New Website? You Asked and We Listened!

photo from http://www.claimtheweb.com/

You asked and we listened. We have almost completed negotiations with Claim the Web to build our new website. Many of you have asked for and needed features like:

• wish list
• visual search
• search by price
• bigger thumbnails
• ability to buy from the catalogue page (as opposed to the product page)
• a way to track your past purchases
• top notch search engine
• sign in with facebook
• product reviews

. . . and more. Well we went on the hunt and we interviewed many web design companies and shopping cart platforms and I think we made a really good decision to go with this company. They are also willing to work with us in the future to build programs that you all want and need when we know we need them.

How this impacts you? Well the site right now will no longer have the "specialty pages" updated. For instance I will not be adding the new A grade beads to the "Top Shelf Page". Also because Karen Meador is swamped helping me rewrite category pages and because we will be swamped doing data entry there will be fewer blog posts and new articles for about a month. Don't worry we have so many now you can spend that month looking at what is presently on the site.

I hope you agree it is worth it though.

How this will NOT affect you? We will continue to put new beads in almost everyday, sales will run as they have been, we will provide our top notch service as we always have since that is our priority everyday and after that is done we pull up our shirt sleeves and get on the website redesign.

I hope the new site will meet your needs and ours and make it just that much better for you all. We are doing this because the second part of our slogan is so true (well the first part is too!) "Great Beads for Great People" and you all deserve it.

We do not yet have a timeline when this change will take place but as soon as I do I will let you all know.

Remember if you ever have any questions we are only a phone call (512-392-3091) , an email, or a facebook post away!

www.magpiegemstones.com

Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap

Did you read the title of today's blog entry? It represents the sound of my foot, tap, tap, tapping as I wait for 47 boxes of gemstones to arrive at the Magpie Gemstones warehouse next week. Szarka, Gibby and Tera have just returned from a big buying trip to LA (that's Los Angeles, not Louisiana!). I get really excited when they leave for these trips, get to hear the descriptions of what's been procured for us when they return and then have to tap, tap, tap my foot until the beads finally get here.

I went to check on things today and found Szarka sitting on a little mound in her garden examining how nature had changed it. What is it that the deer don't understand about a human's garden. They seem to have tapped their feet on the most luscious parts of vegetation. Do they really think Szarka planted things just for them? I think they enjoyed eating the Magpie strawberries, the pansies and other garden goodies. Hmm . . . I guess we'll have to just tap our feet while we wait and hope the little plants recover. We'll also hope no one forgets to close the garden gate any more.

Perhaps you're enjoying signs of Spring like those I saw in the garden today. Are you also doing a little Spring cleaning? While you're at it, why not plan to show off your work with a Home Jewelry Party. I just wrote a little piece about these events and hope that you can find something of interest to you at the following link: http://www.magpiegemstones.com/home_shows.html.

Did you see the Muscovite that's in the online store now? I've been pairing this with a number of other beads and find it to be quite a versatile stone. Take a look at these.

I wonder how those would look with some turquoise. I've got my eye on some of the Hubei Turquoise I saw online.

You can tap your feet while you wait for Kateri to get to the next bead show May 5-6 in the San Antonio area. This will be held at Live Oak Center in Live Oak, Texas and is sponsored by the San Antonio Bead and Ornament Society. There are a number of classes offered at this show and Kateri will have plenty of beads to show you. She'd be pleased to see you there.

I've been tapping my feet to the music on the radio as I wrote this to you, but it now seems to be news time; so that's the end of that.

Tapping as fast as we can to get the right beads for you, we are Magpie Gemstones.

 

 

 

Karen Meador, Ph.D.

Dreamcatcher Designs

www.dreamcatcherranch.net/designs

Parades

My grandson and I went to the feed store the other day and saw quite a parade of animals. There were chickens and rabbits, fish and birds and we also spotted containers of lady bugs who begged to be released in the garden. Yes, we need only look in the feed store to know that Spring is here. I also found Spring at Magpie Gemstones yesterday. It was parading by as a lush garden. There were flowers and vegetables with lush leaves on the terraced slope. I tried to convince Szarka we needed to make some jewelry, but on her one day off, she chose to work in the garden.

