Spring Clearance Sale

Some really wonderful things are coming up this spring for our family: Spring Break begins THIS Saturday and we’re taking our girls to Hollywood, CA. A vacation that will surely be fabulous for them, including going to see the Ellen Show! When we return home, we swing into high gear for Prom – still haven’t found “the perfect dress!!”  Sigh. And…my oldest graduates in just a few short weeks, too. Then off to college nearly four hours away! All in all, a very exciting time for our family! So, I've decided to set etsy aside for those two month and simply sell my jewelry exclusively at the retail gift shops that I’m working with and the occasional home parties and art fairs.
In anticipation of this time away from etsy...I'd love to clear out my shop. So, I'm running a sale! For all my PFT teamies, you can use coupon code BELLA30 and get a full 30% off everything in my shop today and tomorrow only!

So .... get shopping! :)

Bella The Bead

Lighten Up. Let It Go. Laugh.

I thought this post on Oh my! handmade was timely, so I'm sharing it with all of you:

Lighten Up. Let It Go. Laugh.

Recipe For Press – Pitch Your Story Like The Pros And Create A Buzz

As a small business owner, when I find a great book about how to better manage aspects of your own growing business, I just can’t sleep until I share it with other biz peeps. If your looking for ways to improve your small business, you are going to sleep with this book under your pillow every night until you absorb every golden nugget of info on its pages.

I am super excited to share with you Recipe for Press by first time author Amy Flurry. This book teaches you to “pitch your story like the pros & create a buzz." You could also say this book gives you all the tools + tips you will ever need for DIY publicity and PR.

Fellow Georgian, Amy Flurry, is a freelance writer, editor and stylist of 15 years with work featured in InStyle, Conde Nast Traveler, O, Four Seasons, House Beautiful, Country Living, and Refinery 29. She also served as a regional editor for Lucky magazine for six years and as a style correspondent for eBay’s online magazine, The Inside Source. In January 2010, Flurry co-founded Paper-Cut-Project, a company that conceives art direction and highly crafted installations in paper for window installations, runway, catalog and advertising campaigns. Whew!
Back in December I opened up my Daily Candy Atlanta email only to find a pitch about Recipe For Press. The pitch alone was enough for me to go to Amazon and order Recipe For Press, at $23.95 it’s a BARGAIN!
WARNING: you will need a note pad and pen while reading this book. There are so many incredible step-by-step instructions on how to define your business, refine your pitch and figure out your targets, you will want to start a comprehensive “to do” list for your business.
The book includes inspiring DIY publicity success stories from other Georgians such as super chef  Hugh Acheson, design power couple Amy Butler and David Butler, eye for all things lovely, potter & blogger, Rebecca Wood just to name a few.
Recipe For Press is more like a text book or an instruction manual, if you will. Once you read this book, you will not put it away with all your other “been there - done that” books. You will keep this one close to your desk and re-read parts and pieces as needed. Each time I re-read a section I’m inspired all over again. Most importantly this book has given me the tools to help me map out the best possible road to my own success. If you think about it… nobody knows your business better than you do, right? This means nobody can pitch “your story” quite the way you can. Hurry and get the book and start making your own map:)
Also be sure to visit Recipe For Press on Facebook and the blog.
source: http://www.ohmyhandmade.com/2012/contributors/recipe-for-press-pitch-your-story-like-the-pros-and-create-a-buzz/

Finding your way is the best way

I recently starting following the "oh my! handmade goodness" blog.

I have learned a lot from the contributors to this blog, and today's feature is especially wonderful, so I'm sharing it with all of you!

 Finding your way is the best way

The Invisible Mom

A friend of mine shared this with me a few weeks back and I thought I should share it as well. Enjoy the read:

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.

The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more! Can you fix this? Can you tie that? Can you open this?? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

Some days I'm a crystal ball, 'Where's my other sock? Where's my phone? What's for dinner?'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history, music and literature - but now, they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. She had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when she turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'With admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: 1) No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. 2) These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. 3) They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. 4) The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A story of legend in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof, No one will ever see it. The workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.’

No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, no Cub Scout meeting, no last minute errand is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for 3 hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, he'd say, 'You're gonna love it there...'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of all of the invisible mothers.

Thank you to all the Moms who are looking down and smiling at the cathedrals they helped to build.

Share this with all the Invisible Moms you know.

