Pear Shaped Semi-Precious Stones

Pear Shaped Semi-Precious Stones are incredibly common in jewelry. You see them in earrings, bracelets and you even see them in rings. Their shape, when used, gives a simple design a wide range of designs and is versatile enough to give your one piece several different possibilities.

Necklaces

You can use Pear Shaped Semi-Precious Stones in many different ways on a necklace. One large semiprecious stone can be used to anchor your necklace and customers can wear them with a V-neck top. Several of them hanging together, like in a chandelier or tiered multi-strand necklace, which gives your piece the weight it needs without bulging out (like coins do) or looking too awkward (like rectangular stones).

You can also drop the pear shaped stones in between unusual shapes (such as sterling silver charms, keshi or biwa pearls) to give uniformity amongst too much different oddly shaped components. Center drilled pear shaped stones can also be mixed in with coins and marquise shaped stones of various sizes to give texture and character to your piece.

In large necklaces that feature different materials, you can string together a small cluster of side drilled Pear Shaped Semi-Precious Stones to give the necklace a different feel. Pear shaped beads fit together neatly and give the piece a uniform but also woven effect. You can also use this technique with different sized pear shaped stones that allow you to add greater variety into your piece without making it look disorganized or unstructured.

Earrings

Pear Shaped Semi-Precious Stones  can also be hung in tiered chandelier earrings. You can start off with a sterling silver filigree frame and drop pears from it. You can also hang small increments of chain from the frame and drop the pears from the chain. By adding layers of this chain, you’ll get a chandelier effect which will hang nicely and add fluidity to your piece. Once again, the pear, because of its unique shape, gives the piece shape without looking odd or sticking out. 

Another way is to hang an increment of chain off of a filigree frame and hang different sized pears from it. You’ll get a different kind of variety and depth in your piece without using too much material. Easy earrings can also be created by dropping one Pear Shaped Semi-Precious Stones  off of a hammered, waved or textured soldered ring. The pear shape anchors the piece down smoothly and gives the piece a nice finish that cannot be done if using a round, oval, square or rectangular component.

Overall, Pear Shaped Semi-Precious Stones  are incredibly versatile pieces. Their angled sides allow them to be pieced together in uniform or varied clusters on a large necklace. Also because of their round ends, they are great and simple anchors for necklace pendants and earrings. Using Pear Shaped Semi-Precious Stones  is a great way to liven up your jewelry, provide more visual contrast and interest, and really add a new element of sparkle to your work.

Unique Sterling Silver Leaf Clasps

Looking at jewelry and fashion design, one can see the return of nature in the patterns that we’re seeing on the runway and the street. Filigree patterns now feature leafy and flowery shapes with winding vines throughout the frame. Often, when a pendant is wire wrapped or features an organic and leafy bail, one wants to have a clasp that reflects this theme as well. There are several different kinds of clasps that you can use but some of the most common are sterling silver leaf clasps.

Toggle Bars come in all shapes and sizes. The best is to find a supplier that can sell them to you individually so you can mix and match them that will allow you to create individual pieces. With the economic recession, individual pieces allow you to show your customers that this piece is one of a kind and cannot be found else where. Toggle Bars , with a long enough extender, are also able to give your necklace versatility. For example, if you have a simple sterling silver hammered chain, you can put a Toggle Bar at the end and close it anywhere you’d like, turning your necklace into a simple lariat. Toggle Bars can also be used as an accent in custom wire wrapped pendants. This way you can close your necklace at the front instead of the back, making your closure part of the accent.

Toggles come in different shapes and sizes. Stones and Findings features several different kinds of custom designed sterling silver Toggles that can be used in various ways. For example, you can use them as pendants or wear them as earrings. One doesn’t necessarily have to use a sterling silver finding for its designed purpose. In a lot of our decorative leaf toggles, the hole, though designed for a toggle bar, can be used to wire wrap and hang semiprecious stone beads off of.

Another kind of clasp is the Sterling Silver Leaf Clasps . They come together and close in various ways. One of them is the hook and eye closure. I will introduce you to one of our best selling leaf clasps that close in very interesting ways.

