BESTeam Feature: Gilliauna

A northern neighbor, Bits 'n Beads by Gilliauna is based in Seattle and Vancouver, BC.  I was overwhelmed by how many beautiful pieces in the shop!  The items are made primarily with beading, but they are by no means a one-note shop.  You name it, they've made it in a variety of colors and designs.  And for those of you just developing your own shops, check out the great product photography here!

Many of the pieces are made with reclaimed or vintage beads as well.  Reduce, reuse, recycle, right?  Be environmentally responsible and support recyclers this new year!  The shop also has a layaway payment plan option for those of you who find yourself a little lighter in your pockets this holiday season.

I love the beaded bookmarks, like this Beaded Shopaholic Bookmark - Black Purse with Red Beads for $16.00 shown below.  It's perfect for the avid reader or avid book buyer.

I see earrings all over etsy, but a good pair of beaded hoops, like these Beaded Handmade Hoop Earrings - Whisper, $24.00, are hard to find.  
Necklaces and chokers are available in all colors of the rainbow.  This Summer Blooms Choker, $20.00, will warm any cold day and bring a smile to your face.
Nowadays we are all bogged down by ID badges and bus passes, so why not wear those cumbersome tags in style with this Mustard Yellow Handmade Beaded Lanyard, $37.00.  If you don't like yellow, there are many other colors and styles to choose from.
This Holy Rosary Handcrafted in Blue Ceramic and Pearls, $150.00, is absolutely beautiful.

Spend a while browsing the shop!

Can't get enough?  You can follow Gilliauna's blog, facebook, twitter, flickr, deviantArt, or tumblr accounts.

NEW for 2011

Now that November has settled down considerably, I'm filling orders for the holidays.  Custom orders will be on a case-by-case basis after December 15th, and all orders need to be placed before December 20 to be shipped before Christmas.  I will be out of town from the 22nd until the 29th, and then covering the pottery studio through January 2, so my business will essentially be closed for the duration of those two weeks.

I am sitting down with some serious business plans and goals for 2011, now that I have been open a few months and am starting to get a hang of this whole "owning a business" thing.  I am excited about starting some new projects, and I am feeling more organized and ready for a clean slate for my bookkeeping.

Maybe it's still a little early for New Year's resolutions, but here are a few things to look forward to in the coming weeks:

A 2011 WEEKLY PLANNER  

What began as a project for a custom order is turning into an item I would like very much to have in my shop.  The down side is that I may not finish publication before the first of the year.  I may be able to adapt it to be a fill-in-the-date planner for those of you who still would like to order one after January.

A NEW LINE OF PENCIL CUPS

That's all I'm going to say, except that I am REALLY excited.

PICTURE FRAMES

I really enjoy painting picture frames, and I am finally in a financial position to buy the supplies to make them.

I hope you are as excited about the new year as I am!

BESTeam Feature: Ardent Reverie

This week's shop is run by two sisters in San Diego.  Ardent Reverie has a wide collection of accessories for every occasion.  And I assure you, Melanie and Meghan are not afraid of color!

You will stand out in the crowd in this L'amour Beanie, $8.00, pictured above.  Chic, rich, and practical, it is a great way to add a splash of color to your wardrobe.  For those feeling bold, give a nod to the Jazz Age by donning this Bella Moss Feather Clip, $13.00, shown below.
I am crazy about stripes, personally, and the Wrap Around Me Scarf, $18.00, shown below does not disappoint.  It will go with any ensemble, giving that extra punch to any outfit.  It is wide enough and long enough to be worn many different ways, changing your look throughout the day with just one piece.
Emilie's Garden Flower Clip, $17.00, pictured below, is an elegant touch to a night on the town.  Purple is "in" this season, and you can be ahead of the trend in style with flowers in your hair.
For something a little more personal, use the design of this Off With Her Head Necklace, $18.00, shown below, and request a customized pendant.
Accessorize your holiday season!

For more, check out their website.  It's one of my favorites that I have seen!  You might even recognize someone on their blog this week...

Black Friday

This is a reminder that all paper items in my shop have free shipping through Monday.  And, yes, Internationals, I'll even ship free to you.  

Have a fabulous weekend!

BESTeam Feature: Hipchic Designs

Cynde of Hipchic Designs is a mother and avid sewer from Grant, Alabama.  As a fellow southern girl (though I may live in Portland now), I love her patchwork designs in colorful, light fabrics.  How could you not love this Whimsical Christmas Patchwork Skirt shown above, $36.00, or the Do Polka Dotted Hens Lay Polka Dotted Eggs? skirt shown below, $25.00.  I love her titles almost as much as I love her clothes!
This is fashion for the bold, artistic child who wants to make a statement.  Your daughter, your sister, your niece, or your friend will enjoy the Extra Twirl Swing Skirt shown below for $20.00.  She can spin, and the skirt spins with her.
The weather is getting colder, and Cynde has hats, like this Simple Elegance in Brown, $18.00, for the chilly winter days.

Her work makes me smile, and I hope it makes you smile as well!

Want more?  Follow Cynde on her blog, Hipchic Designs.  Be sure to check out her tutorials!

Crises averted...

The past few weeks have been insane, and I have spent much of my time out of town.  Now I'm back, just in time for a very busy Thanksgiving, and an even busier shopping weekend.  Even if my Etsy shop doesn't get the traffic I hope it will, I anticipate the pottery studio will be swamped.

For those of you who follow my blog and my facebook and my twitter, I will tell you now that all orders placed between Friday, November 26 and Monday, November 29, will have free shipping on all paper items.  Unfortunately, I cannot extend the offer to include pottery, but for those of you looking for a journal, order this weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving, to those of you who will celebrate it.  I know I'm looking forward to our cheesecake!

BESTeam Feature: Mya Bruce Designs

Make a special occasion even more so by ordering a custom designed announcement or invitation, $15.00, from Mya Bruce Designs.  Based in Arizona, this shop has plenty of customizable options for designs that you can print from your own computer, so you can print as many as you need without worrying about leaving someone off the mailing list.  I particularly love the Elephant and Polka Dots Baby Announcement, $15.00, pictured below. 

For the person who has everything, consider giving a Photo Collage, $15.00, this holiday season.  Not only will your photographs be arranged to suit the theme, but the photos themselves are altered to make a cohesive picture, with just the look and feel you need.

Don't forget to say Thank You, $15.00, with a personalized card.  Not only will you show your appreciation, but you can spread a few smiles in the process.

Thanks to Mya Bruce Designs!  

For more, you can like the shop on facebook!