How I Became an Instructor at the Bead & Button Show and how you can too.

The Bead and Button Show has long been considered the most prestigious show in the US for jewelry crafting. At its height, the show boasted over 300 venders, 200 instructors and 800 classes. And was the second largest consumer bead show in the country. It is also the second largest convention for the city of Milwaukee only behind AmFam. But as they say, everything changes. And indeed the Bead and Button show has changed in the last 5 years. However, much of what makes the show great (in my opinion) still stands true. There may not be the same number of vendors or classes but it still attracts instructors and students from all over the country and around the world making it the most interesting show to attend (again, in my opinion).  Additionally, as it is concentrated in one facility, as opposed to Tucson which is scattered throughout an entire city, the “feel” of the show is much more intimate than Tucson.

I first went to the BnB show some 15 years ago as a spectator shopping for my then bead store. For those purposes I can not say that it was a show for me because I was not really a consumer. I was a wholesale buyer. Even so, I continued to watch the show progress. Then one day I found myself reading a Bead and Button Show catalog again, which changed everything.

After reviewing the catalog I decided that I could be doing that. That? Teaching “that is”. So I applied. And applied. And got a big fat rejection. During this time we started a new business that involved some manufacturing and distribution in the beading industry, The Urban Beader. This business would take me back to BnB as a vendor and this is where my journey to teaching truly sky rocketed.

How I got my start

Back in those days, the wait list to be a vendor was about 3 years, unless that is, you have such a unique business that it would complement the show. We were in! While we were there that first year I was introduced to a store owner whom by the end of show hired me to teach at her store. That Fall I was at her store teaching for my first time out of state and the second time away from my store. By then, my application to teach at the next BnB had already been rejected. Unbeknownst to me, there were several students in my classes who had some influence at the show. Not that I can even remember who they are.

About 2 weeks after teaching at this shop, after I had already received a rejection letter, I received an acceptance letter! What? Out of 6 submitted 2 were accepted. One of my classes sold out in the first FOUR minutes of registration. A few days after the opening of registration I received a contact asking for more classes. Then again a couple of weeks later. And again. By the third time, I decided I should decline in fear of getting in over my head. The rest is history.

So what does all of this have to do with how You will get into the Bead and Button show? I’m getting to that.

Here is pretty much what I know.

First of all the competition is great. You sort of had to wait for someone to quit before there was an opening. If you were there in the beginning it was pretty much assured that you would be a lifer. And back in the day (when I first applied) it was implied that there was a lot of politics. Given how I got into the show, I had to agree. I couldn’t prove it but, it was what it was. Through the years (I hoped) it was merit. My classes sold well, I made nice with people and made myself easy to work with.

What is different for me? Even at this point 12 years after the fact, I do not believe that it is any different for me than it is for anyone else; with the exception of first timers. If you are applying for the first time, you will need to submit samples, a resume and letters of recommendations. Some people seem to believe that this is absurd. But is it? Would you hire someone on their word? I wouldn’t. After my first year I was no longer required to submit letters or resume, but for years I still had to submit samples. This practice only ended about 5 years ago, if I remember correctly.

After submission, the samples are sent back and a letter is sent out, accept or reject. No explanation but just a thank you for your time kind of thing. I know this really hard for most people. You need to sort of get over it. There are thousands, literally thousands of submissions by hundreds of instructors. There is just not enough man power to send out critiques of any kind for all of the rejects. What people don’t understand and what I have come to learn is that there are only 4 people managing the show throughout the year. You may think that there is a large staff when you are attending the show, but those are all temps. Pretty much it is all hands on deck (meaning Kalmbach employees) to work the 10 days of the show. The receptionist is at the registration booth, the accountant is the guy you hear on the intercom and the marketing guy is registering the instructors when they arrive. So as a matter of practicality there is just not enough time/people to send out personal rejection letters.

Now that you know this, don’t take it personally. New management came in about 3 years ago and as far as I am concerned, the politics have been removed. I truly believe that they look at projects and consider the following: what is the current trend, what does the show traditionally sell most of, is the project appealing, how many of those techniques have already been accepted?  Unless you have passed some of these requirements, I am unsure that YOU have anything to do with the decision if you have references and a track record.

The problem I see most with instructors, and this is true with most people in general, is that they are not honest about their work. Most people think their work is unique and great, but is it really? Lets be honest. How many different spinner rings could there be??? Yet people continue to submit it. Which then leads to the question, how many spinner rings do you think BnB should accept? You gotta keep it real.

What is my best advice? Look at the previous year’s offerings and submit something that is different/unique. Be honest about your designs. What techniques are you bringing to the table? Do you really think an experienced bead weaver is going take yet another right angle weave class? Probably not. Submit more than several projects. I like to play the numbers, I have always felt that if I submitted more, my chances would go up. Think about it, the odds might go up. My second year I submitted 6, they took 4. The next I submitted 10’ish they took 6.

Just because you have been rejected one year does not mean it is over for you. Try again. And again if you have to. You never know when instructors drop off. Because for one reason or another they will and do drop off. Trust me, one I will too.

I have talked to the show much since the new management to gain an understanding of their working style. From that, this I know to be fact; they are working on merit. If someone’s class does not sell and/or they have not brought anything new to the table, their class/es will be rejected if they submit the same ones. It does not matter how long they have been teaching. It is all about the bottom line. The show is accountable for revenue, like all businesses. Thus they need to choose classes that will produce more revenue and keep the show fresh. It is just business.

Don’t believe what you hear. There are lots of people out there who will not take accountability for their actions. They believe that they are so good it couldn’t possibly be them and that it had to be the show being whatever they are being. Let me say, it IS the show being whatever they are being. They are being a business looking at revenue. Despite any complaints I have ever heard about an instructor, if their classes are selling, they will be invited back.

So if you have been rejected look at it honestly, refine your work and perhaps even go a different direction.

Good luck! See you at the show.

This is me at the front entry to the Bead and Button Show 2014 and that is my project. It took about 8 years before I got that honor. Woohoo me. When it rains it pours, my projects were on 3 posters that year. Then it happened again the following few years. I don't even take pictures anymore. I think the way to make that happen is to make sure you have damn good pictures. 

Bill’s Life Lesson

In 2014, my father in law, Bill, was dying. We, his family, were not informed. This was not revealed until about 6 months later, but he knew that he was at the end of his journey on this earth. During this time he made a point to have each of his children to visit so that he could have the time he needed to make peace with each of children.

Bill was a highly intelligent, stoic person whom we could count on for unadulterated advice and commentary on any subject. By the time I came to know bill, he was in his 60’s and not doing retirement well. Even in that last year of his life, he was looking for a part-time teaching position at the local college. I guess he felt that he still had more to give.

By the time Bill became my father in law he had had a shift in character. I did not know this until much later. This new Bill was the only person I had ever known. Open minded, spiritually open and a humanitarian. Someone who accepted me for who I was, not that he liked all of me but was willing to love me for all that I was. I say “was” because I changed much after having him in my life.

During the last year of life, Bill worked to make amends with all of his children and I assume the people he felt he had wronged. On our last visit Bill sat with me privately to talk about our relationship. He apologized for not being the father in law in he could have been. And that he wished he could be more for me.

I was totally shocked. Bill was the father in law I had prayed for. Someone I could talk to intelligently, someone who supported our marriage and someone who could be a pillar when we needed. He may have not some shortcomings but who doesn’t.

