Friday Giveaway with Lucy

Trivia Question November 18^th, 2011:

What was Julian Schnabel's acclaimed 2008 film of the book written by a stroke victim's blinking eye? 

Answer posted here: FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

Send your answer here: TRIVIA ENTRY FORM

GAME BONUS*: This week - ONE- Lucky winner will be randomly chosen from the comments left on our entry form to WIN -  Maggie Meister's Classical Elegance -A $28.00 value. Make sure to send in your entry form (link above) and along with your answer WRITE: I WANT TO WIN CLASSICAL ELEGANCE!  THE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN 11/24/2011 - so enter NOW!

General Information: 

Our Scavenger Trivia Game began October 7^th at noon CST. It will continue – every Friday at noon CST until December 16^th, 2011. Each week we’ll post a TRIVIA question on our Blog asked by Lucy – our Lucite Ambassador. The correct answer to our question will be posted on our Facebook Fan page before midnight CST every Friday. The FIRST four correct answers sent to this link: TRIVIA ENTRY FORM wins a $25.00 gift certificate to shop with us.

Since the TRIVIA ENTRY FORMS are sent to us there is a time and date stamp. Every answer will be posted as it is received. And only correct answers will be counted to win the gift certificates.

You can share the blog and questions with your own friends to get in on the fun. Some of the questions and answers will be bead related – some will not – but we’re still looking for very specific answers – so if you’re not absolutely right – you’ll lose the gift certificate.

RULES:

1. The questions will be posted on our blog – every Friday at noon CST.

2. Answers will be displayed on our FB Fan page before midnight CST every Friday until game ends: WE ARE LOOKING FOR A VERY SPECIFIC ANSWER, YOU'VE GOT TO FIND IT. The answer must be the one we’ve posted on our Facebook page and must be sent to this link: TRIVIA ENTRY FORM You must fill out the form in it’s entirety to be entered.

3. You can only win ONE time per month.

4. You can only use one gift certificate per shopping trip. (our website only allows one coupon)

5. The first FOUR correct answers will win a $25.00 gift certificate to shop with us.

6. Gift Certificates will be awarded by e-mail, are not redeemable for cash and can take up to 48 hours to process - please make sure to check your SPAM filters. We're not responsible for lost gift certificates but will do everything to make sure you know the code.

7. Winners will be posted each week on our BLOG and FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

Remember - the answer will be on our: FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and you must send answers via our TRIVIA ENTRY FORM

The first FOUR correct answers posted at this link: win a $25.00 gift certificate. There will be other giveaways in the next 10+ weeks that won't be advertised so you better check back!

Lucy is the creation of Eddie Howe - contact Eddie here: Eddie's e-mail

Share it. Join our blog. Leave a comment. Check a box. Thanks for reading and playing along.

Friday Giveaway with Lucy

Trivia Question November 4^th, 2011:

Where did the first 12 birthstones originate? 

What did they represent?

Answer posted here: FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

Send your answer here: TRIVIA ENTRY FORM


GAME BONUS*: This week - ONE- Lucky winner will be randomly chosen from the comments left on our entry form to WIN - The Swarovski Magazine. It's AWESOME! I love it and it's got some gorgeous creations in it.! A $20.00 value. Make sure to send in your entry form (link above) and along with your answer WRITE: I WANT TO WIN SWAROVSKI MAGAZINE! THE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN 11/10/2011 - so enter NOW! 

General Information: 

Our Scavenger Trivia Game began October 7^th at noon CST. It will continue – every Friday at noon CST until December 16^th, 2011. Each week we’ll post a TRIVIA question on our Blog asked by Lucy – our Lucite Ambassador. The correct answer to our question will be posted on our Facebook Fan page before midnight CST every Friday. The FIRST four correct answers sent to this link: TRIVIA ENTRY FORM wins a $25.00 gift certificate to shop with us.

Since the TRIVIA ENTRY FORMS are sent to us there is a time and date stamp. Every answer will be posted as it is received. And only correct answers will be counted to win the gift certificates.