Blessings!

The Clock is Ticking

I’ve found that nothing works better than checklists to move from the “dream stage” into the “action workshop”. With checklists you can stay focused, set priorities, forget nothing, and turbo charge your productivity. I’m a huge fan.

But there’s an art to list making. The key to getting stuff done is to focus on the 5 most important things you want to get done that day, as opposed to the 50 or more items I see most people attempting to tackle. Long lists can never be finished. There’s a huge negative psychological impact to not accomplishing what’s on your list: it leaves you drained and feeling like a total loser. I’ve been there, too.

And even when you do check off items from your T-Rex size to-do list, it’s usually the easiest tasks first to trim some of the fat and shorten the list. But who are we kidding, right? We all know very well that the easiest items are rarely the most transcendental for your business. So, again, we are left feeling like a failure.

On the flip side, short lists are realistic, give you power, and make you feel good, because you can actually cross your items off. There’s an enormous psychological boost in getting stuff done and cruising through your to-do items, especially when you mark off the things that matters most to you and make the most difference for your business.

So, what on your short-list today?

I found this darling printable "The Clock is Ticking" Checklist, hand-illustrated by Mayi Carles's 10 little fingers, designed to help you break down your Mount Everest into manageable chunks you can actually check-off the list. I hope you find it helpful, too!

Date Night

Today I’m taking the first step towards making date night at my household a reality. I also hope that by the end of this post I have motivated you to take the Date Night Challenge. It starts with coming up with some great and creative ideas and keeping in mind the guidelines below.

I want to hear from all of you. What is your favorite date night idea? Whether it’s one you have been on or dream of going on, post away! I want you to DIG deep and get creative. Not the run-of-the-mill dinner and a movie idea please. I mean if the wonderful and creative ladies of the Promo Frenzy Team can’t come up with a most original, thoughtful, romantic and fun list of date night ideas, who can? I plan to write my favorites down on a piece of paper for my very own date night idea jar. Consider this post your source for date night ideas.

Make an idea jar – I plan to use my favorite ideas you have posted here to fill my own mason jar and I hope you do too.

Pencil it in – Or type it into your smartphone, hire a plane to fly over your house, whatever it takes. I find a date is more likely to happen if we both plan around the date in our calendars. I also think monthly date nights are ideal, but if weekly work for you, knock your socks off!

Schedule smart – The idea of date night turns off many early-bird couples. If mornings suit you better, make plans earlier in the day — like a leisurely breakfast out or a sunrise walk in the park.

Keep it light – Conversations about housekeeping, whose car needs new tires, money or problems (“What’s up with Mikey’s math grades?”) are off-limits.

Double date – Personally I feel double dating on occasion is nice, but not for every date night. When you make it a double date and share deep conversation — real self-disclosure, not just small talk — you grow closer to the group, but you also feel more deeply in touch with your partner, finds new research from UCLA.

Minimizing the multitasking – It’s tempting to call a trip to the garden center a date, so you can cross two tasks off your to-do list. But don’t. The whole point is to concentrate on each other, not your chores. While on this topic you should also leave your phones, iPad, iTouch, laptop etc…in the car. You don’t want to be “that couple” you see who are engrossed in their electronic devices and not each other.

Relax about reciprocity – Yes, ideally you and your spouse would share the date-planning responsibility, but face it: If you want date night to happen, it may be faster and easier to set it up yourself, but just don’t make it a habit. If your partner doesn’t have any skin in the game, well he/she doesn’t have any skin in the game.

Avoid rain checks – While there will be times when you’d really like to cancel a date, try to resist that urge, put on your game face, and go. That lets your spouse know how much you value your time together.

I can’t wait to see all the ideas you come up with!


(Source: http://www.ohmyhandmade.com/2012/contributors/take-the-date-night-idea-challenge/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ohmyhandmade+%28oh+my%21+handmade+goodness%29)

2012 Fitness Plan

I've always been a fitness fanatic. I was a track star in high school and still enjoy running today! But, seven years ago I decided I needed to add weight training and overall body fitness to my plan. I ordered the P90X program. I thought I was in really good shape at the time...I had no idea how fit I would soon be! I had never lifted weights before, and didn't want to "bulk up." I didn't want to lose weight, I just wanted to get some lean muscle on my frame.

