The R&T Extra! June 2007
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The R&T Extra! June 2007 |
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Subscribe/un-subscribe to our e-mail newsletter In this issue: |
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Renaissance Woman: An Interview with R&T Customer Sue Van Eaton Sue Van Eaton has owned her own jewelry-making business for five years now, after working in a wide variety of other careers. Originally, she maintained every aspect of the business herself, but she now hires several artisans to help construct her designs. Sue still designs everything, and makes some of the bracelets she sells. Sue says she likes her rat terriers Zellie and Mousie even more than she likes owning her own business. Nevertheless, Sue has clearly put a lot of effort into her latest venture.
R&T: What's your artistic background, and what motivated you to get into jewelry making? I studied theater in college, but wound up being a lounge singer-guitar-keyboard-dance act for 15 years or so (off and on, like everyone else). At the end of that career, I wound up as a sales rep in the giftware industry, followed by selling my little decoupage boxes at craft fairs ("What's that? .....A box?"). It seemed I was always set up right next to someone selling the heck out of a bunch of necklaces or stick pins or something, so when I finally gave up on the paper arts, I tried to find my "voice" in earrings and other jewelry. I had beads left over from buying them to hang on my handmade boxes, but no matter how many beads I bought, I always wanted more. I supported my bead habit by selling retail furniture at Levitz and a couple other hard-core furniture companies; I stayed up nights and weekends making jewelry to sell cash-and-carry to stores that liked my bracelets. When I finally quit my last furniture job, about 10 stores were buying from me monthly. Since then I've printed two catalogs, had various people represent my work, and had a gang of people making jewelry in my house till getting my first 240-square-foot studio. That space immediately became too small, and the business moved nine months later to a 1000-square-foot studio with air conditioning! Three months ago, we moved again, to a 1600-square-foot space (no AC), and we use the old studio as a warehouse. I now have representatives from Hawaii to Atlanta, GA, am massively in debt and own a lot of beads! It's been five years this June.
R&T: That's quite an evolution! Where does your inspiration come from?
When I was just starting out and didn't know much, I relied on your catalog to explain what a "crimp" was and why I needed one. I think we all love to avoid looking like fools in front of the sales people at brick-and-mortar bead shops ... and did I mention that R&T's prices are great and I wouldn't be here (debts and all!) without Rings & Things and a bunch of other vendors who have let their love of beads rule their "better" judgement in how to make a living!
R&T: Do you have any advice for novice jewelers or crafters? So after all that, the good part [of running your own business] is they can't fire you; but they can bankrupt you.
R&T: If you could construct anything, what would it be and why?
R&T: That sounds like something a lot of people could really benefit from. Thanks, Sue, for taking time out of your busy schedule. And best wishes for the future of World Traveler Jewelry! |
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Metal Mania: Helpful Basics for Choosing Metal Components New jewelry trends mean that more varieties of metal findings are now available — chain, links, connectors and more. For many of us, this means more options – and more fun – than ever before! But, it can also mean confusion or indecision if you don't know at least a little bit about metal types and finishes.
Precious metal jewelry components are often made of alloys, in part because the pure metals are expensive, but also because pure silver and gold are soft and thus not as well suited for wear. Sterling silver must consist of at least 92.5% silver. It typically consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Newly developed Argentium™ sterling silver is mixed with a slightly different "recipe," which chemically inhibits tarnish. .999 fine silver is 99.9% pure silver, which means it is softer and more malleable than sterling. Learn more about silver. Gold content is measured in "karats" instead of percentages. Pure gold is called 24 karat (kt) — this means that 24 of 24 parts are gold (i.e. 100%). Because pure gold is extremely soft, all gold used in jewelry is an alloy that contains gold. 14kt gold, for example, has 14 parts of gold for every 10 parts of other elements. More on gold.
An even thicker layer of surface metal is used to make gold-filled (gold overlayed) and rolled-gold-plate (RGP) materials. For these processes, a sheet of karat gold is mechanically bonded to a base-metal sheet (typically brass) using heat and pressure. Despite the name, these components are not really "filled" with gold, but rather the gold "overlays" the base metal. The thickness is defined in the name, for example 1/20 14Kt GF has a layer of 14Kt gold that is 1/20th of the total thickness while the base metal is 19/20ths. Plated goods typically have a coating that is measured in thousandths. Gold filled components are more durable than plated ones, not only because of the coating's thickness, but also because the heat and pressure applied creates a stronger bond. Plated surfaces can crack if they are repeatedly manipulated or struck. At R&T, we consider silver- and gold-plated items to be base-metal goods because the layer of precious metal is such a tiny part of the overall product. Nevertheless, using silver- and gold-plated items can be a good way to achieve a precious-metal look without the cost of solid or filled precious-metal components. Other base-metal platings include white (silver colored), yellow (gold colored), copper (we sell both solid copper and copper-plated items) and gunmetal (a striking, popular plating made of black nickel).
