I Heart Vintage

So, I've S-L-O-W-L-Y been adding bead time into my schedule.  I don't know why Christmas/New Year time always throws me off....  I guess cuz I crank out quite a bit during the tail end of the year, I just have a hard time WANTING to get back in the groove.  This year I am forcing the issue and, wouldn't you know it, I am loving it!  I mix other creative avenues into my "art" time, but I did manage to get a few things accomplished (bead-wise) over the past couple weeks.

Here is a glimpse:

I hope you'll check out my website and look under BE Vintage.  I think you'll like what ya see!  (Don't order there - email me.  I sell out quicker than I can keep up with on my website sometimes.  I don't know why it doesn't keep an accurate count.  Working on that!)

And if these don't float your boat or ya don't need something for Valentine's Day, I PROMISE there will be many, many more in the next couple of weeks.  I've got bracelets and earrings that need to be posted, too!

As the torch blazes.......

It's Been Awhile, Eh?

So....I know.  Almost a year since my last post.  I have tons of excuses, but blah.  And I'm not here to make any empty promises or resolutions, either.  I'm really not a great blogger....that is obvious.  And I'm not super into networking - social or otherwise.  I make beads.  I make jewelry with my beads.  And then I have a hard time showing and telling! :-)

What I WILL tell you is that I will be updating my website (www.bucklebottom.com) with new pictures and items very shortly.  I have to take pictures and get them downloaded, but that will happen sooner rather than later.  I got a fab new camera that I'm hoping will jumpstart my year of getting back on the website, blog, bead track.  I get back to my regularly scheduled program next week when the kids get back in school.  SWEET!

In the meantime, let me know you're out there.....  Leave me a message and let me know you read this blog.  Just a "hi" will do.  If I get enough comments, I will update more regularly and keep you in the loop much more frequently.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The New Year!

I'm excited for all the "stuff" this year has to bring!  I'm in the process of getting my studio cleared out so that I can create in a space that feels a bit more comfortable!  The torch hasn't had it's usual pull....and I don't like that.  So, in effort to get that feeling back, I am reorganizing.  I hope to be back by March with new items and bead sets. :-)

Deck the Halls....and the Website!

BuckleBottom.com is filling up with Christmas goodies!  I've got B-Creative interchangeable necklaces, B-Feathered Earrings and brand new BuckleBottom originals all over the website!!!  PLUS, the Jingle Bell Sale will continue until the end of the month!! 

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!  I plan on settling in and spending time with loved ones, books and good movies!  What are your plans?  Please share.....my blog gets lonely. :-)

2nd Annual JINGLE BELL SALE

Hey folks!!

It's here - and I apologize for the delay!!!

Check it out - www.bucklebottom.com, baby!!

 EVERYTHING on the website is on sale, but check out my 2nd annual Jingle Bell Sale for some even deeper discounts!  Charm necklaces, silk ribbon pendants, bracelets, earrings..... Yeah!

My plate is full with custom orders so I can't take any more that are needed by Christmas.  (And current custom orders are in progress, so response time to e-mails might be a tad longer than normal.  Bear with me.)

Thank you and have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS from BuckleBottom!

Jeepers Creepers....and all that jazz

I seriously think I spend more time apologizing on this blog than anything else.  So - I'm not gonna say anything more than - check back here on Monday.  My cyber Monday sale will commence.....a week late.

Or so I hope.

October ROCKS!

It really does.  I don't know about you, but October has all the qualities I like in a month.

1)  It starts to really cool off around this Arizona desert.  Loverly.

2)  It's my birthday month.

3)  It's usually the month that my super duper cool neighbor holds her super duper cool boutique.  (YAY!  October 22nd for those that are close by!)

4)  It's my birthday month.

5)  I really like harvest decor.  And Halloween, too.  But I don't do the scary, spooky stuff.  I stick with fall colors, pumpkins, hay bales and cute scarecrows.  Ties in with the cooler weather.  Love it!

6)  Did I mention it's my birthday month?  Oh wait.  I did?  Sorry.  ;-)

SO - for this FABULOUS October.....I would like to extend FREE SHIPPING to all of my wonderful customers!  All ya gotta do is type in OCTFREE in the coupon code box in the shopping cart.  Add your lovelies and VOILA!  So - again - OCTFREE is the magic code.