A quick three months later, I had those lean, sexy muscles on my back, toned upper arms and washboard abs that almost gave me the confidence to hit the beach in a bikini! If you're looking for a great fitness program that keeps you motivated, you should seriously consider the P90X BeachBody Program.

http://www.beachbody.com/

I have now moved on to the Insanity and TurboFire programs for added variety and LOVE those workouts, too!

 My daily workouts are my little gift to myself each day.  Do something just for you today!

Dance into Spring 2012

For spring 2012 designers are inspired by diverse influences, showcasing a range of styles and lifestyles, from free and playful and light and breezy, to contemporary classics. Colors likewise reflect these differing moods, encapsulating vivid brights, soft muted tones and fun-loving pastels.

"Consumers look to spring for renewed energy, optimism and the promise of a brighter day," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute^®. "They have learned how color can help them alter a mood and provide the vitality and enthusiasm that enables them to experiment with new looks and color combinations."

Provocative Tangerine Tango, an enticing juicy orange, is a vivacious and appealing refresher to enliven anyone's outlook this spring. Providing a jolt of energy, Solar Power radiates warmth and cheer.

Fanciful Bellflower, a distinct ornamental purple, exudes uniqueness and creativity. Scintillating and sexy, Cabaret is a sensual and intense rosy-red — an excellent choice for summer clothing and cosmetics.

Sodalite Blue, a classic maritime hue, brings order and calmness to mind. Like an anchor to a ship, this dependable shade works with every color in the palette. Cockatoo, a tactile blue-green, is sure to make your spirits soar. This unusual hue adds a whimsical touch to the palette and will surely make a statement this spring.

Margarita, a piquant yellow-green, lifts spirits with its refreshing and stimulating glow. Reminiscent of a blossoming garden on an early spring morning, fragrant Sweet Lilac evokes the fresh scents of summer. This delicate pinkish lilac adds a touch of romance to any wardrobe.

Natural versatile neutrals add practicality to this season's brights. Driftwood, an adaptable blend of beige and gray with a slightly weathered feel, and Starfish, a perfect warm summer neutral, complement all colors featured in this season's top 10.

For an ultra-bold vibrant look this spring, try mixing Bellflower with Tangerine Tango and Cabaret. Combine Margarita with Sweet Lilac and Cockatoo for a subtle alternative, or combine Margarita with Sweet Lilac and Driftwood for a more practical variation. Solar Power is best juxtaposed with Sodalite Blue. For a safer bet, add a natural neutral like Starfish to the mix.

source: http://www.pantone.com/pages/fcr.aspx?pg=20911&ca=4

THE Best Holiday e-cards!

If you're looking for the funniest, most entertaining, e-cards available to send holiday cheer this year....look no further than

JibJab

You'll need to spend a little time getting your pictures just right, but it is sooooo worth it!

Happy Holidays!!!

Holiday Gifts in a Jar

Homemade gifts in a jar are a fun, frugal, and easy holiday gift to share with loved ones.
Over the years I’ve made several homemade Christmas gifts in a jar for friends, family, and neighbors.
There are endless possibilities with what can be placed in a jar. Jars containing layered mixes for cookies, muffins, and brownies are yummy for those with a sweet tooth. Soup mixes are super for those who like savory ingredients. I’ve also given quality chocolates, bulk candy, and nuts in decorated jars.

Gifts in a jar are easy to make. Just take a glass jar (canning jars, mason jars, or even recycled mustard jars), layer with ingredients, and then top with a gift tag. To help you get your jar-on this holiday season, I’ve created several free printable gift tags for download. You supply the homemade goodness.

Here are 3 frugal holiday gift ideas (and recipes) in a jar:

1. Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar

This recipe makes about 36 cookies.

Ingredients:

Layer in a large wide mouthed 1 quart mason jar:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/4 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Mix flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Pour mixture into a 1 quart (1 liter) mason jar and pack down. Mix oatmeal in a blender. Pack on top of flour in mason jar. Add white sugar and pack down. Add brown sugar and pack down. Layer chopped nuts on top of brown sugar. Finish layering jar with mini or regular chocolate chips.

Printable Gift Tags:

Download Printable Gift Tags: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (PDF) 

2. Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Mix in a Jar

This recipe makes one pan of chocolate brownies.

