Glass Beads Daily + Holly Dare = AWESOME! Holly is My Guest Blogger Today! Thank you, Holly!

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   Glass Beads Daily
  by Holly Dare

  
  
       Glass Beads Daily is the culmination of several years of misadventures in blogging, studying SEO and selling beads! LOL!
  My background is in film production and advertising. But I loved crafting and have taught jewelry making during dry spells in my career. I found myself working for Carol Duvall,Queen of Crafts back when HGTV was good television. When I left that show, I started a business helping smaller craft companies with basic marketing. Making their websites function better always seemed to land in my lap.
      
       I got so good at that, I started freelancing for bigger companies. But I missed writing for television which led me to blogging. With the social media boom, I started taking classes or going to meetings just to learn more. I met people who actually make a living from blogging. And I tried a few of those...but knew that wasn't my ultimate goal. I just wanted to sell my beads!
      
  
       I was also one of the leaders of the Fire Divas (along with Lea Avroch and Theresa Ehlers) which was an off shoot of the original Lampwork Etc Etsy Street Team (LEST). That taught me so much about managing a group. There were a lot of rules and people would get upset because they were doing more than other people were. It was a lot of work but a great learning experience.
      
       I had set up the Fire Divas blog and realized that CONSTANT posting is a lot of what drives a blog. It's one of the reasons I post my own beads a bit differently than most artists I know. I prefer to list one or two beads a day (at different times) rather than ten all at once.
  But with all I had learned about search engine optimization (trying to get a good Google ranking) it suddenly hit me that no ONE bead maker is EVER going to get a high Google ranking. It's simply impossible for one person outdo some of those Chinese importers or "famous" bead makers. But a blog with consistent content using those good keywords over and over WOULD break that Google wall. We are four months old and we've made it to Page 2!
      
       A friend pointed out to me that I've essentially created another team of bead makers where I do the bulk of the work (creating the blog post and sharing widget we use every single day). But the artisans who share with us do have a job too! There is on one rule: if you have something glass bead related to share, please do so and then share the blog post on the social media venue of your choice. Without all their voices out there, we would have never made it this far!
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•      I ultimately knew I could help other bead makers and jewelry designers who were out there struggling. Others have told me that it is easier to promote someone else than to talk about yourself. My own best promotion has come from word of mouth. GBD gives us a venue to promote others and help ourselves too!

Well, I fell asleep and took a nap, then I realized, I hadn't written a blog post, so here it is, with a question....

(If you want to see my "eye" bead, click
HERE!)

That's not the question.  That's just a way to get you to look at my bead!!!  :)

My question is this:  When you see a bead or whatever as you peruse Etsy, Pinterest, Facebook, whatever site you use,
do you ever share or Pin that item?


I read somewhere, and I don't think I've ever done this, that if you want comments on your blog, ask for them.  If you want someone to Pin an item of yours, ask.  You get the idea.  The writer said, if you don't ask, it won't happen.  So, I guess I'll ask my question again and ask you to leave a comment on my blog about it.  

When you see a bead or whatever as you peruse Etsy, Pinterest, Facebook, whatever site you use,
do you ever share or Pin that item?

I'd really love to hear what you think. 

Oh, and, if you feel the urge, feel free to share any of my work.  
Also, feel free to Pin it on Pinterest.  Etsy makes it easy to pin work.  There's a button on the item page that says, "Pin it."


Here's the link to my Etsy store:  Rosebud101

Feel free to share and Pin away!!!  You can even share this blog!!!

So, Do Your Friends Read Your Blog?

I know we have made and maintain some wonderful friendships over the internet. 

I cherish these friendships!

However, we all have family friends whom we see frequently in person.

My question does not apply to our online friends and family.

I'm talking about our friends that we see and touch and are near physically and not separated by a monitor.

Do your Friends read your blog?

Mine don't.

One friend, when I suggested she read my blog, told me,

and she's retired,

"That would be one more thing to do."

Now, when it comes to my Christmas newsletter, if someone wants to read about our year, they have to read my blog.

That's the only time.

Trust me.

I'm not complaining about this, but I am curious.

Do your family and friends read your blog?

Please let me know.

This Blog Will Speak for Itself

I'm not crazy about forwards,

but when you get emails like these,

you just have to smile.

Smile!

Smile!

Smile!

Smile!

Babe, We've come a long, long way!

Bigger Smile!

My Favorite Blog - Totally Tutorials

The photo has nothing to do with the post,

but since I like to use photos  in every blog post,

I chose this one.

1) I like it.

2) If you need to know something about blog building,

you might be able to find it on 

Totally Tutorials.

The owner of the blog describes it as a

"directory of free tutorials."

I find it to be more than this.

I consider it to be an 

amazing resource.

