Meet Maggie!

Maggie is Maxine's daughter.

 Maggie has added a few items to our beaded collection. She has practiced beading with mom for a couple of years, making things for herself, but her jewelry box is getting full like moms.  Her items are listed on the Beading Branches site as well. Here are a few samples:

 

Necklace- Painted Glass Bead

 Clip Earrings - Classic Black and White Pearl Dangles

 Earrings - Blue and Red Melifloral and glass pearls

Clip-on Earrings - Green bead and Leaves

 

Meet Joe!

Joe is Maxine's son.

While home on break from West Point Joe's brother taught him how to do the survival bracelets.
Joe has practiced and come up with different styles and items to make with the cobra braid.  He finally feels ready to sell his items, so he has become a part of the shop.

This is his newest idea. The paracord is braided around a metal headband and he's added a brass button from an Army uniform to this one. 

This first one was in the Etsy shop for about 5 minutes before it sold. There are more on the way, as well as bracelets, key chains and anything else Joe can think of to make with the paracord.

So did you ever wonder why they are called survival bracelets? Basically because the paracord used to make them is the mil spec 550 cord and can be unbraided to be used for any number of things in a survival situation. Snare - to catch food. Tourniquet or to tie a splint. To make shelter.   You get the idea. The great thing is that you have this fabulous accessory to wear comfortably until you might need it. :)  

STATTEAM SPOTLIGHT! is shining on US!

We've been spotlighted by the STATTEAMONETSY blog.  I have enjoyed the teams on Etsy so far and really love how the various artists come together and promote each other and their shops. When one gets spotlighted the rest of the team members build treasuries featuring one of the spotlighted shops items and then mixes it together with items from other shops. There is a theme of color or idea and the result is a lot of very beautiful treasuries. I am putting them here to give an idea of just how different each one can be depending on the artist who puts it together. Enjoy these treasuries, each one featuring an item from our shop.
Thank You!

Brass and Glass

First I made a bracelet:

 And I love it because it jingles when I wear it.
I made the first one for me. I have a 9mm and a .38 that I have practiced with and it gives me a lot of brass to work with.

Then on to a pair of earrings. Now I'm having fun right... oh yes.

And the best part, even the husband has started to think this beading stuff is kind of neat. :)  Is it love or the shells???  Either way is ok with me. :) I can't wait to get the rest of the brass ready so I can make some more.

We've been featured in another BNR... take a look and if you are an Etsyian play along. :)

Our First Feature in a BNR

We've been featured in our first BNR!  I've been involved with the STATTEAM for just a bit now and am really excited about some of the things they are getting me into.  I am still getting acquainted with how it all works but so far it's a hoot. :)  Here is a blog with the info I have on BNR's, for the newbies like me: 

http://statteamonetsy.blogspot.com/p/treasuries-bnrs-and-bnss-and-shmetsy.html

Here is the treasury we've been featured in: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTk3NzYyOHwyNzIyOTI4Mzk0/ooo-sneak-previewstatteam-bnr-ooo

Enjoy!

Oh What a Tangled Web we Weave... Contest 1

Anyone else feel overwhelmed at times? Nah, I'm sure it's just me... between the kids, the hubs, the schooling, and then the bead work I sometimes forget that some of that is supposed to be FUN! I would like to put a little more fun in my life so I've decided to put up a little contest of sorts.  Your best tip for marketing handmade wears, a tip that won't have me pulling out my hair,  in exchange for a chance at a pair of earrings. What do you think? We can decide which ones later but here are some samples of my work....

Well, if you don't like the idea, that makes it easy. OTOH if you like the idea then leave your best idea in my comment box and everyone who does will be entered in the drawing. And because it drives me absolutely NUTS when I can't find a deadline easily here's mine:  

June 30, 2012

Now my blog is not the most read thing on the block as of yet, but that is good news for you - gives you a better chance at getting those earrings. And the good news for me is I will test my skills at getting more people driven to my blog... Win win.

Don't forget to share with your friends. And leave an email address where I can get in touch with you should you be the lucky winner.

From Maxine

As we have indicated we do put some of the profits from Beading Branches to community service. I, Maxine, send out boxes with a wonderful group of ladies the West Point Moms Bake. Each month we send a package of baked goods and other goodies to soldiers who have been deployed. The letters we get back are just amazing.
This month my efforts will be focused on, not one soldier, but on an entire base. Here is a story on the attack on the FOB in eastern Afghanistan.
Here is a picture of their PX after the attack:

Thankfully NO US soldiers were killed but due to this attack, MRE's are what they can look forward to eating for some time. Except that they have the WPMoms on their side. Some have already sent their packages, mine will be going out soon, and I hope to be sending quite a few. I want our customers to know that we appreciate you, because of you we are able to do more. Thank you.

Here another mom talks very eloquently about our mission and this particular base. 
Stiletto Momma: Operation: Comfort and Care Packages

Etsy Treasury Widget

I found a lovely widget for Etsy treasuries. It allows you to create a snapshot of your treasury so that you can put it anywhere...  You can get your widget here: Etsy Treasury Widget
Here is a treasury I put together:

Etsy Treasuries

It has come to my attention that a lot of people don't know what Etsy is. Wow, ok, I feel a little technologically advanced just for a split second... Yup, done with that. Whew. 

So Etsy is a place where crafters, artisans, and vintage sellers can go to sell their wares. On the flip side of that Etsy is a place where consumers can go to support the aforementioned folks and find the perfect something for the perfect someone on any occasion. And for the perfect price - from the very extravagant budget to the very frugal. Interest peaked yet?  ETSY

Don't forget to visit my store while you are there. BEADING BRANCHES (hey this is my blog, I reserve the right to be shameless with my promotion. :)

Speaking of shameless promotion if you direct your eyes for just a second to the right >>>> you will see some examples of our work. They have what is called a "mini" Etsy banner. I love it. :)

I have started to learn how to work the Etsy Treasuries. I am not sure they help... I mean I can see people looking at our site, and that is always a good thing, but I'm not seeing sales resulting from the clicks. Maybe I have just not given it enough time. In the meantime I am going to share my treasuries here in picture form. This is a screen shot of my lists, each treasury gives me enough room for 16 items. In the picture below you see a sample of 4 for each treasury.

If anything looks interesting to you please go to THIS LINK and check out the artist involved.

There are some fantastic artists on Etsy, along with vintage items. The prices vary, depending on the artist, however from what I have seen you will not have a problem finding something in any price range for just about any person. Please think to look there before going to a department store. I promise you will find something unique and fantastic for any occasion.

If you like the way the treasuries look, once you are in Etsy go to the "buy" link and do a search by "treasury" then type in a keyword or two. Or you can browse them.

The treasuries are addictive, making them, looking at them, searching for more... but I can think of a lot worse things to be addicted to.

Ok, so now GO and have some FUN! If you like what you've seen, leave me a comment. Thanks. :)