Buying beads close to the source

Buying beads close to the source

At Silver Hills Gems we are continiously looking at ways to be unique. Gerdus went on a fact finding trip to establish his own small gemstone factory in Ketang, China.

I traveled to Guangzhou and took a taxi from the train station to the Eastbound bus to Ketang. This was quite a tricky business. I phoned my friend in Ketang who told me to give the phone to a Chinese national. This person wrote down the name of the town after some deliberation over the phone. I went to a second person and phoned my friend again. The second person told me that the address was incorrect. Imagine the doubts in my mind when it took over 30 minutes by taxi to reach the bus station.

At the bus station I was just in time to catch the 14h00 bus. They pulled out of the station immediately after I boarded the bus. All the Chinese sat close to the bus TV in front of the bus. I had the whole backside for myself. Halfway to Ketang we had a quick stop for refreshments. None of the goods in the freezers looked familiar. I ended buying a tub of strawberries and a chickenwing heated over a charcoal stove.

Just before we reached Haifeng my blackberry's battery died on me. Does this sound familiar? I reached the final stop and found nobody to welcome me. This caused me 5 minutes of stress until I noticed a red telephone in the convenience kiosk. I indicated with sign langauge that I need to use the phone. I gave the shopkeeper the number who dialed it for me. My friend was frantic with worry. He has been trying to reach me for the last 20 minutes and he was waiting at the wrong station. After around 10 minutes he arrived and we set of for Ketang.

Ketang and surrounding area has the largest concentration of gemstone bead factories in China. It is the heartland where most of the manufacturing in gemstones takes place. I slept in the only Hotel in the town. The cost was only about R125 per night for a bed. The bed was rock hard. All Chinese sleep on hard matresses and they expect us to do the same. The cushions are also very hard and round. The toilet is a hole in the ground and it shares the same space as the shower.

The lift had a spelling mistake.

I walked to my friends house after we booked in the suitcases and this was most interesting. There are no zoning and you can sleep in your own factory. So here is the typical scene. You pay around R500 for the streetfront space which measures 10x5 meters. You sleep in the back and manufacture your beads in the same space and you set aside the very front of this space as a small shop. Internet is aquired at R15 per month. Meals cost around R5 per meal. They work until 9 o'clock at night. Now you can work out why we will never be able to be price competitive when it comes to making the same things here in South Africa.



Every where we walked there were glass or stone on the pavement waiting to be made into beads. It amazes me that there is so much money just lying on the pavement. Theft does not exist here. You can just leave your goods outside and still find it there the next day.



There are small factories everywhere



I climbed on the back of my friends 125cc motorbike and we went down to the fresh produce market. Here they were selling fresh fish and vegetables. A large onion cost R1 and a bag of greens about R2. The calamari cost R8 and we had enough for a meal for 3 people. I made the calamari with the onions and some soyasauce and garlic. It turned out to be pretty good. This we consumed with rice. My friend had a rice cooker and a oneplate stove.

Here is the difference between us and them. Their little was a lot to them. My friend is such a happy person. In fact all the Chinese I met were contented. There is a lot to be learned from them. They are happy to be on the yourney to their dreams. Many of us think we will be happy when we have reached our goals. The yourney is usually an unhappy event. We never seem to arrive.

What struck me was how many people were involved in making beads. I was taken to small factories with 2 to 3 workers and larger ones with hundreds of workers. They become speciallist in one field and they can do this the rest of their lives. I visited a factory that works in rhodochrosite exclusively and another that only works in tourmaline and another that does schorl beads. Then we visited a small factory that only does lapis lazuli. I drank liters of bitter Chinese tea while doing deals. Here is how it works. The 'big boss' of the factory will take you through a quick tour through his factory and then whisk you to a meeting room that is usually overdone to impress you. They will then prepare tea. The status of the visitor determines the quality of the tea. The more expensive tea can be around R1000 per kg. All the teacups and containers are washed with the first batch of tea. You are then given a small cup of green tea without sugar or milk. You can down this in one go or sip it. The tea contains antioxidants and is rather refreshing when you get use to it. It is also very healthy and help with weight loss. Every factory will offer you tea.

See the garnets in the street. I bought us some.

I visted around 40 factories and had to drink tea at every one of them.

I learned that they are able to polish any stone. A stone that is too soft to take a polish is first stabilized. They stabilize the stone by boiling it in a plastic solution and then baking it in an oven. This is costly but any type of stone can thus be polished. The proces might be repeated 3 times. All stones with cracks are given this treatment.

I will look after your hemimorphite at night. Woof Woof!

Every factory has some dogs who guards the more expensive stone. This chap was still a puppy.

I also learned that there is a lot of outsourcing. I visisted a small second story factory with 10 machines that only make holes in beads. I noticed that there were few workers and was told that the economic crunch has caused a lot of problems with a lower demand.



These machines drill holes in the beads. They do not have work at the moment.

I was also told that workers are demanding salaries in excess of R2000 now. The margins are getting smaller and many factories refuse to work cheap stones because there is no profit in the stone. Stones like black lava are not being worked at the moment because the prices have dropped and profit margins dissapeared.

The more expensive stones are in high demand. It is a question of supply and demand. If any one of you have access to good tourmaline and kyanite and rose garnets. I am in the market to buy such rough

Families are still small. They usually only have one child per family. Children are raised in the small stone factory and play with the stones. They get used to gemstones and will also work with stone one day

After 3 days the little one accepted me.

There are so many small factories that needs stone and that needs a market. The feeling I got was that rumours will spread about the popularity of one or another stone and that everybody will start to chase that stone. This causes an oversupply and it will keep prices in tow.

I loved their transport vehicles

More stone in the background.

We plan to set up a small factory with less than 10 workers. I am now looking for high end rough that can be turned into beads.

So what are my final thoughts. Anybody can do this if you are willing to pay the school fees. It is not easy to get someone that will help you. Getting someone who can speak English is very difficult. In Ketang there are very few individuals who speaks English. Everybody wants to make money from you. Minimum order quantities can sometimes be high to get good prices. I had to buy 234 strings of one kind of garnet to get the best price. You need a big wallet. It is also difficult to ship goods from Ketang because you have to get the goods to a bigger centre to ship. The logistics can be a nightmare. The first two or three trips might be a total loss until you learn the ropes.

Advertising on Google Addwords

Advertising on Google Addwords

Google is the biggest search engine in the world. More people use Google than any other search engine. They have developed many new tools to make your life easier.

I use two of these tools all the time. The one is Addwords and the other is Google Analytics.

When you do a search at Google.com you will notice some adds that are situated on the right hand side of the page and some on the top of the page. These are all paid adds. Anybody with a valid website can advertise on Addwords.

You have to to register yourself as a Google client first. Then you can create your first add. There are basic plans and more complicated plans. I suggest starting with a basic plan. There are lots of articles to read and videos to watch on YouTube about Addwords. It is best to take a couple of hours to learn as much as you can about making yourself as visible as possible.

Many people think that they can just create a website and everybody will see their website. There are millions of websites out there. Google rate your website on many criteria. Things that Google and other search engines look at is. How many people link to your website? Is the content valid? What are the ratio of pictures to text? What are your metatags? When did you last work on the page? How many people visit your site? If you score high on these points you might find yourself on the first page of the search. If you do not score high, you might find yourself on page ten or twenty. And we all know that people do not go past page two when they do a search.

If you use Google addwords they will make sure that you get on page one. How does this work. It all depends on the budget that you set. The higher the budget the bigger will be your visibility. See it as shop rent that you pay. Shop rent should not be more than 5% of turnover. So work on 5% of your turnover. Or projected turnover. You can tell Google what you are willing to spend on advertising. If you budget a small amount Google will limit the amount of adds that shows per day. Let us say you want to spend R30 per day on Addwords, Google will then calculate the cost of every click through. A click through occurs when someone clicks on your add. If the click through cost R1, you will have 30 chances that day for people to click on your add. After the 30 clicks your add will disappear from the Google search page until the next day.

Once your add is up and running you can get info on the appearance of the add by going to Google Analytics. Here you will see where your customers come from. You will also see what they have searched, eg what keywords were accessed most.

Now you can tweak your add. It is best to use specific words rather than general words. General words are words like property. Specific words are townhouse in Centurion. It will avoid someone clicking on your add and just exiting again. Remember you pay for every click through.

Does it pay to advertise on Addwords. For us it does. We may get one extra customer every two days but this is enough for us to justify the cost.

Please feel free to write to us if you have any questions on this.

gerdus@bronnrocks.com

I copied the following article from Wikipedia below.

AdWords is Google's main advertising product and main source of revenue. Google's total advertising revenues were USD$28 billion in 2010.[2] AdWords offers pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, cost-per-thousand (CPM) advertising, and site-targeted advertising for text, banner, and rich-media ads. The AdWords program includes local, national, and international distribution. Google's text advertisements are short, consisting of one headline and two additional text lines. Image ads can be one of several different Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) standard sizes.



Sales and Support for Google's AdWords division is based in Mountain View, California, with major secondary offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan,[3] the company's third-largest US facility behind its Mountain View, California, headquarters and New York City office.[4] Engineering for AdWords is based in Mountain View, California.



