Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Out with the Old - In with the New


Every year at this time we all find ourselves anxious to put away the clutter of the holidays (pretty as they were a week ago) and create a clean, fresh slate to launch all our New Year's resolutions. 1 Stop Bead Shop is no different. This year, more than ever though, Robin and I have been cleaning shop, dusting out the corners and really drastically reducing bead colors and styles that have been here a while. Our GOAL - Make room for new exciting beads, brands, colors, and styles that follow the latest jewelry trends for the spring.

All that is "Old" will be on sale at 1 Stop Bead Shop next week - January 2-7, 2012. Here's a tiny sneak peak of what will be on sale different days next week. See tomorrow's 1 Stop Bead Shop newsletter, 1 Stop Bead Shop Facebook Page & our 1 Stop Bead Shop Website for the daily sale specials.
• Kazuri
• Grace Lampwork Beads
• Most Artisan Beads
• Lampwork Focal Beads
• Beading Kits
This is just the tip of the iceberg.


So if that's "Old" what will be new at 1 Stop Bead Shop?
• New Styles of Base Metal Chain
• New Swarovski Bicones on Strands – 3 & 4mm
• Polymer Clay – coming before spring
• New Styles of Grace Lampwork
• New Kazuri colors and designs for spring
And dozens more!

Beginning Mid-January watch the 1 Stop Bead Shop Newsletter, 1 Stop Bead Shop Facebook page & 1 Stop Bead Shop Website for announcements of new arrivals daily.

It's going to be an exciting winter at 1 Stop Bead Shop!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

My Christmas Blessings

This year more than ever I have been blessed by an outpouring of love as evidenced by the number of people who have lavished my staff and I with gifts, cards & emails. One might say that the gratitude thing I talked about in my Thanksgiving Blog (scroll down if you want to read it) must be coming back to us. And while gifts & cards are not the only way to show love, you can't imagine how touched I am when bead friends who shop at 1 Stop Bead Shop bring gifts to us. That's now how it usually works! I can't imagine that there are too many retail stores out there where shoppers bring gift TO the store instead of the other way around. Every day this holiday season I have been reminded of just how fortunate I am to be surrounded by amazing, wonderful people.

So, on behalf of myself and the entire staff of 1 Stop Bead Shop, I'd like to wish all of you a blessed, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah & Happy New Year!

My prayer for all of you is that God will protect and watch over your family, keeping you safe and bringing you much joy throughout the year.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Twas 2 Weeks Before Christmas & What to Get Mom?

Twas 2 weeks before Christmas
And what to get Mother?
She's so busy beading
Making gifts for another.


And that's when it hit me,
It came like a flash -
A gift Card from 1 Stop Bead Shop
is better than cash.

Right now it will get me
into a contest.
Winning another $50
Would be would make me the "bestest."

But as I entered 1 Stop Bead Shop
and looked all around
There were gifts ideas everywhere
Even on the ground.

There were bead organizers
of all shapes & sizes.


Mom's craft would be easier
With these maximizers.

There were eye glasses that light up
and Tool Kits galore.

There were lap boards and tote bags
And binders and more!

I found earring kits that were perfect
to stuff in the stockings


And wire and Books.
The excitement set my knees knocking.

There were sterling core beads with big holes
to fit her Pandora
And at just $10 a bead
I could afford to get more ah...

What's that over there?
I wish I could see...
That magnifier would help mom
even more than it helped me.

But what to my wonderous ears
did I hear?
You'll ship beads to my Mom
Every month of the year?

I understood what Mom had been saying
When I was all done
Shopping at 1 Stop Bead Shop
was 2 tons of fun!

I had presents for mom,
and some for the teachers
I even found a necklace
for the wife of our preacher!

So if gifts for the holidays
is what you're after.
1 Stop Bead Shop's the place
For all happy crafters!

Okay ladies & gents! Now you can print or email this poem and just highlight the items for your wish list. We've made it easy for the shoppers in your life to get you just what you want this Christmas & Hanukkah!

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah!

Lisa

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Where’s 1 Stop Bead Shop on the Web Contest

How many places on the web can you find 1 Stop Bead Shop listed? Find them and get entered into a contest to win 1 of several 1 Stop Bead Shop Gift Cards! Add a testimonial to the sites and get another entry. We want to hear from you our Raving Fans! Go 1 Stop!

Details:

Contest Entry Dates: Dec 7, 2011 - Jan 3, 2012
Winners will be notified by Jan 6, 2012

How to Enter: Send email to lisa@1stopbeadshop.com
Include Name of site, link to site, and NOTE if you made a testimonial. (Minimum of 5 sites, not including the 1 Stop Bead Shop main website, must be listed.)

Prizes:
- 1 Entry into drawing for a $25 1 Stop Bead Shop Gift Card for sending email with the list of sites with links.
- 1 Entry into drawing for a $25 1 Stop Bead Shop Gift Card for each "original" (not copy/paste) testimonial added.
- Person who finds the most sites that list 1 Stop Bead Shop wins a $10 1 Stop Bead Shop Gift Card. (In the case of a tie, winners will be drawn from a tie-breaker. Site entries will be verified, and must include links.)

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands.

Yes there is! It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen?

Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck, or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. You have the ability to create a stunning piece of jewelry for everyone on your list with the skills you learned at 1 Stop Bead Shop.


Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Even better, YOU can become one of the local crafts people and make a little money back, selling the jewelry you have created from beads found at 1 Stop Bead Shop. It's easy - just call or email everyone you know and ask them for 1 person they would like a piece of custom-made jewelry for - Voila! You're in business!

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy, or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that

China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS IS THE NEW AMERICAN TRADITION!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Gratitude – What is it good for?


