24 Hours Without Email - or - OH NO! The Server Is Down

How did we ever communicate before the internet? Well, before email we called each other up on the phone more or even (gasp!) wrote letters. Wow, those we the days weren't they? Not! I have just gone through approximately 24 hours without email due to some convoluted reason issued in a statement by my web host. I am guessing that what actually happened is that somebody spilled their coffee in a really really bad place and server fall down go boom. At least I'd like to think there was some sort of human interaction in this whole fiasco.

The point I am trying to make is that if you have sent a direct email to info@eastofoz.com since 2/20 4:00 pm there is a good chance that I will: a) never get it, b) get it soon or c) get it as soon as they wipe off the coffee, er, reboot the system. Lets keep our fingers crossed!

Update: As of 2/21 10:00 pm EST I am able to send & receive email but my web host still has outage warnings posted. Slow drying coffee I guess! You can also reach me via an Etsy convo. As of 2/25/10 our email is back to normal. Hooray!!!

February 26-28 Semi Annual ESST Sale & Free Vintage Bead Giveaway

Now here's some exciting news! I am happy to announce the upcoming February 26-28 Semi Annual Etsy Supply Street Team Sale. For three fun filled days be sure to search Team ESST for all your supply needs and to take advantage of the various specials being offered. Every shop will be doing something different so search often to see what your favorite team members are offering for this event.

In our Etsy shop, BEADBRATS, you will receive a free 50 piece vintage flower & leaf bead assortment as shown with every purchase of $25.00 and up. These vintage beads are from Western Germany, Austria & Japan and include button back, flat back and center hole beads. Great for Spring & Summer! One free lot per customer, per day only please! Don't forget our everyday offer of free domestic shipping for a minimum $25.00 purchase and free international shipping for a minimum $50.00 purchase. Shipping charges are refunded via PayPal after payment is received.

This is going to be a great event & lots of fun for all! We're all looking forward to seeing you!

How Many Shopping Days Until Valentines Day?

I'm not exactly sure just how many shopping days there are until Valentines Day but as anyone looking for a gift knows there are never enough! Well nothing says "I love you" more than something handcrafted and there's an easy way to find the perfect supplies at the perfect prices, too. Just go to Etsy and search "Team ESST" to find the best beads, findings and craft supplies. Shop in comfort day or night - we're all open 24/7 - and you'll see just how much fun shopping can be. Don't forget that jewelry and craft supplies make the perfect gift for all the crafty people on your list, too.

My shop offers free worldwide shipping of our vintage beads with a minimum purchase. Many other shops offer different specials so be sure to check us out! Happy Valentines Day!

Happy New Year!

Now that the 2009 holiday season is in the bag we turn our sights to whatever this new year has in store for. Ever hopeful, we wish and pray for an upturn in the economy, health, happiness and peace all around us. I have tried to think of a suitable quotation to sum up my feelings for the new year. I give you two to choose from and depending on whether your glass is half full or half empty you can select a favorite.

One is: Hope is passion for what is possible.
-- Soren Kierkegaard.

The other is: The light at the end of the tunnel is the headlight of the oncoming train.
-- Unknown.

Happy 2010!

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!