Back in September, Joey and I applied to be featured artisans at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea. It's a state-run center, but you must be juried in to be featured there. Well, several other KY Etsy team members are featured there, and while there was plenty of jewelry on display, beadweaving was not a feature. So, it was with hope that we filled out the request for an application, and when the application came, we carefully considered the items and photos to submit.
When filling out the application, one of the first questions that it asks is if you are a member of three guilds in the state. "Uh oh," I thought. "We're not a member of these guilds. Will we get a fair consideration?"
As it turns out, probably not, and more on that in a second.
On Saturday, we attended the funeral of a 20-year-old girl who died of a rare sarcoma that started in her hip and by the time it was diagnosed had spread to her lungs. She battled this cancer for over two years in the face of doctors who were ready to give up hope not long after her first diagnosis. She was a brave, sweet girl whose parents loved her very much. Her funeral was heartbreaking.
When we'd gotten back from the funeral, Joey opened our mailbox to find the photo CD mailed back to us from the Kentucky Artisan Center. Tucked inside the CD mailer was a letter from the director of the Artisan Center that basically said "Thanks, but no thanks" and made reference to the fact that members of the three guilds are given more consideration in the jury process than people like Joey and I would be as non-guild members. We were advised to take part in another state program for artisans.
My first reaction was not the most mature, I'll admit. I was tired, and emotionally worn out from the funeral we'd just been to. So, I sat down and had a little cry (I didn't dare cry in the funeral, in case I didn't stop), and told some close friends about it, who immediately started cheering me up, including a new ad campaign for Whimsy Beading that states "Buy Kelly's Jewelry. It's Magic and Sh*t," which just makes me laugh. Then I had a nap.
When I woke up, I decided that that Artisan Center's rejection of our work and their preference for guild members was a letdown, but that it wouldn't stop me from creating items that I want to create, my way. I also decided that it was a good time to actually sit down and think hard about what Joey and I want to do with Whimsy Beading and where we want to go from here. For now, though, I think I'll just keep making pretty, sparkly things that are magic and sh*t. It's good enough for me.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Last day of the Whimsy Beading Christmas Pre-Sale
Today is the last day of the Whimsy Beading Christmas pre-sale! The 30% off OCTXMAS coupon will be turned off tonight at midnight.
Head over to the Whimsy Beading Etsy shop for handmade, jewelry made just for you and your gift list!
Head over to the Whimsy Beading Etsy shop for handmade, jewelry made just for you and your gift list!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Whimsy Beading Christmas in October Pre-Sale!
It's time for our first ever Christmas Pre-Sale!
What: Snag your favorite Whimsy Beading items or have a custom item created for you at 30% off during our Christmas season pre-sale! Use couponOCTXMAS for 30% off, with delivery promised in time for Christmas!*
You can even layaway items using the discount!** (Please convo us for a layaway order, so it can be set up for you. You must review and agree to the layaway agreement terms by convo before it can proceed.)
When: Starts Midnight on Saturday, October 15 and ends at Midnight Thursday, October 20.
Where: Whimsy Beading on Etsy
Why: …um because? Also, Christmas is stressful enough. Be rewarded for shopping early and get your beaded goodies in plenty of time for gift giving!
The Fine Print:
*This coupon is for a pre-sale event ONLY. In using the coupon you accept and understand that you are placing an order for Christmas delivery. You may receive your order prior to the stated shipping time of December 10 to December 15, but your promised delivery date is between December 10 to December 15, 2011.
**Layaway terms apply, including eligible order minimums and payment terms. Please review the terms here: Whimsy Beading Layaway Terms
***Wear the Lilac items will not be available during the Christmas Pre-Sale.
What: Snag your favorite Whimsy Beading items or have a custom item created for you at 30% off during our Christmas season pre-sale! Use coupon
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Hair Product Breakup
Hello, Redken Guts 10. Won't you come in? Sit down? Would you like a cup of coffee? Maybe some tea? A macaroon?
