Still Shopping? Of Course You Are! Let Team ESST Help!

OK, so we're already into December and there's still holiday shopping to be done. Don't panic! There's still time to create gifts and if there is anyone crafty on your list why not buy them supplies? It's the perfect gift whether they make jewelry, sew, scrapbook, do needlework, decoupage, macrame - I could just go on & on & on. The best selection at the best prices are a few keystrokes away. Just sign into Etsy and search "supplies" by typing in Team ESST. I just did that and got almost 24,000 listings. Don't worry, on the left side of the page these listings are broken down into categories such as beads, scrapbooking, handmade, fabric, button,knitting, etc.

Wouldn't it be more fun to spend a peaceful weekend in front of the computer with some hot cocoa instead of at a crowded mall wondering where you left you car? Remember when you shop on Etsy shoes are optional!

Shameless plug follows: You are welcome to start your supply search in my shop where worldwide shipping is free (with minimum purchase). We specialize in vintage beads, sew on embellishments and trimmings in never used condition. We're open 24/7, too!

Happy Holidays!

Search Team ESST For Your Holiday Supplies

If you shop on Etsy, and you should, be sure to search Team ESST for all of your supply needs. There is a vast assortment of great vintage and new supplies just ready and waiting for your jewelry and crafting projects and gifts. Not crafty but need something for those who are? Beads, findings, components, etc., will make wonderful presents for all the do it yourselfers and designers on your list. They make fabulous stocking stuffers, too.

Searching Team ESST will bring you straight to the best supply sellers ever! Oh, and if you are fond of vintage beads and other vintage supplies stop by our Etsy shop and have a look. Our everyday shipping policy includes free worldwide shipping with a minimum purchase.

To Stress or Not To Stress? The Holiday Count Down 2009

OK, so just a couple of weeks ago I did my annual pre-holiday rant, except this time I did it in public! I've always felt that the holiday season gets crammed down our throats earlier & earlier each year and I still stand by that. However, I have had an epiphany of sorts and no, it did NOT involve three ghosts and seeing my entire life fly past my eyes in gritty black and white.

This time I have decided to embrace my inner child and just go for it. After all, once you get past all the crass commercialism and realize that major chain stores who offer extended credit, deferred payments and lay away are not really after our friendship (just our money) then what's left is good will and the perpetual hope for peace on earth. Right? Well cynicism aside there is a certain amount of truth in that belief.

So this weekend I have decided to get my jingle on and up goes our tiny little tree and the sparkling lights and the tinsel garlands and whatever other stuff we have to decorate with. I will draw the line at the nativity set and will hold that back for at least another month. I don't expect Mary to spend a full half of her last trimester kneeling on top of my television set. I will leave her to rest peacefully in her bed of tissue paper until a more appropriate time.

I will also hold off a bit on the holiday music - probably until after Thanksgiving. That gives me another couple of weeks to prepare to make the transition from Snow Patrol to Let it Snow.

It's Veterans Day - Have You Hugged A Soldier Today?

When I was in school I took holidays for granted. After all a day off was a day off. When I entered the workforce I still kind of had the same mindset except this time the stakes were higher. Then it was a "day off with pay" kind of thing. When I became self employed and said goodbye to paid sick leave and holidays I started paying closer attention to what was going on around me. I finally took the time to smell the roses, so to speak. So although I knew that November 11th was Veterans Day, is a federal holiday and is to honor our service personnel I didn't know how this day came about.

I did some quick research (gotta love the internet) and discovered the following:

November 11th is Veterans Day. Why that particular date? Well, during WWI on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice was declared between the Allied Nations and Germany. Originally known as Armistice Day it went on to be known as Veterans Day and became a federal holiday in 1938. The holiday is dedicated to all American war veterans and is a day to remember and honor them and all Americans in the military. This is rather overly simplified information and I urge you all to look it up and do a little reading. You won't look at this holiday the same ever again. I know I won't.

I would like to personally honor my favorite veteran, my husband, with the enclosed photo. He served in the Air Force and I had to twist his arm for his permission to use this photo in my blog.

Let us not forget all those who served and never came home.

Trick or Treat? Team ESST To The Rescue!

