New Opportunities, Oh! Yeah

Hi Folks, Today Comes the Good News
A while back I told you about a new opportunity, that I had been offered, Well I was excepted for it.
Our local Business Centre, here in Ballymena, opened an Art & Crafts Business Centre in Church Street. Myself and 29 other Crafters of all kinds, were picked to breathe life and hand made items into this project. So, as I started out in business, I used to make hand made items, till the Bead Shop, became a reality.
So know I can get back into this and get back into making my stuff again. This is an exciting challenge for me, as well as the jewellery, I will be making. I am also producing Beading kits for all ages, as well I will be able to do a bit of teaching on a one to one basis.
We open the Doors, hopefully ( if my Shelving is finished and delivered in time) on the 1st November at 9.00. There is so much talent and beautiful handcrafted items, it will be prefect for Christmas Presents, everything from Handcrafted Silver Mementoes to handmade Cushions, Paintings of all different styles & techniques, beautiful crafted pictures, earthenware, ceramics and the list goes on ( Oh and Me!).
EXCITED I am..
Frantically, decided what to take with me and making Kits as well.
So I'm off  again to the Shop to make more up
Have a Great Day and Sorry about yesterday's rant :)

Christmas Shop Has Opened

After Slow Internet, Bad connections, Website problems, Poor pictures for my items. I eventually got my Christmas Shop Opened at last.
I try so hard to do everything I can and all these things are just there to try and stop me
So I have 12 beautiful Enamel Christmas Charms, some in 4's but most in 5's.
All are £1.80 per pack
Here is some of them

 

Check out all the other Items

 

Small Business's and the struggle We have.

As you all know every small business, these days struggle at least sometime during the year. The Struggle isn't helped much by those who keeping moving the Goal posts, on a regular basis.
eBay and our Good friends, Facebook, don't help much, after promising a good time, then go and start making conditions.
Ok , some things might help us, bring in more business, but the time it consumes is greater, something small business's do not have.
eBay and their 101 changes, so that we sell more, if anyone has sat and tried to fix these ,what they want, is almost an impossible task. Ok my picture is this size and I have at least 3, Why?..... A week later they tell me to change them, or why do I want to add some word into my title, so as to sell more, when it tell everybody else to do the same. Oh and I forgot, they then charge us for wasting my precious time. I have things to do, eBay, I have customers to serve, I have website and Social media to update, I have parcels to make up and post.
Now Facebook is getting as bad. They are now talking about doing away with the Friend option and just making us like each other, Fine, but then this came along.

" FACEBOOK has recently changed its rules for Business Pages
A person has to be 'active' on your page a minimum of 3 times within any calendar month period.This means a 'like' of a picture, a comment or a full post on the wall.
If a person is not active on your page, as listed above, after a month of no activity, their 'like' will be removed from your page, as FB has decided they are not interested... in your page! So, if you are a fan of any pages, do make sure you are regularly active. Even just one quick post a week will ensure that the page will remain in your timeline..
It's also been found that the more Likes or Comments any one post receives, the more people that see it in their News feed.
So if you see a post or photo from any Business page you are a fan of make sure you like it, or even comment on it.
Help keep small Businesses running"

Oh and don't forget you have to save everybody you like or you don't get their posts as well as that, you may have 10,000 likes, but only 4 people are seeing it..AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

I'm not even angry or annoyed.

Ok in Theory, this is fine, but , what happens if you have 500 likes, this means within a month, you have to take time to make 1500 entries on Facebook. Where am I going to find the time to do all this, especially when I get a big delivery in, or when I have to make jewellery, teach, keep my books and all the other things I have to do. Oh! and I have to work Part Time on top of that to keep a roof over my head.

Again Ok, they are only looking after us.....or are they.

Ok Rant Over

I hope everybody is having a good day

Oh and there is Amazon, Twitter & Etsy to keep going as well :)

So from all here at Wicked Princess Beads

Bye for now.

Good news coming soon

Last date for Halloween Items

 

Last date for Halloween Items

Monday 27th of October at 3.00 p.m.will be the last Posting date for Halloween Items

Still Available are the Wicked Princess Ghoul Mix, plus there are still Ghosts, Pumpkins & Witches.

Plus the Antique Silver Halloween Pendants are in stock

So Don't Disappoint, Order  Soon

 

 

 

Check out our Enamel Christmas Charms on eBay

 

 

Christmas Shop

Hi Folks, Due to a problem with my Internet , My Christmas Shop, on my website, will be opening next week. Sorry.

 

Remember Folks, that your local Crafter's put loads of Hours & Love in at this time of year preparing their creations in hope, that you will buy from them, rather than the Big Chain Stores.

