Year of the Ox, Valentine & Amethyst Beads

To see the web version of this newsletter with photos click https://www.beadnewsletter.co.uk/february-2021

We’re hoping shows can return in March. Meanwhile, beaders must order supplies online. MrBead offers a no question refund policy – you have nothing to loose!

We hope to organise some smaller bead fairs in the spring. If you fancy one near you and know a good hall available, let me know?

See our new online shop at: https://mrbeadshop.com

Content:
Valentine’s Day Beads
Happy Year of the Ox
Amethyst Beads For February
2021 Monthly Beading Planner
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VALENTINE’S DAY BEADS

Valentine’s Day is the most romantic holiday, and jewellery is the most romantic gift – because the benefactor will always remember the giver. It’s one of the best times to sell jewellery.

Contact your customers’ to promote Valentine’s Day. You can tell them ‘if you think it’s time to give your love a special Valentine’s Day jewellery gift, it probably is’!

Necklaces are the obvious gift, like pearl: everyone loves a pearl necklace.

Bracelets and earrings are also suitable. A matching necklace and bracelet or earring is even better, especially boxed.

Heart-themed jewellery is special because it sends a message of love. Simple pendant necklaces make good presents, with the words ‘Love’, her name, her birthstone or stone of the month.

Charm bracelets also make wonderful valentine gifts. Extra charms can be added each year, every few months, or on special occasions – giving you a reason to contact the customer suggesting an addition. A charm bracelet can tell a story or history of the wearer’s life or personality. See our article on Charm Beads.

Hearts, pastel colours and flirty curves are the way to go. And remember “presentation is everything” – so dainty pink and red boxes are a must.

Ideas for Valentine:

Make anything personal, using heart beads, and red and pink pastel colours.

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HAPPY YEAR OF THE OX 2021

The new Year of the Ox starts 12th February 2021. A dynamic, yet peaceful and better year.

Each animal in the Chinese zodiac is divided into elements with slightly different characteristics – this Yin Year is a White Metal Ox. Metal Ox’s are strong, reliable, and can make unlucky events fortunate, but it takes hard work.

Predictions For This Year of The Ox
Harder, smarter and disciplined work will pay off for everyone. There’ll be more environmental and spiritual focus, with advances in medicine and technology. A good year for lifestyle change, but stay focused, be cautious with money and look after your lungs.

This is the beginning of a transition from an industrial path to high-tech. Globally, things will remain fluid. Apart from coronavirus and political problems, there could be man-made and natural disasters. 2021 will bring challenges, so be prepared by getting everything in order.

In Europe, poorer countries will suffer economically. Unemployment will rise over 8% in the US, and the dollar weaken. There may be a terror attack in the Middle East. China will open more and perform well financially.

If You Are an Ox
Ox people are strong, patient, faithful and kind – but stubborn, slow and bad communicating. This year will be tough, but perseverance will be rewarded with prosperity and luck. Focus on your goals and increase responsibility.

You should do well with love, but save money and exercise more. Best partners are a rat, snake or rooster – least harmonious with a goat, horse or tiger. Best jobs: anything routine, agriculture, manufacturing, pharmacy, engineering, arts, real estate or carpentry.

Ox Years
25/01/1925 to 12/02/26, 11/02/37 to 30/01/38, 29/01/49 to 16/02/50, 15/02/61 to 04/02/62, 03/02/73 to 22/01/74, 20/02/85 to 08/02/86, 07/02/97 to 27/02/98, 26/01/2009 to 13/02/10, 11/02/21 to 31/01/22, 31/01/33 to 18/01/34.

Famous Ox People
Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen, Charley Chaplin, Dustin Hoffman, George Clooney, Jack Nicholson, Jane Fonda, Margaret Thatcher, Princess Diana, Vincent Van Gogh & Walt Disney.

Ox Likes
Lucky Colours: white, grey & yellow. Numbers: 1, 4, 7, 9. Gemstones: Lapis Lazuli. Western zodiac equivalent: Capricorn.