ALSO, because I wanna.....and because of NEW inventory that is coming in for the holiday season.....all of my Charm Necklaces are $10 off original price!  Free shipping and less money for cute stuff?!?!  YES!  How can you pass that up, right?  :-)

Thank you to all who have supported me and BuckleBottom Beads.  I love ya'll!

~~~~Remember to sign up on my website for my Newsletter.  You'll get all this info sooner and MORE deals if you sign up.~~~

Klutzy, Clumsy and All That Jazz............

So, I got back to the torch.....FINALLY.  It's still really hot out there, but I figure if I don't start now, I might as well forget having anything new for this holiday/boutique season! 

And I feel so LAME!  My beads are wonky (yes, that's a glass term!) and ugly.  I'm serious!  Nothing pretty about them.  I can't even consider them "organic" and naturally misshapen.  They are just baaaad! 

I will not give up.

I will not back down.

I will not let that crazy glass win.

Blaze and I will TRIUMPH!

Just some other day, I guess!

In other news:  I will be adding a new page to my website shortly.  An informational page about taking care of your jewelry.  Things like how to keep your silver shiny, what environmental factors may damage your jewelry and more on what goes INTO my jewelry and glass beads.  So - stay tuned.

Here's to FALL and cooler weather!!


***A long-time friend of mine from my ballet days and a recent bead customer passed away last weekend.  I didn't want to post on my blog without mentioning something about her.  She was special to me.  Please lift up her family in your prayers if you're so inclined.  She was my age and this has been rough on those that loved her most.  Thank you.***

I Heart Glass

I really do.  I love everything about it.  I love color, too.  So, colored glass makes me swoon.

And right now I miss melting colored glass. 

Cooler weather, where art thou?

Yep. It's time.

My muse hasn't made an appearance in quite awhile.  I think she melts in temperatures above 99 105 110 degrees.  Or in humidity in a place that is supposedly a DRY HEAT. 

Phooey.

But - it's time.  On Monday I shall light up Blaze.  (That's my trusty torch for those that are new to the BuckleBottom gang.)  Bring on the fire!  Bring on the glass!  And, God willing, bring on some good rain or something to make the heat a TOUCH more bearable!  We'll see - but.... I. WILL. TORCH.

Probably in my bathingsuit.

Probably after a dip in the pool.

Probably only for about 5 minutes.....

....until I have to jump in the pool again.

But I will make a bead.  Maybe two.

Pray for me. :)

To Etsy....Or Not To Etsy.....

I love Etsy.  I love to support other artists and crafty people.  I love SO MUCH of what Etsy and Etsians have to offer....

Like THIS! Isn't it toooo cute? (Click HERE to go to this Etsy store.)

But I never have success selling my OWN stuff on Etsy.  True, I never have much up and I have a hard time maintaining all my little web spaces as it is.  But I'm considering a push on my big-hole beads (aka Pandora, troll, biaggi, etc) and thought it might be a decent place to start.  It's pretty FULL of stuff like that, though.

I suppose, in the scheme of things, that since it's not a huge expense I should just go for it.  It's the time invested in it.  Is it worth it?  How do you guys who do Etsy feel about it?  Do you have a website, too?  And a blog?  And a newsletter?  And a...oy.  It's just hard to figure out what works, what doesn't and what can I get rid of!

Well, so....anyways.....

Etsy.  To sell on Etsy or not to sell on Etsy.  That IS the question.

Do you have the answer?

SALE IS ON!

My SUMMER DAZE sale is on!!  www.bucklebottom.com!!!

EVERYTHING is discounted!  EVERYTHING has great prices!  EVERYTHING to treat yourself to something fun to celebrate summer!

WOO HOO!!

Bracelets - $10.00 off

Earrings - 20% off

Silk-Ribbon Pendants - $5.00 off

Charm Necklaces - $20% off
(plus free metal charm addition! Limited to one charm or $2 for each additional charm)

**As always, if you live in the area, please contact me before purchasing.  If I can deliver the items or have you pick them up, I can save you on shipping.**

So stop on by BUCKLEBOTTOM BEADS to check out the awesome prices on lots and lots of goodies!  Sale will end on June 1st.....maybe. :)

Happy Summer, everyone!

xoxo

New Things!

New things on the website!!  Check 'em out!

BOOOOYAAAAH!!!!!!!!

Had a wonderful boutique last night with great friends, food and fun!  It truly was a wonderful time.  Fed my ego, too.  Thank you to all who came over and encouraged me with words and purchases. 

So, since I was PREPARED (meaning "had tons of stuff to sell") for the boutique and, of course, not everything sold, get ready for new stuff on the website and on Etsy. 

I still plan on getting to the torch this week, though.  My current big sellers are my custom Mother's/Grandmother's Bracelets.  I will have pictures for you on my website shortly.  Mother's Day is RIGHT around the corner.  I still have time to fit a few bracelets or custom orders in if you need anything.  Easter is even closer.  Check bucklebottom.com for my newest Springy! charm necklaces. :)

Have a blessed week!!!

Charm Necklace Sale Continues....

.....until Friday.

It's a great deal folks!  I'd take advantage of it!! :)  CLICK HERE!

Charmed, I'm SURE!

*SALE* *SALE* *SALE* *SALE* *SALE*

I'm having a 40% off sale on my website from now until....well....indefinitely. :)

 www.bucklebottom.com 

 If you live locally, please let me know before purchasing.  If there is a way for me to deliver your purchase to you less expensively (like, in person!), I will do my best.


Thank you for your interest in BuckleBottom!!

Moody Blues and Other "Stuff"

I just can't seem to get it into gear!  I have a boutique I'm preparing for...I'm worried about...I'm SUPPOSE to be working on and getting ready for, but I'm like a deer caught in the headlights.  I use that expression frequently, but that's exactly how I feel!  I have soooo sooooo soooooooo much to do, but I just get overwhelmed and just....sit and stare.  I have all my beads out that I've made over the past few months (because past that, they are just old *snicker*), I've spread all my findings (silver, gemstones and such) out so I can see what I have and I literally just sit and stare!  I've called in reinforcements (you gals know who you are) and they have energized me a bit.  They've even offered to come help.  Well, until their bodies are here and are SHOVING me into my work, the stuff just sits there.

I WILL OVERCOME!

And a two-week spring break probably doesn't help.  I want to be outside with my kiddos.  I want to be doing something productive with my 8 year old daughter.  I want to be a vegetable, too, and watch movies with her and talk and goof around.  HO HUM.  (I've done a lot of just goofing around with her. Hee hee!)

But - the daunting task of getting it all done in 2.5 weeks looms over me. 

I WILL OVERCOME!

Wish me luck, k?

Symmetry

As I've stated before on this blog, I'm in LOVE with Boro.  I love the dimension it has, the depth I see in a bead and the infusion of color that this glass creates.  I literally DROOL over Boro every day.  I pour over other people's beads, look for fantastic color combinations and styles and dream of the day I can purchase more frit, rods and colors.

But it's not an easy task for me - to make a Boro bead.  For you glassies out there, I have one concentrator and a basic torch.  It's not a fancy set up and I don't get the heat that Boro truly needs to flow.  But I manage.  And I still love it. 

I can't, for the life of me, make more than two beads of the same size.  I don't know what it is.  I know how, I just can't get it done.  They look really cool, they sparkle and shine and look loverly.....

.....but they never "match."

So. For those of you that make jewelry and/or make beads, does it TRULY matter to have matchy-matchy beads?  Or does variety work well in a piece.  I tend to lean towards symmetry in my work, which I TRY to move away from, but it makes it really hard for me to "think outside the box" when it comes to mismatched beads - size, shape and color. 

Can I get some feedback?  Please?  I've seen some awesome sets on Etsy and Artfire and they haven't all matched in shape and size.  Do they sell?  Would you buy them if you are one that buys artisan lampwork beads?  Lemme know......please?

I'm here!

 Where are you?

It seems I have gotten lost in the shuffle....again.  HO HUM!

Here's the answer to the quote contest.  Have a great week, everyone!

Sale Ends Tomorrow - Contest Continues

Last chance to take advantage of free shipping folks!  (If you've placed a custom order in the last week or so, you will still have free shipping come March 1st.)  The items on my website are still 10% off with the sale ending tomorrow, too.

As for the Tick Tock quote contest....for shame.....on me.  I got the quote SLIGHTLY off.....so let's try again.  Not very many people participated, so what's it gonna take?!?  Maybe NOW you'll catch it?!?  Hmmmm........

HERE IS THE CORRECT QUOTE:  "Now wait just a clock tick!"

Now try and guess.  Please comment on this blog with your try.  Multiple attempts are just fine!  But participation is key!  C'mon peeps! (Now, THAT is a daughter quote. LOL!)  Guess where the quote comes from and win a free Pandora-style bead on a cord! 


Next contest will be next week, so stay tuned.  What will it take to get YOU to participate?!?!