I told him that he had nothing to apologize for, and that he was the one I prayed for. He was quick to shut down my conversation. Reminding me that, “When someone wants to apologize, let them.”

That night I learned a life lesson. When someone is being sincere let them. When someone wants to help you, let them.

From our wedding, Bill officiated. 2000

Through “Copygate” I have been reminded of this lesson over and over again. So many people have reached out to us wanting to help. We never want to involve people in our problems. We feel that it is our responsibility to clean our house. I was reminded, that as our friends, it is more frustrating to sit on the sidelines as they watch us burn. Not allowing people to help you is far more hurtful. As a person who is independent and have always had to do things on her own this is a hard pill to swallow.

So the lesson, let your friends be your friends. That is their privilege. On the path of life, walking alone is sometimes nice but walking in a parade is a lot more fun.

Competion

As a member of crafting jewelry community I felt like I needed to add my two cents. But before I begin, let me qualify my opinion. I am a former owner of not one but two bead stores of 9 years. So this was not a flash in the pan.

There has been much talk in the community about the FacetJewerly Box. Somehow, this seems to have offended a number of people and I am unclear why there is such a strong opinion about it. As a former LBS owner I felt this kind of competition was good for the store and it would have given me the idea to do a “box” of my own. As an LBS I was always looking for ideas.

I commend Kalmbach for being creative with their outreach. As a publisher the goal is to find new subscribers. As I like to put it, “new blood”. Because as we all know people change up crafts as often as they change their underwear. I used to get people (and still do) who are “new” to jewelry making and are immediately obsessed. The majority of these obsessions are short lived. The majority only last about a year.  So what is a store owner to do? How do you continually reach new customers? You have to be innovative. You have to find creative ways to acquire new customers.

For me, if FacetJewelry is able to create new addicts, gaahd love them. Because we all know these addicts (we are one of them!) Do you really think it begins and ends at a Box? Absolutely not. Addicts will eventually seek out new and better sources, ie LBS! It is all just a matter of time.

Additionally, for me personally, these addicts eventually move on from beads and go to metals. It is a natural progression. (Heck this how I ended up here.) Which means (hopefully) my potential audience will also continue to grow as a result.

There is no chance that Kalmbach or any other publication will have the Walmart affect. None. Publishers simply do not function that way. Their goal is to create more subscribers. By boycotting the publishers, you are also dooming our industry. If the publishers go out of business who is going to drive the core audience. As much as we can say there is always social media and the internet. Most of us are not that good at it. AND as LBS owners, we are way too tired and overworked to add one more thing to our plates.

A little story of my experience. Back when I had the stores I was asked to participate in a Bead Store Hop. Where customers were invited to pick up a passbook to have stamped at all the local bead stores. Those who received all the stamps were entered into a drawing for a prize. The theory was that it would generate more traffic for all of us. I thought this was a lovely idea and participated. The second year I was uninvited. Why? Because my store was the biggest and I was viewed as too much competition. They should have seen this as an advantage to get in front my mailing list of thousands. It is all a matter of perspective.

And for the sake of transparency, although I am published by both F&W and Kalmbach, no one has paid me to write this. I am just annoyed. If you are in business you SHOULD welcome competition. Competition makes all of us step our game. When we do this our industry is stronger as a whole. My big question is, what creative thing are you doing to contribute to this industry and not just your own store? 

Doing Our Best

I have been through so much in my life that I can no longer count the number of times my world has been turned upside down by forces outside of my control. I guess Gahd feels I need more character building. To that I stand firm and say bring it on! Watch out world, there is more of me to come.

The last FIVE days have been hell for Andy and I as we became the target of a witch hunt on Facebook. The attacks were fast and furious and a quick response was demanded by our customers. A person used our business as a basis to commit fraud. Having no legitimate claims with us, he preyed on our customers using extortion tactics; preying on their fears and innocence to line his pockets. Unfortunately, many fell into the deception.

To answer our customers’ demands we chose measured responses with the hopes of relaying accurate, concise information. Unlike our fellow competitors who chose answers that were expedient and convenient without regard for the long term consequences. All the while disregarding the law and the truth, content and happy to throw The Urban Beader (our business) to the sharks. As a scapegoat to their narrative they continue to move the target on us rather than constructively addressing the individual using extortion tactics.

We have from the beginning, been honest and open about our business. I would also argue that we have gone far beyond what others were willing to do. How many of our competitors have actually contacted their lawyer and done their due diligence to understand the law? Instead, they wait to see the fall out of our business and for our postings from our lawyer. How many of them looked up the law before they even started their business? They claim to be above board but are now scrambling to “falsely be compliant” to show good faith to the customers. These false narratives have created confusion among our customers and again point the target squarely on our backs.

Despite all attempts to spread the truth, many who have worked to spread the truth, there are still those who choose to hold onto falsehoods and spread deception. I respect that people have opinions but it is hard to accept when they actively seek to do damage based on an opinion. 

Our effort has been to educate our customers and ourselves as to our/their rights. Not only is it beneficial to our business, but we had hoped that it would help our customers with their own business practices.

Questions and doubt continue to crop up. And though I previously stated that I was done, apparently I am not.

*Loophole.

A loophole is an ambiguity or inadequacy in a system, such as a law or security, which can be used to circumvent or otherwise avoid the purpose, implied or explicitly stated, of the system.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loophole

We have been accused of using a loophole to our advantage, to this I disagree. There is no ambiguity in the copyright law thus NO loophole. It is clearly stated what is and is not eligible for copyright. Thus, no copyright laws were broken and no loophole used. Article 906.4
https://www.copyright.gov/comp3/chap900/ch900-visual-art.pdf

For example

In Colorado, you are allowed to defend your dwelling from intruders. Technically, a jail cell is your dwelling, and technically, the inmate could be trespassing. Therefore, killing him is within the rights of the dwelling owner.
https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/7-legal-loopholes-that-actually-exist-45712

*Industry standards

The history of typefaces begins with the invention of the printing press in 1440. We have come a long way in the last 500+ years. But to understand what we do we must recognize that the stamping industry is a derivative of the printing industry. (Basically a stamp is the same thing as a typeface with a long shank.) Copyright laws regarding typeface are steeped in this history. It was demonstrated that the duplication or copy of a typeface was impossible thereby NOT qualified for copyright protection. We continue to work within these industry standards to create the product that we sell.

*Law vs. agreement and the Berne Convention
We have been accused to breaking the Berne Convention laws. Especially in the UK.f

There is a big difference between a law and an agreement; and the Berne Convention is an agreement. It is sort of like this:

Imagine the Berne Convention as a soccer field (agreement) that allows everyone (countries) who want to join, to play together on the same field. Everyone who wants to participate agree to honor one another’s rules (laws). In whichever country you register your copyright the rules apply and everyone else agrees to play by that country’s rules (laws).

The US has what is considered the strongest copyright rules (laws) in the world; it is the gold standard. Thus, if you hold yourself to the US standards you should be clear of wrong doing. So if you want to sue someone based on laws that has less protection than the US, you may be giving up some of your rights to protection. (Lets be honest, we have not been able to find a provision for typeface in Sweden.)

https://copyrighthouse.co.uk/copyright/countries-berne-convention.htm

*The law vs the company

The discussion has turned from the law to a question of ethics. In the end, this becomes a personal decision. The law has provisions for which we conduct our business and we follow these rules. Does it make it right or wrong? That is for the customer to decide. The law cannot play to the standards of everyone’s opinions. This would create chaos. However, the law can be changed through legislation. If so inclined, people who disagree with the law can contact their legislator and start the progress. We as a company cannot bend to every customers’ opinion, this would be impossible. “The customer is not always right, but the customer is still the customer.” ~Shep Hyken. We acknowledge and respect that our customers have a voice and an opinion, that they have a choice to make and that choice is theirs alone.  

