Happy Hanukkah & Merry Christmas to ALL!!

Just a few more days to shop, wrap & be ready for the holidays! It doesn't feel like holiday time, for some reason. Maybe it's the weather? Not quite cold enough. Missing some 'white, fluffy stuff', I think. I like a good snowstorm. You know, the kind where everyone is home and you've got a nice fire going in the fireplace. And after a couple of those...I'm ready to go to Florida!! Anyway, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of you the happiest, healthiest holidays with time spent with your loved ones! After all, THAT's what the holidays are all about...at least for me. Holiday time can also be stressful for some. Health issues...or loss of loved ones...can really bring you down during the holidays. I miss my Dad more than words can say...and I feel for those who are grieving. I also struggle with chronic pain issues & lack of energy due to Lupus...as I look at the list of what I still have NOT done. But I try to dwell on the positive, not the negative. I've accomplished a lot, considering. I guess it could always be worse! So I do what I can...and somehow in the end, I manage to pull it all together!

It was a good year for Jujubeads. Etsy started to pick up, craft shows proved to be worthwhile & the Jujubeads Holiday Party/Trunk Show was a success! So I've decided to put all of my rings on sale...25% off until the end of the year. I hope you'll check them at out (while supplies last) at www.etsy.com/shop/jujubeader.

Please stay safe & have a wonderful holiday season...and a very Happy New Year to All!!
XXOO,
Jujubeader:)

Quick FYI

Well, my favorite holiday is quickly approaching. Yes, our day of *thanks*. I have so much to be thankful for. Even during the worst times, it's my blessings that I try to focus on...and they lift me up and out of whatever 'funk' I may be experiencing!

So I'm back from a recent trip to Puerto Rico with my hubby and some friends. I'm revived and refreshed and I'm excited about some new pieces I've created. I have decided to run a special sale between now and one week from tomorrow--Cyber Monday (November 28th for those who do not keep track!) Just enter coupon code: THANKS20 and you will receive 20% off your order! How great is that!?!?

I'm wishing ALL of you and wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving. May you enjoy the holiday with family and friends...and be healthy & safe! Oh! And speaking of "friends and family", please feel free to share this coupon code with whomever you'd like!

XXOO, Juju:)

JUJU'S FAVORITE THINGS :)

We may not have Oprah's Favorite Things anymore...but that doesn't mean we ourselves don't have our own favorite things!! So I've decided to form a list of MY Favorite Things & I'm searching through Etsy for all of my items. There are plenty of things to choose from and since Etsy doesn't advertise for us, I've decided that we should advertise for one another!! So sit back and enjoy these beauties that I have collected for you to peruse & admire!!
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1)

I absolutely LOVE these fingerless gloves. I love so many things in this shop (www.etsy.com/shop/toilandtrouble) and highly recommend that you check it out.

2)

How beautiful is this bag? It reminds me of one I owned circa 1976. I love the fringe detail. I'm not in the market for a new bag right now but maybe you are? Please note that the bag ships from Uruguay, so keep that in mind if you need it in time for the holidays.(www.etsy.com/shop/SABRINATACH)

3)

This is another shop I am completely in love with. Her attention to detail and eye for color is what makes you wanna look twice (and back again & again). Beautiful stuff! (www.etsy.com/shop/StoneStreetStudio)

4)

I liked this so much I bought it for my Granddaughter! I love the colors & the complimentary patterns. Maybe you have a little girl on your Christmas/Hanukkah list? It's available in 18 months up to 4T. (www.etsy.com/shop/nezzyduran)

5)

I'm realizing as I look over all of my favorites that I REALLY like color. This dress is a perfect example of what attracts me. This is SO beautiful. I'm including it on my list even though I don't think it's for me but I love it and I thought you should have a look. It's expensive, but actually being a knitter/crocheter...I know how much work goes into something like this. So for what it is, it is WORTH it. Please note, it ships from Australia. (www.etsy.com/shop/subrosa123)

6)

Sweet & simple "shabby chic" sconce. You can put fresh or dried flowers in it for that special touch! Great gift. (www.etsy.com/shop/OldNewAgain)

7)

I may just have to buy these for myself. I admire them on a regular basis, as I do ALL of the items in this shop. Her work is fabulous...designs are different and feminine and eye-catching. This shop is in Poland so you need to order early to receive in time for the holidays. (www.etsy.com/shop/hypericumfragile)

8)

Classic RayBans ... who doesn't love them? I think they look good on just about everyone. And these babies are ON SALE! They won't last long though so check 'em out if you're interested. (www.etsy.com/shop/OnceUponAGem)

9)

Kris Donegan makes beautiful signs, cards, cupcake toppers. Her work is immaculate and clean ... I know because I purchased a 'nursery sign' from her and it's just lovely!! (www.etsy.com/shop/KDragonfly)

10)

