Hop to It

Happy Easter to everyone. Are you tempted by all that candy reaching out to you in the stores. I've been trying to look the other way, but once in a while some of the chocolate just hops right in my shopping cart.



I hope you have successfully hopped into the Spring jewelry making season. It seems like summer here in central Texas with 90 degree temperature some days, but people are still buying their Spring fashions. The boutiques here know that once those folks get home with new clothes, they'll need to hop back in and get some great jewelry to go with their fashions. It's a good time for those of us who sell jewelry to have plenty available. One of my favorite ways to start designing jewelry is to begin by viewing the new clothing in the stores. It's also a nice way to be assured of what color combinations are hot right now. Then I can go right on line to Magpie Gemstones and find beads to match.

Kateria was pleased to see so many people who came out to the show in Alpine, Texas last week. Thanks to all of you. Central and South Texans have a chance to hop on over this coming weekend for the San Antonio Bead and Ornament Society show. This will be April 30-May 1 at the Live Oak Center in Live Oak, Texas on the outskirts of San Antonio.

I hope the Easter Bunny brings you lots of colorful beads for your designs. If not, you know where to find us.

. . . hopping to fill your design needs, we are Magpie Gemstones.

It's Free

I hope the title caught your eye and that your mind didn't ask "what's the catch?" Perhaps you have gotten a phone call from some establishment assuring you that you've just won a "!!!. . . ! . !". If you are like me, you've probably wished the person on the other end would just get to the part where they say what they are really trying to sell you. This isn't that type of deal. If Magpie Gemstones says "FREE", it really is. Just go to http://www.beadinggem.com/2011/04/magpie-gemstones-fabulous-145.html. The company is offering a beautiful tourmaline strand and a tourmaline cabachon to some lucky winner. Look at the photo below and you'll see why I've been coveting these beads. Don't you think that's OK until they leave home and go to the winner.

If you want to be in the drawing to win these, just make a comment at the bottom of the blog about the give away at the Beading Gems address above.

Here's another heads up that may interest you. Magpie Gemstones owner, Szarka, was interviewed by She Inspires, an Australia based company that, among other things, shares information about entrepreneurs and their business practices. Even though I've known Szarka for several years, I learned a great deal about the principles upon which the business is formed from this article. It made me feel good about where I buy my beads. If you want to see the article, it's posted on the website at www.magpiegemstones.com/masterclass.html. By the way, you can read it for FREE!

Family wise, a whole passel of relatives from Washington state showed up here a couple of days ago. I think instead of stocking new beads, one day was spent feeding the masses. (I just stayed out of the way!) It's good to have even a small break, but things are mostly back to normal now unless you want to come by and help put things back in order. You could do that for FREE too!

If you hurry, you still have time to plan a trip to Alpine in west Texas and visit Kateri at this week's bead show. The dates are April 15-17 and you can check the website for further information www.magpiegemstones.com/shows.html. It's FREE to talk to Kateri, but you better get started driving right now.

We just put a new article about coral on the website if you have interest in that topic. This one largely pertains the deterioration of the coral reefs. www.magpiegemstones.com/should_we_buy_coral.html. I'll bet that by now you have realized that reading this treatise is also FREE!

. . . still working for you (and providing FREE stuff), we are Magpie Gemstones.

This and That

This has been a nice normal week at Magpie Gemstones, except for that birthday party involving six little girls and a sleep over. I've never fully understood why it's a "SLEEP" over.

We've been taking pictures of new beads, writing their descriptions, pricing them at something fair for you, and getting them online. One of the new items is this gorgeous malachite oval bead. Every day we fill orders and rush to the post office so you can get your beads as expediently as possible. How are we doing?

One challenge for Szarka this week has been creating a rosary for a jewelry customer. I believe that learning and creative thinking have come together in this piece. It isn't quite finished, but I thought you would enjoy seeing it at this stage. I, for one, like getting my beads from someone who is actively involved in the design and creation process.

One of the things I like best about our Magpie owner's designs is her attitude about sharing. Szarka says we can copy her work shamelessly and she kindly shares with us as we do with her in the client's blog (www.turquoisemagpie.blogspot.com/) Through this exchange we all get better. It's a nice community atmosphere in which to work.

Speaking of work, I hope that you have had a chance to read the article I wrote about Lead in Jewelry. (www.magpiegemstones.com/lead_content_in_jewelry.htm) I wasn't overly interested in the topic when I initiated the article, but quickly realized that I should be paying attention. I knew that lead was a definite issue in children's toys, but knew less about its presence in jewelry. I certainly would not want my jewelry to cause a health problem for anyone and I'm thinking we all need to look after each other. Once again, it all goes back to buying from an honest bead supplier and trusting that company to look after business. Looking after business has to go past the green dollar and into caring about customers. Hmm . . . wonder if I know any company like that . . .? Hint, hint, the name initials are MG - tweet, tweet.

. . . still looking out for you, we are Magpie Gemstones

Growing Up

It's hard to believe that magpiegemstones.com is just a youngster. The online business started a mere 4 years ago. Although it's not the companies' birthday, the littlest magpie is moving into double digits with her special day this week. Happy Birthday Tera!

By the way, she's the real gem and the one on the left in the photo. That's Sandy Magpie beside her. Sandy provides special accoustical accompaniment if you knock on the door at the worksite. I try not to have to knock!


Speaking of "other" Magpie pearls, I think you could say it's the birthday for many strands of them this week also. Some of the newer ones include these girls. Look at the pearl page online to see all the colors available at really good values. One of my jewelry customers always wants gemstones with pearls and the beavy of pearls available at Magpie right now has been a big help.


Did you read the article "All Pearls Are Not Created Equal" posted a couple of weeks ago. It was very interesting to write and I hope you find it informative. It certainly made me appreciate pearls that much more. Take a look and see how pearls have really grown up. By the way, there are other kinds of new beads also.

Part of growing up seems to be balancing family, friends and business. The beautiful Spring weather here in Texas brings that to the forefront with outdoor activities in full bloom. Don't worry, though, we're tending to business before we tend the garden and you will get your beads on time.

Growing up and working for you, we're Magpie Gemstones.