Once in a while we share tips on recycling…
Turn an old pill box into a bead organizer!
Bedtime -- time for purple peyote!
This works best for seed beads, since the compartments are small. You can organize your beads by color, while stashing them securely to avoid pesky bead spills.
And if you’re seriously compulsive, you get a built-in reminder of which color to use at which time of day.
I just wanted to take a minute to thank the nice people I work with. They set aside money from every paycheck in 2009, to be donated to charities in this giving season.
I also want to thank Rings & Things’ owners Russ and Dee. They matched our contributions dollar for dollar. It feels nice to be able to give twice as much to a good cause!
Every one of us can help
R&T has just sent out our employees’ donations for 2009.
Have a look at who we gave to (it’s a window into our soul):
Here’s wishing everyone a prosperous, generous and healthy holiday season and new year!
“Thank you so much for carrying these REAL French barrettes — I really had to scour the internet to find them/you. The difference in quality is very noticeable. You have a new customer!”
– Lisa Twombly,
Twombly Designs
Real French barrettes!
Oui, Rings & Things brings you superior-quality genuine French barrette backs. Take care of your customers with these nickel-free findings. Each is made from a single piece of durable, hypo-allergenic metal.
And, just to make sure you have alternatives you’ll be happy to create with: Try our lower-priced, French-style barrette findings. They’re softer, and the spring in them can be removed and easily re-attached. That’s why this style is preferred by barrette makers when creating styles that involve wrapping the backs.
A garden on a French barrette
It’s a win-win!
* Update (Jan. 7, 2010): The Spokane Spokesman-Review has published a story about walkability and growth planning, illustrating its points with my accident.
Season’s greetings! This snowy, dark Tuesday afternoon, a couple of us were putting our coats on to go home. “Walk defensively!” a coworker joked. I did–and I was hit by a car.
I’m lucky enough to work for a hippie bead seller. Rings & Things encourages us employees to bike to work, walk, snowshoe, or use some other “commute trip reduction” alternative. I’ve learned a carbon ton about ways to show some love to our environment and our cities.
So my reaction to being run over is strangely positive…
I get my big chance to tell you about Complete Streets.
This is a movement of people with the utterly non-radical notion that “walking or cycling shouldn’t be a dangerous lifestyle choice.” From what I can see of their membership, locally they’re led by some pretty established and down-to-earth personalities in our local political scene. They work to make the city a place where you’d want to ride your bike, or walk around.
Amazing! What could this lead to?
That’s how it used to be; I remember. Guess we’re talking about a downright conservative idea 
So, think about it. I was run over. My boss was hit. One of my coworkers was hit in a crosswalk. All downtown, all on the way to work. I could list more that I know of, but you get it. It’s not that we’re a bunch of uncoordinated nutcases–we’re just out there walking & biking. And we’ve learned one thing:
All we want for Christmas is change! Think about making your downtown safe for walkers & bicyclists. Check out what Mark Fenton says about these kinds of things; he’s a PBS TV host who’s thought a lot about it. Thanks, and happy holidays!