For example, the small lemon balm leafs close together neatly so as to not reveal the eye and hook. So when they close together, they nestle together tightly and give the piece a cute and organic feel. Customers love this piece because it hides the eye and hook behind the toggle itself. The other example is the exact opposite. This sterling silver toggle is actually a small leaf that goes into the eye of the toggle. When they come together, they lie together perfectly as to look like one complete piece instead of a clasp. The beautiful and orderly effect of this sterling silver leaf clasp hides its utility in plain sight. It allows designers to put it anywhere on the necklace as it works as a closure and a pendant. Many of our customers who work with beaded necklaces and bracelets prefer this charm as it gives an extra accent to their already detailed work.

Overall, sterling silver leaf clasps are versatile, unique and can be taken apart to be used independently as closures or pendants. They are great highlights to your piece and if you are able to use your toggles in the front of your necklace, why not show it off?

Jewellery Components Warehouse Sale!!!

Stones and Findings is Canada’s premium jewellery component wholesaler. Our main strength is our huge selection of semi-precious gemstones, a wide array of Sterling Silver, Gold Filled, Gold Vermeil, and Rhodium Plated chains and findings and the largest selection of Freshwater Pearls in Canada.
Starting June 2nd – June 5th during our Warehouse Sale you can save up to 50% on select semi-precious beads, crystals, shells, fresh-water pearls, and coral !!!
Select sterling silver available at $1.00/gram and NO WHOLESALE MINIMUMS !
Products include: semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, shells, cubic zirconia, sterling silver, gold vermeille, gold filled findings and chains.
Located at 55 Queen Street E, suite 705A (7th floor) across from St. Michael’s Hospital, at Queen TTC Station.
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 10am-6pm & Saturday - 10am - 4pm
On the Web: http://www.stonesandfindings.com

How to Design Colourful Jewellery

Coming up with colour combinations for some people is quite a difficult task.  While others come by it quite naturally; they can just throw a bunch of colours together without much thought and they manage to all blend together with just the right amount of vibrancy, hue and saturation. When it comes to jewelry design learning how to successfully combine colours can help speed up the jewelry design  process, and help you get your jewelry out there faster. That is why, we at Stones and Findings have created the Colour Search Option to make it easier for you.

If you fall into the category of the first group of people there are some things to think about that should give you just as good combinations as the second group of people.  To start with there are three properties of colours to think about while making your combinations hue, value, and saturation. Hue is defined as the type of colour, blue, red, yellow and so on.  Value is how light or dark a colour is- how much black, grey or white has been added to the colour.  Saturation is also known as the intensity of a colour, how bright or dull it is. 

While matching colours, think about what you want the final product to look like, and who you are making it for.  If you are making it for someone else, think about what colour the person likes, what colours they often wear, and finally what colours look good on them.  Next, do you want to have multiple colours that are all contrasting in saturation, or a combination of colours that just blend together with similar values?  Think about the colour properties and how you can make them work for you. 

A good way to start if you are completely lost and have only a vague idea of what colours you would like to use is to take a trip to your local hardware store and pull a bunch of paint chips.  This will give you the ability to play with colour pallets and give you a sense of direction before you even go to buy your beads or design your piece of jewellery.

Another way to create your colour palettes if you have already picked out a starting colour is to use a colour wheel.  From here you can move it around the wheel and see what colours it could work with, this will also give you an idea of what colours to stay away from.  Some colour wheels have a window cut into the wheel so that you can place it on top of your item, and then proceed to move the wheel around until you find a pleasing combination.

If you take into account the various colour properties and you can justify why you are using each colour that you have selected then there is no reason why you can’t create amazing colour combinations that turn into striking jewellery pieces.

Victoria Day Sale - Save 20% on all Crystals !!!

 We are celebrating Queen Victoria’s birthday with our crystals! Starting Tuesday April 27th to Monday, May 10th, 2010, we are putting all of our crystals on Sale at 20% off! Check out all of our beautiful Cubic Zirconia, and bring some sparkle and excitement to your jewellery pieces. For more information on our sale, please visit:
http://www.stonesandfindings.com/specials
Hurry, our offer is only valid from April 26th 2010 to Monday, May 10th, 2010! Get yourself prepared to design for Victoria Day!

Visit us online or in the showroom at 55 Queen Street E, suite 705A (7th floor) Toronto, Ontario. We are right across from St. Michael’s Hospital & open Mon-Fri 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, & Sat. 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Save 15% on Pearls for Mother's Day !

Stones and Findings is having a Mother's Day Sale!

