Beading 103: Enchanted Circles Earrings

Beading 117: Trash to Treasures

New Wire Working Classes:

Wire Working 105: Key to Your Heart Necklace

Wire Working 114: Inderweaving Delight

Wire Working 154: Valentine’s Tiara

Wire Working 155: Stardust Earrings

when all through the store

the beaders were thrilled

to find beads, charms and more

So many choices

to make gifts for all

and spread holiday cheer

to the tall and the small.

*Come check out our HUGE selection of Christmas beads!

Thanksgiving is almost here!

Come check out our NEW selection of Thanksgiving beads and jewelry!

Excellent for gifts to those you are thankful for, or decor around the table.

*Fun idea:

Try our stretch bracelets as napkin holders that your guests can keep!

A big thank you to all of the wonderful contestants!

$2.95 each

Buy more and save:

buy 2 to 5 pairs for $2.50 each,

and 6 to 11 pairs for only $2.00

Aluminum wire now available in our findings room

Brand new and available NOW:

Aluminum wire in tons of COLORS!

Try it in your next wire working project! It’s light weight, costs less, and just as twist and turnable and copper!

It is an excellent choice as an alternative to  sterling-silver wire.

Color themes to match your favorite NFL or College team, these are a great way to show who’s side you’re on.

Rah rah rah! Cheer your team on in style!

Show off your goulish side with ghosts, witches, skulls, pumkins, and more!

*Interesting facts about Halloween:

The tradition of carving pumpkins into Jack-o’-lanterns stems from an old tradition of Catholics in Ireland and Scotland in which they would carve turnips into lanterns on October 31^st – the night before All Saints Day – in remembrance of souls held in purgatory.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

How well do you know this famous gemstone?

Take the quiz below to find out!

1. Which of the following gemstones is closely related to sapphire, only differing in color?
   1. Garnet
   2. Ruby
   3. Chrysophrase
   4. Lapis Lazuli
2. Sapphires that are pink-orange in color are also known as:
   1. Padparadscha
   2. Aventurine
   3. Moonstone
   4. Topaz
3. Sapphires are extremely hard, even more so than quartz:
   1. True
   2. False
4. In which of the following US cities are you most likely to find natural sapphire mining?
   1. Atlanta, GA
   2. Seattle, WA
   3. Phoenix, AZ
   4. Helena, MT
5. The name sapphire comes from the Greek word “sappheiros”, meaning:
   1. Stone of the gods
   2. Water stone
   3. Blue stone
   4. Healing stone

(answers are listed below photo)

Scoring: 1)Ruby; 2)Padparadscha; 3)True; 4)Helena, MT; 5)Blue stone

For more info about sapphires, check out our source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapphire

Jewelry is being used not just as decoration but as a public statement for important social causes such as breast cancer and AIDS awareness, domestic violence prevention, and poverty.

At South Sun we have a wonderful selection of beads and charms featuring colored awareness ribbons and other items to make your own meaningful designs, as well as our own for you to try.

October is right around the corner and is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) so now is a great time to show you care about this worthy cause.

Here is a little more information about NBCA:

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) (also referred to in America as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM)) is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

As well as providing a platform for breast cancer charities to raise awareness of their work and of the disease, BCAM is also a prime opportunity to remind women to be breast aware for earlier detection.

For more info about breast cancer and BCAM check out our source at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_cancer_awareness

Or check out the National Breast Cancer Foundation to learn more or to donate to help save lives:
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/How-To-Help/?gclid=CJCWwI-EwKoCFcl66wodcEF37A

Shell pearls are man-made, but don’t let that fool you. These modern wonders are not glass or plastic. They are carefully constructed in laboratories from the shells of oysters. The inner linking of oyster shells, also known as Mother of Pearl, is what forms pearls in nature. This inner lining is used to create the bead, which is coated and polished to create the shape and texture desired.

Why are shell pearls preferred?

Due to the manufacturing process, shell pearls can be found in uniform shape and size at an affordable price, and stand the test of time much better than other pearl alternatives or even the real thing.

The shell pearl is more durable, as it will not be damaged by perfume or sweat (unlike standard pearls, which are very delicate and highly porous), and will keep its color and shine (which can fade in standard pearls, and wear or flake away in glass or plastic substitutes)

This process also allows pearls to be made in a much wider color spectrum than cultured pearls, which gives jewelry makers more room to flex their creativity muscles.

Pearls never go out of style, so come have a look at shell pearls for yourself, available in a variety of colors in our store now.

Feathers are the hot accesory this fall, no matter where you put them.

