Let It Snow!

No twinkling lights on palm leaves for me,
I love the snow upon the tree,
Downhill on a sled we will go.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

In the winter I will have no tan,
But will go out to build a snowman,
Then warm up with some hot cocoa.
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Christmas is quickly approaching, And the stress can be overloading,
But think how happy you will be, to find Reflection Beads under your tree!

All of my Christmas shopping is done,
Now it is time to have some fun,
And since we’ve no place to go,
Let it Snow,
  Let it Snow,
   Let it Snow!!!


Ann with Reflection Beads

Happy Halloween!

Be safe wherever you go. Tonight is the night of ghost and goblins, the night where the living and the dead have no boundaries. Beware as vampires and werewolves walk the earth, and no I am NOT talking about Jacob and Edward.

Hollywood has played a large part in the images that scare us; monsters and demons, the living dead, aliens, headless horseman and large spiders, but children tend to put their own twist on Halloween.

When I was about 12 years old, I thought I was so brave. I loved to watch scary movies and tell frightening tales to my friends. There weren’t any nightlights being left on in this girl’s room!

Some of my friends were such babies. They wouldn’t even go to the little local haunted house that I had mastered a few years ago. I was ready for the big leagues.

My sister (8 years older then me) was planning a trip to one of the legendary Haunted Houses in our area. This Haunted House was rated in the top 5 of the all time scariest Halloween attractions in our state. My mouth began to water, I couldn’t contain myself, and I HAD to find a way to talk her into letting me go. I wanted this BAD, so the pleading began… I worked on my sister for days. I would wash her car or do her laundry or ANYTHING she needed me to do. I laid it on as thick as I possibly could.  Finally, she gave in, I was allowed to go. WHOO WHO!!

The day of the event couldn’t get here fast enough. I knew I was going to be brave. This was going to be an epic moment.

As we were standing in line, I started to get a little nervous. All of the things that were being said to me before hand trying to make me realize how scary this was going to be finally started to sink in. The creepy man in a mask informed us that we were going to be, “the next to die”. First, we would be driven on a trailer through the haunted woods, where several people have met there demise and their souls are seeking bodies to inhabit. And if we were one of the lucky ones that made it to the house at the end of the trail, we would have to fight our way out of the dark manor filled with patients that have escaped from the insane asylum and had taken refuge in the abandoned house.

Holy Cow! What was I thinking? I didn’t know that this was legit! I thought all haunted houses were run by the local boy scouts!!

The hayride started with a police officer running after us with a bloody leg dragging behind him. He was yelling for us to help him- that the lunatics attacked him and his partner while they were trying to take them back to the hospital.

Oh My Gosh!!!! I was way out of my league already. I buried my head in my sister’s boyfriend’s coat and didn’t come up for air until the ride stopped. There was NO WAY in this world was I going to go through the house where the cops were attacked, are you kidding me? So I waited at the exit doors with a very nice lumberjack that had an ax stuck in the side of his head.

Needless to say when I returned to school the following Monday, I was still one of the bravest kids in my class because I went to the scariest Halloween attraction in town!


Happy Halloween,

Ann with Reflection Beads

Sixteen Again

Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan were switched in “Freaky Friday” by a magic fortune cookie in a Chinese Restaurant. Jennifer Garner was thrown 17 years into the future in “13 Going on 30” by the powers of wishing dust. Mathew Perry was sent back to his teenage years in “17 Again” by a wish granting janitor. So, if you were given the opportunity to switch places with someone, jump ahead in the future or be sent back in time, what would you choose?

Sixteen is the magic number for me. I would love to be in high school again, playing sports and hanging out with my friends, attending all of the high school games and cheering our team to victory, participating in the pep rallies and the competition between the classes. 

Imagine the fun you would have all over again! I would be dating my now husband of 19 years, hanging on the phone until it attached to my head, (or so my mother would say.) If I wanted someone to call me late, we would have to plan ahead. To avoid the phone ringing and waking my parents, I would call the movie theater and listen to the play list until call waiting beeped in.

Aww to be sixteen and have all of those little “firsts” of life and love experiences ahead of me. The worries that I thought I had then seem so small now. It is definitely more fun being the teenager then it is being the parent of a teenager.  

Hollywood planted the idea in my head, but since I don’t believe that I will find “that” Chinese Restaurant, wishing dust or a wish granting Janitor, I will continue to enjoy the life I have and tell my story.

If some unknown cosmic energy sent you back in time, to what age would you return?

       

Symbolic Beads

Beads have been a product of symbolism for decades. They have been used as money and to bring wisdom and fortune to the person wearing them.

CBS Sunday Morning aired a segment about beads, but these weren’t just any beads, these were Beads of Courage. Images of children wearing multiple strands of beads around their necks filled the screen. Then the reporter announces that these children and their families were commemorating their journeys and telling their stories through beads…. These children are suffering from severe illnesses such as cancer. For every step along the way the child is given a bead to represent their journey. Each bead was received with pride and honor. Looking at a teen or child with strands and strands of beads draped over them was heart breaking. Each of their journeys was being told by the beads they wore with pride, hanging from their necks for everyone to see.

The children loved to show their beads to the camera. As a small girl held up a long strand of multiple looped yellow beads she told that each yellow bead was for a night that she had to stay away from home in the hospital. My heart melted and my eyes welled with tears. Having not gone through an experience like this, I couldn’t imagine the pain that these children and their families have been through. My heart went out to each and every one of them. Then, there sat a frail boy that struggled to simply smile. A very small strand of a few beads was placed on his neck. Next to him was his father draped in stands upon strands of beads, there were simple too many for the child to physically be able to hold up. Another child was grinning ear to ear as the anticipation grabbed a hold of him. After 15 feet of beads, he was waiting for the most desired bead of all, the “Purple Heart” this is the bead given when you are released to go home. The story of the courage beads touched my heart.

As I am writing this, I look down at my Reflection Beads bracelet. A mix of emotion overcomes me. I do not have beads to represent a life battle fought as the children with the courage beads do, but I do have a lot to be thankful for; a husband that loves me, two daughters that I adore, a father that is no longer with me but has taught me the value of family, a mother that has always been there for me and a grandmother that has shown me strength. This is My Story and I too wear it with pride.

Proof of a Memory

		Memories are things that we cherish in our own way. Have you ever pulled out your old yearbooks, notes, pictures or cards and looked through them? It amazes me how the memories will come flooding in as the old mementos of my life are lying in front of me. One of my biggest fears is that my children will be deprived of these moments.

There is a lot to be said for technology.  However, when it comes to photos, and emails and texts, will all of the thoughts and feelings shared through technology be lost forever when the newest and latest versions overtake the previous versions?  Future generations may be robbed of the little glimpses of the past that photos, letters and cards provide.

While thinking of a gift for several graduating seniors headed to college, the idea of stationary came up. As a society, we are so used to texting and emailing things that we rarely ever write a letter to someone or share our feelings. As an end result, the decision was made to give each of the high school seniors a basket full of paper, envelopes, pens, stickers and stamps. In this basket the following poem was also placed….

Proof of a Memory Inside this basket you will see, Something not up with technology. Facebook, Twitter, email and text, One form of communication is as good as the next. But they are not items you are able to keep, In a box of memories that you sow or reap. So when you are bored, happy, lonely or sad, Pull this gift out and start to write on the pad. A poem, a letter, a memory or thought, Of something you have learned remembered or taught. And to the person this you choose to send, Will have a keepsake to cherish until the end. So in 30 years in my memory box I will see Proof of the memories shared between you and me…

So whether you actually print your pictures (not just post them), write a letter, (not just text or email) or send a card, make your mark, leave items behind to Tell Your Story….

Please give us a glimpse of your past by sharing with us a few items that you have in your memory box. Ann with Reflection Beads

Create Your Story!

Are you looking for a unique piece of jewelry that no one else has? Look within yourself for the answer and to Reflection Beads for help. Use your imagination while designing your piece, think outside of the box. What ideas and creations can you come up with? I have included an image of a 20” thin chain with two Reflection Beads and a Reflections Collegiate Bead used to create a unique necklace. The possibilities are endless once you tap into your creative side. A man created a bracelet for his wife that was made with several Sterling Silver Reflections Tiger’s Eye Stone Beads, alternating with the Sterling Silver Reflections Stopper/Spacer Bead. The significance of his story was from a trip that was taken to Germany as a young teenager. There, he was given the opportunity to polish stones from the earth (tiger eyes) to bring out their beauty. Shortly after this trip, he met the love of his life. Creating the bracelet for his wife was his way to include her in the memory that he cherished.

The first step is to become familiar with the various beads that are offered and the terms used to describe them . Then, be creative. Simply recall moments in your life that you will never forget and design a Reflection Beads memento to help cherish your most prized memories. Don’t forget to come back and share your ideas and stories with us. Ann with Reflection Beads

Viva Las Vegas!

When I was a child, my parents sent me to a regimented private school. You were to stay to the right while walking down the hall or entering a doorway. Adults were to be addressed as Mr., Ms. or Mrs. And when answering you were to say yes ma’am, no ma’am or yes sir, no sir – yep or mm hum were out of the question. Detentions were served to those who got a bad grade on their test. Being sent o the principal’s office for not completing a homework assignment guaranteed a missed recess and a phone call to your parents. Once in the 8th grade, I received demerits because I was in the presence of a boy and girl that held hands during school hours. I was told I was as guilty as them if I witnessed such acts and didn’t do anything about it. When I got home and proclaimed my disgust in the injustice, I was told, “Deal with it, consider this punishment a make up for a time you did something wrong and got away with it.”– I lost that battle.

At the completion of my eighth grade year, the decision was made that I would no longer be attending a private school, in fact I would be sent to an extremely liberal, widely diverse public school. Oh how my life changed. I was dancing down the halls, yelling for friends to wait up or meet me after school and I could say “What’s up” to my teacher! This was a complete revelation and I took full advantage.

Now that I am an adult, I feel like I am a pretty liberal, open minded person. I feel like everyone has a story that makes them who they are and a reason why they do what they do. Then, I took a trip to Sin City - Las Vegas, a party all day, every day. Vegas - The City of Lights a big city festival on steroids. Slot machines in the airport should have been my first clue. Elvis, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Allen with baby Carlos from “The Hangover” and several other celebrity impressionists were walking the strip ready to strike a pose (as long as you paid them). At 6:30 in the morning the casinos were still full. I was confused if people were up that early or still out that late. Bets were being made, drinks were being drunk, and lives were being lived, but not like I was used to. This was definitely another major revelation in my life. Viva Las Vegas Baby!

Ann with Reflection Beads

St. Patrick's Day

My dad loved St. Patrick’s Day- “Kiss me I am Irish” pins, green t-shirts with witty sayings, top hats and shamrock glasses would proudly be displayed.

Dad would come marching down the hall and start singing and dancing. The smile on his face and ornery look in his eyes was priceless. My mom would laugh and call him her “Old hard headed Irishman” (endearingly of course) as he danced and sang his Irish jig.

What is it about St. Patrick’s Day that people enjoy so much? I am pretty sure it isn’t the historical or religious facts. When push comes to shove I believe most people are just looking for a reason to have fun.

As my dad would say, “Cut loose and have fun, it doesn’t matter who is watching. People will either like you or not, so you may as well be yourself.”

My father has been gone for almost 2 years now, but his orneriness lives on in each of his children and grandchildren. To represent him in “my story”, I have chosen the Reflection Beads Celtic Knot. Although the true meaning of the Celtic Knot is not clear, I am going with the belief that it stands for the “timeless nature of our spirit”.

On St. Patrick’s Day cut loose and have fun - Wear green to avoid being pinched, and give a big green beer cheer to the “Old Hard Headed Irishman”, in the sky.


Ann with Reflections

Bead Types and Tips

Silver and Gold Beads
Spacers, Themed Beads and Bali Beads

-Use these to create a unique touch to the bracelet. They can be as versatile as you would like for them to be.

-Use as few or as many of these as you desire.

Bead Types/Sizes and Tips

Swavorski Crystal Beads - 4 rows of crystals, approximately 8.5mm hole to hole, x 12mm

Hand-Blown Glass Beads - 8mm hole to hole x 13mm. These are smaller than the Italian Murano Beads,but do look nice when combined together.

Dichroic Glass Beads - multiple sizes multicolor metallic looking glass beads. These look great when placed with silver space and themed beads.

Murano Glass Beads- 11mm hole to hole x 13.5mm. These are a little larger than the Hand-Blown Glass Beads.



More Tips
Each person has their own "Flair" - I have listed a few suggestions below on my own personal experience and opinion:

-If you are going to keep with a color theme, be creative with the colors you choose.

-Each bead is unique and there may be variations in color. Choose colors that "Go" together.

-Different size beads create character and look fabulous when placed together.

-Can be separated with a Spacer, Themed or Bali Beads

-Create balance by alternating larger and smaller beads

-Placing a Clip or Gripper at both ends will keep the beads from sliding



Do you have tips and trick that work for you? Please feel free to share with us what works for you.


Ann with Reflection Beads

Love for Basketball

It starts with the National Anthem, the feeling that you may be sick, the butterflies in your stomach, the inability to stand still, warming up and stretching out. You know you are going to win, you can feel it in your bones. You look up into the crowd; all you can see is a wave of fans going wild in your school colors. The whistle blows and the tip-off starts the game. This match is going to be tougher than you thought. Trading basket for basket, you are almost out of breath and breaking a sweat. And then…a commercial… Phew….You can finally go in the kitchen and get a drink of water. March Madness has begun…

Sports bars are packed, brackets are filled out, televisions are taken over, and the smash mouthing begins, all in the name of friendly college basketball competition. Sports have always been a part of my life. Being the youngest of five children, it seemed forever before I was finally old enough to start playing on a team and not just sitting with my mom, watching as my siblings played. Once I started playing there was no going back - I fell in love with each sport I played. I remember playing in a basketball game with only a few seconds left on the clock. The ball was passed to me and I heaved the ball in the air from half court in a last second effort to tie the game. It seemed as if everything went quiet. Then, as the ball went swooshing through the net, everyone went crazy, jumping and screaming as if I had won the NCAA tournament. I do not remember who won that game, but I do remember making that shot. For a brief second it seems as if time stood still. I was 10 years old at the time and that day couldn’t have been better….. and so my love for basketball began.

For all of my fellow sports fans, keep an eye on the Reflection Beads website because

---The Reflection Beads Licensed Collegiate Series is coming soon.

Ann with Reflection Beads

Adding Beads and Keeping them in Place

Adding Beads

One end of each chain usually features some type of closure,
such as a Lobster clasp or Hinged clasp. The other end of each
chain houses a small connector which fastens to the clasp on the
opposite end of the chain. Simply slide the beads over the open
end of the bracelet or chain to design your story.


Prevent Sliding with Grippers and Clips
Grippers have a rubber washer located in the center which helps to
prevent beads from sliding. These can be used as decorative spacers

or as the last bead on your bracelet or chain. Simply push over the
open end and turn slightly when applying the bead to your bracelet or chain.

Clips are used to help hold beads in place. While opened, you actually place the clip onto the chain and clip it into place.

I recommend using at least one of the clips or grippers and placing them as the last bead on the open end of your bracelet or chain. This will also help prevent your beads from sliding off when you are putting your bracelet or necklace on to wear.


