Happy 2009 from MrBead! Bead Resolutions, Garnet, New Beads, & Old Newsletters

This month is New Year bead resolutions, January's birthstone garnet + our old newsletters. Scroll down, or click one of the links below on the html version to go to a certain section.

For the HTML version with color pictures click http://www.mrbead.com/december08.htm

New Year Bead Resolutions
Garnet - January's gemstone
New Beads
Old MrBead Newsletters
Free 2008 Calendar
Free Shipping up to 6th January 09

New Year Bead Resolutions

New Years is a wonderful time to start something new. People make resolutions to eat better, exercise more, quit bad habits - but how many of us make resolutions about our beading? What better way to imprint the positive habit of creativity, by enjoying time with our beads and making new projects. It can help you find time to do a little something creative almost every day. And what could be a better resolution than that?

Now is the time to decide what you'd like to make to start your New Year's beading projects. This can be a large or small project, a necklace or bracelet, an intricate item, even wall hanging. Or something significant, such as a baby announcement for a new child or grandchild, a wedding announcement in beads, a beaded plaque with a quote that means something important to you or loved ones.

The important thing is not to think I'll start when "I get around to it" & you must start right away, go for it! You don't have to have every item you'll need to complete the project to begin. And it doesn't have to take all day - just set aside an hour or so to get the project started. As long as you have something to begin. Often you'll find new beads along the way that will fit perfectly with the project.

Make a list of all supplies you need for the project. Tick off what you already have and order online what's missing. Check for beading thread, needles, a loom if it necessary, the pattern, any instructions or tutorials you'll need, a bead board etc. Also, make sure that you have a place to do the beading, any work surface covers, plus somewhere to store the project while you're not working. Keep the work in a secure place so it will not be tipped over accidentally or knocked off a shelf.

Plan some time, at least an hour, to get your new beading project underway. Have all the supplies you'll need in one spot so you can sit down and begin beading. If you need a particular book or print-out, be sure to have it ready to use. Mark the place in the book or have instructions from the internet printed out for reference. If you know you have some of the supplies on hand but that they are "buried", take a few minutes to dig them out and look over.

You don't want to be put off a new project because the thread is the wrong color or your clippers are too dull. If you are missing something for your project, you can often substitute it for something else. Use your imagination with what you have. Customizing or changing a published beading pattern is a way to add a bit of "you" to the original designer's creative vision and makes your beading even more special.

Gather all the items you have, even if it's just the beading needle, thread and pattern. If you have none of the other supplies, then at least thread the needle and read through the pattern. You could take time to mark rows on the pattern or to gather tools and look through the beads in your stash to work into the project. Go for it! Once you've taken the first step - the rest, including beads, tools and time to bead, will come easy!

Garnet - January's gemstone

Garnet is January's birthstone, a name given to over ten gemstones with similar chemical structure. Although red occurs most, there are also shades of green, pale to bright yellow and fiery orange garnet. Some rare garnets even change color from daylight to artificial light. "Garnet" derives from the Latin "granum" meaning "grain". Describing the typically rounded shape of the gemstone and also reminds of pomegranate seeds.

Garnet makes good jewelry because it is very hard, and so resistant to wear. Garnet has been found in jewelry from ancient Greece, Rome, and dating back to 3100 BC in Egypt. Chinese and Japanese warriors made bullets out of garnet because they believed that these would inflict more damage. Even Noah used a lantern from garnet to steer his Ark through the night. Travelers wore garnets for protection from evil, poison and wounds. People thought garnet brightened the night because of its high refraction of light. It was also believed to help depression and prevent nightmares. A red garnet in particular is said to break a fever, stop bleeding and to reduce inflammation.

Today, garnet is prized for its beauty rather than its magical powers. People like its naturalness, its brilliance, and color of a sun-drenched Indian summer. Garnet is said to symbolize happiness as well as deep and enduring love and friendships. Green garnets are the rarest and therefore highly prized. Emerald green and colorless garnet is next rarest, followed by pure red. Garnet comes today mainly from Africa, but also from India, Russia, central and south America. Skilled gem cutters all over the world shape them in classical forms and modern fancy designer's cuts. to top

To see all garnet in our bead store click here

New Beads - click any to buy:

Lavender Web Agate Barrel
14mm Lavender Web Agate
Slinky Yellow & Green Carnelian Rondells
Glossy Oval Brazilian Agate
Twist Oval Purple Agate
Sparkling FAC 10mm Amethyst
Graduated Amethyst Beads
Regal Red Jade Graduated
Round Nose Beading Pliers
50 Grenade Barrel Spacers
10 Large Oval Natural Wood
10 Large Carved Dragon & Phoenix
Unusual 8mm Blue Aventurine
Black Millefiori Flower Tubes
Green Azurite Chrysocolla
10 Large Tangerine Coral