Over the past year, I have given a lot of thought to Gratitude. That word seemed to be popping up all around me, and I have learned to pay attention when an idea or thought frequently emerges. I was hearing it in my business training seminars & coaching books. I heard it from Pastor when he challenged us to write down 100 things we were grateful for and to review the list daily. I heard it from a motivational CD series I listen to frequently. Repeated in what I was hearing was some version of, “Be grateful for what you have, if… you want more, you want peace, you want happiness, you want love….” I made a conscious decision, like so many of my mentors had, to embrace gratitude and thought maybe if I shared it with you, my results might encourage someone else.

I have so many examples that it’s hard to know where to begin, so I’ll just share one of the most significant. 1 year ago just before Thanksgiving, my husband lost his job (I know that so many people can relate to that.) 1 Stop Bead Shop had never been positioned to support my family, but now I was in the position as primary provider. There were so many reasons that we could have become depressed or negative about the situation – after all, we had to cut back on spending, make lifestyle changes, etc. It was a bit intimidating. But, I made a conscious decision to be grateful for what we had rather than focus on what we might have to give up. I am grateful that we have a home, a healthy family, the support of family & friends, a good business with great customers and employees that, as it turns out, can support us, and through it all the promise that, “All things work together for good for those that love the Lord & are calling according to His purpose.” We had no way of knowing that 1 year later, we would actually be grateful that he lost his job. Our entire family is closer and happier than ever. And, my husband, who had been living under a cloud of stress for years, is free of that cloud and has found a new career path that he’s really excited and motivated about for the first time in his life.

So why do you care? You may not. The nice thing about a blog, is that the writer gets to be a bit self-indulgent. But, I’m hopeful, not necessarily that you’ll celebrate with me, but that from my story you might take inspiration.

The more I “DO” gratitude the more things I find I have to be grateful for. And yes, I said, “DO” gratitude. I have found that being grateful takes a conscious decision and conscious thought – at least at first. I had to train my brain to think about what I was grateful for first thing in the morning when I got out of bed. I really like my bed, and would often rather chose to stay in it rather than get out. That has, over the years, set the stage for me to allow myself to get up grumpy, “I hate mornings,” rather than get up grateful. So, it was a conscious decision to say “Thank” when my first foot hits the floor, and “You” when my other foot hits the floor. “Thank you for this day, and the opportunities the day holds.” After that I have set aside time to say my thanksgivings for the day and really think about the things that I am thankful for. Some mornings that alone can take 20 minutes. There are big things to be thankful for like the sunshine to warm us and make us cheery, or the rain that waters my plants so I don’t have to pay for the water to water them – yep, I can be thankful for the weather either way. There are personal things to be thankful for, like that I was born with all my parts working correctly, that I can see, hear, smell, taste, touch, sense, or that I still have all my teeth. There are family things to be grateful for, like that my kids came home safely from school today. There are business things to be thankful for, like a staff that I truly enjoy spending time with every day and loyal customers who make it possible for me and my staff to do something for a living that we truly enjoy. There are mundane things to be grateful for, like air conditioning and hot running water – 2 amenities that make be grateful I was born in this century and not earlier. There are life things to be grateful for like being born in this country where I’m free and relatively safe, and where we’ve all got it pretty good compared to some places in the world. You can see where the gratitude process each day could take a very long time as I really start to list all the things I have to be grateful for each day.

Did you know you can even be grateful for your big toe because it allows you to balance and makes it possible for you to walk?

So what happens when you spend all this time being grateful? Many of the things that seemed worth complaining about seem insignificant or get forgotten altogether. Many of the things you thought were worth complaining about can actually be seen from a positive point of view, which in the long run makes you a more positive person. When you’re more positive, more people like you and want to be around you. And, when you start looking through eyes of gratitude you start seeing all the people around you differently too. Something happens – it’s almost like gratitude turns into love – which of course it does.


Okay, so enough guishiness (not a word – I made it up). I wouldn’t have bothered to share all this with you if I didn’t have a purpose. My hope for you, is that you’ll try it too. Imagine a world where more of us were grateful for ALL the blessings we have. What would that world look like? I imagine that it would be a world where everyone is nicer to each other, because we are all so grateful for our blessings that we can focus our positive energies on being kind and helpful to one another. I like that world. I hope you’ll come live in it with me. There’s an infinite amount of room in the world of gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Small Business Saturday

It seems the media machine is always creating some marketing craze or other. 1st they picked up a derogatory term used by employees of major retailers to describe their loathing of having to work the day after Thanksgiving, what with the crazy hours, jostling bodies, and hasseled & harried often grumpy customers, and turned it into a term that we shoppers readily embrace as "ok." During the Dot.com boom, they started referring to the day after Black Friday as Dot.com Saturday, where websites lured everyone to spend boocoupe bucks on sites we'd never even heard of before. Apparently there was some backlash, because this year, the Saturday after Thanksgiving is being referred to as Small Business Saturday.



Now here's a media driven incentive I can really get on board with. Well, obviously - I have a small business. More than that though, I really believe it benefits everybody in our community if we keep as many of our dollars as we can in the local economy. While our government is throwing out money faster than they can print it to anyone - be it business, citizen, non-citizen, or country - that puts their hand out, we do still have some control and say about where we choose to spend the little we have left after taxes. And I, for one, think it's high time we look out for each other, and our friends and neighbors who own the local businesses, who are supporting their families, putting their kids through school, volunteering at the PTO and Band Boosters, and paying wages that support other local families. For years the media has taught us to think globally, and meanwhile our local stores have come and gone and in many small towns have all but disappeared and been replaced with Antique Malls, which really puts a cap on it, doesn't it?

Being raised by a father who was in retail, I was always taught that you did business with your friends & family first. He had a friend that owned a hair dressing studio 45 minutes away. Guess how far we traveled to get our hair done? Good thing gas was only $.60 a gallon. Over the years I continued to practice the friends and family thing whenever it was possible, but I never really thought about local community owned businesses until I was shopping for a Halloween costume for my daughter 3 years ago.


We had been in and out of several of those pop-up (non-locally owned) Halloween stores looking for something (can't recall exactly - had to be something that suited the little girl) and comparing prices. We needed to go to Costume Holiday House (LOCALLY OWNED) anyway because they had rentals for the costume party we were attending. I was really pleased to see that they had just as good of a selection and competitive prices. As I chatted w/ the owner that evening, I had an eye opening experience. She shared w/ me that those pop-up stores were costing her business in excess of $200K a year and were really challenging her ability to support her family and stay in business. Costume Holiday House is one of, if not the only, costume store that rents to local school theaters and churches for their VBS. If they go out of business, where do we get those costumes and stage make-up? That's when I realized that "Buy from friends & family" should be expanded to "Buy from locally owned businesses first!"

This year, 1 Stop Bead Shop is pleased to participate in Small Business Saturday. Visit our website, our Facebook page, and read our newsletter next week for updates and specials.

Then after you visit our store, stop by some of our other local favorites for great gift ideas:
Generation Green
Cup Cakery in Dublin
Ha'Penny Bridge in Old Dublin - your local source for all things Irish
Then grab a bite to eat at Biddies Coach House in Dublin for some of the best home cooked food in Dublin - owned & operated by Diane Hammons - my son's former grade school principal (the friends/family/community connections never end!)

Got any great local Columbus area businesses that you love? Please share them with everyone in the comments box below! The more we share, the more we all benefit! Happy Shopping!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Quilting Bee


In the mid to late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries every community had it's quilt bees and most followed a similar pattern. Women spent long winter months piecing tops and over the summer months called on their friends and neighbors to help quilt them. No one wanted to miss a quilting as this was a major social occasion and chance for gossip, if you weren't there yours could be among the names bandied about over the frame! (or frames, often more than one quilt was worked on at a bee in the summer, when the quilting was outdoors). Children were called upon to keep the needles threaded and less skilled quilters and young ladies were often relegated to KP duty, it paid to polish your quilting stitch! Perhaps the most festive Quilting Bees were held to quilt a brides quilt. Traditionally this quilt would be the thirteenth quilt a young girl had made, and displayed her finest work. The time between engagement and wedding was a flurry of quiltings as none of the thirteen quilts were quilted before the engagement. The most expensive part of a quilt was the backing and batting and this investment was not made until it was certain the quilts would be needed to set up housekeeping. The quilt bee was a party as much if not more than a working occasion and a lady made every effort to put on her best for her friends and neighbors. At the end of the day the men joined the ladies for a festive supper and perhaps a barn dance. These events were particularly cherished by the women of the great plains and western states as it was a rare opportunity for them to see other women, they spent most of their days with their own families and chores and might only see others every few months and not at all in the winter. It might be a four or five hour or more journey to the nearest neighbor, a truly perilous trip in winter. Some women were very fussy as to who was invited to a quilting, wanting only the most skilled to work on her quilts. Occasionally the stitches of a less skilled quilter were removed after the bee and redone by the quilts owner. Pride was taken in ones stitches! Quilt Bees still take place today though they are more likely to take the form of a church or charity organization which quilts to raise funds for well deserving causes than as the social occasion which also resulted in the completion of a necessary but tedious task. (Article drawn from “Quilt History” by Christina {no last name found})

Much was lost when the tradition of the quilting bee died out in the early 20th century. Ready-made textiles became the rage and quilts came to be viewed as a “country item," not a quality textile. Not only did we loose a uniquely American wedding tradition that had been passed from generation to generation, and the tradition of teaching the next generation how to sew, we lost one of the great social outlets for women. Beginning in the early decades of the 20th century, women started to go to work in factories, as domestics, or as secretaries outside the home, and time to get together became more limited. Over the decades, we women lost the close social contact that the quilting bee had provided. Today there are very few outlets for groups of women to get together, just be social and form casual friendships born of kindred activities.

The first month I opened 1 Stop Bead Shop, I instituted Club Bead – 1 Stop Bead Shop’s Girls’ Night Out. I didn’t have quilting bees in mind at the time, but just saw it as a great chance for fellow beaders to get together once a month, do their craft, chat & share ideas. Our first Club Bead was very small – just me and 3 other women – Dena, Lori & Jennifer – but it grew each month as beaders started to look forward to their beading time together and invited their friends. Many friendships have grown and blossomed into friendships that go far beyond the walls of 1 Stop Bead Shop.

If you enjoy beading and like the idea of hanging out with others who are as passionate about it as you are, why don’t you consider joining us for our version of the Quilting Bee – 1 Stop Bead Shop’s Club Bead - this Friday, 11-11-11 from 7:00-10:00? It’s a great way to make new friends and get great feedback & ideas. Just $15 pays for an entire year through Dec 2012! See you Friday!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Specials friendships at 1 Stop Bead Shop

One of my favorite stories is from a special 1 Stop Bead Shop friend – Marilyn – a resident of Springfield, who found us one Saturday morning and stayed to bead for 5 hours on her first visit. She came EVERY Saturday for several months and called 1 Stop Bead Shop her “Special Place.” 5 years later, Marilyn still stops in every couple of months and spends a few hours at our tables making jewelry and chatting. We helped her pick out the perfect beads for her daughter’s wedding jewelry and for the mother & grandmother bracelets when the 1st grandchild was born (we even got to hold the baby!). For her next big life milestone, Marilyn is about to celebrate her 60th birthday with us this spring! Thanks Marilyn for making us part of your life!
Mom & baby - wearing the necklace she made the day we got to hold the baby!


