Google Groups - should be Google Grrrrrrroups!

Just spent a good part of today trying to work out why the Google Group I set up had so many issues!  What I thought would be a simple task allowing me to send out the newsletter via the group set-up ended up being a major pain in the butt and even my IT husband had trouble sorting it out!

As it turns out you need to have a google account to even access it and then some of my customers who appeared to be members didn't receive the first email about the change of location yet received all of the replies from the posts!  Go figure.

Anyway I think we've finally sorted it out and have made sure that you there are not going to be random emails flying left right & centre.

So back to some serious beading now!

Kids Kits

Looking forward to the jewellery party in the shop tomorrow night - haven't had much sleep this week as I have been making up lots of smallish items which will be good Xmas presents such as bookmarks with handmade bead critters and phone charms etc.

I have also managed to fit in the design of a set of kids DIY kits that I have been asked many times for in the past and have decided I really should do something about it... Well I now have a range of 6 kits that I have limited supplies for at the moment but will be fully kitted up by the end of next week.  The idea is to package them for kid's eyes and make them nice and colourful but easy to make up.  These ones are my favourites.

Anwyay - must keep going with my preparations for the party.

Sale Week 1

Wow what a huge week... Our sale has been going very well - I even went through my gemstone stash at home and decided to bring it all in as I seriously won't be able to use it all myself and I really should share!.. The week ended on a very pleasant note with me actually sitting down and doing Sandee's class on Saturday and finishing the necklace!!! woohoo - absolutely love it and will be doing my darndest to get as many kits made up as possible - so many colour possibilities!!  It's just gorgeous Sandee!

Have been out with family most of today so it's been nice to catch up with my sister from Kingaroy who wants me to go out and do a workshop out there!  I am heading up to Childers in a couple of weeks time to do a couple of workshops as well as one in Maryborough so I'm going to be busy that's for sure!.  That will be on the weekend of 20 / 21st November so I won't be in the shop that weekend.

We have the private shopping night Jewellery Sale on next Friday night with loads of bargains on the finished jewellery so I'm sure it will be a big night!.  Making sure the shop is looking bright and festive with Christmas decorations and pretty dangly things.

Must go and create - so many ideas - so little time!

MONNIE'S MEGA SALE

Forgot to mention - we are having a really big sale at the shop starting tomorrow with bargains on just about every product line - up to 70% off if you are a beading buddy!.

Also bargains online at - www.madmonnie.com.au

Don't miss out!

OMG it's almost Xmas!

Where the heck has this year gone! I have exhibited at quite a few craft shows this year which has been both rewarding and exhausting all at the same time. I've loved travelling to different cities to experience the different vibes that are out there and have met some amazing and inspirational crafty ladies.

Heading into the silly season I've had to do some serious thinking about the direction of the business and where to go from here. As the lease at the shop came up for review in early December this year, I've decided for a lot of reasons to relocate the retail shop to the front room of our residence in Seven Hills as of the 1st January, 2011. We will of course continue to provide the same level of service but with more focus on the website and travelling to more craft shows around the country. I will be reducing the range of some product lines such as Swarovski crystal and increasing others such as my seed bead range and line of beading kits.

Classes will still be held but on a smaller scale with an outdoor courtyard available when the weather is good and the shop hours will change to be Tuesday to Saturday by appointment only.

I will still be doing repairs & custom jewellery for bridal and formal occasions so it will be business as usual with Donna my trusty assistant continuing to help me out part time.

I do hope you will continue to be a part of this new direction for Mad Monnie and come to see us at the new address of 8 Karana Street, Seven Hills.

Monnie xx

Time is flying!

Well - here we are in the middle of March - almost the 1st Quarter of 2010 gone! Where did it go?

I have been relishing the time I've had at home since I've decided to let the girls handle the shop's day to day business and work on the business side of things from home. The call of "mum I'm home" is such a sweet sound with the boys now old enough and independent enough to get themselves home (50 metres up the hill), without some major drama! They come in, drop their bags at the front door so no-one can get past, give me a quick peck on the cheek and promptly ask "can I have something to eat" - no wonder they are getting growing pains in their legs! I know some of my customers would prefer me to be in the shop more but after putting in some very long hours over the last couple of years, it is time to give the boys (including my wonderful hubby), some long overdue attention.

With a show coming up in just over a week - I am surprised at how calm I am. I think most of this is due to the fact that I don't have the added pressure of being at the shop and the girls are doing a fantastic job with the millions of requests I have been throwing their way to put together my best show yet! My gorgeous mum has made me some sparkly tablecloth covers to help draw attention to the stand and I have been getting my head around the layout and the products I'll be showcasing there. Of course the kits are still extremely popular and we will have a good range of new ones as well as some old favourites.

Sandee has been creating some amazing pieces which will be coming up in the April / May class schedule. Liz is also going to be doing more teaching, this time a wirework ring that is created using cute flat flower beads that Liz has made. Penny of course will be helping us all with chainmaille and viking knitting projects being the expert in these fields. These projects will be up on the website in the next few days.

Looking forward to the show and hopefully a successful outing at the convention centre.

See you all soon,

Monnie

Hi everyone,

It's already half-way through January - how did that happen? I am currently deciding on which shows to attend this year with at least 4 in Brisbane so far. I could do more but feel that I'd rather put the effort into our local ones and do them well. The Craft Expo is in March (25 - 28th) then it's the Bead & Gem Show in early July (1 - 4th), the Stitches & Craft Show in September (16 - 19th) and finally the Craft & Quilt Fair in October (20 - 24th). I can see this is going to be another busy year.

My latest projects that will be going into 2 different beading publications are shown at the top. They will also be classes held at the shop in the next few months depending on their popularity. I have just a few (thousand) Swarovski chatons that I have been trying to incorporate into jewellery so I found these cute settings that were 3 cup links and thought they would look cute.

Have also been playing with macrame using hemp cord / leather etc. and you know how much I love my pearls - well these big hole pearls were perfect for this little number. The flower helped to give it a focal point. Liz is making me some large hole handmade beads (small sizes) to put into the bracelets as well - can't wait for these!.

Liz has got some gorgeous flower shaped beads as well as large leaves that she is working on - some exciting stuff to come.

Also been playing with some ferido clay which is a 2-part epoxy but in clay form - millions of possibilities that's for sure. Stay tuned!.

Monnie