You can share the blog and questions with your own friends to get in on the fun. Some of the questions and answers will be bead related – some will not – but we’re still looking for very specific answers – so if you’re not absolutely right – you’ll lose the gift certificate.

RULES:

1. The questions will be posted on our blog – every Friday at noon CST.

2. Answers will be displayed on our FB Fan page before midnight CST every Friday until game ends: WE ARE LOOKING FOR A VERY SPECIFIC ANSWER, YOU'VE GOT TO FIND IT. The answer must be the one we’ve posted on our Facebook page and must be sent to this link: TRIVIA ENTRY FORM You must fill out the form in it’s entirety to be entered.

3. You can only win ONE time per month.

4. You can only use one gift certificate per shopping trip. (our website only allows one coupon)

5. The first FOUR correct answers will win a $25.00 gift certificate to shop with us.

6. Gift Certificates will be awarded by e-mail, are not redeemable for cash and can take up to 48 hours to process - please make sure to check your SPAM filters. We're not responsible for lost gift certificates but will do everything to make sure you know the code.

7. Winners will be posted each week on our BLOG and FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

Remember - the answer will be on our: FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and you must send answers via our TRIVIA ENTRY FORM

The first FOUR correct answers posted at this link: win a $25.00 gift certificate. There will be other giveaways in the next 10+ weeks that won't be advertised so you better check back!

Lucy is the creation of Eddie Howe - contact Eddie here: Eddie's e-mail

Share it. Join our blog. Leave a comment. Check a box. Thanks for reading and playing along.

Friday Giveaway with Lucy

Trivia Question October 21st, 2011:

What were original rhinestones made from and where did they come from?

Answer posted here: FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

Send your answer here: TRIVIA ENTRY FORM
form is having issues - PLEASE E-mail 
theholebeadshop@bartnet.net
name
email address
answer

General Information: 

Our Scavenger Trivia Game began October 7^th at noon CST. It will continue – every Friday at noon CST until December 16^th, 2011. Each week we’ll post a TRIVIA question on our Blog asked by Lucy – our Lucite Ambassador. The correct answer to our question will be posted on our Facebook Fan page before midnight CST every Friday. The FIRST four correct answers sent to this link: TRIVIA ENTRY FORM wins a $25.00 gift certificate to shop with us.

Since the TRIVIA ENTRY FORMS are sent to us there is a time and date stamp. Every answer will be posted as it is received. And only correct answers will be counted to win the gift certificates.

You can share the blog and questions with your own friends to get in on the fun. Some of the questions and answers will be bead related – some will not – but we’re still looking for very specific answers – so if you’re not absolutely right – you’ll lose the gift certificate.

RULES:

1. The questions will be posted on our blog – every Friday at noon CST.

2. Answers will be displayed on our FB Fan page before midnight CST every Friday until game ends. The answer must be the one we’ve posted on our Facebook page and must be sent to this link: TRIVIA ENTRY FORM You must fill out the form in it’s entirety to be entered.

3. You can only win ONE time per month.

4. You can only use one gift certificate per shopping trip. (our website only allows one coupon)

5. The first FOUR correct answers will win a $25.00 gift certificate to shop with us.

6. Gift Certificates will be awarded by e-mail, are not redeemable for cash and can take up to 48 hours to process - please make sure to check your SPAM filters. We're not responsible for lost gift certificates but will do everything to make sure you know the code.

7. Winners will be posted each week on our BLOG and FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

Remember - the answer will be on our: FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and you must send answers via our TRIVIA ENTRY FORM

The first FOUR correct answers posted at this link: win a $25.00 gift certificate. There will be other giveaways in the next 10+ weeks that won't be advertised so you better check back!

Lucy is the creation of Eddie Howe - contact Eddie here: Eddie's e-mail

Share it. Join our blog. Leave a comment. Check a box. Thanks for reading and playing along.

How to become a BETTER Student . . .

No matter what your medium is or what gets your creative juices flowing – how can you get more from an instructor or a class? How can you get exactly what you expected out of the class you registered for and how can you do so by not being silly or causing extra problems for the entire class?