Contents [hide]

1 Pay-Per-Click advertisements (PPC)

2 AdWords Features

3 Placement targeted advertisements (formerly Site-Targeted Advertisements)

4 AdWords distribution

5 AdWords account management

6 Click-to-Call

7 History

8 Legal context

9 Technology

10 Ad Content Restrictions

10.1 Allowed keywords

11 See also

12 References

13 External links



[edit] Pay-Per-Click advertisements (PPC)Advertisers select the words that should trigger their ads and the maximum amount they will pay per click. When a user searches on Google, ads (also known as creatives by Google) for relevant words are shown as "sponsored links" on the right side of the screen, and sometimes above the main search results. Clickthrough rates (CTR) for the ads are about 8% for the first ad, 5% for the second one, and 2.5% for the third one. Search results can return from 0 to 12 ads.[5]



The ordering of the paid-for listings depends on other advertisers' bids (PPC) and the "quality score" of all ads shown for a given search. The quality score is calculated by historical click-through rates, relevance of an advertiser's ad text and keywords, an advertiser's account history, and other relevance factors as determined by Google. The quality score is also used by Google to set the minimum bids for an advertiser's keywords.[6] The minimum bid takes into consideration the quality of the landing page as well, which includes the relevancy and originality of content, navigability, and transparency into the nature of the business.[7] Though Google has released a list of full guidelines for sites,[8] the precise formula and meaning of relevance and its definition is in part secret to Google and the parameters used can change dynamically.



The auction mechanism that determines the order of the ads is a generalized second-price auction.[9][10] This is claimed to have the property that the participants do not necessarily fare best when they truthfully reveal any private information asked for by the auction mechanism (in this case, the value of the keyword to them, in the form of a "truthful" bid).



[edit] AdWords FeaturesIP Address Exclusion

In addition to controlling ad placements through methods such as location and language targeting, ad targeting can be refined with Internet Protocol (IP) address exclusion. This feature enables advertisers to specify IP address ranges where they don't want their ads to appear.

Up to 20 IP addresses, or ranges of addresses, can be excluded per campaign. All ads in the campaign are prevented from showing for users with the IP addresses specified.

Location-based exclusion is also offered as a method of narrowing targeted users.[11]

Frequency Capping

Frequency capping limits the number of times ads appear to the same unique user on the Google Content Network. It doesn't apply to the Search Network. If frequency capping is enabled for a campaign, a limit must be specified as to the number of impressions allowed per day, week, or month for an individual user. The cap can be configured to apply to each ad, ad group, or campaign.[12]

[edit] Placement targeted advertisements (formerly Site-Targeted Advertisements)In 2003 Google introduced site-targeted advertising. Using the AdWords control panel, advertisers can enter keywords, domain names, topics, and demographic targeting preferences, and Google places the ads on what they see as relevant sites within their content network. If domain names are targeted, Google also provides a list of related sites for placement. Advertisers may bid on a cost per impression (CPM) or cost per click (CPC) basis for site targeting.[13]



With placement targeting, it is possible for an ad to take up the entire ad block rather than have the ad block split into 2 to 4 ads, resulting in higher visibility for the advertiser.



The minimum cost-per-thousand impressions bid for placement targeted campaigns is 25 cents. There is no minimum CPC bid, however.



[edit] AdWords distributionAll AdWords ads are eligible to be shown on www.google.com. Advertisers also have the option of enabling their ads to show on Google's partner networks. The "search network" includes AOL search, Ask.com, and Netscape. Like www.google.com, these search engines show AdWords ads in response to user searches, but do not affect quality score.



The "Google Display Network" (formerly referred to as the "content network") shows AdWords ads on sites that are not search engines. These content network sites are those that use AdSense and DoubleClick, the other side of the Google advertising model. AdSense is used by website owners who wish to make money by displaying ads on their websites. Click through rates on the display network are typically much lower than those on the search network and are therefore ignored when calculating an advertiser's quality score.



Google automatically determines the subject of pages and displays relevant ads based on the advertisers' keyword lists. AdSense publishers may select channels to help direct Google's ad placements on their pages, to increase performance of their ad units. There are many different types of ads that can run across Google's network, including text ads, image ads (banner ads), mobile text ads, and in-page video ads.



Google AdWords' main competitors are Yahoo! Search Marketing and Microsoft adCenter.



[edit] AdWords account managementTo help clients with the complexity of building and managing AdWords accounts search engine marketing agencies and consultants offer account management as a business service. This has allowed organizations without advertising expertise to reach a global, online audience. Google has started the Google Advertising Professionals program to certify agencies and consultants who have met specific qualifications and passed an exam.[14] Google also provides account management software, called AdWords Editor.



Another useful feature is the My Client Center available to Google Professionals (even if not yet passed the exam or budget parameters) whereby a Google professional has access and a dashboard summary of several accounts and can move between those accounts without logging in to each account.



The Google Adwords Keyword Tool provides a list of related keywords for a specific website or keyword.[15]



[edit] Click-to-CallGoogle Click-to-Call was a service provided by Google which allows users to call advertisers from Google search results pages. Users enter their phone number, Google calls them back and connects to the advertiser. Calling charges are paid by Google. It was discontinued in 2007.[16] For some time similar click-to-call functionality was available for results in Google Maps. In the Froyo release of Google's Android operating system, in certain advertisements, there is a very similar functionality, where a user can easily call an advertiser.



[edit] History This section needs additional citations for verification.

Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2011)



The original idea was invented by Bill Gross from Idealab who, in turn borrowed the idea from Yellow Pages. Google wanted to buy the idea but a deal could not be reached.[citation needed] Not wanting to give up on this form of advertisement, the company launched its own solution, AdWords in 2000.[17] AdWords followed a model that was significantly similar to Bill Gross' creation which led to legal action between the two parties. Eventually the dispute was settled out of court.[citation needed]



At first AdWords advertisers would pay a monthly amount, and Google would then set up and manage their campaign. To accommodate small businesses and those who wanted to manage their own campaigns, Google soon introduced the AdWords self-service portal. Starting in 2005 Google provided a campaign management service called Jumpstart[18] to assist advertisers in setting up their campaigns. However, this service is no longer available, so companies needing assistance must hire a third-party service provider.



In 2005, Google launched the Google Advertising Professional (GAP) Program to certify individuals and companies who completed AdWords training and passed an exam. Due to the complexity of AdWords and the amount of money at stake, some advertisers hire a consultant to manage their campaigns.



In 2008, Google launched the Google Online Marketing Challenge (http://www.google.com/onlinechallenge/), an in-class academic exercise for tertiary students. Over 8,000 students from 47 countries participated in the 2008 Challenge and over 10,000 students from 58 countries took part in 2009. The Challenge runs annually, roughly from January to June. Registration is at the instructor rather than student level.



In 2009, Google revised the AdWords interface, introduced Local Business Ads for Google Maps and Video Ads.



[edit] Legal contextAdWords has generated lawsuits in the area of trademark law (see Google, Inc. v. Am. Blind & Wallpaper Factory and Rescuecom Corp. v. Google Inc.), fraud (see Goddard v. Google, Inc.), and click fraud. In 2006, Google settled a click fraud lawsuit for US$90 million.[19]



Overture Services, Inc. sued Google for patent infringement in April 2002 in relation to the AdWords service. Following Yahoo!'s acquisition of Overture, the suit was settled in 2004 with Google agreeing to issue 2.7 million shares of common stock to Yahoo! in exchange for a perpetual license under the patent.[20]



[edit] TechnologyThe AdWords system was initially implemented on top of the MySQL database engine. After the system had been launched, management decided to use Oracle instead. The system became much slower, so eventually it was returned to MySQL [3]. The interface has also been revamped to offer better work flow with additional new features, such as Spreadsheet Editing, Search Query Reports, and better conversion metrics.



[edit] Ad Content RestrictionsAs of April 2008 Google AdWords no longer allows for the display URL to deviate from that of the destination URL. Prior to its introduction, Google paid advertisements could feature different landing page URLs to that of what was being displayed on the search network. Google expounds that the policy change stems from both user and advertiser feedback. The concern prompting the restriction change is believed to be the premise on which users clicked advertisements. Users were in some cases, being misled and further targeted by AdWords advertisers.[21]



As of December 2010 Google AdWords has decreased its restrictions over sales of Hard Alcohol.[22] It now allows ads that promote the sale of hard alcohol and liquor. This is an extension of a policy change that was made in December 2008, which permitted ads that promote the branding of hard alcohol and liquor.



[edit] Allowed keywordsGoogle has also come under fire for allowing AdWords advertisers to bid on trademarked keywords. In 2004, Google started allowing advertisers to bid on a wide variety of search terms in the US and Canada, including the trademarks of their competitors[23] and in May 2008 expanded this policy to the UK and Ireland. Advertisers are restricted from using other companies' trademarks in their advertisement text if the trademark has been registered with Advertising Legal Support team. Google does, however, require certification to run regulated keywords, such as those related to pharmaceuticals keywords, and some keywords, such as those related to hacking, are not allowed at all. These restrictions may vary by location.[24] From June 2007, Google banned AdWords adverts for student essay writing services, a move which was welcomed by universities.[25]



Google has other restrictions, for example the advertising of a book related to Facebook was restricted from advertising on AdWords because it contained the word "Facebook" in its title - the rationale being that it was prohibited from advertising a book which used a trademarked name in its title.[26]

Earrings

Before starting to make your own earrings, first decide on the type of earrings you want to make. This will help you know the specific charms, beads, tools and materials you will need.

If you make earrings, you will need to have tweezers, round-nosed pliers, nail clippers, wire cutters and a bead board (this is to avoid beads from spilling or rolling). You also have to have headpins, ear wires and beads.

It would also help if you have patience, a tad of creativity and the passion to make your own jewelry earring:

1 First step is to collect two head pins (these look a lot like thin long nails) and two ear wires (this would serve as the drop earring’s hook part which will then go through the ear hole).

2 You also have to have at least six or eight beads and spacer beads (these are small beads which look plain enough to offset the showy beads).

3 Place your beads on two pin heads. At this point, allow your creativity to go wild as you select the colors and designs you want to see. As much as possible, do not be afraid to try something new in terms of placing beads and charms on the head pins. Play around with the various beads on the head pin. Combining various patterns, colors, textures and sizes could help create a truly unique design. Do remember that whatever pattern you select, these have to have matching beads for each earring piece.

