Fire Mountain Gems…the Shopping Experience

When it comes to buying my jewelry making supplies, I like to be hands on about it.  I travel miles to visit bead shops, craft shops, and gem fairs to purchase beads.  For a couple of years I’ve been receiving catalogs from different vendors which I use for inspiration and wish list shopping, but I never actually took the next step to make a purchase until now.  Fire Mountain has a huge catalog filled with everything you could possibly want and the prices are very competitive.  After a highly disappointing experience at a local  bead store where rude service and triple priced merchandise rubbed me the wrong way, I referenced my FM catalog and discovered that for the money I spent on two items I could’ve bought more.  So I took the plunge.

Immediate gratification is huge for me, but when needed, I could tap into my patience reserves.  This is what I did with Fire Mountain.  First I perused their huge inventory presented in their catalog.  Next, I perused their awesome online inventory.  At the end of the day, I had so many items in my shopping cart that moved me from the first level of purchase to the next level which was notably cheaper.

For example a strand of beautiful Jablonex Czech fire polished glass beads cost $2.52 if I purchased 1-14 items.  If I have more than 14 items in my cart (15-49), I would spend $2.12 for the same strand.  Purchasing 50-99 items will lower the price to $1.81, and 200+ will mark the same strand down to $1.54.   Without trying, I found myself in the 15-49 range which was fine by me.

Their website is always boasting of a sale that is a true sale.  I had added a few items in my cart one evening, by the next evening, those sale items were gone because the items were so limited.

The beads I purchased are lovely and of good quality.  The grab bag I bought on a whim was a true treasure chest.  There were so many different types of beads that I would not have normally chosen for my jewelry making.  But after handling these beads up close, my horizons began to widen.

So if you’re like me and need to handle your beads before purchasing, take a step on the wild side and check out this vendor.  The $5 flat rate shipping is reasonable, the turn around delivery is quick, and the beads are quality.

 

How to Preserve Fashion Jewelry

During these hard economic times, you may find yourself wearing and purchasing costume/fashion jewelry instead of the more expensive pieces of jewelry.  Fine fashion jewelry is jewelry that uses less expensive materials (i.e. gold and silver is layered over a base metal).  If you have bought jewelry that was not behind a locked glass case, you have bought fashion jewelry.

What Damages Fashion Jewelry?

No matter how careful you may think you are handling your jewelry, the act of wearing your jewelry damages it.  Your skin consists of oils that can dull your jewelry.  Hairspray, perfumes, and make up all do their share in dulling and or eroding the shine of your jewelry.  The damage may not be obvious during the first few wears of your cherished pieces, but after constant wear, you will notice that your shiny gold and silver are starting to look dull.  Some people enjoy the antiqued look, but when the gold is looking mottled and dirty green…well, that’s unattractive.

How Do I Preserve My Fashion Jewelry?

Jewelry cleaners are a sure way to damage your fine fashion jewelry.  They may look simple and the perfect solution, but there are some key ingredients you MUST keep away from your jewelry and these ingredients are found in many popular cleaners:

• vinegar
• ammonia
• acids
• alcohol

Now if you find a cleaner that does not contain any of the listed ingredients, then use with extreme caution.  Some sources will suggest a glass cleaner or soapy water for cleaning your jewelry and those suggestions can cause your jewelry to corrode with hidden ammonia in the glass cleaner or become dull from soap film.

Another old school way of preserving your fashion jewelry is using a little trick my grandmother taught me.  Brush a little bit of clear nail polish onto your metals to preserve the shine and color.  Now this little trick does two things.  It puts a high gloss onto the metal and it prevents the natural yet eroding oils from your skin to break down the chemistry in the gold/silver plated base metal.  This trick may sound easy, but it must be done with care because a rush job with a partially wet brush could put unwanted streaks and clumps on your jewelry.  So take the time to purchase a brand new bottle of good clear polish and carefully cover your exposed metals.  Allow sufficient time for drying before wearing.

Lastly, if you find a wonderful piece of fashion jewelry that you know you will wear often, then purchase two.  Having multiples would help insure that you would always have your favorite jewelry available in spite of loss and damage.

Was This Helpful?

Hopefully this article has provided you at least one way to preserve your favorite fashion jewelry.  During these economic times, people are counting their pennies and holding on to what they have with a vice grip.  So do whatever you can to continue looking fabulous and preserve that fashion jewelry.

You Know You are a Bead Addict When…

It was only a month ago my poor family weathered the hot, Orange County heat shopping at the outdoor marketplace while I cruised the cool  indoor bead fair extravaganza.  I spent all of the money I allotted for this event and did not find what I was looking for.  That, my friends, brings me to this list.

