I am back from the Show and beginning to scribble down my thoughts. Top of the list is to thank all of you who visited our booth ~Glass0Beads~ and shared their jewellery and their lives with us.

And for those who have taken the time to visit me here and leave their comments ~ thank you.

I have a new interview lined up and that means you need to check back to read it. The person? Meagan Shaughnessy. The reason? She is in the midst of a major shift in her approach to life and her artistic direction. A delightful young lady, I met her at the Show. Thanks, Meagan, for meeting me there: I appreciate it.

And I have a new bridal commission. Thanks Sarah. It’s her mother’s fault that Sarah came to me: thanks Jessie.

To the other artisan jewellers and bead makers who shared their experiences and information with me: THANK YOU. That’s a biggie because the education was free and with no strings attached. I was looked after, watched out for, shared and cared for.

We had a wee elf in our booth going by the name of Vanessa. A young whipper-snapper with all the exuberance and capabilities of the young. She brought me down to reality: I really am not as young as I think. But that’s not her fault, you understand: it’s mine for thinking I was still young. She taught me some functions of my camera that I didn’t know it has. And she took some of my pictures. Pretty good, don’t you think!? She was a delightful booth mate and a house guest that wasn’t noisy. Thanks Vanessa for everything.

The kits by Joannlx at BeadKitsByMail.com were offered at our booth. Thanks Joann for trusting me.

Will I do it again? You bet. In a heartbeat. My next show is in May and I’ll be volunteering there. Learning should never stop: if it does, you’re dead. And volunteering will give me the lessons at no charge.

That show? Toronto Bead Society’s Spring Bead Fair on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at Toronto’s YMCA, 20 Grosvenor Street (west of Yonge). It runs 10am to 5pm. This show is just like  the Bead Oasis Show but on a much smaller scale. You won’t regret your visit.

I got my Christmas present early this year. And it’s just what I wanted.

In September this year I joined a directory of shops where only handmade items could be listed. My shop is Glass0Beads~- the 0 is a number, not a letter o. I added some of my glass bead artisan jewellery on the site. But it went nowhere. It just sat. I had no idea what to do.

Well, I joined a ‘team’ at Etsy but I was very unhappy there: it seemed to have too many backbiters and I didn’t want to be associated with that kind of team.

Then I found THE TEAM to beat all teams. It is a team, or guild, that supports one another while utilizing social marketing practices. You know the kind of thing: I’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch mine.

Well, still nothing was happening. I had no clue about how to get somebody to buy something – ANYTHING!!

I received some tips on photography from a lovely lady, Anna Lee, at Gahoole Tree.  She was supportive, not what I would consider bossy ~ and I know bossy ~ and patient with my efforts.

Here comes the Christmas present part. Are you ready?

I was invited to work on the management team for this wonderful guild. It has a team shop where monies from your purchases are donated. And the people there advertise not just themselves but other members, too.

I suddenly found myself on Twitter talking about other sites I’ve found that would be of interest to folks. I suddenly found myself with followers. I suddenly found myself actively seeking the work of other team members to twitter about.

And suddenly I found myself  having fun. And it’s been a long time since I’ve had fun. I feel ten feet tall. I was given the task of editing everything the eSMArts Guild team will publish.  That brought me crashing to the earth ~~ in a good way.

My first task is to develop a mailing list of all our team members. And then to invite some of the guild members to write an article.

I sure hope this post will publish: I’ve got a lot of links to other shops in Etsy that really are worth looking at.

And I even have an idea for an opening article myself. As we don’t have a name for our new eSMArts newsletter, we will be running a contest and the winner will receive a gift worth $20.00 (cannot be converted to cash).

We have some really good times ahead of us on the team. There are guidelines to follow that will help anybody, eSMArtie or not, move up the ranks and start making sales. Of course, as with anything, you get out of it what you put into it: no work, no glory.

You and your Etsy shop can become a member of eSMArts by sending an email to the Guild team coordinator ~~> she’s the Big Cheese but her friends call her Anna Lee.