Ingredients:

Layer in a large wide mouthed 1 quart mason jar:

• 1 cup all purpose unbleached flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups vanilla sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• Any combination of: mini chocolate chips, mini M&M’s, junior mints, chocolate candy bar
• 1/2 cup almonds

Layer ingredients in 1 quart mason jar. Tap gently on the counter after each layer before adding the next. Add additional mix-ins to fill any small gaps if necessary.

Printable Gift Tags:

Download Printable Gift Tags: Chocolate Brownies (PDF) 

3. Chicken Noodle Soup in a Jar

This recipe makes a pot of soup.

Ingredients:

Layer in a 1/2 quart (2 cup) glass jar:

• 1/4 cup of red lentils
• 2 tbsp dried onion flakes
• 1 1/2 tbsp chicken bouillon granules
• 1/2 tsp dried dill weed or dill seed
• 1/8 tsp each celery seed and garlic powder
• 1 cup medium egg noodles
• 1 bay leaf

In a 2 cup glass jar, layer from bottom in the order listed above.

Printable Gift Tags:

Download Printable Gift Tags: Chicken Noodle Soup in a Jar (PDF) 

Christmas Movies

These are the memory-makers of Christmas movies, they're the perfect thing for helping to get everyone into the holiday spirit. Who cares if the weather outside is frightful when good movies and family fun keep us warm?
Just a few classics are listed below, but don't settle for just a movie. Make it an event. Fun, family centered ideas are included to help you and your family get the most from your home theater this holiday season.

1. It's a Wonderful Life: No self respecting list of Christmas movies would be complete without this feel good classic. Who could forget the goodness of George and Mary Bailey who find themselves in the insidious clutches of mean and greedy Mr. Potter on what should be the happiest day of the year, Christmas Eve.
While watching keep hands and mouths busy eating and stinging popcorn. Once the movie is over and the happy ending tears are dry, it is time to trim the tree and the popcorn string is an old time touch the will attest to the goodness of this film. To make the popcorn strings more visually appealing add a few red or green beads into the mix.
Little hands might find the popcorn a challenge to string can still be included. Children as young as two enjoy stringing beads. Have them try stringing all beads or using hemp lines with knots at intervals to hold groups of beads together.

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas:
There is the original cartoon version sans Jim Carey, or the longer live action movie...either is a good choice. We have Dr. Seuss to thank for both movies. In a classic tale, that could only have come from the mind and rhymes of Dr. Seuss we meet the lovably unlovable Grinch a foul, sour hearted creature that lives in isolation in the mountains near the utopian society of Whoville.
Employing his unwilling accomplice, Max his dog, and impersonating a certain rotund elf who wears red, the Grinch puts his plan into motion. At the last minute the Grinch has a change of heart, but is it too late to undo what he has already done? Gather the family around the TV and find out!
When all the movie fun is over, follow up with a night of family gift wrapping. This is a fun way to get the necessary work of gift wrapping done. An additional bonus is that you are getting it done early and with help!

3. Elf: Sneaking into Santa's sack in an orphanage as a toddler, Buddy the human-sized elf is far from fitting in Santa's workshop. Though proudly carrying more Christmas spirit than others, he is oversized and clumsy, and is reluctantly told by Papa Elf that his calling is in New York City. He must go find his father, Walter Hobbs, a disgruntled and naughty-listed children's book publisher, played by James Caan.
Buddy is played by Will Ferrell, who is in wonderful form, playing childish ignorance like only he can, and it is his journey around the Big Apple that brings the real fun.
After the movie, gather everyone around the kitchen table and get crafty! From simple holiday crafts to detailed homemade gifts, make it a night to bring out the creative elf in yourselves. For younger children, the footprint reindeer is a way to record their growth over the years. Older kids can make thoughtful gifts for other family members, helping them to understand that Christmas gifts from the heart are among the favorites every year. Check Christmas Crafts or Homemade Gifts for ideas.

Easy Holiday Fitness

One Hour.
Every Day.
Just for you.

You are only one workout away from a good mood!

Fun Turkey Facts!

I’m a sucker for fun or little known facts that have no practical use… so, here are some I found to add to my repertoire.

The average weight of a turkey purchased at Thanksgiving is 15 pounds.

The average person consumes over 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day. (And we wonder why Americans are overwhelmingly overweight…)  

The heaviest turkey ever raised was 86 pounds, about the size of a large dog.

