Resolve

Wow, it's hard to believe that 2011 is running away while 2012 helps push it on out. This is the time when so many people make resolutions for the new year; how about you? I seem to make similar resolutions year after year and these are seldom resolved!

If you were a gemstone company like Magpie Gemstones, what should be your resolution? . . . As I write this for Magpie, I realize that the word for the company is really RESOLVE and the questions is "what does Magpie Gemstones resolve to do for customers?"

One thing the company resolves is for continue providing gorgeous gemstones for customers. Take a peek at what just went into the online store. I picked up a couple of these Boulder Opals the last time they were available and wrapped them with sterling silver wire. I'm anxious to get some of these new ones.

If you need some ideas for wrapping these opals, you might take a peek at the stones Szarka has wrapped at http://www.szarkas.com/Szarka.html. I often pick up ideas there.

Magpie's resolve to bring us beautiful things shows in the selection of Mexican Fire Agates. Look at these and think what you might make with one or more of them.

Tenacity is a synonym for resolve and also a good term to describe Magpie Gemstones. The company holds tightly to the predominant idea of helping us as customers and values each of us. I think you would be surprised by the way the owners answer questions about this that and the other when customers query. Their "tip of the tongue" knowledge of the gemstone industry follows years and years of research and work in the industry allowing them to easily explain why a stone is cut in a particular manner, why we are having difficulty finding what we are searching for or something else.

So, whether you resolve or make resolutions, Magpie Gemstones hopes you are ready to begin a great new year.

Resolving to help our customers, we are Magpie Gemstones.

Karen Meador, writer

www.dreamcatcherranch.net/designs

Wishing

When my mother hears a person wish for something, she usually says "if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride." Do you remember that nursery rhyme? I'm not sure of the country of its origin, but I think it can have meaning everywhere. My mom's recitation usually falls in her advice category of "wishing" doesn't make things happen; you have to get out there and go for it.

She's probably right, but a little "wishing" can't hurt once in a while. For many of you, it may be your time of giving to others and finding out their wishes certainly does help. For example, I'm wishing for some of these rustic rubies that went in the Magpie Gemstones store this week. Those colors fit quite nicely with what I'm wearing this time of the year.

OR . . . since I have a January birthday, some garnets are always something nice to wish about. When you wear your birthstone, no matter what it is, I find it interesting how many people notice and tell you its also their birthstone. Hmm . . perhaps that's a new way to meet people.

Shades of red also adorn the Magpie tree this year. We might have guessed that it would be decorated with gemstones. Garlands of turquoise and pearls set the background for lovely charms made with muscovite. I have to admit, I've never seen one like it.

If you've been wishing for more free information about making jewelry, you've come to the right place.We've been busy this week writing and videoing for you. I spent time examining various websites to find those that can offer you good information at zero cost. You can search my findings at ttp://www.magpiegemstones.com/jewelrytutorials.html If you have wishes for something free, this is a good start.

Szarka made a new video for you showing how she creates the tree of life pendants. I'm going to wish that mine would turn out as well as hers. Yet, following my mother's advise, I'm also going to practice making them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6408X5t23g These look like just the thing to work on when its cold outside and cozy indoors.

As December winds down, Magpie wishes you the best and we hope that all your wishes DO come true!

Wishing you happiness, we are Magpie Gemstones.

Karen Meador, writer
www.dreamcatcherranch/designs

In a Hurry

It seems that people spend a good deal of time rushing around in December. I made what should have been a quick trip to a discount store yesterday and was amazed at all the scurrying folks. At first I thought I might just turn around and go home, but finally I just jumped right in a hurried around with them.

Some other people have also been hurrying online. I returned home to find the Magpie Gemstones weekly newsletter on my computer and before I could order the gem I wanted, someone beat me to it. This used to bother me, but now I realize that the gemstones Magpie sells are truly exceptional and I'd better hurry up if I want to have them. I'm not going to find the same stones on every bead corner. This is the opposite of what worries me when I purchase a dress at a local boutique. With the dress, I worry about whether my friend will buy the same thing and we will end up wearing it at the same function. (Ok, you men reading this will not understand!) Obviously, this isn't going to happen with the beads from Magpie Gemstones. Even if a friend and I purchase the same strand, we each create our own unique design.

You might want to be in a hurry to pick out some of the beautiful new beads that went in to the store recently. I'm partial to the iolite briolettes shown below.

If you really like blue, hurry online and looks at the saphires too. They are quite yummy! You might also consider the tourmaline.

Any of these would be appreciated as a gift in a necklace for someone or simply as loose gemstones for your beady friend.

Szarka had to do a bit of hurrying when a cold snap hit central Texas this week. Have you ever tried to cover a garden in sheets with a strong wind pelting you in the face? She says it's not a pleasant experience. I sure hope that garden appreciated her efforts. I also hope no one gets depressed since the backyard now looks like a morgue.

You might enjoy watching the new online video that Szarka made with the help of the littlest Magpie. This short production even has music! From the video, we can observe how to hammer the ends of closed loop links. Hurry on over to this link and watch it.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/hammering_closed_loops.html

If you find yourself hurrying around this week, we hope you will take time to breath and enjoy the season.

Hurrying to serve our customers, we are Magpie Gemstones
Karen Meador, writer
www.dreamcatcherranch.net/designs

Cyber Every Day

Did you take part in Black Friday or Cyber Monday for shopping this year? Every year I think I should get busy and take advantage of these two events, but I usually wait until the last minute for my shopping. I'll have to admit that much of my shopping and wish list centers around beads and new tools that I've had my eye one. My friends know and expect something handmade and a girl has to shop for components. Right? What I've discovered about cyber "this and that" is I don't have to have an event to get the same great prices on my gemstones at Magpie. With just a few mouse clicks I can get the beads I want at the best prices. I don't have to wait for a sale. At Magpie Gemstones, I guess I could say it's "Cyber Every Day" all year.

Here's an example of what I mean. Did you see the Hubei turquoise oval cabachons available for just $4.99 each? Let's keep that quiet since I think Szarka must have made a mistake pricing them.

I also think that the gorgeous druzy freeform cabs make super gifts when wrapped in sterling wire. Actually, I've got a couple of friends who would be pleased just to receive the cab and then do their own things. Be sure to note the sparkle in the photos of these pieces.

The Pietersite cabs are perfect for someone who has everything. This stone is probably less familiar to most and don't we always want something different?

Cyber-wise, Magpie Gemstones continues to work on adding information to the website that will help all of us in our jewelry making. Be sure to check out the basic information about properties, treatment, hardness, etc. of gemstones. http://www.magpiegemstones.com/about_gemstones.html I refer to this page often when I'm trying to make a decision about a stone or want to describe it to someone.

Watch for new videos to be added to the website. I know that Szarka and her able young assistant, the little Magpie, worked on several things this weekend and I'm looking forward to seeing what they created for us. (Isn't Cyber Every Day great?)

By the way, Cyber Every Day isn't just during the day. Customers from all around the world shop at various times during their day or night and all those orders get prompt service.

Hoping you Cyber with us, we are Magpie Gemstones.

Karen Meador, writer
www.dreamcatcherranch.net/designs