4 Also, leave at least a space that is large enough for a bead atop the head pin. This ensures that you have enough room to close it off. You can leave as much as a 1.5cm

5 Using the pliers, bend the end of the pin head to a loop. But primarily, make sure to bend the wire out towards a right angle from the section of the beads. After which, bend the wire in order to make a small loop. Do not forget that the wire end must be in contact with the top bead. Also, a small space must be left so you could easily insert the beaded head pin to the ear wires.

6 After which, you can now close the headpin. This could be done by making a loop with the use of a round nosed plier and twisting the wire.

7 Then, connect the headpin with the ear wire by closing the premade loop with the help of tweezers.

Voila! Your very own personally made earring to brag, wear and show off. Who knows, you can even sell them yourself.

NOTE: Prior to using the earrings, they need to be sterlized with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab.

You can use 925 silver if you have alergies.

Zambia November 2010

Zambia November 2010

My job takes me all over the world and this November I was in Zambia rockhounding. Africa is such an exciting place to visit. In the past I used to travel to Africa Central all the time but it has been a while since I was there last.

I had to go and inspect the production at the mine and this was why I went up.

I do not know if you know but Silver Hills Gems still has a share in some quartz mines in Zambia. Some of the mines I discovered myself through prospecting up in Zambia but not all of them turned out to be feasable mines.

This time I was pressed for time and I only had two days to finish what I went to do.

I took a flight from OR Tambo to Ndola International airport and hired a vehicle through Europecar. The inspection cart of the car rental company said. Many small scratches around the car. This will give you an indication of the driving skills of the average Zambian driver. My first stretch took me through Ndola to the Kitwe road. I was not sure if I was on the right road and asked at the nearest filling station. When I rolled down my window the guy said "sorry no fuel" I was glad that I did not need fuel. They confirmed that I was on the right road.

It is a very scenic drive to Kitwe. The road follows the contour of the land. It is a kind of a highway. Why I say kind of is because the road is double lane but has a myriad of side roads entering at any time. And there is a stack of heavy vehicles on this road. This is the main artery from the Congo to Botswana and Zimbabwe. So any and all is carried by truck. A lot of the truck drivers are driving without shirts due to the heat. It is an experience just sitting next to the road and hearing the roar of these big machines as the pass by.

There are 2 road blocks between Ndola and Kitwe, these are manned by the Police. They flag you down and then ask you where you are going. Sometimes they want to see your paperwork. I remeber the one time when I received a fine because I did not have a T on the back of the trailer. I stopped at the first garage and bought some reflective tape and made the biggest T that you will see on any trailer.

You realize that you are entering Kitwe when the buildings get more dense. But what strucks you immediately is the lack of paint on any building. Everything looks run down. The vehicles are dented. SO by the way, the car I was driving had hardly any shocks. It was rocking like a ship. I took it dead slow. The roads are shot. The further you get out of town the worst it gets. In one road that we travelled there were a tar road once. But the tar road is now riddled with potholes. And not just any potholes. It was raining the past few days and this complicated driving. I was crawling along. Large trucks was passing ignoring the potholes. That is driving African style.

In Kitwe I took a room at the Shelbourne lodge. The room cost me around $100 per night. I was sheer luxury. The bed was comfortable and the cushions was good. There were ample hot water and even DSTV in the room. The Guest house was a conferted old house with high ceilings and slasto floors with a stoep in front. The owner loves plants and the place was a veritable nursery or shall I say paradise. If you are willing to pay you will find these gems all over Africa. The contrast to this is the mosquito invested YMCA I stayed in the last time. Here music keeps you awake all night while you are sweating in the dirty bed with the hard cushion and no hot water.

We left for the mine the next day and traveled around 200 km on passable roads. The roads gets smaller and smaller and eventually it is just a 2 track road into the bush. There are cash crops even in the remotest areas. They plant beans and maize.

At the mine there is a huge open pit with 10 workers who are mining with pick and shovel. To mine specimens is slow work and you can not rush it. I love the bush but time did not allow me to stay there long

I discovered rutile specimens in the same area. I am just waiting for 300 specimens to come. These have not yet been seen in the market.



At the miners house I sorted through the specimens. Africa is hot. Gerdus

The problem with specimen hunting these days is that the miners browse the internet and think that the prices they see there is the prices they should get.

But if you do not travel you will not get any stones. We remain leaders in our area because we are willing to travel into Africa.

We needed some tools for the mine and this took us back to town. In most towns in Zambia you will get a freemarket system where anybody can sell anything at any price. The market at Kitwe is such a market. I attach some pictures. Paper is not available everywhere and we had to buy a bale of paper to wrap our crystals.



You can find litterally everything in such a market. I imagine stands selling missiles and others selling dried animal medicine. I noticed that evrybody is busy. There are very few beggars. Money changes hands all the time. Nothing gets thrown away. Everything gets recycled again in such a market. We had to dwaddle through muddy backallies. It rained the whole night before and this released all the interesting smells of such a market. At every step you get a different smell. Everybody greets you along the way and expect you to greet back.



The car that I drove brought me safely back to the airport. Please look out for our new specimens that will be listed in early 2011.



We will charge your phone for you!



Buying tools can turn into an interesting exercise!



We are buying paper to wrap the specimens with

How to sell your beads on Ebay

How to sell your beads on Ebay

This article was written by by Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs

These are my own personal tips for success as a beadmaker on ebay. Please keep in mind that my intent here is just to let people know what works for me, in case they need some help and want some advice. This kind of thing tends to change over time, so please use what you can from this and feel free to toss the rest.

General Tips

I have been making beads for about 3 years now. I have been a member on ebay for something like 7 years - and before I sold beads on ebay, I sold handmade jewelry. Those of you who sell jewelry on ebay now have a much tougher road ahead than when I did. There is so much competition in the Designer/Artisan jewelry section on ebay, that even unique, gorgeous jewelry is hard to sell at decent prices. These tips may work well for beadmakers but may not work for anyone else.

I sell only my best beads. I constantly work to improve my technique and designs so that what I put up for sale is my best work. If I have beads that are not my best work ("seconds"), I label them as such, so my customers do not get confused when they see something selling at a much lower price. But for the most part, all my beads are of the highest quality I can possibly make. That means even dot placement, even shapes, smooth, puckered holes, matching sizes (as much as I can, anyway) and all that.

Art is of course subjective, but I find that the better my technique is, the more my beads will sell for, and the happier my customers are. Plus, I feel good and proud of the accomplishment. If you're new or haven't mastered certain techniques, you cannot assume you are going to get high prices. If you're okay with that, then great. However, I have seen some beads posted on ebay that have crooked bumps, pointy holes, lumpy shapes, etc, and then the seller will post complaints about how their beads are not selling. Look at your work. Are the flowers smeared? Is the encasing uneven? Is your raised work melted in enough to keep it from popping off later? Do your bumps have under-cuts? Do your beads have sharp, pointy ends that may cut a designer's stringing material? These are just some things lampwork bead buyers look for when buying beads to go in their designs.

So basically, the very first thing you need to look at when sales are not going well is your own quality and workmanship. Work to improve that while working to improve other aspects such as auction layout. A good way to check quality is to do a search on ebay for the highest priced "annealed lampwork" (make sure the title and description box is checked). Look at these beads in terms of quality and workmanship. I am not talking about design or artistic expression - purely about craftsmanship. There are quite a few sellers whose quality and technique are top notch. Not all of them are getting high prices, but you can see some examples in the high price search.

Lampworkers are getting better and better at technique as time goes by. The competition is almost staggering, and more and more people are making beads these days. Keep that in mind when listing on ebay - you are listing beads with hundreds of other lampworkers, so you need to find something that makes you stand out in the crowd. On any given day there are over 5000 listings in the Handmade Lampwork category. Do something unique - pick unique colors, try a new shape, do anything that will make you stand out when people are looking.

Photography

One main thing I think needs to be addressed here is auction photography. First off, I recommend that you do not use ebay's picture uploading as your sole picture host. They compress and resize pictures when you upload them, and this tends to distort your images. Find another photo host and use HTML to reference the pics in your auction description. A number of hosts can be found by searching Google. I use my web host (netfirms.com) - I get 1000MB of space for my website, and that is more than enough, so I use some of the space for auction pics. I pay $10 per month for hosting services, but you can likely find something much cheaper if you're just looking for picture hosting.

Learn to take decent pictures. If you use a scanner and that works for you, great. But by and large, most of the auctions I see that use digital images look much better in my opinion. I use a digital camera (Nikon Coolpix 4100 - I upgraded last year) that I bought for about $300. I know that seems like a lot, but it's so worth it. The pics are clear, crisp and detailed, and show true color. There are tips and tricks on photography everywhere - google.com is a great place to search. There are threads in many forums - go look at them as well. Also, the ebay community web boards have tons of information on photography and other things. Don't take your pics with a regular camera that has no macro - these are not close enough or true enough to see your artwork unless you are a professional.

Get picture enhancing software and use it. I know people who use Photoshop and various other programs to touch up photos. I use Paint Shop Pro 7. I have no idea what a lot of the features do, but what I do know works really well. I can get completely true color when I enhance a pic with PSP. No, I don't make the beads look more colorful or better than they look in person. I make the pics look more realistic. For instance, Moretti/Effetre Ink Blue photographs much bluer than it really is under normal lighting even with a digital camera. PSP can make it look much more like it does in person by using the Hue Map, Color Balance, and Levels features on the Color Menu.

There are quite a few tutorials for photo software on the web. Make use of Google and you'll find them easily. I also have a few resources for photography help on my Links List. Also, WetCanvas and other forums have tons of threads devoted to photography.

If you'd like a more professional approach to photography, I would recommend looking at some of the new photo set-ups on ebay that are made specifically for taking pictures of small items, including beads and jewelry. This particular ebay store has a nice selection, and the prices look good: Tabletop Studio LLC. I have not bought from them, but I am considering it, because I have seen recommendations from other beadmakers.