Americans eat over 530 million pounds of Turkey on Thanksgiving;  more than 45 million turkeys are cooked and eaten on that day. 

A 15 pound turkey usually has about 70 percent white meat and 30 percent dark meat.

The five most popular ways to serve leftover turkey is as a sandwich, in stew, chili or soup, casseroles and as a burger.

Turkey has more protein than chicken or beef.

Turkeys will have 3,500 feathers at maturity.

Male turkeys gobble. Hens do not. They make a clucking noise.

Commercially raised turkeys cannot fly, but wild turkeys can fly over 55mph for short distances.

Turkeys can have heart attacks. Apparently, The United States Air Force was doing test runs and broke the sound barrier. Fields of nearby turkeys dropped dead with heart attacks.

A large group of turkeys is called a flock.

Turkeys have poor night vision.

Turkeys can drown if they look up while it’s raining.

It takes 75-80 pounds of feed to raise a 30 pound tom turkey.

A 16-week-old turkey is called a fryer. A five to seven month old turkey is called a young roaster.

Dang… I feel really, really bad for turkeys all of a sudden. But luckily not quite bad enough to go vegetarian this year.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone!

Coupon Cabin

I love saving money!! I love helping others save money, too!! I rarely leave the house on a "errand run" without a few coupons. Most stores always have an on-line coupon for savings on at least one item (Hint to the crafters: do not ever pay full price at Hobby Lobby - print out the 40% off one item coupon every time you go!!)

I've recently started following Coupon Cabin. This site has a wide variety of coupons that are really easy to use! Check it out at: http://www.couponcabin.com/coupons/coupons.htm

You can get tons of FREE samples:  http://www.couponcabin.com/free-samples/

With coupon codes for on-line shopping, grocery coupons and printable coupons, there are many ways to save!

With 106,905 active coupon deals, there's something for everyone! There's even coupons for BLACK FRIDAY!!! http://www.couponcabin.com/black-friday/coupons.htm

Start saving today - and put those savings in you etsy shop supplies fund!! 

Tasty Thanksgiving recipes for a healthier holiday feast

Thanksgiving is all about abundance or, often, overabundance. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With healthy updates to classic dishes, the Thanksgiving recipes showcased here use high-impact flavors like fresh herbs, spices and seasonal fruits and vegetables to minimize the need for gobs of butter, cream and salt. Some dishes are healthy updates on classic dishes, while others are twists on traditional fare.

For the host, there's menus and planners and budget-friendly wines, as well as new ways to use up all those turkey leftovers. If you’ve always felt daunted by the turkey carving process, there's step-by-step photos that illustrate simple instructions for success, plus other tips for a terrific stress-free holiday. If you’re not hosting this year, choose from a selection of healthy sides and scrumptious desserts. You’ll find nearly everything here to enjoy a delicious, healthy Thanksgiving.

EATINGWELL THANKSGIVING

November Treasure Hunt

Etsy's PromoFrenzyTeam 

 November TREASURE HUNT!

It's a great opportunity to get your Holiday shopping done and get some great deals, too!  Each participating Team Shop will be running their own sale!

Look for this picture in ONE listing in their shops: 

 

You will have to click around a bit and check out some of the items to find the "treasured listing".  Once you find this picture, you will be rewarded with a special offer. Many of the shops will be using a coupon code for you to redeem their special.  The details of the special offer will be found within the description of the "treasured listing".

This is the perfect opportunity to go through your favorite shops, find some goodies for the holidays AND get a HUGE deal!

Have fun!  Good luck finding all the Treasured Items!

Here is my Special at BellaTheBead.etsy.com !

Find the listing with this special picture in it and receive 10% OFF on your order. (HINT the special picture is in one of the Necklaces section listings in my shop!!) 

