Happy New Year!

Whew....the Christmas rush is behind us and we can relax a little before the new year begins.  Hope everyone had a great Channukah or Christmas and our best wishes for a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thanks go out to all our loyal customers who made 2010 a successful year for us in spite of the oil spill and bad economy.  Without you, we would not have survived.

We are looking forward to a wonderful 2011 and hope to see all those familiar faces in the shop throughout the year.

Our big Tucson buying trip begins January 28, and we are preparing our shopping list right now.  If you have any special requests for beads, rocks and minerals, rough material, stones, findings etc. please let us know and we'll do our best to bring back those items.  You can email us at analecedesign@aol.com or stop by the store with your request.

We have plans to expand our gemstone offerings, as well as our custom design services.   We'll be looking for new findings, beads and other unusual materials while in Tucson in order to offer more variety in our ever increasing inventory.

New group classes will be starting in February, and our private classes will resume in January.  Look for exciting new seed bead weaving group classes, and additional private courses as well! 

For those of you who are feeling financially "tapped out" after the holidays, don't forget that we are still buying gold and silver.  Prices for these precious metals are continuing to rise, and you may be surprised at the value of your old chain, jewelry, and silverware.   We pay top prices and will give you extra credit if you use your credit toward a new purchase from our store.    We hope to expand our gold buying services to include private jewelry parties in our area, so watch for the announcement in the upcoming future.

Again, a Happy New Year to everyone.  We hope to see you soon!

Daily Gold Update!

Daily Gold Update! Gold is $1368.50 an ounce! Silver is $28.78 an ounce! There is still time to make money for the holidays by selling your gold and silver. Also, refer a friend and receive 10% referral credit for the amount they sell! The store credits are stacking up! So many of you get to go shopping for free!

Vintage Jewelry Estate Sale!

Fabulous vintage jewelry 1920's - 1960's from Florida estate has just arrived and it's going fast!  Incredible prices on Necklaces, Bracelets, Earrings and Brooches!  Don't hesitate or it's gone!  Crystal, Bakelite, Rhinestone, Eisenberg Ice, you name it!  Over 600 pieces!

Donate to Toys for Kids and Get 10% off Your Purchase of $10 & More

Here’s how you can help. DEADLINE: December 20th




We need new toys and gifts in their original packaging – no wrapping required.


Try to purchase toys that cover a broad range of ages. Don’t forget teenagers, they are still kids, too.

Where to deliver: Bring them to Analece/Bayside Beads and receive 10% off your purchase of $10 or more!

Please help us to make the Holidays great for everyone!

Fairhope Holiday Open House

Mark your calendar! Downtown Fairhope's Annual Christmas Open House will be held THIS Sunday, November 21 from 1 to 5 pm. There will be refreshments, music and the holiday spirit as only downtown Fairhope can provide! Shop downtown Fairhope every Sunday in December from 1-5 pm.

Analece and Bayside Beads will be open this Sunday and every Sunday until Christmas! 

Visit us for great holiday shopping bargains and one of a kind handmade jewelry!  We just received our new inventory of beads and findings, as well as a vast selection of beautiful vintage glass and crystal jewelry from the 1920's - 1970's.  

Looking for some holiday cash?  Why not bring us your unwanted or broken gold and silver items and exchange for cash or store credit.   We offer an extra premium if you take a store credit,  so you can make some money and shop at the same time!  Hope to see you soon!

Food Fight! Food Fight! Help!

We are in the final round of our Fairhope Merchant's Food Fight!  We've been challenged by French Quarter Merchants to collect the most product for donation to Ecumenical Ministries before October 29.  Our product is bar soap.  We are offering a special incentive.  Bring in a bar of soap and get 10% off your purchase until October 29th!   We need your help and support for this worthy cause!

November Classes Update

Time is running out to sign up for our November Group Classes!  We have one spot left in Eliza Huskey's class, Cellini Spiral, November 9,  2010, and 3 spots left in Anita Park-Rosenbaum's Holiday Pendant class, November 5, 12, 2010.  If you can't get in to sign up, call us at 251-929-3620 to register!  Take a series of two private classes and receive a coupon for $20 off your 3rd class!  This offer is only good until the end of November 2010! 

PMC Class! Holiday Silver Pendant & Earrings-ESILL Class

Make a beautiful Holiday themed fine silver pendant and earrings in this hands on class offered at Bayside Beads through ESILL.  Two part class, Friday November 3 and Friday November 12, 1pm - 3pm.  Class fee for ESILL Members is $13.00, Non-Members $18.00.  Material Fee $50.00. Instructor:  Anita Park-Rosenbaum.   Sign up now as class is filling up quickly!

