Beads and Dangles Beading Blog

Dangers of the CFL Light Bulb

2011-07-06T08:28:00.000-04:00

I am not politically motivated and I am not an activist, but I am extremely health conscious. When I watched this video yesterday I was once again educated as to the dangers of the CFL bulbs that the government is telling us we must all convert to by 2014.

If you are willing to install them in your home, at least watch this to learn exactly how to dispose of these bulbs AND what you MUST do to protect yourself should one break in your home.

By the way if you have a home where children and pets reside, be sure to watch the video.

Here's the link. It's really worth your time to view it.

CFL light bulb info as presented to Congress

2011-06-30T20:11:00.001-04:00

Sweepstakes Contest Rules to Win a Pandora Style Bracelet (value $54.00)

Contest Starts: Every Monday at 12:00 AM.

Contest Ends: Every Sunday at 11:59 PM.

Winner will be notified by email every Monday before noon.

Contest Rules:

Only persons residing in the United States who are at least 18 years of age can enter.

Only one entry per person or email address per week will be considered in the drawing.

If you are not the lucky winner one week, your entry will automatically be eligible to participate in the next week's contest.

Prize details:

One winner each week will win a Beads and Dangles’ Pandora style silver plate bracelet in a size of their choice ranging from 15 cm to 23 cm, depending on availability. The bracelet will include: four silver plate beads, one glass bead with a 925 sterling silver single core, and two silver plate clips. Value of bracelet is $54.00.

Free shipping via USPS First Class mail is included. Bracelet will be shipped within two business days of the end of each contest. Bracelet must be shipped to the winner and cannot be drop-shipped to any other party.

How to Enter on Facebook:

Click on the Sweepstakes tab on the sidebar and follow the instructions.

How to Enter from www.beadsanddangles.com:

Send an email to: beadsanddangles@me.com

Include the word SWEEPSTAKES in the subject line or anywhere in the body of the email. Include the following:

FULL NAME

EMAIL ADDRESS

ZIP CODE (to verify U.S. location only)

BRACELET SIZE (choose from 15 cm - 23 cm). Refer to sizing chart on the website.

Information:

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by or associated with Facebook. You understand that you are providing your information to Beads and Dangles and not to Facebook. The information you provide will not be shared.

Reflections of Self

2011-06-29T17:10:00.000-04:00

I have not blogged for months, but I have lots of good excuses. But I do not live my life with excuses because I don't think anyone is really interested in them. What interests me is reading about and then embracing things that nurture my body, mind and spirit. To this end, I am sharing with you today a brief article I just read that I hope resonates with you in some special way. It is from Daily OM (email address for DailyOM is ).

"People you feel drawn to reflect your inner self back at you, and you act as a mirror for them as well."

"When we look at other people, we see many of their qualities in innumerable and seemingly random combinations. However, the qualities that we see in the people around us are directly related to the traits that exist in us. Like attracts like is one of the spiritual laws of the universe. We attract individuals into our lives that mirror who we are. Those you feel drawn to reflect your inner self back at you, and you act as a mirror for them. Simply put, when you look at others, you will likely see what exists in you. When you see beauty, divinity, sweetness, or light in the soul of another, you are seeing the goodness that resides in your soul. When you see traits in others that evoke feelings of anger, annoyance, or hatred, you may be seeing reflected back at you those parts of yourself that you have disowned or do not like.

Because we are all mirrors for each other, looking at the people in your life can tell you a lot about yourself. Who you are can be laid bare to you through what you see in others. It is easy to see the traits you do not like in others. It is much more difficult to realize that you possess those same traits. Often, the habits, attitudes, and behaviors of others are closely linked to our unconscious and unresolved issues.

When you come into contact with someone you admire, search your soul for similarly admirable traits. Likewise, when you meet someone exhibiting traits that you dislike, accept that you are looking at your reflection. Looking at yourself through your perception of others can be a humbling and eye-opening experience. You can also cultivate in you the traits and behaviors that you do like. Be loving and respectful to all people, and you will attract individuals that will love and respect you back. Nurture compassion and empathy and let the goodness you see in others be your mirror."

2010-11-06T08:02:00.001-04:00

Care Tips for Sterling Silver European Charm Beads, Bracelets, Necklaces:

All sterling silver will eventually oxidize and tarnish unless it has been finished with a protective layer. The good news is if it does tarnish, you can still restore its luster with proper polishing. The easiest way to clean silver is with a clean soft cloth. You can also prevent silver from tarnishing by just storing it away after each usage. Even a simple zip-lock bag will be adequate. The goal is to keep all the air and light from tarnishing the silver.

