The OMG, I Couldn't Be Happier Purchase

Have you ever come across something while shopping, either online or in a store, and KNEW that if it was yours you'd be so very happy? That one special thing, whatever it was, that you look at, smile, and say "That would really brighten up my day!"

I had something like that. I came across it while "window shopping" on Etsy. I had been looking for a purse. And not just any purse. It had to be fun. It had to be big, but not too big. It had to have pockets. It had to have color and pizazz. I like pizazz. And it had to be something different. Something I hadn't seen before. Something new and unique. (Since entering the world of handmade selling, I have gotten the bug of liking "unique" more and more.)

And then, I discovered it. The elusive bag I had been hunting for. And I knew that oh, yes, this bag, this gorgeous, fun creation would one day be mine.

I love the polka dots. I love the brocade look. I love the hot pink. I love the denim.

When the day finally came that I could order it, I was walking on cloud 9! I actually got a little giddy and light headed I was so excited! And the day the purse came in the mail, I though I had died and gone to heaven. I darn near slept with it that night. But my hubby wouldn't let me. I had never found a purse so perfect for me. Look at the number of pockets inside!!! It's awesome! I can cart my wallet, my cell phone, my checkbook, all the little "necessities" of being a woman, and I'm not loaded down. I can even fit a small notebook in it! WHOO HOOO! And when I'm running out the door with the twins, I can shove their sippy cups in the there, too, and not have any problem what so ever!!!

Who made this wonder of wonders, this purse extraordinaire? None other than Andrea Baker of Andrea Baker Designs ! Her sense of color and style is so unique and fun, you just have to see it to believe it! The quality is AMAZING, as is her customer service. I HIGHLY recommend purchasing any of her products. You will NOT be disappointed.

As a matter of fact, I'm now trying to get together the money to get a couple of business card cozies from her, a consultant tote, and a couple of her custom designed aprons for when I do craft shows. Take a look around at her shop. She always had new goodies coming up!!!

Independence Day/Christmas in July Sale

Everything in my both of my stores is 20% off for the entire month of July!!!!

http://TheBeadedBranch.etsy.com

http://TheBeadedBranch.artfire.com

Here's a successful July for all of us!!

Scottsville Batteau Festival

For 24 years, there have been groups of people that have recreated a trip along the James River in central Virginia in boats called batteaux or bateaux. (There seems to be some debate if there is one "t" or two. )

What is a bateau?
From Wikipedia :A bateau is a shallow-draft, flat-bottomed boat which was used extensively across North America, especially in the colonial period and in the fur trade. It was traditionally pointed at both ends but came in a wide variety of sizes. The name derives from the French word, bateau, which is simply the word for boat and the plural, bateaux, follows the French, an unusual construction for an English plural. In the southern United States, the term is still used to refer to flat bottomed boats, including those elsewhere called jon boats.

In the 1800's, they were used to transport tobacco and other cargo along the James River, and today, there is a week long festival and batteau (bateau, or even batoe, take your pick!) race. The crews of the boats travel for seven days, and leave from Lynchburg traveling to Maiden's Landing in Richmond. It's a week long celebration of the rich history of the river, and the people who worked on it.

One of the stops along the river is a small town named Scottsville. It it is about midway through the trip, and the town hosts a wonderful craft show, complete with music, activities for kids, and yummy food. It is a delightful day, held in Canal Basin Square, a lovely park, dedicated to the history of Scottsville, and not surprisingly, batteaux.

This will be the second year that The Beaded Branch will be a vendor at the craft show. If you live nearby, and have a chance to come on down, please do. It's a great day/evening for the family.

Here is a link with more information on the batteau festival: http://batteau.org/
Here's a link for the town of Scottsville's participation: http://www.scottsville.org/index.php/site/news/

We hope to see you there!!!!

A Sassy Affair Shopping Extravaganza

Mark your Calendar and plan to attend:



A Sassy Affair Shopping Extravaganza

Sponsored by Sassy Sisters In Sales

June 27, 2009

11:00- 3:00 pm EST

Various vendors representing a variety of products. There is something for everyone. Games, Prizes, Special Deals, Exclusive Savings! Invite your friends - they won't want to miss this either! All of our guests will be entered for a chance to win fabulous prizes , but you must REGISTER !!!!!!!

Event will take place on Momchats.com. In the menu select Chat rooms, enter your name, no password needed. Once logged in you'll be in "the lounge". At the top of the box click on the arrow & choose the room assigned to a Sassy Affair. Sit back and enjoy the fair! Chime in with questions or comments anytime.

If you are a vendor and are interested in participating, go to Sassy Sister Events and submit a vendor form. This is a free event. Your only requirements are to submit a prize (see terms for more details ) and you must publicize the event on your blog or other social sites.

Here's the schedule so far!

You will have to visit the site, or come to the party to get full details of each special.

11:00 - 11:15 Meet & Greet

11:15-11:45 Inspiranza Designs with (Independent Consultant) Jennifer Stoll

11:45-12:15 Jean May Originals with (Business Owner/Creator) Jean May

12:15-12:45 Perfect Party By Cody with (Representative) Kattia Gordon

12:45-1:15 Satisfy Your Senses with (Business Owner/Creator) Mary Reid

1:15-1:45 Mommy's Sunshine Designs with (Business Owner/Creator) Christina Strickland

1:45-2:15 Handmade by Andrea Baker with (Business Owner/Creator) Andrea Baker

Special: Free Shipping All day during the event Saturday!! Must put sassyeventfreeshipping in the notes to seller.

