1:

Penguin Santa brings beads & things...

2:

...like these, to customize the stockings...

3:

...and stuff...

4:

...while all through the house...

5:

...not a creature is stirring, except these stirring crystal fish!

Happy holiday bead shopping, everyone!

“OK, this is a totally dumb question, but when you have solid wood circles that are in the chain, there’s no way to ‘open’ the wood chain in order to adjust the number of links you want, is there, short of breaking one of the links?”

If you can cut wood chain, you can make this!

Our response:

“Hi, your question is definitely NOT dumb — in fact several people in our warehouse have asked the same thing!

The short answer is: just like with soldered chain, you’ll need to cut through a link to shorten the chain or use small sections. You’ll have to sacrifice cut links, unless you saw through them carefully.

One of our purchasers says, ‘I have a the link we broke in order to shorten the chain. It broke on the glue line and could maybe be glued back together. These are not solid links — at least not all of them (every other one?). The chain would be sooooo expensive if solid! So, the glued ones have a barely visible line.’

Co-owner Russ adds: ‘So far, most people using these styles of chain use the whole length. You could use a fine jeweler’s saw and cut open a link. It should be possible to glue the link together with wood glue however it might snap as you try to compress the cut ends together.  It would be safer to glue it together with a thin slice of veneer into the gap created by the saw kerf. We’ve not tried this yet, and I’m not going to recommend it, but it should be possible. In other words, you are on your own if you try it. ”

I hope this helps! 

Let us know if you find a method that works well for you!

"Beautiful. Very visually dynamic."

…to recognize that these are hot stuff right now.

Speaking of Twilight charms, check these out by the light of the New Moon…

"I can't bring myself to regret the decisions that brought me to Forks."

...or $75, or $50...

…with Rings & Things gift certificates.

The holidays are coming.

Drop hints to your loved ones now

...maximize the shine per penny...

…with shell pearls…

...perfectly round every time!

I’ve challenged myself – - write 5 great things about shell pearls – - in 25 words or less

1. Mixing real & faux!
2. Awesome feel & cost!
3. Durable!
4. One of the few beads you can call pulverized!
5. Coated with fish scales or pearl powder!

Does my nerdy enthusiasm for shell pearls shine through?  I hope so!  Get ‘em in lots of colors & sizes from…well, you know where

Vote for Rita Hutchinson

It’s voting season, so why not vote for the design: “Mystical Trios: Magical Butterfly Necklace”, by Rita Hutchinson?

Thanks a GR!

(Bead-supplier talk, for “thanks a million”!)

We can all expect to see small increases in the price of CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements over the next few months.

Still pennies per crystal bead!

Why?

• The value of the Dollar against the Euro continues to worsen.
• Materials costs continue to rise.
• For nearly a year, Swarovski held the currency surcharge at the same level, despite the fall of the Dollar.  But in late October Swarovski announced they are increasing the surcharge, thus making Crystallized Elements by Swarovski cost more for all US distributors and retailers.

The effects of the surcharge increase, plus an expected across-the-board price increase from Swarovski in early 2010, will ripple through the jewelry and bead markets as new goods arrive or as vendors implement across-the-board price changes.

Rest assured, Rings & Things plans to keep bringing you genuine Swarovski crystals at the best prices possible!

Welcome Wendy Gibson, “guest” blog partner!

Another place you'll find our busy new blog partner

Wendy put her name in at our Blog Partners page, to be in our quarterly drawing.  She’s now our second (ever) winner in that ongoing contest!

5 things you didn’t know about Wendy, and why she’s going to rock your world for the next 3 months:

1. She’s the great mind behind the Peterborough Fairy Door Project!
2. Wendy’s our first Canadian blog partner…so she’s already celebrated Thanksgiving.
3. She’s not only a gifted blogger & indie entrepreneur, she’s also a popular girl on Twitter & Facebook.
4. The paper cutout version of Wendy has been spotted traveling with the ceramic Russ Troll bead
5. Wendy is an early adopter of the great new Twitter lists feature!

Enjoy reading Wendy’s Craft Dinner blog, and say hi to her at her other links above!

Bright stuff coming down!

These crystal pendants are the classic Swarovski #6704 style, perennially popular for the way they gently glisten.

Make your list now, and check it twice!  You have enough time to stock up some great styles for Christmas and Hanukkah shoppers.

Like real snowflakes, these come in many forms.  Sizes are 20mm, 25mm, 30mm and 35mm — in other words, from nearly an inch to an inch-and-a-half.  Choose from “pure” crystal, crystal AB (aurora borealis coating), and crystal/moonlight (also coated).

Crystal snowflakes fit for a princess

PS: You can also get new snowflake beads in raku, as well as other styles.  Merry browsing!

Invest selflessly

The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) specializes in helping those less fortunate–artists, specifically.  When a studio burns down or a hurricane sweeps away someone’s livelihood, CERF steps in to help rebuild.  CERF also educates artists in emergency preparedness.

Despite the economic ups & downs we’ve witnessed this year, some of us have come through all right — and as the holidays approach, we can consider donating to CERF.  Through December, join “A Season for CERF” to give a portion of your proceeds to this good cause.

Whether it’s a percentage of profits or a one-time donation, our donations add up, like beads strung onto a thread, to make a valuable contribution to our artisan community.

Can’t donate?  Please mention this article on Twitter or Facebook!