You Know You are a Bead Addict When…

1. You attend looking for findings and leave with…more beads instead.
2. You buy beads in bulk with no idea what you’re going to use them for, but they are so pretty…
3. You run through the cash you brought to the bead fair and find yourself wondering how much more of your limit is on your Visa about an hour in.
4. You sit down to bead and start eliminating all the “good” beads for a project you’re considering.  Unfortunately, the “good” beads are the majority of your stash.
5. You find yourself counting 4mm beads in a store to make sure you are not cheated out of one bead.  After all, if you are going to pay that kind of money for a strand, you want to make sure you get every…single…bead…you…are…paying…for!!!!!
6. You could kneel on the hard, cold floor for as long as it takes to find THAT bead.
7. You search through boxes and containers full of beads and you just can’t find what you’re looking for.  Well, that’s an excuse to go to another bead fair less than 2 months later.

Yes, the Gem Fair is back in Costa Mesa, and I will find the restraints needed to keep myself at home and use the beads I have.  I just recently bought a lot of beautiful, swarvoski bicone crystals.  Lately, my passion lies with off loom bead weaving.  So those gorgeous crystals and seed beads I have been collecting for years are really getting a lot of attention.

Bead & Button October 2009 Issue

Wow.

My  review of the August issue of Bead & Button was a few degrees warmer of lukewarm due to the embedded advertisement in certain jewelry projects.  This issue of Bead & Button has, in my opinion, gotten back on track to what I love about this magazine.  The cover boasts of learning 12 techniques and making 14 designs.  To say my interest was aroused is an understatement.

The cover featured several projects that are delightfully found in this magazine.  My initial joy was found in the pictured beaded Christmas ornament.  I have seen this project in many magazines, bead stores, and websites, so I have been eager to find the time to sit down and do this project for possible gift giving.  The featured design by Lora Groszkiewicz is decidedly Victorian.  The ornament project is found on page 78.

Kumihimo was featured in the August 2009 issue, but in the October issue it is featured in the Stitch Workshop by Julia Gerlach on page 18-20.  This workshop just whetted my appetite to learn this lovely, ancient Japanese art.  So after devouring this article in several readings, I ran to my computer, did a bit of YouTube surfing, and fell in love with this art form.  Now I could look back to issue #92 (August 2009) and appreciate that kumihimo project even more.

Now the artist profile was inspiring.  Jennifer Morris is a polymer clay artist with the most lovely clay beads and pendants.  She has made her living creating amazing art and selling it through Etsy and wholesale orders.

If you are not a savvy subscriber of this magazine, then go to your local craft store and pick up a copy.  You will definitely find something worthwhile to add to your collection of beading books and magazines.  I just scraped the surface of this issue.  The chainmaille project in wirework expressions is very versatile with the addition of color.

And if you dabble in several crafty mediums and are looking for a way to marry them for something clearly unique,  you may like the clay maker project.  With the use of polymer clay, ink, jewelry findings, and rubber stamps you could create a wonderfully unique bracelet.

Look What’s New at Etsy!

Well, Etsy has finally finished their beta testing of a great, new feature sellers have been wanting for a long time.  Now shop owners can rearrange their shop to their liking and do not need to be held hostage by your shop reflecting your most recent product upload.

Rearrange Your Shop at Etsy!

Before this great new feature, shops were pretty much looking haphazard.  For example, a shop like mine offer a variety of items.  I sell handmade cards and handmade jewelry.

Etsy allows the shop owner to categorize their merchandise into sections, but the initial “look” of the shop does not look that organized.  Now you could group your items in your shop the way that looks the most appealing.  For example, a set of earrings that might’ve been listed a month ago could be moved to a newly listed item (i.e. necklace) to show the possible “jewelry set”.

There are some naysayers out there who may think this upgrade is a little too late or a pacifier for the disgruntled shop owners who are threatening mutiny.  Personally, I stay clear of that and give Etsy a thumbs up for constantly working to make Etsy better.  Unlike some other sites (which will remain nameless) that present beta upgrades at whim without thoroughly working out the bugs, Etsy does keep the beta process away from the masses before it is just right.

So come on over to Etsy and check out what is new!

The Pretty Good Podcast and My Jewelry

I am a huge fan of The Pretty Good Podcast with Gina Grad and Randy Wang.  The co-host, Gina Grad, had recently gotten her ears pierced.  In her excitement, she started requesting earrings, earrings, earrings.  So, I pulled out my beads, wire, and tools to create Gina one-of-a-kind earrings.  On their 59th show Gina gave my little shop a shout out on the podcast.  Even Randy Wang chimed in on the earrings!

I did not take pictures of the earrings, but if you want to see a selection of what I make, come visit my shop and you would see a variety, organic styles that fit different women from different walks of life.

I feel pretty good with Gina and Randy’s compliments.  I feel pretty good indeed.  I highly recommend subscribing to this podcast on iTunes.  This podcast is a reincarnation of 2 other shows that did not last very long.  These two talented and funny people would take you on a journey of good times, exploration, and laughter.  Once you listen to them, you will also feel pretty good.

Magnet Crazy Jewelry

In my last post I complained about spending 3 times I should’ve on magnetic hematite beads.  Well, I found some time yesterday to make some magnetic bracelets. Check out BeadBuddies.net to see instructions on how to make this project by Kim Conners and Amber Esparza.

