Bead Inspired!

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Bead Creative!

If you're like me, there are not enough hours in the day to do everything at this time of year. Why do all the holidays have to come around within the same few weeks? I give up! I hope you're trying to find sanity through your art. Here's a project I just created that you can do at home using some wire, extra gems and pearls and some charms and components. I… Continue

Added by janice on December 10, 2009 at 4:51pm — No Comments

What Extraordinary Jewelry!

Please take a look at what everyone is posting. If you click on "view all", you can see 26 pages of sure bead bliss! and, there is credit for jewelry. I'm sorry the credits don't show up in the slide show. I'll try to figure that out. But, in the meantime, enjoy! And, thank you everyone for adding and sharing. You're the best! xoxo janice Continue

Added by janice on November 12, 2009 at 4:22pm — No Comments

Is Recycled Jewelry Bogus?

Hey, This is a subject I'm having a visceral reaction to and I need to share my thoughts. I'm seeing on etsy and ebay all this recycled jewelry. I'm not questioning the fact that designers are making things with vintage supplies or recycled glass, rubber, etc. BUT, I'm completely dumbfounded as to where these designers are getting their recycled sterling chain. It takes specialized equipment and enormous energy to churn out chain. does anyone out there know any company that is bothering using re… Continue

Added by janice on November 10, 2009 at 8:12pm — No Comments

Giving Myself Permission

Being in the jewelry business, I have a hard-fast rule, which means I have a rule I rarely break....I never buy ready-made jewelry when I make enough myself to fill a hundred jewelry boxes. But, I decided I wanted to treat myself to some jewelry made by my two favorite instructors; Virginia Huffman an… Continue

Added by janice on November 5, 2009 at 2:53pm — No Comments

Lessons from a Toy Box

Dear Friends, Some of you may remember the toy basket we used to have in The Bead Shop for children. There would be books, toys, puzzles and the like. What most people never knew is we had the basket because I brought my daughter, Ashley, with me to work when she was a toddler and her toys came with us. After… Continue

Added by janice on October 26, 2009 at 2:28pm — No Comments

What's with the google ads?

Hi everyone, It's a tough choice to make, but I decided to shut off the premium Ning service which kept advertising off our network. I really hate the ads, but to block them from appearing is an expense I can't justify since we're s a zero revenue network. Eventually we can have a members' marketplace where we can advertise our products and services and that revenue will generate $ to pay for Ning. I'd like your thoughts on this possible direction. Should we have a paid marketplace? I want to ke… Continue

Added by janice on October 24, 2009 at 7:04pm — No Comments

The Power to Transform the Ordinary

Every day, as jewelry artists, we have the opportunity to take ordinary materials and turn them in to something unique and one-of-a-kind. I was reminded of this yesterday when I did a tie-dye project with my godbaby who is 8 years old. We took ordinary, white t-shirts and with her own hands, created gifts for… Continue

Added by janice on October 17, 2009 at 3:34pm — No Comments

Is there an instructor in your area?

beadshop.com is developing a gateway for beaders and jewelry artists to find instructors in their area. The new website design is underway and an important part of it will be connecting students with teachers. I would like to invite jewelry teachers to post links to where they teach, what they teach and their schedules. It's a free service and my dream is to make it national and also global. Do you have anyone in your area you would recommend? Can you spread the word for me? If you feel you know… Continue

Added by janice on October 5, 2009 at 11:41am — No Comments

Free Victorian Jewelry Handout

Until October 1, 2009, I'm giving away the latest handout. It's a multiple strand Victorian necklace that will hone your graduating and design skills. At least I hope so! go to www.beadshop.com to download it. At checkout, Enter the code: queen1 I hope you enjoy! and remember, beading is art! janice Continue

Added by janice on September 24, 2009 at 4:30pm — No Comments

Is a Career in Jewelry for You?

Hi, Tammy Powley, the jewelry guide at About.com has put together a comprehensive lesson plan on starting your own jewelry business. It's just so complete. Take a look: http://jewelrymaking.about.com/od/jewelrydesigning/u/Careers.htm I read recently that jewelry making is the number one industry today for home businesses. So, being competitive, creative and unique is the challenge. I have always believed there can be more than one shoe store in a town. There can be many jewelry artists online, a… Continue

Added by janice on September 8, 2009 at 1:18pm — No Comments

Free Gem Show Pass

Hi all, I was able to register for free gem show passes at this website, www.bestingems.com If you have trouble registering, you can try the link to my free pass: http://www.bestingems.com/couponfront.asp When you're at the show, if you see Best in Gems, please thank them for the free pass. It encourages more vendors to do this. And, thanks Rowena for the link to the $2 off pass: http://www.intergem.com/specialoffers.cfm?showID=68&event=true I hope I see some of you there. I'm going on Frida… Continue

