Monday, December 14, 2009

Top 5 Gifts for the Beaders In Your Life

1. Well, the obvious, BEADS!: And now couldn't be a better time to come pick out a few strands of pearl, semi-precious stones or unique loose beads as we are having our December 20% off sale! Yay!

2. Optivisor: great for anyone working with small detailed items. Fits snug on the head and is light weight and comfortable to wear. Visor flips up when not looking down at an item close up.

3. Ott-lite: These sweet little babies will help those tired eyes turn to bright eyes and show a true color too! Rests on the table, very mobile and turns on with an easy flip top. My favorite gift 6 years ago, so far never burned out a bulb!

4. Five-sided file set: This nice little set is fantastic for opening up holes in beads, esp. pearls, that are just too tight to fit onto your wire or cord. Each file is a slightly larger size and they are tapered to maximize your reaming ability. Every beader needs one in my opinion.

5. Charmed, I'm sure: Okay, cheese aside, Charmed by Gabriella Sellors is a great little book for anyone interested in adding a little flare and dangle to their beadwork. While you are at it we have some pretty fantastic sterling silver charms that would fit into any stocking!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Top Five Great Gifts Found at Pouncing Rain:

Top Five Great Gifts Found at Pouncing Rain:

1. Fretz Hammers: These little precision beauties were unanimously number one on everyone’s list. We are now carrying the standard set of five (sold individually and in a set) as well as the mini set, riveting hammer and newly in: chasing hammer. I can personally attest to the wonderful feeling of opening up a package and finding one of these quality tool as my husband and his family bought me the standard set a couple of winter’s ago, I’m still thanking him!

2. Quality Cutters/Pliers: Both the Tronex and Lindstrom lines carried by P.R. make fabulous gifts. Ergonomic and comfortable to use, the Swiss made Lindstrom pliers and American made Tronex doesn’t get better for precision cutting, bending and wrapping your wire and metals. Relieving strain on your hands and reducing mistakes in your work, I would recommend these lines to anyone working with wire or other metal crafts.

3. Books: Two top favs; Joanna Goldbergs’s The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, great for all levels from beginner to the more experienced jewelry artist this book is full of inspirational pictures, clear and concise directions and tips useful for all studios. Complete Metalsmith, ProPlus Edition by Tim McCreight, the more in-depth version of his studio reference guide, this book takes you beyond just the basic techniques and into more of the technicalities and how-to’s, great for anyone wanting to round out their studio selection of education, (in fact this one’s on my wish list!) Comes with a CD.

4. Flex Shaft: A must have for anyone setting up a studio at home. This invaluable tool can be used to sand, polish, drill, and texture. Think of it as your go-go gadget arm when working at your bench. Comes with motor, hand-piece, shaft and foot pedal.

5. Sheet Metal/Wire: Who doesn’t love something bright and shiny, especially when we can take it and make something fabulous with it, having more fun while creating than if someone handed you a finish product. P.R. carries many different sizes of Sterling silver sheet and wire, as well as copper and brass. And don’t forget the warm colors of bronze and gold-filled wire for those gold lovers!
-Ryan
www.pouncingrain.com

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

December Bead Sale 20% Off

December is here and we are offering all of our BEADS at 20% OFF the regular price. This is the first time ever we have offered such a big markdown and it is just for December only!

So, if it is a bead and it has a hole drilled in it, it is 20% OFF.

We are open 10:00-5:30 Monday to Friday and from 10:00-3:00 Saturdays.