New Class! Cellini Spiral Necklace - November 9, 2010 10am - 3pm

Learn to make this beautiful spiral necklace in a hands on group class with  Eliza Huskey!  This beautiful necklace is the perfect project for beaders wanting to learn a new pattern that can be modified in numerous ways for variety and fun. Great for holiday gifts that are personal and unique.  Sign up now!  Only two spaces are left in this class!  Class fee $35.00.  Material  Fee $20.00

New Bead Shipment!!

We have a new arrivals! We have tables of our famous $8.00 strands! Austrian Crystal, gemstones, pearls and more. We also have a great new selection of specialty beads, large faceted stones, higher end gemstone beads, pearls and more. We have a new selection of size 11, 8 and 6 multi-colored seed beads, new clasps and more! Come on by and check it out!

Russian Spiral Class - September 24, 2010 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Eliza Huskey, a new instructor for Analece/Bayside Beads will be offering a new bead class, the Russian Spiral!  Choose a pendant handmade for you by Anita Park-Rosenbaum in bronze, copper or fine silver, and complete this beautiful necklace in a three hour hands on class with Eliza!  Hurry to enroll as we already have 5 students signed up for this class!  Class Fee $35.00 + Materials (Determined by choice of metal).

La Mer Charm Bracelet Class with COPPRClay - ESILL Class Oct 12, 19, 26 1-3pm

In this three session class we will explore using COPPRClay to make a Sea Creature inspired copper charm bracelet.  Students will make two sided charms with copper clay using special texture sheets of sea creatures.  The charms will be fired in our kiln, a special green patina added, and then they will be sealed to protect the color.  We will then attach the charms to a copper chain, adding a mixture of crystal and copper beads for a beautiful finished charm bracelet.  No prior experience is necessary.   We will make the components in the first two classes on October 12, 19, and assemble them in the final class on October 26.  Class time is from 1pm - 3pm.  Fee for ESILL Members is $22.00, Non Members $27.00.  Material Fee $40.00.

Back to School!

It's back to school next week in Baldwin County!   It still feels like summer though!  For locals, don't forget to stop by the store and see our new inventory for  late summer and fall!  We have new Bead Soup Seed Bead Mixtures, three full tables of discount beads at $8.00 per strand (including gorgeous crystal), and lots of new colors in the S-Lon Beading thread.   Next week we expect a new shipment of 11/0, 8/0, 6/0 Czech seed beads in a variety of new colors. 

For you Pirate Fans, we have a selection of bracelets, earrings and key rings with Pirate motif and colors.

Get ready for the Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Georgia and Saints games!  Come in and pick your beads in team colors for sports jewelry! 

Join one of our upcoming classes and get a headstart on Christmas projects!  Watch for upcoming group class postings, or take a private class by booking a time with one of the instructors.

We hope your summer has been great and we look forward to the upcoming season. 

New Specialty Class

Ogallala Butterfly Necklace Class

Group Class

September 14, 2010

10:30 - 1:30

Instructor: Eliza Huskey

$35.00 + Materials.

Material fee:

 $16.00 with chip stones

$25.00 with crystal

Call today to reserve your spot in the class! 50% class deposit due at registration.

(251) 929-3620

New Instructor

Please meet our newest instructor:

Eliza Huskey

Jewelry designer, teacher

I have always been "crafty" since as far back as I can remember. My mother, Harriet, inspired me with her paintings and carpentry to "create" at an early age. And so I did using various items available to me in our home. One of my first creations was a coke bottle doll I fashioned with an old glass coca-cola bottle, Kleenex and magic markers. My mother's quiet marvel over my handcrafted doll gave me such satisfaction to to this day I look forward to that same feeling every time I unveil a new creation.

My fascination and love for beads happened around age seven when I made my first necklace, a simple string-a-bead type of necklace for my cabbage patch doll, Bonnie. I used a gold thread string and those little white single letter beads to string her name closing it with a screw clasp. A simple yet meaningful start to my life as a beader.

I started getting serious about beading while finishing college in Mobile, Alabama during the early 2000's. I lived near a small bead shop in mid-town named Knot Just Beads where I learned a great many skills from a truly gifted designer, Melody MacDuffee, who showed me how to wire wrap for the first time. Thanks Melody!

I began teaching seed bead and wire wrapping classes in 2003 at Knot Just Beads. In addition to Ogalalla Butterfly, my favorite seed bead pattern, I taught my own original wire design known as the Easy Loop Wire Necklace. I eventually went on to teach in Gulfport, Mississippi and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Aside from teaching, I make and sell jewelry in local boutiques, art galleries and the Internet.