You won’t get anywhere if you don’t take that first step. And you certainly reap what you sow ~ toot the horn for somebody else’s site and pretty soon people will be tooting your horn for you. And if enough people do it, pretty soon your business is going to increase.

Well, that’s what I think.    ~Helene    ~Glass0Beads

I am red faced. I accidently linked to a site that is not a part of the eSMArts Guild team. I’ve made the correction, and thanks for bringing it to my attention, so if you click on one of the links you should be reaching eSMArts members.  I’ve even put me in there a couple of times. Shameless!    ~~H

Depressed? or happy?

Last week my ties with Stores OnLine, my Lampwork and Beads glass bead artisan jewellery website host, were severed.

What I know now is significantly more than what I knew when I first signed on with Stores OnLine. I had found Stores OnLine lacking more and more as time went on. It’s only my opinion and other webmaestros will argue the point with me. And that is as it should be.

For me, it was time to move on.

Now, my lineup is: http://glass0beads.etsy.com (#0), http://glass0beads.blogspot.com (#o), and this blog, http://baublebabble.wordpress.com.  I visit several forums and I still write articles at eHow and Articles Base, too.

The artisan jewellery that was listed at Lampwork and Beads is gradually being moved to my Glass0Beads (#0, not letter) e-shoppe.
It is at Etsy that I am a member of the eSMArts Guild team. The membershipof this  Guild is  Social Marketing Artisans.

And it is this Guild that opened the doors on our Etsy shoppe a short while ago. The eSMArts shoppe  donates money from sales to people and organizations needing a helping hand.

When I review my activities I realize I have quite enough on my plate for now.  I think I’ll just rest on my laurels until after Christmas : kind of a Christmas gift to me from myself.

Now go and check out the eSMArts shoppe:  everything there is made by hand with close attention to the quality of the articles. There is much more there than glass bead artisan jewellery and everything is unique and handmade.

Merry Merry and Cheery Cheery ~~Hélène  at Glass 0 Beads

I promised myself I would write something in each of my blogs before I opened any of my e-mails. As always, I opened my emails first. But this time I’m glad I followed my usual pattern of morning coffee and emails. This time I found an email from ‘Playing for Change.’

That’s one of the charities I subscribe to: building peace through music. They are almost ready to open their first music school/recording studio: the Ntonga Music School in the township of Gugulethu, South Africa. 

Why have I chosen to follow this foundation instead of so many other worthy causes? Because I am a failed music student: I studied piano for about 15 years and came away hating the piano. Even today, I choose classical music that is distinctly non-piano. But the experience did give me a love of good music. That’s what is so wonderful: there are all kinds of good music. And these music schools teach good music.

There is music in all of us ~ we just need a way to express it. I have chosen to express my music through needlework and artisan jewellery. Playing for Change does it through music. It offers a safe environment and the tools (education, instruments, recording equipment) to produce the music. While developing the distinct style of each area, it is offering an alternative to bloody war, sectarianism and hatred. Indeed, this group, Playing for Change, is making a difference in the world. It is making this world a better place in which to live.

At least, that’s what I think.

Okay. It’s official. I AM EXCITED!!   Excited !!!I picked out my booth at the ‘Almost Spring’ Toronto Bead Show, 2009.

I am planning and researching and building up inventory and … The list goes on.

This is my ‘Almost First’ show. I want to learn from others’ experiences as much as I can first.  Has anybody got valuable Helpful Hints for me?

I will go on to write my own brand of horror stories later. Those I will share with you.

So.

Look for me at the Almost Spring Toronto Bead Oasis Show.

I want to sell some of my glass bead artisan jewellery designs. And some of my own jewellery. And even a small supply of components.

And I want to visit with the other vendors and with you.

There are classes to sign up for; taught by experienced and inspiring teachers.

Look for me in room 206, Booth 27. That’s to the left of the Bead Oasis Show Admissions Desk at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Front Street; a block west from Union Station, and right across the street from the CBC Building.