Another of my favorite “bead friends” stories has repeated itself over and over again. A couple of people see each other in class – they’ve never met before. Maybe they strike up a conversation, or maybe not. But, next week, they see each other again. Over time, conversations are struck up, and the next thing you know there is ride sharing, signing up for classes together and dinners out. The quintessential example is a group of three ladies who love to hang out at 1 Stop Bead Shop, love to hang out together and even bring their husbands with them, so that we’ve gotten to know them too. It was spooky one Saturday when they ALL ended up here at the same time, and none of them had told the other they were coming. The best people really DO hang out in the best places!

When I opened the store, as most of you have heard me say, I envisioned the “Cheers of Beading.” Once I began to see these friendships forming, I knew that we had achieved even more than I had ever dreamed – a place where people can belong & make friendships, which can be hard to find in our hectic, busy world.

I’m sure there are countless stories I could share, but I’d rather hear them from you. Will you please share your special 1 Stop Bead Friend story?

I have opened up our settings so you can share your story right on our Blog, or you can share on our 1 Stop Bead Shop Facebook. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

This Week's Blog dedicated to Tierra Cast

I got this email from Tierra Cast today and thought it was worth sharing. During the entire time we have been in business, we have been extoling the quality of the Tierra Cast Lead Free Pewter. See what their research showed about the metal finding industry as a whole.

Principles of TierraCast
Lead Free Pewter

You see us promote these
phrases all the time:
Lead Free
Pewter
Made in the USA
Original Designs
Quality in the Making
— but why do we stand by
them, and how do they guide
decisions at TierraCast?

Why it Matters to Us

These days virtually all pewter products are advertised as "Lead Free Pewter". This is not surprising since public awareness has grown in response to concerns about toxic content in pewter, and recalls of cast jewelry from overseas manufacturers.

However, advertising claims don't always hold up. We recently commissioned an independent lab test of sample products advertised as Lead Free Pewter, and discovered that only 35% actually turned out to be pewter (many were zinc or steel). And of the samples that were pewter, none were lead free. Results like these make it clear that consumers need to be cautious and informed when making purchases.

Results of our tests
of other "lead free
pewter" products.
Click here.

TierraCast has been requiring our metal suppliers provide us with safe
pewter alloy long before it was mandated by law. Not because we
hope it will help us sell more parts; but because our values dictate it. We
don't want to sell a product that could be potentially harmful, especially
when safer alternatives exist. To view chart showing test results of TierraCast's pewter alloy, click here.

Whether you'll find this true throughout the marketplace isn't quite as clear, so it's crucial that you know what is and is not "lead free pewter." We'll help by clarifying the definitions below.

What is Pewter?
In order to be
presented as pewter,
a product must
contain at least 90%
tin.

What is Lead Free?
The industry
standard is no more
than 500 parts per
million (ppm) lead
by weight.

We're committed to providing quality products that are safe to use. So when you see Lead Free Pewter on our products and advertising, you can rest assured we mean it. We tested it; and we can prove the claim.

1 Stop Bead Shop is proud to be Ohio's largest retailer of Tierra Cast beads & findings. We have a long track record of using Tierra Cast findings in our jewelry which even pre-dates the store. Visit 1stopbeadshop.com or stop in the store to check out our entire selection. Can't find the Tierra Cast product you are looking for? Just ask! We can order any product they make for you.

Friday, October 14, 2011

The Fanciful Fire Polish Bead



My love affair with beads began with Seed Beads & Fire Polish beads. In fact, you could say that those 2 beads are the main reason 1 Stop Bead Shop exists today. I couldn’t find enough of them, and I wanted a broader and more consistent selection of colors & sizes. I always valued the Fire Polish bead because it was easy to use as an accent bead with seed beads, didn’t cut my thread the way crystals could, was less scratchy than a Swarovski bicone bead, and was so much less expensive than Swarovski beads. When I traveled to the Czech Republic on a bead trip, I was able to witness how they were made, and was astonished that they are as inexpensive as they are.

Fire Polish beads are one of several types of glass beads that have been produced in the Czech Republic (formerly Bohemia) for centuries. Sources vary on the century in which these beads emerged, but the majority seem to agree that it was between the 12th & 16th centuries that the Venetians and Bohemians were competing fiercely with each other in the glass bead market. Toward the end of that period, competition finally eased when the Venetians stayed with their signature Lamp Work styled hand-made beads, while the Czech preferred to utilize emerging technologies to mass produce their glass beads.

The interesting thing about that technology is that 500 years later it remains relatively unchanged. When we think of mass production technology in the US, we tend to think in terms of long automated machine lines run primarily by computers with some human oversight at certain key points in the process. The bead making machines in the Czech Republic still require a laborer to process every step and are in essence more like giant tools for grinding several beads at a time rather than machines that operate on their own.

There are several steps in making a fire polished bead:
1. First the glass is melted from a huge cane of glass, much like our lamp work canes but several inches thick and about a meter tall. Most of this cane is still made in Germany & shipped to the Czech Republic.
2. Then the molten glass is poured into a mold that will hold several beads – quantity varies based on the size of the bead and the choice of the manufacturer.
3. That mold is fired in a kiln to allow it to fully melt into a round shape w/ the glass consistently distributed throughout the mold.
4. When it comes out of the kiln, it will sit in the tray to cool, then cool further in a bucket of water.
5. Next each bead is picked up and hand-placed on a form that will hold from approx. a dozen to 20 beads. The form looks like a board w/ a bunch of pegs sticking up from it.
6. This form is then pushed up by the machine operator to come into contact w/the grinding wheel. That produces 1 faceted side. The machine is then rotated by the operator and the beads pushed forward again to produce another facet. This continues through the entire sequence until all sides are faceted. The beads are then dumped off into a vat.
7. The faceted beads are once again run through the fire, this time to polish them. By heating them again just enough to melt the edges, it eliminates roughness from the cutting, keeps the edges of the beads from cutting your thread, and gives them that shiny sparkle that makes them “fire polished.”
8. They are cooled 1 more time and now ready for shipment to the US, Japan and other parts of the world where they are prized.

