Still have yet to hear back from IT regarding my Paypal integration issues.  I'm going to try again later today because I do know they have been working on things.  I'll keep you updated!

Happy Friday!  Well, I've tried through the week and spoke with IT two times now regarding getting things up for sale on the site, specifically getting Paypal incorporated to ensure all purchases are secure.  Well, slight problem.  I can't get it to work, IT has been wonderfully helpful, but they can't solve it either so they've moved it up to the next Tier and hopefully when they get back to me in 24-48 hours they'll have figured out and fixed whatever the problem is!  This comes at the end of a very long week trying to get my office computer back up and running with all the needed applications after getting hit with a virus and having my hard drive replaced. 

Out of sheer frustration, I'm going to try to absent myself from computers the rest of the weekend, or at least until I hear back from IT at least.  I doubt it'll work as I seem to be attached at the hip to computers lately, but I'll try for a couple waking hours at least! 

Well... I didn't get more time to work on posting things for sale yet.  Friday, I didn't get to sleep until after 5AM, Saturday we hung out with some friends and watched the kids moonlight bowl.  I stopped by the grocery store on the way home and decided to swing into the liquor store too.  It seemed like a good night for some Moscato D'Asti.  And it was! 

Sunday, we did the family Christmas thing.... it was smaller this year.  Only 30-40 people.... lots of good food, lots of catching up, babies to cuddle and kids running rampant.  Went home and pretty much crashed.  A new work week has started with lots to do and a broken computer still... I'm hoping to get things up and running on here in the evenings... Later all!

Oh wait, that might be from overeating Szechuan stir fry for dinner....  Anyway, I published.  I'm nervous about the new look, but happy with it.  I can't go the custom website route so I need to go with predesigned pages and I have yet to find one that is for handmade beaded jewerly. 

Funny, considering the boom in the industry.  An online friend noted the other day that a prominent craft store is starting to feature an official 'bead room' in their store.  With beads draping from the walls and sections of buy by the bead trays.  Just like a regular bead store except one very important thing.  The beads were all line produced, low quality beads.  They sparkled from afar, but if you take a closer look, well, let's just say all that glitters is not gold.  Apparently, two ladies were overheard exclaiming over the price of some handmade Venetian style beads, and my online friend kindly pointed out that it was not annealed (fired in a kiln to give it lasting strength and quality) and that true handmade artisan beads would not crack or leave dust behind.  This lovely lady is well qualified to know this particular bit of information as she IS a glass artist who makes beautiful, QUALITY handmade lampwork.  Please, if you're going to buy something that looks like lampwork either be prepared for it to break, or fall apart on you... OR do your research, look for the good stuff and possibly to save up for something that you can appreciate for years to come!

ANYWAY!  I'm leaving lecture mode!  I'm going to try to start working o actually getting things up for sale on the site.  Possibly tonight if I can figure things out.... and more over the weekend.  We're getting together with a group of friends tomorrow that we haven't seen in a while and Sunday is my Dad's side's Christmas party (yes, Christmas still!) It's hard to get all of us together.  This date was planned a little over a month ago in order to try and get as many people there as possible.  It's a BIG family!  Most of the Christmas decorations are packed up... just need to get them actually put away now.  Sad to see them go, but a relief at the same time.  I can't wait for everythhing to be put away seeing as the other stuff that goes on top of the holiday boxes in the storage closet is all out on top of my bead boxes and taunting me with the fact that I can't play.  Oh well, such is life.  I'm off to see what I can do more on the site and visit my favorite forum!  Night all!

Oh wow... It IS the New Year! My day job has been busy, I've been trying to clean up the house from the holidays which is a challange in and of itself with a vacuum on the fritz.  Plus, I've been really trying to get this place up and running and make jewelry when I can.  Although, I'm supposed to be on my yearly self imposed jewelry making restriction until my taxes are done, I'm giving myself a reprieve until the end of the month.  It's been a busy couple of weeks and the thought of juggling taxes in there right away makes my head want to explode!  It tried to do that today come to think of it!  Migraines suck!  Ended up sleeping until 3 in the afternoon then working remotely (day job) until just a little bit ago.  Sigh... now it's time to crawl off to bed.  Good night all, sleep well!

I'm hoping this works and the new site is working.  This is my first attempt at any sort of blog, so please don't expect too much of me!  I'm going to keep it short and sweet though for this first test, so Happy New Year to all!