Blog owners submit their free tutorials to 

Totally Tutorials.

If selected,

the tutorial will, at some point in time,

be featured on the blog.

Topics range from "Accessories" to "Recipes" to "Bogs" to "Wool" to "Writing."

All of the tutorials are FREE!

I love this amazing resource!

I use it frequently.

Have you found it or another similar blog?

Do tell.

I'd love to know more about your finds, too.

My Bead Soup Blog Partner - Cindy Dolezal

This gorgeous work of wearable art was made by my Bead Soup Blog Partner,
Cindy Dolezal.
Cindy is a ceramic bead maker and a jewelry designer.
Even though we are taking a tour of her Etsy store,
you can click here for her blog and here for the Etsy store if you want to rush ahead.
I wouldn't blame you if you did!
Here's the link to the orange disc.

(Click here for more information about the Bead Soup Party started by jewelry designer and lampwork bead maker, Lori Anderson, of Pretty Things!)

This pendant is called, "Kids under a tree Stick Figure Pendant."
You can find it by clicking here.
This rich, earthy pendant does remind me of the stick figures we have all drawn.
What a great way to remember our children or grandchildren on a daily basis.
You can truly wear these memories around your neck.

This is one of my favorite items in Cindy's store.
Leaf buttons!
Do you see what I mean?
Cindy has a great store!
Now, be sure you get over there before everything is sold out.
And stay tuned here.
Cindy and I will be trading beads very soon.
You'll hear more about everything then.

My Favorite Summer Accessory

I stumbled on some questions today that I thought would make interesting blogs. These questions all dealt with summer. Since summer has faded and we are in the heart of autumn now, I wondered: Would this work?
Sure, why not.

If you're thinking, "These were her favorite summer accessories?" You are so right. These shoes were my favorite summer shoes, except for my white sandals, but it's too cold to wear them now. These shoes took me places. We went on walks together. We went shopping together. We visited Jenny together. We went to the grocery store. We went to lunch with friends together.

Now, if you look closely, you can see the elastic ties are stretched out. I have socks on with them. You might even see the grass stains. I've started to wear these favorites when I rake the leaves and mow the lawn. Next year, I'm going to miss them, but right now, I can wear them to transition into winter. Their days are limited, but they've had a good life. They have been good friends. I can let them go.

Now, my question to you is: What was your favorite summer accessory? Why did you enjoy it so much?

Ten Things I Love

I was reading my favorite blogs the other day, and as I read Susan Lambert's blog, I decided this is a great idea! I'm changing it a bit. So, here are 10 things I love!

1) My children in no particular order.
2) Pixie Marie
3) Melting glass
4) Making beads
5) Pink
6) Wire work
7) Friends I've met - Friends I've never me
8) My Snuggie
9) My Lava Lamp
10) My new TV

Three Beautiful Things This Week

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Clare writes called Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.


1) Pixie continues to wake me up at 4 AM to tell me she loves me. I wake up to a cold nose on my face and lots and lots of dog kisses, until she sighs and goes back to sleep. Although I am not able to go back to sleep, I am happy to know that Pixie is happy and that she loves me!

2) I'm watching The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milan. There are dogs barking, and Pixie's ears perk up as she tries to find the other dogs. She's staring at the TV in total amazement as the dogs bark and growl!

3) This morning there's no new snow, but the air is saturated with moisture. A thick fog blankets the surface of the river and the city in which I live. The trees are frosted in a thick sugar coating. I'd like to stop and see the city that's covered with fog and frost, but the traffic demands that I only a glance at the magic of Mother Nature!

Three Beautiful Things For the Week

I have been following the Three Beautiful Things Blog for several months now. It's a wonderful blog of appreciation that is so full of visual imagery, I would not want to miss it. I've decided that in 2010, I will describe, on Friday, I hope, 3 beautiful things that happened to me during the week.

1. Pixie jumped up on the couch and stayed standing, looking at me. This is rare since she usually lays down immediately. She put her head down on the top of the couch letting me know she needed to have her ears rubbed now.

2. I took a wonderful nap! There were no dreams that I recall, only sweet and blissful sleep!

3. I had lunch with a friend. It's been a couple of weeks since we were able to get together. It was so good to chat with her again at our favorite local restaurant. We smiled and laughed through the soup and wonderful bread that is served there. I am amazed that we are able to solve so many problems in 45 minutes.

Blogger--Etsy Store--TwoZanyZebras

I belong to an Etsy street team called Etsy Bloggers, and each month, a different blogger is featured. This month, the featured blogger is TwoZanyZebras.

In her blogger profile, MamaZ states:

"I am a SAHM (stay at home mom) of two silly zany kids. They keep me busy and on the brink of insanity. I am trying to find a balance between kids, husband, self, housework, scrapbooking, sewing, and selling things on etsy. I love being with family, having fun, the outdoors, and being creative." You only need to read MamaZ's blog to enjoy her sense of humor and being.

