lariat is a long usually single strand necklace, that does not have a clasp. Initially popular in the late 1800's during the Art Nouveau Period, they reached their zenith during the Roaring 20's. It was said that Zelda Fitzgerald had a pearl lariat that was one hundred feet long. They were testaments to the American belief that ”anything worth doing was worth overdoing”.

Consequently, in the years that followed, they fell out of favor during the Great Depression. However, I believe that in moderation, they are the most versatile piece of jewelry a woman could possess. Initially, lariats were only a few feet long. However, if the length of the lariat equals the height of the wearer, it is the perfect length to be worn a variety of ways around the neck as well as around the waist.
Depending upon how it is wrapped around the neck, an outfit can look casual, business-like or dressy. Consequently, a woman could conceivably wear here lariat from work to a cocktail party, and still be perfectly attired!

If you halve it, and then slip the ends through the loop, and let them dangle to the right or the left, the look is quite sporty and casual. Wrapped twice around the neck and knotted in the middle you achieve a sophisticated image. Untied, and worn under the collar of a jacket, makes a powerful statement. Draped around the neck, and tied loosely below the bust, lends a dazzling appearance to an evening gown. Equally effective, is to drape it so that the ends fall down the back. A most alluring look with backless gowns and cocktail dresses. And of course, tied like a belt around the waist, elegant with a sweater dress, tied loosely and draped over the hips, is downright sexy; you'll look like a goddess!

Wear you beads in good fortune!

An Open Letter to Our Federal Legislators from South Louisiana

2010-05-28T11:45:00.001-07:00

You don't get it. We were not made whole after Katrina. And now we've been struck down again. Now it's the oil corporations at war with the people, with the legislators blessings. And here in Louisiana, we have no representation. We only have Mary Landrieu, who is more concerned about the oil corporations than the people who are being exploited and destroyed by the industry she so adores. BP has told fishermen, hired to help save their wetlands and their way of life, that if they wear respirators, they'll be fired. Now they are demanding no less than our lives.

And for what?! Hasn't BP killed enough of us already? Why do they need to kill more of us? This is our water, this is our oil, these are our people, these are our wetlands and fisheries that are being murdered for their greed! We have David Vitter, and Steve Scaliese, who have never seen a federal regulation they haven't been against if it meant less profit for business, particularly if it could protect our rights as citizens. We have Bobby Jindal, a Governor that doesn't see us as living breathing human beings he was elected to lead. All he sees is numbers on a piece of paper, to step on as he endeavors to make his way back to Washington, where he can really injure and maim humanity.

The planes that are dropping Corexit 9500, a poison, on the water are also spilling it on houses of people on land in Mississippi when they return to land. We have Haley Barbour, who has done nothing to help his fishermen. Why are we so hated by you? We are the ones that elected you. We trusted you to lead us, to look out for America's best interests. And you've sold us out. You don't care. You are great all great pimps and panderers, prostituting America!

What Kind of Necklace is Apropriate to Your Bustline

2010-05-27T16:46:00.000-07:00

I don’t like that question because it presumes that women wear jewelry as mean of disguise.
Far from it! Jewelry is one of the highest and most personal forms of self-expression. It reflects who we really think we are. So there is no jewelry that can apologise for your existence. There is only jewelry that is designed to celebrate the joy of your being, no matter the size of your breasts (or how many you have)!
A better question might be what necklace is right for the clothes you have on at the moment? You wear different jewelry based on a variety of parameters. Are you wearing a turtle neck, are you wearing a bustier? Are you dressing for the office, digging a ditch or a cocktail party? What are you doing? Are you standing, walking around/active, or sitting at a desk or on a stage?
My philosophy is that with the right jewelry, it doesn’t matter what’s underneath; you could be naked. Because if you are wearing something that makes your heart sing, you will be beautiful.

How I came to Love Beads

2010-05-25T15:08:00.001-07:00

My introduction to beads and jewelry came early. Our family's German landlady had come to America after narrowly escaping the Nazis. She had rescued her personal collection of antique Venetian glass and African trade beads, and she kept them in several small trunks that looked just like a pirate's treasure chest. We admired them together; Mrs. Kaplan shared her knowledge of bead designs and the history of beads. She passed her love of these exquisite works of art to me.