*Libel, fraud, infringement, blackmail, extortion

How many times in the past 5 days have I heard the words “YOU SHOULD SUE!” more times than I would like to admit. In this world, people are quick to jump to conclusions and are quick to share their opinions without thought of damages to the party they are attacking but even more so, forget that they are potentially creating damages unto themselves. So before stating an opinion here are a few things to think about.

*Libel

Advising people not to do business with a company may be considered an opinion, but when said opinion hinders a company from making money a line is crossed and you can be. sued for damages.

Stating false facts, ie The Urban Beader stole art, creates a libel statement. You may think it is an opinion but again the line has been crossed when such statements are intended to do and can be proven to do damage.

Could we at this time sue various individuals for making such inflammatory, false and libelous statements? Absolutely. Would we and will we be suing individuals for defamation and libel, there is a huge possibility (even if it is overseas). BUT we are hoping that the Mob Mentality turns into a Positive Mob. One that is more considerate of their own thoughts and have a higher code of conduct. I realize that we will never be afforded an apology but that seems to be the way of the world. How terribly sad this makes me.

*Fraud, extortion and blackmail.

When someone demands action in return for not revealing compromising or damaging information about them, they are committing blackmail. When someone tries to deceive you for financial gain, they are committing fraud. If they use threats this fraud then becomes extortion.

People were deceived into believing that The Urban Beader had committed a crime, fraud. Then they were told that if they did not act within 24 hours they too would be subject to said crimes, blackmail. Then they were told they had to pay to make themselves whole to be safe from violations, extortion.

The irony

Yes, we were contacted 6 years ago. Yes, we sought legal advice and yes we acted on this advice. When the complainer failed to respond within a timely manner (because he has no legitamate claim), his statute of limitations ran out regardless of legitimacy of the claim. The law provides for “good faith” in just about every corner. What this means is, if an infraction has been discovered there is a limited time in which you can prosecute/claim. If you do NOT pursue within this timeframe, you release your rights. This statute of limitation is different for every part of the law, ie fraud, theft, annulment of marriage, etc...)

The irony, by not pursuing his supposed claim with us, this person has given up his rights altogether and it could be argued (in a court of law) that he has given up his claim and it, in turn becomes Open Source! Meaning it is free for everyone to use. 

The bottom line is, had there been a legitimate claim this would have been settled long ago. Even with benefit of the doubt that he was young and had no monies for a lawyer, to date he still has NOT contacted the party in which he claims is the offender, us. Instead he contacted the outliers and comitting acts of extortion.

*Inspiration vs copying

Back to the opinion. It would seem that there are a number of people who believe we have unjustly copied other people’s art. I would contend that we took inspiration. Even though it has long been said, “there are no original ideas”, artists are one of the most self-absorbed group of people in society. But that is beside the point. Is it a moral judgement or is it the law?

Google vs Apple

Apple has long argued that the all Google does is copy their work. Google has long contended that they only take the inspiration and make it better. Many times I have said the same thing about what we do. We take and idea and make it better.

Example 1:

Stamp tape, there was a stamp tape that was being sold well before we were selling our tape. I looked at that tape and thought it was sooooo comical that they were able to convince customers into buying grey electrical tape for about four times the price of the hardware store.

I felt that I/we could do better. Much better. What if the tape had lines to guide you? Would THAT not be something useful? It took almost 4 years of research and a trip to Asia to finally find a company who would do it for us Without a minimum of 30,000 pieces.

Did we copy the tape? Absolutely, we copied an Idea and made it better. There is no such thing as copyrighting and IDEA! Shortly thereafter, said company copied our stamp tape by selling their own version with a grid. Did they copy us? I would argue that they created more of an infringement than we did. But that is simply my opinion, the law is not on my side.

Example 2:

A quick history of The Urban Beader.

We started a bead store and while buying inventory for the store we started selling tool cases. But the only tool cases available were either black or purple vinyl. Black because they came from an industrial business. Purple because a guy (literally) thought women would like that. My thought was, really? I felt that if I prettied it up with flowers and silk and feminine colors we would win. And thus started The Urban Beader.

Did they steal it from another company and start selling it to beaders? Absolutely they did. Aside from the purple color, they still sold the black as is. Did they pay any royalties for this? Absolutely not. Why not? Because the suing company would have to prove how this company took away their ability to profit from said tool cases. By selling it in a completely unrelated industry no damage was done to the original party. Thus no lawsuit.

Did The Urban Beader steal or copy this idea? Sort of both. Tool cases have been around for so long and considered common place it would be hard to say that we copied directly but rather were inspired. But once again we took an idea and made it better. It is because of The Urban Beader’s idea that the industry now has many, many fun tool cases for crafters. Yup, true story.

Example 3:

The stamp hammer took 2 years to develop with Bill Fretz. Within the first year of its release a UK company knocked it off. Did they copy my design, absolutely. Have they ever paid royalties for this hammer? Absolutely not. Why have we never pursued them with a lawsuit? Because we are a small company with limited means and time.

Customers have been demanding that we pay royalties for designs in which we have found inspiration. However, not one customer has demanded the company that knocked us off pay royalties to us. 

I will also ask one more question, how many of these customers who were quick to cast a stone have paid royalties to Heather Moore? The designer credited for starting the stamped jewelry motif. I am pretty sure Heather is not holding her breath. 

Did we copy these ideas, of course we did. Did we steal anyone’s art? Absolutely not. I have painstakingly drawn EVERYTHING.

So in the conclusion, we have and will always work within our rights of the law and the conventions of our industry. Despite how anyone else conducts their business, we will not be pressured into creating a false narrative. It has become every man for himself. All too often people cower at the face of potential adversity rather than standing up for what is right in hopes of saving themselves. History provides us with countless examples, and now social media exponentially contributes to this count. 

We look forward to helping our customers, you, create the great art you do while knowing we do so well within the law.

We would like acknowledge the people who made it this far in the post. This proves your interest in undesrtanding our position and willingness to keep an open mind, for that we are grateful, Thank You! If you have any further questions or if there is something we can help you with, please reach out to me directly. 

For more information regarding this matter, please consider reading the following blogs. 

FAQ The Urban Beader

The second response

How we are getting through this emotionally

 1.          What do I do if I am contacted by Mans Greback?

 We are not your lawyers and cannot give you legal advice.  However, we do not believe Mr. Greback has any legitimate reason to ask you for a license fee for using our typefaces.  You certainly can ask Mr. Greback to provide proof to support his demand for a license, such as a copyright registration certificate.  You can also confirm with Mr. Greback that we put him in touch with our attorney almost seven years ago and that he has never made a claim against us, in any court in the world.  You may also point out to Mr. Greback that if he really wanted to resolve this issue, instead of bullying small entities, he would reach out to us, the manufacturer of the typeface, not the end users.

