"I've Never Been In a Bead Shop"

I am often asked the question "Do you sell beads by the strand?"
No, we do not (currently) sell beads by the strand. When I started the bead shop, I knew I would have to specialize. Our retail square footage is limited so when I began selling beads, I knew I wanted to offer a product that the customer would be excited about and could not find out in the market already. The Desert Beckons Bead Shop specializes in stone beads. I have been using stone beads in my jewelry making since the 80's and I guessed that other customers would want the opportunity to use semi precious stones in their creations as well.

A lot of jewelry makers are used to big box retailers - big box craft stores - big box fabric stores - big box on line catalog retailers. These outlets offer a wide selection of beads that are packaged in quantities for purchase. The big on line catalog retailers offer the same and also beads by the strand. But, how much are you spending when you make a purchase? If your interest is making a pair of earrings, for instance, how much product do you have to buy to complete your desired result? How much product is left over after your project is finished? How often do you reuse the remaining product just to justify the initial expenditure? How often are you sucked into spending over your budget simply to obtain the 10% off that on line catalog offers?

Let's do some math....Your project is a pair of earrings.
You will need: 1 pair of ear wires
2 head pins
(?) a quantity of beads to thread onto the head pins to achieve your design
.....the amount of beads you choose will vary depending on the desired
length
There are variables that effect the cost: the metal you choose - Sterling Silver, Brass, Copper,
Gunmetal, Pewter
the choice of stone bead - Aquamarine will be more
expensive than Agate
the choice of using faceted glass beads as opposed to
Swarovski Crystal
Your Choice - always.
You determine the cost.
When your project is complete, you will have a pair of earrings that you designed in the price range that is comfortable for your budget - and there is no extra product sitting in your bead box.
You have not over spent - you have not bought extra product that will go wasted -

The Desert Beckons Bead Shop offers the best quality stone beads. I strive to buy A quality product. The stone beads are genuine - not dyed - not epoxied - and the price per bead is competitive. I have done the homework. I keep up on the prices and offerings of these big companies. I shop other bead stores to compare my pricing and I beat them - bead for bead!

A bead shop can save you money. Compare the pricing in my store against any strand pricing. You will purchase less, spend less and the best part...you'll select your own stone beads for your project.

We also offer other beads - glass, wood, shell, porcelain, etc.

Don't be intimidated by paying for each bead! You'll be pleasantly surprised by the quality and unique offerings that bead shops stock!

Happy Beading!

Yours in rocks and beads,
Kathy

School Presentation Recap

Have you been in a modern classroom lately? Oh boy have they changed. The classrooms have phones. They have computers, of course. Do you remember the old over head projectors? They were really clunky and the teacher used transparencies and grease pencils to project the lessons onto the screen. I remember the teacher always had to turn the transparencies this way and that to upright the image. Well, the modern version of this is is now at warp speed. So impressive. Mrs. Krellis held the rock specimen under the scope-thing and the rock just came to life. It showed the brilliance and depth of the characteristics I described and the students oooooooohed & ahhhhhhhed each time.
So I felt like every other word out of my mouth was "abba dabba", but everyone said I did a great job. I was nervous, but it worked out fine. I understand that adults impact children every time we open our mouths, so this was on my mind. I didn't want to mis-inform. I was freaking out that a student would ask a question that I couldn't answer. That's where Mrs. Krellis and Ms. Hohman came in. They saved me a few times. After all, how many times can you say "that's a good question, I'll get to that in a moment" - only adults fall for this....hahahahaha

I never thought I would be doing field trips to schools. I consider myself a retailer. I sell stuff. I do the best I can to make people feel good about coming into my store and making a purchase. But, there's so much more to it and this is a learning experience for me. Funny, I went to school to show my rocks and promote my store, but I came away having learned something. Go figure.

p.s. tell a teacher, "Thank You"

yours in rocks and beads,
Kathy

School

The Desert Beckons is going to school today! I'm nervous....I want to impress the kids. Thankfully, the rocks do this for me. It's so much fun to see a kid look at an Amethyst geode and just gaze into it and wonder. "How do they make this?" "Did you make this?" "Can I have this?" I love to ask them which one is their favorite. The girls choose anything pink or purple. The boys go for the fossils and the Primordial Ooze. They all say "this one", "no, that one".... It's awe inspiring.
I know this, teachers are cool. It takes a special person to be one. It takes someone with a mountain of energy to be one. I don't know how they do it. These people are shaping the minds of our youth so why don't we pay them well? It's mind blowing that they get very little in exchange for what they do for the kids. They all spend their own money to make their lesson plans better. Every teacher I've met in my life has said "I love my job". Can you say this?

yours in rocks and beads,
Kathy

February

Happy Valentine's Day! This month has been a whirlwind of activity. The stock was held up so I'm behind the 8ball on that front. People are coming in to see the new stock and they're loving everything!!! I'm happiest in February because it's my birth month. I'm an Aquarian - dyed in the wool. I'm in my element right now. I'm also a rabbit, so I have a new lease on life. I'm not sweating the small stuff. I'm not worrying so much. I'm keeping my wits about me. This is not me. This is a new me. I don't get it, but I'm not searching for the why.