Growing up in Hyde Park district of Chicago, I could spend lots of free time at the Oriental Institute of Chicago, and became an avid student of ancient Egypt. In sixth grade, my research project on King Tutankhamen accidentally turned into the first biography ever written about him. (Much had been written on the treasure found in his tomb.) I was fascinated that a child about my own age had ruled a fabulous country and wielded so much power if only for a short time. The Oriental Institute included my paper in their stacks.

Formal study of jewelry craft began during my high school years. In college, I studied Greek and Roman archaeology, anthropology and physics. During my senior year of college, while studying in Oxford, I had the opportunity visit the Ashmolean Museum often and view their extensive collection of antique beads. The Jewel Room at the British Museum was also a frequent haunt. I have continued to expand my knowledge with courses from the Gemological Institute of America.

I use antique and contemporary Venetian, French, Dutch, Bohemian and Turkish glass beads to make necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other unusual ornaments. Precious and semi-precious gemstones of the highest quality, gold and silver are used to accent. Quality craftsmanship distinguishes my work from the rest.

Beads reflect a tradition dating back to 3000 BC These beads were worn to promote good luck, and for protection from misfortune (the evil eye or malocchio). Archeological evidence suggests that concepts linking eyes and protective magic to beads evolved in western Asia and Africa, and were carried west and east with developing trade routes. The oldest eye beads made were drilled stones like agate and carnelian.

The evolution of glass beads began with human discovery of glassmaking techniques in ancient Egypt. Beads were incorporated into jewelry, personal adornments, and everyday utensils of Egypt, the Hebrews, China, India, Persia, and Italy.
Beads are still used and admired in Africa, the Middle East, and southern Asia, as well as the Americas. As in ancient times, they adorn people, homes, pets, livestock and vehicles as protective talismans.

I see both antique and contemporary beads as a link to the past through work that will last into the millennium. Beads and jewelry reflect where we are today, what we were, and who we will become. One can neither break nor ignore the thread of history, for like a strand of beads, the result would be chaos.

Wear your beads in good fortune!

Born to Love Jewelry

2010-05-24T14:12:00.000-07:00

I believe I was born with a passion and love for jewelry. I was born back in the fifties. There used to be a baby blanket that was made with plastic rings that could be secured around the rails on the gates on drop-down sides of baby cribs. They came pink or blue. My parents got me the one with the pink rings. According to my parents, when I was about three months old, my mother came into my room and discovered that all of the pink plastic rings had been removed from the blanket and the side rails. There were, however two pink rings on each of my ankles, two pink rings on each of my forearms, and three pink rings on each of my wrists! And I had, I have been told, a very smug, self-satisfied smile on my face.

When my parents tried to take to rings off of me, I understand the din was deafening. They let me keep them on.

Fast forward about twelve years. I'm going to my violin lessons at the Roosevelt Conservatory of Music in downtown Chicago. Where I get off the subway train is very near the entrance to the jewelry store, C.D. Peacock. When I would walk past the jewelry store, the old man that often stood out front when I passed by, always spoke to me. “Good afternoon, Miss Timmons. How are you today?” he would cordially ask. I was thunderstruck that he seemed not only recognize me but he knew my name!
I would always reply, “fine thank you”. And he would smile broadly at me. I would hurry to my lesson, but it would really non-plus me every week.

Finally, one Saturday, I gathered up my courage and I asked him how he knew me. “I've know you since you were a little baby. You haven't changed at all. He smiled broadly, and said “Oh, You're the baby that cried for diamonds”. I was stunned! No, thunderstruck, might be a better description. I demanded to know what made him say that. He asked me to step inside his jewelry store, and he would explain. He held the door open for me, like I was some great lady. I became very embarrassed, but he demurred and insisted I precede him in.

Upon stepping through the doors, the sales staff all looked up and greeted me, like a long lost friend! “Look!” the old gentleman announced. “The Baby Who Cried for Diamonds has grown up!” I was ready, in my mind, to turn and bolt out the door in confusion and fear, but my feet were oddly unresponsive. I just stood there. “What do mean?”I stammered.

