How can I keep the content small enough to email the final PDF version? Should I create the cdr document and then make each page a small jpeg? And should I avoid using artistic tools which seem to really add to the size of the final document.
Depending on how you're printing your newsletter you will want to place images at different resolution. If you print to a pressure 300 dpi at placed size, select the image, in the status bar if it shows higher then 300 dpi, then and under the bitmap menu resemble to 300 dpi.
If you're using a digital printer 150 dpi should work fine.