Amethyst is February's' birthstone. Carry a piece to aid in your communication with others. If you are sad, it will lift you up. If you are grieving, it helps you get through the day. If you have people in your life you deal with that are confrontational, Amethyst will smooth these interactions. It's truly one of the "best all around" minerals and you should never leave home without it. If you want to amplify it's properties, add a copper piece (a penny will do the trick) or wear Copper and Amethyst together.

more on Copper later - it's quickly becoming a pet metal of mine....

yours in rocks and beads,
Kathy

Tucson Gem Show -2011

Well, we've been back for a week now and still we wait on our shipment. The storm that pummeled the midwest is holding our goodies captive. Good grief! UPS is broken. They now have an automated voice saying - basically - tuff sh*t, you'll get your packages when we get them to you. OK then. So we wait.
In the meantime, I am working on the bead inventory. I'm just about finished tagging and stocking. I know what'll happen, the boxes will arrive and so will every customer waiting on the new rock buy. This has happened before and because I'm a people pleaser, I rip open the boxes and make a mess of things. Then I scramble to organize for tagging. I was never any good at this part of retail. Frankly, I prefer to be on the selling floor and have the goods brought to me - silver platter style - to oooooh and aaaaaah over them. Now that I am CEO/floor sweeper, I don't get this luxury. And, my retail education continues.....
I was busy yesterday (Saturday). People came. People were expecting new rocks. I told the UPS story a half dozen times. Mother Nature and her attitude, WHATever.....

The new beads are gorgeous. I am really looking forward to working with them. I've got some great ideas on how to bring them to the jewelry section of the store in wearable form. The metaphysical seekers like to wear their stones and I'm anxious to get a collection of bracelets and necklaces together for them. I plan to bring a $10, $15 & $20 price point to the floor and I think it can be done. I'm using more brass, copper and pewter these days because the price of silver is reaching an alltime absurd high. I'll still use sterling silver, my fav, but I've caved into the mixed metals. Sometimes, the stones look better with a brass compliment anyway.

I'm heading into the shop to get some work done in preparation for the new inventory. I'll post more later....

One more thing, Friday, I was flinging myself around the shop and I tripped over the computer cord and the laptop crashed to the floor. The screen was trashed, but the harddrive survived. I basically worked for free yesterday to pay for the new laptop I'm typing on right now.
$ in and $ out, but I kept my cool, which is very un like me.....I'm trying to be a conservative rabbit this year and this was my first test. I think I passed. What're you gonna do, right?

yours in rocks and beads,
Kathy

Tucson Gem Show - Recap

Hi Everyone,

Well, that was fast! Our visit to Tucson has come and gone already. Really?, it's over????
I'm always amazed at the speed of having fun. Why do the work days seem endless, and the fun days seem to go by in a blink???
The Gem Show, for us, is over for the year. I always hope that next year we will have more time, and more money. One can dream. One can dream.

We met and did business with a few new vendors. Love them all. I am always drawn to small businesses because I am one. I will do what I can to help them grow and prosper. We shop with some biggies, but my heart is with the little guy. This is the "guy" that puts everything available for sale on the table. This is the guy who has no website, has run out of business cards - or scratches out phone numbers on old business cards to save a buck and is so humbled by your purchase, he shakes your hand twice at the end of the sale. I am honored to do business with these people. Dyed in the wool retailers. True blue salespeople - love you so much! I will stick to you like glue on paper. Bravo, to your tireless enthusiasm! Keep on truckin'

Robert Simmons

I recognized him in the corridor of the hotel. He was coming down the stairs as Bain & I were going up to his room. I think I startled him. He was on his way out to his car to retrieve his phone when I said, "are you Robert Simmons?" I could tell he was trying to place the face so I quickly told him I "recognized him from the Gem Show Guide" and was honored to meet him. He was thrilled to be recognized. He is such a nice man. I was so pleasantly surprised by his ease and gregarious nature....and I felt his energy. This man is full of light and life. He is a happy man. He is a "boy in a candy store" sort. I sensed from him that all his education and experience was not what he was about; that it was about "right now" that was important. We hugged at the end of my visit. I won't forget it, ever.

What did I buy from him? A thimble of what he represents. I wanted everything. I wanted the Illuminite sphere he showed me in the bathroom. Yes, I went into the bathroom with Robert Simmons. The sphere (1 of 11 in the world) glows in the dark. It is a natural mineral and it glows blue in pitch black. Gorgeous! Jaw dropping! I am in awe. The color was blue, like tourmaline blue, but glowing. Can you picture it? I took a picture of him holding it. He was also holding a specimen he claimed was his favorite, a huge crystal of Kunzite & Hiddenite.