  2.          If the UB stamps are all legal, how can Etsy take down my items?

Etsy’s Intellectual Property Policy can be found here.  https://www.etsy.com/legal/ip

Etsy’s DMCA Notice Requirements policy here. https://www.etsy.com/legal/ip-dmca

As you can see, if someone files a DMCA notice pursuant to the terms, Etsy will likely take down the material.  If the other party files a counter notice, Etsy will likely restore the information within 10 days unless a party files a law suit.  As mentioned above, in the United States, the shapes of typefaces are not eligible for copyright protection and we do not think anyone will file a lawsuit in the United States on this issue. 

 3.          Does this apply in the UK, US, Australia, South America, Japan? Globally?

  We are a company based in the United States and we are most familiar with the laws of our country.  We can say that we have never been sued, in the United States, or anywhere in the world, for copyright infringement.  According to our research, Germany does allow for copyright protection for typefaces created in Germany by Germans.  The United Kingdom does something similar for typefaces created in the UK by English citizens but makes an exception for usage by typographers.  We understand from his website that Mr. Greback is in Sweden.  We are not aware of any Swedish court ruling that Swedish copyright law protects typefaces.  Again, we are not aware of any legitimate claim of copyright infringement by Mr. Greback.

  4.          Just because this is legal in the US, is it the same for the Berne Convention?

  The Berne Convention is a copyright convention that requires its parties to treat the copyright of works of authors from other parties to the convention at least as well as those of its own nationals.  The Berne Convention is not a separate basis for filing a copyright lawsuit, it is a convention that helps explain how existing copyright law in the Berne member countries will be interpreted.

  I realize that this is confusing and I thought I would reword the above statement for better understanding. I hope this helps.

  The Berne Convention is an international agreement that requires the Convention members to treat the copyrights of authors from other countries at least as well as those of its own authors. The Berne Convention helps explain how existing copyright laws in the member countries will be interpreted. The Berne Convention is NOT used as a basis for a copyright lawsuit.

 5.          Does The Urban Beader have licenses for all of their fonts?

Remember, fonts are computer files or programs that inform your printer or display how a letter or character will be displayed.  We currently have commercial licenses for fonts that have used in digital form and any of our marketing material.

6.          Does The Urban Beader have copyrights for all of the alphabetic/numeric stamps?

 Remember, a “typeface” is a set of letters, numbers and other symbols whose forms are related by repeating certain design elements that are consistently applied used to compose text or other combination of characters.  In the United States, the shapes of typefaces are NOT eligible for copyright protection. 

  7.          Does The Urban Beader have copyrights for all of the design stamps?

 While we may not have copyright registrations for all of our stamp designs, in the United States, works of original authorship that are eligible for copyright protection are protected by copyright the moment they are created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device. 

  8.          Did the Urban Beader steal art from fonts?

 No.  We are artists and creators and makers just like you.  We are committed to respecting the laws and doing what is right.  We have been in business for 12 years and have never been sued for copyright infringement.  While we may be inspired by many different things, and incorporate elements of those inspirations into our creations, we do not steal and do not violate copyright law.

 9.          Why is it legal for us (buyer/consumer) to use these stamps without a license from the font makers?

Remember, a “typeface” is a set of letters, numbers and other symbols whose forms are related by repeating certain design elements that are consistently applied used to compose text or other combination of characters.  In the United States, the shapes of typefaces are not eligible for copyright protection.

10.       Isn’t this just a technicality that The Urban Beader is using to steal someone’s work? 

 No, it is our job to follow the law and do what is right. We are confident that there is no legal obligation for us to take a license to sell our stamps.  As artists, we are also comfortable with our personal choices.  Of course, if you want to voluntarily support another artist because you were inspired by his/her work, we recommend that you do so.

 11.   If you don’t have licenses for your fonts, why do you ask us to have them for custom orders?

 Remember, fonts are computer files or programs that inform your printer or display how a letter or character will be displayed.  Fonts may be protected by copyright law and we ask that you have licenses for all fonts that you use in connection with our services.

  12. Is font and typeface the same thing?

 No.  Fonts are computer files or programs that inform your printer or display how a letter or character will be displayed.  A “typeface” is a set of letters, numbers and other symbols whose forms are related by repeating certain design elements that are consistently applied used to compose text or other combination of characters.

Since they are software, fonts may be protected by U.S. Copyright law.  In the United States, the shapes of typefaces are not eligible for copyright protection.  (Also refer to #3 for global questions.)

For more information regarding this matter, please consider reading the following blogs. 

The follow up response

The final response

How we are getting through this emotionally
 

Top 5 tips on Glue

Adhesive, who knew there was enough to talk about, let alone put it in a newsletter. Well, in 2018 this subject has come up in several discussions so I thought it would be good to share what I know about this topic. 

In the world of glue there are a plethora of choices from Super Glue to Elmer’s to Flex Glue (as seen on TV). And there are glues for EVERY job imaginable. So lets just narrow down the field to adhesives used for jewelry making, because I could talk about this until 2020 and still not be done. I, who has an entire drawer dedicated and labeled, “Glue”. (Don’t judge me.)

But wait! You thought gluing was a bad thing. There is much argument in the jewelry world against gluing. I would like to make the argument FOR glue. There are many times when there is no way around it structurally. I would also like to point out that the likes of David Yurman, Sephora, Brighton, etc… all use GLUE for many of their pieces.  If they can make millions using it, who are we to dispute it? In the end, you need to make a choice the right for your design. And if you need to feel better about using it, call it “chemical bonding”.  So what’s the hang-up? I call the naysayers snobs. Somewhere in there they got the idea that it makes them "better" than you if they don't use glue. Well, as far as I am concerned, they are wrong. As long as you disclose what you are doing when someone asks, there shouldn't be a problem. Moving on.

The tips:

1. Something you should know before you get frustrated, all adhesive products (as far as I know) have a shelf life; this learned the hard way. What this means is that over time, even if they are still liquid, the glue will lose its effectiveness and will not have the integrity that it once did when it was “fresh”. Yes, there is such a thing as “fresh” glue. Thus, how do you know where you stand with the tube of glue in your hand? Unfortunately, you don’t. Though, I am sure it is out there somewhere, no glue I have ever handled has had a “best if used by” date.

It is hard to know how long the retailer had it on the shelf before you bought it or even how long the manufacturer had it before the retailer bought it. So if you were using one type of glue and it worked well the first time, but then used the same type again a year later (new tube) and it didn’t work as well, it could be that it sat on someone’s shelf a long time before you purchased it.

 At this point there is really not much you can do about it. My best advice is throw it away and try again. With this knowledge, I no longer buy large quantities of any glue. All packages are purchased in the smallest increment, unless of course I am making slime. (A story for another day.)

2.     A tip on application. Instead of using the tip of the tube/bottle, I squeeze some onto a scrap piece of cardstock (like a business card) and use either a toothpick or a straight pin to apply the glue onto my piece. This usually allow me to control the volume.

Apply it to the smaller piece then attach. This will also help control the mess. If there is a void that needs to be filled, I would apply it to the void to ensure that there is enough glue to fill it, there is less guessing this way. Then apply the piece to the glue.

3.     Let it cure overnight. Not all glue needs overnight, but most do. Many adhesive state a setting time 5minutes and up. But most have a longer “curing” time. Which means it needs more time to rest before it is considered 100% effective. My rule of thumb is 24hours/overnight. This will build in some insurance.

4.     Stop checking it! Every time you check it while it us setting you are detaching the pieces and not allowing the glue to work. This will rear its ugly head later down the road.