Want an old-fashioned or rugged look? Antiqued metals (sometimes called "distressed" metals) have had their surfaces treated to provide a patina, an attractive film that is sometimes formed naturally by long exposure, and sometimes created artificially by other chemical means, such as acids. Antiqued components can be made of solid metal or plated. Instead of buying already antiqued items, you can alternately add your own patina to metal components (we sell two types of antiquing solution). If you choose to do your own antiquing, though, be sure to carefully follow all safety precautions and test the solution on a small sample first! For other metal coloring options, try Color Magic™ stain, a permanent enamel-like paint that is great for coloring charms and metal findings. It's important to be aware that metals, most notably nickel, can cause allergic reactions in people. People with nickel allergies should avoid not just solid nickel, but also alloys containing nickel (for example surgical stainless steel). Depending on how allergic a person is, an alloy may or may not cause an adverse reaction — but it's better to be safe than sorry. For nickel-allergic people, we suggest niobium, sterling silver, 14kt gold, nickel-free or nylon findings. To help you stay informed about metals plus a whole lot more, Rings & Things provides a jewelry-making reference section on our Web site. Check it out as you shop online, or anytime! To find this reference area from the R&T homepage, simply click "Jewelry Info" in the left-hand navigation bar. We also now provide helpful information links from the top of our online store results pages (the pages that show prices and availability — click on "nylon findings" above for an example). On these results pages, look for the helpful new "Metals & Colors" and "Quantities & Measurements" links underneath our logo! |
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Keeping it Clean — The Air, That Is
2007 marks the sixth year Rings & Things has voluntarily participated in the commute alternative program. It also marks our second year participating in the American Lung Association® of Washington's annual Asthma Walk. Last year, the walk was dampened by rain. Nevertheless, a few determined, wet employees completed the course, including graphic designer Selina Shehan with her Chihuahua Spike in tow! This year the walk had better weather and a better turnout. In total, the walk raised over $37,000 to research asthma treatment and prevention, advocate for asthma-friendly environments, provide physician training and equip individual families with the tools needed to combat asthma. R&T owners Russ and Dee matched all donations that employees raised (they also offer support to employees who decide to quit smoking). We encourage you to help improve our air quality by carpooling, walking, bicycling or riding the bus whenever possible. Ask your municipal or county government about public transportation and commuter programs in your area. Or, search online for "commute alternatives" + the name of your town, city or county. To find an Asthma Walk near you, or to learn about the American Lung Association's other activities, visit the American Lung Association's Web site. And, have a healthy summer! |
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Summertime, and the Beading is Easy
Our variety of summer and back-to-school charms and beads will fulfill your needs. We also have information about summer and fall 2007 color trends. So, don't wait till the 21st — start your summer today! |
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R&T's String of Events: June 2007 Calendar
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Thanks! Russ, Kim and the whole Rings & Things crewP.O. Box 450 Spokane, WA 99210-0450 USA Phone (509) 252-2900 Fax 509 838 2602 Order toll free 1 (800) 366-2156 Web site: http://www.rings-things.com You can subscribe/unsubscribe to our free newsletter in seconds! You can also subscribe separately to receive our e-mail sale flyers. If you've moved, please help us get our next catalog supplement to you. Just fill out this form: www.rings-things.com/addressform.htm. Newsletter Home |
R&T: Hi Sue. What's your business name?
R&T: What's your favorite part of doing business with R&T?
You might have noticed in our 
Often, metal beads and findings are made with a core of less expensive metal that is then coated with a more expensive and/or attractive metal. Thin layers are applied by a process called electroplating. Plated goods are produced by electroplating a thin layer of metal on the surface. This can be a very thin coating ("flash" plating) or a thicker, more durable coating, as is used in "heavy gold electroplating."
We consider our gold-filled items precious metal, because a significantly larger percentage of the item consists of precious metal. 
You may have read in the 
Between road shows, classes, purchasing trips and more, there's a lot going on at Rings & Things! Here's what's happening this month: