Also, thanks to everyone who entered my 2nd Etsy Anniversary giveaway! The post generated my highest turnout yet - over 160 entries! After using Random Number Generator, the winner is #87 - Sherry! Congrats Sherry and thanks to everyone who entered and shared your thoughts on my shop - they are much appreciated!
The journey hasn't always been metal roses and birds nests, however. Though I technically opened my shop for business on August 19, 2008, I initially only put up a measly 2 items for sale: a glasses lanyard and these green earrings, made of pearls I bought in China. And though I posted them for sale in August, it took me over 2 months to make my first sale (of said green earrings)! I was SO thrilled that the earrings finally sold that I still have the little "thank you" note the buyer sent with her payment (before the days of Paypal)! And come to think of it, my mom is the only one who has ever "bought" the glasses lanyard. Figures!
Now, 2 years and 200 sales later, I am thrilled to say that I consider my work on Etsy both fulfilling and successful, if you will. Though my sales aren't in the thousands, my ratings are a unanimous 100% satisfaction, which is one of the few things I take great pride in :) Add that to the hundreds (literally, hundreds) of sales I have made in person and off of Etsy, plus that one order of 200 custom necklaces from earlier this summer, and you have an average of about an item sold a day. I like those odds. 
This past February also marks the anniversary of my first Etsy sale (now which ranks over 150 on the website with 105 feedbacks of 100%, and over 300 custom and in-person sales)! It's been a great year - especially since I never thought that Bead Up would grow at such an encouraging rate!
Though most people do big-ole' giveaways when they hit milestones such as these, I don't want to over-do it since I just had a series of giveaways and am still co-hosting one that ends on Sunday (click here to enter if you haven't already)!
Instead, I am pleased to announce the winner of the Lovely Clusters giveaway. In case you forgot, Bead Up was in the running to be announces a user favorite Blog or Etsy shop. Thanks to all of you who voted, I came in 3rd for Favorite Jewelry Shop (only losing by 2 votes - dag nabbit)! After numbering your entries and using the Random Number Generator, I am pleased to announce that the winner is my buddy John (who actually blogged about our recent doggie adoption on his own doggie blog)! John asked that I either raffle or donate the necklace's price to Used Pets, the organization in which I found my new doggie. I love this idea, and am going to put alot of thought into how best to raise funds for them through Bead Up'in!
Lastly, I finished a custom wedding set of jewelry for a friend of mine here in LA. Adrienne asked if I could make her some statement necklaces to match her brown and sage colored themed wedding, and if she could provide the beads herself? Not only do I LOVE making statement necklaces, but I really love when the client provides some of the materials - it makes the process that much more reflective of their own style! I recommended some of my favorite locations in LA's jewelry district to Adrienne, and a week later she presented to me some really cool looking wooden disc beads and some round sage gemstone beads. After showing her some ways that I could string and arrange the beads, we agreed on using brass colored findings for the 2 bridesmaids's necklaces, one junior bridesmaid's necklace, and a flower girl bracelet (which Adrienne requested be made with crystals).
I even had enough beads remaining to make a necklace for Adrienne, too! I hope she likes them!
The other main ::umph:: reason to get back on the ball was because Bead Up got alot of online visits yesterday! My dear friend Nilsa wrote the most lovely blog entry on the necklace I made for her a few weeks ago. Not only did she say some flattering things about Bead Up, but she and I also collaborated for a GREAT GIVEAWAY, featuring the following products!
Also - anyone who mentions Nilsa's blog during checkout when buying a product from Bead Up will get FREE SHIPPING! It doesn't get any better than that, lovelies! Click here to enter the giveaway now :)
Along with this simple and fun Strawberry Necklace...
Or this Butterfly Necklace as well, but.........
The one I instantly fell in love with was the Wishbone Necklace!!!!
It is so simple and I really love it!! I was able to review the Wishbone Necklace and I couldn't be happier. I wore it with a nice brown sweater and skirt to church on Sunday and it laid perfectly for all to see. I had a couple ladies ask where I got it--they had never seen one like it!! I would recommend it with a v-neck, lower-neck line blouse or dress, or a turtle neck higher neck line. The chain is shorter and I think it would look best with these types of clothes.
Now for the fun part, Christyn is generously offering one of you the WISHBONE NECKLACE that I was able to review!!"
You heard it, chickas. I figured that you could use another way to enter to win this darling little necklace. Not that I am a new dog owner and am getting into the habit of feeding treats to those whom I love to make up for my absence. It's not like that at all...!
Speaking of which, have you had the chance to enter my other 2 giveaways?
This has been a week of adoptions. On Friday afternoon I was watching The Bonnie Hunt Show while at work (as part of my work, actually!) and was hit by cupid's arrow when I saw a dog on the episode they were showing for adoption. The beagle terrier mix's name was Annie, and she was all I could think about for the rest of the day (give the video a few minutes before a stage assistant brought "Annie" out to Bonnie).
I rushed home after work to tell my husband that I would do whatever it took to get that puppy - I needed her and wasn't going to sleep until she belonged to me (I am quite the stubborn type!). Long story short, my hubs agreed to skip his Super Bowl party and join me in adopting our little orphan Annie on Sunday afternoon in Santa Monica. Since then, we have also fostered her son, Bob, for the week to help Annie (whom we have re-named Ping, which means peace in Chinese) readjust to our home. Isn't she the CUTEST thing you have ever seen? Bob is handsome as ever and looks like a mini-German Shepherd (Bob is still up for adoption, so holler if you are in the LA area and interested in this VERY well behaved puppy!).
This is not going to be our last adoption. In fact, the hubs and I have been talking about adopting a Chinese baby since before we were married. I have had a huge heart for Chinese adoption since before I ever even went to China or stepped foot in a Chinese class, and thankfully the hubs is on board with me. A few months back I somehow stumbled upon Desiree's blog about her journey to adopt her 3rd Chinese baby! What an inspiration! 
After some correspondence, Desiree asked if Bead Up could donate some items for her upcoming online raffle where she hopes to raise funds that will go toward the administrative costs of her newest Chinese addition! Of course!
So... head on over to Desiree's blog to buy a few raffle tickets for yourself -- prizes include Bead Up items (like this Whooo's Pink necklace!), a blog-over, gift certificates, children's clothes, and an xBox with DJ HERO!! Raffle ends on the 21st!
Last fall I blogged about how much I heart a sweet website called "Lovely Clusters," a charming interactive website where you can search for inspiring artistic items by color or theme. They featured a few of my items and I have since been a bit smitten over the site. Well this month they are hosting "The Lovelies" awards, a chance for people to submit their votes for their favorite blog/shop combination. And if that wasn't cool enough, they are giving away three dozen prizes for the winners :) 
Now here is where you come in. Bead Up has offered an item for the winner -- can you spot it? Since we all don't have shops, I am going to give away an additional wishbone necklace (in either silver or brass, winners choice!) based on those of you who vote for Bead Up's Etsy shop and blog!
To enter, visit The Lovelies nomination site and post a comment on the Bead Up entries (click here and here to enter!) to nominate Bead Up for the Lovelies award. I will choose a winner from the entries on The Lovelies website at the end of the month! Thanks for participating and supporting Bead Up!