After all those steps, you can see why I am amazed that these tiny treasures remain an affordable alternative to their closest sister – the crystal. (More on what makes crystal crystal and not glass in a future article.)


Today, 1 Stop Bead Shop remains the largest reseller of Czech Glass Fire Polish Beads in central Ohio, currently carrying over 200 colors in 3 primary sizes – 3mm, 4mm & 6mm. As with all beads made in the Czech Republic, I always remind my shoppers that “The Czech make what the Czech wanna’ make, when the Czech wanna’ make it.” In a nutshell, that means, if you find a special color that you love, buy enough, because you never know when or if you will see it again. (More on why that is in some future article too.)

Recently, our primary supplier announced the 3rd price increase in Czech Fire Polish beads since we opened 6 years ago. 1 Stop Bead Shop’s Fire Polish beads have remained at their original price of just $2 a strand for 3mm & 4mm during all 6 years. With our vendor’s most recent price increase, we have finally been forced to give in to the tide of inflation, and raise our price to cover their increase. For 1 last week, through October 22, 2011, 3mm & 4mm Czech Fire Polish beads will be available for the low price of just $2 for a strand of 50. Stock up this week, and enjoy them for years to come!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Make & Takes – Fast & Fun Jewelry in a Flash




Who knew Make & Takes could be so much fun?! 1 Stop Bead Shop has always welcomed you to “Come Sit & Bead with Us!” It’s our motto – it’s even on the door. So, we’ve always had tables in the store where any day of the week you could just stop by, and set up camp and make beaded jewelry to your heart’s content. We have also encouraged all visitors to the store to let us show them, on the spot, how to do the beading basics – earrings, crimps, etc. – free of charge.

But our newest use for the tables – Make & Takes at 1 Stop Bead Shop – has been a huge hit! The idea came from a piece of jewelry that people were asking us to show them how to make. It wasn’t long enough to make a full 2-3 hour bead class, but wasn’t really something that could be demonstrated in just a couple of minutes either, so we decided to offer it as a quick Make & Take on a Saturday afternoon. Everyone loved it and asked for more.

Now we see our store jewelry samples in a whole new light. We love to teach classes at 1 Stop Bead Shop, so Make & Takes are a natural extension of what we do.

Since the beginning or our beading Make & Takes this spring, we have offered an earring bar - where you could make any of a dozen earrings by just pulling up to a chair - a resin pendant, a shamrock French Beaded pendant (for the Dublin Irish Festival), and a knotted bead & leather bracelet last Saturday – which was the biggest hit yet with a total of 23 participants - to name a few. Lex McAllister, one of 1 Stop Bead Shop’s partners with No Excuses Radio, stopped by to make a bracelet and video taped her variation of the bracelet which is now posted on YouTube. Check it out on the 1 Stop Bead Shop Facebook Page!

Wanna’ come play with us and do a 1 Stop Make & Take too? Your next opportunity is THIS Saturday, October 8th at 11:00am, 12:00 & 1:00pm. Come make an adorable beaded spider. (Can those 2 words be in the same sentence together? Sounds like an oxymoron to me!) Better yet, make 3 beaded spiders - two for earrings, and one for a pendant. One customer even told me she’s going to mount hers on a Peyote beaded bracelet base. Who knows, maybe she’ll even figure out how to make a little fly for the spider to eat!

Any way it goes, getting together with a bunch of other beaders and learning a new project gets the creative juices flowing as everyone shares their unique ideas. See you Saturday! (No reservations required.)

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Beads from Around the World

Every time I think about the bead business I continue to be amazed at the extraordinary variety of people that buying beads has brought into my life. These people lead such interesting lives and have such stories to tell and have really broadened my Midwestern world. Take Peter for instance…

Peter just appeared in our store one day with his bald head and “nerdy” black plastic rimmed glasses and hemp-style 1960’s shepherd shirt and asked if we’d like to look at his semi-precious beads. Well, sure, we like to look at beads. A few minutes later he’s carting in stacks of grey plastic tubs full of baggies of hundreds of beads. He dumps them out on our table (along w/ Fritos crumbles and spilled coffee) and our beady relationship has begun. He’s the self-styled “Mr. Chaos” I mentioned last week. After years of him appearing out of the blue (we now know about what time of the year we might hear from him) we have gotten used to his “unique” style and learned more about his nomadic life. He is now choosing to spend nearly ½ the year in China where he meets with a variety of stone cutters and manufacturers. He then ships his stones back to the US, flies back and meets them (the beads that is) on the east coast, and he’s off, hopping across the United States, 1 bead store at a time until he hits the west coast. During that time he lives & sleeps in his truck (hence the Fritos & coffee), just changing his shirt (I think – I’ve only ever seen 2 shirts in all his visits). As far as I can tell, he doesn't really exist. I don't know his last name; his company name doesn't have an internet site; and there are no pictures of him that I can find. I always wonder when he walks out the door what the future holds - will I ever see him again? A true traveling tinker of old!

Ebrima is another engaging gentleman who had visited us from time to time. Often dressed in the loose fitting colorful yellow, green and red woven shirts that call Africa to mind, he always greets with a warm, sincere smile that goes all the way to his eyes. And his handshake when leaving is an equally warm and friendly double handed shake which gently communicates his gracious thanks. While he now lives in northern Ohio with his wife Ruth where they own a bead store, he is originally from Gambia, Africa, where nearly all his family still lives. He visits them frequently and while there stocks up on his extensive array of beads from Africa. The last time he was here in early September, he was flying out the very next day for Africa. The history of beads from Africa could fill pages, and Ebrima is always able to tell us the approximate age and source for his African beads, which often were made in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) and range from decades to centuries old. The last time he was here he brought us Snake Vertebrae beads (kid you not – real snake bone), African Christmas Beads & Wedding Beads, and beautiful old chandelier drop crystals from the early 1900’s just to name a few things. I actually got to touch some glass beads that were made in Rome when the Coliseum was still in use! Boy would I love to add those to my collection {sigh- maybe someday}! The beads I did acquire are still featured in our 1 Stop Bead Shop New Arrivals section.


