C&T Designs Store :: Newsletter Archives

Subtotal: $0.00

Newest Rings

18g square silver fill
20g silver fill
20-A square stainless
18g Copper, 5 sizes
18g red brass, 5 sizes
18g bronze, 5 sizes

Featured

Argentium square wire jump rings

Argentium square wire jump rings. Already beautiful and shiny argentium silver takes on a new dimension with the facets that square wire bring to it. 16g AWG Actual wire diameter: .052 x .052", 1.34 x 1.34mm Appro...[read more]

More featured items >>

Once a month we send out an email newsletter, giving you the scoop on activities with our site, information about the latest chainmailley-newsy-things, along with first crack at the rare sale and free weaves!

Last, but not least, we have a strict Privacy Policy and would never, ever, give or sell your information to anyone - we pinky swear! So, what are you waiting for, sign up below!

Newsletter Subscription

Confirm Email Address:

Newsletter Archive

Below are the non-subscriber versions (subscribers get bonuses)of the newsletters in archive form. If you want the goodies, sign up above!

January 5, 2012

Happy New Year! And thanks for reading our 11th edition of The Weaver's Digest. We've made a few changes and have a few more on the way, so be sure to read on...

We're Moving!
Closed January 27 - 29

The time has finally come, and at the end of this month we'll be moving to our new location at 4756 North Chestnut Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80907. The move will literally double our space which will be even more full of awesome and allow us to expand some of our product lines. However, in order to make the move happen, we'll have to actually close our doors Friday January 27th, Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th. That means no walk-ins and no shipping for those 3 days. We'll re-open for online order shipping Monday, January 30th and re-open for walk-in customers on Monday, February 6th. See you on the flip side!

How many rings are in an ounce?
FAQs Answered

We frequently get questions about how many rings you can expect per ounce since we sell by weight rather than by count. The quick and dirty answer is, it depends. Different metals may be significantly heavier or lighter than others, and the gauge and size of the ring will impact how many you can expect per ounce even within the same metal. The good news is that you can find approximate ring counts for each size at the bottom of the listings for each ring in our online store.

	Subscriber Bonus
	We're changing things up a bit. If you've been following The Weaver's Digest for any length of time, you know that we only do 2 big sales per year. However, we're adding a new feature to the newsletter that's for subscribers only: a Product Spotlight that will come complete with a 2-day subscriber-only coupon on the highlighted product. This means more savings for you as long as you subscribe.

	C&T Designs Exclusive New Product Silver Fill Findings
	Has silver gotten to be too expensive? We understand. Check out our high quality affordable alternative below in our new Product Spotlight section.

	Product Spotlight Silver Fill
	You've been asking, and we've been listening. In addition to new square and round ring sizes in silver fill, we're now carrying silver fill beads, 2 styles of silver fill ear wire, head pins plus a silver fill toggle and 2 sizes of lobster claws. And, all of our silver fill product is 10% off through midnight Friday, January 7th Colorado time for current subscribers to The Weaver's Digest.

	Insider Scoop!
	With the move close-at-hand, we're thrilled to tell you that we'll soon have the space to carry some expanded product lines. Look for more bails, more split rings and more kits coming soon! Interested in knowing more about what's going on at C&T Designs? Watch for our next newsletter in late November, or connect with us on twitter or Facebook today!

Feel free to contact us with questions or comments.
Phone: (855) 2-MAILLE / (855) 262-4553 Email: support[at]candtdesigns.com

It's in the Maille!^TM

All content approved by Curt Dunaway.
All content, unless specifically noted © C&T Designs, Inc.

November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving! It's our 10th (and possibly most awesome) edition of The Weaver's Digest. Why, you ask? Well, groovy subscriber, this edition is particularly awesome because of our Black Friday & Cyber Monday Subscriber Bonuses. Go on, skip ahead. We know it's like early Christmas for you.

It's in the Maille!
Check Out Our Blog

Remember that FAQ about the differences between Fine, Sterling and Argentium Silvers, Silver Plate, and Silver Fill that we covered back in August? Well, long before we covered it in The Weaver's Digest, it was addressed in the Articles section of our blog. Didn't know we had a blog? Yup. It's in the Maille! And while there's only a small selection of Articles on the blog now, the collection of highly informative chainmaille manifestos is constantly growing.

	Out-Of-Office
	December's a busy month for everyone. In addition to us being closed December 3rd for a trade show, there are the normal shipping holidays (and possible postal delays) to worry about. Not sure what dates to might impact you? You can find them on our Events Calendar year-round.

Why don't we list the inside diameter for our square wire rings?
FAQs Answered

Most chainmaillers know and understand Aspect Ratio (AR). We all frequently use AR to determine what weaves can be done with any given common round ring size. The problem is that none of what you may know about AR holds true when it comes to square wire. Regular round wire has one measurement, the wire diameter. This measurement is constant no matter which way you look at the ring. Square wire on the other hand, has two measurements: side and diagonal (corner to corner). It's this diagonal measurement that throws everything off, especially if you're dealing with square wire from other vendors where the corners may not be as sharp as ours (and thus the diagonal measurement could be different). How rings interact in any given pattern plays a large part in the size ring you need. Because of this, we have designed and developed a database of specific ring sizes which work in specific patterns, all of which can be accessed via our interactive Ring & Weave Guide on our website free-of-charge.