 

Support your local crafters, this year and make their creations, the best present you have ever given.

 

 

 

#visityourlocalbeadstore

 

 

Earlier in the Week ..............Good News

                 Earlier in the week , I posted a Blog, entitled New Opportunities.

 

                       Well this morning, I received a call, from Jenine McIlroy, to tell me that I had been one of the people picked to be part of their new Ballymena Business Centre Flagship Store in the centre of Ballymena.

I am pleased that now, I can exhibit, showcase & sell my products and jewellery.

      This means a lot to me, as I have worked hard to even get where, I am now and has give me a boost and bring my business to a lot more people, who craft in the local area, as well as in Northern Ireland

    

Will keep you posted on an opening date, next week.

 

 

 

 

Folks, Don't Forget October is Visit Your Local Bead Shop

:)

 

 

 

 

 

        

Saw This, Went What a Good Idea

Loom Bands,

Love them or Hate them,

They got everywhere, kids went crazy for them,

I was prompt to learn how to do them by my 5 years old, Niece Layla,

Actually it was more like a challenge, she laid down.

But anyway, they were everywhere.

So as they are beginning to slow down, now what do we do with, what is left.

Well here is a use for the Loom, This is why I thought, What a Good Idea!!!!!

Check out to make a Scarf, using Wool, using The Loom Band Loom

http://youtu.be/dNMBEI9p_-E

#visityourlocalbeadshop,

Opening from the 5th of October

As from the 5th of October, We are opening our Christmas Shop, Here in Galgorm and Our Website

www,wickedprincessbeads.co.uk

 

 

Come and choose from our range of Christmas Charms, Beads & Findings

 

Choose from our vast range of Glass Pearls

 

 

Or from our Selection of Gemstones

Pick from our different colours of Chain, Cord or Wire

We also stock Bead Smith Products, as well as other Tools

Also A Large stock of Acrylic & Resin Beads




Don't Forget you get 10% off, when you visit us, here in Galgorm

Remember October is Visit your Local Bead Shop Month

#visityourlocalbeadshop, #wickedprincessbeads, #beautifulbeadsgalgorm, #beadssupplierni ,#jewellerysuppliesni, #beadsandfindingsgalgorm, #jewellerysuppliesantrim, #fabulousfbpages

Did you know ...................

Did You know that October is Visit Your Bead Shop Month.

 

Well You do now.

 

So why not come , call and see our Selection of Beautiful Beads, Charms & Findings.

 

We are open just 3 days each week, as I have committed myself to help a friend in a New restaurant

 

Monday  10.00 a. m . - 8.30 p.m

Tuesday 1.00 - 8.30 p.m

Wednesday 10.00 - 8.30 p.m

 

Give me a Call before hand, just in case I have had to go out, it happens.

These are the days that I also teach basic Jewellery Making Classes

and I may have had to go on one of those.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out my Facebook Page for any Changes, as I will be posting them there

#wickedprincessbeads, #beautifulbeadsgalgorm, #beadssupplierni,#jewellerysuppliesni,  #beadsandfindingsgalgorm, #jewellerysuppliesantrim,#fabulousfbpages, #visityourlocalbeadshop,

New Opportunities

New Opportunities
                    Last Week I received an email from my local Business Centre , just across the way. It was about a new opportunity , a new idea for our local town and it was backed by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Ballymena Business Centre, Creative Industries Innovation Fund  and the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure and I had been sent this, because I had done my first years business, with the help & guidance of the Ballymena Business Centre, who have also kept in touch with free courses and other help since.

This is part of the email, so as I fit the criteria , I have applied, now it is all down to the waiting and to see, if I am one of the lucky 20,
      After I had handed my forms & pictures in, which are below. I headed into town to see the New Shop, that is situated in the Town Centre

So here's hoping, Fingers crossed, Etc, Etc,
Keep you posted on how I get on.

My Arts & Craft Business

Ballymena Business Centre 

Do you produce and sell your own arts & crafts?  Would you benefit from free town centre retail space in Ballymena and a programme of support to help you grow your arts and craft business? 

My Arts & Craft Business is a Ballymena Business Centre Programme supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

 Applications are open to any person from Ballymena and Neighboring Council Areas.  Twenty   participants will be selected to benefit from this opportunity.

My Arts & Craft Business participants will benefit from the following:

  5 month free Retail Space in Ballymena Town Centre to exhibit, showcase and sell products

  Business Mapping to position your business within the Causeway Coast and Glens footprint

  Ready 4 Retail Interactive Workshops to maximize town centre trading, merchandising and retail opportunities

  Creative Cluster Mornings to share experiences and learn from craft and retail experts

  Promotion of products tourism venues, galleries, hotels, retail outlets and craft organizations

  To be part of a new and vibrant town centre project within Ballymena 

My Arts & Craft Business application criteria will focus on the following aspects…...