My mouth is watering just thinking about this delectable, SCRUMPTIOUS goody! This is a great item to have if you have a last minute invitation or just need a small gift for any reason at all. It can be an add-on to another gift. Hey, you need no reason at all other than THIS STUFF is DELICIOUS!! (www.etsy.com/shop/stgnantucket)

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So I hope you've enjoyed 'window shopping' through my list of Juju's Favorite Things! I am starting my holiday shopping TODAY. Perhaps some of you have already started and some of you are 'last-minute shoppers'...whatever you are, give Etsy.com a try & spread the word!! Although I am a self-confessed shopper and frequent the malls & 'bigger' stores, this year I am vowing to buy my majority of gifts through Etsy. I've had enough of big-box stores and malls and crowds and mass-produced 'crap'. I'm done with it. I will sink into my comfy chair and click away as I glide through my list with ease. Cheers!! :)

CORRECTION

Sorry folks, but I didn't realize that I'm unable to combine a '% off' discount and a 'free shipping' discount ... SOOOO, here's what I'm gonna do! I will give a straight 20% off ... again for ONE DAY ONLY, 8/19. THIS coupon code is: bday20
HAPPY SHOPPING!! :)

Two days til B-day :)

SO in two days, I will celebrate the fact that I've been on this earth for FIFTY~ONE YEARS. Honestly, I can hardly believe it. I mean, even though I usually feel like I'm about 75...in my head, I'm still around 30~something. It's weird. I guess it's a GOOD thing...to maintain a 'little bit' of immaturity, lol. ANYWAY, I've decided to run a big one~day sale on the occasion of my birthday. EVERYthing in my shop is 10% off PLUS free shipping, but ONLY for ONE DAY, August 19th. WOW. Have I lost my mind? I think not. So start shopping and scope out what you think you might be interested in ... and then GRAB it while you can. ONE DAY ONLY. Sorry, no exceptions. How do you like THEM apples?!? *coupon code: JUJUBDAY10off (only valid 8/19)

**it hit the fan

Well, I've had better days, my friends. After our wonderful trip to Asheville, spending such lovely days with our family, it was bound to happen. I'm down for the count. It's so frustrating to always 'pay the price', but like I've said before, I make my choices. I wouldn't have missed this trip for anything in the world. Even though I said g'night earlier than I would have liked many nights, I'm still suffering the effects of TOO MUCH. I haven't been able to get back to my jewelry-making which is one of the most frustrating aspects for me. My body doesn't cooperate with my brain! I have so many great ideas and can't wait to get started. But somehow, I can't seem to get myself 'vertical' just yet. Maybe tomorrow. Meanwhile, I've had many, many more Facebook fans since we instituted our raffle to win my Swarovski pearl earrings. I can't wait to see WHO will be the winner! I think we'll figure it out by tomorrow...so stay tuned! And now, back to bed.

Wiped Out With a Smile On My Face:)

So we just returned from a five-day trip to Asheville, NC for the wedding of our nephew. I can't remember the last time we were away with our kids....and THIS time we had our kids AND our granddaughter! JACKPOT!! :) Add to that six cousins (from MA), brother-in-law and sister in law (from Atlanta), nephew (the groom) and new niece (the bride), another nephew & his g/f, extended family, friends ... and OHHH YEAHHH, my mother-in-law!! Haha!!!! So it all worked out great. But AS USUAL, following any trip let-alone a fairly active one, I am thoroughly EXHAUSTED. Something I've learned from having Lupus is that we make choices. We either participate in 'the games' and pay or we don't participate. Sometimes I DO choose to sit it out, but THIS time--I was not about to miss out on one single moment. Actually, that's not true. I DID miss out on some things...and those are usually the ones that occurred after 10PM. I just couldn't push anymore. As it is, I got home and got into PJ's (yesterday) and haven't gotten OUT of them since. I will take a shower tomorrow though, I PROMISE. This is just how it is. And what I am so grateful for is the fact that I don't have to get dressed to go to work. I'm SO fortunate in that I don't even have to work at ALL if I don't want to (thanks to my angel of a husband), but I really DO want to. I did a little work on Etsy today. I added two new items (earrings) which I will post here:

I would also like to introduce you to a new friend I met on Etsy, Anne Pierce who owns "WeeLambieKnits". As soon as I can figure out how to include her link here, I will do so. (Another problem with the lupus & the fatigue is "BRAIN FOG" a/k/a DUHHHH~) Sorry, Anne!!<3

I took the challenge AND I WON!

I'm so excited to share some news with you! My treasury on Etsy was chosen as 'the winner' (It was called "Passionate about Purple") and AS the winner, I am featured in the blog by EJArt on Etsy. I've never done anything like this before so I really hope you all check it out and enter the raffle. You will be eligible to win a pair of Swarovski Pearl Earrings worth $35 made my me! It's SO easy! All you need to do is go to Elizabeth's blog (EJArt) and follow the instructions. The more you "like" me, the better your chances. Get it?? Here's the skinny:
www.ejarttreasurypromo.blogspot.com
GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

Bye~Bye Earrings:)

I really love it when a friend purchases a piece of jewelry. Some items more than others are somehow very special to me ... it's like they're my children ... but when they end up in the hands of a friend, I feel SO happy! I know Debbie will enjoy these earrings for a long, long time ... and I KNOW they will be loved!

Not enough hours in a day!

I have such a dilemma.  My 'to-do' list is SOOO long and full of chores (more than my usual) and even though I seem to be getting to them one-by-one, I still feel as though I can't keep my head above water!!  And the 'dilemma' is the fact that I just don't have the *ENERGY* to get to it all.  It's one of the most frustrating aspects of this illness.  My head and my heart say:  "I have all these desires and wishes and goals and I need to DO them!"   And with that, my body responds "Yeah, right!!  That's not gonna happen!"  <sigh>  It's something I'm used to by now (33 years) but somehow, it's still one of these areas that I find difficult to deal with.  Should I be less ambitious?  How can I still be productive and purposeful within the parameters of a body that does not cooperate?  Just one of the challenges of living life with a chronic condition...one of many.  I guess what I do is simply this:  I take it one-day-at-a-time.  I do what I can do when I can do it.  And when I can't...I don't.  This week, I am preparing for my beautiful granddaughter's first birthday which we are celebrating in my home on Saturday.  Thirty+ people.  Still have some shopping to do and preparing a few little dishes.  Fortunately, everyone's doing something...so it's not all on me.  And then the following day I will be a vendor at a fundraiser for lupus called "Blues On The Bay".  There's always LOTS to do before a craft show or fundraiser like getting pieces in order, polishing up some jewelry, making sure they're priced, getting my business card together (YIKES, something I forgot to put on my 'to-to' list!) and getting it all packed up along with displays & tables & gift bags OH MY!!  My b.p. is going up as we speak.  All I can do is pray for less pain this week and more energy so that I can accomplish AT LEAST the bare minimum of what I hope to accomplish.  Wish me luck?

Back to the blog!

Well, it's been about six months since I've posted here.  At least I have a good "excuse" or reason, I should say for my absence -- OTHER than "I forgot" or "I had nothing to say", lol.  I've been quite busy setting up my shop, JuJuBeader on Etsy.com.  I jumped into it with both feet (and hands and every other body part) and perhaps should've done some research first, but y'know...that's just not how I roll.  My style is to jump in, splash around for a while and THEN eventually, little-by-little figure it all out.  I think I can honestly say that for the first three, maybe even four months, I REALLY didn't know what I was doing!  HA!   I don't know why that makes me laugh, but I guess it's better than crying about it.  My sweet husband and I have differing opinions and styles on how we approach new endeavors.  He is much more of a left-brain thinker, while I'm much more right-brain, more creative & much more visual person, overall.  He will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS read instructions before diving in to anything.  I will hardly ever read instructions.  Again, I'm laughing...which is fortunate because it's just one of many reasons our marriage is as good as it is!  I think we compliment one another in the best ways possible.  And yes, we make a good team.  So, back to Etsy.  I guess it was around April or May when I started to understand the in's and out's of how it works and what I should be focusing on, like better photos and tags & titles for my items.  I had never even heard of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) before I started on Etsy and boy is there a lot to learn!  It can be overwhelming.  But I'm trying to take it one-day-at-a-time.  I still have gobs & gobs to learn but I've come a long way!  This does not necessarily mean that I now know what I'm doing or that I'm any kind of expert. But I'm forging ahead and learning and growing exponentially.  I'm kind of going about it with the attitude:  "fake it 'til you make it".  I'm learning each and every day and I'm enjoying the process of reaching the various plateaus as I proceed with this experience.  And so, I hope that you as my reader gain some enjoyment as you read the trials and tribulations  of my business and of my life and I thank you for riding along!

... and time marches on

Almost February 1st, 2011 ALREADY.  Every time I turn around, I'm startled by how quickly the time marches on.  And have you noticed that it does so no matter what's going on in our lives? So it reminded me of an old "Ann Landers" column (or was it "Dear Abby") in which she answers a 40-year old woman's question about whether or not she should pursue a higher-education degree.  The woman was concerned that perhaps she would be too old by the time she completed it.  So Abby (or Ann) responded that no matter WHAT she decided to do, she would STILL turn 50 in 10 years!  That message has stayed with me ever since.  And although I've considered going back to school for a Master's degree (and soon after decided against it)...I know that there are things I want to do with my life.  I'm working hard on my etsy page (www.jujubeader.etsy.com) and have also created a Facebook page for JuJuBeads (called "JujuBeader").  A little work on it every day helps me to feel like I'm useful and productive.  OH!  AND, I've also lost 6.6 lbs since 1/2/11!  Looks like Weight Watchers + 30-minutes a day on my stationary bike 4-5x/week REALLY works!  I guess the moral of my story is:  *discipline feels GOOD*.  I'll check back in shortly and give you another update.  Thanks for stopping by!