2:15-2:45 The Beaded Branch with (Business Owner/Creator) Theresa Landow

2:45 - 3:00 Closing & Prizes

Come Join The Fun!

FREE RIDE ON ART FIRE!!!!

The FREERIDE is back at Artfire. Sign up 12 friends and you AND a friend of your choosing get a free account for life.

I'm also looking for a free ride.
Sign up under one of my friends links and as soon as they verify that you joined under them I will add your name to my list of friends to help. Also, let me know as soon as you have reached your Free Ride so that I can take your name off the list, so everyone gets a fair chance at it!!!


Register on ArtFire.com smiss00
Register on ArtFire.com Wooleycreek
Register on ArtFire.com Baciscreations
Register on ArtFire.com TheBeadedBranch
Register on ArtFire.com ElegancebyMode
Register on ArtFire.com Lovetostamp
Register on ArtFire.com LaDeDaCreations
Register on ArtFire.com WhimsybyMari
Register on ArtFire.com CreativeCoveJewelryDesigns
Register on ArtFire.com HuckleberryArts
Register on ArtFire.com ChelseaLynnDesigns
Register on ArtFire.com ShadeJewelry
Register on ArtFire.com BirdysKnits
Register on ArtFire.com LiberTeas
Register on ArtFire.com inkwear99
Register on ArtFire.com BeadbugJewelry
Register on ArtFire.com dreamweaversculpts
Register on ArtFire.com Wilmothfarms
Register on ArtFire.com LiciaBeads
Register on ArtFire.com soopajdelux
Register on ArtFire.com Blockheadradio
Register on ArtFire.com AllAboutTheBeads
Register on ArtFire.com handarbeitskram
Register on ArtFire.com DortheaKing
Register on ArtFire.com VintageRain
Register on ArtFire.com Curiosities808
Register on ArtFire.com jennuinecandles
Register on ArtFire.com DontKnowPub
Register on ArtFire.com LadyBands
Register on ArtFire.com TheBlueDaisy



Here are the benefits of becoming a verified user...

* US $12.00 Monthly For life!!!!
* No Fees for Sales
* Sell Unlimited Items
* Make Your Own Categories
* Full Community Interaction
* Up to 10 Pictures Per Product
* Prefered Placement in Searches
* Shop Banner
* Forums
* Custom
* Google Analytics
* Global Shipping Profiles
* Social Media Promotion Tool
* Social Media Resource Library
* Real Time Statistics
* Instant Flagging
* Categories Displayed Randomly(No Relisting Needed)
* Fast, Clear Checkout Process
* Fast, Accurate Filtered Site Search
* One Button Relist
* One Button Vacation
* Sales Mode
* Education/Training
* Green Impact
* View Prices in Any Currency
* Google Base (Autofeed Every Item)
* Kudos
* Guilds
* Artisan Councils
* Artisan Profile with Photo
* Market Hub
* Site Participation Rewards (Artifacts)
* Automated Markdown Manager
* Rapid Cart

SPECIAL THANKS TO AUNTIFRANNI FOR STARTING THIS BLOG!!!

New Selling Venue--ArtFire

Hi everyone!!!

Are you looking for a new place to sell your handcrafted items? Someplace that's inexpensive, fun and helpful? A place where you can actually customize your store so that it can match your logo, your banner, and your general color scheme? Look no further! ArtFire is the place for you!!!

With a wonderful verified account (for only $12.00 per month) you can upload up to 10 pictures of your products. Write out wonderfully long descriptions, submit directly to a bunch of different social networks. The list is endless for what ArtFire helps out with. They make promoting your products as easy as a click of a button. (Because most of the time, that's all you have to do!!!)

They also have a really cool gizmo called "rapid cart". You can put this on your blog, your website, where ever you can insert different widgets. People can buy your products directly from the rapid cart. No need to register on the ArtFire website first. How cool is that? No need to register to buy stuff? A lot of custotmers are going to like that!!! (You can see what my rapid cart looks like over on the right hand side!!!)

So, is this tempting to you? Are you ready to sign up for a fabulous studio of your very own?

Register on ArtFire.com

What's for Sale Saturday

Hi all! Teri here, once again. I've decided that on Saturdays I will start to take a little time and tell you about new products that have been added to The Beaded Branch, new selling venues, and whatever else is new the world of The Beaded Branch.

So, what's new this week. A lot actually. This week, we have done some serious branching out, as it were.

New products: We have added some of the cutest bags you have ever seen, and hope to be adding many more in the near future. We call these bags our "bug bags", but they have also been known as "cicada bags". They are perfect little bags for when you need to run to the store, but don't want to have to take your entire purse with you. Big enough to store keys, credit/debit cards, cell phone, drivers license, and some cash. Small enough to not encumber you. Just slip it over your wrist and go! We have them in a variety of colors and hope to add more in the near future.
















New venue: The Beaded Branch has also opened a store on ArtFire, which is another online selling venue. We will not have as much in our store to begin with, but hopefully, as we make more sales, we will be able to more pieces.

Between these two new additions we hope that we can make your shopping experience with us a little easier, and a little more pleasant, by offering you a wider variety of choices.


This isn't really a new venue, as I have talked about the Palmyra Country Store before, but now I have a new display up there, with all new jewelry.

Just to reiterate, the Palmyra Country Store is not only a fabulous place for local crafters to sell their wares, it's also a great place to buy bulk food. It's very family oriented, and they have wide aisles that the kids love running up and down. (Yes, that's my darling hubby, Tim, trying to wrangle our two kids.)