List of all craft shows in Northeast Ohio

One of our alumni shared this link http://www.craftshowbook.com/.



I looked at the site and it's very straight forward. $10.00 seems like a reasonable price.



Thanks for sharing Jamie.

It's working!

I just heard from someone who took the class that she had a highly successful home party. In addition, she had done a fair earlier and was a bit discouraged. However, someone picked up her information and called to order a piece they saw.

Don't get discouraged. It will work.

"The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't." ~Henry Ward Beecher

Credit card processing

One of our Ready, Set, Sell alumni found credit card processing through First America. So far, she's happy with them.

I also came across a company that will put your company name, website, whatever on a temporary sticker to put on your car bumper.

The Ready, Set, Sell at Grand River Beads in Rocky River, OH was a huge success.

More to follow.

It's spring! Time for Spring cleaning.

Imagine how good you'll feel when you can find what you need.


So let's get started:



1. Clean out your workspace. Throw away anything that truly can't be
re purposed.

Organize your beads and supplies. Find a system that works and use it. You'll be delighted when you can easily find what you're looking for.

I organize by bead type - Swarovski, Preciousa, Czech glass, Lampwork, semi-precious, etc.

Dust your workspace if necessary.

2. Clean out your idea and inspiration file.

If you don't have one, start one.
This is the place to go to be inspired. Mine has fabric, paint swatches, landscapes and of course, fashion pictures. If you've had yours for a long time like I have, it's time to purge. Get rid of the old ideas to make room for newer, fresher ones.

3. Clean out your schedule. Schedule a time to bead. Put it on your calendar and keep the appointment, like any other.

With a little bit of attention to organization you'll be back on track filled with inspiration and creativity.

Feel free to post pictures of your beading work space.

Three Cups of Tea

Not sure how many of you have read the book Three Cups of Tea. The title comes from a Pakistani proverb: On the first cup you're a stranger, and on the second, a guest. By the third cup of tea, you are family.



I can't help but think of that proverb every time I am back in the store after an extended absence. Seeing all the familiar as well as new faces this weekend made me think about how lucky I am. Your initial visit was as a stranger, the second as a guest and by the third and subsequent visits you are now family.



My bead family has seen me through Rob's illness, his death, Eryn off to college and burying Nikki. I owe you all so much.



Even Helen, the co-owner was a stranger to me until she came to the shop. I can't even begin to imagine where the shop would be without her.



What a wonderful world this bead business is. Thank you all for allowing us to continue to exist. We haven't had to reduce hours, staff or inventory and that's because of you.

Credit card dilemma

Susan,
I signed up to do the 6 shows in Westerville on the 4th Friday evening of the month. I have done very few shows, so I am a bit nervous about set-up and processing. I have been looking into setting up a merchant services account, but it seems so expensive. I have only accepted cash or checks so far. I know I need to accept credit cards, but I would love to know what companies you ladies would recommend and do you use a terminal, dial pay or store and forward?? THere are many hidden costs.

Ready, Set, Sell

Welcome! As we mentioned in our seminar this will be our place to ask questions about your bead business. I've already received feedback regarding our seminar and will incorporate those changes into future presentations.

Already someone has offered the following helpful link:

http://www.development.ohio.gov/edd/1ststop/onestop/index.cfm


What has contributed to the success of the seminar to date is your participation. Hopefully, we will be hearing soon from our member who is applying to the Easton art show. We're all pulling for you and can't wait to hear about not only the outcome but the experience.


Let me know if you did not successfully receive follow up slides. Not to nag, but please respect the effort invested to make this seminar possible and please don't distribute the slides. Feel free to share the information you have learned with your friends.

Let the questions begin . . .

Kid's Corner - Home and Garden Show

For the 4th year, WWHO and the CW asked the Gahanna Bead Studio to host the kid's corner at the Home and Garden Show. We continue every year to be amazed by the creativity of these children as well as the number of adults that can't resist sitting down to bead.



The economy did not seem to impact the attendance numbers. We saw lots of people and even some customers.



The beautiful flowers are always a bonus to being there. Also a pleasant reminder that spring is coming soon.

Support Your local Bead Store

Welcome to Susan's Musings - a bead blog for all


I'm Susan Sherman and I own the Gahanna Bead Studio in Gahanna, Ohio. I believe our business is built on not only quality, variety and competitive prices but creativity and personalized attention. This blog is my way of encouraging a dialogue about our shop, the bead business, fashion trends, questions, techniques - anything your little heart feels like sharing.

I'm sitting at a Panera's in Lakeland, Florida. (My daughter, Eryn goes to college here). Directly across the parking lot from me is a very large bead store.

Unfortunately, their lease expires in June. They are not renewing it and are moving to an on-line store only. There is currently one bead store still open in Lakeland, FL. I think there were three in August when I was here. The remaining bead store, Yia Yia Beads (Eryn works there) moved from a larger location to a smaller one to cut expenses in an attempt to keep a retail presence. While they had no way of knowing they would be the only retail store in town eventually, they have lucked out(and hopefully will soon need that larger space).

BTW - even though I own a shop I always buy from other shops when I am in their area. I can safely say I have bought from every bead shop in Columbus, as well. Why??? Because I want to not only "talk the talk" but "walk the walk". How can I encourage friends of the GBS to support us and other local shops if I don't set an example?

I understand why shop owners might want to move to an online presence only - it's a heck of a lot cheaper and way less hassle. Except for the most important factor - beads are a tactile experience and bead artists are tactile and visual. Two things that are difficult to achieve on-line.

Don't get me wrong, there's definitely a place for online bead shopping. My point is - we need to support our local bead shops. Without them, we won't be able to see, feel, touch, caress, the beads.

Love to hear your comments. And remember -

BEADS . . . the legal addiction©
Susan