We’re celebrating now, so you can create in time for mother’s day, which is May 9th this year.  Mothers are treasured everywhere, and so are pearls! Stones and Findings offer freshwater pearls in various shapes, sizes and colours such as Potato and Keshi pearls, Pink Tulle and Champagne pearls. All these pristine pearls are 15% off! So treat your mom or yourself to some fresh water pearls!

For more information on our sale, please visit: http://www.stonesandfindings.com/specials

You can visit us in the showroom Mon-Fri. 10:00am-6:00pm & Sat. 11:00am-4:00pm at 55 Queen Street East, suite 705A (7th floor), M5C1R6, Toronto, (right across from St. Michael's Hospital)

Our offer is only valid from Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 to Monday, April 26th, 2010!
Pearls are very popular at Stones and Findings so hurry before they’re gone!

Public Relations Firms for Jewellery

I often hear envy in the voices of designers as they mention other designers being featured in magazines.  The press is undoubtedly enviable because aside from possible increase in sales, that is how one can become famous.  Few people understand how one should go about being "discovered".   The secret behind it is PR firms.  There are specialty firms that focus on jewellery and fashion accessories.  I am here to write about their inner workings and their strengths and weaknesses.


In the age of budget cuts and reduced advertising dollars, magazines and all media have gone without many things; fewer hours spent really sourcing for new stories or verifying stories from PR firms, no budget for photography... As a result, very few articles are original, or even paraphrased.  Journalists rely on trusted PR firms to submit stories, including photographs that are print ready.  Some will change wording, others just straight print, trusting the PR consultant to have changed the words for them.  So, it does pay to use a really well connected PR firm.  How much you end up paying, and whether it is worth your while is another story.

Some of the most basic services include writing copy, which is writing any story or description for your own printing in brochures or for the website.  It goes up from there to include guaranteed magazine submissions and product or designer feature.  The Cadillac of services would include full product launch and press release in all sorts of media.  Five years ago, and I am sure it is a lot more now, the going rate for an independent firm, with one writer/proprietor with some experience and connection with the magazine editors was about $1,500 per month, and that only guaranteed 2 print coverages.  This could mean only the product features of a pair of earrings with company name and price, and a mention in a list of many local designers.  The monthly rate was for no more than 4 hours of work per month.  Anything beyond that was negotiated and charged separately.  The contract was for a minimum of 6 months.  Just for curiosity, at that time, the amount Mont Blanc brand was rumoured to be paying in excess of $100,000 for the Canadian region for PR.  It is vital to select a firm that specializes in your industry and can show that she/he has been successful in getting many entries into the magazines.  With cut budget, journalists have less time to meet with that many PR consultants, and like designers, there are many consultants out there.  So, they rely on a few.

I know of several designers who have downsized after a few years of growth and use of PR firms.  The press is addictive and the designer often invests on the optimism of a tidal wave of orders.  However, most of the time this does not happen, and at least not because of the PR.  The press gives the designer and the sales representatives more drive to go out and get more business and perhaps a slight advantage in entry into stores.  However, the legwork still has to be done the old fashion way.  It is not long before many designers realize that much of the profit goes toward the PR firms and magazine advertisements.  And after scaling back the PR expenditures, most of them realize the brand recognition does carry forward for long.  The sales dwindle and after being exhausted for a couple of years, most designers decide to scale back operations all together.  I have personally known of designers who have had full 2 page coverage, with photographs taken alongside Sharon Stone, wearing a few pieces of her jewellery, go back to selling only at parties and holding a full-time job to make ends meet.  And Oprah does not turn everything she touches or mentions into gold.  I have a friend who had her necklace design worn by Oprah and she's out of business.  Perhaps it was unfortunate that Oprah didn't wear her necklace on the cover of O Magazine.....if only she had!


For more tips on What you should do if you are going to hire a PR firm, click here

How to turn press on your jewellery designs into money

Press Coverage - How to turn press on your jewellery designs into money

Over the years I have received print press coverage by Fashion Magazine, Toronto Life, Flare, Chatelaine, , and by national newspapers.  Most of these were submissions by retail boutiques to which I wholesale my collections.  They all have mention of my company name and the photography is always superb.  I've been meaning to for years to turn press coverage into strong marketing tools.  I know I can do this and should know how to do it.  After all, I went through an awful MBA program and worked through more than 6 courses on strategy and marketing.  I have friends in the public relations industry who have been giving me advice through the years, and I've traveled to many countries and seen how strong firms utilize press coverage to increase sales.  But self-promotion goes against the grain of my upbringing.  Well, I am here to tell you that if you have the same problem, then overcome it and I will show you how to turn press coverage on your jewellery designs and company into strong marketing tools that will help you enter into new territories and gain profit growth.