   Age 18 and over

   Resident in Ballymena or Neighboring Council Areas

   Self Employed Creator of quality arts and craft products

   A desire to grow your arts and craft business

Now Tell Me You Wouldn't Like This for Christmas

Was Checking my Mail, when on my LinkedIn  mail I saw this "amazing storage" post, so I checked it out.
http://www.theoriginalscrapbox.com/the-workbox.

So I decided to have a look.
Oh I Want was my very first words, but alas the price was just too much, but I can but dream

Middle Cabinet

Small Cabinet

Large Cabinet

Now do you understand why I said " I Want "

What made it worse for me was I decided to read a few of the reviews,

I was so jealous, when I read one in particular

" I got this as a surprise gift and I love it"

AAHHHHH!!! Of course you would love it

Check it out, just in case your partner , is handy or rich and hint about one of these as a surprise present

;)

Check them out at

http://www.theoriginalscrapbox.com/the-workbox.html 

Dream the Dream

Dishfunctional Designs: A Beginner's Guide To Beads For Jewelry Making

Dishfunctional Designs: A Beginner's Guide To Beads For Jewelry Making: 

If you are new to beading and  jewelry making, 

you will soon discover that there are an enormous variety of beads available for use in...

Knitted Wire Designs

Now that all the colours of Knitted Wire are available from my Website & Store. Here are some of the  Knitted Wire designs to let you see how versatile, this product is

Here are some of the designs

Now available Knitted Wire in 21 Colours, Rangeing from Warm Gold to Ice Blue, Vivid Red to Emerald Green

1 foot for only £1.00

Discovery..... The Art of Finding Ideas for Nothing

Hi Peeps,
A while back I told you about some free eBooks, well guess what i have found the most amazing website, so far, well up till now.
This website has more free eBooks, A beginners Project section, Collections of Ideas, A Giveaway section and it covers everything from Clay work to Wire Work.
I have only been able to go through a little of it, so far, but this is a definite gem
Here is the Link to the Website of All Free Jewelry Making
http://www.allfreejewelrymaking.com

Enjoy it , I will.

So now that Halloween , is approaching, I actually got round to adding the Halloween pendents to the website
They cost 35p each, also there are Halloween themed Charms as well, starting from £1.00 for 10, Witches, Ghosts & Pumpkins to choose from, Also We do a mixture of Each of the Pendants & Charms.

 There are also Silver & Acrylic skulls as well
Browse  & see if anything tickles your fancy.

Opening Hours

Opening Hours

Due to Myself, having to commit to help my friend for a few months, in the opening and running of a new restaurant .

I have changed my opening hours

Monday   10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Tuesday  1.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

Wednesday 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Or if you wish you can make an arrangement

to visit after 9.30 any of the other evenings.

New Acrylic Beads

Did You Miss Me..... Blogging and how it impacts on your business

Hi Folks, Have been a very Busy Bee, since I last Blogged.

 After having 5 deliveries in 4 weeks and having to help my Friend Gary, with the opening of a new restaurant, as well as trying to keep my business running, Blogging, came in last.

 But, also I discovered something else, that I didn't expect, but was interesting anyway and a lesson learned .

Since, I stopped Blogging, because I usually was working 4, 13 hour days and by the time I got home, it was late and I was exhausted and stressed and needed a little time to unwind, before bed.

A pattern started to emerge, which I found interesting. Simply, since I stopped blogging, that my Internet sales from both eBay & my Website, went way, way down, as well as my Facebook page took less hits & likes. As well as that, my customer footfall, fell as well. 

Now after reading the above , you might think, that it negative, but I would disagree, because it has shown me that even though I blogged, I had no idea, how it actually did impact on my business and how it helped me reach more customers, that I never knew that I could. 

Also, when I lasted blogged, 2 of my newest customer, one who arrived at 10.45 p.m. to get Stringing Elastic, for her daughter, rang me because they had seen my Blog. ( As long as I'm waken, I'm Open.....) 

So I have learned my lesson and believe me, so should you.

New In :-

            

20mm Indonesian Clay Beads

21 mm Purple & White Wax Cord Wooden Beads

Oval Malachite Green & Black Glass Beads 20 x 13mm

12mm Neon Two Coloured  Round Acrylic Beads

Craft Knife Set

All of these will be available as from 16 / 9 / 2014

Also available are Halloween Charms & Pendants from as little as 35p

More to Come Soon

Launching Christmas Charms

3 Day 20% Discount days,

Each Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

from 22nd September

for 2 weeks.

Instore Only