	Subscriber Bonus
	Oh, no... you're not a subscriber? That means that you didn't get the subscriber exclusive 10% off Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals we shared in this edition of The Weaver's Digest. Tired of missing out on all the good stuff? Subscribe now at the top of this page for future goodies. It's free and we promise not to get all spammy, spam, spam on you.

	C&T Designs Exclusive New Product Silver Fill Clasps
	We've already talked about why Silver Fill makes good sense for chainmaille, and many of you have responded by purchasing quality rings that will last a lifetime for much less than you'd spend on solid silver. Now we're offering both a toggle clasp and two sizes of lobster claw clasps in Silver Fill too. Elegant, durable and affordable - just for you.

	Latest Supplies Colored Titanium Lobster Claw Clasps
	Looking for a colorful clasp to finish off your latest piece? We're now carrying colored Titanium Lobster Claws. They work great with Niobium since both Niobium and Titanium are hypo-allergenic, making them safe for anyone with metal allergies. Just like the thought of clasps in pretty colors? We understand. They work great with Anodized Aluminum projects too.

Insider Scoop!

We hinted last month about another possible move. And honestly, while everyone knows that moving is a pain (doubled by the fact that we just did it a year ago), we can hardly wait. In the last month alone we've added two new work benches, a dedicated shipping station, another packing station, a new server and additional computer terminals. We're growing fast, and it's all thanks to you. So thanks for being so outrageously awesome that we're bursting at the seams. You rock!

Interested in knowing more about what's going on at C&T Designs? Watch for our next newsletter in late November, or connect with us on twitter or Facebook today!

October 5, 2011

Thanks for reading our 9th edition of The Weaver's Digest. Big things are happening at C&T Designs right now, and we can't wait to share!

"Stop Destroying Our Planet
It's Where I Keep My Stuff"

Here at C&T Designs, we're all about the color green, and that includes being green. From reusing cardboard boxes that come in to the separation of all our scrap for recycling, we're on board - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Did you know that we carefully hand-inspect each and every batch of rings for color, cut, and shape before adding them to our inventory? And any rings that don't meet our requirements go right into the bins designated for each metal. Recycling is just another of our commitments to excellence. And hey, we're happy to contribute to the longevity of the planet. We're betting it's where you keep your stuff too.

Facebook Review Page Is Going Away

Many of you have been reviewing us on Facebook, and we're grateful. Unfortunately, Facebook is doing away with all business review pages within the next month. That's the bad news. The good news is that we already have a Brag Page on our site, and we'd love for you to add to it! Good, bad, or indifferent, we love hearing about your experiences with C&T Designs, so drop us a line to let us know how we're doing. And don't forget, you can always review our products directly through our online store.

	What wire gauge do you use for square rings? FAQs Answered
	All of our square wire is American Wire Gauge (AWG). 20g is .032" or .8mm 18g is .040" or 1mm 16g is .051" or 1.29mm 14g is .064" or 1.63mm For answers to more frequently asked questions (or to add your own question to the list), be sure to visit our FAQ Page.

Subscriber Bonus

You've all been begging for some of our new enameled copper rings, and sometime in the next few days we'll randomly pick one lucky Weaver's Digest subscriber to receive a few ounces on us! What do you need to do to enter? Well, for this edition, nothing. I'm afraid you've already missed the boat. But subscribe now at the top of this page for future goodies. The holidays are right around the corner, and you don't want to miss out!

C&T Designs Exclusive New Product
20g Stainless Steel Rings

Many of you have kept after us to produce 20g stainless steel rings. And if you've been with C&T Designs for awhile, you'll know that we have tried. We've had issues with the temper of the wire, we've had issues with the alloy itself, and pretty much anything else you can imagine. It has been very frustrating for us and undoubtedly for you as well, but as you know, we won't sell rings that don't meet our quality standards.

Well, we're thrilled to announce that those issues are in the past. As we've done with other troublesome wire in the past, we've gone straight to a mill and had them produce the wire to our specifications and are now able to offer you high quality 20g stainless steel rings. Just like our stainless square rings, our 20g round is now a 316L stainless (this is top-of-the-line surgical grade), half hard. We literally purchased a ton of this wire, so don't worry about us running out too quickly!

The wire arrived in late September and it will take us some time to get all of the sizes coiled and cut, but rest assured that we're working hard to get it done. We've already posted 3/16", 5/32" and 1/8" on the site!

Insider Scoop!

So... remember last January when we announced that we were moving to a new, bigger, more awesome location? Well... apparently what seemed like a lot of growth at the time has led to a lot more growth, and in less than a year, we've already outgrown our "new" space! So we're looking to move... again. Things are still tentative, but we're planning to move around January 2012 to a location that's 5 times bigger than our current location. (Insanity, we know.) What does this all mean for you? Well once we've moved, it should mean that we'll be even better, faster, and stronger than we are now. But in the more immediate sense, it will mean that we'll close our doors for a few days to actually orchestrate the move to the new new location. We'll be sure to keep you posted as things develop.

Interested in knowing more about what's going on at C&T Designs? Watch for our next newsletter in late November, or connect with us on twitter or Facebook today!

August 24, 2011

Hey, welcome back! And thanks for reading our 8th edition of The Weaver's Digest. We've got lots of great content for you, and an awesome subscriber bonus this edition. (No, don't read ahead. You'll spoil your surprise!)

	Silver Fill Rings Round & Square Wire Available
	We understand with the rising cost of silver that Argentium Silver rings have become out of reach for some. As a result, we are happy to announce that we are now making Silver Fill rings. The first round (20g) and square (18g and 20g) as well as some kits are already up on the site.

New FAQ Page!

We are always working on new things for you here at C&T Designs, including reference materials to make your life easier. One that we've recently rolled out is our new FAQ section of the website. While we've already entered a few questions (most of which you've seen in previous editions of The Weaver's Digest), we're happy to add new questions you may still have. Not sure about something on our site, shipping procedures, products or store? Let us know. It may well end up on our FAQ page for you and all the rest of the kids in the class who are thinking the same question!

What's the difference between Fine, Sterling and Argentium Silvers, Silver Plate, and Silver Fill?
FAQs Answered

Fine Silver is .999 silver. It's as pure as you can get, and while it can be fused and tarnishes very slowly, it's usually too soft for chainmaille purposes. Sterling Silver is .925 silver alloyed with other, stronger metals (usually copper). Because of the alloy, it tends to tarnish more quickly and can't be fused, only soldered. Argentium Silver is usually .930 silver, also an alloy but one using metalloid germanium in place of some of the copper. This makes Argentium more tarnish and firescale resistant. Like Fine Silver, it can be fused. Fine, Sterling and Argentium Silvers are all considered to be solid metals. Rings made from solid metals are made from the same metal all the way through (regardless of purity), and can be very expensive to buy. Less expensive options include rings made from Plated and Filled wire. So what's the difference? Plated Rings are made from base metal and then plated with another, more precious metal as a decorative layer. The plating is about one micron thick which, when used in jewelry, tends to chip, crack, flake and quickly show signs of wear. C&T Designs does not and never will sell Plated rings. They simply don't meet our standards. Fill Rings, on the other hand, are made from a hollow tube of metal fused with a base metal core, usually copper or brass for strength. This hollow tube of precious metal is hundreds or even thousands of times thicker than plating, and thus an excellent material for jewelry-making. Not only are Fill rings less expensive than solid, precious metals, but they also wear slowly and retain the look of the precoius metal you bought them for. We proudly offer both Gold Fill (5% gold) and Silver Fill (10% silver) rings at C&T Designs.

	Subscriber Bonus
	We need a good home for 4 oz. of 16g 3/16" Copper. Sometime in the next few days, we'll randomly pick one lucky Weaver's Digest subscriber to be the winner. What do you need to do to enter? Well, for this edition, nothing. I'm afraid you've already missed the boat. But subscribe now at the top of this page for future goodies!

	C&T Designs Exclusive New Product 18g 9/32" Anodized Aluminum
	In our last edition of The Weaver's Digest, we shared that the first of our new 18g 9/32" anodized aluminum rings were at the anodizer. If you like working with anodized aluminum, you know that no one else carries anodized rings in this size. We're happy to announce that the first three colors have made it to our online store for your chainmailling pleasure: black, red, and pink!

	Latest Supplies Sterling Silver Ball Ear Posts
	Considering making a pair of earrings? Then check out our new supply of Sterling Silver ball ear posts!

Insider Scoop

Ok, we've been dying to tell you about this for months, and we've finally been given the go-ahead to share. Be sure to pick up the November issue of Art Jewelry Magazine. In it, you'll find a detailed tutorial written by C&T Designs' Master Craftsman Curt Dunaway. We can't tell you what the weave is, but you know if it's coming from C&T Designs that you're going to love it.

Interested in knowing more about what's going on at C&T Designs? Watch for our next newsletter in late September, or connect with us on twitter or Facebook today!

July 11, 2011

Thanks for tuning in for our seventh edition of The Weaver's Digest - packed full of exclusive chainmaille content and products!

	Anodized Aluminum New Color Mixes
	With our color issues resolved, we've now got mixes back in stock including Autumn, Cotton Candy, Mardi Gras, Rainbow, Patriotic, and Curt's favorite, Fire. Have a suggestion for a mix that you think would go over well? Drop us a line on our Facebook page and let us know!

	Shipping Holidays
	Ever visit our online store only to have the site bog down on you? Well those days are in the past. As of late June, we've upgraded our site and moved C&T Designs to its own dedicated server. Not sure what that means to you? Just that you can expect your online experience with us to be Better, Faster & Stronger than ever.

