This Just In - - Cameos

So very happy to announce that Beads2string is now carrying a variety of plastic cameo cabochons for your designing pleasure. This is only the beginning of what the stores will carry. In the future I will also be getting the cameo settings in different finishes also. But have to start somewhere right? Here are a few pictures to give you a taste of what you can go shopping for.

Going to begin to use this new Post Title "This Just In" to let you know what new items will be coming available at Beads2string stores. Most new items usually get put up first on Etsy at this time. Only reason being, that it is the store which is full in stock. Once my other two venues: ArtFire and website are fully stocked this will change. So when that happens I will try to let you know what is what and when, where, and why is that. So if you have a preference of where you shop at Beads2string and the new items are not yet stocked there yet, just send me an email and request the item be listed.

ArtFire Studio is Starting to Come Along

Yes I have finally taken the plunge. Realize my ArtFire Studio for Beads2string has been sitting empty for the last couple of months. Didn't want to start listing beads without getting the store front set up first. Noticed categories are listed alphabetically so it was a matter of how did I want the titles to be named. Was also working on the look of the banner for the Studio. Think it is all coming together.

I am now at the point where an endless amount of time is being taken to list all of the findings, beads, stones. Wish I could magically say "poof" in my sleep and wake up to find everything listed. Wouldn't that be a wonderful dream? Hey my office decor is Disney so "Dreams can come true?" haha.

On a side note it really was my intention to have the Studio all listed and ready to go for May so I could use that fun %off discount button that ArtFire provides. I am learning in life that with CFS, Fibro, Hypothyroid time lines are just an outline and not a set schedule. Once a few hundred items are listed I will announce a Grand Opening Sale for Beads2string on ArtFire. It will be a 20% discount on items when the sale does happen. But just think, at that time you will be able to shop from a bigger variety of findings and am also bringing cameos to the store.

ArtFire Here I Come

Have debated a long time whether to expand and include ArtFire or not. Kept going to the site looking and exploring what there is to be offered to sellers. Everything looked good, but was good, too good to be true? Well it is still in the Beta stage so only time will tell. Decided to give it a chance and see how it will be. Well once I joined was able to see that sellers are able to easily do a sale for their shop at a % off. That in itself made me excited. This is one reason I'm eventually going to expand and Beads2string will be a website on its own. (I said eventually). The first week I was trying to get the feel of the site and only put up about 10 items. Since that time they have upgraded the search engine and a Buyer can search within your own store. That is awesome, stupendous, crackalackin! Way to go ArtFire, hope this kind of thing will continue which will benefit everyone.

So have been continually updating photos and am ready to do a super charged, sit down, shut up and hold on listing rampage this weekend. My intentions will be to get a few hundred items listed this weekend. Then next week get a few more hundred items listed and just have a Grand Opening Spring Sale. Just have to decide what % off to go crazy with. Can't wait to finally have an easy and pleasing Sale experience for Customers.

May I just say Thank You ArtFire

What To Do With A Mound Of Stones?

Found a bag full of strands and strands and more strands of stones. Where did I get it and what was I going to do with all of them? Have no idea but there are a lot of them and all single strands. Mostly Quartz, Aventurine, Kyanite, Moonstone, Labradorite, and Garnet. So I had this image come into my head. The scene from Close Encounters of the Third Kind when they are at the table and he starts making the mountain out of mashed potatoes. I don't know where that thought came from, maybe I'm craving mashed potatoes since I'm not eating sugar or carbs? Hey whatever, right. Its just one of those random thoughts we use to create something. Well for whatever it is, this is my version of the mountain made with stones. I know, I know mashed potatoes does such a better job.

Well anyhoo, I've split my mountain up into sections of 5 strands each and will be listing them on Beads2string. Going to have a blow out Sale section. If anyone purchases one of the listings it would be great to see what you have created. Send me a picture of your design and I will do a little feature here on The Mind of Beads.

Winter Time Hues

So I admit being a little addicted to lucite. Especially the flowers and leaves that have become available within the last couple of years. Some are vintage lucite pieces that have been found in warehouse storages and some are newer stock. So many varieties of flowers to choose from. They bring so many designs to the imagination with the wide range of colors available. Here is a little taste of the most recent colors that I've added to my inventory for the store. I am so excited to be able to share them with everyone.

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.