Added by janice on September 4, 2009 at 7:57pm — 1 Comment

A Year has Passed

Hi Everyone, I CANNOT believe it! August 27th was one year that the store in Palo Alto closed. Where has that year gone? I know it has been a very challenging year for most of us. Maybe you've lost a job or know someone out of work, struggled with the dilemma of "being green", tried to keep up with the rising cost of tuition, bills, etc, etc.. I know! This year my daughter got married, I closed the shop, I sold my home, I moved and pretty much changed most of me, except I still need to lose weig… Continue

Added by janice on August 31, 2009 at 2:28pm — 2 Comments

Handmade Highway - http://handmadehighway.blogspot.com/

Hi Everybody: I wanted to let you know about a new website where you can register your shops for a small fee. It is relatively new, but they are getting a lot of attention. Here is the description on the site: The Handmade Highway is a living, dynamic directory of handmade sellers giving users 1-click access to handmade shops, products, pictures, location, seller contact info, and availability for wholesale, consignment, bulk discounts, custom work and availability for blog features and giveawa… Continue

Added by Melissa Lisbon on August 26, 2009 at 3:23pm — No Comments

The Charity Necklace is Complete

I present to you, the finished necklace to be auctioned with proceeds going to NARSAD, The National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression Find it here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330356576482&_trkparms=tab%3DSelling… Continue

Added by Elena Adams on August 24, 2009 at 7:00pm — No Comments

What does Michelle Obama and Marie Antoinette have in common?

Necklace by Tom Binns. Photo © 2009 CONDÉ NAST Imagine for a moment, we could walk around all day holding an art frame in front of our face. The frame would keep every eye focused on our beauty. I was reminded of this thought yesterday when I was "naming" faces on my Mac i… Continue

Added by janice on August 12, 2009 at 2:00pm — No Comments

MY UP COMIN NEW JEWEL

SO HERE I EM ON LINE I HAVE A NEW NECKLACE IN MY MIND SO IVE PUT THE COLORS TOGETHER NOW I JUST HAVE TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER BUT THIS TIME IM GOING TO USE LACE WIRE AND ALL THE LOVELY ROMANTIC JEWELS I CAN FIND IN MY BEAD BOX GOING TO USE

CREAM WHITE PALE PINK AND DARK PINK A SPLASH OF GREEN SOME ROSE RIBBIN FLOWERS THAT IVE MADE MYSELF AND HAVE SOME GLASS LEAVES GOIN TO USE FRESH WATER PEARLS ALSO MIX THEM UP THEN BEAD THEM RANDOMLY JUST WHY I PICK UP THATS WHAT GOES NEXT IL

… Continue

Added by lisa jones on August 11, 2009 at 2:56am — 1 Comment

A jewelry tag of my own....

A Tag of My Own I can hardly contain my excitement! After 40 years of creating jewelry, I finally had my own designer tag manufactured. Until now, I put it off because I kept telling myself: 1. It’s too expensive 2. I don’t really need it 3. I can’t decide what meta… Continue

Added by janice on August 3, 2009 at 9:25pm — No Comments

Jewelry Artist

I am looking for two jewelry artists to display their work in my Aveda Concept Salon, on Santa Cruz Avenue, in downtown Menlo Park. Please contact me at (650) 321-1100 0r e-mail me at joyatvizions@yahoo.com for more information. Joy Continue

Added by Joy Blackburn on August 3, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Lunch at the Gardner

I had put out an invitation to anyone from Bay Area Beaders to meet me in Boston to view the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum when I was there on vacation. In the back of my mind, I remember a lovely customer who had moved to the Boston area reluctantly because she just loved the Bay… Continue

Added by janice on August 1, 2009 at 11:05am — No Comments

First blog giveaway! Win a pretty blue necklace - Winner to be picked July 29th

Enter my first ever blog giveaway and win a pretty blue necklace!!! http://californiablue.tumblr.com/post/146847666/i-am-having-my-first-blog-giveaway-and-the-prize Blog: http://californiablue.tumblr.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/californiablue Twitter: http://twitter.com/cabluejewelry Continue

Added by Melissa Lisbon on July 22, 2009 at 1:20pm — No Comments

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Notes

We have over 1300 responses!

I am really flabbergasted by the quantity and quality of the survey responses. I am just going through them now and reading what everyone wants, loves and needs. I'll keep you posted! And, again, thank you for taking it. The direction I take for beadshop.com is definitely going to include what I learned.

xox janice

Created by janice Jun 30, 2009 at 4:09pm. Last updated by janice Jun 30.

We have over 900 responses to the survey!

There's still time and space to take it and tell me what you think! Once we get to 1500 replies, the survey door closes and that's that!

Created by janice Jun 12, 2009 at 6:28pm. Last updated by janice Jun 13.

We have over 800 responses to the survey!

This is just amazing! The positive feedback and response to the survey has been incredible. I'm not only touched, but in awe of how many beadaholics love

… Continue

Created by janice Jun 11, 2009 at 2:06pm. Last updated by janice Jun 11.