Planning the design is the most fun.  Once you understand the basic design elements, you could use your imagination to make whatever your creative nature desires.  For one of my bracelets, I used white, pearl, hematite with yellow bicone crystal beads and silver flower beads.  I finished the bracelet with silver bead crimp covers.  That combination was stunning.

The second bracelet was made with 4 x 8 hematite tubes, seed beads, and tear drop beads.  This design turned out much thinner than the yellow and silver combination, but the tear drop beads added another dimension to the design.  Punk rock, goth, or emo may come to mind when you look at this design.  Personally, I think of a peacock.

Each bracelet could be worn as a choker due to the flexibility of the magnetic beads.  Although the magnets are strong, there is a good possibility of loss if the wearer is not cognizant of that fact.

Be mindful that the magnetic beads are the priority beads in the design.  So whatever your design may be, you need to make sure that the magnetic beads could reach each other without restrictions.  For example, if you use a 6mm magnetic bead, you do not want to have an 8mm bead right next to it because it would prevent the 6mm to connect to another 6mm.

These bracelets were fun to make.  I would strongly suggests buying some of these beads and letting your creativity run wild.

Bad Business: A Visit to a Local Bead Store

Yesterday my friend and I visited a local bead store in the South bay area of California.  I did not have a need for anything, so I was accompanying my friend while she did her shopping.  Personally, I like to support the local bead stores because with the economy the way it is, small, independent stores lose business next to big chain stores that offer coupons and sales.  So I purchased some magnetic, hematite beads for project I was interested in starting.  Yes, I could’ve bought the beads at JoAnn Etc.  or Michaels, but I chose to support this bead store.  I could’ve bought the beads from one of the many online bead stores like Fire Mountain Gems, but I chose to support this bead store.  Possibly an hour after making the purchase, I started having buyer’s regret.  My buyer’s regret was due to the fact that I paid over triple the price for the beads.

Now I know that times are tough and businesses are trying to do what they can to stay above water, but inflating prices is not going to help in the long haul.  Since I felt like I was ripped off by this store, I doubt if I would go back.  If I do patronize that store, it would be because the store has an item I desperately needed and couldn’t get anywhere else.  That, my friends, is the sad side of the story.  This business lost my support by charging me $7.95 for a strand of beads that should be priced at $3.

In the land of handmade artisans trading, selling, and buying wares, this trend of inflating prices can be seen if you know where to look.  Someone may up the prices of their inventory in hopes of making a bigger profit with a singular purchase.  Is that good business?

Not by a long shot!

Divine Inspiration: My Latest Custom Project

Whenever I sit down at my desk to work on a project, I first sketch it out with pencils, markers, and a fine tipped Sharpie.  After the sketching, I start looking at my supplies to see what materials I have that would compliment my vision.  For this latest project, I found inspiration in an article called Flight of the Butterfly by Nina Lara Novikova in the June 2009 issue of Bead & Button.  This beautiful butterfly pendant has nice elements that I found inspirational.

So using the same concept but using a totally different design, beads, and wire, I created this trio of gold and ruby crosses.

My design style tends to rely on framing with a delicate splash of whimsy.  I weaved the fire polished, bicone crystal beads through the double framing.  Instead of keeping a “right” and “wrong” side element to the crosses, I weaved the beads so the beads are on top of both sides of the pendant.  No matter the orientation of the pendant, there isn’t a “wrong” side to it.

Wire Work: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Wire Wrapping by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

The other day I managed to get a few hours to myself to browse my local Borders bookstore.  As usual, I found myself in the crafts section looking for books.  Honestly, I have a lot of inspirational books and magazines at my fingertips to last me a long time.  If you add the wealth of information available on the internet, I have a lifetime of inspiration.  But the simple title Wire Work caught my eye and I HAD to pick it up to see what was behind the simple cover.

Don’t let the simplistic cover fool you, but let the name Dale “Cougar” Armstrong tantalize you.  This book is the missing link to what I had in my library.  I love working with wire and I collect gemstones and beads.  I love making wire jewelry.  This book displays the wonderful designs of Dale Armstrong and it showcases jewelry her students made that was inspired by her designs and instruction.  Brilliant!  Many times a crafter would pick up a magazine or book, copy the designs presented, and remain on the first rung of creativity because they may not know where to find their creative voice in design.  This book gives the student that extra scaffold to finding their creative voice.

Now if you are a beginner to wire working, this book may intimidate you because there is very little Wire Work 101 information.  Dale does not spend any time on the basics.  She lists 4 tools she uses for her designs in the book, gives a quick overview on wire,  and gets right into the nitty gritty of making the jewelry.  If you consider yourself an intermediate to advance student of wire work, you would feel comfortable using this book.

Some of the designs may seem too ornate for some people’s taste, but that is the insane beauty of this book.  You are encouraged to branch off her designs to create your personal style jewelry.  Dale presents the reader with the knowledge to design.

If you want a back-to-basics book that gives you a solid foundation on wire work, you may want to pick up Sharilyn Miller’s Bead on a Wire: Making Handcrafted Wire and Beaded Jewelry.

I believe these two books are necessary to have in a wire work artisan’s library.  A review of Sharilyn Miller’s book will be posted at a later date.