The Power of Jewelry-Making…
We’ve been having a blast traveling to the different jewelry-making shows, catching up with old friends and making new ones. And even though it seems like we have been living out of our suitcases for most of 2009, it’s given us a whole new perspective on the power of jewelry-making.
Given what we know about recent economic conditions, we expected to find low attendance, low sales and low energy at the shows. However, what we discovered was something much different – a large turnout of wonderful people, fabulous beads and jewelry and a powerful positive energy throughout. It has been amazing to see what beading means to people in challenging economic times.
Most recently we attended the Interweave Bead Fest show in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Aside from the elevation surprise and scattered snow, we had such a warm reception from the jewelry-makers we met. The show was busy, full of buyers and there was so much positive energy on the floor. As the Grand Prize Sponsor in the Bead Star contest, we had the honor of awarding the Grand Prize winner, Valerie Aharoni, with a $1,500 Fire Mountain Gems and Beads Gift Certificate. It was so great to see her excitement and passion for jewelry-making!
Uniting the World One Bead at a Time®
Beads truly unite people and this has become clearer to us than ever before. We’ve enjoyed hearing stories of people sharing their artistic talents and jewelry designs with friends, family and others. We were so touched by the number of designers that were selling jewelry to support their favorite charities and important causes. And we’re hoping to keep this conversation going in our Charity and Jewelry Artists sections online at www.firemountaingems.com.
Giving Back to Our Communities
We have just launched a Charity section where you can share your favorite charity and find out how you can get involved in the charitable organizations as well. Here you can meet other designer-artists who are Uniting the World One Bead at a Time®.
Jewelry Artists
We encourage you to share your success story and meet other designer-artists in our online Jewelry Artists showcase. Each of the featured designer-artists started with a passion for designing jewelry. Read their stories to discover how they turned their passions into thriving successes. Thank you for all the great laughs, positive energy and inspiration you provide us every day. We appreciate how you let us into your jewelry-making lives and enjoy sharing in your creative excitement.
This catalog brings you more new products, FREE jewelry-making instructions, the staple items you’ve come to trust and great deals. We’re especially excited about the beautiful NEW lead-safe Celestial Crystal® focal components and lampworked glass centerpieces – perfect for stunning summer jewelry designs.
If your travels take you through Grants Pass, Oregon – please stop by and say hello. We offer tours Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. and again at 2 p.m.
Love,
Chris and Stuart
We want to hear from you!
Please send us your comments and suggestions on using the e-catalog.