Want to learn more about our beads that come from around the world? Join us for our Bead Around the World Adventure next Friday, October 7, 2011, from 7:00 – 9:00. Games, prizes, refreshments & entertainment - 1 Stop Bead Shop style!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The Shopping Bug!

Help! Robin & I have started shopping and we can't stop! It goes like this:

We are out of a seed bead color. I log on to order it and all the other ones on the low quantity report. "Ooo, that's a pretty color... and that one... and that one." Next thing you know a few beads turns into a $1000+ order! (Like your little brown bag of crimps that turned into $200 of beads - except bigger!)

Next the phone rings. It's Mr. Chaos (yes - that's really what he calls himself), and he's going to be in the area next week with his giant travelling truck of semi-precious stones. "Well yes, of course we'd like to see you!" He shows up and 2 hours of shopping later, hands covered in bead dust (did you know beads are dirty?) the total is... how much?! Oh my goodness - it didn't seem like that much!

So how many of these special "bead visitors" have we seen in the last month? Well, there was Jon when he was here for the trunk show - had to stock up. Then there was the African guy - yes he's from Africa and so are his beads. Then there was Mr. Chaos, and the guy who called on the phone about the great deal on the new arrivals of semi-precious. Then there was the new arrival deal on Czech glass and E-Beads - 17 Kilos will take a while to tube. And next week Shelly comes to visit with her boxes of Czech & Semi-Precious.... Do you think if I swallowed some beads it would work like a pill to get me to stop? No? Me neither.

So I guess the moral of the story is that you're not alone in your addiction. And, check out the New Arrivals section often. It will take us weeks to get all our new treasures ready for you, so New Arrivals should keep flowing right through Christmas!

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Buckeye Beads

Are you ready for some football? The Buckeyes play their first game of the season this Saturday, and we want to help you get ready!

We love our Buckeyes, so we are dedicating the entire front corner of our store to OSU items! You’ll find all of the beads below, as well as much more!

Come in to the store, and we can help you make the perfect Buckeye jewelry to wear this season.

And join us this Saturday, September 3 as we kick off the OSU football season with a Buckeye Make & Take. Happy Bucky (smiling Buckeye nut) earrings for just $5 a pair. Make a couple and give them to friends! Starting every ½ hour from 11:00-3:00. No pre-registration necessary. Just “Come Sit & Bead with Us!” Go Bucks!



Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Register Today for Cindy Pankopf’s Classes

Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 24 is the last day to register for Cindy Pankopf’s classes scheduled for September 15-17! Don’t miss the chance to learn from Cindy, author of Beadmaille: Jewelry with Bead Weaving & Metal Rings.

We need to ensure we have enough registrations to pay for Cindy’s trip to Ohio, and we must purchase flights three weeks ahead of time. After listening to your feedback, we’ve lowered the class prices. If you’d like to learn from Cindy, don’t wait!

Register by Wednesday for any of the following classes by calling us at 614-573-6452 or stopping by the store.

Aurora Necklace - Thu, Sep 15 - This delicately scalloped necklace holds it's open shape beautifully. Individual segments designed to provide structure...without any forms inside! Pre-req peyote. Was $85 - NOW $65

Caterpillar Bracelet - Thu, Sep 15 - Slinky, well-draped and weighted. A great introduction to Cindy's Beadmaille technique. You will learn how seed beads function as jump rings. Great Level 1 class! Was $50 - Now $45

Puzzle Cuff - Fri, Sep 16 - Independent interlocking beaded strips are free to slide inside each other making a very tactile bracelet. Using a gradation adds lots of beautiful color. Make it as wide or as narrow as you like. Pre-req RAW. Was $80 - Now $65

Centipede Bracelet - Fri, Sep 16 - The name may sound similar to Caterpillar Bracelet, but the weave is totally different! Adaptation of a Celtic chain maille design uses seed beads structually with large jump rings. Great for chain maille artists looking to add a new element. Pre-req Chain Maille. Was $55 - Now $45

BeadMaille Necklace - Sat, Sep 17 - Cindy's signature piece and the front cover of her book! For those who like the look of chain maille, but want a softer feel. The instructor's unique BeadMaille concept uses stitched seed beads, in combination with metal rings, to produce a hybrid of the 2 techs. Inspired by European chain maille, featuring layers of beads and rings that float inside each other. Pre-req RAW. Was $95 - Now $75

Wubber Chain Bracelet - Sat, Sep 17 - Discover the new Wubber Forming Pliers - designed with ease in mind. Quickly and reliably make wrapped loops, eye loops, and the adorable coil links that make up this bracelet. Practice forming and wrapping loops while accurately positioning the seams so they almost disappear. These are the smallest coil links I have ever seen - amazing! Was $50 - Now $45

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Free Make-N-Take This Saturday!

Cindy Pankopf will be teaching at 1 Stop Bead Shop Thursday, September 15 – Saturday, September 17! If you have signed up to attend one of her classes, you can register for a free Make-N-Take this Saturday, August 20.

Sessions are at 11am, 1pm and 3 pm. Pre-registration is required, so call us at 614-573-6452 or stop by the store to register!

If you’re not taking any of Cindy’s classes but would still like to register for a Make-N-Take, it will be just $10 including supplies!

We will be making Cindy's Cherry Blossom Earrings! Come and try out her copyrighted BeadMaille, and see how fun it is! BeadMaille combines seed bead loops with jump rings. You can make several pairs, and give them as gifts!

The deadline to register for Cindy’s classes is NEXT Wed, Aug 24. We have to purchase the airline tickets 3 weeks in advance. Therefore, we must have an adequate number of registrations by that date to guarantee her visit. If you have been thinking of signing up – DON’T WAIT! Your registration could be the difference between class running or cancellation.






Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Bead & More “Garage” Sale

August is a fun month at 1 Stop Bead Shop, and we’re excited to announce that our semi-annual Bead & More “Garage” Sale will be Friday, August 26.

If you’d like to get in on the sale and sell your old, gently loved beads, findings, books and any jewelry related items, there is only a $5 registration fee! Set up a table and make some extra end of summer money!

Don’t want to sell? You can come and shop! Browse through all of the tables, and find some treasures to take home with you.

The sale will be 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. outside our store on Sawmill Road next to Trader Joes. Stop in to 1 Stop Bead Shop or call 614-573-6452 for more information and to register your table.

Join us on August 26, and see what you can find!

And, don’t forget to join us this weekend, August 12 & 13, for our biggest trunk show of the year!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Our Biggest Trunk Show of the Year

Join us next weekend, August 12 & 13, for our biggest trunk show of the year!

Jon will be bringing an entire van-load of merchandise from his expansive warehouse! Browse through a vast collection of Czech glass strands, Chinese crystal, copper strands, semi-precious strands, fresh water pearls, pewter strands, resin strands, and glass pearls. There will also be other great surprises.

Be sure to get to the store on either Friday or Saturday, because Jon will be loading everything back in his van on Saturday night. There will be no hold-over for this trunk show.

You don’t want to miss the selection you’ll find next weekend at 1 Stop Bead Shop! Make time to come sit and bead with us! Can’t make it in? Just call us, and we’ll shop for you!


Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Sidewalk Sale this Saturday

Do you have plans for this weekend? Join us for our sidewalk sale on Saturday, July 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.!

We’ve gathered items that we are discontinuing and will be offering them for 25% off! This includes Tools, Swarovski, Books, Sterling Silver Charms, Toho Beading Kits, Base & Plated Metal and much more. We’ll also have some great surprises you won’t want to miss!

Never shopped at 1 Stop Bead Shop before? This is the perfect opportunity! We’re located next to Traders Joes on Sawmill Road in Dublin, Ohio. Find directions.

See you Saturday!




Wednesday, July 20, 2011

We Love Our Customers!

If you haven’t been to 1 Stop Bead Shop before, we’d love to have you come sit and bead with us! Our customers have provided us with some great testimonials to share about our store, the staff and the experience at 1 Stop Bead Shop.

“First time in Columbus in years, so I couldn't leave without checking out your wonderful store. What a TREAT! Felt like a kid in a candy store....good thing beads aren't fattening!!” – Fran

“I just wanted to take the opportunity to say how much I appreciate you and your staff. They are awesome and make every visit to your shop a pleasant, friendly experience.” –Dana

“I stopped in the store for the first time on Saturday and was in Heaven!! I just started playing with the beads and want to learn how to do more.” – Donna

“Your store is a complete store. Lots of choices; not only in beads, but in findings. Somewhere along the line I read that your goal is to make 1 Stop the place to go for all your beading needs. As a customer I can say that you have met your goal. Traveling to cities like Ft. Myers Florida, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Denver, and others, I like to go to bead stores and what I found is that there are really no shops that have as much to offer as yours does. The staff is great too. Everyone is so helpful, friendly, and inspiring.” – Leslie

Have you had a great experience at 1 Stop Bead Shop? Let us know here or email Lisa at lisa@1stopbeadshop.com.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Jeannette Cook Returns to 1 Stop Bead Shop

Jeannette Cook is returning to teach at 1 Stop Bead Shop August 19 and 20! Jeannette has been beading for 36 years and teaching for 20 years. She encourages her students to push their creativity and express themselves through beadwork.

Jeannette will be teaching several classes during her time at 1 Stop Bead Shop, and she has a fun contest exclusively for our customers! The Bowl of Bling Ring class will be debuting at 1 Stop on August 20. This will be the first time Jeannette teaches the class, and she wants a new name for The Bowl of Bling Ring.

Here’s how to enter the contest: Email lisa@1stopbeadshop.com with new name ideas for the ring. Please put "Name the Ring Contest" in the subject line of your email, and be sure to include your full name and contact information. Jeannette will choose the winner and announce the winner at The Bowl of Bling Ring class. You don’t need to be present to win, and you can enter the contest as many times as you would like. The winner will receive a kit for the ring from Jeannette with signed instructions.

We hope to get some great contest submissions. Learn more about Jeannette’s classes by visiting 1 Stop Bead Shop!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Scavenger Hunt Contest

We like to have fun at 1 Stop Bead Shop, so we’re having a scavenger hunt for our Twitter and Facebook followers! We’ll post clues about an item in the store, and if you find the item, you could win a gift certificate!

Here’s the info you’ll need to participate in the hunt:

We’ll post clues on Facebook and Twitter about an item in 1 Stop Bead Shop. Use the clues to locate the item in the store, and take a picture of it. Post the picture to your Facebook or Twitter page. The first 5 customers to find the item and post a picture, win a $10 gift certificate, and the next 5 customers to post a picture, win a $5 gift certificate! Just show us at the register that you have posted the picture of the item on your Facebook or Twitter page to claim your prize.

Ready to have some fun? We’ll be posting the first clue tomorrow. We can’t wait to see you in the store! Good luck!


Thursday, June 30, 2011

Come Sit and Bead with Us!

Lisa Busch started 1 Stop Bead Shop 5.5 years ago hoping to be the "Cheers of beading - a place where everybody knows your name!" The store's inventory has grown quite a bit since, but 1 Stop Bead Shop is still bright, friendly and fun.

Need a place to sit, relax and bead? 1 Stop Bead Shop has plenty of tables for you to come in and work on your projects. Enjoy the bright workspace, and use our beading tools for FREE. We're always willing to give our advice or help if you need us!






