pugdog
Administrator
Sep 19, 2005, 9:52 AM
Post #1 of 1
(650 views)
Shortcut
Private Reply
|
|
Store rearrangement update, and new items.
|
Can't Post
|
|
We've gotten a large part of the rearrangement done, and found some neat stuff. Some of our rock/mineral collectors walked off with real deals on rare, unavailable, or totally unique rough.
We've also found some long forgotten beads and cabs.
We've also gotten in some *great* new rough, a brown mica quartz that is very similar to the bronzite, but without as much chatoyance. It's a great fall color, for golds and pastels.
I have also gotten my hands on some *awesome* moss agate in a few shapes (pillow, diamond) and it's stunning! The large pillows would make great accent or centerpiece beads, and we are in the process of cutting and matching strands and separating out the unique ones. The range of colors is stunning! Some pieces look almost like crazy lace! I've never seen it do things like that. It's 90-99% green moss (sometimes called tree agate), but it's that other 1-10% that is mindblowing!
In keeping with the "funky" wishes of a large segment of our cutomers, we have gotten in more dyed shell in bright basic and strong pastel colors. They go well with with glass beads and luna style glass pastels, as well as make great charms and simple accents on the black-cord + few beads style that is very popular.
The demand for our bracelet strands has outstripped our ability to keep up with the cutting, so we are making an attempt to put more on the shelves! They've been incredibly popular, since 5-8" of beads (average 6" for most) is just right for bracelets, and mixing/matching for necklaces. (3 6" strands + spacers is a solid 20" necklace, or anything from 16" to about 22").
We've almost sold out of the glass pearl lot we got this summer. It was a great deal, and we've been able to sell them for about half the discount craft stores for a slightly better grade. They were mostly creams and browns, a few pinks and in 6-10mm sizes. We got a great deal on them and they have been selling briskly for $3-6 depending on size. We still have a few of the smaller strands available, but not many! There are several grades of glass pearls -- the cheapest grades have surface and coating defects, and the lower grades without visible defects can chip more easily. Medium grades have no (or few) surface defects per strand, and a better luster, with harder coating. High grades have no defects, or rare defects, and a durable, high-luster, and uniform sheen. When comparing *any* item, make sure you are comparing more than just the "name."
BIG NEWS: Our Bali supplier has created a whole host of new "cast" toggles, and some cast beads. These are not classic "Bali Style" but look more like the standard toggles (without the balls and details, and such). It's Bali Silver, with a "new" look. We have about a half kilo of those due to arrive by Thursday, and we've restocked on many beads we've been out of. Another 1.5 kilo (2 kilo total) of silver should arrive this week.
It's been a rough summer for us, for family issues, as many of you know, and we appreciate the support we got in our time of trouble -- and in general for all the business, and new business you've sent our way! It's been hard keeping up with it all, but we love it, almost as much as we love our children (well, in a different sort of way!). We are a part of people having fun, and getting excited, and doing things they didn't think they were able to do. It's the best parts of "teaching" without all the paperwork!
The most exciting, and wonderful, thing for us, is seeing young people (kids, teens, young adults) getting excited and coming back time after time to "make it myself!" Our ready-made, out-of-the-box lifestyle has stifled creativity, and it's nice to see it literally EXPLODING in the beaders. They get an idea, bug their parents to come in, and they walk around searching out and seeking just the right beads for the project. WE *LOVE* IT!
In the past few weeks we've seen some great new beaders of ALL ages (from about 5 years old, to well, I'm not going to guess!). And, the 5 year old was not doing pony beads! The enthusiasm for beading is wonderful. It's a great hobby, that requires little technical skill or study, but allows you to be as creative as you want, when you want.
To that end, part of our rearrangement is to give more than the 3-4 open workstations we have, and expand that to at least 8, open and available at all times.
We are going to also start stocking, and having available pre-cut lengths of beading wire (in different thicknesses and colors), and finishing kits (crimps, toggles, etc) so that it will be easier to plan and complete a project in the store, or at home. Just like our bracelet strands, you won't have to buy a whole roll of a color or type of wire just to do that one project you've got in your head.
You ask, you talk, we listen!
(Oh! Marie made some great crackle glass and Chinese jasper jewelry, and we have the supplies available for you to do the same, or similar. More of this coming!)
PUGDOG's Rock & Bead Shop
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
|
Bead Banter
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG