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In this issue:

•   Fall & Winter Fashion Forecast
•   Capture Summer Memories with Cups, Blanks & Frames
•   PayPal™ Option Now Available
•   Being a Critic Pays Off: Product Review Contest
•   Join the Party: Anniversary Event, August 14-15
•   July's Free Jewelry Project
•   R&T's String of Events: July 2009 Calendar

•   a tendency towards a sober, minimalist elegance (clean lines, low on frill) and/or
•   a focus on high-quality detailing, including precision stitching and glamorous fabrics
          (what some of us might consider bringing quality a little closer to price!)

Good news for us is that the latter camp has been aggressively spearheading the return of the accessory! After a spring and summer with diminished focus on bracelets and necklaces, the fall/winter lineup shows a return of dangles and bangles, especially in gold. Jeweled decoration sewn onto clothing is also becoming popular, including sewn-on pearls, rhinestones and jeweled buttons. For embellishing fabric, sew-on twists and margaritas by CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements are great options too!

Fall & winter trends from CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements likewise focus on a return to the classics, from classic colors pink and blue to classic shapes like star beads (#5714) and arrowhead-like "rock" pendants (#6190).

Pantone's fall and winter color forecast claims to expand beyond classic fall colors to provide a more subtle and diverse palette, "like those found in a painter's masterpiece." (Would that be a painting by one of the classic old-world masters, by any chance?) Pantone's color spread does offer a pleasing variety, ranging from patriotic hues like "American Beauty" red and "Purple Heart" purple to more exotic tones like "Warm Olive" and "Majolica Blue." For links to crystals, gemstones and other beads in Pantone colors, check out our full Pantone forecast.

The London fashion scene insists that black will be the uncontested top color for winter 2010. Black certainly works well with both the move towards "classics" and the continued popularity of Goth and Steampunk styles. For deep blacks, try black onyx gemstones, jet CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements and black Czech glass. For black findings and chain, check out our wide array of gunmetal-plated components.

•   Review any Rings & Things item(s) in our online store by July 31, 2009
          (how-to below).
•   Comment on the contest's official blog page, so we know you've entered
          (and can reach you when you win)!

•   Find a product that you've used in our online store.
•   Click "More info" to get into the details for that product.
•   Click "Write your own review."
•   Give the product a 1-to-5 star rating, and write a short, honest review.**

•   Meet and mingle with our buyers
•   Learn skills at our demos, 10am-4pm (Saturday only)
•   Discover our newest gemstones & CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements
•   Get ready for the holidays with new holiday-inspired charms & lampwork glass
•   Save money on special buys, overstocks and other sale items


Visit from out of town and get hotel discounts for R&T customers. Combine our anniversary event with other area attractions & events that your whole family will enjoy. We're located near I-90 and downtown Spokane: directions.

This event is wholesale only! Bring your invitation or resale ID to get in. If you're not already on our mailing list, you can request an invitation here (this standard bead show invitation will get you in the door). Also, be sure to bring your resale number, or your purchases will be taxed. More details.

Between road shows, purchasing trips and more, there's typically a lot going on at Rings & Things! Here's what's happening this month:

July's birthstone is ruby. For translucent ruby-colored beads, use ruby crystals, siam crystals & light siam crystals from CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements. For a semi-precious gemstone option, try ruby zoisite. Read about ruby & ruby zoisite care tips, plus geological and metaphysical attributes, in our Gemstone Beads Index.

•   July 3-4: Rings & Things will be closed for US Independence Day
•   July 29 - Aug 2: Art Clay Silver Senior Certification Class in our Spokane, WA, warehouse.
          (click for directions). If you're visiting from out of town, get hotel discounts for R&T customers.
•   July 30 - Aug 2: Art Clay Silver Level-One Certification Class in our Spokane, WA, warehouse.
          (click for directions). If you're visiting from out of town, get hotel discounts for R&T customers.
•   July 15: Our Summer Supplement should start reaching mailboxes! It includes all of our charms,
          plus gemstone half-strands, new colors of CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements & more.
•   July 31: Last day to enter our product review contest. Let us know what you think of our products
          and get your name in the winning draw!

•   August 1: An R&T blog giveaway begins. To enter, simply post a comment! At the end of the month,
          all commentators go into a random drawing for two surprise goodie packs.
•   August 14-15: Join us at our Spokane, WA, warehouse for our 37th Anniversary Sale Event! Meet our buyers,
          discover our newest gemstones & CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements, prepare for the holidays with
          new seasonal charms & lampwork glass, get great sale prices on overstocks, learn new skills at our demos,
          and much more! Visit from out of town and get hotel discounts for R&T customers.

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Rings & Things • PO Box 450 • Spokane, WA 99210-0450
1 (800) 366-2156 • (509) 252-2900 • fax: (509) 838-2602

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