Well, here it is. The newest Swarovski colors for spring/summer '08. The lighter one is called sand opal and the other is mocca. (Yes, it is spelled with cc, not ch). Lovely, aren't they?? Even more incredible are their new cuts, especially the branch coral pendants, which I hope to have in stock. The thing is, it turns out not too many people want to buy the more unusual cuts of crystal. They want to stick to their safe, reliable bicones in basic colors. In fact, the best selling Swarovski cut is article #5301, the bicone, in size 6mm. I recently brought in some starfish pendants in out-of-production crystal copper (the larger size starfish) and figured there would be a few takers out there, at least on Etsy. But so far, nuthin. What's there to not love about a giant, sparkling starfish??? I am hoping if I get the coral pendants, the same thing won't happen, or I'll have one hell of an expensive necklace. (But, that's okay too, right?? See, 'cuz I'm not keeping them all to myself...I put them online for sale, I did, I did!)

That said, I suppose I have some explaining to do about my store. Yes, it is odd that it's now housed in an addition at my home. Yes, even weirder that I have no sign. I went to the town to get my business permit, figuring only a few regulars would pop in once in a while, and planned to put some little sign out front. But as soon as I did that, wham, there was our local code enforcement officer. I had already obtained a business permit from the town (although other people who sell stuff in this town and work from home - like Mary Kay Reps and Avon ladies, didn't bother to get business permits.) At any rate, I got the permit and stated I would be working in e-commerce, which I am. I have 2 websites for selling items- one for jewelry, and one for beads. It takes a tremendous amount of time to maintain stock on these sites. Occasionally a customer wants to come into the store and make a purchase or pick up something they saw online. Well, in my book, that's okay too. Because if your Avon lady said sure, come by and pick up your order, you would say great! I'm on my way. If your Mary Kay lady called and said hey, swing by for spring samples and a new catalog, you would say great! See ya soon! So if you see beads you like on my site and live around here and would like to pick them up, well, consider me your Avon lady of beads. Just don't look for a big sign on my lawn (although hmmmm, the Avon lady has one....).

Be warned too, sometimes I can't make it across the house to get to the phone in my workshop. I am looking into putting voicemail on the phone. I know I'm a pain in the ass, I know I'm not a "professional" retailer who shows up with the keys and opens the store every morning, greeting employees and teaching classes. But hey, it's just me. I have kick ass beads, I make some pretty amazing jewelry, and I guess I do okay for a one-person show. So, sometimes you have to cut people a break. Us little guys can't keep things running like Michael's craft supplies. (Who wouldn't give you free beading information by the way. Or a discount if you're a regular...or better prices on crystal in bulk....)

Until next time.......when hopefully I am better at adding pictures to my blog......enjoy the 10 degree boost we're experiencing as we head into spring! Happy Easter! -J

site with good stuff

Just thought I would post up a link to the PBS show Baubles Beads and Jewels, for those of us who miss it, don't remember to watch it, or don't get it. You can click on some of their videos and watch clips of jewelry making episodes. Who knows....could be something new and interesting there.... www.beadsbaublesandjewels.com
-J

Kinda Like A Troll

So...a few months ago I saw an ad in a major fashion mag for beads. It wasn't the first time I had seen the ad, it was just the first time I became curious about it. It was for Troll beads. I wondered how a bead company could afford to place a full-page, color ad in a national magazine, an ad which could have easily cost over $40,000. So I went to the website to see what was up with these beads. http://www.trollbeadsus.com/
They are pretty little things, these Troll beads. Designed to embellish chains, preferrably snake chain or something comparable. Each bead has a little story, a little fairy tale that goes along with it, and each is created by a commisioned artist. The Danish company brings in these beautiful, unique creations and they are distributed around the world. (Other companies do similar pick your own bead jewelry too, like Pandora)

Authentic Troll beads can cost anywhere from $20 each up to $700 (for beads created from gold) and special, rare or retired beads can cost even more. One of the sites I checked for pricing on Troll beads listed a complete bracelet for $1,200 or so.

I remembered a while back one of my regular distributors brought in sterling silver core beads, and at the time, I thought nothing of it. I went back to their site and readjusted my thinking and ordered several colors of these beads, which I can retail in my store for a little less than half the cost of a Troll bead. They are beautiful and weighty creations that look unique and fabulous - especially in wire creations. I also thought they would make a great "filler" bead for those customers who are collecting Troll or Pandora beads and don't have the budget to fill up a bracelet or necklace but want more than a couple of beads. Now that I have them in stock, I find myself staring at them, trying to find ways to work them into projects that would give them the best show. Come in and buy one and set it in front of you when you're working on your next beading project and you'll see what I mean. I've already re-ordered these beauties in other colors...looks like I'll have a full bracelet in no time!

Another site with good beady stuff

Hey everyone- Happy Valentine's Day!
I thought I would share with you a link that bears much fruit in the way of beading projects and inspiration. This site is not used for any advertising, so if you make jewelry and sell it, it's not the place to post your link to your website or Etsy store.

But what you will find here is a plethora of craft inspiration in numerous categories, including, of course, beading. It's always fun to cruise the creations other beaders make and find new and interesting ways to apply your beading skills. Some of the posts include directions and most have pictures. But check it out, it will sure to be one of those sites you bookmark as a favorite! Here it is:
http://www.craftster.org/blog/

I will soon post pics of the new Swarovski spring/summer 08 launch products, and believe me, they're unbelievable. I have already asked to be added to the list for the new colors in 6mm bicones and will bring in more of the new cuts when they are made available. So check back soon for pictures! You will not be disappointed. -J

Wow! Hey, look what happens when the weather is horrible and your're trapped at home with a bunch of vintage beads and some waxed linen. I decided to bust out a Tibetan Treasure weave bracelet, which is fairly quick and works up nicely once you have your beads all picked out. I am calling this "Color Pop" since it is loaded with vintage beads, most of them shaped like flower petals. Cute and fun, eh? It serves as a cheery reminder that we have almost made it out of winter and spring weather is just a couple of months away. Next thing you know, POP, it will be spring!!

More fantastic Venetian style blown glass has arrived...here are some lovely hear-shaped ones that would make perfect earrings! Other sizes include Rondells, 20mm rounds, flat coins, drops and others. They're so pretty and are hollow...fabulous!

Other new arrivals include a plethora of mixes in various bead types- smooth druks, Delicas, gorgeous drops and others. Great for those projects when you don't know what beads go with what.

Other fabulous arrivals include more antique headpins and several new cones in both gold and silver plated. Many of them are filigree style except some cool goldtone ones that are created with coils of gold. Plus some other fun stuff, but hey, gotta leave a little mystery, right??? -J

News of the New....

News of the new....
we have added about a dozen or so (more) seed beads to our ever-expanding collection including
such lovelies as size 6 Miyuki sky-blue lined crystal, antique rose lined crystal, caramel ceylon and
pink lined crystal ab. Most of the stuff that was just put out is size 6 except for a few pretty little oddballs
such as size 10 Delicas in opaque matte red ab and size 11 delicas in aqua fresco.

Tomorrow is a whole other story....we are waiting for the UPS and Fed Ex guys to arrive with more
goodies, including more of that fabulous venetian glass, several new cones (for all of you railroad
necklace project folk), new Delica mixes in size 11 and oh! Some SUPER pretty drop bead mixes in colors
like "lavendar garden" and "wheatberry". Sounds lovely, no?

Maybe I will be able to figure out how to post up a little photo album of all the lovelies...but
hey, I'm lucky I can manage to get this much done!

Brian Cat the Blogger

Okay, she's gone to the bathroom...time to post to the blog....he he he ........ she'll never know! Hey, wonder why they call this thing next to me a mouse??

In this month's issue of NH Magazine, www.nhmagazine.com , there is a really sparkly and pretty ruby red bracelet that I made. I was thrilled when they called and asked to use the picture (from my Etsy Store). So I wanted to write a nice big thank you for
giving some ink to The Bead Box...I have received lots of orders from it and I can't wait to send out the bracelets and spread some sparkle around.

I am especially fond of this magazine, not because they put the picture in it, but because they always have interesting, well-written articles about all things NH. I always learn something new when I read it, for example, who knew that some of the most beautiful aquamarine crystal in the world is being mined right here in NH? I was drooling when I saw the gorgeous color pictures of the beautiful stones coming out of a mine in Alstead. Apparently a New Boston, NH jeweler, Jim Cook, was aware of these high-quality NH crystals and has set them into some spectacular jewelry. Of course, now I am trying to figure out who to call to get some for myself. Well, and my customers too, because I have stopped bead hoarding.

If you live in or near the Granite State, I highly recommend reading NH Magazine. When I put down this month's issue, I wanted to run out and try some of the chocolate desserts they taste-tested. And I wanted to go to Manch-Vegas and go shopping on Elm Street. And I wanted to go put on that fabulous bracelet.

One more thing. If you find winter taking over and you are losing your beading inspiration, maybe it's time to subscribe to www.beadingdaily.com . It's published by Interweave Press, who publishes Beadwork magazine. Everyday you will get a new beading project emailed to you and you'll surely be inspired to get out your beads and make a project or two. -J

plumeria color inspiration....