Press is built on momentum, regardless of good press or bad.  The more press you already have, the easier it is to get more.  Every venue in the fashion world wants to be in the "know" and no one wants to be out of the loop in mentioning what is the "hottest ticket".  So, strike while the iron is hot and take advantage of the momentum.

Mention the Press Coverage on your website
You should always put it up on your website.  It adds credibility to you as a designer.  It works equally for consumers as well as wholesale customers, the more the better.  Check out how some of the better brands do it.  It is better to include the cover of the magazine for the edition in which your designs have been featured.

Frame it
Frame the press coverage or plaque the write up and feature pictures.  You notice that restaurants do that with great success in attracting more patrons.  You can do the same in your studio or office.  Just as it does on your website, it adds credibility and validity as to why they should buy from you.

Create a P.O.P. (point of purchase) display
Select the best feature(s) and digitally create a little 4x6 or 5x7 (larger if the retail display allows) card.  Frame it using clear acrylic to minimize the size, or use a display that is congruent with the style of your collection.  If possible, send one out to each retail boutique that carries your line.  It does wonders for increasing sales and helps boost the retailer's image.

Create a portfolio
Create a tasteful portfolio of the press coverage you've received, in reverse chronological order.  Just like a model's look book that she brings to her casting calls, it helps your sales representative when making sales calls to new boutiques.  This portolio should always be in your booth at tradeshows, and with you when you meet potential sales representatives.  You should also send a lighter version of this portfolio with the product samples which you send to media for PR, or to celebrities for future press.

Earth Day - All Brown and Blue Stones on Sale at 20% Off!!!

Stones and Findings is having a sale just in time for Earth Day sale! We’re celebrating now and you can save 20% on a large selection of stones such as Turquoise, Kyanite, Sodalite, Lapis Lazuli, Bronzite, Brown Sardonyx and many more. Our crystal cubic zirconia, pearls and shells are also on 20% off ! So pick up your favourites today, before they're gone!

http://www.stonesandfindings.com/specials

Our offer is only valid from Monday, March 30, 2009 to Sunday, April 12, 2009!

You can shop online, or visit our showroom Mon-Fri 10:00am - 6:00pm and Sat. 11:00am - 4:00pm.
Hope to see you there!

Colour Matching Jewelry Design

How to Create Colourful Jewellery

Coming up with colour combinations for some people is quite a difficult task. While others come by it quite naturally; they can just throw a bunch of colours together without much thought and they manage to all blend together with just the right amount of vibrancy, hue and saturation. When it comes to jewelry design learning how to successfully combine colours can help speed up the jewelry design process, and help you get your jewelry out there faster. That is why, we at Stones and Findings have created the Colour Search Option to make it easier for you.


If you fall into the category of the first group of people there are some things to think about that should give you just as good combinations as the second group of people. To start with there are three properties of colours to think about while making your combinations hue, value, and saturation. Hue is defined as the type of colour, blue, red, yellow and so on. Value is how light or dark a colour is- how much black, grey or white has been added to the colour. Saturation is also known as the intensity of a colour, how bright or dull it is.


While matching colours, think about what you want the final product to look like, and who you are making it for. If you are making it for someone else, think about what colour the person likes, what colours they often wear, and finally what colours look good on them. Next, do you want to have multiple colours that are all contrasting in saturation, or a combination of colours that just blend together with similar values? Think about the colour properties and how you can make them work for you.


A good way to start if you are completely lost and have only a vague idea of what colours you would like to use is to take a trip to your local hardware store and pull a bunch of paint chips. This will give you the ability to play with colour pallets and give you a sense of direction before you even go to buy your beads or design your piece of jewellery.


Another way to create your colour palettes if you have already picked out a starting colour is to use a colour wheel. From here you can move it around the wheel and see what colours it could work with, this will also give you an idea of what colours to stay away from. Some colour wheels have a window cut into the wheel so that you can place it on top of your item, and then proceed to move the wheel around until you find a pleasing combination.


If you take into account the various colour properties and you can justify why you are using each colour that you have selected then there is no reason why you can’t create amazing colour combinations that turn into striking jewellery pieces.