 

 

Start Shopping 
at any of these participating PromoFrenzyTeam shops:

1. Trinkets N Whatnots - www.galla15.etsy.com
Handmade Button, Crystal and Pearl Jewelry

2. Sewinggranny - www.etsy.com/shop/sewinggranny
Sewn items - baby, kitchen, home decor, holiday

3. CalliopeAZCreations - www.calliopeazcreations.etsy.com
Handmade Jewelry, Medicine Stones, Decorated Feathers

4. jQ jewelry designs - www.jQjewelrydesigns.etsy.com
Gemstone Jewelry that is Classic ... with an Edge

5. KrystalsJewelry - www.krystalsjewelry.etsy.com
Intricate Handmade Jewelry of all styles for all tastes

6. rooee - www.rooee.etsy.com
Quilts & quilted things, cloth dolls, fabric postcards

7. PaintedMemoriesByRos.etsy.com
Fine Art Note Cards and Prints

8. Peelirohini.etsy.com
Colorful and Unique Sterling silver , Gold fill Jewelry with Genuine Gemstones and/or Polymer Clay

9. www.etsy.com/shop/SunnyCrystals
Crystal Tumblestones, Natural Gemtone Jewellery & Decoupage Cards plus a bit of Vintage Jewellery

10. Symbolic Imports - www.SymbolicImports.etsy.com
Handmade Bath & Body - Lip balms, Sugar Scrubs, Handmade Soaps, Perfumes & more!

11. Beautifulswagstore - www.etsy.com/shop/beautifulswagstore
hair accessories, dog toys, baby gift sets, home decor, gift wrapping

12. Bijibijoux- www.etsy.com/shop/bijibijoux
Handmade jewelry/ beads/ supplies -

13. Newcreationz - www.etsy.com/shop/NewCreatioNZ
Fine art and photography craft

14. BountyOfBeads - www.etsy.com/shop/bountyofbeads
Handmade Bead Dangle Drop Charm Sets and Trinity Brass Findings
Jewelry Making Supplies

15. Fair Lady Boutique - www.etsy.com/shop/fairladyboutique
A Beading Boutique with vintage beads + components, Czech glass, gemstones, and custom made bead mixes

16. HollysFollyGlass - www.etsy.com/shop/HollysFollyGlass
Fine and fun Lampwork Glass Beads by artist Holly Dare.

17. Glitterbird Glass - www.etsy.com/shop/GlitterbirdGlass
Home decor and jewelry made from beautiful fused glass.

18. CrochetedbyCharlene - www.etsy.com/shop/CrochetedbyCharlene
Beautiful crocheted afghans, accessories, and much more.

19. Camillescloset- www.etsy.com/shop/Camillescloset
Handmade jewelery items.

20. Prittify - www.etsy.com/shop/Prittyfy
Handmade Jewelry, Modern, Altered Art, Steampunk

21. Crystalphotography - www.etsy.com/shop/crystalphotography
Fine Art Photography Prints and Greeting Cards

22. iaFlowerPower - www.etsy.com/shop/iaFlowerPower
Whimsical Crocheted and Knitted Baby Hats and more

23. Gabby's Quilts - www.etsy.com/shop/GabbysQuilts
Handcrafted Quilts, Tablerunners, Wallhangings and Embroidered Gifts

24. CNJ Ceramics - www.etsy.com/shop/CNJCeramics
Contemporary Clay Jewelry and Home Decor

25. LostLemonade - www.etsy.com/shop/LostLemonade
Body Care Products made to cleanse, moisturize and soothe

26. RomanticThoughts - RomanticThoughts.etsy.com
Handcrafted Jewelry, PreMade Scrapbook Pages, Vintage Items and More

27. Ooh Leela! - isabelafelix.etsy.com
Handmade dish towels and trendy accessories

28. KatersAcres - katersacres.etsy.com
Polymer Clay Creations, Trinkets, & Treasures with a Whimsical Feel

29. Magda - magdamagdaFashion.etsy.com
custom clothing, accessories and supplies

30. Ugly Duckling Beads - www.etsy.com/shop/uglyducklingbeads
Handmade glass beads, digital collage sheets, tutorials, and jewelry

31. BellaTheBead - www.bellathebead.etsy.com
Handcrafted jewelry and supplies with vintage soul

32.IdeasBloom - www.ideasbloom.etsy.com
Handcrafted decorative wreaths

33. Greenhouse Glassworks - www.greenhouseglassworks.etsy.com
Fused Glass Jewelry, Stained Glass Home Decor, and Handmade Cards and Tags

34. Five Supplies - Five0101.etsy.com
All the supplies you need to create

35. TheMayFlower Fashions - themayflower.etsy.com
Fun & Stylish Fashion Designs for Women

36. Something Wyrd- www.SomethingWyrd.Etsy.com
Handcrafted jewelry and beaded charms

37. iluvmarin - iluvmarin.etsy.com
Greeting cards, scrapbooks, cupcake toppers, & festive banners

38. Lexilouflowers - www.etsy.com/shop/LexiLouFlowers?ref=si_shop
Hair Accessories, Feather headbands, and Hair ties

39. Mt Baldy Glassworks www.mtbaldyglass.etsy.com
fused glass jewelry and home decore

40. LexiekinPrints - www.etsy.com/shop/LexiekinPrints
Personalized, customized and Printable Invitations, tags, cards and more!

41. Turtlexiii- www.turtlexiii.etsy.com
Sterling Silver Jewelry with Swarovski Crystals and Pearls, Gemstones & more.

42. IsabellesAttic- www.isabellesattic.etsy.com
aprons, accessories, baby items and more

43. AshlynDesign - www.ashlyndesign.etsy.com
Artisan handmade lampwork beads, metal charms, and finished jewelry

44. eveyinorbitshop - www.eveyinorbitshop.etsy.com
Mixed media art, original aceo and zines.

45. Suzie Tenzer - www.susietenzer.etsy.com
Original fine art paintings and prints

46. LindaB - www.lindab142.etsy.com
Artisan crafted beaded and wire wrapped jewelry, Jewish jewelry and accessories, wire beaded kippot

47. DellCoveSpices - dellcovespices.etsy.com
hand mixed spices, magnetic spice kits, cocktail sugars & margarita salts, organic popcorn, popcorn toppings & other treats

48. OverTheMoonGifts - overthemoongifts.etsy.com
personalized gifts, accessories, and home decor

49. craftycreations81 - www.etsy.com/shop/craftycreations81
Peacock feather items, wedding items and items for newborns/children

50. nan gates designs - www.nangatesdesigns.etsy.com
Fabric handbags, totes and accessories

51. ProdigyCrafts - www.prodigycrafts.etsy.com
Crocheted Clothing, Accessories and Gifts

To learn more about our team here is our page

www.etsy.com/teams/7512/promotional-frenzy-team

My ABCs: An introduction

Creativity creds to Evey of EveyinOrbit.etsy.com for this super fun introduction meme:

Hi! For those of you who may be new to my blog, or to the PFT Team on etsy, here's a super-fun intro to learn a few fun facts about me.

Age: 46
Bed size: King (see Height)
Chore that you hate: that’s a full-on tie between cleaning the coffee maker and taking out the trash.
Dogs: Two Yorkshire Terriers: Reeses and Snickers – they just make me happy!
Essential start to your day: one cup of coffee and a mini bagel with honey – to stay as sweet as I can be.
Favorite color: Amethyst, Azure Blue, Granny Smith Green and Peridot
Gold or Silver: Silver is probably my favorite, but I’m liking brass, too.
Height: 5'9”, and my aunt says that I’m still legs from the armpits on down!
Instruments you play: piano, flute, drums and sing like a bird!

Job title: Project Manager for IBM (23 years), co-owner of Bella the Bead.
Kids: two teenage daughters, they are strong, smart and beautiful!
Live: North of Atlanta in Johns Creek, GA.
Mother’s name: Bonnie
Nicknames: Hoolio in college (you really do not want the details on that one, but it sounds Mexican and so are margaritas….enough said.), and Bella

Overnight hospital stays: just one night for each darling baby girl.
Pet peeves: rudeness (please be kind to everyone), being late for anything, and waste.
Quote from a movie: “You is kind.  You is smart.  You is important.” –Aibileen to Mae Mobley, The Help, 2011 (GO SEE THIS MOVIE!)
Right or left handed: right.
Siblings: one older brother, one younger brother – yup – not only am I the only girl, I’m the middle child!
Underwear: yes.
Vegetable you hate: collards and rhubarb
What makes you run late: nothing (see Pet peeves)
X-Rays you’ve had: teeth, back
Yummy food that you make: chili, chocolate chip cookies, chicken enchiladas.
Zoo animal: peacocks!!

What are the ABCs of you?

Cute-Ecakes: Retweet me Tuesday Hop Week #12

Cute-Ecakes: Retweet me Tuesday Hop Week #12

Bella The Bead GIVEAWAY!!!!

My friend Kelsey of Smitten By A Promise is hosting a giveaway for me at

Bella The Bead Giveaway

Please stop by and register to win this fabulous pair of earrings: