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