Vintage Vamp

Some more revamping is going on in my Etsy store. Have taken new pictures of the vintage lucite beads. Think the background helps to give the beads that vintage feel also. Really like how most of the pictures have been coming out. Will use the same background for the flowers and leaves section of the store also.

Risky Beads: Double Agents on Etsy--Those You Know and Some You Don't

Risky Beads: Double Agents on Etsy--Those You Know and Some You Don't

Take a read above and discover some great supply finds you may have never thought of. It is a wonderful article by fellow Etsian: RiskyBeads. And there is information at the bottom of the blog how to get a discount through 12/20/2008 at Beads2string.

Revamping

Have been really trying to decide the look I want for the background of the findings at Beads2string. Getting tired of looking at the white backgrounds. Also want to bring out more of the details in each finding as they are so beautiful in person. So when I was taking pictures of items to put in my new store MySweetVintage, I noticed on the back there was this great design just waiting to be behind the findings. So I took the below picture as a demo to see how it will look. It really gives a great contrast to the antiqued bronze and helps show off the great detail of the piece. So I'll be revamping the look of all of the findings at http://beads2string.etsy.com/ in the coming weeks. I can't wait to see the whole look of the store; it will probably make me want to revamp other sections. Hahaha just a never ending process isn't it?

Happy Etsyversary

Want to take time to thank all of Beads2String's new and returning Customers. It has been 1 year since the Beads2String store was open on Etsy. The 1 year Etsyversary occurred on 9/30/2008 (I almost missed it). It has been a tremendous ride with a new stores ups and downs, but definitely worth it. There is so much more growth that Beads2String will be experiencing in the future and can't wait to bring all the new inventory to my fabulous customers. Also due to the demand to be able to purchase more of a variety, I am currently working on brining more 1/2 strands with the gemstones as many have been requesting.

Thank you for allowing me to be able to help you grow and expand your Jewelry Designs. I love all of the final product pictures you provide. It is so exciting and inspiring to see what your visions and imaginations create.

Getting Further into the Blogging World

So I am getting a little further into the blogging world. Does anyone else feel like such a dork when they enter into this world? Hey I will freely admit it, my creativity is in the physical world not the world of the internet. When I look at other people's blogs I always say oh this gadget is cool, or love how they have this set up. Well now Mind of Beads includes the subscribe to this blog and Are You Following me gadgets on the sidebar. I know, I know finally!! Be patient with me I am blonde so does that give me the 5 second more rule? Hoo hoo 2 down and a whole bunch more to go hahaha.

Time on My Hands

Now that I have time on my hands, I've been revamping http://beads2string.net/ and wow what a difference pictures can make. It is looking so great and excited to get going on my other 2 websites. I am just one of those people who can't get use to a digital camera. It is nice to have the convenience of just uploading pictures right to the computer; however, really never happy with the quality of lighting. So over the course of the year I have retaken and retaken pictures of the beads, gemstones, crystals you see on Beads2string. Being in a different state also takes getting use to for when the best time is to take pictures with natural light. Think I'm closer then I've been before. For me in Texas I have to go out either really early before the humidity rises or right at dusk before sunset. Since pictures are frustrating for everyone thought I would share with you the beginnings and the end of my journey of what worked best for me.

Tried with different lighting inside and different backgrounds. Just was not satisfied and this satisfaction is based soley on my own; like your pictures have to be based soley on your satisfaction. Yes you can go in the forums and ask how people like your pictures but come down to it, how do You like your photos? Some like the bright color backgrounds, some bright white to black. I've used them all and it just wasn't saying what I wanted my store to say. I'm a total California girl who loves the mountains and beaches and everything nature has to offer. Want to bring that into my stores. My background for pictures now are from the outside world and I am very excited about the outcome. Now I do still need to work on timing and when to go outside. And believe me 10 minutes makes a big difference as one day I went to get something inside and when I went back out the sky had ugly dark clouds and God opened the flood gates. All things purple or hot pink are the only colors really frustrating me at this time, just can't get the right hues to show up in the digital camera still.