Stones and Findings is putting Agate on SALE! Starting March 16, we are offering an additional 20% off all Stone beads under the category of Agate products in our showroom and online! That includes popular stones such as Black Onyx, Botswana Agate, Flower Agate and many many more. For more information, please visit our Specials page at

http://www.stonesandfindings.com/specials

Take advantage of this great opportunity to stock up on great Agate stones, and start off your Fall collection early!
Shop online or visit us in our showroom Mon-Fri 10:00am - 6:00pm, Sat. 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Our sale is on from March 16th through March 29th.

Please remember a $150.00 minimum order st ill applies to all orders for the wholesale price. Sale prices are already reduced and are as marked.

Purple Sale - Save 20% on all Purple Items!

This March, we are celebrating the colour Purple by offering 20% off all Purple Stones, Crystals and Freshwater Pearls. We feel it’s the perfect time to party it up with purple! Pamper yourself with purple precious stones like amethyst, purple fluorite, lavender freshwater pearls, dyed purple jade and tanzanite and purple crystals, we have plenty!

For more information, please visit our Specials page at http://www.stonesandfindings.com/specials

You can also visit our showroom at 55 Queen Street East, suite 705A, Toronto, Ontario to take a look at our gorgeous merchandise Mon-Fri 10:00am-6:00pm & Sat. 11:00am-4:00pm.

Don’t procrastinate our offer is only valid from Tuesday, March. 2, 2009 to Sunday, March. 15, 2009!

St. Patrick's Day Sale at Stones and Findings - Save 30% on all Green Stones, Crystals, Pearls and Shells

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Stones and Findings!

For a limited time only you can save 30% on ALL GREEN Semi-precious stones, Freshwater Pearls, Crystals and Shells. Use this wonderful opportunity to stock up on Green Products such as Prehnite , Turquoise African , Jade African & get inspired to design for Spring/Summer.
For a full list of items on sale please visit Stones and Findings Sale Specials

You can also visit our showroom to take a look at our gorgeous merchandise Mon-Fri 10:00am-6:00pm & Sat. 11:00am-4:00pm.

Remember, the sale is only valid from Feb.16 - March 1st, so don't delay! Order Today!

Using Semi-precious Beads in Clothing

How use semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, and crystals in your garments

Beads are often used in everyday life items that aren’t considered to be pieces of jewelry. When I think of beads that are used outside of jewelry I think of either home décor or clothing.
Most notably beads can be found on evening wear or wedding dresses. Adding beads to a special occasion dress or outfit like crystal just add some sparkle to the outfit and work to highlight certain areas by catching and reflecting the light, giving the outfit, and the person a sense of glamour. Pearls are often also found on wedding dresses as they give the dress some visual texture, and they just look so good with lace!

Beads can also be found on everyday items of clothing like tops, dresses, and even pants. They work to dress up a piece of clothing a little more, and give the consumer yet one more reason to buy that special item of clothing.
Adding beads to clothing is not all that difficult. It is often quite fun to do, and the sense of accomplishment once you are done and the piece looks amazing is well worth it. My suggestion when adding beads to an item of clothing that are going to be permanently attached to the garment is to work with a smaller sized bead. Three millimeter crystals , or size ten seed beads work well, as a rule I would not go much above four millimeters, but ultimately it is going to come down to the type of garment you are working on, and the bead that you want to use and if it will be a good fit. Three millimeter crystals , are a favorite as they are a perfect size and they give both a fun sparkle and some colour to the piece.
When sewing the beads on, work with embroidery floss, preferably the colour of the clothing item so that your stitches will disappear. Embroidery floss comes with six strands so I suggest pulling the strands apart, and sewing the beads on with either two or thee strands of the floss. Embroidery floss will be stronger then regular sewing thread, but you could also use something like nylon if you prefer.

If you want to add something to a dress, top, skirt or jacket with out making it permanent there are a few things that you can do. Not making your changes permanent will have a few benefits, the first being that it will make the item much easier to wash- with no fear of looking any of the beads in the bottom of your washing machine, and the second being that it will give you the ability to give a garment multiple looks. First you can embellish a separate piece of fabric with stones, pearls or crystals , and then using snaps or hooks you can attach the fabric to the item of clothing that you are wanting to add it on to. Another thing to do is securely attach clasps to your item of clothing, at the shoulders for a top or dress, or main seam lines for other garments, and then create strands or 'faux necklaces'. Once you are done, finish them off with soldered rings on both ends, and then you can mix and match them onto your garment.
With all of these many different techniques to try out, there are endless possibilities for the person that just simply can’t get enough of beading.

