february-2019

Happy Year of the Pig, Amethyst & Valentine Beads

27th January 2019

Our first bead fair of 2019 will be at Harrogate Gem n Bead Fair, 16th-17th February. For details of our shows booked so far this new year click 2019 Bead Fairs.

Content:

Happy Year of the Pig 2019
Amethyst For February
Valentine’s Day Beads
Early Bead Fairs
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Kung Hei Fat Choy!
Happy Year Of The Pig 2019

Year of the Pig 2019The new Year of the Pig starts 5th February 2019.

Each animal in the Chinese zodiac is divided into elements with slightly different characteristics – this new yin year is an Earth Pig.

A joyous year of energy and fortune, bringing stability, flexibility, modesty and intuition.

If you are a Pig
Traditionally, characteristics of the year, mirror that of it’s zodiac animal. Pigs are curious, mischievous, tolerant, generous and clever. They also have patience and understanding.

Pigs’ in their own year are usually unlucky, requiring hard work and discipline to avoid problems.

However, if you are a pig, stay calm, protect your wealth, and 2019 may be positive. Correct weaknesses and attract good luck by attending happy events. Likewise, avoid hospitals, graveyards, gluttony and loneness.

Your perfect partner is a tiger, rabbit or goat – you are least harmonious with a pig, snake or monkey person. Best jobs are in charity, teaching, acting, health care or beauty.

Predictions for this Year of the Pig
The pig is the last animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac. Bringing festivity and time to reflex at the end of the cycle. This feeling of abundance and lightness generates positive energy, but also financial problems, so invest cautiously and keep all administration up to date.

Business in commerce and transport will thrive, as will intellectual trades. Everyone will be busier and more open minded. Pig year’s usher in times of plenty. International relationships, although delicate, will improve, especially in the Middle East. However, terrorism remains, and new political figures emerging bring rebellion.

There will be road, water and air accidents. Heavy rain could bring flooding, and mining disasters are common in pig years. Corruption and sexual scandal will increase, with more cunning crime, especially online.

Pig Years
If you were born during these dates, then you are a Pig: 04/02/35 to 23/01/36, 22/01/47 to 09/02/36, 22/01/47 to 09/02/48, 08/02/59 to 27/01/60, 27/01/71 to 24/02/72, 13/02/83 to 01/02/84, 31/01/95 to 18/02/96, 18/02/07 to 06/02/08, 05/02/19 to 24/01/20.

Famous Pig People

Alan Sugar, Alfred Hitchcock, Arnold Schwarzenegger , Carlos Santana, Chiang Kai-shek, Elton John, Ernest Hemingway, Henry Ford, Humphrey Bogart, Julian Assange, King Henry VIII , Noel Coward, Stephen King, Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen

Pig Likes
Colours: red, white, yellow, grey, brown. Birthstone: agate & ruby. Western zodiac equivalent: Scorpio. Lucky numbers: 2, 5 & 8.

For a lucky Chinese jade pendant of your Chinese zodiac animal click OnlineOriental

For our oriental shop, click OnlineOriental.com

Amethyst: 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.

amethyst beadIts 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 beadsamethyst beadsamethyst beadsAmethyst 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”.

amethyst beadsBecause 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 beadsAmethyst’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 lower energies higher, 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 vigor, and reduces negativity.

Amethyst also supports all that is transitional. Especially death and rebirth – providing peace of mind when a loved one is lost. As an elixir, amethyst can help toothache, bone and joint discomforts and problems with the stomach and digestion. It has also been known taken for blood disease and balance blood sugar.

amethyst braceletIn 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 braceletAmethyst 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 of the gemstone – add lots of silver spacers and findings to balance.

To see our amethyst beads click: MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com

How to make an Amethyst Necklace

making amethyst necklaceThese are the steps of MiMi making an amethyst necklace using our amethyst nuggets and fancy drop beads (numbers are as pictures).

Note the crystal rondelle beads and gold stardust used as spacers.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
amethyst necklace
10.

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.

Use our monthly 2019 bead planner to organize your beading schedule – click here

Valentine’s Day Beads

Valentine’s Day is the first of the seasonal celebrations.

There are lot of gifts you can make for Valentine’s Day. If you make jewellery, this is an important date to sell.

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.

  • Necklaces
  • Heart bracelets or anklets
  • Charm bracelets
  • Matching sets with earrings
  • Beaded purses and bags
  • Heart cell phone pendants

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

For our heart shaped beads click MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk   

Early Bead Fairs

  • Sat & Sun 16th-17th Jan: Harrogate Gem n Bead Fair – Full details here.
  • Sat & Sun 2nd-3rd March: Kempton Park Gem n Bead Fair –  Full details here.
  • Sunday 10th March: Norwich Bead Fair – Full details here.
  • Sat & Sun 16th-17th March: Brighton Gem n Bead Fair – Full details here.
  • Sat & Sun 23rd-24th March: Cheltenham Gem n Bead Fair – Full details here.
  • Saturday 30th March: Kilburm London MrBead Bead Fair – Full details here.
  • Saturday 6th April: The Big Bead Show, Sandown Park – Full details here.

To see all the bead shows we have booked so far click Bead Fairs 2019 – many more yet to add!

See our beads at MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com

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April 2019 is the 14th full year of the MrBead newsletters, and I thank you all for such enthusiastic comments and appreciation. To see the past newsletters click here.

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