I brought back samples of Azeztulite, Merlinite, Kuprite, Danburite & Anandalite to name a few. All his recent favorites. I met Burch, who is partnered with him. Burch was such a kind and gentle soul. He was so excited to learn that people in The Ohio Valley are awake, and waking up. I was proud to represent the folks here, they need to know we are alive and participating in metaphysical healing. He gave us a great deal on Tanzanite Topaz. Love that guy. The rock room was so electric with energy that I had a hard time concentrating. It's the same buzz I feel when I'm in the fossil tents. Make the sound zzzzzzzzz and that's how it feels all over to me. Its' freaky. When we left, it was as if we had been in a spa. Peaceful easy feeling. I'm definitely going to attend one of his seminars and will post information on it when I get it. Stay tuned, as he changes his venue each time to accommodate people from around the country.

more later......

Tucson Gem Show - 2011

I am so happy right now! I am packing and getting ready to leave tomorrow morning (earrrrrrly) for the Gem Show. I found a new hair stylist that I love (a sign of good luck - to me) and I know it is a good sign for the coming year - the year of the Rabbit.

I just checked on our digs - Loews Ventana Canyon Resort.....Helllllllllllllllllo! This place is amazing. I've been visiting Tucson since my little sister, D, moved there 25 years ago, and I never saw the Catalinas like this. It's gorgeous and sooooo green, which worries me because of the water, but I am a worrier so it comes natural for me. I do love the decadence, I revel in the decadence, I want the decadence, so once a year, I accept, and pretend, and enjoy!

Packing is fun. The cats hate it. They know. They plan their retribution while we pack. "You will pay". Oh well, I'm preparing for the snub. I'll think of that later.

Customers are calling with their shopping lists. I love it so much. It makes me feel like my business is making an impact on people. They tell me they wish they could come with me. I live for this. I want to buy for everyone that puts in a request, and I do. My customers have shaped my store since the beginning. They are the ones who created the bead shop by buying out of my personal stash. It was meant to be. All of it was meant to be. I'm very grateful.

yours in rocks and beads,
Kathy

Garnet

Here is a little information and some metaphysical properties of Garnet.

Januarys' birthstone.

The word Garnet was derived from the Latin word, granatum which means "pomegranate". It does look like a pomegranate seed when it is cut into small beads.

Used as a sacred stone by these groups: American Indians, Aztecs, African tribal elders and the Mayans

A stone of health. Pulls negative energy from the chakras and turns it into good energy.
Fast acting. Allows one to recognize their responsibilities.

A stone of commitment - to others and to oneself.

Has loving powers. Reflects attributes of devotion. Brings the love of others in the expression of warmth and understanding.

Helps with abandonment issues.

Freshens ones life.

Stimulates the base chakra and crown chakra - provides free flow of movement.

Allows one to flow with energies. Provides a balanced energy field around the physical body.

Helps amplify aspects of self-discovery.

Has a protective influence.

Discourages chaotic, disruptive, and disorganized growth.

Its energy promotes order within the physical, emotional, and spiritual systems.

Purifying and cleansing disorder.

Treats disorders of the spine and spinal fluid, bone, cellular structure and composition, heart, lungs and blood.

Numerical vibration: 2

Information taken from "Love Is In The Earth", Melody, Earth-Love Publishing House, 2007

New Year - 2011 - Back To Work

Have you ever worked in the Retail field? If the answer is yes, then you feel the same way I do right now. If no, then let me share with you how retailers feel and think right now.
We are burnt out from the Holidays, but exhilarated by the prospect of a fresh start. It makes for a messy mind. There will be days that are so slow this month that we want to give up trying to put our best foot forward. This is a feeling we fight - or give into. It's a bummer. Some retailers become surly. It's unfair, I know, you've spent all your hard earned money this past season and expect, no deserve, the right to a happy and willing participant in this game. Sometimes, the after holiday experience is a deal breaker between customer and retailer. People are filled to the brim with consumption and it's like eating too much; it can make you sick to your stomach.
But I don't feel that way anymore. I went back to work yesterday for a full day. I felt so happy to be in the shop. I felt happy to be there. I swept the floor. I cleaned. I started the floor move for the new goods that will be coming in the first week of February. I felt excited to work hard. I felt needed by the customers that came in, and I was missed. I felt fortunate and "rich in spirit". Yesterday, I felt worthy of my job, my shop, my customers.
Today, I got word that the WVLiving Marketplace stores want more Minnie Finch earrings. This will be the 4th order. I am so excited about this relationship. The women that run and own these stores are fabulous. They are accomplished business women in their own worlds and opened these 2 locations on the side of their already busy lives. If you're visiting Snowshoe, go into the store. The atmosphere is fantastic. Check it out online. Their 2nd location is Morgantown, WV. I am proud to be a part of their merchandise assortment and excited for the opportunity they allow me to advertise my own brick and mortar. I consider this a victory for the shop, for myself. It's a great motivator. It's the reason I'll work a little harder today. It's the reason I'll try to make the customer feel extra special today. It's a very good reason to put the "grinch" away.
So, retailers, find your little victory and restart your positive attitude that put you out in front. You deserve it, the customers deserve it and everyone wins in the end.
Customers, bear with us poor slobs, for sometimes, we know not what comes out of our mouths or how our facial expressions can ruin your day this time of year. It's all good.
This month's birthstone is Garnet. I will be blogging about this stone later. I may be able to post pics - I'm still working on it....not an easy task.

yours in rock and beads,
Kathy