5.     As permanent as some adhesives are, they are not. If you have incorrectly attached something, you can always use a solvent to dissolve it. Rubbing alcohol or acetone are commonly used. If there are no stones involved, I just heat it with a lighter. Makes a mess but very quick removal. Always test the solvent in an innocuous place if there is a stone involved. Sometimes stones are stabalized and the solvent may dissolve that too. 

The next question is, which glue is right for my job? As a matter of common sense we all know that not all glues are meant for all jobs, yet somehow it all goes wrong. Here are the things I consider when I need to do a little chemical bonding.

1.     Is the part I am trying to glue structural? If it is, I need something strong.

2.     What is the material I am trying to bond? Glass, metal, stone, textile. This helps me determine how goopy I need it to be and whether or not the glue needs to be flexible when it is dry.

3.     How much surface do I need to cover? Do I need to “fill” a space or just tack it together?  This too will determine the viscosity I need in the product.

Based on the answers to these questions I choose my product. Usually the most important question for me is number 1. Because when if it is structural you will need the strongest glue you can get. For those projects I use 2 part Epoxy. I really don’t care which one, because even the quickest drying one has a test weight of several hundred pounds, and really, we make jewelry not building a car.

Though there are many options to choose from and everyone has their preference, here is a list of what I keep in my studio on any given day.

E6000 – I like E6000 because of the volume, it is goopy. When there is a void I can use E6000 and don’t have to work at filling the gap. Great general use. Buy the small tubes because once you open the large tube it starts to dry up and you will likely be wasting your money.

2 part-epoxy – I am not particular about brand nor setting time. When I feel like I need more strength I use epoxy. The downside is that you have to mix it, and if you get the ratio wrong, it will not work correctly.

New Glue – literally named “New Glue”. I use this in place of Super Glue because it is stronger. But this is a watery consistency so I only use it for things like flatback rhinestones.

Loctite Super Glue – Much like New Glue, but can be purchased with a brush applicator. It also comes in a gel form, so it doesn’t run everywhere.

GS Hypo Cement – This is the most common adhesive in the jewelry world. BUT what people most people don’t know is that there is a sister product that is in the Purple tube. The Red tube is listed for watch repair, whereas the Purple is for fabric. So if you are using glue for your knots, you really want the GS Hypo Cement in the Purple tube. It will dry flexible, making it more appropriate for thread and textile.

Henrietta's® Gum Arabic– huh? What is that? This product has been around for a very long time. People like to use to affix things on fabric. In my world, you can use it to keep granules (silver, gold, etc) in place while soldering.

Going to The Tucson Gem show – 2016

Ok, now to the nitty gritty.

Overview of the Show

The Advice

Things to consider

How to plan your time

>3 days on the ground – Holidome and Gem Mall 1 day, GJX and Days Inn* 1 day, To Bead True Blue and JOGS 1 day.
>5 days on the ground – Holidome and Gem Mall 2 days; GJX 1day and AGTA if you can get in; Days Inn and Riverpark Inn 1 day*; To Bead True Blue (now Colours of Stone) and JOGS 1 day. If you finish early, on any day consider the Kino Gem & Mineral Show, the Best Bead Show. *There are 3 shows situated between the Days Inn and the Riverpark Inn. If you are driving, park at one end (probably the Riverpark end) and walk it.

How to buy

How to pack

The Bottom Line

Back to the blog…

This is in part from 2010 with present day notes (2015). I thought it would the best way illustrate what I was saying about the ever changing Show.

2010

Every year as Tucson approaches I hear the comment, "It must be sooo fun to go to Tucson!." The reality, Tucson is as much fun as someone could possibly have looking at beads 8 hours a day, having to decide which is the best buy, the best quality and what is enough? While working through more than 300 vendors in those 8 hours without rushing. Fun? Suuurrre. I really do enjoy the job, really, how bad could it be to have to go shopping for 10 days? But it is still work.

[2015 Tucson continues to be work for us; however, without stores to buy for, there is much less pressure on that point. One set-up day, six days of show, one day to actually enjoy the show, two days of travel. I do wish we could spend more like 2 days at the show, but I can not justify it. I am actually a little afraid for my pocket book. ]

Tucson this year was a challenge even for the someone with experience. No one was taking risks nor were they making investments. The vendor/distributors were only selling off old inventory. While new was few and far in between, old and mundane was rampant. I felt very sorry for everyone who was new to the show. Vendors were reporting all kinds of challenges. There was even a rumor that several vendors were hospitalized for heart conditions brought on by the stress of it all.
[2015 Five years later and this has only gotten worse.]

Adding to my schedule this year were 2 classes, 1 day as a vendor (helping out my husband at his show), 2 cocktail parties and 2 extra shows I usually don't attend. The 10 days went very quickly and as much as I was glad it was over, I would have felt more comfortable with another 2 days. I think I say that every year. In the end, I had to assure myself that I did my job and I got a lot of great stuff.

Buyer attendance was noticeably down. Not only did I catch vendors sleeping in their chairs, I almost stepped on one sleeping under the table! Yes, a full grown adult. For me this was a good thing. Less people meant less competition for beads, and less people I had to kill which equals less stress.
[2015 One vendor admitted to me that there were a few days when he only made $20. (He paid $6k for his booth, the smallest booth he could rent.) Walking through the show it felt very sad. I had never seen so few buyers. Prospects for 2016 is not looking good.]

Buyers in Tucson, much to my dismay, are considerably STOOPID! I have been to this show 7 times and it has not changed. I keep thinking that it should get better as more people join the industry but it hasn't. Here is story which will explain what I mean.

The Blue Ribbon of Stoopid, I hope you can appreciate this story. This is me ranting and yes, it is a bit harsh...

So there I was finishing up a buy from a vendor I knew when this so called "buyer" walked up. In her hand was Thai Hill Tribe flower pendant. (If you are reading this blog you know what color that is, SILVER. And you would agree that Silver goes with almost everything.) She handed the pendant to the vendor and asked, "Do you have anything that goes with this?" OMG, did I really hear her ask that? She is suppose to be a buyer, everyone who walks into this show needed a vendors license to get in. Which means you are suppose to be a designer or even a store owner. Ok, maybe you are guest of someone who has the license, don't you think you should ask them? Really!? Did she think that was a bead store?
[2015 This has not changed, in the least.]

One of the most challenging things to buy in Tucson is Silver. There a lot of vendors selling the same thing. The ones who are selling anything different are too expensive to buy for wholesale (at least my store anyway). Additionally, the question of whether or not it is really sterling silver plays at every booth. So who do you really buy from? Apparently there were so many complaints by buyers that one show promoter asked every vendor to declare the silver quality. They were all given a cute little sign that said something like, "This Vendor Sells _______ Silver". I did not even noticed these 8.5x11" signs until one of the vendors pointed it out. He told me about the show promoter and how not everyone was really selling "silver" and that now they are all legit because they had these signs. The next vendor was very proud of his sign and made sure I knew about it as soon as I was in the booth. (Funny how these two thought it was important to let me know, as I was a very long time customer. And trust me I spend an obscene about of money with them.)

I went home that night and thought about it and then there was the AHA! But wait this doesn't seem right to me. The next day I went to one of those vendors and a very frank conversation that started with, "Let me get this straight..." blah, blah, blah and ended with "Who is to prove you did not lie about the fact that it is Sterling?" To which he replied, "That is true." Are you following this? What a crock of pooo.

