Jewel Kade Blog Roll Blitz!!

Don't you just look at the picture and think--um, gorgeous!!  You are not alone.  Since becoming a Jewel Kade Stylist almost a year ago, I have had nothing but positive responses from friends, family, and even complete strangers!  Everyone has been so supportive and many times I get asked "What can I do to help your business?"  I am so overwhelmed, and even surprised by that question that I usually mumble something senseless like "well, er, I don't know, but you are so sweet!" but now I have a real answer to that question! 

PLEASE, ADD ME TO YOUR BLOG ROLL!!

Please, just do it.  It only takes a moment of your time, and it is just another way for me to get the word out to a broader audience.  And the warm fuzzies you'll get from "paying it forward" are priceless! 

Most people don't want to do something nowadays without getting something in return.  I get it.  And I am more than willing to GIVE!  So, when you add me to your blog roll, please, please, comment below so I can put your name in my giveaway.  Each person who comments will add one dollar to the pot, which starts at $10.  Doesn't sound like much?  Well, tell all your friends--it could add up quick! I am a generous gal, and I'd love to pay actual PEOPLE in jewelry for advertising, instead of spending my advertising budget on an ad in some newspaper or magazine.  When you tell your friends to add me to their blog roll (i.e. via facebook or your own personal blog), be sure they mention your name when they comment so you'll get another entry to win. 

So start spreading the JK love today! 

And I truly thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Starting Today: Weekly Jewel Kade Jewelry Giveaways!

OK, Folks, I know you're here.  I have a stats page that tells me everything.  Heh heh.  I know when you're here and where you came from.  And I know you love Jewel Kade!  (Seriously, resisting is futile!)
Ahem, moving on:  Shamelessly put, I need followers, I need fans, I need comments, I need YOU to fuel my JK fire!!  Although I enjoy blogging, a little feedback would make me  love it!!  So I'm going to sweeten the pot just a lil.  Starting, um, NOW, for *EVERY comment posted throughout the week, I will add $1 to the JK giveaway pot of the week, winner to be announced each Saturday (I can't tell you the time, since I do have a life outside of Jewel Kade, but you just gotta trust me, it will happen!).  That means the more participation, the better it is for everyone!  We really all can be winners!  So spread the word and tell your posse that here is where it's AT!!  I post every day except Sundays, so check back daily for updates!

Don't go away!!  Start now!

Tell me what you like, click on the "funny, interesting, cool" buttons (you will get a buzz for clicking them, I promise), and tell me what's on your mind!!!  Do it and add to the GIVEAWAY POT!

*Fine print: Only one entry per day per person, please!

Vintaj Fabulousness

Three really cool chicks.  I mean, the kind of chicks you'd just want to snatch up, carry around in your pocket and keep forever.  Those are the kind of women that are behind Vintaj natural brass beading components.  Sisters Wendy and Jeanne, along with their dear friend Jess, started the Vintaj company to bring innovative, vintage inspired beading items into the marketplace.  These hip mamas wanted to work for themselves, so they could have a flexible work environment and keep their focus on their children.  Plus, they figured that we would want all of this gorgeous stuff to play with.  They were right!

An instant favorite of beaders everywhere, Vintaj items have been repeatedly featured in every major beading magazine.  What's not to love?  Unlimited creative options, gorgeous hand rubbed patinas, pieces that work together in a variety of ways, "alternative" setting techniques (yes, a dragofly wing is a perfectly reasonable prong!) -- all created using an eco-friendly, lead free process that's healthy for both the earth and your children.  (Yes, they are going to put that in their mouth!) 

At Bead World, we are unabashed lovers of the entire Vintaj line, and we carry a lot of it in our stores.  Just look at the gorgeous things you can make with their unique pieces!  (Yes, I gush.)  We "borrowed" these great design ideas from the official Vintaj Co. website -- there are a million more where these came from.  Check out their blog, too.  It's always full of great ideas.  I want to hear all about how much you guys love this stuff.  Send me pics of your projects, and I'll add them to the blog!

Marketing with Technology

I am a crafter, not a tech person.  (Anyone who knows me well knows that I am NOT being modest here.)  That being said, in the interst of promoting our stores, communicating with our clients and sharing fun beading ideas, I've learned to embrace technology.  It has been a surprise to me how much the computer can help me in my various artsy pursuits.  Even more shocking has been my enjoyment of the process!  Three scant years ago, the Bead World web site was a one page blip with a couple of photos, and map and basic contact information.  The range of media we now use to spread our message is, in my opinion, pretty impressive.  More important, though, is that anyone could use the same systems to promote their own projects.  Everything we use is inexpensive, widely available and user friendly.  Here's a rundown of our growth:

• http://www.beadworldinc.com/ We completely redesigned the site in 2007, adding interactive maps, class schedules for all of our stores, detailed information about our inventory and lots of gorgeous photos.  We added even more in 2009, including free downloadable projects.  The addition of our web goddess, Brittany, to the executive team really made the continuing expansion of the web site a joy.
• Beading Your World  Bead World's monthly e-magaine was launched in 2007.  It features informative articles about gemstones, new materials, techniches, classes, events and a letter from our executive team.  We include a fun coupon inside every e-magaine, too!  As an e-magazine, it is emailed out to every client who has opted in by signing up on our web site.  We use http://www.constantcontact.com/ for this service, and I would recommend them to anyone.  Their program is inexpensive, easy to use and very professional.
• Email Coupon Program  Launched in early 2008, we piggy-backed this fun coupon program onto our e-magazine program, sending out emailed coupons to everyone on our opt-in list.  This has been a hugely successful program.  After all, who doesn't love getting discounts and advanced notice of sales?!
• http://www.facebook.com/ Did you know you can be a Fan of Bead World on Facebook?  In 2009, we built our company its own Facebook page.  We update our status to show info about sales, new products and beading trends.  We also have great discussions going on about dream materials, new store locations, busting "beader's block" and more.  It's a wonderful opportunity to interact directly with the people who love Bead World and want to help us make it even better!  Facebook is a no-brainer: it's easy, it's free and almost everyone you know is already using it!
• http://www.twitter.com/  Yep, we tweet, too!  We use Twitter to let our clients know when a new blog entry has been posted, when great coupons are in their email in box and all kinds of great updates. 
• Beading the Bead World Way  You're already reading our blog, so you clearly know all about it!  Launched in February, 2010, this is our newest foray into digital communication.  If you can't get enough of beading, or of Bead World, we'll keep you inspired with fabulous ideas!  We currently publish two posts per week.
• Desktop Publishing with Microsoft & Adobe:  We've really utilized our desktop publishing programs, using them to design and create class instruction hand-outs, jewelry kit packaging, our employee manual and lots of marketing materials for the stores.  More recently, we have published (in-house, of course) a series of six instructional books.  Doubtless, more are on the way.  Next on the horizon: publishing those books as ebooks on http://www.amazon.com/ so that everyone can enjoy learning to bead the Bead World way!

I know that, for a lot of crafters, jumping onto the computer can be a bit of a departure.  But there is no better way to share your message!  Customers and fans are not going to wander into your craft room -- you have to go find them.  Get out there and try it.  I promise, you'll love it!