Eliza Huskey lives with her husband and their son in Gulf Shores, Alabama. For many years she has created bead jewelry in her spare time. In recent years she has dedicated herself full-time to selling her jewelry via the Internet and renewing her passion to teach and inspire others.

 

We look forward to Eliza teaching future classes in our store. New class options will be posted at the store and on the blog site. Also remember to check the interactive calendar at the bottom of this page for more info.

New Store Mascott! Meet "Pepino" (little nugget)

Tips for Proper Jewelry Care

Your jewelry is too beautiful to allow it to be damaged!  Below are several helpful tips to keep your jewelry beautiful for years.

Beaded Jewelry Care

• Try to store your jewelry separately so it doesn't scratch other jewelry.
• Jewelry should only be put on after bathing and applying any makeup, hair spray, gels, lotions or perfume.
• Try to protect any jewelry from harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures and sunlight.
• Always try to store beaded necklaces and bracelets flat.
• Do not wear beaded jewelry when doing household or outdoor chores.
• Never wear any jewelry when swimming or showering.  The chlorine can cause damage to various gemstones and gold.  Soap scum can become embedded in the back of stones or between beads causing discoloration and pitting of metals.
• Store your jewelry in a clean, dry place.

Care of Gemstone Jewelry (Many of the beaded jewelry tips apply to gemstone jewelry as well)

Natural colored gemstones are often treated to improve their appearance.  These treatments are permanent and require no special care.  The information below will ensure that your colored gemstone jewelry remains beautiful for years to come.

• Wipe your precious gemstone jewelry wit a clean, soft, damp cloth after wearing.  This will enhance the luster and assure that your jewelry is clean before being stored.
• Do not expose your gemstone jewelry to salt water or harsh chemicals, such as chlorine and detergents.  These chemicals may slowly erode the finish and polish of gems.
• A blow could damage the beauty of any gemstone.  So it is best to store gemstone jewelry while engaging in any activity where it might be subject to high impact.
• Gemstone jewelry should only be put on after bathing and applying any makeup, hair spray, gels, lotions or perfume.  These agents may cause the gemstones to dull.
• DO NOT use standard jewelry cleaner as it will cause damage to gemstones.  Analece carries jewelry cleaner that is safe to use on gemstones and precious metals.
• Ensure that all gemstone jewelry stays out of the sun.  This does not mean that you cannot wear your jewelry on sunny days, just use precaution and do not leave the jewelry laying in the direct sunlight for long periods of time, or the gemstones may fade from the exposure.
• Store gemstone jewelry in a clean, dry place.

Sterling Silver Jewelry Care

• All silver tarnishes naturally.  To help prevent tarnishing, store your beaded and sterling jewelry in a cool dry place or inside an air tight plastic bag.  Some jewelry boxes are lined with anti-tarnish fabric, or you can store jewelry in a plastic zip lock bag with a piece of sidewalk chalk.  Or, you may purchase small carbon paper squares from us to slip into the bag to prevent tarnish from forming. 
• If a jewelry piece should tarnish, you can clean off the tarnish by using a regular cloth or special anti-tarnish cloth.  Do not use standard jewelry cleaner as it may pit or remove dark oxidation in the recesses of the jewelry which is supposed to be there.
• If you wish to remove all the tarnish from a piece that is highly polished, you may used jewelry grade cleaner which we carry in our store, or you can soak the piece in baking soda and warm water, then brush with a very soft toothbrush.  Use caution, however, if there are stones set in the piece.

Gold and other Precious Metals

• The same principals apply to gold and other precious metals.  Chlorine and chemicals are very bad for alloyed metals such as gold, because they can cause pitting and discoloration.  Gold plated pieces are especially susceptible.  If there is any copper content in the base metal under the plating, it will come to the surface if scratched, causing green discoloration and darkening of skin where the metal touches.  The best way to avoid this is to remove jewelry when participating in sports activities, gardening etc.

We hope these tips are helpful.  Don't forget that we carry a full range of cleaning products for your jewelry, and we do repairs and restringing onsite.    Have a great summer and wear your beautiful jewelry!

Come to the Gulf Coast for Shopping and Vacation!

Follow this link to learn more about our wonderful area.  Please support us during this trying time!  http://www.deepsouthmag.com/?page_id=1391

Scary :(

New Shipment

We received an exciting new shipment in the store today! We have all new Flexrite stringing cable. We have a mini roll multi pack which is a brand new product made by Beadsmith. We also have a new colored metalic line! We also have a whole new line of craft wire in copper, gold and silver. The spools range from 28 guage to 16 guage and are a minimum of 20 yards of wire for only $5.85! We have all new hemp in every color of the rainbow as well as a natural assortment as well as a great new selection of leather by the yard. We also have new bulk packs of crimps in different metals, new tools, jewelry cleaner and more! Of course as always we have an awesome selection of beads and findings! Have a great weekend and we hope to see you soon!

