Anniversary Trunk Show; a treasure trove!

November 19th, 12 PM to 4 PM: Please share a toast with me to a memorable 4 years in business! It has been wonderful to meet and become friends with so many of you. There'll be a 20% discount on the entire inventory, so take advantage of the opportunity to find some early gifts, and bring any items you've stashed away that need repairs. We'll have wine and nibbles too. View a map.

Check the Events page on the website to see updates and more events as they're added.

I was recently contacted by someone who found me doing a web search on metal allergies. She wanted to know what her options were to keep wearing her earrings. This comes up often when I meet new customers, so it seems a good time to discuss a few points.

Allergies to nickel and other base metals can develop over time. It's normal, and if it happens, there are steps you can take to continue enjoying your jewelry.

Nickel is usually the offender. It is often mixed with gold to strengthen it, and silver for the high polish it provides. Not all gold and silver contain nickel, so don't assume you can't wear any of those metals.

When you're shopping, ask questions. Any jewelry designer should be able to tell you if his or her pieces are made with silver that contains nickel, especially in earring wires.

I have made calls to the company from whom I buy ear wires, to confirm that the ones I use don't contain nickel. But those with allergies don't necessarily want to try out my silver, and that's why I have a supply of titanium and niobium in various colors and shapes.

When I create custom orders, I'm using your preferences in my designs. If you have allergies, you'll know which ear wires you'll be receiving.

To cope with allergies, a customer I know paints her metal earrings with clear nail polish. This will work, but it wears off after a while, and needs to be redone periodically.

	Of All The Beads Newsletter	Nov. '11 Hazel Brutsché
Newest Designs	4th Anniversary Trunk Show November 19th, 12 PM to 4 PM: Please share a toast with me to a memorable 4 years in business! It has been wonderful to meet and become friends with so many of you. There'll be a 20% discount on the entire inventory, so take advantage of the opportunity to find some early gifts, and bring any items you've stashed away that need repairs. We'll have wine and nibbles too. View a map. Check the Events page on the website to see updates and more events as they're added. A Metal Allergy Update I was recently contacted by someone who found me doing a web search on metal allergies. She wanted to know what her options were to keep wearing her earrings. This comes up often when I meet new customers, so it seems a good time to discuss a few points. Allergies to nickel and other base metals can develop over time. It's normal, and if it happens, there are steps you can take to continue enjoying your jewelry. Nickel is usually the offender. It is often mixed with gold to strengthen it, and silver for the high polish it provides. Not all gold and silver contain nickel, so don't assume you can't wear any of those metals. When you're shopping, ask questions. Any jewelry designer should be able to tell you if his or her pieces are made with silver that contains nickel, especially in earring wires. I have made calls to the company from whom I buy ear wires, to confirm that the ones I use don't contain nickel. But those with allergies don't necessarily want to try out my silver, and that's why I have a supply of titanium and niobium in various colors and shapes. When I create custom orders, I'm using your preferences in my designs. If you have allergies, you'll know which ear wires you'll be receiving. To cope with allergies, a customer I know paints her metal earrings with clear nail polish. This will work, but it wears off after a while, and needs to be redone periodically. Just remember that there's usually an option, so you don't have to suffer to wear what you love. Enjoy, and I look forward to seeing you on November 19th! -- Hazel
First up, a four-strand pearl necklace balanced with an asymmetric sweep of dark carnelians: Next, 3-strands of smoky quartz with blown glass: Smoky quartz also shows up paired with clear quartz and a dramatic agate pendant: I made 2 sets of earrings with lovely, long teardrops. The first is labradorite, followed by pink opal: Unadorned sterling chain and a 40-inch lariat of mixed stones are next: Two bracelets follow. The first is a delicate mixture of briolettes, with a citrine in the clasp: The next has textured disks linked with deep blue Swarovski crystals: And lastly, earrings of lapis lazuli and crystal quartz that make beautiful statements:
Of All The Beads » Hazel Brutsché