Thursday, January 13, 2011

1 Stop Bead Shop January Coupons

Now Accepting January Coupons

All receipts dated Jan 3-8 Valid for 50% off 1 item (regardless of whether it says so on the bottom or not). Just bring in your receipt to receive the discount. Only 1 discount per receipt. Regular Exclusions apply.
All January Bead Bucks (given out in Nov & Jan) are valid Jan 10-31.

Project of the Week at 1 Stop Bead Shop


Project of the Week
By popular request, 1 Stop has been working to bring back our Project of the Week.

These fun little Limited Edition projects are designed w/ style and instant gratification in mind.
Often they will feature nifty products that you may have looked at and wondered what to do with.
Available only while supply lasts!
This Week's Project: Chained Greek Earrings


Check the website each week for the newest project of the week.

New Projects at 1 Stop Bead Shop

Start off the New Year with a New Project
Dozens of Great Classes in Jan 2011


Sands of Time Cuff - Mon, Jan 17 - Marry triangles, bicones and seed beads, and craft a clasp. Another Bonnie original!








Ndebele Rope w/ Focal - Mon, Jan 17 - Back by request. Make tubular Ndebele twist and add a focal bead.








Viking Knit - Tue, Jan 18 - See how easy it is to hand knit wire to create a hollow wire chain! Finish in your choice of styles.








Overembellished Bracelet - Wed, Jan 19 - Learn basic even count peyote stitch and then cover in bead soup to create a one-of-a-kind textured bracelet.










Beginning Wire Wrap Bracelet & Earrings - RESCHEDULED DATE - Thur, Jan 20 - Develop muscle memory for the basic skills of wire wrapping using fine gauge wire, while making a charm bracelet and earrings.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Come Back Coupon Correction at 1 Stop Bead Shop

Did you Shop Monday & Tuesday, Jan 3 & 4?
We forgot your Come Back Coupon - I'm sorry!
Just bring in your receipt w/ either of those dates and we will honor the Come Back offer of
50% off 1 item from Jan 10 to Feb 12! (Regular exclusions apply.)

Our Commitment To YOU continues at 1 Stop Bead Shop

Your Questions/Comments Answered
Did you know 1 Stop has a suggestion box? We've received a number of good suggestions, and thought you might like to hear the answers. Look in this section each week for another answer to your questions.
Last week we answered about Advanced classes. Here's a question about beginner classes:
Question: Some classes are elementary. Could there be too many classes, emphasizing quantity over quality?
Answer: 1 Stop offers a large variety of beginner classes. Currently there are 54 Level 1 or 2 classes on the quarterly schedule. (Level 1 = Beginner; Level 2 = Advanced Beginner - no pre-req)
We have learned in 5 years of offering classes, that while we may "think" we know what people are going to sign up for, we don't always guess right. Frequently, potential students are strongly influenced by color or appearance. So we may offer several different classes that teach the same or similar techniques because people will choose based on personal taste of the final combination of design & color.
New beaders continue to come into the store on a daily basis. The best proof we have of a continued need for next step beginner classes, is that all our core beginner classes continue to fill to capacity nearly every month.
1 Stop Bead Shop has over 26 instructors who teach some or every quarter. Each instructor submits the classes they wish to teach for the quarter. Generally more classes are submitted than will actually fit on the schedule and some classes have to wait. We suggest product ideas, and seasonal theme ideas, and we ask that certain core or favorites classes be taught regularly, but ultimately it is the instructor who designs, creates and submits their choices.

Exciting Announcement from 1 Stop Bead Shop

Announcing the Re-Launch of 1 Stop's
Project of the Week
By popular request, 1 Stop has been working to bring back our Project of the Week.
.
These fun little Limited Edition projects are designed w/ style and instant gratification in mind.
Often they will feature nifty products that you may have looked at and wondered what to do with.
Available only while supply lasts!
This Week's Project: Aluminum Scale Earrings
Check the website each week for the newest project of the week.

New Projects at 1 Stop Bead Shop

Start off the New Year with a New Project
Dozens of Great Classes in Jan 2011

Beading w/ PMC - Gemstone Necklace/Bracelet - Mon, Jan 10 - Make jewelry totally yours by creating your own bead caps and clasps from PMC. Then combine with round gemstones and chain.





Slinky Ndebele - Mon, Jan 10 - Learn this foundational rope stitch. Great for bracelet, or for hanging a pendant.






Beginning Wire Wrap - Tue, Jan 11 - Develop muscle memory for the basic skills of wire wrapping using fine gauge wire, while making a charm bracelet and earrings. Only 3 spaces left!





Egyptian Queen Collar - Wed, Jan 12 - Originally designed for 1 Stop! Learn ladder stitch, netting and fringing techniques. Cabochon optional.









Copper Baubles & Beads Necklace & Earrings - Wed, Jan 12 - Learn to manipulate heavy wire into different shapes and anneal. Also learn to use a metal punch to make your own jump rings, bail, clasp and 2 to 1 connector.





Beginning Bead Weaving - Thur, Jan 13 - 1 Stop Bead Shop's Signature Class! The best place to start if you've never done any Bead Weaving. Learn to use a needle & thread to "sew" beads. Easier than it looks - hundreds of people have learned it & you can too!




Bezel Mania & Resin - Sat, Jan 15 & Wed, Jan 19 - 2 part class - Another mixed media. Pt 1 - Learn basic soldering, shaping, texture, ring sizing. Pt 2 - Learn to work with resin to capture your favorite image in a ring. This designer class really teaches you how to make designer jewelry using different mediums. If you desire to move from regular jewelry making into designing, learning to combine mediums is essential.




(Note: If links to classes or pictures are broken, simply go to our January Classes Page which can be found by cutting and pasting: http://www.1stopbeadshop.com/classes-january-2011-c-223_519.html?osCsid=6253a61b54e7e0010e6330d7078d8d12 .)