• New R&T Catalog Makes Colorful Debut
  Art Clay Silver vs. Precious Metal Clay
  Ear Thread Stock Pulling Through
  28 New Styles of Footage Chain
  Spilling? Stopper Nips It in the Bead
  New Year, New Developments at R&T
  Has the Tsunami Affected the Bead Industry?
  Ways to Avoid Repetitive Strain Injuries While Beading

New R&T Catalog Makes Colorful Debut

• Full color — every single page of it!
• New pictures for 95% of our stock items.
• Hundreds of new items.
• Information boxes on almost every page, sharing tips, hints and instructions.
• An expanded stringing and finishing methods section, now with diagrams and color pictures.
• As always, honest information about content and durability with each listing.
• More-detailed measurements than ever.
• Three times more example jewelry, all with full parts lists.

Art Clay Silver vs. Precious Metal Clay

As many of you know, two main products head up the metal-clay market: Art Clay ™ Silver and Precious Metal Clay®. But what many current and prospective metal-clay artists don't know is how these products compare. Our resident expert Kurt Madison is frequently asked to explain the difference between ACS and PMC. He also fields many inquiries as to why he favors ACS for his award-winning designs. Kurt has agreed to answer these questions for you in a short piece, "Why I Use Art Clay Silver." The article explores each metal-clay giant's education programs, flexibility and materials. Let Kurt and partner Margot Casstevens' first-hand experiences be your guide:

"Why I Use Art Clay Silver"

Ear Thread Stock Pulling Through

The light, elegant look of these new findings has made them a truly hot commodity! Sterling silver ear threads keep flying out the door, and each time we get more in, you buy them all up! Luckily, we're now nearly keeping up with demand. The last time we were wiped out (about 2,500 pieces, which had barely unloaded into the warehouse!), our next shipment arrived just a few days later. We directly import ear threads for terrific prices. They're available in two lengths — 3" and 5" — and three different styles of ends: a 3mm ball, an open jump ring and a closed loop. To wear, use the thread's post to penetrate your ear piercing, and then pull halfway through. These make great changeable earrings; just slide on different beads each time you wear them. You can make them permanent by adding a crimp above the beads. They can even be threaded through multiple piercings to create loops, weaves and wraps. Due to popular request, we'll soon be adding ear threads in vermeil (gold plate over sterling silver)! Check out our current ear thread selection

28 New Styles of Footage Chain

	Now you have an even wider selection of chain to suit any project. These new 10-meter spools of brass chain are directly imported for lowest prices. Available platings are white, gold, silver, gunmetal, antique brass and antique copper. Among the chain shapes are curb, figaro and rollo. In addition to our online store, you'll find these on the inside back page of our new catalog (we squeezed them in at the last minute). View all our new chain

Spilling? Stopper Nips It in the Bead

A handy product has been designed to prevent spills while you're stringing. The Bead Stopper, available for as little as 37 cents each, clips to the end of your strand so the beads don't accidentally slide off. It's cleanly constructed of long-lasting stainless steel. Just squeeze the looped handles to open, then clamp around your cord until you're ready to finish the ends. Packs of bead stoppers

New Year, New Developments at R&T

We had hoped to be moving into our new warehouse this month, but alas, renovations can be unpredictable. Moving is now slated to take place in the spring, once all necessary updates have been made to the building. The most recent changes have been: Power-washing away inch-thick layers of dust and debris in the basement. Selecting floor treatments, such as carpet and stained concrete. Replacing and recycling out-of-date electrical parts and wiring. Giving away unrecyclable wood scraps as firewood for neighbors (one was so happy, she baked us cookies!).

This work in progress will be your new showroom!

Meanwhile, you've done a great job buying up our discontinued, discounted items so we don't have to move them! You've cleared out most of the original items on our closeouts Web page, and now we've added yet another batch: Niobium coil beads, footage chain, bails, sterling split rings, Tiffany rhinestone settings and more!

Has the Tsunami Affected the Bead Industry?

The recent tsunami in Southeast Asia killed hundreds of thousands of people and devastated large regions. We feel deep sympathy for the families of those victims, as well as for all who have lost their homes and businesses. Glass bead making in India could possibly experience an impact, but we know of no specific damages at this time. Russ adds: "For those who are concerned about Bali, I want to let you all know that Bali was spared any problems from this particular disaster. Bali is one of the many islands of Indonesia, so there may be economic repercussions. But the actual tidal wave was not felt on Bali beaches. The Bali Travel Forum and at least one Bali bead dealer reassured readers that Bali did not have any direct problems from the wave."
You can help out survivors of the tsunami through many organizations. Here are a few we've found:
www.unicef.org
www.actionagainsthunger.org
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
www.redcross.org
www.habitat.org

Ways to Avoid Repetitive Strain Injuries While Beading

Thanks!

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