Gulf Coast Oil Spill Effects

Followers, this is an update regarding the Gulf Coast Oil Spill and its effects on local businesses, and a plea for everyone's support during this trying time.  In Fairhope and along the beaches of South Alabama, we haven't had any oil reach our shores yet.  However, we are already experiencing mass cancellations of reservations at our condominiums, hotels and restaurants, as people anticipate the upcoming oil effect.  This of course, is very bad for Lower Alabama's economy and it particularly affects small businesses like ours.  Before you cancel reservations, think about your alternative.  The likelihood of the oil reaching the upper parts of the Mobile Bay is slim.  We have great beaches here in Fairhope, and a lot of activities for adult travelers and families.  Why not continue to support our economy, and help the area that you love to visit, by staying the course and visiting us despite worries of oil on the coastal beaches? Perhaps you could even volunteer to help with cleanup activities and teach your children about the importance of protecting our environment.  Meanwhile, Analece and Bayside Beads will be open for business as usual.  We will continue to support efforts to minimize the impact in our little community, and hopefully make a difference.

Glass VS Crystal

Many times on the web, especially on auction sites, we see beads described as ‘crystal’ that we would call ‘glass’. The biggest category that gets mis-described this way is Czech Fire Polish beads. They are glass, not crystal, as we detail below.

  

Regular glass is mainly made of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), with the addition of other ingredients, such as sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO) and Aluminim Oxide. The resulting glass contains about 70 to 72 percent silica by weight and is called a soda-lime glass. Soda-lime glasses account for about 90 percent of manufactured glass.

  

In general, man made ‘crystal’ is a glass that has had one or more of certain minerals added to a standard glass formulation to make the product more brilliant. Lead is the mineral of choice here, as lead oxide added to the molten glass gives lead crystal a much higher index of refraction than normal glass, and consequently much greater “sparkle”. The presence of lead also makes the glass softer and easier to cut.

  

As far as we know Swarovski crystal beads have the highest lead content of any bead that can be called crystal. The design of the cuts is also important, just as in cutting gemstones. At Swarovski, the angles of the facets are set up to maximize refraction and reflection of light, thus making their products as brilliant as possible. One thing you may have noticed is that the more facets on a cut bead (of any kind, crystal or gemstone), the higher the price. However, the more facets, the more brilliant and pretty the bead, so you get what you pay for.

  

The Czechoslovakian companies, such as Preciosa, make quite nice crystal beads, but they do have a lower lead content, and less modern cuts. Thus, they are not quite as brilliant as Swarovski products. Also, the Czech companies are not as aggressive in constantly creating new cuts, colors and finishes, as Swarovski has been for the last few years.

  

Czech glass beads, as opposed to Czech crystal beads, are just glass, with no special mineral additives. They are lighter, and are often molded or ‘pressed’ into creative shapes. Czech Fire Polish beads are glass beads (NOT crystal) that are cut into faceted shapes. However, the cuts are imprecise, and there is no mechanical polishing done. Instead the roughly cut glass beads are heated in special ovens. The surfaces and cut edges melt a little in the heat and smooth out nicely. The beads are then removed before they melt down entirely (we have seen some half-melted ones, just little bubbled lumps, it was amusing). Special coatings are applied after this stage.

  

A word about Chinese “crystal” beads. Humph. We have our doubts. They are super light weight, which alone indicates an absence of significant mineral additives. Their faceting is minimal, so this adds to their lack of brilliance. Yes, they are inexpensive and colorful. They are excellent for projects for young people. Are they really ‘crystal’ glass, or just regular glass? Who knows? Accept them for what they really are, and you won’t be disappointed. 

Spring Coupon!

Spring Inspiration

All artists get their inspiration from things and people in the world around them.  Spring is a great time to be inspired and jump start your creative juices!  Here on the Gulf Coast our azaleas are blooming in wild abandon.  The temperatures are finally in the 80's, spring break is upon us,  the sun is shining brightly, and the birds are singing.  Now is a great time to go outdoors and hike, picnic, fish or just hang at the beach.  But don't forget your sketchbook.  I always keep mine close at hand to record my ideas whenever they pop up....usually in the middle of the night!  Use your sketchbook to make quick sketches or notes of your observations, such as the shape of a flower, a bird soaring high above, the light reflecting on the sand and surf at the beach, or simply a little twig that has a special shape or definition.  Later, when you are looking at a beautiful stone, or a strand of beads, you may use these sketches to pull together a wonderful inspired design!  After all, art is inspired by nature and what better time to observe nature than this time of the year!  Enjoy your spring and let it's beauty inspire you!  Look for some new spring design ideas with complete instructions in upcoming blogs. 

