Studio Vlog #11 | working away... restocking, tidying, packing and creating a new digital download

[@fificrossnails]

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the amazing beads I won in your giveaway Maria, it was so kind of you to have a giveaway, and so cool that I got to see you choosing the beads and packing them too! The are all even more beautiful than I could have imagined, and I love the colour combinations you chose of blues, purples and cream/white. I received them this morning and was so excited to open the package that I forgot about my day job for a while 😆 The star beads made me feel Christmassy, and I may use them to make ornaments for my tree, and I’ll definitely make some beautiful jewellery for myself and my daughter too. The flower beads are just exquisite and such an eye catching finish on them that really catches the light. Have a wonderful vacation, and I look forward to your next tutorial🌸💎⭐️

[@bafflingbeads]

WOW! That was sooooo quick! I sent out those packages early this week! Super happy for you that you already got it! I wish you tons of fun with the new beads!! I also thought about making Christmas decoration. I guess it would be too late this year (if I want to sell it) but maybe I can figure it out for Christmas 2024 😄 thank you for participating in the giveaway and watching my content! It means so much! Have a great weekend ❤️

[@Barbara-1111]

Congratulations to all the ladies that won.. Love your content, thank you for all the information you share. ❤

[@bafflingbeads]

It was super fun to pack those packages 🙂 Packing orders is one of my favorite things to do right after beading - so packing gifts is just as awesome! 😄 🥰

[@doreestone4487]

Maria, I just wanted to share with you a small tip. You are right in your advice on how to control the tension on the thread for fringe, however, that darn Nymo has such a strong memory, it curves in spite of your tension unless you are using enough weight in beads to pull it down straight. So, since nylon can have its memory retrained, I lay my fringe earrings flat on my beading mat when done and use my iron, set on synthetic material temp, and place it on the fringe to let it heat up the beads which heats up the thread. The nylon then learns a new position. It no longer curves and kinks. Of course, you have to be sure you haven't left huge gaps at the top or bottom of the fringe because they will still show. But the fringe will now hang straight and lovely on even the most delicate and lightest weight fringe. :)

[@bafflingbeads]

That sounds super awesome! I will try it. I would love to make mini fringe earrings but I hadn't figured out how to get the fringe nice and straight without much weight on it. Delica beads are so lightweight... Thank you so much for giving me this helpful tip. If I make a tutorial on mini fringes I will credit you for the help 🙂 I am sure many people will appreciate your insight! Have a great weekend 🌞

[@doreestone4487]

I’m also getting a hair straightener, like a curling iron but flat, to try straightening the thread before using it.

[@bafflingbeads]

@@doreestone4487 I will try the option with the iron first. I don't have hair straighteners. 🙂 thank you for being geneours with your input

[@doreestone4487]

@@bafflingbeads I just lay the beads of the fringe on the heated plate of the hair straightener to heat them up for a few seconds. Then, before they cool off, I lay the fringe on a flat surface with a bit of weight on top. Sometimes a slight tug while they're cooling helps. But I also pull the thread through the straightener quickly. Don't want to melt it. It immediately takes all the waves and kinks out of the thread. And it can be done even while making the item. Well worth getting a straightener.❤

[@thinkingclearly24]

I hope you have a successful business trip and wonderful time with family and friends on vacation. I think it is wonderful you can take so much time for yourself. I will be a viewer when you return.

[@bafflingbeads]

Thank you 🙂 if I take time off it's usually for 3 to 4 weeks at a time. I don't like leaving for only one week. I also travel a lot so I'd rather stay for a little longer, not a fan of short trips 😊 Then I'd much rather stay home and spend my time beading and working on my shops if I don't have the option to take off a few weeks 🥰

[@timelessmemories5150]

woohoo new program episode

[@bafflingbeads]

Thank you so much 😄 ❤️ it's a lot of chit-chat because I felt like it and many different tasks that needed to get done this time around - so I hope that people don't mind 😅 this vlog feels a little different I find

