20%off! EVERYONE IS INVITED! 20% off!
Get out of the house on Super Bowl Sunday!

Sunday Feb. 3rd from 12-5pm

All day DOOR PRIZES, DEMOS (including lampworking, bead spinners, and how to use earwire jigs), OPEN BEADING, SNACKS, and 20% off BEADS!

Please feel free to bring your beads, hang out, chat, have a good time and get away for a while….

Please call the store with any inquiries!

507-645-0301

There are many ways to finish a bracelet or necklace with jump rings. Here are a few tips to make your pieces more secure and longer-lasting while keeping a clean, finished look.

Use Oval Jump Rings: I cannot tell you how many times I have had to repair a bracelet or necklace because the wire has pulled through a circular jump ring. An easy way to combat this problem is to use oval jump rings instead of circular when finishing your jewelry. The wire naturally rests in the crook of the jump ring where there is no split, unlike the round rings where the point at which your wire will rest is arbitrary and will most likely pull through at some point.

Use Two Rings: If you would like to use round rings but are unsure of the security you can use two jump rings instead of one. This will diminish the chance that your strand will pull through, and it adds an interesting aesthetic!

Widen your Chain Link: If you are using a super-fine chain and are having trouble getting your thick jump ring through you can widen the last link of your chain with an awl. Simply put the awl through the last link and work back and forth until it opens to the desired degree. This generally works if you are using chain with an oval link, rather than round.

Use a Link for a Ring: If you are short on soldered jump rings you can always cut a link of chain to use instead. This works just as great as a normal jump ring and you can feel fabulous for your ingenuity!

Bead Fair 2008
Saturday & Sunday, Feb. 16th 7 17th
Visitor Center at Living History Farms Urbandale, IA

GLBG Bead Bonanza
Sunday, March 9th
South Municipal Complex Pavillion Southfield, MI

Twin Cities Bead Bazaar
Saturday & Sunday, March 15th & 16th
Eisenhower Community Center Hopkins, MN

Omaha Bead Bazaar
Saturday, April 5th
Westside Community Education Center Omeha, NE

Art Glass and Bead Show
Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13th
Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall Madison, WI

Bead Blast 2008
Saturday and Sunday, May 3rd-4th
Kansas City Market Center Overland Park, KS

Bead and Button Show
Thursday-Sunday, June 5-8th
Midwest Airlines Center Milwaukee, WI

Puget Sound Bead Festival
Friday-Sunday, July 11th-13th
Greater Tacoma Convention Center Tacoma, WA