Saturday, January 29, 2011

Week One: Suzanne Cooper

With the snow storms on the East Coast, it is probably best that our box is on its way from Anthony in southern New Mexico to Santa Fe, only a few hours' drive north. Our first beader for Round Two is
Suzanne Cooper!  
 (Beginning with Round Two, we have decided to share each beader's application for 
The Best Little Bead Box as her introduction to you.)


Occupation (either bead-related or non-bead related)
Bead books/e-books designer, publisher

Website:

Blog:

Facebook Fan Page:

How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker?
30 years

Why do you want to participate in the Best Little Bead Box project?
It's nice to have beads chosen by other people. I often get in a rut buying the same colors etc.

Have beads changed your life? How?

I was a happy stained glass artist/designer/publisher until I met beads. I quit doing glass work, jewelry fabrication, painting and other types of art. I've met a whole world of new cyber friends some of whom have become best friends in the real world.

Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker?

Advanced in some areas, intermediate in others and a total failure in bead crochet!

How did you get started working with beads?
I wanted to make an amulet purse using the cover of one of my stained glass books. I just wanted to make one.... just one.... I was hooked and the rest is history!

If you were a bead, what kind would you be? Why?
A Swarovski crystal bi-cone. I'm a glitter queen so this fits me.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of bead with you, what would it be and why?

Delicas. I can make jewelry with them as well as 3-D objects.

What is the best advice you've ever received from a bead artist, teacher or beading friend?
Sandi Graves introducted me to Silimide. I couldn't deal with the way Nymo stretches. That advice changed my beading life!

What was the best beady gift that you have ever received?
Years ago a beader sent me a pair of earrings made with tiny, tiny beads. The pattern was intriquite and the earrings are beautiful.

What was the best beady gift that you ever gave to someone else?
Another beader kept admiting a necklace I was wearing so I removed it and gave it to her. I made her cry. Is there any better thanks?

Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they?
None.

What three words would best describe your current bead stash?
Large and loved!

Please include a photograph of your very best piece of beadwork, if you have one available.
Jake the Snake is my very favorite for many reasons. Jake forced me to think outside the box. I never wear the necklace without people stopping me to admire it.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Round Two!!!

It seems oddly appropriate (perhaps even fulfilling for Jennifer and me) that our box for Round Two of the project starts on its 3-month journey the same week the first two lots from Round One have gone up on eBay.

Box Two and its chaperon/mascot - Courage Tiger from Beads of Courage - took a trip to the United States Post Office in El Paso, Texas, this morning. We won't reveal their first destination until tomorrow, however.


Today is our chance to show you what treasures we were able to fill our box with, thanks to our wonderful donors. A picture says a thousand words, so rather than give you a long narrative, here we go:







 
 
 

 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 


 
 
 


 
 


Fully packed, the large USPS Priority Mail box weighed in at 10.6 pounds. I wonder how much it will weigh when it returns to Anthony, New Mexico, in April....

I want to point out that we already have a good starting point for Round Three.  Our wonderful donors sent more than we could possibly fit into one box, so we held some treasures back.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

We Goofed.

In response to the interest we've had from international bidders on the first two lots up for grabs in the eBay auctions, we contacted eBay customer service to find out if we could change these first two lots to allow international bidders and give costs for international shipping.

Unfortunately, because we already had bids on our auctions (and they have both met the reserve, which totally ROCKS!) we can't go back and change the listings to allow international bidders and show international shipping options.  We were told that we could end the auctions early and start them over in order to allow international bids, but we didn't feel that this was fair to the folks who have already and so generously placed their bids.

To our overseas friends who wanted to bid on these two lots, we are so, so sorry for any confusion and frustration surrounding your attempts to bid.  All we can say is that we are still learning as we go, and we apologize for any confusion or frustration.  We will be allowing international bidding and shipping on the remaining 8 lots from this first round of The Best Little Bead Box.

The remaining 8 lots are just as packed with goodies and beady treasures as these first two, so we hope this doesn't discourage our overseas friends from bidding on them!

The next two lots will go live at 9 p.m. PST, 12:00 a.m. midnight EST, on Wednesday, February 2.  We'll have some photos of those two lots in the coming week, as well.

Thank you so much to everyone who has shown an interest on bidding on these lots!  We couldn't have done this without you!

Lot Two Photographs

Here's a detailed look at all the wonderful beady goodness that constitutes the second lot to go up for auction. Enjoy!  And BID!