	How Do I Find Back Issues of The Weaver's Digest? FAQs Answered
	Maybe you've just subscribed to The Weaver's Digest and want to see what you've missed, or maybe you remember an article that you want to reference but can't find the original email. Fear not, all of our back issues can be found through our site. Just click on the Newsletter Archive link on the left side of our home page.

	Subscriber Bonus
	Not a subscriber yet? You know subscribers get exclusive content, the newsletter a week earlier than the general public, and that it's free, right? With this edition we sent subscribers the tutorial for the Viperbasket weave. Did I mention for FREE? Right. Click here to subscribe. Go ahead. We'll wait.

	C&T Designs Exclusive New Product Striped Niobium Rings
	We had a request for a special "Candy Stripe" ring, and the results of our first tests were pretty rad if we do say so ourselves. For now these unique C&T Designs niobium striped rings be custom orders only since they're pretty labor-intensive. Minimum size is 1/4".

	Latest Supplies More Boro Glass Toggle Colors
	In addition to the popular borosilicate glass toggle colors we already offered, we've now added black, blue & white striped, red & white striped, and green to our selection. (Please note that sizing and coloring may vary from piece to piece as each item is hand made.)

Insider Scoop

This has been in the works for a while, and the time has finally come to share what we think is some BIG news with you. By the time you read this edition of The Weaver's Digest, another C&T Designs exclusive product will be at the anodizer - a new anodized aluminum ring - size 18g 9/32. If you like using anodized aluminum, you know that no one else sells anodized rings in this size. So, watch for them. They'll be quietly going up on the site as the colors roll in, with a big announcement in a few weeks once we have a good color selection for you.

Interested in knowing more about what's going on at C&T Designs? Watch for our next newsletter in early July, or connect with us on twitter or Facebook today!

May 27, 2011

Oh yeah... It's finally time for our sixth edition of The Weaver's Digest (aka Curt's birthday edition). New to C&T Designs and not sure what Curt's birthday means to you? Read on, lucky shopper. Read on.

Anodized Rings Are Back!
More Colors Now In Stock

Does it seem like we've been out of your favorite color of anodized aluminum for ages? Yeah, it seems that way to us too. We'd been experiencing some issues with our anodizing supplier, and you know how picky we are. If it's not good enough, we're not selling it. The good news is that those issues are now resolved, and by the time you read this, we'll have many of the anodized aluminum colors we've been out of back in stock, including our most popular color: black.

	Shipping Holidays
	It's Memorial Day weekend! In addition to spending time with family, grilling out, and hopefully enjoying an extra day off from work, you can expect a shipping holiday on Monday. To make sure you always account for known shipping delays, we've included all shipping holidays on our event calendar for your convenience.

Why don't weave kits include tutorials?
FAQs Answered

We offer a wide variety of kits and tutorials. So why don't they come together? In most cases, our customers are experienced weavers who already know the pattern for which they're buying a kit. In other cases, the kits go along with a magazine article or book that you may already have. And in all cases, sending a tutorial to a weaver who doesn't need it is just a waste of time and resources on both ends, and waste increases everyone's costs. So by not including tutorials as a matter of course, we're helping to keep costs down (and the landfill from filling up faster for you green folks). Need a tutorial? We're happy to help. We offer both paper and pdf versions of all our tutorials.

Subscriber Bonus

Awwww... You missed it. Hopefully you were tuned in last week when Curt announced his annual birthday coupon, one of only two discounts he offers per year. If not, subscribe now. Not only did subscribers get a reminder about the coupon, but they received a special code giving them advance access to it! It's free to subscribe, and subscribers get their newsletter a week early plus fantastic bonuses. What are you waiting for?

	C&T Designs Exclusive New Product 20-A Square Stainless Rings
	Once thought to be extinct, these little beauties are "breeding" like mad in our shop, and ready to bring your next weave to life. Get your 20-A Square Stainless Rings today!

Latest Supplies
Borosilicate Glass Toggles

Check out these toggles made from highly durable borosilicate glass. "Boro" is created by adding Boron to the traditional glassmaker's frit of silicate sand, soda and ground lime. Referred to as "hard glass" because of its durability and higher melting temperature, these toggles measure approximately 26-29mm. (Please note that size and coloring may vary from piece to piece as each item is hand made.)

Insider Scoop

We've got great news for those of you keeping up with the shop's progress. First, we've added a second saw at the shop. This means that we can cut more rings faster or in larger batches. Considering that we're down to 1/64th inch increments between sizes now in almost every gauge and metal, we really can't imagine an order that we can't fill for you.

But wait, there's more! We're also excited to announce that we'll be getting enameled copper and silvered enameled copper wire in for rings by the end of summer. Not familiar with enameled copper? Let's just say that the regular enameled copper comes in a variety of colors that are really nice, and that the silvered version (copper core, silver plate, colored enamel) offers even more vivid colors that really pop! We used to carry this product, and thanks to the increased space in our new shop, we've got the room to make and stock them for you again.

