Evolution in Sterling

Not every Bead Idea can be turned into a tangible piece, while some pieces not only work but evolve into more things.  Caricaturing a subject is one approach to making distinctive beads. By emphasizing some element, such as is done with lighthouses where their stripes or other distinctive elements are made more obvious, a tall object can fit the 10mm general size of beads. Subsequently, one light house can become many others with the addition of patterns, by making it six sided instead of round or by adjusting the shape or size of the lantern room.

Other potential bead subjects are best done in miniature without exaggeration, as with our Horse and Carriage and Horse and Surrey Beads. These two-piece beads capture all the distinctive features and many of the subtleties, too. By removing the wheels and adding runners the Carriage has evolved into a Sleigh hitched to the same team for a seasonally delightful ride!

Evolution for the Carriage did not stop with a Sleigh. Using the same basic idea, the Carriage soon developed a shape reminiscent of the Red Popcorn Wagon well known to visitors to Sandusky, Ohio. Its general shape recalls numerous other venders of sweet treats and savory victuals. We suspect it will have numerous other incarnations.

Beads have proven that the only real limit to what we can make is our imagination. Bernard thinks everything is worth a try!

Something for almost everyone

It's never possible to please everyone, especially when it is a matter of personal style. From the earliest days, Bernard has tried, where possible to offer more than one style option. His Nautical Collection  has always emphasized accurate miniature reproductions, whether Starfish, Sand Dollars or Anchors and done in a range of sizes. The Aero-Gold line includes both common and uncommon reproductions, the Wright Flyer, A-10 Warthog, and Zenith 601, all created with extreme attention to detail.

The same attention to diversity of taste and need is continued in RellerGold's selection of bracelets suitable for Bead wear—attractive, broad and functional. Wheat Chain, Cable, Caribbean-style Hook and even Braided Leather provide extravagant, elegant and basic options.

Marine quality Stainless Steel Cable becomes a work of beauty upon which Beads can be worn. Whether enhanced with a striking Black Titanium finish or exclusive New Twist™ design, these Cable Bracelets make a dramatic statement when adorned with a well-chosen Bead Collection.

RellerGold's long production of Caribbean-Style Hook Bracelets made them an obvious choice as Bead Bracelets. Adding a threaded end to the just-right-size Bracelets makes the addition of Beads a simple matter. A variety of threaded ends are available, including one wrapped in 14K Gold wire for an added touch.

The Signature Wheat Chain offers a traditional Charm Bracelet approach to Beads and is based on about 75 years of experience making souvenir charms! The Granulated End-Caps are threaded and allow Beads to be added from either end.




Braided Leather and Sterling Silver offers casual elegance that easily matches the spirit of RellerGold's Whimsical and Playful Beads.

Of course, Bracelets created by RellerGold are compatible with all major brands of Beads. They are available directly from RellerGold and from select Retailers.

What's new? A Lizard, a Light and Flowers

Cute. Whimsical. Even adorable. Never one to walk wholly in the mainstream, Bernard Reller continues to develop Beads that, simply put, are not just beads. Following in the wake . . . path . . . of his Hatching Sea Turtle, Two-piece Carriage and Surrey and BiPlane with rotating propeller, comes Katie the Iguana, Round Island Light and Hibiscus Beads.

Katie graces a Bead created exclusively for FreebirdCreations on the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Thomas. The ubiquitous Gecko is a popular image on all sorts of jewelry and Katie should be a popular addition to their collection.

Round Island Light is well known to anyone crossing the Straits of Mackinac. Preserved and restored the distinctive structure was recreated in Sterling Silver as part of the growing collection commissioned by Teysen's of Mackinaw City.

Reduced in size to 10mm, then enameled in life-matching red, yellow or white, Reller's new Hibiscus Bead captures a moment of true-top-life beauty. It joins the "generic" Bead selections and should be popular for anyone wanting to add a flash of color to their Bead Bracelet.

Business is good . . .

OK, here's the simple explanation for the lack of activity on your blog. Wow! the reception for our beads was amazing. Even now we are just filling orders for Caribbean customers whose season commences soon. An interesting sidebar is that Troll's booth was across the aisle from ours and they seemed to spend more time watching our slide show and steady flow of customers than serving their own customers.

Until recently, we found it necessary to work overtime, doing at least 5 1/2 days a week and sometimes more. The demand put a heavy burden on your small crew, but we managed to weather the wonderful storm and have added many new customers.

If there is any drop-off in the demand for bead we are not witnessing it. Most of your in-season customers are adding inventory in anticipation of their Labor Day Weekend. Several customers are promoting their custom beads as Christmas presents by adding online purchasing, flyers in bags and email lists. The price point and variety of beads seems to be keeping them as a viable purchase. We chose to maintain our pricing despite Silver's increased cost. This pleased customers and it seems like it was the right thing to do considering the current economic outlooks.

Heading to JCK Las Vegas 2011

The preparation for JCK Las Vegas 2011 is done and we're on our way to the show. After twenty years it has moved. We faced this show with anxiety and positive anticipation.

Finding old friends is going to be an adventure. We have created a downloadable pdf map showing the way to our booth (B5273) in the "Fashion" section of the Bayside pavilion, but it may still come down to basic exploration.

You can download an 8 x 10 copy of the map here.

On the positive side is the warm reception our Charm Beads™ have received. Our line has broadened, both in our "generic" beads and in the custom work we do. Below are links for both our generic and custom beads.

Reller's Charm Beads

Reller Custom and Localized Beads

Of special importance to Bernard is our recently developed relationship with the Sea Turtle Conservancy. These fine people work worldwide to preserve Sea Turtle nesting sites and Reller, Inc. is contributing two dollars from the sale of each of its S.T.C. Hatching Turtle Beads to the Conservancy. The text of our recent Press Release appears below.

NEW SEA TURTLE JEWELRY COLLECTION SUPPORTS CONSERVATION RESEARCH

Hatching Sea Turtle Charm Bead™ Rounds Out Reller's Sea Life Collection

Sea Turtle populations are an important indication of the condition of our marine environment and turtle nesting grounds are being impacted by coastal development around the world. A new collection of Sea Turtle jewelry seeks to raise awareness of the plight of these endangered species and support the work of the international nonprofit Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Gainesville, Florida - A Baby Sea Turtle emerges from her shell in this latest addition to Bernard Reller's Nautical Charm Bead Collection.

Inscribed with the letters STC, this new Bead marks Reller's alliance with the Sea Turtle Conservancy, an international, non-profit organization established in 1959 by famed Conservationist and University of Florida Zoology Researcher, Dr. Archie Carr.

Reller donates STC branded jewelry  for sale on the Conservancy's website (http://www.conserveturtles.org) and at their educational center in the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, a twenty mile stretch of protected sea turtle nesting habitat along Florida's Treasure Coast south of Melbourne Beach.

STC branded items are also available for sale by retailers. Reller donates a portion of the proceeds from sales to support the work of the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

An avid SCUBA diver and treasure hunter, Reller's designs have long reflected his love of the sea. His Turtle Collection alone depicts half a dozen anatomically correct species in exquisite detail in the form of Pendants, Earrings, Bracelets and, now, Beads!

Reller's new Charm Beads are compatible with all popular bead bracelets and celebrate critters and landmarks of local interest, perfect for the Charm and Bead Collectors of the planet. View this extensive collection at www.RellerGold.com. All items are crafted in the Reller Studio in Gainesville, Florida.

A copy of the Press Release is available by following this link.

Here are some pictures from our broad collection of Turtle Charms and Beads.

We'll let you know our impression of the new location for JCK Las Vegas and of the state of the industry upon our return.