Click for a lucky Chinese Jade Ox Pendant, or other Chinese new year charms

AMETHYST FOR FEBRUARY - THE ROYAL PURPLE POPE STONE

What is Amethyst?
Amethyst is the gemstone for February, and for those born under the zodiac of Pisces.

Also called the Royal Purple Pope Stone, the purple variety of quartz. If it wasn’t so abundant, amethyst would be very expensive.

Its name comes from the Greek, meaning not drunken. Perhaps due to a belief that amethyst would sober the effects of alcohol. However, I find this doesn’t work!

Amethyst is always purple, but comes in shades of pale lilac to deep purple. Deeper colours are more valuable – milky amethyst is the cheapest.

Amethyst is mined in South American, but the best in Africa. Very dark amethyst, mostly in small sizes, also comes from Australia.

Mythology
According to Greek mythology, Dionysus, the God of Intoxication was angered by an insult from a mere mortal and swore revenge on the next mortal that crossed his path, creating fierce tigers to carry out his wish.

Along came unsuspecting Amethyst, a beautiful young maiden on her way to pay tribute to the goddess Diana. Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of pure crystalline quartz to protect her from the brutal claws. Dionysus wept tears of wine at the sight of the beautiful statue. The god’s tears stained the quartz purple, creating the gem we know today!

The Church & Crown
Purple has long been considered a royal colour, featured in the British Crown Jewels and a favorite of ancient Egyptian royalty. Leonardo Da Vinci wrote that “amethyst could dissipate evil thoughts and accelerate intelligence”.

Because amethyst was believed to encourage celibacy and symbolize piety, it was very important in the ornamentation of churches in the middle ages. Amethyst is still the stone of bishops’ who often wear amethyst rings. Even in Tibet, amethyst is considered sacred to the Buddha.

Benefits
Amethyst’s sobering and calming qualities is why it’s considered to have the power to purify and bring peace.

It’s also believed to boost low energy and heal at all levels of mind, body and spirit. Amethyst is especially useful to calm overworked minds as it brings mental strength, stability, and reduces negativity.

Amethyst also supports all that is transitional. Especially death and rebirth – providing peace of mind when a loved one passes. Some believe amethyst can help toothache, bone and joint discomforts and the stomach.

In yoga, amethyst aids the 6th Chakra, the Third Eye, center of the body’s spiritual power. Because amethyst heightens awareness, both spiritual and psychic – increasing intuition and psychic development and transition from a normal state of consciousness to a deeper awareness.

Amethyst Jewellery Design
Amethyst jewellery sells well because it has never gone out of fashion. In fact new-agers have made it more popular than ever.

It’s dark royal colour oozes style. Amethyst goes well with silver, clear crystal and other subtle colours. If you make hand-crafted jewellery; design matching necklaces, bracelets, and earrings to offer more choice to your customers. Don’t overpower your design with too much amethyst – add lots of silver spacers and findings to balance.

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HOW TO MAKE AN AMETHYST NECKLACE

These are the steps of MiMi making an amethyst necklace using our amethyst nuggets and fancy drop beads (numbers are as pictures on web-version of this newsletter).

1)Get all materials ready: nylon wire, crimping beads & 5mm stardust gold spacers, crystal rondelle beads, crimping pliers, wire cutter, catches, all beads.
2)Slide 2mm crimp bead onto wire and insert wire into eye on clasp
3)Loop and connect crimp bead.
4 & 5) Crimp attached to eye on clasp, and squeezing crimp bead closed.
6 & 7) Thread the beads into the wire.
8) Repeat steps 2 to 5 to secure the other end of the necklace.
9) Cutting off excess wire
10)Finished.

2021 MONTHLY BEADING PLANNER

If you haven’t downloaded our beading planner yet – do it right away!

TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE 2021 BEAD PLANNER IN PDF FORMAT CLICK: 2021 BEADING PLANNER

Then save to your Desktop so you can easily find it. This planner will help you organize your beading projects and craft fairs in 2021 (yes, there will be some).

Print it out and write your schedule and bookings in the date boxes. It lists the gemstone of the month to help you plan ahead.

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