I was also told by the vendor who seemed very trustworthy (and remember I am a long time customer) that the reality is, there are only 3 manufacturers of silver beads in India. So basically everyone was buying from one of the 3. AND, according to the manufacturer, he was the only one asking for his beads in 92.5% while all the other vendors are buying at 80%...huh? wah? Really? "That is why everyone's prices are less than mine, " he said. Wow. I am definitely impressed.

But only for the moment. Shortly thereafter I confirmed the "story" with another party who had no vested interest. I asked this also long time vendor, who deals in stone, whom I consider a friend. He had some beads manufactured for me as a favor several years ago, lives in Jaipur and is an established international business. According to him there are quite a few manufacturers of silver beads in Jaipur and the fact is, unless you start testing this stuff, there is no way to know who is telling the truth. And the reality is these people are working on a very narrow margin; a margin that most US wholesalers will not work within.

The question remains, who do you trust? What do you look for? For the first time I made the decision that cheapest is not the best way to go. I looked for quality and if the quality was good enough I was willing to pay the higher price. Maybe by next year I will be organized enough have a silver testing kit with me to Tucson. Then I will really know. [2015 To date I have never purchased silver testing kit. I suck. The problem of silver scammers has not changed through the years. This became especially problematic when the price of silver went through the roof. Interesting that is has not changed even though the price of silver has been somewhat stable for the past couple of years. ]

Now that the buy is complete and I have processed about 80% of the silver I am absolutely sure I made the right choices. Bead Q! has some of the best silver beads I have seen to date and at the best prices. The gem show was in town this past weekend and customers have already confirmed that our silver is less, by almost 17%...I WIN! I am so happy I can not even begin to tell you. Happy day. :) CAWABUNGA!

[2015 When I returned to the Show in 2011, the same silver vendors I had purchased the great silver from were no longer carrying the same quality. I had a nice discussion with them to find out that the margin was too low and not enough people appreciated the quality. Therefor they were unable to continue with the kind of silver line. To make sales they had to lower their quality and price to meet the demand.)

How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint in the Studio

Conservation is not just about recycling, but it is FIRST about Reducing, then it is Reusing and finally recycling. If you are working to reduce your carbon footprint here are a few things you can do in the studio.

1   Stop using paper towels. I realize that there are time when the only thing that will work is a paper towel, however, for everyday things like drying your pieces as they come out of the tumbler, use a rag. In my studio, I have a stack of old dish towels, this way I don’t care about how I stain the towel or the potential chemicals that might be on there. For really messy jobs, I keep a pile of cut-up old t-shirts. I use these t-shirts like you would a paper towel, one use. BUT lets be honest, they are still not “one use”. After I have used these rags, they go into a bag for recycling. Yup! Rags can be recycled. Simply put them (dirty) in a bag marked “SALVAGE” and put them in those bins for clothing donations to help world hunger (or the like). Almost all of them send unwearable clothes to textile mills to be made into rags sold to hardware stores. Really! If you are skeptical, call the 800 number on the bin and ask them. I did. 

2   Recycle ALL of your metals. Aside of from saving gold, silver, and copper, people forget about brass and steel. It takes a little more effort to recycle the other metals but they are ALL recyclable. I recently learned that all metals that are not collected by the city for recycling can be turned into the scrap yard. The best part is, they will actually give you money for all of this stuff; granted they are pennies, at least it will pay for your gas money and you will feel good about doing your part. 

In my studio, I have a container for brass and “other” metals. “Other” metals would be worn out drill bits, staples (yes, I said staples!), lids from jars, any non-working electronics, etc. (I will take apart ANYTHING that has metal and put it in this jar.)

3   Reuse ALL plastic bags until there is a hole then put it in the recycle bin at the grocery store with the shopping bags.

4   Reduce waste. We have all purchased more than we should have with really good intentions for future projects. But then 5 years go by and it is still on a shelf. Instead of throwing it away consider giving it to an art teacher, Girl Scout troop or a local art center. They love this stuff and you might be able to take it off your taxes!

5   Use less water. Too often people run water unnecessarily. Consider simply turning it down and not running a faucet at full power.

6      If you are shipping your work, use recycled envelopes and boxes. I know that it is nice to send a pretty box but is it really necessary? Though some people still frown on this, I have found that by adding a little sticker that says something like, “we support recycling for a healthier environment, please join us in this effort…etc” goes a long way and people will appreciate your efforts. Additionally, it saves you a little money.  

It is not lost on me that my profession is a complete contradiction to a conservation lifestyle so I do my best where and when I can. Trying is better than not.

Now that you are ready for Big Girl Torch

 After much consideration and some research I decided that the most economical approach to getting into a professional torch was natural gas. But is it? Welllllll, I am still unclear.

If you are ready to join the big girls and upgrade from handheld butane torches here is what I have come to discover through research and experience.

There are many gases and as many arguments for and against each one of those gases. Most jewelers will opt for either propane, acetylene, or butane. (Unless you are a glass worker, Mapp is usually not part of this conversation.) If you are one of the unusual people then you will have natural gas, like me.

The argument for butane. I have actually heard the following argument so bear with me.  You should use butane because it is a cleaner burning, greener gas. Really? Cleaner yes, but greener? You can not buy butane in larger refillable cans. You can only buy disposable cans. So my question is, you would trade off how many cans? to landfills versus the minor molecules that you are putting into the atmosphere? Really? Your choice but I call cow manure. But that is a personal choice. Most people who are using butane torches do it for the convenience and the perceived “safety” and the self-ignite mechanism of those torches. I have been successfully using butane for over 10 years. Some would argue that butane does not work, well, just look at my portfolio.

Then comes propane vs. acetylene. Which? There is a temperature difference between them, but for all practicality they are more or less the same when are talking about jewelry making. The argument for or against is in the soot. Acetylene is considered to be quite dirty, which means that your studio will suffer its consequence. Both gases require a tank of some sort. For most people it would be an “R” Size tank which needs to be refilled at the local welding/gas company.

What about natural gas? Why would you go this route? If your home has natural gas, then this is a viable option. Coupled with an oxygen concentrator you will never have to refill anything. Natural gas is a greenhouse gas, however, a clean burning one, which puts it into the realm of propane.

How do all of these work?

First and foremost, a torch. For any of the gasses, the torches are specific to the gas. However, many times the propane can be used with natural gas, you will want to check with the manufacturer. (Just call them, this is a simple question with a simple answer, they have ALL been easy to talk to.) The torch you purchase (aside from the gas determination) is determined by the kind of work you want to do. If you are benching vs. casting there are all different kinds of sizes to consider.

Once you have a torch, then comes the tank or not. There has to a gas source from somewhere. The most common being tanks. When you purchase a tank, don’t get all attached to that new shiny tank and don’t expect it to come filled. It will come empty (sort of illegal to ship filled). Once you receive it, you will need to go the local gas/welding company and ask them to “fill” it. But they really don’t fill it, they hand you one of theirs of the same size. Essentially, you are swapping the tanks like you do the propane tanks for your grill. (Say bye-bye to your new tank.)