It's our Mardi Gras Sale!

For our annual Mardi Gras sale we thought we’d go Big & Colourful and offer you 50% off All Shells, All Coral and Fire Agate products. This includes popular and favourite products such as Abalone, Fossil Coral, Red Coral and much, much more.

To view the complete list of sale items, please visit: Stones and Findings SPECIALS

Our offer is only valid from Tuesday February 2nd, 2010 to Monday February 15th, 2010!
*Minimum order of $150.00 still applies.

Please Note: Our showroom will be closed on Monday, February 15th for Family Day. However you can still place an order online at www.stonesandfindings.com to qualify for the sale. Happy Shopping!

Valentine's Day Sale

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Stones and Findings is putting all of our Pink Semi-Precious Stones, Freshwater Pearls, Crystals and Shells on Sale!

From January 19th until February 1st, 2010, you can save 20% on all Pink products such as Pink Moonstone, Rose Cubic Zirconia, Pink Opal, Sunstone, Pink Coral, Freshwater Pink Tulle Pearls and much, much more!

Take advantage of this great opportunity to save - stock up on the prettiest pinks, and start designing rosy creations today!

To view the complete list of sale items, please visit: Stones and Findings - Specials

Our offer is only valid from Tuesday January 19th, 2010 to Monday February 1st, 2010!

We are OPEN to the public. Shop Online or in our showroom - Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat. 11am-4pm, and located at 55 Queen Street East, Suite 705A (7th floor) right across from St. Michael's Hospital.

Bead Benefits

I've always found beads and jewelery making strongly therapeutic. The focus washes away all worries and I come out of each design session feeling strangely more refreshed and lucid. However, it wasn't until recently that I received some confirmation of the benefits of beads and the girls made little bracelets to keep. It was a hit and they had lots of fun. The beads were very inexpensive, and I was almost appalled they used plastic beads and poorly painted wooden beads. The parents thought it was the best and the kids were thrilled. The bead snob in me decided to show them what good beads look like, and I was going to outdo everyone with the best sterling clasps look like, I thought I could teach them how to finish their own pieces properly. So, it wasn't a bead party that would end all bead parties.

There was a brother (age 6) and sister (age 8) who were part of the group that came out. I actually didn't invite the brother even though he was my daughter's best friend. I naturally assumed that he would not be interested because his parents seemed so gender conservative and dressed him mainly in greens and blues. He had also declined attending parties which my daughter didn't go because he didn't want to be the only boy. My daughter is a tom girl, so he feels she doesn't count as a girl. Anyhow, his mother asked if she could bring him. I was embarrassed of my assumption and wholeheartedly welcomed them. But I brought out my daughter's collection of shark's teeth fossils, boxier sterling clasps and thick leather, just in case if the beads don't go over very well. The boy's mother is a neurologist at the Sick Children's Hospital, i.e. a brain specialist. His father is a paediatric heart specialist at the same hospital. So, they're really into the development of children. While the children are engrossed in the platters full of beads, the mother told me why she encourages her son to do beading. In fact, she has beads at home and she had read many studies that point to the benefits of bead counting and sorting for a child's brain development. Not only will it improve their mathematical skills, it helps develop patience. It also has calming effects on hyperactive children. The size of the beads should vary inversely with the children's age for safety, of course. The little boy is brilliant and very patient. However, I don't know if that has got more to do with genetics than just a lot of bead sorting.

The session was a smash and the mothers were intrigued, and rather dazzled by the array of glass beads, crystals, pearls and stone beads. I find that an easy finish for the bracelets were the lobster clasp . Or for slightly older children and limited budget, one might consider the larger spring ring clasp.

You can certainly contribute to the well being of your friends and family. The necklace making party only took about 2 hours, but it was great for them. The moms wanted to offer money so I'd hold it again. The kids didn't want to go. So, it was worthwhile. I'd recommend larger shell beads. Czech crystals are great. Stringing material can simply be elastic for the little ones.

By the way, the pirate's necklace with the shark tooth was amazing. I used 22 ga sterling wire and wrapped around the tooth, ending in a loop for leather to go through. I think he will treasure the necklace forever.