Why am I being so formal, you ask? You've say you've lived in this house for four years, and know me better than this. Well, yes, you have, and you do. I can still remember the first day we met. My hairdresser put you in my hands and told me that you were the product I was waiting for to help with my finely textured but very thick hair. She said you would treat me right, and we went home together to the start of a new relationship. We've had some good times together, shared a laugh and a hair-dryer induced power failure or two. I would sometimes break things off with you to go out with some older products, such as fiber putty, wax pomade and cream gel, but I'd always come back to you in the end. Sometimes, we'd even get a little wild and ask the other products to join us in our morning ritual for a little extra bit of folicular spice on those mornings when the same old, same old wasn't doing it for either of us. Crazy days, Guts 10. Crazy days indeed.
But all good things have to come to an end, you see. And our good thing came to an end a long time ago, I just didn't want to admit it to myself. After all, you're Guts 10! A spray mousse volumizer that has all the great qualities of a mousse (volume) in the ease of a point-and-spray applicator! How could I not fall in love with you? Oh, you still do great things if my hair is freshly washed, but come the second day, when I've cleansed my hair with a cleansing conditioner (all to protect my BFF, Punky Colours), well, you would just drag me down, no matter how gentle I was with your spray applicator, then you'd leave my hair sticky. Let me tell you, Guts 10, no girl anywhere wants to be left sticky at the end of an encounter.
So this weekend, while you were blissfully unaware, luxuriating in your place of honor in the bathroom cabinet, sure of your place in the world and in my heart, I cheated on you. Yes! I cheated. I couldn't help it. I was drawn by the sleek, hot pink packaging, the whispered sweet nothings of strawberry scent and the promise that this time, it would be different. My fine, thick hair would have volume and look fantastic, without all the weighty baggage. As much as I wanted to remain true to you, Guts 10, well, I just couldn't. With a quick glance around to make sure no one I knew saw me do it, I dropped Tigi Superstar Queen for a Day Thickening Spray into my shopping basket and made my way to the checkout line for a weekend of hair volume bliss like I've never known before. My hair was soft, touchable, light as a feather, and full of amazing volume! Why, I hardly even had to do anything to make it work, not even that "hold your head upside down and blow dry" move that you liked so much and claimed made you work so much better. And second day hair? Why, the second day was even better than the first, and there's no way you can make that claim.
I'm sorry, Guts 10, but I think this time our breakup is going to have to be for good. I'm just not the same girl you knew back then. I've moved on and my hair has changed, while you have stayed the same. I just can't do this anymore with you. We had four good years together. Be sure to clean out your space on the shelf and put yourself in that box on the left.
Why am I being so formal, you ask? You've say you've lived in this house for four years, and know me better than this. Well, yes, you have, and you do. I can still remember the first day we met. My hairdresser put you in my hands and told me that you were the product I was waiting for to help with my finely textured but very thick hair. She said you would treat me right, and we went home together to the start of a new relationship. We've had some good times together, shared a laugh and a hair-dryer induced power failure or two. I would sometimes break things off with you to go out with some older products, such as fiber putty, wax pomade and cream gel, but I'd always come back to you in the end. Sometimes, we'd even get a little wild and ask the other products to join us in our morning ritual for a little extra bit of folicular spice on those mornings when the same old, same old wasn't doing it for either of us. Crazy days, Guts 10. Crazy days indeed.
But all good things have to come to an end, you see. And our good thing came to an end a long time ago, I just didn't want to admit it to myself. After all, you're Guts 10! A spray mousse volumizer that has all the great qualities of a mousse (volume) in the ease of a point-and-spray applicator! How could I not fall in love with you? Oh, you still do great things if my hair is freshly washed, but come the second day, when I've cleansed my hair with a cleansing conditioner (all to protect my BFF, Punky Colours), well, you would just drag me down, no matter how gentle I was with your spray applicator, then you'd leave my hair sticky. Let me tell you, Guts 10, no girl anywhere wants to be left sticky at the end of an encounter.