At that point the old man had gone in and out of a door marked “Private”, with a photograph in an exquiste silver frame. He showed it to me. There I was, sitting on the counter, beatifically smiling. He said it was back when I was sixteen months old, when my parents came in with me. My mother needed to get her pearls re-strung. Evidently, while my parents were being waited on, the sales help offered to hold me. I was fine, he said, until I saw the diamond bracelets in a jewelry case. He said I started crying, so to pacify me they took the bracelets out of the case. When someone put a diamond bracelet on my wrist, he said I stopped crying. “Look, the baby is crying for diamonds!”, is what was said. The picture showed me with several diamond bracelets on each wrist, with my foot sticking out as one was being clasped onto my ankle!

I was thunderstruck! I mumbled I was sorry that I had been so much trouble,and had to go as I would be late for my lesson They were all smiles, and encouraged me to come back and visit any time. Later that afternoon, when I got home, I asked my parents about it. My father was tickled that there was a photo of the event. He remembered it, and thought it was very funny. “That's why I got you all those books about minerals and gems when you first learned to read”.

When did you first realize that you loved jewelry?

Tell me your story....

A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry Return & Repair Policy

2010-05-22T08:07:00.001-07:00

Returns
Upon receipt of your purchase you will have a full 7 days to examine and inspect
the jewelry. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you must notify me and request a refund
within 7 days or it is yours!

If in those 7 days you are not satisfied for any reason, simply contact me for a return shipping label. I will email a Return Shipping Label to you. Upon receipt of the merchandise in its original condition your purchase price will be refunded in full. Credit card refunds will be made by crediting the original account number used for the purchase.

Before the return of any merchandise you must first call or email to get authorization.
Place a copy of your sales receipt inside the package, with all packing material, return it to our address, insured for its full value. We thank you for your cooperation and the care that is taken in dealing with valuable pieces.

Your satisfaction is always our first priority.

Restringing
Any necklace or bracelet cord may break in time, especially if worn frequently.
Knotting between the beads secures them on the strand so that they do not scatter when this happens.
If any of my designs break, I will restring it free of charge.

Repair or restringing of any other items will be charged $2US per inch (3.5cm), plus the cost of any necessary replacement beads and findings.

Remember that a three strand necklace that is 24 inches long equals 72 inches. Very elaborate restringing jobs are priced on a case-by-case basis.

Customer pays all shipping costs for all repair and restringing orders, including free repairs.

Please use the Contact Form to inquire about repair or restringing.

I will issue a repair number, approximate repair charges, email a shipping label and shipping instructions. I will notify you by phone or email with total charges when repairs are complete. Allow up to four weeks for re-stringing and delivery, although most basic repairs can be completed within a week of receiving the item for repair.

Each bead is knotted into place by hand, for strength and durability. I knot with braided kevlar®, linen or silk.

Noor Pearl Necklace

2010-05-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

The necklace Noor was inspired by the dowager Queen of Jordan. It reflects the calm and balance she displays, and her great work trying to bring cultural understanding the between the Middle East to the West. Noor means light. I saw her speak once several years ago, and was completely taken with her grace, calm, and serenity. She also represents to me some of the best qualities of America,acceptance and celebration of other cultures and ideas.

The necklace was not easy for me to assemble. I know what I envisioned. However, creating the balance was not easy to achieve. It took several attempts, before it came together. I dare say she might be able to relate.

Neda Necklace

2010-05-20T10:43:00.000-07:00

This necklace was created to honor the life of Neda al-Sultan, the beautiful young woman who was gunned down on the streets of Tehran, demonstrating for civil rights and against the rigged elections last year. Each green aventurine tear drop bead symbolizes the bloodshed for freedom.

Many pieces I design honor the spirit,courage, dignity and strength of women throughout the world and across history, who dare to stand up for themselves and others.

To see this necklace and others in my collection, visit A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry, www.beadbear.com

Wear your beads in good fortune!

