The new face of LUCITE - Meet Lucy.

My journey with beads began accidentally. Technically, like so many of us, I was a hobbiest, a "scrapper". I worked with stamps, mica's, paints, Marvy markers, stickers and more. I loved scrapping (I still do but have no time?) - to me, it was like coloring with crayons? Every page is a new pallette, a new adventure, a one-page artistic representation of my feelings towards the subject. I also made cards for birthdays, holidays, special occasions and just because?

Early work 

I was doing just that, making cards - when I found beads at a local craft store. And my bead journey started there on that isle in 2003 and I've not looked back since.
After I found beads at my local craft store - I found Lucite on E-bay and the rest is history.  

Rose Gold - one of my earlier works

I tell my story for the simple fact that if you're reading this then you will know that with time, patience, persistence and dreams - you can do anything in this life. You can make a simple thought into a reality, you can make a lifelong dream a lifelong plan. You just need to see it and go there - your path may split and take you down an unexpected road but every road is a journey, right? 

Early LUCITE work

So - on to the unveiling of our new logo - Lucy. In 2006, I had a thought to make a cartoon representation of the Lucite we sell. We call Lucite flowers and leaves - Lucies' and if you didn't know, we've made a series of designs based on the name Lucies'. So what could be better (well, maybe ice cream) than having a Lucy logo? I talked to at least 10 different artists about creating her image - each said they could/would but never did. But as I said before, your path my split and take you down an unexpected road but that's the journey! 

A custom order for a woman who was the Watermelon Queen of her town. 

I was introduced to Ed Howe through his wife Sheryl, who over the years has been a customer and friend of ours. Ed, a retired fire fighter - has always dreamed of being an artist. I looked at Ed's work and thought he could be the man for the job. Turns out - for once in my life, I was right! ha! After working with Ed for a few weeks - he came up with the perfect Lucy. 

Summer's Gate won BeadStyle's glass challenge.

Lucy is the artistic face of Lucite at The Hole Bead Shoppe and she was conceived, created, designed just for us. Her creation will officially start our 10+ week Trivia Scavenger game with our Facebook Fans and our website customers!


In less than three months - The Hole Bead Shoppe will GIVE away more than $1500 in prizes and gift certificates to our FANS and CLIENTS! More than we've ever given away, at one time in our 7 years of business.

Lucy. I love her...I hope everyone else does too! 

If you would like to reach Eddie Howe - E-mail Eddie here

Leave a comment. I'd like to know what you think! Will you play our trivia scavenger hunt starting in TWO days? It's going to be great!

Trade Show Series - Guest - Indomitable Sara Aho Lukkonen

Recently, I’ve been seeing articles, interviews and features on Sara’s work in almost every issue of every bead magazine published. It’d be easy to assume that her secret is out – but as a designer – I’ve loved Sara’s work for ages, I’m sure you have too. If you’ve ever thought you could read a person from what they create – it certainly holds true with Sara.

Her creations are quirky (Sara’s quirky) – colorful (Sara is more so) – ever changing (Sara’s a variable cornucopia of fun, swift wit and drive) – her creations scream “talent” and once you use any of her tiny, enameled treasures – you’re hooked! Just like when you meet Sara – hooked, line and sinker! She’s last in our Trade Show Series but she’s certainly not least! Meet the Indomitable force -Sara Aho Lukkonen . . . 

1. What brand do you fall under (if any): Independent Jewelry Artist, Business Owner; Artisan and/or other:

I fall under Artisan, business owner & manufacturer.  I don’t think of myself as an artist -  I think of my self as a chemist, but that would not be a category for jewelry business.

2. What type of Trade Shows do you attend as a vendor (not buyer) and how many shows do you attend:

I like the bead society shows the best.  But I do ~8 national shows a year and a handful of the society shows.  I also teach in stores and have trunks shows at the same time and then there are the absentee trunk shows.  So, with all of those types of shows probably ~40 shows a year.