A ‘busker’ is a street performer, paid in nickels and dimes. They ‘play for change.’

Change: noun, alteration; substitution of one for another (from Oxford English Dictionary).

I was listening to Bill Moyers Journal today, Sunday, October 26, 2008. I was entertained by James K Galbraith, author of The Predator State. How a propos to today’s monetary crisis.

Following that interview came Mark Johnson, the creator of Play for Change. He’s been working for at least 10 years on the idea that the world peoples can be united together through Music. The idea came to him in a New York subway station when he observed how the music of a pair of monks, buskers, affected the crowds hurrying to work.

“I think music is the one thing that opens the door to bringing people to a place where they are all connected,” Mark observed.

As they say, the rest is history. Mark travelled the world and recorded and filmed musicians of varied music styles singing the same songs. The magic is in the editing. It is a round robin of sound, solos and chorales. And it is truly magic. He knew that music soothes the savage beast: and the savage beast is us.

 ”I think that in order to really unite people, you know, we have to show that in our darkest situations and in the places with the most struggles in the world, that we can find a way of uplifting each other out of it. I remember hearing somebody that said, you know, ‘The last person who knew why we were fighting died a long time ago.’ ” – Mark Johnson

“With Playing for Change, my ultimate thing would be that people understand that in a world with all this division, it’s important for us to focus on our connections. ” – Mark Johnson

Fear lives in the dark. ‘Know thy neighbour’ takes away fear. And, through music, light comes into our lives and vanquishes fear.

‘Let’s get together and feel alright.’

It’s a worthy goal, albeit a monumentous task. 

Ask yourself, ‘what can I do?’

Look within to learn how you can help. Look outside yourself and, with self-knowledge, choose where you can help. Finally, help.

The good you do will inspire others to do the same. It matters not how you dispel fear. It matters only that you do.

Well, that’s what I think.   Helene

It’s that crazy time of year again when people forget their manners and spend way too much money. The buying of gifts at Christmas is meant to follow in the footsteps of the 3 Magi who brought gifts precious gifts to the baby, Jesus.

What’s so bad this year is the economy. Both Canada and the USA are facing elections and the economy is on everybody’s mind. What can we do to help our own financial situation? Go into this shopping season with a plan. A budget. Sit quietly in your own home and think of each person who will receive a gift from you. Armed with this planning and your budget, attend the Crafts Shows in your area. Wherever possible, buy something made by an artist’s hand: these are the gifts people cherish year after year. How many years have you hung that horrid paper chain your child made in preschool?

Now, about the budget! Following is the plan format I follow. Print off a few copies. Send them to your friends. They need this plan as much as you and I need it.

Now you are armed, strengthened by your plan. Where is the best place to get all these things on the list?

Artists and artisans hope to make you a happy customer at the Christmas Crafts Shows. Supporting a local artist is a great way to spend your gift money. Artisan jewellery helps span the distance between junque and precious gems and precious metals. A good piece of artisan jewellery is something you will be pleased to pass down through the coming generations.

‘Give a fish to a starving person and s/he will eat for a day. Teach her/him to fish and s/he will eat for his/her lifetime.’ We’ve all heard that bit of wisdom but how can you do that in a gift?

Purchase gifts that are patterns for the receiver of your gift to make. Buy a video teaching techniques. This gift may be the start of a lifelong passion: perhaps, even a career.

Do you have any ideas about what would make a good yet inexpensive gift? Let me know and I’ll publish it in the next Glass Bead News monthly email newsletter.

Look everybody and see what I’ve found!

Vanessa Glavac is a young entrepreneur who found a niche market; producing videos of basic techniques in beading. She breaks down each technique into easy to follow steps and, before you know it, you are creating your own artisan jewellery. Once you have these basic techniques you can do anything beaded your imagination can think of.