Picking colors

I was asked to contribute an article to one of Ruby Lane's newsletters. For those of you who do not know what RL is, it's a great site where you can buy high quality antiques, artisan jewelryand fine art. I have a store on "the lane" www.rubylane.com/shops/jaeleven where I sell my jewelry.

So I was thinking about what to write and the theme is focused on stuff like what inspires you, how did you get started, etc. I've read tons of articles/interviews from other jewelry makers and one thing I find interesting is that many of them say they are inspired by nature. Nature? Okay. What, trees, birds, sunsets. autumn? Fair enough, you can look around and be inspired every day by something you see in nature. At the moment, for me, that would mean making something white and icy since it's January in NH. But I find myself endlessly inspired by other designs: interior decor, paintings, other jewelry, fabrics, fashion, flowers, you name it. I love seeing how other people put other colors together. Sometimes if I get stuck on matching a color I absolutely love with another color, I'll hit the internet. One great place to go is http://paletteman.com/ and mess around with the palettes there.

My other favorite is http://www.colorhunter.com/ . This is a really cool site where you can see a color palette created from a picture. You can do a search for keywords of pictures too like "foodporn" or Singapore or beach, sea anenome, and all kinds of weird stuff. Another way to find inspiration here is to toggle the palettes or upload your own photo and create your own palette. Once you get your color inspiration nailed, do a quick mental check of your beads and voila! Get your stuff out and get busy.

Awwwww Yeaaaahhh

It's DONE. A whole new beadboxwebsite, up and running. I am aware that the link to my Ruby Lane shop, Jaeleven Jewels, is not working, so I can only hope interested parties are finding it by cruising this blog and following the link.

A bummer word from Swarovski. My distributor (who is fabulous by the way) said Swarovski is implementing a 2% increase in their product and the Euro/Dollar exchange is now 22.something percent. This means when I spend $100 on product wholesale, I have to tack on an additional $22 for the exchange rate because the dollar is so weak. Well, shelling out for more Swarovski is making ME feel weak, since I have a strong addiction. But somehow, we'll all move on. I will always love their products but will be sourcing other high-quality brands of crystal so my customers can still shine without breaking the bank.

I have to admit, the news did not stop me from buying some limited edition Swarovski starfish in crystal copper....the big ones that come in a factory pack of like a dozen. They don't normally produce the starfish in that color, but what can I say. They're starfish for the love of god. How could I say no?

So that's that. Tomorrow I will find something fascinating to blog about, I'm quite sure. Meanwhile, check the site. -J

New Beads = Bead Love

I have sourced a new wholesale company and got the beads in today I ordered. I can tell you, they were impressive. I love drop shapes, especially top drilled, and got some really cool ones in fabulous colors. Not to mention the prices were fantastic, which trickles down to fantastic prices for my customers. Now what's not to love about that?

Also, I have several customers who are in love with this project they call the "railroad" necklace. It's easy to do and you use a certain kind of yarn and E beads (size 5 or even size 6 seed beads). So in an effort to satisfy them, I just got another shipment of 5's and 6's that I need to package and put out. Check for these on my 'new products' page on my website or in my Etsy store. I will post directions and pics of a finished project on my fabulous blog when I get finished with the one I started.

But for now, I'd better get it together and finish my www.thebeadboxwebsite.com update, or everyone will think I somehow am trapped in Christmas. Which, knowing me, would not be an unreasonable thing to think.
Here's a pic of some new crysocolla, one of my favorite stones: (If I can figure out how to add the freakin picture that is )

check out my etsy store

www.thebeadboxwebsite.etsy.com

here you can buy cool beads, seed beads, pendants, pendant cords, all kinds of good stuff. Prices are reasonable and no junk!!!

check out my RubyLane store, http://www.rubylane.com/shops/jaeleven . It's full of killer jewelry. If you love beads, go to www.thebeadboxwebsite.com. You're sure to find something there!

Here we Go

Since I am such a night owl (which somehow few people seem to understand), and have no one to talk to, I thought it would be smart to have my own blog and write to anyone who cares to read. Not only that, it would serve as yet another way to promote my businesses: The Bead Box, my brick and mortar store and online store where you can buy beads, and my other e-commerce site, Jaeleven Jewels, where you can buy my fantastic jewelry. Although this was pretty quick to set up, I am now starving and must forage for food. Probably something with hot fudge.

I hope to make some new friends and share some interesting stuff on this fabulous blog....so check back often and please write! -Jaeleven