This is such a stressful weekend! Between wishing the kids would stop ringing your doorbell so you could eat all the candy yourself and trying to remember exactly when you are supposed to change the clocks - it's enough to drive you batty! Why not de-stress and do a little surfing on Etsy? After all, now that Halloween is here the rest of the holidays are just around the corner (say what - oh just read my previous post!) so time is a wastin'.

Get all of your holiday gift supply shopping in gear the easy way - just search team ESST for all of your jewelry and craft supplies. If it's on Etsy this is the best way to find it and if it's not then you probably don't really need it anyway. You know, if you're gonna be Santa for the holidays we'd really like to be your elves!

Happy Holidaze...Happy Holidaze...

It used to be that the arrival of Santa at the end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade was the official kick off of the Christmas holiday season. Decorations and lights went up, Christmas Club savings were budgeted and spent as children everywhere started snooping around hoping to find that much desired toy hidden under their parents' bed. After all, our parents had explained that Santa gets so busy that sometimes parents help him out and who cared who brought it as long as it was under the tree? I had a weakness for dolls and when I used to find the wrapped gifts my Mom had oh so carefully stashed I would gently peel back the tape on one end and sniff the box. Doll plastic had a unique odor and the right smell was sheer heaven!

As years passed and our awareness of other beliefs broadened it generically became the "Holiday Season" with no mention of any particular faith or holiday. Santa's arrival no longer had the impact it used to and holiday gift related television advertising started showing up earlier and earlier. At some point there was absolutely no mention of the ensuing holiday season until after Halloween and now that barrier has been trampled. For the last week or so I have been seeing some heavy handed holiday type TV commercials. I give it another few years and perhaps we'll start kicking off the season just after Labor Day. Can you imagine seeing Santa in a speedo? Catching those last few rays before his busy season begins? Oh my, that image makes me want to run and make some eggnog margaritas!

Anyway, since you have probably already made your list and checked it twice might I suggest somewhere to shop that's always nice? How about...Etsy? Let's face it - you're gonna shop. You know you are so why not do it the easy way? Why waste gas by driving to the mall when you can kick off your shoes, pick up your mouse and click your way to holiday gift heaven? Oh, and don't forget the eggnog margaritas - it makes shopping so much more fun!

Vintage Sew On Jewels - Our Newest Shop Additions

Now just how fun are these? Just in time for holiday designs, but perfect for whenever a little somethin' somethin' is called for. If you follow the link to our shop & go to the list of sections just click on "Sew On Jewels" to see what's currently listed. There's more coming, too! What's that? You aren't familiar with them? OK, here's the scoop: they are generally "foiled" flat back glass cabochons set into a metal bezel with either holes, channels or some other type of openings on the back. These openings were meant for sewing but they are fabulous in jewelry, mixed media designs, quilts, doll clothes, embellishments...you name it!


There are also some that have glass pieces bonded to a frosted glass backing with two holes & some that are just flat backs with holes. I also put some crystal pieces in this category, too. The montage shows a small selection of some of the pieces currently listed in our Etsy shop. I hope you'll have a look & please ask any questions you might have!

Welcome to the September Weekend Shopping Extravaganza

It's that time again! Welcome to the September Weekend Shopping Extravaganza sponsored by the Etsy Supply Street Team - Team ESST for short. Now that summer is winding down it's time to start thinking of holiday gifts and projects. Autumn is just around the corner and then it's Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc. I won't even mention the really BIG ones yet. Yeah...I know...you've barely gotten the kids back in school and you want some "me" time. What better way to spend that precious me time than to visit the many great Etsy shops owned by members of the Etsy Supply Street Team - ESST.

Enjoy your holiday weekend with the fabulous beads and other supplies offered by our team members. We all hope you'll drop in and say hello!

Every shop will have different sales and or specials. My shop, beadbrats, is offering free US shipping for all orders $25.00 and up and free International shipping for orders $50.00 and up. Please read the notice in my shop announcement for complete details.

On Saturday September 5th & Sunday September 6th be sure to search "team esst" (without quotes) for the best deals on the finest supplies (vintage ones in my shop) on Etsy! Here is a link to the promo thread to up to date postings and individual shop specials: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6273078

Welcome to the August Weekend Shopping Extravaganza

Hello all! Now that summer is really bearing down on us how about spending this coming weekend doing some cool shopping? Just kick off your shoes, crank up the AC and visit the many great Etsy shops owned by members of the Etsy Supply Street Team - ESST. With a cool beverage in one hand and your mouse in the other you can browse away to your heart's content in cool comfort. If you happen to be in the other hemisphere just reverse the temps substituting heat for AC and add some fuzzy slippers and a warm beverage. It will be great regardless of the weather!

Every shop will have different sales and or specials. My shop, beadbrats, is offering free worldwide shipping for all orders $21.00 and up. Please read the notice in my shop announcement for complete details.

On Saturday August 1st & Sunday August 2nd be sure to search "team esst" (without quotes) for the best deals on the finest supplies (vintage ones in my shop) on Etsy! Here is a link to the promo thread to up to date postings and individual shop specials: http://http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6236075

Now Here's a Fun Site to Visit

If you've never visited this site you should: http://tryhandmade.com/bits-and-bobs . The title is the link (until I figure out how to include links in the text!!!) It's a great place for and about talented artists and designers. I am pleased to mention that some of our vintage Venetian beads were recently featured supplies here in "Bits and bobs" .

Summer Special - Free Shipping Stimulus Plan

On the spur of the moment I just decided to offer a "Free Shipping Stimulus Plan" in honor of the official start of summer. Yes, I know that was three days ago but it's been a busy week! The details are all outlined in my etsy shop but basically it's free domestic and international shipping on all orders $21.00 and up. Why $21.00? Because summer started on June 21st!

SECOND ANNUAL YART SALE sponsored by Team ESST – June 10-14, 2009 = MORE Free Shipping from Beadbrats!

The “2nd Annual Yart Sale” will be held from Wednesday June 10th - Sunday June 14th, 2009. This year the “2nd Annual Yart Sale” will be sponsored by the Etsy Supply Street Team (Team ESST). Although not an official Etsy event, it is Etsy supported as evidenced by the Storque article (title is link to this article). A “Yart Sale” is an artistic spin on the traditional Yard Sale: Art + Yard Sale = “Yart Sale”.

This is my first year as a team member so I have decided to participate with the following offer: FREE SHIPPING! Yup, more free shipping! All orders received until midnight on Sunday, June 14th will receive free first class shipping. Terms and details are as follows:

"Payment is still expected and appreciated within three days of order. All times are my local time (EDT). This offer is for domestic & international shipping. I will issue refunds for the shipping portion of your order via PayPal. Once your payment is received I will go ahead & issue a paypal refund for the shipping charge."

Team ESST invites you to come, post, chat and shop on the “Official Yart Sale” thread in the Promotions Section of the Etsy forums. A new thread will be posted daily at 7:00 AM EDT beginning on Wednesday June 10th by the Etsy Supply Street Team with the forum title:
“SECOND ANNUAL YART SALE sponsored by Team ESST – June 10th, 2009”

So come on by & join in the fun!

Beadbrats' Etsy Shop Free Shipping Offer

Here's the info that is currently posted in my shop announcements:

♥✿♥✿♥✿♥✿♥ IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! ♥✿♥✿♥✿♥✿♥

May 27, 2009: We are leaving for the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee this weekend and will not be shipping between May 30th & June 11th or 12th. HOWEVER...all PAID ORDERS received between Midnight on Thursday May 28th and Midnight on Wednesday June 10th will be shipped for free. Payment is still expected and appreciated within three days of order. All times are my local time (EDT). This offer is for domestic & international shipping and the more you buy - the more you save! I will issue refunds for the shipping portion of your order via PayPal. Our other shop, eastofoz, will be closed for vacation during this period.

This is being "blogged" in a somewhat untimely manner but the information is still relevant.  If you don't mind waiting longer for your order then shipping is on me!   I'm making the refunds via PayPal and all seems to be going smoothly so far.   So go ahead, take advantage of me!

I've Been Neglecting Our Other Shop - Shame On ME!