Spring has Officially Sprung on the Gulf Coast

Now that we have recovered from the crazies of the Arts and Crafts Festival weekend, we are settling down and trying to finish all the new custom orders placed by our wonderful customers!  Thanks everyone for making it a great and profitable weekend for Analece and Bayside Beads and the artists we represent.

This week we celebrate Passover and  Easter!  Don't forget to stop in for that last minute perfect jewelry accessory for your outfit!  We have affordable jewelry made in all the beautiful new spring colors to liven up your wardrobe. 

The new May issue of Bead Style Magazine just came in, and it has some wonderful new designs for beaders.  Stop in and pick up a copy today!    New Pandora  style Lampwork Glass and Sterling Silver beads and bracelets are here!   Also new vintage antique copper and pewter beads and findings!   We still have a lot of $8 strands of beautiful freshwater pearls and natural stone in a variety of colors.  And remember, if you are planning something special for Mother's Day, don't wait until the last minute.  Why not consider a beautiful Mother's bracelet with birthstones and children's names engraved, or a fingerprint charm or  pendant with each child's fingerprint and initials.  We do it all right here in our shop, but we need a few weeks notice, so hurry in and place your order today!

2010 Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival!

The 58th Fairhope Annual Arts & Crafts Festival will be held this weekend, March 19, 20 and 21 in downtown Fairhope. The 2009 festival was a huge success.  It just gets better every year!  This internationally acclaimed event has been recently ranked in the top 10 festivals in the country. 

There is no admission charge and the hours are from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. 

Live entertainment will be continuous throughout the three-day event and unique cuisine will be served up in the food court, all on the streets of beautiful downtown Fairhope, one of America's most unique communities. 

BRATS (Baldwin County Area Transportation System) will offer a shuttle service from several shopping centers out on main Highway 98. The parking is free and the shuttle ride costs only $1. 

The Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival is definitely a "don't miss" event for the whole family.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Beautiful Day on the Gulf Coast

It has been such a gorgeous week here on the gulf coast! Today is no exception! Come on down to lovely Fairhope and shop the wonderful Boutiques, Windmill Market, Restaurants and more.  You won't be disappointed! Many of the stores are having huge sales in preparation for Arts and Crafts and the weather is perfect for strolling the flower lined streets! We hope to see you this weekend!

New shipments arriving daily!

Hey folks! We are getting new shipments daily in preparation for Arts and Crafts! Thousands of new beads, findings, leather and more! Stop by and get first pick on some fantastic new items!

New Shipment!

It's a beautiful sunny day on the Gulf Coast! Take a stroll through Fairhope today and see what all the great stores have to offer. The flowers are beautiful, the weather is perfect and the sales are abundant! We just got in a huge shipment of beads, all at $8.00 a strand! They normally retail from $22.00 to $40.00 a strand! We have all the new spring colors and trends and a huge inventory of newly made jewelry! Hope to see you soon!

Artist of the week! KAREN CAZEL

We are excited to announce a new feature! Artist of the week. This week we will be featuring Karen Cazel.

Abalone and Enameled Sterling $60.00

Agate and Sterling $98.00

Amber, Ametrine, Pearl and Sterling $135.00

Agate and Sterling $150.00

Beach Stone, Petroglyph and Sterling $130.00

Agate and Sterling $180.00

Sterling and Agate $160.00

Here is her Bio:
Karen Cazel - Jewelry Artist
For me, wearable art crosses boundries between sculpture and jewelry. Inspiration derives from fascination with simple shapes, textures, and surfaces that may appear in the everyday landscape. I love beautiful objects. The things that excite me most usually involve the color of silver, especially as it ages and obtains many different shades and textures.

I make a selection of handmade jewelry, mostly one-of-a-kind pieces that are hand-crafted at the bench, giving each piece individuality using a variety of materials including silver, oxidized silver and copper, also incorporating any found materials that might function with the jewelry pieces.

I keep a sketchbook of ideas, and work from it, but many times I work directly with the metal, assembling a piece into a pleasing combination of shapes and textures. These pieces form an alliance with the body, but I like to think of many of them as objects, small sculptures to wear. The jewelry has to be wearable but should be a reflection of the creator and the wearer.