Now, make a quick visit to her etsy store, and you find some absolutely wonderful and zany items for moms and toddlers. Here are a couple of my favorites.
Please meet:

AGUSTIN MARBLE ZARKLE.

He's a fabulous monster! I think I'd like him a lot!


















How about this? It's a cuddle blanket for your little one! Isn't it awesome? Make sure you visit TwoZanyZebras on etsy. It's truly a lot of fun.

I'm thinking of ways to Improve my blog

I'm really trying to improve my blog.
I want to find ways of drawing readers to my blog, but I'm not sure how I'm going to do it yet.


The title of my blog is
For the Love of Beads.

I suppose that I will still feature beads and people who make them.

That would be a good beginning.

I also want to diversify my blog and bring in new topics.
For example,
how about my daily life?
When I was little, I would dress up and carry balloons, dolls, dogs, cats, or whatever might be near. Lizards were the exception to that rule. I stayed away from lizards.
Should I blog about my childhood?
Well, maybe once in a while. I'd still rather talk about beads.
Then there are my ancestors.


















I only wish I knew who she was. That might be an interesting story. I just gave her photo away to the thrift store. They didn't know who she was either.
Of course, there is always, Spike. Now that's a real possibility. I might do more features on him. People seem to like stories of Spike.
The problem is that Spike always seems to be sleeping. Smart dog, he's covered up, too! I can't blame him, it's still cold as we begin the season of Spring.


















I've thought of telling stories of my everyday life, but I'm truly afraid that people would fall asleep. I've come to the conclusion that I am boring.
I've got to do something about that!
I've toyed with the idea of hooking up my web cam while I am sleeping.
Well, that's just stupid. Talk about boring. Besides, I snore.
So, I'm on a mission now. I want to improve my blog.
Any suggestions?
Let me know.
I'd really appreciate it!

Improving your blog

I was reading an article on ways to improve your blog.
There were many wonderful suggestions in the article.
One of them that stuck with me was to, on occasion, post a list of things.
The article emphasized that people like to read lists.
All right.
I want to improve my blog.
Here is my first list.
The title is:


MY FAVORITE


10,000 COLORS!

Now, get ready for this!
Are you ready to read!

Here goes!

A picture is often worth 10,000 words.

Thanks, Deb.

Back to Glass! We're Shopping Sueze's Store Today!

Transitions in Glass is owned and operated by Sueze a friend from Canada. Sueze is also a fantastic glass bead artist who has found many other outlets for her creativity, that is, until she found glass!
Sueze's love for melting and shaping glass is shown so clearly in her work! In addition to melting glass, Sueze also has a wonderful blog. On your way out the door to her shop, be sure to visit her blog. Sueze has a very interesting feature in her blog. It's called "The Tip of the Day." Check it out!


Now, here's a sample from Sueze's Etsy store. It's called Orange Sherbert. I don't know about you, but I'm headed for the freezer right now to look for some orange sherbert. Doesn't this bead set look delicious? Where is that sherbert? I'm hungry now!


















This focal can be found in Sueze's store. Isn't it beautiful? It's called Lost Feathers. Can't you just feel the softness of the edge of the feather? This organic bead has the touch and feel of Mother Earth.












Look at the organic qualities of this set. I see a sunset and I see silver swirled around the focal bead and that reminds me of the evening sky! This set is stunning! It's called "Sunset at Nanoose Bay." Awesome!

















I've saved my favorite bead for last! Wow! This organic focal is called: Dark Ivory, Purple, Pink and Green Lampwork Bead. Isn't it stunning? I think I just love to look at this bead. Fabulous work, Sueze! Thank you for letting us visit!

Shopping on Etsy! This time it's Patty Lakinsmith!

I love Patty Lakinsmith's work! She's a very busy artist! Not only does she have an Etsy store, she blogs, she manages her website, and she also has a Glass Artist Org showcase of her work. She's one busy lady!







I love this bead. It's a two holed pillow bead called Phata Psychedelic Pillow 2 holed Lampwork Bead. It is absolutely gorgeous! Look at Patty's use of a twistie and dots. Wow!

















Look at this stunning bracelet that Patty made. This is bracelet is in her Etsy shop. Absolutely gorgeous!













This bead is called Frosty Garden Lampwork Bead. I love it! It reminds me of summer when flowers are blooming.















When she has spare time, Patty is busy writing. This tutorial, The Big Fancy Bead Tutorial, has helped me so much. This is a well written tutorial, and for those people who are lentil challenenged like, it is a wonderful resource.

I hope you enjoyed your tour of Patty's Store. She's another fabulous Etsy Bead Artist.