Describing Your Beads

When you list your beads for sale anywhere, including ebay, there are a few things you should always have in the description. Buyers often won't buy from you if you're missing some of these things, so it's important to be thorough in your descriptions. Here's a list:

Bead Size - this is a biggie. In the bead world, people utilize both inches and millimeters. I personally use millimeters in my description, because most of the components my customers use with the beads they buy are listed in millimeters by the manufacturers. (for example - crystal bicones, sterling silver beads, jump rings, etc.) Some buyers also like a size reference picture - a penny, a ruler, a hand, etc. There's much debate over what people like for size reference, so you can use what's most convenient for you, as long as you have some reference to size in your description. For many, size in millimeters (mm) is enough, so that's what I use.

Hole Size - Also important enough for its own place on this list is the size of the hole in your bead. Since most beadmakers (at least here in the US) are making beads on mandrels which are sized by the inch, it makes sense to put that in your description for people who need to know. Buyers will often need this so can determine what size of stringing material or findings to use. Again, measurements for findings do vary, so use whatever measurement unit is more convenient for you. I use inches, because my beads are most often made on 1/16" mandrels, a 1/16" mandrel is somewhere between 1mm and 2mm - not very exact. If you're in a country that uses the metric system for mandrels, it's no problem to use mm in your description. Whew - long winded, aren't I?

Number of Beads/Extras - This may seem like a no brainer, but if you have more than one photo of your beads, some people might be confused as to what's actually included in the auction. Be clear about the number of beads included, and whether the buyer also gets what's shown in the picture - are the beads strung with crystals, silver spacers or other beads? Are they included in the auction? Does the buyer get that quarter? (LOL It may seem silly, but some people do ask).

Type/Brand of Glass - Many buyers don't care, but some do, so it's nice to list what kind of glass you're using in your beads. Whether it's German made Lauscha, Italian Effetre or some kind of borosilicate made here in the US - a lot of buyers do like to know. And if you're using premium hand-pulled colors that are scarce or more expensive, saying so can attract customers. I also like to list the colors I use, because monitors don't always show true colors, and the buyers who are familiar with certain glass will know what they're getting and can plan ahead.

Annealed or Not? - This is perhaps your most important descriptive term. If your beads are kiln annealed, say so. People who buy handmade lampwork really want beads which are annealed properly, because they won't break nearly as easily as beads which are cooled in vermiculite or a fiber blanket. If you're not annealing your beads in a kiln, you should definitely say so. Not saying so is misleading to your customers. Many people do search the terms "annealed", "kiln annealed" or "kiln-annealed" when looking on ebay for lampwork beads.

Shipping and Payment Terms - Be clear about your terms. Always state what payments you accept, what the shipping costs are, and how long it will take for you to ship out beads. State clearly any return policies and any time restrictions on payment (payment due within 7 days or whatever). Also state whether you ship worldwide, what the restrictions are on that, or whether you ship to your own country only.

The next issue at hand is using ebay's features to your advantage. Always, always use the gallery pic option. It's only 25 cents, and most people in the Handmade Lampwork category use it, so if you don't you may be skipped over. Many customers have posted everywhere that they only look at the gallery view on auctions. If you don't use this option, you are missing out on a lot of customer traffic, and that means fewer bids and lower sales.

Sometimes, it may bring more traffic if you use the Featured Plus on one auction and then have several other auctions going at the same time. Using the subtitle feature on a couple of auctions, or the bold feature can also help. Use sparingly, though, because those get pricey if you do them all the time.

If you haven't created your own auction layout, use one of ebay's. They aren't bad, and having some sort of visual layout is a huge plus. Or, learn HTML to create your own layout. However, don't go overboard. The customer is there to see your beads, not all the bells and whistles of your auction layout. Go easy on the images, and stay away from java-scripts as much as possible. Some of that stuff can actually crash a customer's system, and then you can be sure they will never come back. Commonly used unnecessary features to stay away from are:

Huge, bright text

Trailing cursors

Blinking or animated images and text

Music

Marquee lines (text moving on the screen)

Screen fading scripts (they make the screen change in odd ways when someone leaves the auction)

Slideshows (auction lister programs like Andale and Vendio provide these)

Keep any images that are not your beads small and fast loading. If you have a logo, make it small or short so that the customer does not have to scroll a huge long way to get to your bead pics. This is what works for me, and what I am drawn to when looking at auctions.

Reputation

When you first start at ebay, you're starting at the very bottom. You'll have low or no feedback - no one will know you. You have to build a positive reputation to attract buyers, and that's no small task on ebay these days. Your feedback rating is really very important to potential buyers. Start by making some small purchases to get a few positive feedbacks and to get your feet wet on ebay. Buying is the best way to get to know the climate. Leave feedback for the transactions you take part in, and hopefully you will get some good feedback in return. Then, start listing a few smaller things here and there, and follow the rest of the advice here to get a good start. At first, keep your expectations low. You will sell things at a lower price at first - almost everyone goes through this at the beginning. It takes time to build a good feedback rating, and even more time to build up a good customer base. Be patient and keep trying.

Know Your Market

The next issue is a touchy subject for many of us. But one that really needs to be addressed, IMO. Market Research and understanding your target audience. In this case, you are looking for people to buy your beads on ebay. So you need to listen to what people want. There's a happy medium between total artistic individuality and giving the customer what they want. Here's a trade secret for you. I make what I like. But I also pay a lot of attention to what the customer likes. If pink is in, I incorporate the color into my work. I pair it with colors I think look great with pink. I experiment with colors I might not normally put with pink just to see what's cookin'.

Research, all the time!! If your market is the jewelry artist/designer, check and see what people are wearing on TV. Check to see what your friends and family like to wear. Look at bead - craft - art magazines, fashion ads, awards shows. If your main market is the bead collector, check to see what shapes and colors are hot right now for the collector. Then, incorporate that knowledge into your own artistic expression. For instance, I don't like making lentils. But they are hot hot hot right now (still!). But I only make them every so often. So I check to see what other shapes might be hot, and go with those. Shapes in general are doing well right now. I love to make cubes and square tabs, so I stick with those!

Hang out where your customers hang out. Get to know them. You'll gain knowledge and friendship at the same time.

Here are a couple of examples:

The ebay community jewelry category board. I read there from time to time, to check the current "pulse". Most lampworkers don't post there, so I post on occasion just to let them know I am around. We post auctions in the Jewelry category - doesn't it make sense to see what people are up to there? There are a surprising number of potential customers who read and post to that board. It's main discussions are about gemstones, but a lot of them seem to really like pretty sparkly things, and when they notice what I do, they comment about it!

The ebay community bead groups. These are new, and right now there are three that I know of: BeadHive, Beads, Beads and More Beads, and Lampworked Beads. There are a lot of members on each board, and each has its own culture. I don't have time for all three, so I stick with one of them. I have gotten to know the people in BeadHive, and they've gotten to know me and my work. They are a fun group of people!

Also, the rec.crafts.beads newsgroup. This is a public group and is **hugely** populated with people who adore beads. And they will let you know what they like in a heartbeat (and what they don't like!). If ever you needed opinions from a customer's point of view, that's the place to get them. Don't have a newsgroup reader? Go to Google Groups and enter rec.crafts.beads into the search. Who knows - you may make a few more friends while you're at it. But please, please get to know what newsgroups are about before posting. Read for a day or two to get a feel for the group. It's fast paced and has its own etiquette and culture.

I know a lot of people frown on making beads that other people want you to make, and instead wish to make only what you like. This is fine. But please don't complain about sales if you aren't willing to consider your customers' desires. There is a happy medium. You can do what you want *and* do what they want. You can take risks and still have high sales.

Targeting your Audience

Once you know who your audience is, it's time to get in touch with them when you have beads available for sale! The best way to do this is to start a mailing list. (But please, be sure that people give you permission before adding them to any list or you can get kicked off ebay.) You can do this by putting a link on your About Me page on ebay or on your website. Link to a Yahoo group or other kind of email list that you control. There are lots of places to create a mailing list - perhaps the easiest is just to start one in your emailing program. Do some research on Google if you are unfamiliar with how mailing lists work. Then, when you have items available, you'll have a pool of people to email. You can create weekly or monthly newsletters, specials, promotions, whatever you like.

Another great way to get people to look at your items is to create business cards with your ebay ID and email address (as well as any other info you wish) printed on them. Pass them out to friends, and mail them out with your beads to customers. I get mine from Vista Print - they have very good prices and high quality cards. They will even let you upload your own artwork - if you can figure out the little card creating program on their website. It's a bit klunky, but does the job.

Having a website is another way to get in touch with your buyers. Do lots of research, learn HTML and create your own, or if you have the means, pay for someone to create one for you. (My friend and mentor Paulette does fabulous web design for artists.) As an alternative, look to ebay's About Me page creation for a small simple place to promote your ebay auctions.

Basically, marketing is very time consuming and can be difficult to do. However, the more you market, the more buyers you will have - period. So it's in your best interest to try a few of these things. It's a pain - it's my least favorite part of selling beads! But it's worth the time and effort, I promise. Ebay may bring some traffic to your auctions, but your own marketing activities will create the all important "word of mouth" that you need to succeed.

A Few Last Thoughts

Another touchy subject is that of talent and design. These cannot be taught, in my opinion. They have to already be there. You can bring them out by observing your surroundings and finding beauty. But if you have no eye for color or design, you may not be able to make a whole lot of money in this business. Of course, this art is not always about business or making money. You have to really love what you're doing. If you're totally in love with glass, fire and color, it will show in your work and you will have higher sales. If you are just doing it for money, I don't believe you will really succeed. Move on to something you love. Life is too short!