I like to think of my jewelry pieces as precious, not the materials from which they're made necessarily, but the combined feeling they purvey, that of treasure or talisman, that contain sophisticated yet primitive design. This, of course, is what I feel about the things I make. The hope is that the purchaser/wearer will get the same enjoyment and or enchantment that I do.

Project of the week 2/22

Click picture to enlarge

Weekly Special! (February 22- March 1)

Purchase one of our amazing gemstones and we will give you 30% off your setting fee if you schedule your project this week! We have Aquamarine, Peridot, Garnet, Amethyst, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Zircon, Diamond, Rutile Quartz, Lemontina, and more in faceted stones! We also have a brand new line of handcut gemstone cabochons with some amazing crazy lace agate, petrified wood, geodes and more! Come check out the new inventory and have a special project done this week!

For our metalsmiths, this week only we are offering 15% off of any of our handcut stones if you spend $100 or more.

For all of our beaders, take 10% off any regularly priced beads in the store (special excludes any trunk show beads or clearance table beads)

Classes at Bayside Beads!

As many of you know, we offer a wide variety of classes at Bayside Beads. The following is our current class list. Please plan on booking your class at least three weeks in advance as we fill up pretty fast. Most classes are private so that you will get one on one instruction from the instructor. We also off group specials if you want to bring a group of students in to participate.

Basic Beading:
Make a necklace and pair of earrings using sterling silver, gemstones, czech crystal and more. Learn all the basics about beading, crimping, stringing, clasping, tool use and design
$40.00 - 1 hour class - includes materials

Basic Wire:
Hammer wire to make beading components. Learn how to attach head pins to make earrings and charms. Introduction to handmade clasps and connections. Learn to shape and forge metal for handmade earrings and more. Tool instruction included.
$50.00 - 1 hour class - includes materials

PMC-Precious Metal Clay:
In this beginner class students will learn the skills necessary to work and design with precious metal clay. Students will make a specific earrings and pendant project. No prior experience needed.
$90.00 - 2 hour class - includes materials.

We also offer several additional private classes based on your more advanced needs. Each class is taylored to your experience level and educational needs. Classes include design, pearl knotting, leather work and more. Class pricing starts at $40.00 and hour and always includes materials.

We want to thank our customers for a very wonderful Mardis Gras and Valentine's Day this year! We are very thankful for your continued patronage and hope to make beautiful jewelry for you for years to come! It was great seeing so many woman at the different Mardis Gras Balls wearing our custom designed jewelry with thier gowns. We are constantly reminded of how great this community is and how wonderful our customers are to shop local and remain loyal. Thank you again! Happy almost spring...

Out of Tucson - New Jewelry Trends for Spring 2010!

The Tucson Gem Show ends today!  Lots of new things on the market and new trends in jewelry and fashion have been indicated, and we are here to share them with you.  First of all, BIG is in.  Big beads, big pendants and a lot of added bling.  We are seeing large cocktail rings, large crystals, lots of sequins and anything that sparkles!  Bold colors, and color combinations are hot, as well as ethnic designs.    Diamonds in every color are still very popular and the new styles feature them in bezel and channel settings.  Also beautiful freeform hand cut natural stones, including jaspers, turquoise, agate, and fossils such as turtle shell, ammonites and botroydial chalcedony and agates.  

The fashion color forcast for the spring includes violet, yellow, turquoise, coral, deep orangy red, beige, champagne pink, light sage, and other natural herb colors, as well as blue green.   Women are more price conscious, choosing to purchase accessories that can be paired with existing clothing to create a new look.  Pairing bright bold jewelry with neutral colors spices up your look while maintaining a sense of practicality.  As the warm weather approaches, you will see more turquoise, amazonite, new jade, azurite, and recycled glass in blues and greens, apatite, aquamarine, larimar, and blue topaz which mimic the colors of water and sunkissed beaches.  Another favorite will be yellows and yellow green, seen in prehnite, recycled yellow glass, lemon citrine, lemon chrysoprase, light green moss agate, rainforest jasper, Siberian jade, peridot and crystal.    These colors add a bold infusion to the summer palette.  Violet will continue to be a romantic color addition for spring, and will be seen paired with yellow, green and pale blue, as well as champagne pink to enhance and liven up a neutral wardrobe.  Firey warmer hues like orangey corals paired with tomato red colors found in dyed jades and corals, as well as agates will be beautiful bold additions to spice up spring and summer clothing.  Combine these colors with turquoise for that retro look.  Neutral clothing colors for spring include warm beige, light sage green, and classic grey.  Combined with accessories, shoes and jewelry in brighter colors, a new classic style will emerge.  Pink champagne, the newest neutral can be paired with tomato red and orange, as well as the bright new dyed jades, available in a variety of colors.   