[@nancyvalstar2217]

Hi I love your craftmandhip all your jewelry is beautiful keep it up have a nice time on your vacation with your mom we el it’s you

[@nancyvalstar2217]

Last few words got mess up it says we will miss you

[@bafflingbeads]

Thank you so much! I am missing my beads and you guys, too! Beading and content creation is such a big part of my life. It's super weird to not be able to do these things during a vacation... Thank you for watching! 🌞 it means the world that people enjoy my creations! ❤️

[@ellabella7659]

Great vlog, I have a small shop too so I am learning from you. Love your aesthetic too btw. Keep up the good work and I hope you have another giveaway, I am sad to have missed it. Have a wonderful vacation!

[@bafflingbeads]

Perfect! Then hopefully you can learn from my mistakes so that you don't have to make them 🤣 What kind of shop? I am sure that there will be more giveaways in the future. It was such a bummer that one winner didn't reply... she sounded like she really would have loved to get new beads. 💔 I actually really like staying home and working on my business but I guess it's healthy go get out from time to time 🙂

[@ellabella7659]

I have an Etsy shop too! All bracelets for now but I’m working on necklaces and earrings and other beaded items. I’m still a bit new to it, so it helps to watch videos like yours to keep me motivated! I am a homebody too don’t feel bad, more time to bead!

[@bafflingbeads]

It can be hard to start out on Etsy so don't be too critical with yourself and just keep working on it. When I launched my shop in 2021 I sold my first item after about 5 months and by the end of the year I decided to completely revamp it because it just didn't work out. Give it time, try to make it a bit better every week, add more pretty things and make use of some social media platform - if you want it to go somewhere. 🙂 That's just my two cents. Wishing you all the best for your shop! Have fun ☀️

[@ellabella7659]

Thanks for your advice! 😊

[@Alejandra.G.E.]

Dear Maria, I'm sorry for the lost of your dear coleage and your lovely pet, my condolences. I tried to participate in the giveaway on Instagram but for a misterious reason Instagram Blocked my comment. I'm glad you are feeling better, and wish you the best for your trip and vacation. I enjoyed a lot your blog, thank you for the time and care you put on it. And yes, congratulations for the winners!!! We will be waiting for your next vlog or tutorial. ❤💞

[@bafflingbeads]

There will be more giveaways in the future. Hopefully it will work out for you then! No idea why you were blocked 🙁 Makes me happy that people also enjoy my vlogs! I enjoy teaching others with the help of my tutorials but I really enjoy managing my shops, too. I think many make the jump too soon to solely rely on their shops instead of employed work and many get frustrated too early because they have such high hopes. It really is hard to be fully self-employed. Thank you for watching, commenting and taking the time! 🌞

[@Alejandra.G.E.]

Thank you Maria for your answer and comments, but most of all, for your time. And yes, it's not so easy be fully self-employed as you said, but it's a good option. I hope you are having wonderful days specially with your mom. 🌷

[@barbaragaskins3921]

Have a great trip. When you start your earrings. How many do you start with

[@bafflingbeads]

Thank you! It's definitely a good thing that I get out from time to time 😄 What exactly do you mean with that question? When I decide to restock something or I make a new earring design or variation I usually make 2 pairs, sometimes 3 if I know that they are pretty popular. Back when I started out with my shop I only had one pair of each color variation. If that does not answer your question let me know 🙂

[@nageenaabdulrehman4849]

Dear plz tell me where I can get the small beads your using its beautiful I want to make one for my wedding

[@bafflingbeads]

You can get Miyuki Delica beads in pretty much any online bead shop. Also the large ones like PandaHall. I would recommend you to google for shops in your country so that the shipping does not get too pricy. Good luck 🙂

[@danetteblair5446]

I love your work ❤ wish I could help you 😢

[@bafflingbeads]

Aww that's so sweet 😊 I also love doing this! ❤️ One of my best decisions in life - my business, shops and KZbin. ☀️ Also because I have you lovely people around 🙂