Interested in knowing more about what's going on at C&T Designs? Watch for our next newsletter in early July, or connect with us on twitter or Facebook today!

April 13, 2011

Settle in for our fifth edition of The Weaver's Digest, filled with features on our new interactive weave chart, details on how to get your subscriber bonus, a preview of our latest ad and more!

C&T Designs Ring and Weave Guide!
Interactive Weave Chart

Most quality chainmaille manufacturers offer a pdf chart of their rings. Some even offer a chart listing the sizes that can be used with various weaves. But none of them offer square and round ring suggestions for common weaves in an interactive web format! Have some leftover rings and need ideas about what you can make with them? Visit our Ring & Weave Guide today! (Disclaimer: Our Interactive Weave Chart isn't all-inclusive. There are certainly more weaves you can do than those listed, but we're adding new ones all the time to help you out. The ones we have listed are weaves we have actually put together. If one of your favorites is missing, let us know!)

Update on Lindstrom Super Radius Pliers

In our last edition of The Weaver's Digest, we featured some hot new pliers that were scheduled to go on the shelves at the end of March. In case you missed it, there will be round nose, flat nose, and chain nose options, each treated with a special "super radius". All are 100% Swiss made to tolerances of 1/1000 of a millimeter with ergonomic high friction grips for comfortable use and a precise hold. So why are we writing about them again? Because the rollout was unexpectedly delayed. They should be coming out in the next month. We'll be sure to announce them as soon as they arrive!

How do I change my subscriber email address?
FAQs Answered

It's easier than you think! No need to call us (unless you're just dying to hear the sound of Curt's bubbly laugh). All you need to do is visit our home page, scroll to the bottom and click the Login link. From there, login with the email and password you used to set up the account, then click the link to edit either your Ship To or Bill To address - either of these will get you to a screen where you can edit your email (without changing your physical addresses).

Subscriber Bonus

Psssst! You're new here, right? Lemme let you in on a little secret. Subscribers to The Weaver's Digest get a little bonus with every edition, and it's free to subscribe. We publish quality content about every 6 weeks, so you don't need to worry about us blowing up your inbox. If you're not a subscriber, you're going to want to be... and soon. Trust me, you'll be kicking yourself if you miss out on the next subscriber bonus. We can't tell you what it is, but it could involve a certain master craftsman having to blow out candles on a cake. It's kind of a big deal. So do yourself a favor and follow the link right now to subscribe.

	C&T Designs Exclusive New Product M and N Square Wire Rings
	By popular request, we've expanded our square wire ring selection to include sizes M and N in 18g stainless and copper. Regardless of size, you can always expect nice, hard corners from our square wire rings.

	Latest Supplies Gunmetal Lobster Claw Clasps
	Check out our new gunmetal lobster claw clasps, available in 9.5mm, 12mm and 15mm. Really, the picture says it all.

Upcoming Classes with Curt

Last month was our first month of classes at our new retail space. The space is perfect for comfortable learning and one-on-one discussions with master craftsman, Curt Dunaway. But we're already improving it! New to the space is a 32" HDTV monitor for displaying the classroom tutorials (which students will still receive as a handout). Want to know what classes are coming up? Visit our Event Calendar on the website to see what's available and sign up!

Insider Scoop

Hey locals - Did you know we've got a Clearance Corner in the shop with discounted items that aren't available on the site? Stop in and take a look.

And for those of you who aren't near enough to just stop by, we didn't want to "neener, neener" you too bad, so here's a bug in your ear that we've got tons of new ring sizes coming out, with new lower prices on our 18g square stainless (already updated on the site) and lower pricing on the 20g square stainless within the next couple of weeks. You can always find out Newest Rings listed on our home page , in the left side-bar. But you already knew that, didn't you?

Interested in knowing more about what's going on at C&T Designs? Watch for our next newsletter in late May, or connect with us on twitter or Facebook today!

March 1, 2011

Whether you're a subscriber or a first-timer, welcome to our fourth edition of The Weaver's Digest. Curious about how the C&T Designs' Grand Opening went? Looking forward to seeing our latest innovations and products? Dying to know what this edition's subscriber bonus is? Read on, clever cat. Read on...

C&T Designs Retail Store!
Grand Opening

In case you've been a bit out of the loop, at the end of January we opened and moved in to the first retail store ever dedicated to weavers and chainmaille. Our grand opening in Colorado Springs was a fantastic affair, attended by the Rocky Mountain Riot, all of our local staff, and about 80 weavers from near and far. We just wanted to take this opportunity to say thanks. Thanks to each of you who took time out of your day to make our big day big, and thanks to the dozens more who contacted us by phone, email and Facebook to tell us how much they wanted to join us. It was a great day, and it wouldn't have been nearly so awesome without you.

	House Keeping
	Speaking of near and far, did you know we have a new toll-free number? If you're calling long distance, you can now reach us at (855) 2-MAILLE / (855) 262-4553. Go ahead, give us a jingle.