 

I did see, however, that Magpie Gemstones had already put a parade of new beads in the store for our viewing; so, I gave her a break on the jewelry making. Someone had been working late into the night to get all these beads ready for us. Part of the bead parade was made of beautiful tourmaline, which is one of my favorites.

I also spotted some aquamarine showing its color in the bead parade and hoped I might grab some before it all left the store.

 

 

If you already looked at the parade of new beads, perhaps you saw the lucious color in the garnet beads at Magpie Gemstones. I am often surprised by the contrast of shades in this particular stone. Any of these beads would be a nice addition to create something for your own Easter or Spring Parade.

Or . . . how about crossing your fingers and hoping that you win a piece of Szarka's jewelry? Don't miss out. I did say FREE!

Have you decided to join the parade of people who are going to see Kateri at the upcoming bead shows? The first one is April 20-22 in Alpine, Texas. You'll find her at the Big Bend Gem and Mineral Show. Then you can march on over to San Antonio May 5-6 to the San Antonio Bead Bazaar. There will be a number of us teaching classes at this show and I hope to see you there. For more information about where to see Kateri, please check the link and print out your coupon for a 10% discount: http://www.magpiegemstones.com/show_coupon.html

We hope that Spring is parading nicely where you are that this season brings you joy.

Parading our stuff for you, we are Magpie Gemstones.

Karen Meador, Ph.D.

www.dreamcatcherdesigns.net

What Do You Want?

We need help! We want ideas from you on tutorials (skills only), articles, gemstones and anything else related to jewelry design and selling.

We would much prefer to write and research articles YOU want to hear about not just what we think you might want to hear about.

Leave a comment below so we can keep them all in one place and refer back to it.

We have a wealth of information on the website, fantastic articles written by jewelry makers and sellers. Everything from selling jewelry, making jewelry, care of metals and much much more.

Do you ever have questions about how to; price your jewelry, sell it, make it, generate more ideas, sell it online? You have come to the right place, we have a library of jewelry making information available right here at your finger tips and more articles and tutorials being added all the time.

With 20 years experience making and selling jewelry and with a writer who is not only professional but a stickler on good solid research you have discovered a wealth of information.

We need more ideas though, if you have a moment share with us what your burning questions or obstacles are.

Thanks, Szarka
www.magpiegemstones.com

Costume or Fine Jewelry?

Costume or Fine Jewelry? What kind of jewelry do you make? Is it costume jewelry, fashion jewelry, fine jewelry or jewelry by another name? If you create handmade jewelry is it fine?

A customer asked Magpie Gemstones about the term costume jewelry and we became curious. Yet, research on the topic didn’t net much information. Therefore, what follows is an educated opinion.

Costume jewelry became popular in the 1930s and was “meant to be worn with a specific outfit (Wikipedia).” What does the word costume mean to you? When I say “costume”, I think of the word temporary. For example, we see costumes on the stage in the theater and these are created for a specific show. I recall sewing costumes for my children when they had parts in theater productions. At the onset, I was advised that the costumes only needed to hold up for the production and didn’t require fine finishing for longevity.

It seems to me that costume jewelry is also made to last for an abbreviated length of time, not forever. Costume jewelry was and still is considered fashionable (Wikipedia), at least temporarily, whereas fine jewelry may be thought of as a keepsake or investment. This former type jewelry may be mass produced from less expensive materials such as synthetic stones, glass and plastic beads and base metals.

Fine jewelry, obviously, is made from gems and precious metals. Many jewelers advertise that they carry “fine jewelry.” Goldline Fine Jewelers, in particular, states that “fine jewelry is dedication to the highest possible standards, materials, quality and customer service.” Other “fine” jewelry stores advertise that they have an in-house jeweler who provides full service from that one-of-a-kind design to service and repairs. We wouldn’t expect this service and standard for costume jewelry.

