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| Sugarbeads Newsy Bits |
November 2009
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Gentle Sugarbeader,
This
month we'd like to introduce you to a concept called the 3/50 Project,
a way to keep your hometown vibrant and interesting. Read about it
below, give the concept some thought, and share the idea with friends.
November
is gray and stark, but you can get an immediate color fix by visiting
Sugarbeads. Are you planning on making gifts this year? Come in and let
us help you get ideas to suit any budget. Or perhaps you are thinking
about holiday parties? We can help you design custom pieces for special
events. Bring a friend and spend the morning making one-of-a-kind
gifts, for your loved ones (or yourself . That is not only allowed but
strongly encouraged - after all, who knows what you like better than
you?)
Overwhelmed by too many choices? We hear that "O" word a
lot around here. Are you someone who doesn't yet feel confident about
your own creativity? We hear that too (though we strongly believe this
is just a muscle that strengthens with exercise, like any other.) Well,
if you don't feel inspired, consider buying one of our new bead kits to
bring home (or giving one as a gift!) Read below about our new bead
kits, as well as other new arrivals in the store.
Hope to see you soon!
Martha and Pam (and Toby)
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Promoting the 3/50 Project
Pick 3. Spend $50.
Support your Local Economy
Don't
you love living in a wonderful community full of interesting stores and
restaurants? How would you feel if you went into town one morning and
all the familiar boutiques and independently owned establishments had
morphed into the usual boring chain stores, the same ones you see at
every mall and Rt 1 type corridor all over the U.S.A. ? What if
Ridgefield turned into Everywhere, America? Anywhere, America? and all
the individuality and funk and sparkle turned into the bland pablum of
uniformity?
The 3/50 Project
suggests that each of us support the uniqueness of the community we
live in by spending at least $50 a month in our favorite independently
owned local stores. Most local stores, Sugarbeads included, are really
struggling to stay afloat in this economy and depend on local support
to survive, much less make a living. In addition, for every $100 spent
in local stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes and other
expenditures; only $43 returns from that amount spent at a chain store.
And of course NOTHING returns to your community from your internet
purchases.
So the next time you think of buying something on the
internet (and every local merchant will admit that we often can't
compete price-wise with the internet or the big box stores), think of
your friends and neighbors, the local store owners, who contribute
greatly to the diversity, uniqueness and quality of life in our
community. We'd like to continue to be here for you for years to come.
Please help make it so!
Thanks, Martha, Pam and their 6(!) kids
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Upcoming Classes
something for everyone!
Class participants always receive 10% off any purchases on the day of the class...
a great deal!
Visit www.sugarbeads.com for class details. Advance registration and payment required.
Private instruction is also available to suit your schedule.
Introduction to Beading -
$35
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.
on the following dates:
Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 19
Basic Earrings and Wire Wrapping -
$35
Saturdays at 10 a.m. on the following dates: Nov. 21, Dec. 12.
Pearl Knotting- $50
Saturday at 11am on the following dates: Nov. 21, Dec. 12.
Advanced Wire Earrings -
$75
Monday, Dec 7 at 11 a.m.
Create Your Own Findings- $75
Monday, Nov. 30, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m.
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Remember your Sugar Dough Card
Boy,
has this ever been popular! Be sure to pick up a Sugar Dough card.
We'll stamp your card every time you buy $25 of merchandise. Get 6
stamps and you'll save 10% on any purchases on your next visit!
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What on Earth Does Gold-filled Mean?
People
often ask us what the difference is between "base metal findings"
versus the "real thing", as in sterling, gold-filled or vermeil.
Base metal
is a catch-all expression that includes pewter, silver or gold COLOR
coated/plated metal of many kinds, or even silver or gold color plated
plastic (which you can tell by it's lightness.) The bottom line is that
the various qualities of base metal are designed to LOOK like the "real
thing" and the quality can vary, but whatever it 's made of, it will
not have the lasting quality of the "real thing." We do sell some
sterling plated brass that is of very nice quality. You'll find it in
the base metal section, labeled as "sterling plated brass" as opposed
to simply "plated."
Sterling is sometimes referred to as 925, which means it is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper - which is what gives it its shine. Thai Hilltribe silver is 99% silver and looks less shiny when in fact it has the higher actual silver content.
Vermeil
is sterling silver dipped in gold. The kind we sell is triple dipped in
22 karat gold, resulting in its bright gold color. The gold will slowly
become antiqued unless it is protected from oxygen while being stored.
Some people love this burnished look - others prefer the original color
and should keep their vermeil pieces in plastic with the air squeezed
out, the same trick which prevents sterling from tarnishing.
Finally, "gold-filled"
findings and beads are composed of a solid layer of 10K, 12K or 14K
gold bonded with heat and pressure to a base metal such as brass. It's
sometimes referred to as Rolled Gold as the gold is applied in multiple
layers of gold sheets. The finish can last 5 to 30 years as far as
maintaining its color, depending on the manufacturer. "Gold plated"
refers to the application of a thin layer of gold to another metal,
either sterling or a base metal like brass or copper. It is applied,
but not heat-bonded like gold-filled, and the gold layer is thinner so
in most cases it will wear less well than gold-filled - but again,
there are variations in manufacturing quality. The color of gold-plated
beads and findings is usually brighter, closer to the vermeil color,
not like the soft gold color of gold-filled pieces.
It's confusing, but we hope this blurb has helped demystify the distinctions a little bit!
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And now, here's a sprinkle of sugar....
"One
way or another, we all have to find what best fosters the flowering of
our humanity in this contemporary life, and dedicate ourselves to that."
- Joseph Campbell
Toby, Our Sugarbeast
How to reach us: 203.431.6655 email: sugarbeads@sbcglobal.net
email us to join our newsletter mailing list!
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