Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Holiday Ordering and Shipping Times at Risky Beads


Risky Beads has gotten very busy in the last month, and I'm getting a ton of emails/convos asking for information.  This blog post is at attempt to consolidate those answers in one place and make it easier for me to concentrate on completing orders. :)

Here are the FAQs:

When will my order ship?
As of December 8, 2010, hand stamped metal pieces are shipping out in about 7 business days from date of order (and payment.)  I ship domestic orders first class mail straight out of PayPal.  Orders are trackable that way.  You'll receive an email from PayPal when your order ships.

Can I upgrade to USPS Priority Shipping?
Yes, but you need to tell me before you order.  Upgrading to priority doesn't get your order out of my shop any faster; it just moves it faster once it's out.

How long does the mail take?
Typically, First Class mail takes 2-5 days; Priority takes 2-3.  These times are stretched during the holidays due to an increase in volume.  Please consult the postal service if you have other questions.  I apologize, but I can't predict these things.

When is your international order deadline?
It was December 3rd; it's now passed.  Any international orders that come in will be done as soon as I can get to them.

What should I do if I have a question about my order?
Please message me from the 'contact' link on your order page.  That way I know who you are and what order you're referring to.  I have over 100 orders right now, so that's the best way to get to me.

Are you Wonder Woman?
God, I wish.  Oh Santa... about that invisible plane...

I'll add to this post if I think of any others!

Ho, ho, ho--
Lori

Friday, December 3, 2010

New 2010 Personalized Silver Snowman Ornament at Risky Beads

I've had this design in my head for awhile, and I finally got it done!  He's customizable, too!


Ain't he a cutie?

~Lori

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Busy, Busy, Busy at Risky Beads


Hi, folks! Sorry for the lack of posts.  I've been super busy with my Etsy shop since about the 5th of November, and other things have fallen by the wayside.  So, just a few updates before it's back to the bench block!

My deadline for international (all non-U.S.) orders is Dec 3rd.  I need to have time to make your order and then have enough time for it to travel through the mail to your chimney!

Bracelets are now 35% off!  Everything left is a one-of-a-kind design!  Beaded jewelry ships out within 24 hours because there's no hammering involved!

That's all for now!
~Lori

Friday, November 26, 2010

How to Pay by Credit Card Using PayPal

Many of my customers are having problems checking out on Etsy when they want to pay by credit card.  It can be a bit confusing, but you should always choose 'PayPal' as a payment option and then proceed to their site even if you just want to pay by credit card.  Here's what it looks like when you first proceed to PayPal to pay:


And here's what it looks like when you click the 'Pay Now' button:

So that's how you do it!  It's simple and easy.  Happy Shopping!!!

~Lori

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Holiday BOGO Deals at Risky Beads

Hi, peeps! It's a month till Christmas... a month, people!  I've put together some nifty BOGO deals in my shop... take a peek!

Buy this one of a kind Wreath bracelet at 25% off $33.71...


and get this Wreath necklace for FREE!  (Request in notes to seller. $16.95 value!)


Buy this gorgeous Sea Anemone bracelet, 25% off at $37.46


and get these Cherries Jubilee matching earrings FREE!  (Request them in notes to seller at checkout. $8.50 value!)


Or, buy this Always a Woman bracelet for 25% off at $33.71...


and automatically get the matching necklace FREE! ($14.95 value!)


Hungry?  How about buying this Peanut Butter and Jelly bracelet 25% off $33.71


And get this key chain for FREE, automatically! ($9.95 value!)


Bracelets not your thing?  Snap up this Sweet Harvest Necklace for $17.95...


And get your choice of the matching earrings or key chain for FREE! (Request in notes to seller. $7.95 value!)


All of these are one shot deals, so if something tickles your fancy, grab it and your freebie to boot!  Happy Holiday Shopping!  And remember, all jewelry ships free to the U.S. and Canada and with a $3.75 flat rate everywhere else.

~Lori

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Craft Juice, Fresh Squeezed Tuesday, 11/16/10

This week's Craft Juice picks are all showstoppers! 

First off, this Japanese Maple Red Sake bottle by Little Wren Pottery is absolutely mesmerizing!  Or am I the only person who gets mesmerized by pottery? 


And look, now I'm mesmerized again!  Fiber jewelry is very in right now; check out this amazing Crocheted Bangle Bracelet from Melba Shoppe.


Now, not that you need reminding that there are only 38 days til Christmas, but these are what reminded me today.  Aren't these ribbon trees amazing!  



And now it's time to feel a pretty shiver all the way through you!  Look at this gorgeous Snow Berry Necklace by Eternal Eden.  I love it!


And let's finish off today with this adorable little guy!  He's a polymer clay Christmas Elf Bookworm Ornament by Nanjo Dogz, and he's so dang cute, I can't stand it!


I think he's got your Christmas list at the ready and he's checking it twice!

Until tomorrow,
Lori



Monday, November 15, 2010

Recent Handmade Purchase - BPR Designs

My Christmas shopping is officially underway, and although I'll probably make most of the gifts I give, there are always a few that I buy, and (surprise, surprise), they're almost all handmade!  This year, I'm excited because I got the coolest plate for my brother-in-law!  He was a real trooper about a year ago when he helped me buy and deliver the sofa from hell!  I feel like I'll always owe him for that disaster, lol.  In his free time, my brother-in-law likes to fish; he owns his own boat named High Maintenance...after my sister, lmao.  So here's what he's getting for Christmas this year:


I'm going to go out and buy some of his favorite cheese and crackers to put with it.  Everybody in my family has a hard core cheese addiction.  You just can't go wrong with cheese.  Now, while I was shopping for my BIL, I couldn't resist picking up something for myself...


My handmade soap collection has to have a pretty place to sit, and this matches my bathroom perfectly!  It even came with a sample of Pumpkin Brulee with Pistachio Butter soap from Tallulah's Soaps!  Doesn't it look delicious?


That's all for now!  Want more?  Be nosy and see what else I buy!

~Lori

Friday, November 12, 2010

Top 5 Ways to Have a Fabulous Risky Beads Experience on Etsy


5. Read my shop policies before purchasing! Oh wait, you are! Good 4 u!

4. Convo me or email me with your email address and I'll add you to my mailing list. You'll get secret sales, special deals, and sneak peeks!  Also, refer a friend and get a coupon of 15% off your favorite piece! Cannot be combined with other sales or discounts.

3. Leave all customization and order requests in notes to seller. It's a white box under payment type in step 3 of checkout. Here's a picture:


2. READ THE ENTIRE LISTING before purchasing so you understand how to BUY 3 pairs of earrings and get 1 FREE and what customization info I need. In MANY cases I need sizing, charm choice, color choice, etc. That's also how you'll know about other sales going on!

1. KEEP COMMUNICATION OPEN! I'll convo you asap if I have a question about your order. PLEASE respond in a timely manner. I want you to be happy with your order! If you receive your order and have an issue with it, PLEASE let me know ASAP so I can correct it. Lack of communication often puts your order on hold.

THANK YOU!!!!

~Lori

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Notes to Seller on Etsy -- What is it? Where is it?


If you're a newbie when it comes to shopping on Etsy, and there are a ton of you according to Etsy's latest weather report for November, you may have seen a similar message in a particular listing:

Please leave all customization requests, color, sizing, other preferences in notes to seller at checkout.

Etsy sellers use this method to give buyers options and flexibility as we really don't have another option, like a drop down box during checkout to choose a size, flavor, color, etc.  But where exactly do you leave this information?  It's simple... in step 3 of checkout:

When you leave your requests there, they show up on the back side of the seller's shop where all of our orders reside.  (I like to call this land Etsy-topia, lol.)

So, see, it's super easy!  Happy Handmade shopping! Only 43 days til Christmas....

~Lori

Keep Calm and Shop On Poster, Keep Calm Shop

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Christmas in Carolina - Finds from the NCTriangle Team

It's beautiful in North Carolina right now.  I'm in Raleigh where it's currently 60 degrees and fabulously sunny with a gorgeous blue sky!  Thought I'd take a peek at some fabulous holiday finds from my NCTriangle Team peeps!

Maybe if you use this Mistletoe Soap, someone will kiss you in the shower!


Here we have some old-timey Candy Canes.  I have a feeling that primitive candy canes are uber-low in calories!


Don't put this little snowman in hot water... he might melt!


Okay, I'll confess that I wouldn't know what to do with this yarn, but I still want everything in the entire shop!


OMG, and I need one of these!  It conceals a post-it note pad!  (They need hard core protection in my purse, trust me.)


Well, hopefully now, you're in the Christmas spirit! Only 44 days to go!  Don't forget the finishing touch for all your presents!


Dashing through the snow....

~Lori




Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Craft Juice, Fresh Squeezed Tuesday, 11/9/10

This week's Craft Juice picks are all about CUTE! Don't you just wanna cuddle up with this little guy?  Well, too bad, he's for your doggy!!


Christmas + winter + technology =

Okay, maybe this isn't dictionary 'cute,' but I love it!  And it's chilly here!


Along with my handmade soap and handmade art fetish, I also have a thing for....clocks!

You know, lavender is very big on the doll runway this year!  Trust me!


That's all for now! I don't know about you, but I'm on cute overload now!  I make these picks every Tuesday.  Check out previous picks!

~Lori