Why I Knot Between the Beads

2010-05-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

Knotting between the beads is important for a variety of reasons. Bead stringing, properly speaking, is a form of rigging. Where a knot is placed, it strengthens the cord three-fold. Consequently, if cord with a tensile strength of 17lbs. The cord is strengthened to 51lbs.10lb-test becomes 30lbs, etc. Thus, it secures the beads. This is especially true when a variety of different sized beads and materials are used. If the cord breaks, there is only one or two beads to pick up off the floor. Losing precious metal beads, or gemstones, can make it costly to repair.
I use a variety of different stringing material as well. I use anything that will take a knot. Generally, I will use silk, or linen. These are natural fibers, and are quite sturdy and durable. Cotton is too weak. I also use braided kevlar, of varying thicknesses. Kevlar is used in bullet-proof vests, as well as the suits astronauts wear. I often use kevlar with beads that have rough holes.
I never use tiger-tail, or any of the coated wires that many others use. Wire eventually will cut the beads, particularly pearls and opals, which are quite soft. Furthermore, when metal fatigue sets in, which it will, sooner or later that wire will kink. That kink will not only weaken it, but will cause the necklace to not to wear properly. Wire is just too stiff for necklaces and bracelets, in my opinion.
Second and more important, a knotted necklace will lay better against the body. Indeed, knotted necklaces will conform to the body of the wearer. Thus it actually becomes a part of the wearer. And you will wear the jewelry, rather than the other way 'round. So there is no “Afghan hound” effect. That is particularly vital when wearing a large piece.
Yes, it takes longer to assemble a knotted necklace. I knot each bead into place, by hand. I do not employ any of the bead-stringing devices that are available, because it does not allow me to place the knot closely by the holes on each side of the bead. Again, this is of particular importance when using beads of differing sizes, shapes or material (metal, glass, gemstone). I create my jewelry the time-honored traditional way, one bead at a time, and one knot at a time.
Beads reflect a tradition dating back to 3000 BC These beads were worn to promote good luck, and for protection from misfortune (the evil eye or malocchio). Archeological evidence suggests that concepts linking eyes and protective magic to beads evolved in western Asia and Africa, and were carried west and east with developing trade routes. The oldest eye beads made were drilled stones like agate and carnelian.
I see both antique and contemporary beads as a link to the past through work that will last into the millennium. Beads and jewelry reflect where we are today, what we were, and who we will become. One can neither break nor ignore the thread of history, for like a strand of beads, the result would be chaos.
Wear your beads in good fortune!

I Love Sumo Wrestling

2010-05-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

I love sumo. Think it's totally awesome. Way cool. But I can't find it on television anymore. I grew up watching it on the old ABC Wide World of Sports show on weekends. Iused to looked forward most of all to the Emperors Cup, because of all the grand ceremony and tradition. I was thrilled by the footage of all the wrestlers strutting into the arena wearing their finest kimonos, bowing to honor the emperor. The grandeur and pagentry was timeless and magnificent.

The mind games before each bout, as they entered from their respective side of the ring, stomping and tossing salt to impress the gods and strike fear and doubt in the mind of their opponent. And it would all be over in an instant! I learned to toss my cushions in the air in approval and excitment, just like in the arena, imagining I was there.

Now this month there is the Grand Sumo Tournament! I found video on YouTube, oh joy! Eat your heart out, ESPN!

CHILDRENS' JEWELRY RECALL

2010-05-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

There was yet another recall of childrens jewelry this week due to dangerously high levels of lead and/or cadmium. The "Best Friends" charm bracelets from Claires' contain unacceptable levels of the toxic materials. And, yes they were made in China.

Listen, everyone. China got the bright idea to substitute cadmium for lead. However, it's just as toxic! Granted, it was because the US raised their regs and came down on China last year about this problem. However, you need to still be vigilant.

Stop buying 'cheap jewelry" for your children. China is only concerned with China. It makes no difference to them if your kids get sick, because they already have YOUR DOLLARS!