Vanessa has graciously given me permission to reprint her article: Handmade Jewellery – The Perfect Gift.                             ……..Helene

Handmade Jewellery – The Perfect Gift

If you’re looking for the perfect gift, you might not find it — so why not make it yourself? Handmade beaded jewellery is an easy and inexpensive gift — and fun for givers and receivers.

Jewellery That Matches Everything…Even Your Wallet

Glass beads come in a wide range of prices, so you’re sure to find something that works for your budget. You can also find beautiful but inexpensive acrylic beads. Or if you want to spend more, you can go with semi-precious stones or crystals. Since you’re making it yourself, it is easy to keep things inexpensive and spend just as much as you want to.

Make it Anytime

Making it yourself means you can make it at the time that works best for you. This is especially helpful when it’s 11:00 at night and you realize that you need a gift — for the next day! It’s easy to pull out some beads and make something special, even when all the stores have been closed for hours.

Match Maker

Once you have one piece designed, you can easily make a set. And you can make exactly what your friend likes, instead of buying a lot of extra stuff just to get the one thing she’ll wear. 

Personalize It

It can be hard to decide on the right gift when nothing seems quite right. There’s no better way to personalize a gift then by making it yourself. When you design beaded jewellery for your friends, you can design it with their favourite colours, style, and wardrobe in mind. And if you’re giving clothing as a gift, you can make matching jewellery to go with it.

Perfect Fit

Since you’ve made the jewellery yourself, you also have the power to change it. If your friend tries on the piece and finds that it doesn’t quite fit, you can easily adjust it.

I’ve even given my friends unfinished bracelets — after she takes it out of the box, I measure her wrist and finish it for her.

Give Me Something to Talk About

A gift of handmade jewellery makes a great conversation piece, especially at parties. As soon as you say “I made it myself”, people will ask you how you made it, where you got the beads, and how you came up with such great ideas.

It Just Means More:

Perhaps the best reason to make jewellery as a gift is the added meaning attached to it. In this age when everything is pre-packaged and mass manufactured, your friends will appreciate you taking the time to make something by hand, just for them.

About the Author: Vanessa Glavac writes about  making unique artisan jewellery. For information on how to make your own beaded artisan jewellery, visit www.BeadsByU.com, where you’ll find Vanessa’s easy-to-understand videos and ideas so that you can quickly and easily design your own gorgeous jewellery.

It’s here!!  It’s here!!  It’s here!!    SEPTEMBER 19 – 21, 2008

I am SOOOOOOO excited.  I have been at every one of the Toronto Oasis Bead Shows since they started here and every time, both Spring and Fall shows, the Toronto edition gets bigger and bigger.  The artists who sell their pieces of jewellery are truly talented.  Whether it be wirework, lampwork, beading, or all combinations the artisan jewelry is really marvellous:  what I see each year only serves to inspire me.  It’s the textures and the colours and the friendly faces.  So  ….

This year for the first time I am going to class.  It’s Jelcy Romberg’s all day class and I am so looking forward to it. 

There are a great many suppliers on hand, too.  After all, once you’ve been inspired you’ll need ’stuff’ to take home and start making jewellery.  Good deals, often a percentage off the shop prices, or special show deals, or buy 2 get 1 free’s are all over the place.

My hint?  Wear comfy shoes.  Bring LOTSA water.  Bring a fan – it gets hot in those rooms and under those lights.  Bring a tote bag and a fat wallet.  Or a shopping list.  Walk the entire show making notes as you go and then go back to the booths you want.  Strike up conversations, join in on conversations already started.  Questions like ‘How did you ….??’  and ‘Ooh, I like your necklace/bracelet/earrings/whatever!!’ are great to strike up a chat.

Oh, yeah.  Bring your sense of humour:  above all else, that is important.  The rooms will be filled with Magpie Packrats like me  (that’s MP to my friends and fellow beaders.) 

Come out and join us mad jewellery makers at Toronto’s Oasis Bead Show.

There is no connection between myself, Savoir Vivre, or its entities and either the Oasis Bead Show organization or NLM GlassArts.  I receive no remuneration nor am I on the payroll of these companies.