Risky Beads: November 2010

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 23, 2010

Craft Juice, Fresh Squeezed Tuesday, 11/23/10

Cranberry and Crimson Lampwork and Copper Necklace, Lune

White Red Shades of Gold Glass Bead Necklace, Lilabelledesign

Bright Posy of Felt Flowers Pin, Sweet Hearts and Roses

Your Christmas Tree Ornament Owl Set of 3, JKL Encaustics

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Wordless Wednesday-Forest for the Trees

Time to get keen on serene...

Among Friends No. 2 Oringinal, 24"x18", Mae Chevrette, $275

Winter Sleep 8x10 Canvas Print, Kim Schweitzer Art, $20

Winter Forest Original Encaustic Painting, Susanna Jarian, $75

Aspen and Bunnies, 11x15 Original Watercolor, Ghart, $25

Wee TreeO Wee Three Tree Original Waterolor, Kim Bade, $13.50

Winter Solstice Archival Print, Cristina Berretta, $18

Winter Woods Original Canvas by Irene Machine, $180

I'm in a very zen place right now. How 'bout you?

~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:

Glass Fish Cheese Plate, BPR Designs

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...

Woodland Brown and Cream Contemporary Soap Dish, BPR Designs

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?

Pumpkin Brulee with Pistachio Butter Soap, Tallulah's Soaps, $5.50

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

Sex on TV won't hurt you...

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!