Yes, I KNOW your daughters and their friends like it, it's cute, and "everybody has one". But I'm begging you, before you buy that trinket for your children, ask the store clerk or the manager about the country of origin for the product. If it's packaged, read the package! If they cannot tell you, or will not tell you, DO NOT BUY IT.
Buy jewelry that's stamped as sterling silver. Often you'll see the symbol .925. ( Or buy gold.Yeah, I know it's more expensive. ) And again, quiz the sales help. If everyone keeps up the pressure, the corporate honchos will learn to stop trying to make a fast buck at the expense of the safety and health of the American public.

Till I get on my soap box again,
Anne
www.beadbear.com

Emerald Gemstone for May

2010-05-11T11:09:00.000-07:00

The word emerald is derived from the Greek Smaragdos which is probably an old Persian word. It means green stone.

Emerald is the most precious form of beryl. It has a Mohs hardness of 7½ to 8. As emeralds are rather brittle gemstones and fracture easily, they are often treated with oil. Emeralds are found in Columbia, Brazil, South Africa, Tanzania, India, Pakistan and Australia.

It offers bliss and loyalty to its owner. Emerald will help you discern information that comes your way, it is knowing that way. Especially helpful as a tool when facing choices. Enhances focus and reflection during meditation.

What Kind of Necklace is Apropriate to Your Bustline

2010-05-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

I don't like that question because it presumes that women wear jewelry as mean of disguise.
Far from it! Jewelry is one of the highest and most personal forms of self-expression. It reflects who we really think we are. So there is no jewelry that can apologise for your existence. There is only jewelry that is designed to celebrate the joy of your being, no matter the size of your breasts (or how many you have)!
A better question might be what necklace is right for the clothes you have on at the moment? You wear different jewelry based on a variety of parameters. Are you wearing a turtle neck, are you wearing a bustier? Are you dressing for the office, digging a ditch or a cocktail party? What are you doing? Are you standing, walking around/active, or sitting at a desk or on a stage?
My philosophy is that with the right jewelry, it doesn't matter what's underneath; you could be naked. Because if you are wearing something that makes your heart sing, you will be beautiful.

Keeping Your Silver Clean

2010-05-08T07:27:00.001-07:00

Keeping silver free and clean from tarnish can be a challenge. A good quality paste silver polish generally can be found at your local hardware store. In a pinch, baking soda may be used. Pour a some into a saucer. Dab it with a soft damp cloth. Rub gently on the silver. Be very careful that you do not scratch the suface! Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Pat dry with clean, soft cloth.

DO NOT USE AMMONIA! It will pit and blacken your silver!
DO NOT SWIM IN CHLORINATED POOLS OR ALLOW CHLORINE to touch your jewelry. Chlorine with dissolve it, little by little.

And, as general rule, never go into a pool with any jewelry, or anything loose. It can:
a) come off and go into the drain
b) if you're in it, YOU can get stuck

To prevent build-up of tarnish, when piece is clean (brand new, BEFORE it's worn) paint item with clear nail polish, on one side. Let dry thoroughly. Do other side.

And for good measure, when it's not being used, store your silver in an air-tight container, like a baggie. The next time you are at your favorite jewelry store buying silver, ask your jeweler for some anti-tarnish strips, so that you can keep yout silver shiny.

Kind Regards,

Anne
www.beadbear.com

Introduction to Anne the Beadbear

2010-05-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

My name is Anne Renée Timmons-Harris and I have collected antique glass beads and unusual beads of all kinds from around the world for over thirty years.I use antique and contemporary Venetian, French, Dutch, Bohemian and Turkish glass beads to make necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other unusual ornaments. Precious and semi-precious gemstones of the highest quality, gold and silver are used to accent. Quality craftsmanship distinguishes my work from the rest.

My domain name is based on my craft, designing jewelry with beads, and my name given to me by my Cherokee grandfather, "Bear". There are others on the web falsely using the name Beadbear. They are being dealt with legally. Don't be fooled.


Each bead is knotted into place by hand, for strength and durability.
I knot with braided kevlar, linen or silk. If the cord should break, I will re-string it free.

Visit my website www.beadbear.com and see my jewelry designs


Wear Your Beads in Good Fortune!