Just like gold, sterling silver is a very soft metal. You can scratch it just by rubbing it too vigorously. Also, never use a tissue. Paper or tissues have wood fibers which can cause tiny scratches on the surface of your sterling silver jewelry. If you don’t regularly clean your silver pieces, the dirt residue can also scratch the surface as well.

When cleaning sterling silver jewelry, we recommend you use soft 100% cotton clothing or even a flannel cloth. For hard to reach areas, you can use a soft bristle brush.

Chlorine and even vinegar can damage your silver jewelry, so don’t forget to take off your fine sterling silver jewlery when swimming, bathing, showering and even routine household chores involving water.

Care Tips for Silver Plated European Charm Beads, Bracelets, Necklaces:

Unlike sterling silver, silver plated jewelry will eventually wear in due time. Proper cleaning, maintenance, and storage are critical for extending its useful life. Some silver plated jewelry will last longer than others depending on the thickness of its layer.

We also do not recommend using ultrasonic cleaners. Although this will remove dirt from hard to reach areas, it may also cause the glue from the stones to come loose.

1. Store in a sealed plastic zip-lock bag to prevent air contact.

2. Daily cleaning : Select a plain white toothpaste without the special whitening options (DO NOT USE GEL).

Take a soft, dampened cloth (old t-shirt scraps work just fine) or a damp sponge and put some toothpaste on it. An old soft toothbrush can also be used to help you get into the intricate details of some of your charm beads. Gently rub over the silver in straight, back-and-forth motions. Alternatively, you can wet the silver piece and gently apply the toothpaste directly to the surface which you can then wet again and proceed to polish. In any case, be very gentle.

3. Do not wear silver jewelry while wearing other precious metals in order to avoid collision, deformation or abrasion.

4. Keep it dry and do not wear when swimming, bathing or showering. Keep away from chlorine and sea water. Our tap water is loaded with chlorine so even when doing the dishes or washing your hands, avoid as much contact with water as possible.

5. Daily wiping with a jewelry polishing cloth (available at Bed, Bath & Beyond or other similar stores) to maintain the luster is recommended.

If you want to take more vigorous action, try either of these:

Aluminum Foil Method
1. Take an aluminum plate or cover a deep dish or small pot with aluminum foil.
2. Place your silver-plated pieces on top of the aluminum foil as noted above in #1.
3. Boil enough water in a separate pot to eventually cover the jewelry on the aluminum foil/plate.
4. Liberally sprinkle baking soda over the charms, beads or chains in the aluminum pot being sure to cover the entire surface of the tarnished pieces.
5. Carefully pour the hot water into the first dish, making sure the silver is completely submerged. Even though this is a common household product, it is best to stand back from leaning directly over the pot as there is a slight chemical reaction. Even though there are no detectable fumes, it is best not to breathe it in.
6. The tarnish should immediately start to come off. If the silver is heavily tarnished, sprinkle more baking soda on the items, reheat the water and repeat the process as often as necessary until the tarnish has been removed.
7. Rinse with clear water and gently dry the items with a clean cotton cloth.

Baking Soda Method
1. Combine baking soda and a small amount of warm water into a paste. Do this in a cup.
2. Place the baking soda paste solution onto a damp hand towel.
3. Rub the silver-plated pieces until the tarnish is gone.
4. Rinse the excess baking soda off with warm water.

I have searched the internet and other sources available to me. I believe that the tips I have included have been reviewed as being safe as long as the directions are followed carefully. However, I do not guaranty any of these methods.

If I can tie a lariat, so can you!

2010-09-28T06:58:00.000-04:00

I confess! I have had these lariats in stock for at least six months and to date have only created one design with them. Well, all that just changed when I ran out of excuses not to play with something that turned out to be so simple! I know you will have fun with it too!

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here is a pictorial essay on creating fabulous looks with your Pandora-style beads for a price tag you will love!

Let's begin:

1. Choose a lariat. This one is black and 100 cm long. It also comes in five other fabulous colors. Fold it in half.

Black Lariat, 100 cm (shown folded in half)

Turquoise

Brown

Hot Pink

Purple

Mint Green

2. Slide a bead on as shown above.

3. Add a few more. Include some spacers if you like. Make it colorful. Glass beads, even just a few, add pizazz!

4. Tie the knot. It's a simple double knot. Adjust it so that it fits the desired length on your neck. Make sure it is tied tight enough not to slip open. It might take a few tugs, but believe me, this is NOT rocket science.