The other option for attaining gas is to have it piped in. Whether it is from your 200gallon propane tank outside or from your natural gas line from the street, both are viable options. If you are already have gas from one of these two sources call the local hvac guy to add a line to your studio. What you need to be aware of here is the PSI. In a residential natural gas situation it can not be adjusted from the gas company (but in a commercial location it can be, for the most part). The key to this installation is the pressure. You will need anywhere from 5-8PSI. If you tell the hvac person this, they will likely laugh at you. But this is real, I promise. More than likely they will not be able to help. You will need to purchase a natural gas booster. http://www.gas-tec.com/TB15TB30.html (Unfortunately, I don’t know the pressure of a propane tank, but if it does not reach the correct PSI you will need a gas booster also.)

You have your torch and your gas, now you need oxygen, or not. By adding oxygen the temperature will go up significantly and you will be an even happier jeweler. But if that scares you, consider just air. Which means that the torch your purchase has only one hose and it brings in (sucks in) the ambient air to make it work. Butane torches work in this manner. Choosing to go with oxygen means you must choose between a tank system or a concentrator (a machine that makes the oxygen). If you choose a tank you should consider a flashback arrestor. This little device basically keeps the flame from going back down to the tank and well, exploding. According to my research, you will not need this with an oxygen concentrator and piped gas.

Lastly, the ignite. Most people using a butane torch like because it feels safer. The cans are smaller and the torches self-ignite. For the other systems you will need to find some sort of ignite mechanism. There are quite a few choices out there. Unfortunately, this will boil down to comfort. Hard to say which will be best for you.

All that said, this is how I set up my studio.

I continue to teach on butane even in my studio because most people have the same torch. This will allow them to be more comfortable in their own studio. I had an HVAC guy come run a pipe from one side of the house to the other ($150) where my studio is located. At the termination he installed a shut off valve and a brass connector. I hooked up my gas hose to the termination, the oxygen to my oxygen concentrator and voila! I was up and running. No booster.

Of course that was not enough for me. I started experimenting with casting. It didn’t work. Turns out you need a “rose bud” torch. It sort of worked. This is when I discovered that I needed more pressure. To date I have not purchased a booster ($1500) because things have worked fine without it and casting is not a priority.

So that’s it. That is all I know. I am getting ready to repeat this process again because I moved my studio. Check back in a few weeks and I will report on how that went. 

The connection for the gas line.

Patriotism

This being the 45th anniversary of the fall of Vietnam, many people have noted on social media that there is lack of awareness for the sacrifices that US veterans have made during the Vietnam war. This meme touched soft spot and I felt compelled to share my story. 

I would like to first share a question that was asked of me about a year ago, “What do you think about the US involvement in the Vietnam War.”

My first question was, “Are you asking me as an American or as a Vietnamese refugee?”

I don’t think my friend ever thought that there could be two sides to this questions. But I think for people like myself, if we were thoughtful there would always be two answers. I could never disown my race nor my heritage, I was born that way. But I could never deny the country of which I have pledged my allegiance as I am a citizen.

So to him I answered the following:

As a US citizen, I have a hard time with sending our young men and women into harm’s way to assert what we (Americans) believe is right.

As a Vietnamese person I am grateful for the US involvement. Had it not for this participation, I would not be writing this today. More than likely, I would have already lost my life at 5 years old.

I remember when I met the first Vietnam Vet in 1998. His name is Terry Barnes. After much conversation, we discovered that there was a very high probability that he was directly involved in our (my family and I) escape from the conflict. Terry was a pilot during the air evacuation of Vietnamese citizens; we were one of those people. To Terry I simply said the words, “Thank you”. I was the first person he had ever met since 1975 whom he had a direct impact. And in silence we held each other and became friends. We have since lost touch but I will never forget him nor his twin brother.

So on this 45th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, I would say this, Thank you for giving us life. Know that I will not squander what I have and all of the privileges that comes with being a US citizen.

To those who choose to judge us Brown people, think again, I am as much if not more of an AMERICAN than many who believe that they are protecting this country from foreigners.

When you say "go back to your country" YOU have dishonored all of the sacrifices veterans have made for me and countless other people.

The Court of Public Opinion

We have all been guilty of being influenced by our fears. Allowing the unknown and things that we do not understand drive our decisions, never resulting in anything positive. These fears create stress and drive us to make decisions that usually have adverse outcomes. In the end, we need to remind ourselves that we have a choice; to run with our fears or take a breath and seek logic.

I chose time, logic and the truth as my path. Whether or not you agree with this, I cannot control. Whether or not this was the right decision, it was the best decision I was able to make at that time. However, what I can do is to stand by our decision to make clear and accurate statements as quickly as I was able to. We have conducted ourselves in this manner throughout our business. Trust me, the urge to respond in kind has been a source of much angst and it has taken an overwhelming amount of self-control.

Due the quick and intense reactions of this community, much fear was instilled in our minds which drove us to self-doubt. This doubt pushed us to NOT respond but instead seek legal advice before responding. I have done the best that I could given the predicament of my week; I have been traveling since June 20th! We have answered the questions as timely and as accurately as possible.

There has been much that has been said to mis-lead people within this community into believing laws and ideas that are simply not real nor true. The choice to take advice from non-experts is yours. The choice to believe everything you read on FB without validation is simply that, a personal choice of conduct. I chose a different path. We chose to control how we respond.

Through the stamping community Mr. Grebak has accomplished his goals, damaging our reputation AND making money by preying on the fears of people because he was unable to make his claim through a court of law. This is no different than the predators who call the elderly trying to collect taxes they do not owe. Like Mr. Grebak they prey on fear and the uninformed.

At this point it has become the Court of Public opinion. There are a lot of opinions on FB, and it is important to remember that opinions are not the same as facts. One must make a choice of joining the Mob Mentality or seeking the truth for themselves.

It has become abundantly clear that we cannot say enough. Judgement has been made by those who feel that they have something to gain by voicing their opinion. It has become a losing battle and jumping in the mud will only get those who join in, dirty.

We have fielded many options to ease the tension but it has only led to more discord. We have even gone far as to consider hosting a call-in Townhall for those who are still concerned, and would invite Mr. Grebak to join us. At this point we are unsure if this will be fruitful; however, if you feel that you would like to participate in this virtual gathering, please contact us by the end of day July 5th, 2019 so we can gauge the interest.

All we can and will do now is trust that our hard work will continue to support the backbone of our livelihood. Our commitment to this community for the past 12 years has been unwavering and will continue. As a thank you for the many people who have supported us throughout this controversy we would like to extend a coupon for our website of 40% off our stamps. (support40)

My journey through life has always been interesting and challenging and this seems to be no different. Through this I have learned a greater lesson about my personal strengths, resolve, character and the strength of my marriage. 

For that I THANK YOU.

If you have any further questions or if there is something we can help you with, please reach out to me directly. 

For more information regarding this matter, please consider reading the following blogs. 

FAQ The Urban Beader

Our final response

How we are getting through this emotionally
 

• 

  What a Crock!

  Facts about pickle.
  
  For some odd reason Pickle has come up in random conversation several times in the past month, so I thought it should be discussed.
  
  The argument for and against biodegradable pickle.
  
  In this day and age everyone is looking for a solution to reduce environmental hazards. If you know me you know that I am pretty adamant about these efforts. That said, here is my argument.