I want to make some clasps or rings from bright aluminum wire, but I can't find it. Where should I go?
FAQs Answered

This one's for all you DIY weavers. Bright aluminum is a term pretty much used exclusively by chainmaillers, so it's no surprise if you're struggling to find it. Here at C&T Designs, we use "bright" to differentiate our aluminum from "dirty" aluminum which will leave black residue on both you and your clothing. "Bright" aluminum on the other hand is almost completely clean to wear. Most of the bright aluminum that is used to make rings is a 5356 alloy, which you should be able to find at your local welding supply store. (Or, you can save yourself some trouble and just buy ours.)

	Subscriber Bonus
	Not a subscriber yet? You know subscribers get exclusive content, the newsletter a week earlier than the general public, and that it's free, right? This edition we sent subscribers the tutorial for Celtic Visions. Did I mention for FREE? Right. Click here to subscribe. Go ahead. We'll wait.

	C&T Designs Exclusive New Product X-Lock Byzantine Square Wire Fully Customizable Kits
	Always wanted to customize a design and make it truly your own? Then check out the first of our fully customizable kits: X-Lock Byzantine in square wire. You can choose from all 4 of the base metal square wire rings we make in all 3 sizes of this pattern, plus you have a choice of 3 clasps. Now go make something stellar!

Latest Supplies
Lindstrom Super Radius Pliers

The folks at Lindstrom sent over some prototypes of their awesome new pliers for us to try out, and we're going to be carrying them starting in late March when the very first shipment arrives. There will be round nose, flat nose, and chain nose options available, each treated with a special "super radius". All are 100% Swiss made to tolerances of 1/1000 of a millimeter with ergonomic high friction grips for comfortable use and a precise hold. Yeah, they're pretty rockin'. Keep an eye out. We'll announce them on the site as soon as they get here!

But wait. There's more! We've recently had a large number of customers request copper findings, but haven't been able to lay hands on any new solid copper clasps that we like. So while we search, to make sure you those of you who work with copper have artistic findings to choose from, This just in: Fresh off the delivery truck, 3 new plated copper clasp designs. Supplies are limited, so get 'em while they're hot.

	Upcoming Classes with Curt
	Great news! We've got all our upcoming classes in our Event Calendar on the website now, so you don't have to wait for the newsletter to hear about them and sign up. Want even better news? All of our classes are now being held in the classroom at our new store, so here's the perfect excuse to drop by (as if you really needed one).

Insider Scoop

Want the inside scoop on C&T's next fully customizable kit? It's going to be the Graduated Full Persian necklace, which uses 7 different-sized rings for a smooth transition. Look for it in bright aluminum, copper, and red brass around mid-March!

Interested in knowing more about what's going on at C&T Designs? Watch for our next newsletter in mid-April, or connect with us on twitter or Facebook today!

January 19, 2011

Hey there, awesome subscriber! If you're keeping track, we are a bit late delivering our latest addition of The Weaver's Digest. That's the bad news. The good news is that it's because we were waiting to deliver some AMAZING news!

So without further ado...

C&T Designs Retail Store!
Coming Soon

You may have already heard some buzz, but now it's official: C&T Designs is moving! Our new location will be in central Colorado Springs on Platte Ave. (very close to the flea market). What does this mean for you? Well, for starters we'll be moving from our current location to the new one the last weekend in January, so we won't be shipping any orders January 28, 29 or 30th. When we reopen our doors on January 31st, local customers will be able to stop by - for classes, advice, or to pick up orders rather than waiting for shipping. In addition, our new space offers a huge increase in floor space for manufacturing and inventory. Look for news on the website or on Facebook about our upcoming Grand Opening on February 5th!

	Clearance Section
	Did you know we have a clearance section? No? That's ok. Neither did Mel ("Hi Mel..."), and she works for us! To find our clearance section, simply type "clearance" into the search bar at the top of our home page. Some of the latest additions to the clearance section include some sterling silver in both round and square wire, so be sure to check it out.

Why doesn't C&T Use Plated Wire?'
FAQs Answered

Plated wire is a base metal coated with about a micron-thick layer of a precious metal. While other vendors offer rings made from plated wire as a cheap alternative to solid precious metals, C&T Designs doesn't sell it. Because the plating over the base metal is so thin, plated wire chips, cracks easily and flakes off, exposing the base metal underneath. Want something that looks elegant and will last? We recommend using our argentium silver or gold fill wire as long-lasting, inexpensive alternatives to rings made from either plated wire or solid precious metals. Solid argentium and gold fill rings don't cost much more than plated rings, and like solid precious metals, they will literally last you a lifetime and beyond in pieces that can be passed down as family heirlooms.

Subscriber Bonus

Considering the incredible subscriber bonuses we've given over the past few months (free Acute Helm tutorial, Cyber Monday coupon, free pair of niobium French wires, etc.), we feel safe in assuming that if you're reading this, it's your first time here. So here's the scoop: Subscribe. It's free. You get the newsletter a week earlier than non-subscribers, and you get free "good stuff". Yes, really. It's that simple. Plus, if you don't subscribe, we'll just continue to 'neener neener' you about the good stuff you're missing out on. Neener neener!