I’m not shy and I’ve certainly told people that I’ve never taken a class – because in my mind it’s true? But in reality I took one class about 9 years ago at a bead shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma and it was the worst experience I’ve had in a class setting so I tell everyone – I’ve never taken a class.

First, the store didn’t sell the same supplies the instructor used in her design which was a version of decreased brick stitch. At the time – I didn’t know that using Czech seed beads in brick stitch would give an entirely different look to a design.

Second, the shop had no lighting for classes which made it virtually impossible to see especially because the class was at night. And the OWNER of the store was constantly chatting on and on about her life – her wife – her real job – how difficult it was to own this business – how she didn’t get her real dream and had to settle for the shop she owned…it was actually horrible having to listen to her negativity!

My first projects with seed beads...

Third and I believe this to be the most important part – the instructor never got up from her seat. Even though there were two tables of students and many, many questions – the instructor never walked around the classroom or even spoke to us all, as a group. She responded to questions by raising her voice and telling the frustrated person to “read the instructions” and she never – not once – told us what stitch we were learning or any of the tips or techniques to make learning the stitch – easier! It seemed as though my sister and I had walked into an alternate universe – and had no way of getting out?

Last but not least – I left the shop – frustrated and never returned. Of course, while I was extremely upset over the experience – it taught me two very valuable lessons.

1. What I didn’t want to do as an instructor in my own classes.

2. What I should have done to be a better student and walk away from the class with more knowledge.

The experience made me realize that while this instance was partially the fault of the shop and a partially the fault of the instructor – it was also partially MY fault.

I didn’t ask the correct questions before I signed up for the class (I didn’t know what questions to ask). But you learn from experiences and what doesn’t kill you – defines you.

I’ve wanted to write an article or blog about “How do you become a better student” since September of 2006! So here we are FIVE years later and I’m still trying to compile helpful data? Sound familiar?

So, how can we become skilled at being a more efficient student in a short period of time (some classes are a few hours long to 8 hour sessions) – because our time is money and money is scarce these days! After reading the STUDENT surveys – average class costs were $60.00! And let's face it, it's been a LONG, LONG time since most of us have been in school or studied? Do we apply the same high school - college techniques to our crafty type classes - I say HELL YES! 

So I sat down and wrote out some standard questions – some tough – some not so tough and asked my friends from REAL life and Facebook friends – to play along. I want to write this in a format that helps – so bear with me.  And please if you have questions that I didn’t ask or aren’t answered – feel free to write me and I will do what I can to get them answered.

On another note – I’ve decided to POST random questions on my FACEBOOK pages to get some interaction going between FB friends and the blog posts – I’ll be posting some of the comments right along with others – here on this blog…so lets’ have fun too, okay?

With this I begin the NEW Blog Series – How to become a BETTER Student?

I want it to show both sides of the classroom- teachers perspective and student needs - to try to find a balance?

How can a student get more from a class and the instructors teaching those classes?

How can teachers/instructors – help students become a more informed student who walks away from that class – knowing a basic stitch or element of the design and a project?

How can a STUDENT improve on the learning experience for which they paid  – without feeling disruptive?

Peek your curiosity? 

Leave a comment. Check a box. Share it. As always - thanks for reading.

The Care and Feeding of Booth Elves - Guest - AJ Reardon

When you read the title of this blog you were probably thinking:

or perhaps....

But...to accurately read AJ's guest blog post you need to picture this:

If you're a vendor traveling to a trade show, you may find yourself in need of additional help to man your booth. Drawing from my 11 years of experience as a elf at the Tucson Gem Shows, I'm here to provide you with some helpful tips on how to find and keep a loyal employee who will stay with you for years.

First you have to find someone who you trust and can spend anywhere from a day to two weeks working with. Friends of existing employees are a good resource and loyal customers are even better, because they already know your product and will probably be willing to take at least part of their pay in trade.

If at all possible, try to find someone local. I live in Tucson, which has made me a popular booth elf. If you bring in someone from out of town, you have to pay for their transportation, lodging and meals. A local elf not only has their own home to go to at night and can provide other valuable tips while you're in their town. 

