Sharing

Isn't it wonderful how most jewelry designers enjoy sharing techniques and ideas? We gather in small gangs, chat in internet groups, share internet links with one another and help friends with techniques. I had never heard the term "meetup" until I started making jewelry. Now, it's one of my favorite words!

Magpie Gemstones makes a real effort to contribute to the sharing that is part of making jewelry. Hopefully, you are already aware of the numerous free articles and tutorials available through the website, http://www.magpiegemstones.com/. For example, did you see the newest article on the Healthy Jewelry Artist, http://www.magpiegemstones.com/perfectionism.html ? This week, Magpie owner, Szarka, is asking us what we want to see in terms of free video tutorials. I hope you have already perused her other YouTube videos and seen the introduction to these http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFlK7jGnoeo&feature=player_profilepage . Please speak up and let us know what techniques you would like to see in these videos so that we can share with you.

While we're sharing, I wanted you to see the beautiful labradorite that is new in the store this week. This is one of the more popular stones and works for all seasons. I'm always amazed at how it picks up the light. Have you tried it?

Magpie Gemstones is also sharing at the Hill Country Bead Society retreat, September 23-25 in Wimberley, Texas. http://hillcountrybeadsociety.com/upcoming-events.html Kateri will be there with lots of beads available all weekend and Szarka is providing a special seminar on turquoise. I'm (Karen) teaching a couple of classes, too. If you have ever been to a bead retreat, you know that the camaraderie is really the best part, but there's also wonderful sharing and learning that goes on.

On a sad note, Szarka's Grandma Jo passed this week. During her years, she shared her love of beads and jewelry freely with her bead store customers, friends, and family. We honor her for the joy she brought to many lives and her incredible strength.

. . . always eager to share with you, we are Magpie Gemstones.

Running Shoes

Have you noticed the large number of beads that have gone into the Magpie Gemstones' store this week? After the owners were gone on a buying trip and secured new turquoise beads, they came right home and put on their running shoes to get as much as possible into the store for us to see. It's been all business this week as new things were photographed, described and entered. I know we featured the turquoise in last week's blog, but I wanted to be sure you didn't miss seeing these graduated beauties. Yes, I just had to get some for myself and I'm going to need more! Get them before I do . . . want to race?

If I were you I would run right over to the computer and pick out one of the Titanium Druzy pendants set in sterling silverthat are available. I purchased something similar to this a few months ago and I thought there was going to be a fight between two customers regarding who saw it first. These are especially nice because they come complete with bail and are ready to go. How easy is that?

I think that Kateri, who helps fill the orders, even put on her running shoes this week to help get all the orders right out. Actually, she's always running to get these off to you and I believe Magpie is among the very few online stores that gets orders in the mail immediately. That makes a big difference to me because when I buy beads I want them Right Now! Don't get in Kateri's way when she's headed to the post office with your orders. She's a gal on a mission.

Kateri and Szarka will be running off to Mississippi in just a few weeks for the next bead show. They hope you'll come visit them on August 12-14 for the Harrison County Gem & Mineral Society Show at Pass Christian, MS.

Did you see the new tutorial we just put up on how to make your own headpins? http://www.magpiegemstones.com/makingheadpins.html I hope you will find it helpful and that it will keep you from having to run out to the store and make a purchase. It's really easy and quick to make your own.

That's it for now since I've got to go put my running shoes on and get back to work. Don't forget to let us know if you have any questions about the Magpie Gemstones products or making and selling jewelry.

. . . wearing our running shoes for you, we are Magpie Gemstones.

Teasing?

Are any of you old enough to remember when Cabbage Patch dolls first came out? Every little girl just had to have one and supposedly the factory just couldn't make enough so they were in short supply. Parents stood in long lines that began predawn for the slim chance of snagging one for a child. Perhaps you're more aware of the current generation who has waited in line for a new Harry Potter book or an IPad II. I always wondered if the manufacturers were just teasing us by saying their supply wouldn't meet the demand. It made many of us that more eager to make a purchase. I have always wondered if the hoopla was just a big tease and there was more product available than the manufacturers released.

What if I said that Magpie Gemstones has this great new turquoise but you can't have it right now? I might even allude to the possibility that it could be in short supply. Would that also be a tease? Yes and no. The Magpie owners went on a quick buying trip last week and came home with a huge amount of new gorgeous turquoise. When Szarka opened just one box to show me some of it, I was flabergasted by the quality of the strands. I hope that I didn't actually drool on any of them. Why, there was enough turquoise that we could have emersed the youngest Magpie in it just as you bury people in the sand on the beach (for fun, of course).

So, the point is that The Turquoise is Coming and I'm not teasing. The current supply looks good, but you should get what you want when you see it. Watch for it to go into the store just as quickly as the pictures have been taken and information put on the website. I think you will be pleased with both the quality and the price of the new beauties and I'm NOT teasing!

The giveaway is still on!

 

By the way, there are only a few more days to either place an order or get a postcard to Magpie so you can be in the drawing for the free necklace. No Teasing . . . you had better hurry up! Check out the information at the link. http://www.magpiegemstones.com/jewelry_giveaway.html

. . . telling you the truth without teasing, we are Magpie Gemstones.

Show Time

Well . . . it's ALMOST show time. If you are like me, you want to plan ahead for bead hunting and I thought you might enjoy having a heads up on when Kateri (minus the long hair) from Magpie Gemstones will be taking the beads out for shows.

Mississippi here she comes! Look for her at the Harrison County Gem & Mineral Society Show in Pass Christian, Mississippi August 12-13. Then she's Oklahoma bound September 16-18 for the Enid Gem and Mineral Society Show in Enid, Oklahoma. Also in September, the beads will be ready for your viewing (and purchase) at the Wimberley, Texas Bead retreat September 23-25. We will post more information about the Wimberley event soon. You can also click on the link on the website for more details about these shows. http://www.magpiegemstones.com/shows.html

Did you happen to notice the article just posted on the website regarding how to effectively use Facebook?  It's written by our friend Shannon of Vixens Natural Jewelry I think you will find this information very helpful. Thanks Shannon!

I hope you haven't forgotten to place an order (before July 23rd) for your entry in for the necklace giveaway mentioned in last week's blog. You'll remember that you can either make a purchase or send us a postcard that we receive on or before July 23 in order to be in the drawing for this gorgeous necklace and earrings. If you need more information please follow this link http://www.magpiegemstones.com/jewelry_giveaway.html Don't wait too long, the days of July are tick, tick, ticking away.

No blog entry would be complete without beads . . . (you know, we ARE a bead company) Did you see the aventurine that's on sale? These are really yummy colors that work for right now as well as Fall.

As you can see, we've got a pretty good "show" going here at Magpie Gemstones; yet, not show is complete without an audience. We hope you are part of ours!

. . . showing you the best we can offer, we are Magpie Gemstones.

'Tis Better to Give Than To . . .

. . . ADVERTISE! This mantra has served us well as Magpie Gemstones. We could be spending thousands of dollars on advertising to attrack new customers, but instead we want to say a big "THANK YOU" to those of you who are already our friends.

We have two really nice give aways going on right now. Are you feeling lucky? The first is a gorgeous necklace that Szarka made from Hydrothermal Quartz Blue Facted Tear Drop, AAA Grade Tear Drop Fluorite and Apatite Heishi that she blended with sterling silver. Did I mention there are earrings too? The purchasers name for every Magpie Gemstones order between now and July 20 goes into the drawing for this great jewelry set. If you are not inclined to order right now, send us a postcard. Those we receive before July 20 will also go with the names for our drawing. Full details are on the website at http://www.magpiegemstones.com/jewelry_giveaway.html  Find out how the winner will be notified and what that person needs to do to secure this prize.

Magpie Gemstones is also giving away stablized Sleeping Beauty Turquoise beads and a pendant on facebook. Yes, I, too, am drooling over these "beauties" in the picture. You just need to "fan" us on facebook. To read more about this please go to http://www.facebook.com/MagpieGemstones

Go ahead and tell your jewelry making friends about these giveaways. It's just part of giving back to our wonderful customers. (by the way, I hope you win!)

. . . giving our customers the best we can, we are Magpie Gemstones.