Belle Talk – February ’09 Newsletter
February 7, 2009
Hi Belles! How are you this fine, fine February day… errr… night? We hope this newsletter finds each of you happy and healthy. It’s been a doozy of a winter for many of you. We hope you’re keeping safe and warm all snuggly inside.
Valentine’s Day is upon us. We’re total chocolate lovers. How about you? Crystal happens to believe that life is too short to not enjoy a little chocolate every day. We love candy holidays because the stores always put their chocolate on sale 50% off the day after. What more could a girl want?
Oh! New jewelry, you say? Well, you got it!
A few of our new items for February:
The Dreamer Copper Stylized Heart Earrings
Pretty in Pink Sterling Silver & Pink Flower Earrings
I am the Vine Sterling Silver Branch Necklace
Fallen - Sterling Silver Hammered Rectangle Earrings
Square One - Sterling Silver Textured Disc Necklace
Right Angle Dangles - Sterling Silver & Copper Geometric Earrings
Be sure to check out the rest of our new items here: http://www.2bellesandabead.com/new-items.htm
In Other News:
* You may have noticed a big difference in our new items. We’ve gone a little nutty and decided to completely change our photography style. We thought we could use a little sprucing up and a lot more color. We hope you enjoy the new “look”. More exciting changes to come on our site in the new year!
* We have some really awesome new designs in store for you! We are waiting, on pins and needles (or hammers and pliers?) for something really exciting and it should be here really soon. What is it, you ask? Our very own custom made font stamp set! What this means is we will be able to make gorgeous stamped metal jewelry in a fancy contemporary style font, rather than the boring old block letters you usually see in stamped jewelry. Each of these alphabet stamps are hand made and I hear from people who have used them that they are exquisite. We can’t wait!
Monthly Contest:
We give away a gorgeous pair of earings each month – but only if you’re a newsletter subscriber who reads the newsletter! *grin* If you’d like to sign up, you can do so here: http://www.2bellesandabead.com/newsletter.html
Have a blessed month!
~Karen & Crystal (aka “The Belles”)
Featured – Artists of Etsy Exposed
December 13, 2008
2 Belles & a Bead is featured in the current Artists of Etsy Exposed treasury!
Check it out here and if you’d like to, click and comment. 
And happy holidays from 2 Belles!
2 Belles & a Bead Featured!
November 19, 2008
2 Belles & a Bead was featured in a gorgeous Etsy treasury! Check it out!
Sultry Sexy SILVER
You can find our Black Birch Cuff and so much more on 2 Belles & a Bead, or our Etsy shop 2BellesBeads.
Just in time for the holidays!
November 17, 2008
Are you in search for that perfect gift for your sweetheart? The Belles have some great new items that would be perfect whether in a stocking or under a tree.
Just check it out:
Pink Coral Cluster Gold Filled Earrings
Fine Silver Tulip Pendant
Purple Velvet Crystal & Silver Flower Bracelet
Black Birch Cuff
This is only a small sample of the fabulous items new we have on the site. Visit our new items page to see more!
Also, be sure you’re on our newsletter list to be eligible for top secret sales, promotions, and monthly contests!
The Belles on 14kt Gold Filled
October 1, 2008
You may have seen the term here and there. You’ve certainly seen it if you’ve visited 2 Belles & a Bead.
“14kt gold filled”.
So what is it, exactly?
Also marked as “14/20″, it might help to read it as “14kt gold, filled”. It is created by bonding a layer of 14kt gold onto a core of a base metal, usually jeweler’s brass. In the case of gold-filled wire, it is a tube of gold filled with the base, so you see gold on all sides. The bonding process is a sophisticated one, utilizing heat and pressure.
The law dictates that the gold content must be at least 1/20th the weight of the metal. This is quite different from “gold plated” pieces, which have a very thin layer of gold plated on top of the base metal – approximately 100 times less gold in content compared to gold-filled. Unlike gold plate, gold-filled will not flake off since it is much thicker and actually bonded onto the base, nor will it rub off with normal wear.
Gold filled pieces are both economical and durable, and are normally able to be worn by people who can only wear gold jewelry since all that touches the skin is a solid layer of gold.
Care for your gold filled pieces like you would other valuable gold. With proper care and storage, you will be handing down your jewelry for generations!
Mixed Metal Mania
August 23, 2008
We love mixed metals. I mean, love them. There’s just something about how sterling silver pops when it is up against copper, and how brass shows off its lovely warmth when mixed with silver.
The three together make a lovely trio, as seen in this new bracelet made by Crystal (“Daughter Belle”). Sterling silver, copper, and red brass was made into hudreds of tiny rings, all methodically woven into the ancient “Jens Pind” chainmaille weave. Harmony. Love! It’s finished off with a sterling silver clasp with a little copper accent.
This bracelet is mine *grin*, but I’d be happy to make one just for you! Let me know what you think. 
) For more mixed metal jewelry, please visit us at 2 Belles & a Bead.
The Belles on Silver
August 7, 2008
Sterling… silver plate… argentium… fine… huh?!
Do you find “silver” confusing? Well, we’re here to demystify this metal and all the various forms of it!
“Fine silver” is the purest form of silver that you will find in jewelry. Being at least 99.9% pure, it tarnishes very very slowly, if you can call it tarnish at all. It takes on a slight yellow hue if it is kept exposed to the elements. However, this “tarnish” cleans up very quickly and easily, unlike other forms of silver. The downside of fine silver is in many jewelry applications, it is too soft to be widely used. PMC, or Precious Metal Clay, utilizes fine silver. But more on that topic later. *grin*
Sterling silver is perhaps the most common silver in the jewelry world. Sterling is an alloy, meaning a mix of metals. It is required by law to have a content of at least 92.5% pure silver. The rest of the content is another metal, usually copper, which causes the alloy to be strong and more suitable for certain jewelry items. The downside to sterling silver is that it tarnishes and requires regular cleaning for maintenance.
Argentium is a new sterling alloy. In it, some of the copper (or other metal) content is replaced with germanium. This germanium content causes the metal (when prepped properly) to become highly tarnish resistant. Like fine silver, when it does tarnish, it is very easy to clean. The downside is it is fairly new and not as easy to find.
“Silver plated” means the item is made from a base metal with a very thin layer of silver bonded over it. The base metal is usually brass, copper, or “nickle silver” (which has no real silver content at all). Silver plated items are generally very inexpensive, but are not made to last. Over time the plating will wear off and you will be left with exposed base metal.
“Silver toned” items are merely that… metals with a silver color, usually not containing any real silver content.
The Belles work with only sterling (both regular and Argentium) and fine silvers, as we seek out the highest quality supplies for our jewelry. We want to give you pieces that will last longer than a lifetime, and when used and cared for properly, sterling, argentium sterling, and fine silvers will provide that opportunity.
Stay tuned for information on other various metals, as well as jewelry maintenance tips.
Please visit http://www.2bellesandabead.com to see our gorgeous collection of geniune silver handcrafted jewelry!