They are appearing on runways all over the world and in every fashion magazine you pick up, and now they are at  SOUTH SUN!
Feathers are great in jewelry for making a bold–yet classy–statement.

They are inexpensive and lightweight, so they won’t hurt you or your wallet.

These must-haves are flying off shelves everywhere, so come check them out now before they fly away.

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all”
~Emily Dickinson

To get an idea of the colors and textures that are being favored by designers this summer, just imagine scuba diving in the Caribbean…the turquoise water, white sand, red coral, iridescent sea shells, and brightly colored fish darting by offer a splash of jewel tones.

The use of rope, ribbon, and other fabric with wood, shell, pearls, coral, turquoise and textured stones are shaping summer styles.

The variety of textures and warm colors come together to make earthy, touchable pieces.

So let your creativity flow and experiment with natural elements this summer.

Have a favorite trend this summer? Let us know! Comment below!

Strings for bracelets, and other stringing material, are usually made of silk, elastic, hemp, or coated wire.

Each of these has their benefits, but they are not all right for everyone.

To help you determine which is the best choice for you, here is a little info about each of these bracelet strings:

Silk cord:

• Silk cord is great because it is very strong relative to it’s thickness, so there is less concern about breaking. It is also smooth, very flexible – which offers great movement for pieces with even the lightest beads – and comes in a wide variety of colors.
• Recommended for:
  light weight beads, beads with small holes, pearls, knotted designs, woven bracelets or necklaces.

Beading Wire (Nylon Coated):

• Nylon coated beading wire is the strongest – relative to thickness – of the stringing options listed here, although it is not as flexible as cord and can not be knotted (crimps are required for finishing). Beading wire does not retain the shape it is formed to on it’s own, so you won’t end up with a crinkly necklace like you would if you used copper wire.
• FYI: the higher the strand number on the package, the more flexible the wire will be.
• This stuff is great for heavier beads and pendants, because you don’t have to worry about it breaking and it has great movement with weighty pieces, without the piece hanging limply.
• Recommended for: heavier beads and pendants, projects where flexibility is desired while still having a stable form to it, most basic beading projects.

Elastic:

• Elastic string is great for light weight, flexible, and versatile pieces. It is not very strong, though, and will wear out sooner than the other options listed here (it still lasts years. Maybe just not decades), so you may not want to use it with 18k gold or highly-prized gemstones.
• This stuff is a lot of fun to make rings and bracelets with that can fit everyone.
• Recommended for: bracelets, fun easy projects, one-size-fits-all pieces.

Hemp:

• Hemp is on the thicker-side and has a rougher, more earthy look. It is great for knotting and weaving with large-hole beads, but may be too thick for standard or smaller hole beads. It softens with wear, but stays strong. Many people make friendship bracelets with it, as it lasts for a long time and can get wet without damage. It is available in a wide variety of colors.
• Recommended for: friendship bracelets, boho and earthy-style jewelry, designs with large-hole beads. Hemp cord can also be used in a wide variety of ways around the home, including entertaining your cat.

Have any ideas to add? Leave us a comment!

Brand new this week we have fabulous glass and porcelain beads featuring the pink ribbon symbolic of breast cancer awareness, as well as great BCA charms.

Here is a little more information about NBCA:

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) (also referred to in America as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM)) is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

As well as providing a platform for breast cancer charities to raise awareness of their work and of the disease, BCAM is also a prime opportunity to remind women to be breast aware for earlier detection.

For more info about breast cancer and BCAM check out our source at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_cancer_awareness

Or check out the National Breast Cancer Foundation to learn more or to donate to help save lives:
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/How-To-Help/?gclid=CJCWwI-EwKoCFcl66wodcEF37A

Now available in our store….
New Metallic Czech Glass Beads!!!

Including crystal, crystal AB, black, silver, gold, grey AB, and many more!

These exciting colors are excellent additions to any stylish piece to give it a pop, or as the main attraction for a bold statement.

Some claim diamonds are a girls best friend.
I say “Not in this economy, honey!”
These are the most versatile little friends a gal can have (and they won’t rob you blind, like those sneaky diamonds).

And the winning answers came from:

Mary Campbell Miller

Lisa Stark

Terry Lone

Betsy Haner Michaels

Michaeline Velasquez

Susan G Moffatt

Mary Beth MacNaughton

Sharon Hardison Terry

Carol Langston

Susan Fisher McClure

Congrats and enjoy your FREE PEARL NECKLACE!!!

Have any commandments to add?
We want to hear from you!
Leave us a comment!