C&T Designs Exclusive New Product
Bronze Toggles

Like to work with bronze? Having trouble locating bronze findings? Check out our new silicon bronze toggles. Note: the toggles are made from solid silicon bronze whereas our rings are made from phosphor bronze, so you will notice a slight difference in color in your new, polished bronze pieces. But don't worry, as the pieces age and acquire a patina, the hues will settle into a nice uniform bronze.

	Latest Supplies 20g AA Rings
	"We'll sell no ring before its time." We've said it before, and we'll say it again. Well the time has finally come for 20g AA rings. No need to live with colors that crack and flake like you'll find elsewhere. With our new finish, C&T Designs has eliminated this issue! So come check out the first seven colors in 1/8" and start your next project worry-free.

	Upcoming Classes with Curt
	Due to the opening of our new location and all the logistics involved with that, we're putting classes with Curt on hold until March 2011. Look for class offerings at our new store in the next edition of The Weaver's Digest!

Insider Scoop

Wondering who won the November Dragonscale Contest? Well the Little Hulk deliberated long and hard before choosing Taytheer from Inverted Aura's Bright Aluminum Dragonscale with Aluminum Scales design (aka "the spikey one"). Taytheer will now be receiving a free professional photo shoot with LightSwitch Creative (from the Hulk's dad rather than the little man himself) of up to five of her pieces, and her winning piece will be prominently displayed on our site for an entire month. Look for it soon!

Want to know more about what's going on at C&T Designs? Look for our next newsletter in early March, or connect with us on twitter or Facebook today!

Feel free to contact us with questions or comments.
Phone: 719-337-6131 Email: support[at]candtdesigns.com

It's in the Maille!^TM

All content approved by Curt Dunaway.
All content, unless specifically noted © C&T Designs, Inc.

November 24, 2010

We promised regular Weaver's Digest newsletters for you, and here we are delivering on that promise with our second newsletter just 6 weeks after the first one. That means we won't be putting out another one until the new year, so from our C&T Designs family to yours, we wish you a happy holidays.

And now, for what's been going on at C&T Designs lately...

	Win a Professional Photo Shoot! Dragonscale Month
	November is Dragonscale month here at C&T Designs and we're excited to feature a variety of new Dragonscale Kits in our growing offerings of Ready-To-Weave Kits. We're also giving you a chance to win a professional photo shoot! Watch this hilarious video to find out how to enter. Entries must be received by 12/15/10.

Holiday Housekeeping

The holiday season means more than bells and candles and cookies and cranberry sauce and crowds and Dancer and Dasher and decorations and eggnog and elves and family and Favorite Things and Frosty and fruitcake (ugh!) and gifts and lights and mistletoe and parties and poinsettias and pumpkin pie (mmmmm!) and Scrooge and shopping and sleigh bells and snowflakes and togetherness and tradition. The holiday season means shop closings and shipping delays! So be sure to check out our calendar when planning your next order if time is of the essence.

Why doesn't C&T Offer Rushed S&H?'
FAQs Answered

The answer is simple: every order is equally important to us, no matter how big or small. We get 99% of our orders out the door within 1 day, so why offer you a more expensive rushed handling option when our standard turn-around is so quick? Need it quicker than quick? No worries. We offer rushed shipping rates through both UPS and the USPS so that you can track it from our door to yours. But don't just take our word for it when you can hear it from our customers.

Michelle in Kentucky sent us this email last Monday at 12:30pm.

   "Just wanted to drop you a note of thanks. I placed this order
   VERRY late Friday night. I already have it!

   Thank you so much, you guys are amazing!"

Want to see more customer reviews? Check out our brag page .

Subscriber Bonus

Wait, wait, wait... You read our October newsletter, you know that we gave away a free Acute Helm tutorial to our subscribers who also got the newsletter a week earlier than the general public, and now this month you've missed out on a rare and elusive C&T Designs coupon code that's only given out twice a year?!? All because you didn't sign up for the free subscription? Well then, all we can say at this point is, "Neener, neener." Now go to your room, click here to subscribe, and think about what you've done.

C&T Designs Exclusive New Product
Ready-To-Weave Kits

Looking to make some Celtic Visions earrings? Or perhaps an aluminum Acute Helm bracelet? Or how about an argentium square and niobium Dragonscale bracelet to enter in our professional photo contest ? Well you can find Ready-To-Weave Kits of these designs and more at C&T Designs. Each kit contains enough jump rings to make a complete piece!

Just to toss in another FAQ, kits do not contain instructions unless otherwise noted. We do this because many weavers will purchase the same kits over and over and don't require multiple copies of the instructions. Tutorials for all kits are available on the site, usually for around $5, and are offered both as a full-color high quality 32# sheet-protected hardcopy that's ready to go into your binder of weaves or as a PDF file for immediate download.

Latest Supplies
20g Anodized Aluminum Rings

This just in: Quality 20g anodized aluminum now available at C&T Designs!