Sterling Silver Components Are Worth the World

I often lament that I am not in the medical field, researching cures for a contagious and deadly disease, or that I am not contributing more to society as Gandhi had. I've only recently realized how much happier I am that I did not become a lawyer, as I had aspired to be, and as most of my friends have become. Nonetheless, there are moments in the quiet hours of my evenings that I feel I have not contributed as much to society as I feel I possibly could. After all, jewellery making , and to a finer point, sterling silver components is often thought of as superfluous. The world of fashion is rather superficial, and I often wonder what evolutionary purpose does adorning oneself really serve? Are we not intelligent enough to see that outer appearance is not necessarily indicative of one's inner qualities? However, I oscillate between loathing all things physically beautiful and embracing them as things that make us feel good, and thus make us human, and therefore, important and necessary, and even desired.

I recently read an article about music and the possible purpose it serves as part of human mating rituals. It takes a great deal of time to master an instrument. So, it must serve an important purpose in our evolutionary selection. The researchers theorized that musical talent indicates vigorousness, coordination and health. I am tone deaf. But my saving grace is that I am artistic , i.e. super visual, great with colour and can remember a picture as clearly as....a picture. So, this is what I tell myself, and it's proven positive that my husband didn't just make a mistake, but rather I was selected by higher order.

I was a guest on the panel of specialists in Style by Jury, where a would-be jewelery designer was going through transformations. There was a therapist on board. He's done many talks and works with a number of Hollywood Stars. He mentioned that things that are commercially successful are things that make us feel good. It is human nature. For some reason what he said that night made a lot of sense, though as simple and commercial as it may seem. In its smallest denominator, I want beautiful and unique sterling silver components that speak to me and make jewelery designing easy and pleasurable. I want jewelery that I design make people feel good about themselves, removing them from the doldrums of the ordinary.

I recently realized that I am but a small cog in a large wheel. However, I do contribute in important ways. Someone at a tradeshow once said "Creativity is cheaper than therapy." This is very true, and we create happiness for many. Our sterling silver components create employment and livelihood for many people and their families. Our happiness as jewellery designers creates joy for those around us. We contribute in many small, and large, ways.

Although I still hope that one of my children end up in the medical field or decide to dedicate their lives to a more visible good of mankind, I'd be very happy if they were happy, doing whatever they can apply themselves doing. I'd be equally happy and proud if they decided to create beautiful jewellery to improve other people's moods and for people to admire as I would be if they became brain surgeons. I think I'd be very especially proud and touched if designed jewellery and when they come upon sterling silver components that I've designed, they think I've done a great job; for this is my life, and jewellery components is my passion. I have decided to contribute to this world the best way I know how, and to make a mark by touching someone's life and jewellery designs . I am living the life exactly how I want to, designing with pride, and enjoying every minute of it. And I am positive I'm contributing more to society than any of my lawyer friends.

Click here to browse through Stones and Findings' sterling silver components!

Chinese Sterling Silver Findings

Sterling silver findings from China vary a great deal in terms of price and quality. You really end up getting what you paid for. In general, quality has improved dramatically in the past 5 years and many sterling silver findings made in China are now world-class.

There are ISO 9000 certified companies, many of which house Italian and German machinery to make their findings. The prices from these companies are not cheap, but they run about 15% less than Italian and Israeli companies for comparable items. The intricacy and precision in many sterling silver pieces will often be higher from these Chinese factories. I have found them willing to make difficult to make sterling silver findings which the Italian, Israeli and Indian factories are not willing or able to make. Many Chinese factories use the latest CAD machinery in their model making. Asians like precision designs, and appreciate machine made perfection, much like the Germans do. However, Asians like either a cutesier or more elegant look, whereas Germans appreciate a more minimalist industrial look. And because of this, Chinese factories have been willing to invest in machinery to achieve this look in their sterling silver components, and they have large talent pool of fine craftsmen, whose art has been passed down from generation to generation from which to draw. You can find some of the sterling silver findings which I've designed and got made in China: Double Hollow Pears, Circle Pendant with Leaf Filigree, Leaf Pedants , Circle Filigree Pedants and more.

