ArtFire Pro for $5.95/mo and NO Transaction Fees!

ArtFire is moving out of Beta (testing) and to celebrate, they are offering a great deal to their artisans. All along, they have offered free accounts with no listing or transaction fees (that means you don't pay them anything when you make a sale, unlike some other artisan sites). They even offer Pro accounts for $15.95/month that includes a bunch of bells and whistles, still with no listing or transaction fees. Now they are offering a fantastic deal: $5.95/month for a Pro account for life. STILL, no listing or transaction fees. What a steal! This could be a fantastic opportunity for somebody selling on another artisan site that charges listing and transaction fees.

All you need to do to take advantage of the deal is sign up for an account (if you haven't already) and agree to join in the fun. Hurry, because the catch is that they are only guaranteeing to go through with this promotional pricing if 20,000 people sign up, and the sooner they reach that number, the sooner the $5.95/month starts. If you sign up and they don't get the 20,000 signups, it costs you absolutely nothing, so there is nothing to be lost here.

http://www.artfire.com/groupdeal

Pyramids and Stars

I was playing around at the Bead-a-Lot yesterday and figured out how to make a pyramid shape WITHOUT having to do components and then connect them together. Yay! Those of you in the know understand how much I HATE components. ;)

These triangles are destined to be earrings, but I think I see a charm bracelet in my future... okay, so I know that means components, but it's not the same thing. :)

Also, my friend Aryd'ell brought this bracelet with her, which she made from my Shooting Stars pattern but then embellished the heck out of. I love it! I think I'm gonna have to write up a second tutorial for this one as a collaboration. :)

Happy beading!

Birthday Present and a Tutorial

I just realized that I neglected to post a photo of this pendant I made for a friend's birthday present. I have several more available for sale. I am writing a tutorial for the triangle/diamond bail to teach at a retreat this May. Here is another version of the bail:

Getting Ahead of Myself

It's kind of silly for me to be thinking about this right now, since I'm trying to finish my Elemental Bead Embroidery series for Bead Dreams. But I'm wondering about something... I've had people asking me if I sell patterns for the pieces I've made, particularly my Embroidered Butterfly. And I was wondering how I should sell it. 

Should I sell it as a pattern only, with no text instructions? 

Should I include some sort of instructions, maybe kind of basic?  If this is your choice, what kind of instructions do you think I should include? 

Should I do one or the other with beads included for a kit?  I've made a poll in the sidebar to the right and would appreciate any input you all have.

I might also sell patterns for some of the bead embroidered cuff bracelets I've made (or will make as I finish out the 2008-2009 Bead Journal Project).

After you vote (or even if you don't), please leave me your comments.  Thanks!

Edited to add:  How much do you think I should be charging for something like this? And if there are instructions, how detailed should they be?