There are some beads that look better with silver than they do with bronze...but sometimes sterling silver medals are out of the price range of the customer.   I really don't like silver plated parts since in time the silver plating will wear away and expose the copper metal that is at its base.

What is so disappointing about Sterling Silver rosary parts is that the price keeps skyrocketing.  Do you know that Sterling Silver is at the highest price in thirty years!  For many of my customers, that just makes Sterling Silver rosaries out of their budget range.

In response to the high cost of Sterling, many Jewelry manufacturers are now turning to White Bronze as a quality alternative.   I am absolutely thrilled to have White Bronze Rosary Parts as an alternative to Sterling Silver. 

White Bronze medals have the look of vintage Sterling Silver, are tarnish resistant, solid through and through, strong, detailed, beautiful and affordable.  At present I have very limited styles available for my rosaries....however, I will be adding more, as they are available from the caster.

For more information read my other blog post at http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6504289284194767420#editor/target=post;postID=2214823830345795535

Summer is a super busy time for me.  I have to keep my Rosary shops going, start stocking up inventory for the Fall, and still take time to be with my family.   This year I flew to a nieces wedding for a week, and we also did summer swim team.  Three of my kids are on a summer swim team so I am at the pool every morning.  I take my beads along, and make rosaries poolside.

On top of all this activity, summer is also the best time to do home improvements.  This summer I removed wall paper from the Dining room.  It has been on my 'To Do List'  for 10 years....so it was about time.  I have been systematically removing wallpaper from 1 room every few years and am nearly finished.  I also like to paint a room or two 

But the most significant of my home improvements was when I moved my rosary workshop completely out of the Dining Room.  That too was long overdo.  No one wants to look at their business all day every day.  So I had been slowly converting a basement space into my rosary workshop.  Just a week ago I finally finished organizing all my beads and findings.  (See photo on left)  It was very exciting for me.  Now I can close the door on my business and have a normal looking house...like normal people do!  

This shop will be on vacation from June 23 through July 7, 2012.  Any orders placed during that time will not ship out until after July 7.  I apologize for the inconvenience.

I now carry a lovely bronze Pardon Crucifix that is an option for most rosaries.  If you are not familiar with the Indulgences attached to this rosary, they are as follows:

These indulgences have been declared upon the Pardon Crucifix by Pope St. Pius X in 1905, and have been approved in the pardon of the living and the souls in Purgatory in 1907. The lengths of the indulgences were repealed in the new Enchiridion, and the indulgences were granted to remit the guilt of the sin committed:

1. Whoever carries on his person the Pardon Crucifix, may thereby gain an indulgence.

2. For devoutly kissing the Crucifix, an indulgence is gained.

3. Whoever says one of the following invocations before this crucifix may gain each time an indulgence: "Our Father who art in heaven, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." "I beg the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray to the Lord our God for me."

4. Whoever, habitually devout to this Crucifix, will fulfill the necessary conditions of Confession and Holy Communion, may gain a Plenary Indulgence on the following feasts: On the feasts of the Five Wounds of our Lord, the Invention of the Holy Cross, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Immaculate Conception, and the Seven Sorrows (Dolors) of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

5. Whoever, at the moment of death, fortified with the Sacraments of the Church, or contrite of heart, in the supposition of being unable to receive them, will kiss this Crucifix and ask pardon of God for his sins, and pardon his neighbor, will gain a Plenary Indulgence.

_Some of you may be wondering how things are going in the Graceful Rosaries workshop.  Right now we are in the midst of the busiest time of year.  (Yes, even busier than Christmas!)  April through June is the hot time of year for buying Sacramentals.    That is because rosaries, bracelets, necklaces and tenners make great gifts for First Communions.  Confirmations are also scheduled this month for many parishes.  Of course, we always have Mothers Day on May 13.  Basically from April through May I am working around the clock to fulfill these orders.  ...And of course, half my orders are on a RUSH status... LOL!  The final rush comes during the first few weeks of June when everyone wants a gift for Dad.  After Father's Day passes I will be able to sit back and relax just a bit....Just in time for the vacation season!

I have decided to start a Graceful rosaries shop blog to encourage interaction between myself and the customers.  My customers have been such a source of joy and encouragement.  I never would have guessed how many friendships I would make through my rosary work.   You can look for updates on this blog of new products and  things to come.  Please take a moment to add a comment here or there.   Wishing you all a very Happy Easter!