Ann with Reflection Beads

Quest for a Bead

Have you ever sat with your Grandma or Grandpa and listened to the stories that they have to tell? If your experience is anything like mine, these are stories that you can recite word for word as they are being told for the hundredth time. The irony is how much you cherish those same stories once your loved one is taken from this world.

My grandmother was a very religious, typical, little old lady who always had on a "House Dress" and slippers. Her house had a large wrap around porch and was located close to train tracks. Several hours were often spent sitting on that porch, watching trains go by and listening to her stories.

On my quest to find the perfect bead that would best represent my grandma, I started in several different directions. A cross or an angel came to mind, but just didn't feel right. She loved to cook and bake, but that didn't hit home. Then as I was flipping through the Relfection Beads website, I came across the Sterling Silver and Gold Anchor clip bead; it reached out of my monitor and grabbed me. I was completely intrigued as I felt immediately that this was the bead I was looking for; it was perfect. Grandma was the oldest ancestor that I personally knew and was the anchor to my existence. Every story she told me was a monologue of strength that she herself did not see. The anchor = the symbol of hope for future generations.
Researching the meaning of the anchor, I came across a passage that reads:
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." (Hebrews 6:19)

The anchor clip bead fit my story like the glass slipper fit onto Cinderella's foot-it fit perfectly. Which bead or beads fit perfectly into Your Story?



Ann with Reflection Beads

Choosing a Bracelet

Whether you are new to Reflection Beads or an old pro at telling your story, you may find a tip or two helpful when creating your bracelet, necklace, watch or earrings.

Closures

The Lobster Clasp closure features a fastener that is held closed by a spring. You may
have seen these types of clasps and just didn't know what they were called.

The Hinged Clasp closure gives the illusion of an additional bead. The open end fits into
a groove in the clip and is then snapped closed.

Length
There are two steps used to determine what size bracelet you need.

1. Wrap a string around your wrist, then measure the string with a ruler. This measurement is the actual size of your wrist. You may want to slightly increase this number, depending on how tight you want your bracelet to fit.

2. Once you determine your initial bracelet size, you will need to add extra length in order to accommodate the size beads you choose to wear. Here are a few tips:

• If filling the bracelet with larger beads, such as the Murano glass beads, add 2 inches to the initial size
• If adding a combination of beads, spacers or themed charms, add 1.5 inches
• If adding mostly spacers and charms to a few beads, add 1 inch

Ann with Reflection Beads

I Want to Know What Love Is

It is nearly impossible to turn the radio on and NOT hear a Love Song. Over the ages, just about every artist in every genre has released a love song. While Taylor Swift has “A Love Story", Miley Cyrus is loving and hating “7 Things” about her love interest. Dave Matthews Band expects it to “Crash into Me” and Seal explains it to be like a “Kiss from a Rose”.

Now that we are approaching the month of love, it is time to cherish the people and things that mean the most to us. Like these musical artists, we each express our feelings toward love in different ways. What is life without some sort of love?

Check out our selection of Love and Heart themed beads. If you are not into hearts, there are several themed beads to choose from as well. For a less direct approach, think outside of the box. A nice colored bead can represent anything from a person to an activity that you love to do. The most important thing to remember is to Reflect yourself. This is your story.

Like Foreigner, “I Want to Know What Love Is”--share with us what things you love in your life and the bead that you have chosen to represent this love.


Happy Valentine’s Day,
Ann with Reflection Beads

The Story of You

Have you ever wondered…if the Lifetime Movie Network created a film about your life, which actor or actress would be cast to play your role? I would love to think that Sandra Bullock would fit me to a T, however, I am probably more of a 30 something Delta Burke. But a girl can dream, right?

Although most of our lives are not thrilling enough for television, we each have our own story to tell. The events that happen in our lives mold us into the people we are today.

Reflection Beads provide you with an opportunity to tell your story and display your individuality. Whether you choose to add a bead to mark a point in your life or simply for the fashion aspect, the options are endless. Just like people, no two are alike. So be creative and tell the story of you, “Reflect” yourself.

Ann with Reflections