Be prepared to pay money for some of the things I have mentioned above. I pay for premium glass colors, tools, equipment, web hosting, a decent digital camera, lighting, photo software, gallery pics in the auctions, etc. You don't have to spend a fortune, but spending a little can be really worth it in the end. If you aren't willing or cannot spend a little money on your business, you will probably not do as well. If you can't afford the necessary tools to do this art safely and properly, I don't think you should really be doing it.

One last and very important point - Ebay is not impossible. But *be prepared* to work very, very hard, and for long hours - especially at first. Don't expect immediate success - it will take some time. And try to keep a positive attitude! You cannot go into this with the attitude that you can make quick and easy money, and then when you don't succeed, get down on yourself for it. It doesn't work that way, and if you look at ebay often, you will see tons of evidence of that. As a matter of fact, you *should* look at ebay often if you are trying to sell there. Look at your competition. Of course, don't copy their beads, but look at what sells and more importantly, look at what does *not* sell. Think about why some sellers continuously have a hard time. Think about why some sellers seem to have unlimited success.

Does any of this make any sense? I hope so. Am I giving you trade secrets? Well, no. This is all common sense, and came from reading everything I possibly could on the subject, and from my own experiences. My auctions do well. Almost every time. The above is why. I hope some of these things will work for you.

Beading Christmas ornaments

Beading Christmas ornaments

Have you always wanted to create your own beaded ornaments but have little experience with bead work? Provided in this article are some simple tips that will help you create stunning and beautiful hand made beaded Christmas ornaments that will make your home more festive this holiday season.

If you have never made bead Christmas ornaments, you will first need to select either a pattern or a kit. There are many kits available that typically include the beads, needle, thread, glue and any other materials required to begin making bead Christmas ornaments. The next step is to assemble the proper tools.

Tools Needed for Your Hand Made Christmas Ornaments

Pliers are the most important tool for getting started in making your hand made bead Christmas ornaments. Important pliers that are used with bead making include Flat Nose Pliers, Round Nose Pliers, Chain Nose Pliers, Crimp Nose Pliers, and Split Ring Pliers.

Another tool you will need is a good pair of wire cutters. If you are making wire bead Christmas ornaments, then wire cutters are absolutely essential. When selecting wire cutters it is important to select the appropriate strength wire cutter for the wire that you will be using. Wire cutters come in both lightweight and heavy-duty strengths. Light weigh cutters will suit your basic needs for the beading wire you will be using.

Lastly, when making hand made Christmas Bead ornaments purchase bead needles. These needles come in a variety of sizes. Choose needles applicable to the project you are making.

Different Types of Hand Made Christmas Bead Ornaments

A simple bead ornament recommended for a young child to make may consist of little more than stringing "pony beads" or other suitable bead onto pipe cleaners. Children can simply place the beads on the pipe cleaners then twist them into various shapes such as bells, stars, candy canes, and Christmas trees.

Here is another way that you can create sparkling and beautiful hand made Christmas bead ornaments no experience required. First gather your supplies. These will include fabric paints (or other dimensional paint), small glass beads (or seed beads) satin finished ornaments, a small tray, and a small cup. First, sketch a simple shape on the ornament with the fabric paint. Ideas for shapes typically include simple snowflakes, trees, and stars, but ultimately the choice is up to you. Create your pattern as simple or as elaborate as you like. After you have drawn your design on the satin ornament with the fabric paint, hold the ornament over a small tray, and sprinkle the tiny beads over the ornament using a small cup. This is similar to projects where you apply glue and then sprinkle glitter over the glue. After your ornament finishes drying, you can hang it with a beautiful cord or complimentary satin ribbon.

It's as easy at that! So go ahead and gather your supplies and get started making your own personalized hand made Christmas ornaments for the holidays!

Agates how they are formed and the believes around agates

Agates how they are formed and the believes around agates

Most agates occur as nodules in volcanic rocks or ancient lavas where they represent cavities originally produced by the disengagement of volatiles in the molten mass which were then filled, wholly or partially, by siliceous matter deposited in regular layers upon the walls. Such agates, when cut transversely, exhibit a succession of parallel lines, often of extreme tenuity, giving a banded appearance to the section. Such stones are known as banded agate, riband agate and striped agate.

In the formation of an ordinary agate, it is probable that waters containing silica in solution—derived, perhaps, from the decomposition of some of the silicates in the lava itself—percolated through the rock and deposited a siliceous coating on the interior of the vapour-vesicles. Variations in the character of the solution or in the conditions of deposition may cause a corresponding variation in the successive layers, so that bands of chalcedony often alternate with layers of crystalline quartz. Several vapour-vesicles may unite while the rock is still viscous, and thus form a large cavity which may become the home of an agate of exceptional size; thus a Brazilian geode lined with amethyst and weighing 67 tons was exhibited at the Düsseldorf Exhibition of 1902. Perhaps the most comprehensive review of agate chemistry is a recent text by Moxon cited below.

The first deposit on the wall of a cavity, forming the "skin" of the agate, is generally a dark greenish mineral substance, like celadonite, delessite or "green earth", which are rich in iron probably derived from the decomposition of the augite in the enclosing volcanic rock. This green silicate may give rise by alteration to a brown iron oxide (limonite), producing a rusty appearance on the outside of the agate-nodule. The outer surface of an agate, freed from its matrix, is often pitted and rough, apparently in consequence of the removal of the original coating. The first layer spread over the wall of the cavity has been called the "priming", and upon this base zeolitic minerals may be deposited.

Many agates are hollow, since deposition has not proceeded far enough to fill the cavity, and in such cases the last deposit commonly consists of quartz, often amethyst, having the apices of the crystals directed towards the free space so as to form a crystal-lined cavity, or geode.

On the disintegration of the matrix in which the agates are embedded, they are set free. The agates are extremely resistant to weathering and remain as nodules in the soil or are deposited as gravel in streams and shorelines

Here are some believes about agates. At Silver Hills Gems we do not believe in the magical qualities of stones but we include this just for interest sake.


As the astrologers say, Agate is the stone of Mercury, Venus, Moon and Saturn. If worn as an ornament, it brings luck to those born under the signs associated with the mentioned planets. The beads are classified as Talisman agate and amulet agate. The former sows self confidence in young minds and the latter curbs all kind of falsehood addictions. It is believed that keeping an agate bead under the pillow while sleeping will grant you sweet dreams. Also, wearing a ring with the black agate is known to make the wearer seductive.


Agate beads are believed to have amazing healing properties. People of Greece recommended wearing ornaments made out of these beads to those that badly suffer from ailments such as chronic cough, throat and dental diseases. Ancient-time agate stones used to have a picture engraved on them that symbolically represents a disease. For instance, if one suffering from migraine buys an agate bead having the image of a woman in loose hair and makes use of it in some way, his ailment will subside.


And yes, Agade beads have magical properties also. Sounds pretty interesting, isn't it? Farmers of ancient Rome strongly believed that Agate has the power to grow their plants well, no matter how adverse the weather conditions are. It also helps athletes to win as it is capable of suppressing unreasonable anger and gives them the necessary confidence and the winning energy. Black Agate has the property to protect one from danger, evils of the dark and it also brings a balance in his emotions.

Though it is the Romans that gave vibrant colours to the Agate beads, the credit of having used Agade stones for the first time in the making of seals, rings and decorative vessels goes to the Egyptians. Whatever may be the history, Agate stones have adorable properties that help the human race in some way. So, look no further. Get an awesome looking chain/bracelet made of Agade beads for you loved one and spread the love.

How to try and make your website faster

How to try and make your website faster when you are using oscommerce as your shopping cart.

Two weeks ago I had too much time on my hands and just one small mention by one of my customers that the site was extremely slow on her end to force me again to see if there was any way I could speed up the site. I must mention that this dear client is from Harare and I honestly do not know how technologically advanced Harare-Zimbabwe is these days after all the things they have been through.

I read extensively and landed up on several websites that had some good advice. At the same time I did a search on my site on the internet and found a site that rates your website and that also gives you specifications on the site. It rated us as 1 170 000 most visited site worldwide and 7376 in South Africa. But the things that concerned me was the fact that 93% of all websites were faster than mine.

So I took up the huge task of speeding up my website. This is easier said than done because our website uses the Oscommerce shopping cart.

The Oscommerce basic website is one large blank canvas that can be changed to a myriad different forms once loaded. It is completely free. Anybody can download an Oscommerce site and start using it. Oscommerce runs on PHP. This is an interactive language that allows you to do ecommerce or sales on an online website. This language is written in code and it is rather difficult to understand. I taught myself PHP and can now help myself but it took a couple of years for an old Toppie like me to learn something new.

Oscommerce allows each user to start a session when they get on the website. This means that it kind of remembers what you have done. You can thus enter goodies into the shopping cart and proceed to another page where you can then send this detail to the shop owner who can then dispatch your goods to you. The other nifty thing about Oscommerce is that it will allow you to log in and create a more permanent shopping cart. You can enter an item in your cart and come back next week and the same item will still be there. This is one of the things that really drew me to Oscommerce because this allows you to create a type of wishing list of the items you might want to buy up ahead.

Every time you do a query Oscommerce must run through the whole database to recover the detail requested. If your database is large like ours you satrt to get a bit of drag. We now have 9000 images and 3700 active items. But there are currently over 7500 items in the database. This is a lot. The worst offenders that creates slow speeds are specials in oscommerce. You will notice that we do not have any items under the specials tab. This is because it makes your site slow. So what I do now, I just mark off the items that I am selling as a special and sometimes I will make mention of it in the description.

To speed up the site you use a process called caching. It will create a cookie that remembers the essential detail of every page that you have visited. You will notice that some pages may be slow at first but when you visit them again they become lightning fast. We also reduce the size of the pictures. This makes them a bit small but they do load faster.

Here are the problems you might run into when using Oscommerce. Oscommerce has over 6000 add-ons. These are changes that you can make to the blank canvas. This is like leaving a kid in a candy store. At first every change you make changes the 'canvas' but then you discover that they can really make your site slow. Why is speed such an issue. If you wait longer than 4 seconds for a page to load you loose interest. Do you agree with me?

Something that looks harmless might mess up your site terribly. I tried a paid add-on just two weeks ago that gave me some serious headaches. This one claimed that it will reduce a 6 second site to only a fraction of a second. I struggled with the instalment and when I had it installed I discovered that it would just log you into any somebody else's profile. Caryl had a good laugh about it. The only good thing that came out of this is the Ioncube application that I loaded in the root folder. This application helps to decipher PHP and make it more readable for different browsers. I have measured the site before and after and found that it is almost twice as fast now as before.

I removed banners and trackers off my site. This reduced the queries considerably. I still have around 3000 images on my site that is not used. I am trying to clean this up and it is not so easy. I removed some images just to find out that I actually do need them in the end. If you discover an item without a photo please send us an email about it. We will endeavour to fix it as soon as possible.

If you want to design a Oscommerce website I would love to help you set it up.

I will give you some tips on how to get on the map after you have set up your site.

Gemstone beaded jewellery

Gemstone beaded jewellery

Create your own design-


Before threading a single bead, choose the best pattern and kind of beads you need. Create a beautiful design. If you don't have a beading board, use a small terry-cloth towel to keep the beads from rolling away. After laying out the pattern, make any final changes or adjustments.</P>

Attach half of the jewelry clasp -

Tie one half of the clasp onto the end of the beading thread. A regular double or triple knot will do. After tying the knot, put a small dot of glue or clear fingernail polish on the knot. Once the glue or nail polish has dried, use beading scissors or nail clippers to cut off the loose end as close to the knot as possible.</P>

Thread the beads -

Slide all of the gemstone beads that you set out in a pattern as above onto the beading thread using the attached needle. Once all the beads are on the thread, hold the strand up with the clasp that is already attached at the bottom. Let the beads naturally fall against each other so there are no gaps between them.</P>

Connect the other half of the buckle-

This is the hardest part of making gemstone jewelry. The thread must be pulled the knot tight and snug against the last bead to avoid any gaps. To do this, slide the clip to the thread and make a very loose knot at the base of the buckle. Put the bead knotting tool or a large pin through the center of the knot loose. Not tighten the knot carefully the work of the node to the heel so that the knotting tool or pin is comfortable against the last bead.

Lift the thread up and make sure that there are gaps. Pull the thread tight to the beads, but don't allow the knot to tighten again. Without releasing the tension on the wire through the beads, lay the thread down and start to tighten the knot while maintaining pin comfortable against the last bead. (This process is similar to tie a knot on a package with a finger to keep the knot tight. In this case, the pin is serving the same purpose as the finger on the package.) Continue pulling the thread until the knot is tight without gaps. Gently remove the pin or push the issue on the bead knotting tool. Place a small dot of glue or clear nail polish on the node. After the glue or nail polish is dry, use scissors or nail clippers to cut the beading free end close to the knot as possible.

Have you ever made Jewelry with Gemstone Beads? You may have seen various kinds of jewelry like handmade jewelry, gold, silver jewelry, metal, diamond jewelry, fashion jewelry, body jewelry, sterling silver and gemstone jewelry. But have u ever thought that how can u make your own jewelry using gemstone beads like semi precious beads and precious beads.

You can make beautiful earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, pendants and many more to gift your loved once. You can also wear on various occasions and daily life as well. Natural Gemstone beads are long lasting and look beautiful.

You can create a different jewelry piece, or two, to go with every outfit. Making gemstone jewelry isn't difficult, and designing each piece can be a lot of fun. You can check out our gemstone jewellery at THE SILVER HILLS GEMSTONE page

7 Things you should know about pearls

7 Things you should know about pearls

When shopping for pearl jewelry, whether online or in a jewelry store, you are going to see and hear some industry terms that you may not be that familiar with. You’ll be told that the nacre of this pearl is thick, it’s luster is excellent, it’s surface is clean and that is why it retails for R5000. The only thing you might recognize from that description is the price! So educating yourself on the terminology used to describe pearl jewelry before you begin shopping will allow you to accurately compare pearls from one another, understand their value, and can lead you to making a very good purchase on quality pearls. You may even end up saving a few dollars just by knowing a few terms!

Cultured vs Natural

Let’s start with knowing the difference between Cultured Pearls and Natural Pearls. While both are real pearls, the way they are created is what sets them apart. Cultured pearls are harvested on pearl farms in controlled conditions. With the assistance of pearl farmers, they insert an object into the mollusk to jump start the creation of the pearl. The end result is still an authentic pearl that carries the same properties as a natural pearl.

Natural pearls by contrast are those found in their natural environment. They are pearls that have been stumbled upon by chance. Therefore, natural pearl jewelry may carry a heavier price tag than cultured pearl jewelry because of the unique, natural quality they have. Cultured pearls tend to be more affordable because of their ability to be mass produced. However, each is still very similar in their qualities and authenticity.

Shape

As you study the pearls that interest you, pay close attention to the shape of the pearl. The closer each pearl is to a perfect sphere or being perfectly round, the higher in value the jewelry will be. Round pearls are pretty rare to come across and only account for a small percentage of the pearls coming out of pearl farms.

From there, you will see the term Near-round to describe pearls that are not quite perfectly round, but close to it. Oval pearls look just as they sound. Button style pearls are pearls that appear to be thinner, or squashed by comparison. Drop pearls have the appearance of a tear drop.

Lastly are Baroque pearls. These pearls are irregular in shape and are non-symmetrical as well. In fact, the actual shapes of a baroque pearl can range from simply being semi-round to stick or cross shaped. Many times however, a strand of baroque pearls will be similar to each other thus creating a uniform strand. Incidentally, Tahitian and South Sea baroque pearls are also very unique as the process to create them takes much longer. Therefore, their value may be considered greater.

Nacre / Mother-of-Pearl

Nacre, or mother-of-pearl, is a secretion of calcium carbonate and conchiolin that a mollusk will release to cover an object such as a grain of sand that has entered the mollusk. This object acts as an irritant and triggers the secretion to begin. Layers and layers of nacre will build around this object and leads to the production of a pearl. In fact, a real pearl can be identified by its layers of nacre present. The thicker the nacre, the higher quality and more durable your pearl is against nicks, scratches and overall wear and tear.

Luster

Luster is a term used to describe a pearls ability to reflect light. The more translucent each layer of the pearl, the greater its ability to reflect light. You can visually determine a pearls luster by its ability to show your reflection or have shine to it. If the pearl is dull or really doesn’t have a reflection, then it is considered to be poor in quality.

Surface

A pearls surface can be described as clean, blemished or marked. The surface is basically how you see the pearl. Looking at it, do you see any marks or discolorations in its coating or color? If you do, these are the pearls blemishes or marks. If a pearl does not appear to have any, then it is described as clean. A pearl with a clean surface is considered to have a higher value than a pearl with a blemished surface. If you have your eyes set on a strand of clean pearls, be sure that the strand is uniform and that each pearl has a clean surface. While blemished pearls are considered to be lesser in value, they are still considered to be of good quality. Pearls whose surface is so poor generally do not make it to the jewelry stage.

Color

Colors of pearls vary from bright whites to rich shades of black. The color of the pearl will depend on the types of pearls you are looking at. For instance Akoya pearls generally come in whites with cream or pink overtones. Tahitian pearls on the other hand are most likely black or shades of gray. South Sea pearls meanwhile are generally associated with golden pearls.

The color of pearls really doesn’t affect the pricing of it. However you will want to be sure that all of the other quality factors still apply to the pearls you are considering. Your choice of colored pearls should be chosen carefully to compliment your skin tone. As a rule of thumb, people with tan or darker skin tones tend to find darker pearls or pearls with cream overtones to compliment their skin best. Women with lighter, fairer skin will find that pearls with pink or rose overtones work well.

Grades

With so many terms used to describe pearl jewelry, it’s not a wonder we felt the need to write this article! However, all of these characteristics can be combined and defined with a simple grade. Yes, pearls receive grades based upon their quality. There are three grades that can be assigned to a pearl ranging from A to AAA.

A pearl with a grade of AAA means these pearls are of the highest quality and greatest value. It means all of the characteristics listed out above are of the best conditioning. You can expect these types of pearls to be higher in price.

Pearl jewelry given a grade of AA is your middle of the road pearl. The pearls generally will be round or near-round shape and may have slight blemishes here and there. These and the rest of the qualities will either be considered of high quality or slightly below.

Lastly, pearl jewelry given an A generally means you’ll find a few more blemishes, a lower luster quality, and either a near round or semi-round shape. It is important to note that pearls with a lower grade do not necessarily mean they are not worth the investment. They are still quality, authentic pearls that have been matched with each other to create a uniform, cohesive set of pearl jewelry.

Perhaps you may not be able to remember all of the terminology, but knowing the significance of a pearls grade will ensure you will be able to select a quality piece of jewelry that is worth the asking price. Now you hopefully will be able to go into a jewelry shop, online or off, and will have a clear advantage to make a smart purchasing decision. Couple this information with knowing the different types of pearls available and you will be all set!

Beautiful and sparkling jewelry have always enticed women since their inception. Who can resist the temptation of getting those irresistible pearl earrings or beautiful gemstone jewelry to match that exquisite gown!An investment in a unique pearljewelry is a family heirloom. The beauty and majesty of the pearl is unmatched and incomparable. They make a bold style statement, while at the same time exuding elegance and grace.

Pearl jewelry have been royal treasures and the early interactions between the Europeans and the traders from South East and Central Asia made the natural gem a prized possession of the crème de la crème in society. This mainly springs from the fact that the pearl comes in so many natural and cultivated varieties and the charm of each is explicit and unique to behold. The risk involved in scooping this treasure of Mother Nature from the womb of the oyster and the treatment thereafter adds to the uniqueness of the pearl, whether a freshwater pearl or a cultured one. A unique pearl necklace is known to radiate a certain mystical charm and convert even the simplest attire into a celebration of fabric and gem!

