Rings & Things News: April, 2003
Rings & Things News: April, 2003
In this issue:
- DIRECT IMPORTING + BIGGER TRUCK = GREAT BEAD SHOWS!
- WE LISTENED TO YOU! Here’s how you inspired us.
- BEAD FRENZY? What’s that? And what’s this cool new wire book?
- CHANGES at R&T
- R&T … AS SEEN IN… new wire crochet book
- PEACE … Peter Francis, Jr.
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***** DIRECT IMPORTING + BIGGER TRUCK = GREAT BEAD SHOWS! *****
Two events have propelled Rings & Things to a new level of bead-selling. Last Fall, a half-dozen of our people scoured China and Indonesia on buying trips. Result: new connections, lots of learning, and best of all hundreds of exciting new products. Just in time for the expansion, we upgraded our truck “fleet” (of one) to a 26,000-pound “bead hauling machine”. It can carry thousands more strands of hot new beads on our 60-stop national bead tour. (For pictures of the kind of show we put on during our tour, go to rtnews.rings-things.com/showpix.htm.)
Among the beautiful new items are a huge array of gemstone beads from fashionable coral and turquoise to sought-after specialties like labradorite and lapis. New suppliers mean a reduction in prices for you, bringing more design possibilities for the buck. And a major new batch of quality Bali sterling for lower prices makes high-fashion production even more affordable…see these beads at rtnews.rings-things.com/bali.htm.
***** WE LISTENED TO YOU! Here’s how you inspired us *****
Russ Nobbs, our founder / owner, has a favorite phrase to explain his success: “We listened to you!” Several items our customers suggested are now selling solidly for R&T, and we want to publicly thank you all.
You've been telling us how fashionable cast metal charms with words on them are, both inspirational and fun ones. We're now adding even more of these, including popular Chinese calligraphy like "Longevity", "Love", and "Fortune" in sterling. See these at rtnews.rings-things.com/newcharms.htm.
Rings & Things customers recently noticed a great new black rubber tubing to cover necklace or bracelet cord, for a demure, classy “basic black” look. They asked us about it, we tracked it down and introduced it at a road show, where it sold like hotcakes. (See black at rtnews.rings-things.com/black.htm.) Once again, thanks to our fashion-spotting clients! If anyone needs proof that it pays to listen to your customers, R&T can supply it many times over. Keep those suggestions coming!
***** BEAD FRENZY? What’s that? And what’s this cool new wire book? *****
A few hundred customers from our home area (Washington and Idaho) found out recently what it’s like to experience a Bead Frenzy. Looks like a good thing…
We put on dozens of bead shows a year, but we’d never done a show in our own town. So we rented a big space close to home, packed it with beads, and offered a range of classes to boot. Lucky beaders attended demos and seminars on:
- Art Clay™ Silver (courtesy of resident senior instructor, Kurt Madison)
- Trade Beads, and Turquoise Myths & Mysteries (both with owner Russ Nobbs)
- The Tri-Cord Knotter, and Embellishing Resin Beads (courtesy of co-owner Dee Mueller)
- Wire Wrapping (taught by Kathleen Willemsen)
Check out the pictures at rtnews.rings-things.com/frenzy.htm. A great time was had by all, and we’re already thinking about our 2nd Bead Frenzy. The location and date will be announced on our website, and we look forward to spreading the frenzy!
By the way: Customers expressed interest in a book Kathleen recommended, titled “All Wired Up”, by Mark Lareau. We’ve found a source for it, and it should be in stock by the end of April. It’ll be item #62-449, and our price will be just $19.75. You wire lovers will want to be in the loop on this!
***** CHANGES at R&T *****
Check out our new look and new faces!
Big craft trend: Wire work. Wrap your own wire accents with a WigJig, make the copper bead of your dreams with the Coiling Gizmo, or just pick up pliers and twist up a homemade necklace clasp. Now there’s a guide to the most exciting new development in wire. It’s Suzanne McNeill’s just-released book “Wire Crochet: Knit, Tassels & More!”
Did you know R&T officially supplies beads for a whole line of books from Design Originals (Suzanne’s company), including this one? We’re happy to tell you our beads are featured in these great designs. They set off some amazing wire crochet and knitting. Our favorites include the all-American Stars Crochet Necklace, the Wyr Knit Amulet Purse, the lovely Wyr Knit Braided Necklace with 3 colors of wire, and the tastefully simple Beaded Tassel. This book is our item #62-389, for $7.20. You can also get wire crocheting supplies from us, and we carry lots of the charms shown in this book…plus hundreds more.
PS…Other McNeill titles that wire crafters will love:
- Item #62-139 “Wire Jewelry”,
- Item #62-219 “Coiled Wire Beads & Jewelry”, and
- Item #62-259 “Beaded Flowers, Bouquets & Garlands”.
PPS…Check out all 8 pages of great bead books at below-list prices in our online catalog, at rtnews.rings-things.com/books.htm. We’ll also bring a selection of books to our trunk shows this year!
***** PEACE … Peter Francis, Jr. *****
You may have heard about the loss to the bead community of Peter Francis, Jr., a good guy and probably the world’s greatest authority on beads, who died in December 2002. For our tribute to Pete, visit our website, www.rings-things.com/CBR.HTM.
Thanks for all of your help, Pete! Peace.
***************
Thanks!
Russ, Kim, and the whole Rings & Things crew
PO 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