5. Here ya go! Double-knotted and ready to wear!!

LARIATS ARE $10.00 EACH
GLASS BEADS ARE $8.00 EACH
GOLD SPACER BEADS ARE $3.50 EACH

Beads and Dangles featured in ProStores blog

2010-08-09T19:13:00.000-04:00

Beads and Dangles is delighted to have been featured in ProStores e-Commerce Blog. ProStores is an e-Bay company with a huge presence all over the internet.

Wouldn't you like to schedule a Girls Night Out beading party?

Economic Downturn? Have a Party!

Marji Bitterman of web store Beads and Dangles has a product that does well in a challenging economy. She sells popular beads and charms created in the style of European brands Pandora, Biagi, and Chamilia, but at the fraction of the cost.

She has no brick and mortar, so she reaches out to the local market at what she calls “girls night out parties.” “We go over with all the beads and give everyone a beading tray. After a couple bottles of wine, people go home with their own creations.” The host gets 15 percent of gross sales either in bead credit or as a check to their favorite charity.

“It’s a wonderful way to connect locally," says Marji. "We get a lot of online customers through those venues.”

Find out in future posts how Beads and Dangles use their products to help them provide value during the downturn.

The Fashionista is back!

2010-07-25T15:33:00.000-04:00

I added some fabulous themed beads to the website, so this necklace has the Buddha in the center. The gift box nearby reminds me how precious a gift every day is and the teapot represents my love for tea. Keeping all the silver-plated beads in place, I just popped in the orange/yellow glass beads and the green foil beads to match this fun and very casual tee shirt!

Another Look for the Frugal Fashionista

2010-06-20T08:01:00.000-04:00

Another hot sticky day has dawned in Sarasota, FL but the sun is shining, the sky is blue and sometime today a thunderstorm might roll in. It's all good - this is our Paradise in a little spot on the globe!

This is the outfit I wore yesterday: Lilly Pulitzer capri pants (which I might add I bought for next to nothing at Off Fifth at the Ellenton outlet mall a while ago) and the Ralph Lauren top (also purchased in Ellenton at the Polo Factory outlet store).

The fabulous colors in these two pieces necessitated a swap of 4 beads. I chose the raspberry cat eye beads (SCG8002) and 2 of my favorite glass beads in cyan and pink (SCG109).

Tomorrow's outfit is to be determined because all my beads are now packed for an event we are doing. I promise to be back soon with an update!

Make it a GREAT DAY wherever you are!

Frugal Fashionista

2010-06-17T13:52:00.001-04:00

This is the beginning of a series that will track the evolution of a Pandora style Beads and Dangles' necklace. I actually laughed out loud when I titled the blog today because the last attribute I would ever think of giving myself is "fashionista". But, I am pretty darned good at designing necklaces and bracelets using the beads from my collection and I want to share how easy it is to start with something basic and re-invent it each day with a minimal investment.

Day 1
Start with a 40 cm or 45 cm Pandora style silver plated necklace ($ 12.00)
Add approximately 6 Silver plated metal beads, Enamel beads, or
Jeweled beads at $5.00 each ($ 30.00)
Add 2 Spacer beads at $3.00 each ($6.00)
Add 5 Glass beads (or three is you prefer) at $8.00 each ($ 40.00)
Pop 2 Clips ($5.00 each) on the center threads to keep everything in the center ($ 10.00)

Your necklace is all set. You have a gorgeous Pandora style necklace for less than $100 and remember, you can always start with fewer metal beads or substitute some of them for the $3.00 spacers!

Day 2
Here comes the fun part. Open the clip at one end to slip off the beads. I just lay them out in order on the table. What colors are YOU wearing today? On this day, I wore a flowered skirt and a gold tank top. Here is what I created by just changing a few glass beads.

I kept the pearl bead in the center (which you won't be seeing for a while because it was just sold to a customer who "had to have it" and it was the last one I had). I removed 4 glass beads and replaced them with 2 green cut glass beads and 2 blue cut glass beads.

Total cost to change 4 glass beads is $32.00.

Day 3

I am working at home today and just slipped into a fun but colorful tee shirt with a pair of jeans. A simple exchange of just the 2 blue cut glass beads today created this fabulous, color-coordinated fashion statement for the low cost of $16.00 using the yellow-orange-white glass beads.

Check back soon to see how easy and affordable it is to create entirely new looks with your Pandora style beads. Think about traveling this summer with just one necklace and a tiny pouch of glass beads in a variety of colors to match all your outfits.

Beads and Dangles Gets a "Facelift"

2010-06-16T04:07:00.000-04:00

I am so excited to share the new look for Beads and Dangles. I have loved the clean, streamlined quality to my website since the day it launched. It was what attracted me to the ProStores templates in the first place (in addition to the price I paid to create it myself which was just my time invested in a challenging but fun project). Oh, I guess I should mention that ProStores has tech support 24/7 and I spent many hours on the phone with their people guiding me through my innumerable questions. Sometimes FREE isn't worth the price, but I have been very proud of this website since Day One!

But then I longed for something more, just a little bit more colorful and "girly-girl". So I was led to Kelly, an adorable local gal who has more talent in graphic design and web creation than I could have asked for. Along came the musical and colorful splash page, the fabulous "lady" that adorns my banner, and ultimately, we tweaked some of the basic colors of the borders provided by ProStores.

The newest changes that went live last night came about after Nisey, my friend from Nisey's Beads, told me that many people found "splash pages" to be cute but cumbersome. The consensus was to get to the shopping pages ASAP. So, Kelly came up with some ideas and in just a few hours of programming, we agreed on the current version.

I LOVE IT!!! This is my BLOG and as my husband often says, "Everyone is entitled to my opinion". But, I would love and welcome your comments. Maybe together we can keep Kelly even busier than she already is. The next "tweak" could be your suggestion!

Coming back to Beads and Dangles

2010-05-26T18:40:00.000-04:00

No, I never really left Beads and Dangles, but at times I did feel like I just could not make it my main focus. Three months ago I was asked to be the Volunteer Coordinator for the Sarasota Open, a men's professional USTA tennis tournament that would take place over 8 days in May. Gathering teams of volunteers and organizing them is certainly something I have done many times for my favorite organization, Caring for Children Charities. It is a 501 C3 that has operated for the past 20 years in Sarasota as the Florida Winefest & Auction. It has given away more than $7,000,000 to children at risk in our community during that time period.

Since this very same charity was named the primary recipient of revenues generated by the Open, I knew that I would be accepting this volunteer position. What I did not know was how much time it would take. I was basically starting from ground zero and building a huge team of volunteers (literally as many as I could get). Three months later, the event is now over and it was a huge success for me personally! I rallied over 425 volunteers, most of whom surprised and delighted me by taking multiple shifts, day after day.

What a wonderful group of volunteers came to work, watch great tennis and have a fabulous time! I was so blessed by all of them. When the event was ending, we were hugging and kissing goodbyes with promises from most to return next year. I guess everyone is assuming I will once again accept this position. I think they are probably correct in that assumption. Our needs to support children at risk in Sarasota and Manatee Counties has not diminished, but the incoming funds to deliver to them has definitely dwindled with the tough economy. How could I not participate??? Besides, I have a team that was second to none, and if a huge percentage commits to return, my job is almost done! (yeah, right! - but at least it's a great start!!).

So now it is back to full concentration on Beads and Dangles! I have so many events booked for June already. The first one is next Thursday, June 3 for the Women's Business Fair at the Florida Bank's University Office. It is being held from 3 PM to 7 PM.

A sterling silver order just arrived yesterday and is already featured in the New Beads section. The 25% Celebratory Storewide Sale is still going on and will end on May 31st. I am beginning to think about June's promotion. Another order will be placed soon for some great metal beads, most of which are new to the collection!

Yes, it's good to be back even though I really never left!!!!

Prices going up at Pandora but PRICES ARE GOING DOWN AT BEADS AND DANGLES!!

2010-02-26T16:11:00.000-05:00

I just did a little undercover, investigative reporting because I knew Pandora had announced a price increase effective March 1st, but I didn't know how much. I found out just now how big the price increases are going to be and here's the scoop. A $25.00 sterling silver bead at a Pandora store will be going up between $5 and $15! You could be paying up to $40 for that one little bead! Their glass beads will now be $35.00! Ours are currently $7.00!!

I am committed to bringing in fabulous new sterling silver beads both with and without stones for a whole lot less than $40. Imagine getting a selection of sterling silver beads at prices that may be from 30%-50% lower than Pandora's and be equally as beautiful!!

Back to blogging!

2010-02-14T22:02:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that more than one month has passed since my last entry. I had been in NYC then and shortly after returning, somehow managed to get some weird upper respiratory infection that affected every cell in my body from my throat to the top of my head during the next 3+ weeks. I am thrilled to report I have returned to the world of the living and am 100% back to normal.

Pandora style beads - so many things to catch up with.......new beads that actually came in two weeks ago and more to come in the next two weeks, plus fabulous weekly specials starting tomorrow. I have selected 14 beads from the Sterling Silver collection and marked them 50%-60% off.

Key Chain Accessories are here and more are coming in the next two weeks! The single key chain can be customized for just about any school or organization's colors.

"Charms for Charities" Girls Night Out Beading Parties are being introduced to give hostesses of these fabulous soirees an opportunity to earn money that they can donate to their charity of choice - just by inviting a group of friends to a beading party. No beading experience is required because our beads just slide on and off a chain!

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day. Thanks to all my customers, new and old, who took advantage of the great Valentine's Weekly Specials!

Bead District - NYC

2010-01-10T22:53:00.000-05:00

Since we were in the NYC area visiting our kids and grandson, I took the opportunity to go through the "Beads District" on Saturday. Besides temperatures in the twenties and a fairly steady strong "breeze" making it feel even colder, I braved the elements to try to locate some great finds to add to the collection of Beads and Dangles. I was prepared with a list I had made weeks before our trip and had some willing accomplices - husband Stew, stepson Drew and his adorable wife, Britton.

I am sorry to have to say that my efforts were in vain. The little that I found was of such poor quality and so ridiculously overpriced that I literally left the stores shaking my head and wondering who would actually buy these beads?! The glass beads had double cores (which means the whole center section of the bead was essentially exposed) and the little metal that was used on the double core was merely an alloy. Some shopkeepers said it was nickel, one of the most highly allergic metals that could possibly be used. None were even offered in silver plate and even if they had been, I wouldn't have wanted them anyway.

Almost 100% of the glass beads in Beads and Dangles collection is 925 sterling silver single core and the 925 is certified by being stamped inside the core. When a single core is used you can see that the sterling silver goes all the way through from one side of the bead to the other!

I am committed to providing the highest quality Pandora style beads and will double and re-double my efforts to do so. In a slightly twisted way it was good for me to see so many inferior beads to know how proud I can be of our collection!

Weekly Specials - A Crowd Pleaser For Sure!

2010-01-02T08:53:00.001-05:00

The Weekly Specials Category is now live and chock full of fabulous beads at deep discounts!
As promised, I have pulled beads from almost every category and discounted them at 40%-50% off the regular price. This first group of beads contains 10 items, all of which have been great sellers.

This first Weekly Special will run through January 12, 2010. On the 13th I will post at least ten new beads to be featured in this category. Remember, these beads will stay at these prices only until the end of the designated sale period OR until they sell out. If you see a bead you love at these prices, grab it now. I can promise you it won't be back at that price for a long time because I have so many other beads that I want to entice you with!

New Beads are arriving on Monday and will be posted to that new category by the end of the day.

Innovation!

2009-12-30T07:38:00.000-05:00

As I was sitting here last night thinking about my website (which I am very proud of because I did most of it myself with the help of a template and lots of tech support), I was wondering what I could do to make it even more user-friendly. And in a moment of pure inspiration, I realized that I could add three new categories that would accomplish just that!

The first one is already posted and I called it "Custom Creations". I chose one fabulous necklace that in with just a few changes has been sold and resold so many times I have lost count. But not everyone is ready to buy a necklace FULL of beads for $89, so I broke it down into component parts, starting with a simple 3 bead necklace and then working up to 5, then 9 and finally the whole, finished piece. Besides giving some great design ideas and pricing suggestions for how to get started, these pieces are gorgeous with any number of beads on it. Then you simply add more as budget allows! And, many more design styles will be added to this category very soon.

The next one will debut early in January and it is what EVERYONE can relate to - WEEKLY SPECIALS!. I promise to rotate at least 10 beads through this category every week with fabulous discounts. Check back often to see what bargains you can snatch up. But if you see something you love, don't wait because it won't stay in that category for long.

Last of all, I am going to place all the NEW beads when they arrive into this category for several weeks before incorporating them into the category where they belong. That will save everyone some time when visiting the website so that they can zero on right away on items they have not previously seen.

End of Year Celebration Storewide Sale

2009-12-26T00:07:00.000-05:00

In the spirit of ending this year with a bang as we usher in 2010 (I love the flow of these new numbers), I have put all of Beads and Dangles current inventory on sale through December 31, 2009.

Everyone looks for great discounts after the Christmas rush and I am always looking for ways to give back to those who have become a part of my life. It's been an extraordinary year for Beads and Dangles and I am so grateful for all the support I have gotten from old friends, family, and even former CharmWorks customers. Then there are the blessings of all the new friends I have made on the internet, many of whom are already repeat customers.

What better way to ring in the New Year by giving back to all of you with a whopping sale? I hope you find some beads that you have been dreaming about adding to your necklace or bracelet.

All orders placed this week will ship either the day the order is received or at the very latest, the next business day. The January Newsletter will be emailed during the first week of the new year and as before, will include a great promotion and discount coupon, but the Storewide Sale will end as 2009 does! Take advantage of the great savings this week.

As we move forward into 2010, I envision bringing to you many new and innovative additions to the collection of Pandora style beads. My goal of bringing you the best quality I can find while keeping the exceptional prices as low as possible is unwavering. Top notch customer service will always come first!

Happy New Year and Happy Shopping!

New Beads Arriving this Week

2009-12-20T10:38:00.000-05:00

I love the challenge of discovering new beads for Beads and Dangles. It means long hours late at night connecting to wonderful and helpful newly-made friends on the other side of the world. This past Thursday was no different as I explored and searched through websites to bring the gorgeous Pandora style beads to my customers.

I am focused right now on some deeper colors for the winter season and so far the biggest demand has been for beads in gold, turquoise, and black and white, especially in glass beads with 925 sterling silver cores.

Here is a sampling of what will be available by Tuesday, December 22 at the latest.

SCG544

SCG425

MB2874

SCG305

First the Kids, then back to Beading

2009-12-17T02:30:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's 2:15 AM and as Bryant Gumbel once said, "Sleep is highly-overrated". Although I would prefer to be sleeping right now, this is a good time to blog while I sip a cup of Nighty-Night tea and prepare to attempt sleep again shortly.

The visit with Jeff, Kris, and Brooke was too short and I missed them as soon as they left on Sunday. Two year old Brooke is a charmer! We had intended to have her model some of Beads and Dangles' best creations, but Brooke had her own agenda and this is the best I could get while she was occupied watching a DVD. She definitely LOVES jewelry!

Speaking of jewelry, it's back to the business of Beads and Dangles. Tomorrow (oops, I mean today), I will be at Made for Memories on Stickney Point Road in Sarasota doing a Trunk Show from 11 am to 1 pm. This evening we have a special event for the Humane Society of Sarasota County and then tomorrow there will be a Trunk Show at Golden Tans on Lockwood Ridge Rd and University Parkway from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm. Hope to see you at one of these shows.

Good night! Good morning!

From Bead Heaven to Grandma Ecstasy!

2009-12-08T12:49:00.000-05:00

There is not too much that can take me away from the joy of my Pandora style beads business, but as I count down the hours until my son Jeff, daughter-in-law Kris, and my darling granddaughter Brooke arrive tomorrow, I know that there is so much to be grateful for in my life!

So today is spent tidying up the house and baby-proofing it just a bit, baking "healthier" cookies (I only use agave as a sweetener and whole grain flour), and making soup!

Here's the reason for the fuss:

Later on I will be packing up all my beads (19 boxes and each box has 20 compartments), bead making paraphernalia (which mostly just involves some beading trays and skewers to test the design before sliding it onto a bracelet or necklace chain), and my usual bright smile! Off we will go to another Girls' Night Out Beading Party where 10-15 gals will be gathered to share some wine, lots of laughs and a touch of creativity. Remember, with Beads and Dangles no beading experience is required).

Pictures from the event may appear in the next blog. Check back soon to see what fun these parties can be!

New Beads Have Arrived

2009-12-04T10:08:00.003-05:00

As promised a few days ago (how did it get to be Friday already?), here are pictures and brief descriptions of only some of the new arrivals this week for Beads and Dangles Pandora style beads. There is lots more to see on the website.

Item #SCGW194

Gorgeous glass bead measuring 17 mm x 17 mm. Perfect for a center bead. This one is a very pale pink background. Check out SCGW192 and SCGW193 to see the other two colored backgrounds.

Item #SCG645

Silver core glass bead with a single core stamped 925 (sterling) inside. Black glass background with shades of pink. These colors work in beautifully with all the metal beads, spacers and especially this pink silver foil glass bead, SCG171.

Item #SCG449

Swirls of baby blue, pale green and pink abound on this silver core glass bead. It, too, is stamped 925 inside. If you love these colors, this one's for you!

Item #SSB595

New to our Sterling Silver collection, this bead has not only style but the most exquisite detail. It measures 8.5 mm x 13.5 mm and will look gorgeous on any bracelet or necklace.

This item is just a preview of what is yet to come! Introducing our Swarovski crystal beads that come in an array of colors so magnificent, you won't know which to choose. Studded with 90 genuine Swarovski crystals on a sterling silver single core, it will take your breath away. They measure 7 mm x 12 mm. Manufacturer's suggested retail is $40, but Beads and Dangles price will be a low $29. Coming soon!!!

Remarkable Motivation Secret -- Hint, It’s Not Related to Money

2009-12-01T07:43:00.003-05:00

Remarkable Motivation Secret -- Hint, It’s Not Related to Money

I hope you will take the time to read this article. I just did and it clearly resonates with me and my devotion to Beads and Dangles. I can't wait to wake up in the morning to get started. I linger each night in my office before heading to bed to do "just one more thing" to tweak the website, www.beadsanddangles.com, or brainstorm just one more idea. Then I slip into bed and pray for my brain to start shutting down while visions of new Pandora style beads and new creations of necklaces and bracelets dance through my head. Seven blissful hours of sleep later, I wake up and hit the ground running!

How much luckier can I be? How much happier can I be? Who could ask for more? I am truly blessed!

A new shipment arrived yesterday and I will get the word as soon as I can about some incredible beads with great design possibilities. Meanwhile I am putting the finishing touches on the first email newsletter for Beads and Dangles. It will go out to all my customers, friends and family in a few days.

Retirement? I tried it and it doesn't work for me.

2009-11-30T12:34:00.003-05:00

As soon as I retired from my career in Business Administration in 2001, my husband and I took a trip to Italy. On the magnificent Isle of Capri I was walking past the window of a jewelry store when something caught my eye. I ventured in and discovered the new fashion sensation, the Italian Charm Bracelet. I was hooked and knew I had to sell it in the US. Although not the first to do so, I was on the cutting edge of this craze. With my business experience it was a logical progression for me to combine my passion for fashion and jewelry with my area of expertise. I created my company “Charmworks” and ran with that for several years.

I was introduced to Pandora Beads around 2004 and oh, how I wanted to carry that line. But retirement was beckoning me again, so I decided to not spend literally tens of thousands of dollars on the Pandora inventory and instead turned to a really fun hobby of scrapbooking. I love scrapbooking and have given away many more albums that I have kept, but it doesn't fire that passion I have to create and develop businesses and make people happy at the same time.

Once again, it was traveling to foreign lands that led me to Beads and Dangles Pandora style beads. A few years ago I had the good fortune to travel to Asia. There I met some incredibly talented people and saw firsthand the quality, detail and intricacy of their workmanship. Those gorgeous beaded bracelets in the style of top designers like Pandora, Biagi and Chamilia were beckoning to me and I created this new venture. My formula is simple - provide something that makes people look good and feel good at a price that is so exceptional, it will make heads turn. Then combine that with outstanding customer service so that everyone is happy!

Welcome to Beads and Dangles

2009-11-28T09:47:00.012-05:00

Welcome to Beads and Dangles. A world of sumptuous Enamel, Glass, and Metal beads that will make wearing jewelry your personal art form. Choose from our hundreds of Beads and Dangles and create a unique necklace or bracelet for yourself or to give as a gift. Begin by choosing either a bracelet or necklace, and then select the beads that make you happy. Our ingeniously devised clips will keep your Beads and Dangles in place until you decide to add new beads or re-arrange them with others from your collection. It’s that simple. It’s that much fun. Casual, Elegant, or full of Bling. You decide. And for once...... you can have it all! Just the way you want it. Beads and Dangles’ Beads are in the style of the high fashion look created by Pandora, Trollbeads, Chamilia and Biagi, but without the expensive price tag! Indulge yourself.