  First of all, biodegradable anything is usually a good idea, but it is the container in which they are transported that is problematic. Consider this, if you are using a solution of white vinegar and kosher salt, how many gallons would you consume a year? If you are a heavy user, it is potentially 30 gallons. You are now putting THIRTY, one gallon, plastic jugs into the environment. Yes, you are recycling, but remember the first step is reducing (not recycling). With that in mind, if you are using Sparex, you will potentially have that pickle indefinitely. If you treat your pickle properly, you could have it for yearssss. (I have had the same pickle on my work bench for 4 years now, still going strong.) Thus, the environmental impact is far less than using vinegar; no jugs, just one small plastic bag. Additionally, vinegar is an acid, albeit natural, it is still an acid, and thus over enough time the volume of said “natural acid” will exceed that of pickle. (That is IF pickle is used properly.)
  
  Secondly, the argument would be about disposing the acid. Yes, of course you can just put the biodegradable stuff down the drain. But seriously, how hard it is to neutralize Sparex with baking soda and throwing it away? There has to be a little give and take.

  Then there is still the consideration of the metal residue and its disposal. Some have contended that this will affect local water sources and harm amphibians or fish. If this is the argument, what are people doing with their metal shavings from sawing? Right, how many of you are actually saving that and turning it in for recycling or to hazardous waste disposal. Because the accumulation from sawing far exceeds residue in pickle.

  All of this is said with the assumption and idealism that you are using pickle properly. Defining properly as not disposing pickle but every few years. And even not idealistically, disposing once a year is still less hazardous than the use of vinegar.

  Myths About Pickle (sodium bisulfate solution)

What is it like to be a child refugee?

Let me tell you. Let me put my face on it.

My heart remains broken for all of the children of lost parents. Five hundred and forty five. Say that, again and again and again until it sinks in. Go to the local elementary school and look at all of those faces and imagine all of them without their parents. This image has been hurting my heart, I physically feel pain when I think about this. And no this is not a medical condition, already had it checked out.

So for all of those who have turned a blind eye to these children let me make it a little real for you.

I WAS A CHILD REFUGEE. When I was four and half years old, the country that my parents loved so much was at war. My father was a high ranking officer in the Vietnamese Army fighting for the WRONG side, the side that the US was helping. He was fighting alongside Americans. All of this was a recipe for disaster for my family. So, when it became apparent that the US was pulling out of Vietnam, my parents made (what I assume) was a hard decision to leave everything that made them comfortable. Their family, their friends, their support system, their livelihood, their life.

With six children, ages ranging from 4.5 – 15 years old, they packed us up with the clothes on our backs and $2k. Reading that sentence again, I can not even fathom what that was like for my parents, but I do know what it was like for me.

On an overcast afternoon, a white van arrived in front of my parents’ home to take us to the airport. There was a weird feeling, I did not know what was happening. My mother was stressed, her sisters were there, at the van on the street to say goodbye. To this day I remember the tear that was gently rolling down my aunt’s face. The one tear that was not like any I had never seen before, it was cloudy, like there was sleep in her eye. I will never forget that. She was quiet, she was not smiling, she had a look. They ALL had this “look”. I remember things being a bit quiet, not much being said, we were in a hurry. The door closed and drove away. I remember leaving them behind. I/we would not see them again until 15 years later.

I don’t remember anything from the time we left the house to the time we were boarding the bomber airplane. It was dark, the propellers were running, everything was so loud. My parents and siblings were loaded on from the rear like cargo and seated on the floor of the plane. I was soooooo scared. I remember crying quietly. I REMEMBER my fear. This was FORTY FIVE years ago, and as I am writing this, I can not stop crying. I don’t remember much of the refugee camp that we were in, but I have been told we were there for six months. I can not imagine that it was a good time for my parents as we slept on cots in tents, being served food that we were not familiar with from a cafeteria and sharing facilities. But we were together and they did the best they could, they made the best of a bad situation. I do remember my first day of kindergarten. I remember the teacher who welcomed me into the class and sat on the floor with me and held me in her lap. This was the first stranger whom I remember holding me, she was a white woman. Then my mother left. I was fine. I have been fine from that day on. That was the day my life began as an American.

I know, we were the lucky ones. I was a lucky child refugee. Our family was allowed to stay together. I can not begin to imagine where my emotional well-being would be if we were separated. If I was left alone in a dark place. To sleep alone without being held when I was so little.

Though I have not thought of this in 20 years, it still hurts and it still haunts me. If I am still so affected 45 years later, when I had so much more than the 545, what will become of them? Will the US support their emotional well-being and insure their success? You may argue that they shouldn’t be here. But the reality is, they are here! And they are not dogs. They are humans. Here in the US, we treat animals better. If that made you feel funny, it should. If it didn’t you need to look deep inside of your soul and ask what kind of person you are.

I just put a face on it for you. Was that real enough for you?

I can only pray that my fellow Americans will demand better from themselves, from each other. We can do more, we can do better. We are Americans, a country of diversity, hope, and progress. We are the gold standard for all others to admire, lets start behaving that way. None of us got here by accident.

Please feel free to share.

YOUR TAX DOLLARS

While you are all so worried about what is being taken from you, I am here it remind you what has been given to you. Thanks to those brown people you hate so much. I am NOT the exception, I am merely an example of the millions of people from whom this country has thrived. From whom this country has been built on. So before you make your next post about how immigrants are taking something from you, think of me. 

Frankly, I don’t want to hear about the “what about” or that I am the exception. That is your naïve, delusional perspective that is simply un-American. I am NOT the exception, I AM the RESULT. You see me now as a formidable citizen, but would you have seen that in me when I was a little brown child? I would post a picture of myself back then but I do not have any. That is part of the history of people fleeing for their lives. We don’t get to have some of these luxuries, these privileges. My parents had to build from ground zero. 

I am here to SHOW you where YOUR TAX DOLLARS went. It was given to millions of people like myself. Though I came to the US in the 70’s, and through some research I discovered that it was not different then, than it is now. I came to this country while it was protesting MY immigration. Sadly, I did not have to research it to know. There has been enough hate, racism and bigotry directed AT me through the years not to just know.

Despite all of the protests, my family and I made it to the US. How did we get here? We were picked up by a van that was paid for by the YOUR TAX DOLLARS. Then we were flown to the US via US military planes paid for by the US government, ie. YOUR TAX DOLLARS. When we arrived on American soil we were housed, fed and given medical care along with 50K other refugees, paid for by YOUR TAX DOLLARS. Never were we asked to pay for the services that were provided. All of this happened even before the Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act (1975) was passed for $405 million. (Equivalent to $2 billion in 2021.) 

What was the return on investment of YOUR TAX DOLLARS??? 

Lets think about that for a moment. Using simple math, $405 million was spent to rescue 50k people…that would be approximately $8k per person in tax dollars. I have been paying taxes since 1986. If my average salary was $35k a year, I would have paid $5k/year in federal income tax totaling $175,000. But that is JUST the beginning, let me mention, the taxes I have paid as a business, the state income taxes, the corporate taxes, the sales tax, and don’t forget the best one yet, Commercial Activity Tax (bet you don’t even know what that is.) I am sure my accountant would tell you that I am missing a few things and that my number is missing a zero or two because I am pretty sure that I paid far north of that in Unemployment alone. I would hope that my point has been made.

So STOP making your ignorant posts of bigotry and hate and think about the emotional damage that you are doing to people like me. Yes, this is personal, as it should be. It should be personal to you too. 

It is because of OUR TAX DOLLARS that your community is thriving.

It is because of OUR TAX DOLLARS that people have been able to collect unemployment during a pandemic. 

It is because of OUR TAX DOLLARS from which this country can grow.