This brings us back to the original query regarding what type of jewelry you make. My guess would be that most of us make a variety of types of jewelry. I enjoy creating some costume jewelry that I consider “faddish” and for which I use less expensive materials. Other pieces are made to show my personal design style and I mainly use fine materials. I also make keepsake pieces, like my daughter’s wedding necklace, and intend these to last as they are passed from one generation to another. Sometimes I design for a specific customer and often a piece is one-of-a-kind.

So, do I make costume jewelry or fine jewelry? I guess I think I’m somewhere in between. But at the very least, I want all my pieces to be composed with good technique and attention to quality. How about you? We’d like to know what you think, leave a comment below.

Karen Meador Dreamcatcher Designs
www.magpiegemstones.com

Opportunities

There have many many opportunities this week to go outside and enjoy the beautiful Spring weather. While some of you are still in the cold of the previous season, we know we are fortunate to live where the season arrives early. For us, it's gardening/landscaping season and we have to watch Szarka so she's not in the garden instead of putting new beads in the store for you. Don't worry, we've got that covered.

Actually, there are lots of new beads that went into the store in the last few days. Did you see the kyanite? I'm drooling over the beautiful cabachons and thinking they would look great with some of these rondelles. If you look in the kyanite section of the store, you'll also find other kyanite beauties to ignite your imagination. Why don't you take this opportunity to see what's there for you?

While you are online, you might also like to see the new ruby briolettes that are available. They're faceted and really pretty. Yet, if they aren't your signature color, take a peek at the emeralds. 'Tis the month for green!

I hope you are enjoying the opportunity to create and sell jewelry for the upcoming season. Magpie Gemstones certainly helps me out with this and I find just looking at the gemstones online brings me inspiration. If you are doing some shows, you might appreciate Szarka's response to a question she received about pricing pieces. We likely all have our own system of pricing jewelry, but it's nice to hear what experience has taught her. If you don't have a pricing system, you might want to consider the one described.

I trust that we are all open to opportunities. One good piece of advice I was given by a veteran jewelry maker was to always have pieces ready to wear, give or sell. When opportunity knocks you wouldn't want to be "without". I try to keep plenty of pieces made and on hand and I also keep a good supply of Magpie Gemstones' strands near my work area so I can create when opportunity comes in the form of inspiration. I just can't be "without" beads!

If you are in the area of Alpine, Texas, take this opportunity to go by and see Kateri at the Big Bend Gem and Mineral Show, April 20-22. This event is being held at the Alpine Civic Center and is sponsored by the South Central Federation of Mineral Societies, Inc., the Chihuahuan Desert Gem & Mineral Club, and the City of Alpine. Alpine is in a very interesting part of the country and many artists live and work in the area. You could make it a trip and see some Magpie Gemstones as well! I'm wondering if this is my opportunity to stow away in the van and go with Kateri. Do you think she'd notice me?

Helping provide design opportunities for you, we are Magpie Gemstones.

Karen Meador, Ph.D.
www.dreamcatcherrach.net/designs
Magpie Gemstones writer

Kites

Magpie Gemstones has been extremely busy since the last blog entry. We certainly hope that our efforts are helping you find the products you want as prices that work for your budget. We also hope the free information we are working so hard to get out to you is useful. It would be super if you could write to us and let us know what you have liked seeing us do in the past few weeks. Is is the newsletter information, the Super Sales, the tutorials, or . . . ?

Szarka has given us another great free wire wrapped ring tutorial. This one shows the neatest way to make wire rings with a long undrilled bead.  It's fun to make and although I was at first skeptical about how well the ring would hold a bead, I've found it works great. This tutorial was a combined effort in which 10-year-old Magpie, turned photographer, Tera, captured and edited all the photos for the tutorial. Then I wrote the directions using Szarka's idea. I think that little Magpie shows great promise in this arena. What do you think?

Kateri has been busy with shows and is already preparing for the one April 20-22 in Alpine, Texas. This will be the Big Bend Gem and Mineral Show. If you haven't previously been to that area of Texas, this might give you a good excuse. There are many artisans who make it their home. Did you know that you can get a 10% off coupon from the website for use at one of the shows? If you happen to need more gem show information.