So this weekend, while you were blissfully unaware, luxuriating in your place of honor in the bathroom cabinet, sure of your place in the world and in my heart, I cheated on you. Yes! I cheated. I couldn't help it. I was drawn by the sleek, hot pink packaging, the whispered sweet nothings of strawberry scent and the promise that this time, it would be different. My fine, thick hair would have volume and look fantastic, without all the weighty baggage. As much as I wanted to remain true to you, Guts 10, well, I just couldn't. With a quick glance around to make sure no one I knew saw me do it, I dropped Tigi Superstar Queen for a Day Thickening Spray into my shopping basket and made my way to the checkout line for a weekend of hair volume bliss like I've never known before. My hair was soft, touchable, light as a feather, and full of amazing volume! Why, I hardly even had to do anything to make it work, not even that "hold your head upside down and blow dry" move that you liked so much and claimed made you work so much better. And second day hair? Why, the second day was even better than the first, and there's no way you can make that claim.
I'm sorry, Guts 10, but I think this time our breakup is going to have to be for good. I'm just not the same girl you knew back then. I've moved on and my hair has changed, while you have stayed the same. I just can't do this anymore with you. We had four good years together. Be sure to clean out your space on the shelf and put yourself in that box on the left.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Whimsy Beading Layaway Terms
I'm posting the shop layaway terms here for easy reference as we head into the holidays.
The layaway schedule is based on your total shop purchase amount, but does not include shipping costs. For example, if you have two items adding up to $45 in your cart and $5 shipping, it is not eligible for layaway.
$1 - $49.00 - layaway is not available.
$50 - $100 - maximum of two payments - 1/2 payment each time.
$101 - $500 - maximum of three payments - 40% due at initial payment, remainder split between payments 2 and 3.
$501 - ? - maximum of four payments - 40% due at initial payment, remainder split between payments 2-4.
Standard Layaway terms - At least one payment is due each month. If you do not make payment in a month without making arrangements by convo or email, your order will be canceled and your payments, less the initial down payment and appropriate Etsy and Paypal fees will be returned to you via Paypal. A reminder convo will be sent to you on the 15th of each month. You will also receive a statement showing your payments and remaining outstanding balance via email if you choose. You must "opt-in" for the statements, as it requires us to have your email address.
We retain the initial down payment to cover our outlay for the materials to create your order. Once you have placed a layaway order, we are committing our time and materials to you. We appreciate your understanding on this point.
For the holiday season 2011 - Payment in full required by December 3 and a shipping date of December 10 - December 15 to allow adequate shipping time for Christmas. If your final payment is not received by December 3 and you have not made payment arrangements by convo or email prior to that time, your order will be canceled. Please be aware that payments made after December 3 will set your order back in the queue. We will do everything possible to fill and ship your order in time for Christmas delivery, but cannot guarantee it. Your acceptance of a payment extension means that you also accept that your order may not arrive by December 25th.
The layaway schedule is based on your total shop purchase amount, but does not include shipping costs. For example, if you have two items adding up to $45 in your cart and $5 shipping, it is not eligible for layaway.
$1 - $49.00 - layaway is not available.
$50 - $100 - maximum of two payments - 1/2 payment each time.
$101 - $500 - maximum of three payments - 40% due at initial payment, remainder split between payments 2 and 3.
$501 - ? - maximum of four payments - 40% due at initial payment, remainder split between payments 2-4.
Standard Layaway terms - At least one payment is due each month. If you do not make payment in a month without making arrangements by convo or email, your order will be canceled and your payments, less the initial down payment and appropriate Etsy and Paypal fees will be returned to you via Paypal. A reminder convo will be sent to you on the 15th of each month. You will also receive a statement showing your payments and remaining outstanding balance via email if you choose. You must "opt-in" for the statements, as it requires us to have your email address.
We retain the initial down payment to cover our outlay for the materials to create your order. Once you have placed a layaway order, we are committing our time and materials to you. We appreciate your understanding on this point.
For the holiday season 2011 - Payment in full required by December 3 and a shipping date of December 10 - December 15 to allow adequate shipping time for Christmas. If your final payment is not received by December 3 and you have not made payment arrangements by convo or email prior to that time, your order will be canceled. Please be aware that payments made after December 3 will set your order back in the queue. We will do everything possible to fill and ship your order in time for Christmas delivery, but cannot guarantee it. Your acceptance of a payment extension means that you also accept that your order may not arrive by December 25th.
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