All What's New MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk

45 months of MrBead Newsletters

Everything About Pearls - from MrBead..... Mailed: Apr 24 2005
Jade Jewelry & How to Make it ...... Mailed: May 22 2005
All about Turquoise - from MrBead ...... Mailed: Jun 26 2005
Summer Beads - Carnelian & Peridot ...... Mailed: Jul 24 2005
Buying Beads ...... Mailed: Aug 28 2005
Opal, Tourmaline, & Chip Beads ...... Mailed: Sep 25 2005
How to Sell Beads Online, Citrine, Yellow Topaz, & Lampwork ...... Mailed: Oct 23 2005
Happy Christmas from MrBead! ...... Mailed: Nov 27 2005
Happy 2006! ...... Mailed: Jan 1 2006
Amethyst - February's Stone + Much More! ...... Mailed: Jan 29 2006
Aquamarine & How to Make $1,000s Selling Beads! ...... Mailed: Feb 26 2006
Diamonds, E-Jewelry Parties & Mother's Day ...... Mailed: Mar 26 2006
Emerald, Bead Shapes & Jade ...... Mailed: April 30 2006
Pearls, Moonstone & Wedding Beads! ...... Mailed: May 28 2006
Ruby, Carnelian, Findings, & Chips ...... Mailed: June 25 2006
Summer Peridot, Onyx, Flaked Stone, Donut Beads & More! Mailed: July 30 2006
Sapphire, Quartz, Coral, & Measuring Beads ...... Mailed: August 27 2006
Opal and How to Buy Beads Retail, Wholesale & Online Mailed: September 24 2006
A Spooky Halloween with Orange and Black Beads! ...... Mailed: October 15 2006
Cheeky Chips, Presentation, Citrine & Yellow Topaz ...... Mailed: October 29 2006
Christmas Beads & Great Present Ideas ...... Mailed: November 12 2006
Merry Christmas, Turquoise Beads, Selling Online, & Gem Properties Mailed: November 26 2006
Happy 2007 from MrBead! Garnet & a Bead Crossword Mailed: January 1 2007
Amethyst, Lampwork, Bead Boards & Bead Storage Mailed: January 28 2007
New Beads & Chinese Year of the Pig! Mailed: February 11 2007
Aquamarine - March's Stone + How are Beads Made, Mala Beads & More! Mailed: February 28 2007
Millefori: Spring Beads, Lava Beads, & Diamonds Mailed: April 1st 2007
Emerald, Moonstone, & Findings Mailed: April 29th 2007
Spring Pearls & Chalcedony ...... Mailed: May 27th 2007
Jewelry Parties, Frame Beads, Ruby & Carnelian Mailed: July 1st 2007
Summer Peridot, Natural Color, & What's New? Mailed: July 29th 2007
How to take Photos that Sell, Sapphire, & Man-made Gems Mailed: August 26th 2007
Glass, Coral, & Opal Beads Mailed: September 30th 2007
Buying Bead Tips, Citrine & Yellow Topaz Mailed: October 28th 2007
Merry Christmas, Xmas & Turquoise Beads Mailed: November 25th 2007
Happy 2008 from MrBead! Bead Sizes, Garnet, & a Bead Crossword Mailed: January 1st 2008
Everything about Making a Necklace, & Amethyst: February's Gemstone Mailed: January 27th 2008
Latest from MrBead with Free Shipping + year of the Rat! Mailed: February 12th 2008
Jade Beads & Aquamarine - March's Stone Mailed: March 2nd 2008
Agate Beads, Mother's Day & Diamonds - April's Stone Mailed: March 30th 2008
Briolette & Wedding Beads + Emerald, May's Gemstone Mailed: April 27th 2008
Pearl Beads & Bead Necklace Ideas Mailed: June 1st 2008
How to make a Bead Bracelet, Lave Beads, & Ruby Mailed: July 4th 2008
Summer Beads & What's New Mailed: August 11th 2008
Selling Beads Online, Sapphire for September & More Mailed: August 31st 2008
Autumn Jewelry & Opal Beads for October Mailed: September 28th 2008
Citrine, Yellow Topaz, Chips & Xmas Ideas Mailed: November 1st 2008
Christmas & Turquoise Beads Mailed: November 30th 2008

December marks 45 months of MrBead newsletter, and I thank you all for your appreciation. Any suggestions for future newsletters would be appreciated, just email suggestions@mrbead.com

New Year Calendars

For Free 2009 Calendars click here
Free Printable US 2009 Calendar here

Free Shipping Offer!

Sample our beads with free airmail shipping off any order from our MrBead bead store, just key in "2009" at the checkout (without the inverted commas) and click "Redeem Coupon". The more you order: the more you save!

Free shipping to Tuesday 6th January only - order NOW! For use in our store at the checkout only and not valid for wholesale or with any other offers.

To see more What's New click MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk
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