Magpie's newest employee, Shannon, is running a little Spring event through Facebook. She's hoping to get us all excited about creating those Spring designs and offering us a reason to make them. You can find a posting of the guidelines in the Jewelry Makers and Bead Lovers Fan Page and more discussion in the Jewelry Makers and Bead Lovers Group. To read more about Shannon go to our About Us Page and scroll down to the bottom.

Watch the "Daily Newsletter" for information about Flash Sales and Super Sales. These are basically times when, for a limited time, Magpie slashes the prices on one or two selected items that you may want for your jewelry design. For example, there's a Super Sale right now on strands of a specific pearl. This expires at 3 PM on Monday, March 5.  If you want to stay up-to-date on happenings such as Flash Sales and Super Sales, subscribe to the "Daily Newsletter". When I went to this link I thought it was just for the weekly newsletter which I already receive, but if you put your email address in the "join" blank, the website will direct you to the page where you can change your profile to get both the "Weekly" and "Daily" Newsletter.

No blog is complete without pictures of some of the new beads that went into Magpie Gemstone's online store this week. How about these?

Szarka would probably call this Amazonite "sweet"! I tend to agree. These are great gemstones.

Are you wondering about the title of this entry? (I thought you'd never ask!) Isn't there something traditional about flying a kite in March? When I taught school we always made kites during this month.

There are at least three aspects in kite flying. One has to do with holding on to the kite string and paying attention to how you let that string out so the kite will rise higher and higher. Another has to do with watching the kite soar in the air and keeping it from running in to something. A third aspect has to do with looking up and enjoying the beauty that kites can create in the sky.

We, here at Magpie Gemstones, have been flying our kites just for you. As we plan more and more things to help you, we are carefully letting out the string on our kites. We're also being very careful that we monitor our kites (sales and events) so that they fly successfully (don't run in to any problems).

The last part of our flight depends on you. We need someone to look at our high flying efforts (providing new beads, sales, tutorials, etc.) and enjoy them. Will you do that for us?

. . . making better kites for you, we are Magpie Gemstones.

Copyrights, Patents and the Ethics of Jewelry Design

The title indicates an issue that I’ve danced around for a long time; yet it is one of great importance in the field of jewelry making. Is it OK to copy someone else’s design and sell it or teach how to make it? I thought I knew the answer to this question, but just in case, I’ve done some research on the topic.

Why should we even care about the copying of a design? First and foremost, it’s good to realize that this can be a legal matter and I certainly don’t want to end up in court – do you? Secondly, if we copy someone’s design for profit or do not acknowledge that the design is theirs we may be called out for the action. With Facebook and the many chat groups that can bring us instant fame, we must also realize the same venues can provide instant embarrassment. There have been a number of instances where I’ve read the admonishments of a designer who has been wronged by another. I don’t want to see my name in that kind of lights! I also think we should care about design copying since one of us could be next. I’ve actually had the experience of someone copying one of my designs and presenting it for sale as their own. It didn’t make me happy! Finally, copying and selling someone else’s design can just plain make us feel bad about our actions. I have a little voice in my head that warns me about such things and I need to pay attention. Would you call that my ..... to read more.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com

Tumbling

Do you tumble? I didn't tumble as a child being from the generation before it was the thing to do. Yet, I remember taking tumbling as a college sophomore and truly enjoying it. Now my tumbling is relegated to using a tumbler in jewelry design and since some of you inquired about how to do just that, Magpie Gemstones is giving you the free information I wrote about it. I hope this will help you get started with appropriate tumbling. http://www.magpiegemstones.com/tumbling_jewelry.html My young grandson likes to watch the tumbler go round and round and is fascinated by how it works. I like how it gently cleans and polishes the jewelry components.