Well anyhoo here are some before and after pictures so you can see how a store like me still keeps trying to find that "1 look" that fits your store. It may not be a big difference for some but I want a look that will smoothly transition throughout my stores and keep a uniform look for glass, gems, lucite, crystals and make the beads themselves "pop" out and have the background be exactly that. So the below pictures are of Red Aventurine. I really do like the 2nd picture and the look with the store name but the white background is just not working for all beads. The final picture's backdrop has been working great and even my vintage lucite just "pops".

The Gift of a New Day

~ We can bring so many blessings into our lives just by realizing that it is never too late. Before you turn the page on this day, make a pact with yourself to untie the ribbons and open the gifts we are given in this life. Do ordinary things in extraordinary ways. Have health and hope and happiness! Live a full life on this earth, understand your real worth, and wish on all your stars. And don't ever forget, for even a day, how very special you are ~

I've read this before but it didn't really sink in until now. I realize it is not too late to get my healthy body back and love life again. Little things every day make me smile again and it has been a long time for that. I am excited to get back to creating, and have so many ideas. Once you let that creativity open in your brain the flood gates also open. It is so exciting and I'd rather be poor and happy then make good money at a stressful job that kills your body. I am remembering every day to "invest in myself". I can't wait to see what the future holds.

I'm So Freakin Excited.......

It is 12:00 am so I now have officially two more days until my sisters come from California to visit me. We are very close and best friends. By looking at the picture we also all look alike. It has been two years since I have seen them and it has been just killing me inside. I never realized how much my heart could hurt from moving so far away from home. But it gets better not only are my sisters coming but my neices and nephew in the picture are coming too. They are right now on a train on their way here. I told my neice that we have to do one of those cheesy movie scenes and do the slow motion run towards each other. Only thing missing would be the field of flowers.

Spring

Finally it is here I have been wanting this time to come for awhile. Spring ~ the season when flowers start to bloom and butterflies start to fly. Hope Spring is a better season for everyone. It is definitely a joy to see this season in my house. Well, as long as Texas doesn't see all of the rain it did last year. I would like to enjoy walking in the evening with a beautiful sunset and listening to the birdies chirp. My Iris have been really growing and multiplying so I can't wait to see them bloom. They will be so beautiful and make a great picture.

So why are you happy Spring has sprung? Finally able to get rid of the Winter blues. Maybe you worked hard in the Fall planting those bulbs in the garden. Being able to enjoy the day at the zoo with family and the animals will actually be outside. Maybe you like going to my favorite place, Disneyland, and seeing their beautiful landscaping in the Spring air. What ever the reason, Spring it is here and time to enjoy something wonderful in life.

I found some great poems that would be good for Spring and starting to get your creativity flow and imagination working:

Be creative! You're the artist here. You're the one who can brush away the clouds and make the sun shine. Paint your own picture, choose your own colors. And forget all that business about having to stay between the lines.

~ ~ Douglas Pagels

Every artist dips his brush in his soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. ~ ~ Henry Ward Beecher

To affect the quality of the day ~

that is the highest of the arts.

~ ~ Henry David Thoreau

The Gift of an Angel by Your Side

May you always have an angel by your side ∞ Watching out for you in all the things you do ∞ Reminding you to keep believing in brighter days ∞ Finding ways for your wishes and dreams to come true ∞ Giving you hope that is as certain as the sun ∞ Giving you the strength of serenity as your guide ∞ May you always have love and comfort and courage ∞

And may you always have an angel by your side ∞ Someone there to catch you if you fall ∞ Encouraging your dreams ∞ Inspiring your happiness ∞ Holding your hand and helping you through it all ∞ In all of our days, our lives are always changing ∞ Tears come along as well as smiles ∞ Along the roads you travel, may the miles be a thousand times more lovely than lonely ∞ May they give you gifts that never, ever end: someone wonderful to love and a dear friend in whom you can confide ∞ May you have rainbows after every storm ∞ May you have hopes to keep you safe and warm ∞

And may you always have an angel by your side ∞
-- Douglas Pagels