Tired of dull, splotchy 20g aluminum colors that crack and chip easily? Us too, which is honestly why we've never carried them - until now. We're proud to announce that we finally have the good stuff. As Curt says, "I will sell no ring before its time!", and for 20g anodized aluminum that time is now! You can expect nothing less than consistent, shiny color in every ring. 20g 1/8" black or green and 20g 5/32" green are now available, with more colors coming soon!

	Upcoming Classes with Curt
	Due to the holidays, there will be no classes with Master Craftsman Curt before year-end. However, you can sign up for a class on the brand new X-Lock Byzantine weave in January! Weave: "X-Lock Byzantine" Jackie's Bead Boutique (located in Colorado Springs, CO) January 18, 12-3pm

Insider Scoop

Wondering what that new X-Lock Byzantine weave we'll be teaching (so hot off the presses we can't even show you a picture of it!) is all about? Check out Rebeca Mojica's new comprehensive chainmaille guide-book: Chained. In addition to comprehensive instructions for 22 spectacular chainmaille projects, you'll find a list of quality North American chainmaille suppliers, including C&T Designs.

Want to know more about what's going on at C&T Designs? Look for our next newsletter in early January, or connect with us on twitter or Facebook today!

October 1, 2010

Hey, it's been a while since we put together a newsletter for you and we know it. The good news is that we've finally had sense to bring a writer on staff (everyone say, "Hi Mel!") so that we can guarantee regular postings AND still let Curt & Tania focus on what they do best: deliver top quality rings and customer service to you.

Here's what else has been going on at C&T Designs...

Let the Riot Begin!
Feature Project

Delia Doom, a skater for the Rocky Mountain Riot roller derby team contacted us about designing some custom chainmaille to accent a recently purchased leather corset. Our intern Jenn crafted a bikini top from 16g 5/16 BA and EPDM using a traditional European 6-1 weave. Curt and Jenn worked together to create some (bad-ass) epaulettes using scales and spikes, and Curt wove a chain connecting the two D rings on the corset together using a Celtic Visions weave in square stainless 16-K and 18-G. The final look was pretty rockin' if we do say so ourselves. Want to see more? Click here. Looking for a little inspiration or have your own creative project you want to feature? Check out our gallery of C&T Designs client projects.

Interwebz

If you've been to the site lately you might have noticed that we've recently launched its redesign. The new C&T Designs layout is more consolidated with much better search-ability on the thousands of rings and other products we offer. Just click on the Categories link at the top of the page where you can shop for supplies by type and items such as rings, findings and kits by material. Also, because we're constantly getting requests to manufacture new or different rings, you'll find a listing of the 7 Newest Rings we carry right on the front page.

In other web news, you asked; we responded. You can now find us live-and-in-person on twitter and Facebook. Have a question about a weave? Want to show off the awesome piece you just created using our rings? Hit us up. We'd love to chat!

C&T Designs Unique New Weave!
Acute Helm

Earlier this summer Curt was playing with a pattern he had in his head, and ended up with something that wasn't exactly what he was looking for: a new weave! Being the smart fellow he is, he took some photos of the prototype and held an online naming competition, offering up a free kit with instructions to the person who came up with the best name for it. And thus the name Acute Helm was born. (If you're not drooling yet, you may want to have your glands checked.) Acute Helm kits are currently available on the site in argentium square & niobium or bright & anodized aluminum.

	Subscriber Bonus
	Not a subscriber yet? You know subscribers get exclusive content, the newsletter a week earlier than the general public, and that it's free, right? This month we sent subscribers the tutorial for Acute Helm. Did I mention for FREE? Right. Click here to subscribe. Go ahead. We'll wait.

	C&T Designs Exclusive New Product Niobium Coil Toggles
	Everyone knows niobium findings are hard to come by. We were suffering from the same problem as everyone else and got tired of it.. So we made our own C&T Designs original clasp. We now offer two versions of the traditional Ring & Bar toggles in niobium (standard and twisted), as well as our hot new Niobium Coils. Get 'em while they're hot!

	Latest Supplies Designer Series Pliers
	We've always offered the Baby and Classic Wubbers pliers, but we've got the Designer Series as well now, so you can make your own loops and bails.

	Upcoming Classes with Curt
	Want to work with the master craftsman himself? Sign up for one of Curt's upcoming classes: Weave: "This is not Food" Jackie's Bead Boutique (located in Colorado Springs, CO) October 19, 12-3pm Weave: Pendants & Earrings Full Spectrum Art Glass Supply & Gallery October 21, 6-9pm Weave: To Be Announced Jackie's Bead Boutique November 16, 12-3pm

Insider Scoop

Have you seen our latest ad in Step by Step? It's been a banner year so far for us here at C&T Designs. Our rings have been featured in every issue of Step by Step Wire Jewelry in 2010, and as a result we've gone from ordering 10 pounds of wire at a time to ordering (holy moley!) 1100 pounds per order.

Want to know more about what's going on at C&T Designs? Look for our next newsletter near the end of November, or connect with us on twitter or Facebook today!