Magpie had a few things take a tumble this week. An inadvertent click of the keypad accidentally removed the pictures from previous blog entries. Szarka has worked hard to restore some of these, but the rest are just gone. Another click removed many of the photos from the clients' blog and we certainly regret this loss. Why don't you help refill the gallery of client work by sending us your beauties made with Magpie Gemstones? We appologize if yours was a photo that tumbled away. Surely some good has come from this mishap. We now know that we shouldn't work on the computer while talking on the phone to our mothers. You just never know when the conversation might initiate an errant click, click, click.

I tumbled right into a beautiful group of pearls on the Magpie Gemstone site. Have you seen the new large hole pearls that are available? I don't recall every finding such large holes in pretty pearls. These are great for rings and wire bracelets as well as other things. I challenge you to see what YOU can make with them. Let's see do you want white, grey or gold???

There are some new saphires on the site now, also. If you want sparkle, tumble right over to those!

Magpie Gemstones is having a Facebook giveaway with a drawing that ends on the 25th of this month. Tell your friends to tumble on over to this link http://www.facebook.com/MagpieGemstones?sk=app_237202476309340 and sign up for a chance to win an amethyst stalactite.

Finally, while you're considering how you too can tumble, could you go out to Georgetown this weekend and say hello to Kateri in the booth at the show? She (and the beads) will be at the Williamson County Gemboree held the 18th and 19th at the Community Center in San Gabriel Park.

Tumbling for you, we are Magpie Gemstones.

Karen Meador, writer
www.dreamcatcherranch.net/designs

Been There . . .

I started to write the title of this post as "been there . . . done that". It is an appropriate title, but doesn't quite give the right connotation. Yet, Magpie has "been there" (many different times) and "done that" (the Tuscon buy). The two chief Magpies just returned from a week long buying trip to Tuscon loaded with all manner of goodies for us. It will take a long time to get all the new beads into the store, but I can, at least, show you how things are coming along. Below are photos of the Wall of New that I snapped yesterday. I didn't capture the boxes of new, as you wouldn't see much from a photo; so you'll just have to trust me regarding the outstanding contents of each one. I was drooling over the plethora of cabachons.

Have you ever stayed up way too late because you were excitedly working on a design project? I've certainly "been there" and wished I hadn't "done that" by the next day. Thankfully, one Magpie has done that several nights in a row in order to get a nice sampling of the new beads in the store and ready for customers. I've selected just a few turquoise beauties to show in this entry. You'll have to decide whether you like the Nacozari or prefer the Hubei. I'm still trying to decide.

I know that Kateri will have some new things, purchased especially for the shows, when she arrives at the Williamson County Gemboree in Georgetown, TX. This event will be held on February 18-19 at the Community Center in San Gabriel Park. It's your first good chance to see the beads out and about in 2012 and even though you may have previously "done that", the inventory is ever changing. You wouldn't want to miss out, now would you?

We're busily working on new free tutorials and articles for you and should have those ready soon. Don't forget that if you have specific interests or questions, we'd like to hear from you.

Happily sorting new beads for you, we are Magpie Gemstones.

Karen Meador, writer
www.dreamcatcherranch.net/designs

The Clearing

I don't know about you, but I'm still trying to get my studio cleared after a nice holiday rush. Several of my beady friends have mentioned doing the same and although January is not Spring Cleaning time, I guess we could call it clearing time. My clearing also involves a good deal of desk work as I prepare information for taxes, start the new 2012 files and carefully store those from 2011.

Magpie Gemstones has done a good deal of clearing in the last couple of weeks. I hope you haven't missed out on the 20% off sale and have successfully completed your part of helping clear the beads. Usually when I go to a sale, I realize that things were put on sale because no one bought them. That's definitely NOT the case at Magpie. The beads are all on sale because the company must make room for those they will pick up soon in Tuscon. Now, there are two ways to look at this. Should I wait and get those beads they find in Tuscon or should I go ahead and get beads now. hmm . . . 20% off of everything now or wait for the regular, but good prices later. . . I say grab some of these goodies while we can!

During this clearing at Magpie, the company has found a few things they didn't realize were in hiding. Look at these beautiful drops and think what you could do with them. I'm considering whether to use them in pendant form or strung with others in a long strand. What do you think?