Once you've decided on someone, be sure to ask them as soon as possible. My vendor employers usually tell me at the end of the show if they'll want me back next year, then we reconfirm a few months before the show comes up. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that all of the good employees will already have secured employment.

Now that you've found a booth elf, discuss the details of the job. It's good to clarify ahead of time what hours they'll be working, duties and of course, their pay. Be specific with job duties - confusion creates a bad working environment. 

During the show, there are a few things you can do to elevate yourself to the level of “cool boss.” It's nice to treat your employee to lunch at least once during the show, and/or dinner is also a good perk! If the show is slow enough that your booth elf has some free time, allow them a chance to go shop – especially if you're at a bead show and they're a beader. Giving your elf a discount if they choose to take their pay in trade instead of money is another good bonus.

The most important thing is to treat your booth elf with respect and a friendly attitude. They may just be working for you for a short time, but they deserve the same treatment as your regular employees. They'll remember if you treat them poorly, and you'll lose not just a valuable temporary employee, but possibly a customer as well.

Bonus! Tips for potential booth elves:

If you'd like to work at a show, spread the word around. First ask the vendor(s) that you'd specifically like to work for, and if they don't need you, they'll at least remember you if a fellow vendor asks them if they know anyone.

Once you have a job, treat it as seriously as you'd treat a regular day job. Show up on time, obey your boss, and be respectful towards the customers... even the really annoying ones who smell funny. You may only be working for a weekend, but your employer relies on their business for their income year-round, so don't do anything that would damage their standing with their customers.

Don't be afraid to negotiate a bit. If there are hours you specifically can't work due to a previous commitment, or if you'd like to have an hour somewhere during the show to shop, bring it up politely to your employer and see what you can work out.

When both the vendor and the booth elf approach the relationship with respect and a good attitude, it can be the start of a beautiful arrangement. I have several previous employers that I still think of fondly; the only reason that I don't work for them anymore is that they don't come to Tucson anymore. My current boss is an absolute peach and I always look forward to working in her booth. You too can have (or be) a loyal, hardworking booth elf!

(The Hole Bead Shoppe Note: We met AJ in Tucson at Beyond Beadery - it was immediately apparent that AJ was a well seasoned Tucson Gem Show attendee and her quick wit, enthusiastic love of all things bead were infectious and we fell in love with her. You can find AJ's work at:

AJ's Etsy Shop

AJ's Blog

Thanks for reading. Leave a comment. Check a box. Share it.

Tonight we'll have a laugh at my expense...

Today:
I sent one of those e-mails to my friends, posing a random question to get an idea of what your friends think of you. Although I have not received a response to ALL the e-mails. I just laughed so hard, I wanted to post them tonight. I'll add more as I receive them.
I'm not going to put the person's entire name to protect them...haha

The question was:

If you saw me in a police car, what would you think I got arrested for?


Here are the answers:

M.B.> WHoopin someones ass for disturbin yer peace

C.B.> lewd and lascivious. No, just kidding. Probably for insubordination to a police officer after a routine traffic stop.

F.P.> Trying to save a stray cat on the freeway.

K.V.> Murder. Nothing premeditated, but you'd see someone beating a dog or their kid or something and run 'em down. :)

M.D.> You know what? You'd be one of those people who gets arrested for putting money in other people's expired parking meters... that's just how you are :)

J.Q.> For NOT PAYING TAXES ON YOUR BEADS! (he's a retired cop? haha)

S.C.>melt down in a crowd, possible police ride to the sanitarium, not jail!! I'll meet you there...tee hee! (she knows I don't like crowds...haha)

So, I pose this question. Do you know what your friends think of you? As I stated, I haven't gotten responses from every single person I sent the question to, but did you notice a pattern in my friends answers? They all think I am outspoken and would stand up for myself or the little person? That I would probably say what was on my mind.

I really liked getting their answers. I was genuinely curious to see what they had to say. . .
So, pose the question to your e-mail list of friends. See what people think of you.

Post the answers on your blog or here!
 
That is all for tonight.

Thanks for being here. Thanks for reading. Post. Comment.

Good Night.
x0x0x
k~