My flabbergasted response to Rio Grande's justification for price gouging.

"So, you mean that your August 2005 catalogue is not the most current? How unusual, I guess you'd better send me the most recent one so I can keep up with your prices. Do you re-issue them weekly, I mean, it's still August 2005 isn't it? Or are you currently issuing the 2006 one now?

I understand that prices fluctuate, and most retailers plan their pricing to reflect that. No other US retailler of any kind has EVER charged more than is published in their catalogue - otherwise why bother having a catalogue? Or even a website if you have to phone for the prices?

Also, does that mean that your prices GO DOWN when things like currency fluctuations are in your favour? I highly doubt it - I feel that you are just trying to justify whatever price you want to charge. What exactly increased the price of the Colores resin?

As for returning it, it would cost me MORE than the additional cost - so I'm better off financially to keep it and just swallow your extra fee.

I think this is VERY poor policy, and I will attempt to avoid purchasing from Rio Grande in the future as I could never know what you'd be charging me. I belong to a number of online groups and won't hesitate to give my opinion of Rio Grande's pricing policy in the future.

Heather Taylor"

Rio Grande's response...

Wow, a fast reply - they must have to send this out many times a day...

"Dear Heather,

Thank you for your email. The price for item 638960 is currently $108.00. If you refer to page 722 in your catalog you will see under our "pricing guidelines" section that while we do our best to hold prices steady during the course of the year, prices may still change without notice. Prices are always fluctuating due to factors beyond our control such as currency exchange rates, fuel surcharges, freight charges, raw material fluctuations, labor cots, and customs duties. We highly recommend to all of our customers to call and verify pricing before they place an order in order to avoid any surprises.

We understand that higher prices are never good news so if you feel the price of your kit is too high, you can always return it within 30 days for a full refund. I will also send you a current copy of our catalog so that you can have our most up to date pricing information.

If you need any further assistance, please feel free to contact any of our Customer Service Representatives at 800-545-6566 (7 AM - 6 PM, US Mountain Time) or at info@riogrande.com and they can assist you with any additional questions you may have.

Sincerely,
Rio Grande
Written Response Teamresponseteam@tbg.riogrande.com"

Note to Rio Grande

Finally today I sent a note to Rio Grande about the overcharge. This is what I wrote:

"RE: Invoice No. 000000 I was charged $108.00 for item no. 638960, the complete Colores Resin system. Your August 2005 catalogue shows that item on plage 710 as $97.50. Please credit my VISA with the difference. Thank you. Heather Taylor"

Proportion Study B & W

More on Rio Grande

Hmmm, must be a mistake, I was charged $108.00 for a $97.50 item.

Rio Grande Order arrives!

Whoo hooo my order with the resin stuff has arrived.

Colour study - rocks

Rio Grande Order

Ordered Colores Resin kit from Rio Grande today. :)

Report on Bead and Button 2005

Bead and Button 2005 was fabulous! I was like a teenager, except it was about beads, not boys.

I was a little nervous going into Cynthia's workshop, but after 3 days of intense beading, I found it very rewarding. Don't ask what I made - I really just "sampled" - worked out design issues, etc. But I do know that something is already bubbling in my mind about this. I sat next to Suzanne McNeil (Design Originals publisher - the booklets with the Panda on them) and probably about 70% of the class were bead store owners and /or Cynthia groupies (they had taken many courses with her). They had a great class dinner at a French restaurant on the last day with Cynthia and the editors of the various Kalmbach Bead publications - I even got a diploma. Wine flowed freely, but contrary to French tradition the cheese plate was served first - mind you Wisconsin is known as the dairy state. I sat with Mindy Brooks (current editor of Bead and Button) and Marlene Vail the show organizer. I learned lots of inside stuff. Did you know that Interweave was sold recently? Did you know that the Arton couple go to Tucson? I shared a room with Maria Rypan and we sat up beading late into the night. Mind you she has more stamina than me! I also took a class with Susan Lenart Kazmer which was fantastic (you've probably seen the necklace made of old pencils she made).Anyways it was great, a real hoot, and I spent too much money on kits and beads. I've already made a ring by Laura McCabe - a real bling ring - with a 1" dia. swarovski rivoli in the centre surrounded by 46 2AB swarovski crystals (oh my).

Whew. I can hardly wait until next year!

Paisley Brooch

Day one in Milwaukee.

Hoffman Brooch. Today is the first full day in Milwaukee at Bead and Button. But yesterday I went to the wonderful Santiago Calatrava Quadracci Pavillion, the Art Museum here. I spent a lot of time there last year. They have a wonderful Arts and Crafts show including some brooches by Hoffman (but not the one above). It's a bit synchronistic - I've picked up some Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau images for Cynthia Rutledge's class, and this exhibit is going on!

Milwaukee Here I Come

The big Bead and Button show in Milwaukee is starting on Sunday, and I'm gonna be there!

TBS Meeting, great food, great bargoons

Last night's meeting was great as always - I really enjoyed the beady atmosphere and especially seeing the fantastic bracelets those who went to the Bead Retreat made for their swap. I'm jealous! Way to go guys. Just a reminder - the Toronto Bead Gathering is now going to hold our summer meetings at the Grenadier Restaurant in High Park. The next one is June 22nd, 6:30. If I don't see you there, see you in September :)

Mucha's colours, Corbu defined, curves abound

Villa Savoie Stair

I loved Mucha in the 70's

For curvilinear forms who better than Alphonse Mucha - and Art Nouveau.

Paisley Comma Form - Corbu alike?

Plans are in black and white, this paisley is in black and white - the curvilinear form is appealing to me. Time to follow that track.

Le Corbusier - Ronchamp Plan

Ronchamp for inspiration - I've been here, but even so, I can't believe the plan - I wish I had it with me back in 1986 so I could have really understood what I was seeing.

Panicked for ideas.

I'm quite panicked about the lack of inspiration I'm experiencing - I have to have something together for Cynthia Rutledge's class starting on June 12th, and just don't feel it yet. Lately I've been working more from the beads than from other inspiration, so this is a challenge to look to other work. I'm debating about a variety of things. I'll post some images that are inspiring me, maybe you can help? PLEASE leave any comments :)

P.S. I am the type who pulls things together at the last minute, mainly because I've been simmering on it for so long! Talk about bead soup!

Bead Storage - Solution No. 6

Recently I bought these great shop storage tubes from Lee Valley. What I like is that they come in different widths, so I can accomodate a wide variety of bead sizes. The black lid is very elegant and it screws on, so no accidental spills and they stack or stand very well. I've moved all my semi-precious stones to these. Back to Lee Valley Tools for "Shop Storage Tubes".

My Value as a Human

I am worth $1,307,060 on HumanForSale.com