When selecting a pearl necklace, it is essential to get educated on the six different types of pearl necklaces. There are collar pearl necklaces and chokers and the elegant princess varieties. Then the more contemporary matinee, opera and rope pearl necklaces are also real scene stealers. The collar pearl necklaces are ideally crafted between 10 and 13 inches in length. The collar variety of unique pearl necklaces is great as casual, as well as gorgeous evening wear. The unique choker pearl necklaces are designed between 16 and 18 inches in length. The freshwater pearl necklaces and the cultured pearls necklaces within this variety go great when teamed with essential formal wear.

The attractive princess pearl necklace is crafted to a length of between 17 and 20 inches and essentially fits into the wardrobe collection as graceful evening wear. These necklaces make a personal style statement at any social ‘do’ and are real master pieces. Then, there are the unique matinee pearl necklaces. These necklaces are designed to a length of 20 to 24 inches. They compliment business attire and formal suits. The unique matinee freshwater pearl necklace and the cultured pearl necklace is an essential component of any working woman’s wardrobe. The opera pearl necklaces are also unique in respect to the elegance and string length of between 28 to 34 inches. The opera pearl necklace is an absolute hit at special occasions, like formal corporate events or private parties.

Pearl jewellery are designed for people of different ages. The variety, other than whether they are fresh water pearl necklaces or cultured pearl necklaces, also includes difference in shape and form. You could choose to flaunt a simple single strand or multiple strands of pearls or highlight a single pearl pendant on a chain. There are many women who prefer to wear the necklaces closer to the neck, like chokers. These work wonders on highlighting smooth, unblemished skin, against a low neckline! You should be careful while making the investment and consider the surface, color, size, luster and shape of the pearl or pearls. Now, there are pearls that are treated to flaunt different hues and you should indulge in comparison shopping to identify the right color to suit your complexion and budget. The latter depends on whether the investment is in a unique fresh water pearl necklace, which are expensive or a cultured pearl necklace, which is cheaper.

Beading for Children

Beading for Children

Simple ideas that don’t require fancy tools or expensive materials include beaded key chains, friendship and name bracelets, necklaces, and bookmarks. For each of these projects, pony beads are the perfect option because they are economical and easy to find at your local bead or craft store. Personalized key chains can be created with just a bag of alphabet beads, a key ring and thick cotton cording or plastic lacing. With just a spool of stretch string, kids can also very easily create friendship or name bracelets. Beads offer variety in shapes, sizes and colors, so that children can create an array of unique designs and never get bored. Stretch cord is perfect because it is easy to knot (using a surgeon’s knot is recommended).

Bookmarks can be easily created by adding beads or charms to the ends of a piece of cording. The cording is placed between the pages and the beaded ends dangle from the outer edges of the book.

For simple, yet professional looking jewelry, use a crimp tool with flexible beading wire and crimp beads. Use the tool to attach clasps to necklaces and bracelets. This technique can be used with single strand and multi-strand pieces. Instructions can usually by found on the packaging of any quality crimp tool.

For more advanced projects, macramé techniques can be used to create beaded friendship bracelets or hemp bracelets. Kids can get creative by using a variety of beads and cording. Embroidery floss and hemp are available in many colors and will provide endless possibilities when combined with beads.

Beading projects are perfect for summer, weekends and rainy days. Kids will have fun creating jewelry they can wear and give as gifts. Bead crafts can be done as a pair, a group or individually.

To get started, visit your local bead shop for expert advice on basic supplies and techniques. You can also find project ideas and additional resources on the internet or at your local library or bookstore.

Where do I get new ideas?

Where do I get new ideas?


Ideas seldom come from the people who lead your business. They are so engrossed by the demands of reaching targets end getting through all the work every day.


Ideas often come from new people that have just started working for you. They see the business with new eyes. Many of us get used to the small inconsistencies or inadequacies that gradually become acceptable. We do not see our own mistakes anymore. It often needs someone looking in to point out the inconsistencies. So ask the new hires if they have any ideas.


You also get new ideas from people on the periphery. Ask the cleaners or the packers. If you are on the perimeter you might have a dozen good ideas.


The front line workers know all the shortcuts. Work with them for a day and see what they do. You will get plenty of good ideas.


Your customers will also give you ideas. Customers do know what they want, they do know what they like, and if you show them new things they will quickly tell them what they think. Starbucks often use this method to test new drinks. If you want to gather up great ideas you must set up listening posts where your customers can talk to you. They will appreciate the opportunity and you will learn a lot.

You can also learn from great companies in other industries. If you are in retail you can find out how a great airline sell the same seats over and over again. If you are in decorating you can visit great hotels where you can see their take on interior decorating. The history of innovation is full of 'geniuses' who begged, borrowed and stole ideas from one category and simply applied them to another.

Here are a few time-tested techniques for coming up with great ideas.

1. Focus on quantity, not quality. Most of us think we have to wait for one big killer idea to strike. In the process we ignore or screen out a myriad of smaller interesting, useful, clever ideas. But the truth is, they are all worth considering. You never know when a small idea will morph into a big one. So love them all.

2. Collect them all. Once you get into the ideas generating business, you will want to collect all the ideas you can get your hands on. When you think of an idea, write it down. When you see something interesting, write it down. You should carry a notebook with you. You should transfer these ideas to your computer where you can pick through what you have collected, review it and see what really stand out.

3. Get outside of your comfort zone. If you want new ideas, the best thing to do is to go looking for them. Do you get ideas from magazines? Go to the nearest magazine rack and buy five magazines that you never read. If you do beading you can buy a cookbook or a garden magazine, ideas come from a spark. If you are a historian, try and read a novel. Try and develop your peripheral vision. You will be surprised what you notice when you are in unfamiliar territory.

4. Travel. They say that travel is broadening but it is also deepening. The enemy of new ideas is the familiar. So go someplace new. If you can't go to an exotic country, you can read the travel guidebook as if you are going to travel there. At a minimum try and eat at an exotic restaurant. Open up the borders of your mind.

5. Reach out and touch someone. Make a list of people whose minds you genuinely respect. Make it a point to call them on a regular basis for a conversation. All you have to ask is. "What's new?" Then listen and take notes. Journalist does it all the time. It is called, developing sources. Try it in your business, it works.

6. Get taught. Sign up for a class. Generating ideas is part of learning. It could be anything. Gardening, cooking, a new language or photography. Your mind will open. Once you start noticing new things in class you will notice them at work too.

I hope I have given you some food for thought. I do this all the time and I also get new ideas. I want you to succeed and make tons of money.

Gerdus.

The coffee I just had came from Portugal and was percolated in our Swiss made coffee machine. It tasted real good.

Is beading on a decline or not?

Is beading on a decline or not? Just yesterday someone told me of a local beading concern that closed.

I guess it all depends from which angle you are looking at the beading hobby. I believe that beading is here to stay. Once a beader, always a beader. The satisfaction that comes from making your own creations gives you loads of joy.

I hunted around for some indication on the internet if bead shops are indeed in trouble. This is what I found.

Lolly wrote this

My LBS is in the process of being sold, hopefully. The owner sorta gave up on it when she started having some minor health problems. BUT, I recently visited some shops in New Orleans and Baton Rouge where I shop once in awhile. Two of the shops are not as busy as they were a year ago and have down-sized the beading part. Both shops have put in a line of other things that interest women,,i.e. handbags, soaps, candles, etc. One of the shops is pushing bead embroidery big time and has classes all the time. One of the shops even down-sized the amount of space it use to rent in the mini mall. SO, it may be that the jewelry business boom of several years ago is on the down-side. However, remember, "what goes around,comes around". It may leave for awhile but it will arise again. I think that the people who are well entrenched in the business will survive. Others might not be so fortunate. We'll see.

This gives me food for thought and at Silver Hills we have found that people need better quality. The discerning buyer do not mind paying for quality. Rare and aesthetic beads usually carries a higher price tag because they retain their "investment" value and will be passed down as inheritance jewellery from one generation to the next. My daughter is already eyeing my wifes jewellery. Most of the jewellery she designed herself from Silver Hills Gems stock.

John Madsen wrote this

It wouldn't be all that unusual for an industry to change its' point-of-sale model as it matures - look at the music industry, the mortgage industry, the video film ibndustry, etc. What I think a lot of beadstores did not do was figure out what their customers were actually buying - discretionary spending almost always buys something other than merchandise - people are buying some kind of experience - when you don't provide it, your merchandise becomes a commodity, and price rules - plus, I think a lot of the store managers who've been around a few years are getting bored by dealing with "newbies" - and it shows - lots of sucky attitudes in stores - john

We make a point of listening to our clients and we keep on buying the fast sellers again and again. The new stock that is on its way will prove this again. Many of our clients have been buying from us from the first day we opened and they are still with us. We have even lowered our prices now.