I appreciate being able to get the sunstone beads that are available at such a great price. I have previously used a good many of these mixed with other colors as well as by themselves. The schiller on these realy catches the eye. I also think they are a great transitional colors since they are not too dark even for Spring designs.

If you are doing any wire wrapping I think you would enjoy Szarka's new video, How to Wire Wrap an Arrowhead or Sharks Tooth  Even if you aren't planning to wrap either, this method can be used for some other shaped stones because she shows us how to make a type of sling for the stone to sit in. I think you would see many possible variations of this technique. Perhaps this method would get you going on clearing out a few of those stones that you have previously wondered what to do with. We would enjoy seeing a photo of what you make.

Clearing out to give you the best possible buys, we are Magpie Gemstones.

Karen Meador, writer
www.dreamcatcherranch.net/designs

Easy Does It!

I think for me the New Year can be exciting. It feels like a clean slate. For those that create or want to create I have some easy does it tips.

First, I have to admit sometimes I have an "all or nothing" attitude. Where does this lead me? Experience tells me that when it is "all" I am doing too much, trying to go too fast, spinning my wheels and usually burn out quickly.

Now I am not saying that hard work does not pay off eventually. Rather I am just saying that when I have a little patience in my work, and rely on that inner voice that gently guides me, things go a lot smoother. If your a beginner in your craft, or have been doing it for years you may have noticed this already.

Now how about my "nothing" attitude. Sure everyone gets a case of the I don't wannas. Or perhaps your muse ran off? Maybe your trying hard on a project and it is just not cooperating. Sometimes cussing at your design works, sometimes not. There is the walk away and try again tomorrow technique. Whatever the case may be, it is a natural part of creating to get discouraged. Here are some helpful tips on that.

Do not compare yourself to others, nothing kills my creativity more than this. Everyone has their own style, talent and niche. Find what you love, and what works for you. When I compare myself to others it is an excuse for the old broken records to play in my head. Maybe you have the same record? It says I am not good enough, I can not do this because fill in the blank with a variety of fears.

When I allow that voice to take control, I get filled with self doubt and self pity. Most days I choose to ignore the broken record, and feed my soul with the positive thoughts of creating. What a wonderful gift to give yourself- a place to grow, freedom from perfectionism, putting love into your art, and honoring your life and your talent.

It is important for me to not judge my work harshly, but slowly improve (baby steps are great for that). As we go into the new year we look forward to seeing your creations.

Much love and Light, Shannon from Vixens Natural Jewelry
www.magpiegemstones.com

Spring in January

It is unseasonably warm in Central Texas right now and this invokes thoughts of Spring. I found Szarka out tending her garden last week and her plants most likely enjoyed her nurturing. Those of us who have lived here a good while know that this warmer weather will come and go until the true Spring arrives in a couple of months. But for now, we will take what we can get.

When I checked in at Magpie, I was greeted at the door by the loud barking of the company dog, Sandy. She is ever vigilant and I doubt that anyone could get to the beads without going through her first. She gets my attention!

Magpie Gemstones definitely sprung into action this week by offering an uncustomary 20% off the entire store. This sounded to me like Spring cleaning, but I'm anticipating that the company is just making room for even more beads yet to come. I'm sure that whatever the reason, the discount is enjoyed by Magpie customers. The company appreciates the numerous accolades from customers who posted on the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/MagpieGemstones

If you're trying to think about and get a head start on Spring designing, take a peek at the beautiful peridot and carnelian below. The colors are luscious.

Once you get those jewelry pieces completed, you might want some help in pricing them. Szarka provides her thoughts on the matter at the following: http://www.magpiegemstones.com/pricingjewelry.html

Since Spring in January will probably be fleeting, I'm going outside now to contemplate the joy of designing with Magpie Gemstones. . . . or I might just take a nap in the sun!

Springing into action for you, we are Magpie Gemstones.

Karen Meador, writer
http://www.dreamcatcherdesigns.net/

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