I launched our second Etsy shop, East of OZ, in December of 2008. I had every intention of keeping it stocked up with some of our more unusual, collectible glass beads and unique stone beads. Like all good intentions (and most New Year's Resolutions) it kind of got neglected and the stock dwindled. Shame on me!!! I am starting to list beads in that shop again and today I am working on some cool Venetian fancy and trade beads. I will hand select some great stone beads at our show this weekend and will get them listed next week. If you like unique and unusual I hope you'll stop in for a visit.

Vintage Swarovski Crystal Bead Info - Part 2

In October 1999 I sent an email to Swarovski in Austria asking for info to help me date their older beads accurately. I received a response from them that I wanted to share. I couldn't figure out the best way to do this so I decided to just post the actual emails. Since it's a bit too long to put on this page just click on the title (it's a link) and it will take you right to it. Nothing has been changed, it's a simple cut and paste document. I did block out all the names and email addresses because after all, this is the Internet!

I hope this information is of use to you!

Attention Shoppers...Free Beads...Keep Reading...

It's may madness time on Etsy. Come & celebrate the "FIRST WEEKEND SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA" MAY 7TH - MAY 10TH. Search ESST for great weekend specials from Etsy Supply Street Team Members.

As a proud team member I am giving away a free full size package of vintage flower and/or leaf beads (my choice) with every order over $25.00! This offer applies to all orders received during this special weekend and expires at midnight on Sunday.

Vintage Swarovski Crystal Bead Info - Part 1

When selling vintage the first question I usually hear is "How old are these"? One of the easiest types of beads to date accurately are Swarovski crystal beads, especially if they are still in their original packaging. There's a lot of incorrect information floating around so I would like to offer some factual information to help clear it up.

If I have done this correctly (I'm still pretty blog-challenged) you should be able to click on the chart at the right to see it full sized. It's a conversion chart of old and new Swarovski article numbers (basically a style number) next to a line drawing of the bead. Now the trick is to know when the numbers were changed. In 1968 the numbers were converted to 4 digits so you know that if the 2 or 3 digit number is printed on the package or box they were made prior to then.

More to come...

April 24 is Etsy Day - So Go and Buy Something Already!

Today is Etsy Day! Unless you lead an extremely sheltered life you must have heard of Etsy. Today is a celebration of all things Etsy, a fab collection of shops selling unique handmade items, unusual vintage and the absolutely best jewelry, craft and art supplies on the web. Remember to search for Etsy Supply Street Team member shops when you search for supplies. A great place to start would be by clicking on any item listed in my Etsy shop - hint, hint! I am a proud team member and support all Team ESST members, too. The easy way to find us is to search ESST!

Happy Anniversary to Me!

Every woman who has had breast cancer has a different way of determining when they became a survivor. For me, it is the day that the cancer was surgically removed from my body. That was on April 23, 2008 so I am celebrating my one year anniversary today. Happy anniversary to me.

We are all survivors of something. Sometimes it's obvious, sometimes it's not. We do what we can...we heal..we survive..we celebrate.

On the Road Again

Geez, what is it with me & these song titles? We have added a couple of last minute listings to our show schedule and my dear husband will be doing shows in the Carolinas the next two weekends. On April 25 & 26 he'll be in Winston-Salem, NC & the following weekend, May 2 & 3 he'll be in Columbia, SC. If you are in the area & like beads please stop in and say hi.

He will not have the same beads that are in our Etsy shop but will have lots of great gemstone beads, some vintage and a neat assortment of closeouts. There's also a great selection of really well priced seed beads: new, vintage & antique.

Follow the link to our website show schedule for complete details.

Holy Headache Batman, Music on a blog?

Oh why the hell not? I listen to music when I work, in fact that's how my husband can tell what kind of mood I'm in. Music playing=good, quiet=not so good. Anyway, I decided to give you the option of music on or off, depending on your particular mood. I've started with some stuff that I like in the hopes that you'll like it too. Enjoy!

Like a Virgin...

I've always considered myself better than average where all things technical are concerned but this blog thing has me baffled! Hopefully I will keep at it, figure it out and actually make it a fun place to visit. Maybe it's just too easy for my complicated mind to grasp?

People who know me are aware that I always have something to say about everything. Let's see if this is the case!