Kaput

It's unofficially official.  BettyBee Products is dead.

Well..... mostly dead.  I say mostly because I've managed to close the Etsy store and the bank accounts, and converted the Twitter account back to being my "personal" Twitter.  I still need to file with the state so that they're not banging on my door at 2 AM looking for money they think I should pay them.... It's on my to-do list!  I swear!

Yes, I'm a procrastinator..... is there a 12-step program for that?

There are a few items here and there lingering around.  Like the banner at the top of this blog that my sweet and ingenious husband made for me.  Business cards tucked away in pockets and purses.  It makes me a little sad...

At any rate, I wanted to say thank you to everyone that made a purchase from BettyBee, either through the Etsy store, at a craft fair, or in person somewhere.  I also wanted to thank everyone that subscribed to this blog and read my occasionally dry and sarcastic ramblings.  Interactions with friends, customers, and peers are what make my day!  I've learned a much more than I ever thought I would by starting this business, and I hope that I'll come back at some point in the future or evolve the business idea into something new.... better prepared and perhaps more successful because of this experience.

I wish all of you the best in your own lives and endeavors!

TTFN
- Mel
BettyBee Products

So long! Liquidation sale - day 1

And so it begins..... the beginning of the end.  A little bizarre to think about really.  But, here we go!

Every item in the shop is marked down 10%.  No need for special codes or refunds or dancing under the full moon in front of a campfire.  Just click and make one of these special pieces your own.... or your mom's.... or send it to Aunt Joanie who lives in San Jose!

Thanks again for reading, looking, clicking (even accidentally!), considering, and purchasing :)

TTFN
Mel @ BettyBee Products

Closing up shop :(

As with anything in life, BettyBee has always been a learning experience.  I've put it together from the ground up..... granted it didn't get very far.... and I did have a bit of help from loved ones..... but it's not where my heart is anymore.  I feel like it couldn't possibly grow to where I want it to be, somehow restricted by the niche it started it in, or the name I came up with, or even by how much effort was put into it.

Long story short, BettyBee Products is going to start liquidating inventory and supplies in preparation to close our doors, with a projected close date of June 18th.  Certain items will simply be de-listed because I was selling them on behalf of another artist.  Everything else will be sold at a discounted price to attempt to make back any initial investment. Shipping prices will remain the same.  It will take some time to get through the inventory we had acquired, but we'll get it all posted to hopefully go to other good crafting homes.

In the meantime, we'll keep blogging and tweeting periodically.....  And maybe we'll come up with a new idea in the process.  Who knows, right?

Thanks to everyone that read our posts, visited the shop, and bought items from us via the Etsy shop or at one of the craft fairs we participated in.  I wish you all the best in your own endeavors!

TTFN
Mel @ BettyBee Products

It's so quiet here you could hear a pin drop!

In the time that the BettyBee blog has been experiencing radio silence, we have been reassessing our direction for this particular business and how much energy has been and may yet be expended on it.  While there's still some demand for handmade scarflettes and fingerless gloves, as well as holiday demand for beautiful and rare vintage items, reflection is needed.

So, here's where you come in.... we need some help from you, my readers, customers, industry peers.  Here's hoping you'll be willing to share a few things:

Share request #1:  Your favorite handmade item to shop for/purchase (not necessarily from BettyBee).   Share what tweaked your interest with it and what inspired you to take the leap and spend your hard-earned cash.  I'm particularly interested in anything that you've bought more than once.

Share request #2:  Your #1 wishlist handmade item.  The sky is the limit!  We'd like to see what's lingering in your dreams.... maybe you want it so bad, it makes you twitch for your wallet...

Share request #3:  Something beautiful and inspirational that you'd be ok with sharing.  Something that inspired you at a difficult moment with your own art or crafting.

Now, we don't expect your participation and soul-baring to be offered up for free (although we're sure you're all kind-hearted enough to do so), so we're making this our first giveaway!  In return for your generous participation in one or more of the share requests, responses will be drawn at random to receive a pair of Anchor Hocking milkglass teacup and saucer sets (that's two saucers and two teacups for those of you reading this without your morning caffeine jolt).  You can see pictures of the teacup and saucer here (http://www.etsy.com/listing/64054689/anchor-hocking-milk-glass-teacup-and).

If you're comfortable responding in "Comments," please do so!  We're happy to have you share by email too at BettyBee.Products@gmail.com.  We will be drawing responses on Friday, April 1st (no joke)!

Provided this works out well, we may be hitting you up for more input!

TTFN!
xoxo
BettyBee

New in the shop - Peacock blue fingerless gloves

Excuse me while I cluck like Mother Hen for a moment....  cluck, cluck, cluck

I've enlisted my lovely daughter as my model for the knitted and crocheted accessories and bags for BettyBee.  Our first knitted item is available now:  peacock blue fingerless gloves with ornate black plastic buttons.  They're simple with clean stitches and pretty buttons.

And if I do say so myself, my daughter looks gorgeous.  sigh.... they grow up so fast!!

TTFN :)

You like me! You really like me!!

In the midst of taking pictures of new items, coming up with witty descriptions, and posting things on Etsy.... not to mention the 9 million other steps I add into my process.... I somehow missed that one of my vintage vases was featured in a Treasury list by Blissful12.  Blissful12 seems to be posting a run of color-themed Treasury lists:  first emerald green, then aqua/turquoise, and now hot tamale red!  So great!  Definitely take a look :)

TTFN!

Procrastination?? Shut your mouth!!

It's been a busy few days for us at BettyBee.  We've been cleaning vintage items, taking pictures, listing them in the Etsy store (9 items and counting!  Woo-hoo!!), and then shouting to the world that they're there.

Among the newly posted:

Cream colored enamel flower pin.... click here for more details

Brody Co. wheat and trelis vase..... click here for more details

E.O. Brody wing vase (that's what I'm calling it, and I'm sticking to it!  so there!!).... click here for more details

Royal Haeger harvest horn planter.  I haven't seen another one like it in this rich, deep green..... click here for more details

Clear glass tulip bulb vase.  This vase doesn't have any manufacturer's marks, but is lovely just the same... click here for more details

We're adding new items almost every day!  Please visit the shop soon.

TTFN!