Classic pearls will continue to be popular, however, large freshwater shell pearls, in sync with the current trend for big and bold, will often be seen paired with crystals and natural stone for a current look. 

When it comes to pendants, the trend toward big and bold continues.  Multiple stones, mixtures of cabochon and faceted stones, fossils mixed with pearls and faceted stones will be the norm.  Added to strands of large bold beads, or displayed on sturdy leather necklaces, they will add a very dramatic statement to your wardrobe.

Cuffs are back in style, accented by large cabochons of turquoise, jaspers, agates mixed with faceted stones and diamonds. 

Ethnic jewelry is still popular.  Tibetan jewelry, African trade beads, Thai Silver, and anything indicating antiquity is in.  This is a good time to go through your old beaded jewelry and considering having it updated, by adding crystals, large focal beads etc.

Copper, bronze and antique looks are still popular and work well with ethnic jewelry looks, and the large bold beads and pendants.  

The word is, gold is coming back into style.  While still selling for over $1000 per ounce, gold is still considered a good investment and is still the best choice for setting diamonds, high end colored stones and for fabricating designer investment pieces.    Mixtures of gold and silver are still poplular, as well as new metal mixes of bronze and copper, or copper/bronze with silver. 

Charm bracelets are popular again, bringing back the nostalgia of our youth.  Customers are asking for custom charms, fingerprint charms, and charms that remind them of special events or travels. 

Watch for new arrivals at Analece/Bayside Beads in the upcoming weeks.  We are already receiving shipments of new beads and findings, and we will be offering some fun workshops in the upcoming months for those of you who want to make new jewelry for yourself.  Dig through that old jewelry and bring it to us for a new updated look.  Stop by and see our growing inventory of hand cut stones, and let us design a unique piece just for you.  Our prices will surprise you!  You can get handcut stones for as little as $20.00.  We hand fabricate our jewelry, and we have the best stone selection in Lower Alabama!  Our lapidaries can cut a stone to fit you specifications, and we'll set it just for you!

Valentines Day

Well Ladies and Gentlemen, today is the big day. I hope that you all remembered to get something extra special and sweet for your significant other. Show them how much you appreciate and love them by putting a little extra care and thought into your gift this year. Trust me, they will appreciate the effort. Some will appreciate any effort at all! For those of you who need a last minute gift, send us a message and if I am around town, I will open up and let you in for a little Valentine's shopping! Have a super duper specially gushy and romantically divine day!!

Fairhope has Snow!

Well, readers, just couldn't let it slip by...SNOW in Fairhope!  Just a little.  Today was a very strange day indeed.  A lot of shops in Fairhope were closed, in anticipation of the inclimate weather.  Schools were closed, government was closed....and, of course, Alece and I, having lived in the Ohio tundra for years, were here all day! We had lots of fun, finishing custom orders and calling people to pick them up, and being told that they would be in to pick up their jewelry in a week after the HORRIBLE weather was gone!  A few brave snowbirds stopped by and even a Florida guy!  Parades are still going strong, in spite of the weather, and it may be a good time to go as crowds are thinner due to the cold weather.  You may get an extra Moon Pie or two.

We are still making and selling that wonderful Mardi Gras Ball jewelry, and Valentines Day is only TWO DAYS away, so hurry in and get something special for your sweetheart!

Men, a few more suggestions about how to know what to buy for that beautiful woman!  Pay attention to the color of her clothing.  Most women tend to wear a lot of the same color...jot it down.  Look at her jewelry and see if she wears a particular metal,  gold or silver...and jot it down.   Is she a casual lady or one who enjoys dressing up everyday!  Your right, jot it down.  Is her current jewelry very simple, very gaudy, or somewhere in between?    Go on...jot it down.  What kind of job does your special lady have?  Is she a fabulous homemaker, or does she work in a suit every day?  Is she a school teacher or lawyer?   Jot that down too!   Now, bring that list to us, along with some money,  honey.....and we'll tell ya what to buy!   How's that for easy shopping!  We aim to please, and with a Southern Flair! 

Men - How to buy jewelry for your special lady

When it comes to the special lady in your life, you want to get her something that says you care about her perhaps even love her. If she is your wife you want something that keeps the sparks of romance flying. If she is your girlfriend you want to express your feelings in a more subtle way without overwhelming her. With so many jewelry choices on the market it is hard to tell which ones will make her happy and which ones will make you look foolish. There are techniques you can use to find out exactly what your best girl wants when it comes to jewelry and you can use these tricks to surprise and delight her.