3. How far in advance do you plan for each show (i.e. inventory, advertising, hotels):

Inventory is ongoing.  It can be quite the challenge having enough inventories for the Absentee trunk shows and enough for the trade show.  I don’t advertise for shows I will list them on my website, but I don’t always keep up with that. I pretty much stay in the same hotel chain for shows.  I just tell my husband the dates and he makes the reservations.  One less thing for me to do!

Squish Beads

4. What type of advertising do you use, if any:

In 2010 I decided to blast the magazines with advertising.  I advertised in most of the trade magazines out there.  I don’t think that it made a huge difference in sales.  But I did not track it either.  The best advertising for me is to be published by the editors and other designers and get in the product listing.  Also being at the shows is probably the best advertising because they can touch & see the product.

5. Do you have any tips to prevent loss/theft at shows:

I know that at every show something will get stolen.  I have quite a bit of small components. I am usually the only one at the booth so I do the best I can.  If people need to play that game it will catch up to them someday.

6. Do you have a timeline for when and how to apply for tax permits or certifications for other states? And a good way to keep up with multiple permits and tax payment deadlines:

It is part of doing business.  I just have to make sure that I file accordingly with each state.  I like the states that have the license at the show and you either pay for it there or send it in within 30 days of the show.  Most of the taxes are due on the 20^th of the month so set the calendar alarm!

7. What suggestions do you have for display ideas that meet both convention center guidelines and fire marshal specifications:

Everyone has a different idea on presentation of products.  I found what works best for me and continue to set up pretty much the same way.  Paying attention to the fire marshal rules is important because you could have to tear down your whole booth and start over!

Like what you see of Sara's answers to our Trade Show Questions - tune in September 20th for the remainder of her answers and the LAST part of our series on Trade Shows and the artists - vendors who attend them. . .

You can find Sara and her work at C-Koop Beads

Leave a comment, check a box, share it, join the blog - thanks for reading.

A minor victory . . .

a major step. Tuesdays are our Monday, which may or may not explain today's pic.
I'll get right to the point, no dilly-dally.

Every year in January, I make a "Goals List" and at the end of the year, I check off what I have accomplished. Most of the time I accomplish over half the list. But one item on my list has eluded me for four years. The goal that has eluded me was to be published in Bead & Button magazine. You see, every single project we have submitted for approval at Bead & Button has been rejected. We have not hit the ball one time? Even projects that made the cover of other magazines were originally rejected at Bead & Button.

I began to wonder if I had "done someone wrong" over at their offices? Did I hurt someones feelings in an e-mail. Did I smart off to someone on the phone? Anyone who knows me, knows that I could NEVER ever do such a thing....haha Okay. Ummm. ya. right. But when you're rejected time and time again over something that you have personally created, you can't help but take it personally?

So, at the beginning of August we shipped a project to Bead & Button magazine hoping to get it in the magazine. When I didn't hear back, of course, the self deprecating disease of no self confidence took over, raised it's ugly head and bit off my self-esteem again...and then a little hope crept in and said "Kelli, what if no news is indeed, good news?" Last night I wrote to them and today I got a response:


"Hi Kelli,The editors have accepted the Lucite flower rings and they are tentatively scheduled for the October 2010 issue. I’ll send you a contract this week. Seeing we are unable to use the metal rings, those will be returned with the contract."

Click on "Lucite Flower rings" above to see the rings themselves, they are not the fringe ones but the metal and brown lucite leaves ring: click on Bead & Button to go to Bead & Button magazine)
And even though they aren't going to publish all the examples, they did accept one! So I say, persistence has paid off for me. I had to LET GO OF MY EGO and try, try again. And my minor victory has turned into a major step towards building a relationship with Bead & Button magazine. Plus, I can also scratch off another number on my GOAL LIST in December.

What have been your goals? Do you have any current goals? What helps you achieve the goals you set for yourself? Do you make the same goals over and over again if you don't achieve them or do you move on?
Tell us about it.

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