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!