Theresa J wrote this

In June, one of my favorite bead stores in San Francisco went out of business. Beadissimo was not only a great little bead shop, in a great location, but also offered amazing classes plus free monthly open studio nights where you could go and use all of their fabulous metalsmithing tools. They also hosted trunk shows, brunches with themes, and swap nights - my personal favorite as you would show up with items you wanted to trade or swap with others. I found it a great way to "get rid of" items I was no longer inspired to use -- those destash items -- and trade for some really amazing items that I would most definitely find a use for. They had only been in business for 5-1/2 years, but had become quite the spot in the local beading and jewelry making community. I was distressed not only because of the loss of one of my favorite shops, but also because of the bigger picture. This kind of business was the perfect model for what I had been incubating in my brain for years as the type of business I personally wanted to own some day -- sort of my dream. It's closing left me feeling that my dream was a pipe dream.Then, to add fuel to the fire, at the end of July, I got another email informing me that The Bead Shop in Palo Alto on University Avenue was also closing. Again, a great little bead shop with location, location, location, great classes, etc. and it was closing after 26 years! This is the message they sent out: "After 26 years of passionately serving the beading community, The Bead Shop is closing at the end of August. The decision to close did not come easily. Vendors have chosen to go directly to beaders and many beaders enjoy the selection and pricing online and at gem shows. It's understandable; the marketplace is changing. Maintaining a full-service bead store in the midst of this shift has become impossible for us. " Then they listed their final sales and last classes, but in closing, stated, "Please be well and support the other bead stores on the peninsula and east bay."While I am an avid online shopper as well as a huge gem show fan and shopper, I still frequent all of the local bead shops in my area, as well as usually add them to my list of things to check out when I'm traveling to other areas, both for shopping and for classes/workshops/etc. I think we all need to remember to support our local, small, independent brick and mortar businesses. It would truly be a shame if they go the way of the dinosaur!



At Silver Hills we import all our items straight from the factories and because of our selections we will not likely go the same route as the guys above. I have considered opening more branches but then it will mean employing more staff and working so much harder. At the moment we are still experiencing growth. We have found ways to be more competitive. We are now giving a 10% reward voucher for all customers who purchase a combined total of R2500. I have also dropped my wholesale price with a further 10%. That is a price swing of 20%. That is what I call great value. I ask you to compare our new prices. But our strength lies in the quality of our beads. We select only the best. I can also buy cheap discounted items and sell these at bargain basement prices but this will be the beginning of the end of our shop. Once people realize that the quality at Silver Hills is no longer up to standard they will stop buying from us. You might have good sales for a season when you sell cheap items but when the item is made it will look cheap. We sell quality at affordable prices. This is our philosophy. We stick by it. It works for us.

I often lament that I do not have the same supply base as the bigger American suppliers. We do not have acces to many of the brand names. But let me tell you something. You can make jewellery with any material. There is not just one way. Be creative. We live in Africa. Use the material that you find here.

Phone us at 012 2531396 or 012 2531846 for more details.

Prayer beads or Rosaries

Prayer beads or Rosaries are used by members of various religions such as Roman Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Bahá'í Faith to count the repetitions of prayers, chants or devotions. They may also be used for meditation, protection from negative energy, or for relaxation.

Contents

1 Use

1.1 Structure

2 Hinduism

3 Buddhism

4 Christianity

5 Islam

6 Sikhism

Use

Prayer beads may have physical, metaphysical and psychological effects on their users. Since the beads are fingered in an automatic manner, they allow the user to keep track of how many prayers have been said with a minimal amount of conscious effort, which in turn allows greater attention to be paid to the prayers themselves.

There are three widely accepted uses for Prayer beads:




Repetition of the same devotion a set (usually large) number of times. This is the earliest form of prayer beads (the Japa Mala) and the earliest Christian form (the prayer rope). This is also the type in use by the Bahá'í Faith


Repetition of several different prayers in some pattern, possibly interspersed with or accompanied by meditations.


Meditation on a series of spiritual themes, as in e.g. Islam or Catholicism.



Structure

The number of beads also vary depending on the different religions, Islamic prayer beads, called "Tesbih", "Tasbih" or "Misbaha", usually have either 99 or 33 beads. Buddhists and Hindu Brahmanists use the Japa Mala which usually has 108 beads, or 27 which are counted four times. Baha'i prayer beads consist of either 95 beads or 19 beads strung with the addition of five beads below. The Sikh Mala also has 108 beads. The Greek "komboloi" has an odd number of beads -- usually one more than a multiple of four, e.g. (4x4)+1, (5x4)+1. Roman Catholics use the "Rosary" (Latin "rosarium", meaning "rose garden") with 54 with an additional five beads whereas Eastern Orthodox Christians use a knotted "Rosary" with 100 knots, although "prayer ropes" with 50 or 33 knots can also be used. Although Anglicans have not in the past used rosaries, in the 1980s Rev. Lynn Bauman from the Episcopal church in the United States introduced a Rosary for Anglicans with 33 beads[1].



Hinduism

Hindu Japa mala prayer beads, made from Tulasi wood, with the head bead in the foreground.Main article: Hindu prayer beads

The earliest use of prayer beads can be traced to Hinduism, where they are called Japa Mala. Japa is the repeating of the name of a deity or a mantra. Mala (Sanskrit:????;mala) means "garland" or "wreath".[2]

Japa mala are used for repetition of a mantra, for other forms of sadhana (spiritual exercise), and as an aid to meditation. The most common mala have 108 beads.[3] The most common materials used for making the beads are Rudraksha seeds (used by Shaivites) and Tulsi stem (used by Vaishnavites).



Buddhism

Japanese Zen Buddhist prayer beads (Juzu)Prayer beads, or Japa Malas, are also used in many forms of Mahayana Buddhism, often with a lesser number of beads (usually a divisor of 108). In Pure Land Buddhism, for instance, 27 bead malas are common. In China such malas are named "Shu-Zhu" (??); in Japan, "Juzu". These shorter malas are sometimes called 'prostration rosaries', because they are easier to hold when enumerating repeated prostrations. In Tibetan Buddhism malas are also 108 beads: one mala counts as 100 mantras, and the 8 extra are meant to be dedicated to all sentient beings (the practice as a whole is dedicated at its end as well). In Tibetan Buddhism, often larger malas are used of for example 111 beads: when counting, they calculate one mala as 100 mantras, and the 11 additional beads are taken as extra to compensate for errors.

Various type of materials are used to make mala beads such as seeds of the rudraksha tree, beads made from the wood of the tulasi plant, animal bone, wood or seeds from the Bodhi tree or seeds of the lotus plant. Semi-precious stones like carnelian and amethyst is also used. Another commonly used material is sandalwood.[4]



Christianity

Greek Orthodox komboskini of 100 knots.The Desert Fathers of the 3rd to 5th century, used knotted ropes to count prayers, typically the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"). The invention is attributed to St Anthony or his associate St Pachomius in the 4th century.

Catholics and some Anglicans use the Holy Rosary with 54 + additional 5 beads as prayer beads. The Rosary's name comes from the Latin "rosarium", meaning "rose garden" and is an important and traditional devotion of the Roman Catholic Church, combining prayer and meditation in sequences (called "decades") of an Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, and a Glory Be to the Father, as well as a number of other prayers (such as the Apostle's Creed and the Hail Holy Queen) at the beginning and end. The prayers are accompanied by meditation on the Mysteries, events in the life and minstry of Jesus.

Catholics also use prayer beads to pray chaplets. Their rosary beads are composed of crucifix and center which can be made of sterling silver and/or gold; beads are usually made of glass, amethyst, rose quartz stone, crystal, black onyx, lavender glass or pearl.[5]

An Old Believer Russian Orthodox lestovka, made out of leather.Eastern Orthodox Christian use prayer-ropes with 33, 50, or 100 knots. The loops of knotted wool (or occasionally of beads), called chotki or komboskini to pray the Jesus Prayer. Although among the Orthodox, their use is mainly restricted to monks and bishops, being less common among laity or secular clergy. Among Russian Old Believers, a prayer rope made of leather, called 'lestovka', is more common, although this type is no longer commonly used now by the Russian Orthodox Church. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "The rosary is conferred upon the Greek Orthodox monk as a part of his investiture with the mandyas or full monastic habit, as the second step in the monastic life, and is called his 'spiritual sword'."

Hand-carved Roman Catholic rosary beads.In the mid-1980s an Anglican Rosary or "Christian prayer beads" was developed in the Episcopal Church (United States) by Rev. Lynn C. Bauman[7]. However, his authority in church matters is unclear, particularly as he has since been 'de-frocked'[8]. The set consists of 33 beads (representing the 33 years of the life of Christ) arranged in four groupings of symbolic significance. These 'Anglican Rosaries' continue to be promoted via internet websites but it is not known whether they been adopted by any Protestant group in any formal sense. Many Anglo-Catholics use the Catholic rosary, and may also be using these Anglican prayer beads.

Pearls of LifeThe contemporary "Pearls of Life"[9], invented by Martin Lönnebo, Bishop Emeritus of the Linköping Diocese of the Swedish Lutheran Church, is a set of 18 beads, some round and some elongated, arranged in an irregular pattern. Each one has its own significance as a stimulus and reminder for meditation, although they can also be used for repetitive prayer.

While there are liturgical churches using prayer beads in prayer, non liturgical Christian churches do not use them.



Islam

A MisbahaIn Islam, bismillah prayer beads are referred to as Misbaha or Tasbih, and contain 99 beads, corresponding to the 99 Names of Allah. Sometimes only 33 beads are used, in which case one would cycle through them three times to equal 99. Use of the misbaha to count prayers and recitations is an evolution of Muhammad's practice of using the fingers of his right hand to keep track.[citation needed] While widely used today, some adherents of Wahhabism shun them as an intolerable innovation, preferring to stick to the exact method believed to have been used by Muhammad.[citation needed] Their use as a religious item has somewhat diminished over the years, except among adherents of the Sufi orders, and many use them nowadays strictly as worry beads and as status symbols.

Though the fact that prayer beads are mainly used just as worry beads may be contested, since many of the Iraqis often use prayer beads to count Allah's name.



Sikhism

Sikhs, pray with 108 beads. Sikhs also pray regularly and meditate by repeating God's name, often with the aid of rosary beads[11]. The founder of the religion, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, is often depicted in paintings with the mala in his hand.

Personal note from Gerdus

I believe that salvation is through faith in God. Prayer beads should only be used to help you focus your faith. I do not use any prayer beads myself. I try to pray daily and believe that spirituality can only be imparted by God from the inside out. God lives on the inside. He said that without Him we can do nothing. He also said that there is no other name by which man can be saved but the name of Jesus.