New Ornament Collection

I have a new line of cute ornaments available in my shop!

They are modern images, preserved under 7/8" square glass hanging from a silver plated bail.  Each hangs from lace or ribbon.

They are adorable as ornaments. But, the best thing is you can cut the ribbon off and use as a pendant, too!

They are just $10 each and they are going fast in my shop!

Virtual Open House III - Day 4

Welcome to Day 4 of the Virtual Open House!

To find out all the details of what is going on here, see Day 1 of the Virtual Open House.

Each day there is a Giveaway!

Get 20% off in my etsy shop all week with the coupon code VIRTUALOPENHOUSE

Freebies with orders each day!

Today's Giveaway:

 

One of my brand new ornaments!

These ornaments are made with glass tiles and have a ribbon to use as an ornament.  They are 7/8" square.  You can use them as a pendant instead! 

Find all of my new ornaments listed in my online shop.

To Enter to Win this Cool Ornament:

Simply leave a comment below!  If you don't have an account, you can leave your comment anonymously.  Just make sure to leave your email so that I can get a hold of you!

Get extra entries for doing any of the following.  For each item you complete, leave a separate comment:

• Get a chance for joining my facebook page.  If you are already a fan, just leave a comment saying that.
• Tweet about this giveaway.  Please make sure to include a link to this website.  Here's an example tweet you could use:  I just entered to win the giveaway from @BBBellezza at http://www.BBBellezza.com There's a new giveaway each day this week!
• Share on your facebook wall.  You can use the same example from above or write whatever you want.  
• Join my newsletter, or leave a comment letting me know that you already are a subscriber.  (Make sure you're leaving the same email address that you are subscribed with.)
• Note:  if you need help commenting or aren't technological, just email me and I'll leave your comment for you!

That's 6 total chances!  Winner will be chosen around 8:00 am Eastern tomorrow (Friday) morning!

I'll send along a freebie with each purchase today!  Today's freebie is a heart glass tile pin!

To get the freebie, just make a purchase today using the coupon code VIRTUALOPENHOUSE.  You'll get 20% off and a free pin!

UPDATE:  We have a winner for this giveaway!  I'm giving away prizes all week, so click "home" above and find the latest giveaway to enter!

Get Ready for Handmade Christmas!

I know it's difficult for everyone to hear this, but we're only a little over 3 months until Christmas.

Each year I tell myself that I won't wait until the last minute to start working on my handmade holiday gifts.  Each year, I fail.  I'm usually covered in thread and/or glue and pieces of fabric and paper when I finally crawl into bed early Christmas morning.

It's definitely all worth it when I get to give my family and friends gifts that I personally made for them.  And I'll admit it, I like to impress them, too.

I just made this form to help me plan for the holidays this year.  If you want one, it's free - just click on the add to cart button to get it:

Handmade Holidays Planning Chart

I'm gonna get it together and get to making some awesome gifts while there is still plenty of time!

And there is still plenty of time at this point to get your holiday gift list together, find some great tutorials and make your gifts!  You still have time to learn a skill and impress your friends and family with beautifully handmade gifts!

You can find plenty of jewelry tutorials from me in my etsy shop (and soon to be available for immediate download, too.)  After your purchase from my etsy shop, you'll have the tutorial in your inbox within 24 hours (usually much faster!)  

You'll also find a super cute doll tutorial in my shop where you can learn to customize and make your own doll!  You can even make a zombie doll!

Please let me know if you have any questions!

So, who's making holiday gifts this year?  Who has already gotten started?

Holiday Giveaway!

****NOW CLOSED, and a winner has been chosen****

Just in time for the holidays!  I'm giving away a $35 gift certificate to my Etsy Shop! 

Use it to buy your holiday gifts, for yourself or to have a Happy Green Handmade Holiday!

How To Win:

Below is a list of all the ways you can get a chance to win.

Do 1, 2 or whatever you want!  You receive one chance for each item.  After completing an item on the list, leave a separate comment.  (Separate comment for each item.)  

You can get up to 6 chances!!!  {Also see below about how to win $35 more B.B. Bellezza dollars!}

Leave a separate comment for each item below:

•  1 chance for leaving a comment below.  It can be your favorite holiday tradition, the best handmade gift you ever received or something else about the holidays.
• 1 chance for tweeting about this.  {You can use the following tweet, or come up with your own:  @BBBellezza is giving away a $35 gift certificate!  Find details to enter on her website - 6 chances to enter!  http://www.bbbellezza.com }
• 1 chance for making a purchase from someone who is a local artisan this month.  Let us know what you bought and where.  (We’re using the honor system here.) 
• 1 chance for looking through my Etsy Shop and telling me what item you like best 
• 1chance for fanning my facebook page (or if you are already a fan, just comment that you are) 
• 1 chance for following my blog (or if you are already a follower just leave a comment that you are a follower)

Newsletter Giveaway:

You can also get entered to win a second $35 gift certificate by joining my newsletter.  Suggest that your friends join my newsletter and you’ll a get another chance to win that gift certificate when they join!  (They also get a chance to win then, too!

{Just have your friend send me a separate email (BBBellezza@comcast.net ) after they join to tell me your name and email address so I know who to give credit to!}

I’ll pick a winner on 12/3/10

You’ll receive the gift certificate via email and can use it immediately! 

Make sure to check back in here on December 3^rd to see who won!  

Gift Certificate can be used for anything in my etsy shop! 

Green Handmade Holidays

Christmas is only 53 days away!

In years past I have made many of my gifts.  This year, I have every intention to do so again.  I have memories (nightmares?) in the past of staying up late still sewing and finishing items on Christmas Eve.  I don’t want that to happen again.  So, although the organized part of me really thinks I blew it already and am running late – comparably, there’s still plenty of time to make great eco-friendly gifts!

And there is certainly plenty of time to support your local artisans this holiday seasons.  Artisans provide one-of-a-kind personal gifts that you can’t get elsewhere!  As a customer told me on Friday, I’m helping to stimulate the local economy.  I was so happy to have someone so precisely get it.

Local craft shows are plentiful this time of year and a great way to spend a day and support local artisans.  You can also support local businesses or shop on Etsy (you can get great handmade items from all over the world, or use the shop local feature on Etsy to keep it close to home.)  For artisans who specialize in turning trash into amazing treasures, search for the Trashion Team on Etsy (trashionteam).  For folks in Pennsylvania, search for the Handmade in PA Etsy Team  (teamhip).

As I search the web for things to make for my friends and family for holiday gifts and look for tips for a greener holiday, I’ll share ideas here.  Of course, I’ll have to keep some of what I’m making a secret until after Christmas!

Happy Green Handmade Holidays!

Over the next 2 months – or rather, 53 days – I’ll be sharing some ideas to make your holidays green and handmade!  We’ll decorate, make presents, wrap and decoration our presents and plan a green holiday celebration!

Green Handmade Holiday Tip:

Here’s a tip from me to get started on your Green Handmade Holiday:  I never use patterns or tutorials exactly as is.  You get the idea from the tutorial or pattern, or possibly the technique and run with it to make it your own.  That is what makes giving handmade so great!  Usually you can find a way to make a tutorial more eco-friendly.  You can use old clothes instead of any fabric, use organic materials, use recycled felt, etc.