I have also dealt with some Chinese factories that just can't make good sterling silver findings, no matter how hard they try. And generally, these are the common characteristics that are visible at tradeshows: their designs are thick and chunky, their samples have visible solder marks, they don't understand North American taste (and thus, generally its quality expectations). You can spot, and should stay miles away from these sterling silver suppliers. These factories tend to be much more labour intensive, and for sterling silver findings, there are some designs which you can't make by hand, let alone cost-effectively. Especially with the labour shortage of late, many factories rely on unskilled labour from northern provinces in order to maintain competitive prices for sterling silver findings. Price of sterling silver has risen, so raw material cost has exacerbated the situation. Always do a small test order, if you must import yourself. Try using a buying agent whenever possible. They have much more business leverage and the factories are much more eager to satisfy their demands than a small independent. The agent will charge you 10 -15% for their services, but it is well worth it. However, wholesale prices for sterling silver components has been driven so low by competition that quite often, the margin is only 3% to 7%. So, it is much better to just order from your local suppliers than to venture and risk getting burned and working extra hard. And we haven't started talking about travel costs.

Chinese factories in the past, in keeping with common Asian custom, will never embarrass a customer by saying no to an order. However, they just don't deliver or respond when you enquire. This is no different for sterling silver findings factories, which predominantly serve the western market (Asians still prefer gold, or if costume jewellery, they like base metal). However, this annoying custom is changing as the markets have opened up more. Nonetheless, it is up to the customer to push for things, be it better quality, or more timely delivery.

I've become increasingly happy with Chinese sterling silver findings suppliers. Some of the best quality sterling silver findings I've had made come from the 3 factories I work with. They've bettered some of the best Italian and Israeli sterling silver findings companies we work with.

To see some of the sterling silver components that Stones and Findings carries (that we import from all over the world), click here!

Vancouver Bead Stores

There are a number of Vancouver Bead Stores. They are also all of fairly high calibre, compared to the bead stores of other major Canadian cities. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that Vancouverites are willing to spend more money on handmade goods. There are more small jewellery artisans per capita in Vancouver than any other major metropolis.

One of my favourites is Country Beads, owned by my friend Susan Gill. It is managed by Danika, a super talented and wonderful gal, and helped run by an army of fantastic and bubbly jewellery designers. Sue is the creative business woman behind the scene all these years. She has a gift for colour and likes warm and inviting interiors. I like her display ideas. She's people oriented, well traveled, open minded, and the ideal person to own a Vancouver Bead Store. Sue has a great eye for trends and quality. She hand picks all of her stones and Country Beads has the best selection of Indian cut stones in Vancouver. They provide steep volume discounts to wholesale jewellery designers. The store is definitely worth a visit and they're working on an online store.

Kimdoly specializes in inexpensive Chinese stone beads. They have 2 locations, and exhibit at all the major bead shows in Vancouver. Their prices are competitive and they have a large selection of stone beads. The variety is not different from regular Chinese stone beads. They believe their customer base is more price conscious, and their selection of sterling silver components is almost non-existent. If you like their selection of stone beads, but you don't want to go elsewhere to buy your sterling silver, you need to speak to the owners to get them to bring it in.

Capilano Rock And Gem is located on the north shore. It is a direct competitor to Country Beads, but without the meticulous selection. They have a large selection of sterling wire, sheets and casting grains. They also have a good selection of gold filled wires. They have a fair amount of pearls, but not a lot of stone beads.

There are a couple of Beadworks locations. One of them is located in Granville Island. It is very pretty and a relaxed location to shop in. However, like all Beadworks locations, the selection is limited and the prices are strictly retail.

Beadsmart is located in Richmond, but since they draw many Vancouver clients, I consider them as one of the Vancouver Bead Stores. The owner Cindy is very generous and their prices are great. They have purportedly the lowest prices and largest colour selection of Swarovski crystals. Cindy's partner, Kareen, is a retired banker who is very talented and has a great eye for colour co-ordination. She holds beading and wire wrapping classes. They have some fine chains a small selection of good clasps. They carry a good selection of sterling and gold-filled wire in different gauges. You can negotiate for volume discount and many regular customers get little gifts without having to ask.

Many retail customers go to Fire Mountain Gems across the border to do their shopping. However, it has been said that the stone beads from Fire Mountain Gems is poor and they've had to switch back to buying locally. The minimums at Fire Mountain Gems is low, but again, unless you buy a significant amount, the duties and shipping will not make it cost effective.

Vancouver Bead Stores are sophisticated and prices are as price competitive as that of many major cities. Because there are many professional jewellery designers in the city, Vancouver Bead Stores are prompted to carry better selection and enable themselves to sell wholesale in order to compete.

To take a look at what Stones and Findings, a Canadian sterling silver wholesaler, can provide, click here!