Before a special holiday arrives like Valentine’s Day or her Birthday, you should make it a point to go shopping with her even if you don’t feel like going, what you will discover about your lady’s tastes and styles will give you some clue about how to buy jewelry for her when those special occasions do come around.

A shopping venture can be very revealing. It can let you know if your girl is a simple plain Jane down to earth soul, or a high maintenance babe. Look at the style of clothing she chooses to wear, if it’s something that has a little flair, she may want some sparkle in her life to go with it. Things like diamond studded necklaces or bracelets are often favorites for those with a higher sense of style. If her style of dress is simple and everyday, you may want to play down the sparkle and get her something earthy and trendy.

If the lady is your wife you want to be a little more elaborate. You’ve hopefully already melted her heart with your engagement rings selection. You have been with her long enough to know her style and taste if you have been married for a few years. On occasions like her birthday and Valentine’s Day, she wants something that says romance and love. You can choose according to her unique style and dress and do make sure that what you buy for her is not cheap but something that costs a pretty good amount.

Take her shopping and casually stop at the jewelry counter and notice what she likes and dislikes, this is another clue to get to know her jewelry style and will make buying a lot simpler. What you choose will send signals that can last a lifetime.

Mardis Gras 2010!

We are in the throws of Mardis Gras!! Here is the schedule of parades for our area for 2010! We have a huge selection of formal Swarovski crystal necklaces, earrings and bracelets in the store. Dress up your beautiful ball gown with a gorgeous piece of jewelry! We will also custom design a piece to match your dress perfectly!

Friday 2/05/2010 @ 6:45PM- Apollo's Mystic Ladies - Daphne
Saturday 2/06/2010 @ 3:00PM - Mystic Mutt's of Revelry - Fairhope
Saturday 2/06/2010 @ 7:00PM - Knight's of Ecor Rouge - Fairhope
Friday 2/12/2010 @ 6:45PM - Mystic Order of Persephone - Daphne
Friday 2/12/2010 @ 7:00PM - Maids of Jubilee - Fairhope
Saturday 2/13/2010 @ 2:00PM - Krewe of Mullet Mates - Point Clear
Saturday 2/13/2010 @ 6:45PM - Mystic Order of Shadow Barrons - Daphne
Sunday 2/14/2010 @ 2:00PM - Loyal Order of the Firetruck - Daphne
Monday 2/15/2010 @ 7:00PM - Order of Mystic Magnolias - Fairhope
Tuesday 2/16/2010 - Fat Tuesday! All day

Happy Mardis Gras! Stay safe and enjoy this fun yearly celebration!

Get Hooked on Precious Metal Clay Jewelry Class

We are offering a new class through ESILL - The Eastern Shore Institute for Lifelong Learning. Students will learn the skills necessary to work and design with precious metal clay, a product developed by Mitsubishi Corporation for jewelry, consisting of fine silver particles with an organic clay binder. We will make a beautiful fine silver pendant and earrings.

Saturday, March 6, 2010.
1 - 4 PM
Tuition: $14.00
Supply Fee: $50.00
Instructor: Anita Rosenbaum

ESILL
P.O. Box 1802
Fairhope, Alabama 36532
(251) 990-5555

Call Dot Bremer with questions or to reserve your class : 990-9651
or visit the website at http://www.esill.org/Classes.html

BlowOutBeads.com

Hey everyone! We have opened a new division of the company, BlowOutBeads.com. We have also created an Ebay Store. We are selling bulk boxes of beads for designers at below wholesale prices as well as fossils, cutting rough and finished handcut stones! Check out our new ebay store at the link posted! Our new website is in the works and will be coming shortly! As always, you can also purchase beads and finished jewelry at www.AnaleceDesign.com and www.BaysideBeads.com

http://stores.ebay.com/BlowOutBeads

Our First Blog!

Welcome to Jewelry Chat! We are so excited to introduce our new blog feature! We are always expanding and creating new and innovative ways to spread the word about fantastic jewelry, ideas and products and hope that our new blog will do just that! Our desire is to open a line of communication with fellow jewelry artists, beaders, metalsmiths and designers to share information, tips, techniques and great product lines and specials! In the future we will be discussing subjects that are of interest to our customers and designers alike. We will list class schedules, weekly design inspirations, store specials, introduce new finished products and share tips and techniques. We will talk about jewelry trends, upcoming designs in fashion, new products on the market, the hottest stones, beads and accessories and more! We are excited to receive your feedback, questions and comments and hope to use this blog as a source of education as well as entertainment for our followers, customers, fellow jewelers and friends. We would appreciate any input you might have that would allow us to make this the best and most user friendly blog possible. We appreciate your interest and hope we soon become your new favorite blog spot!