We probably should’ve addressed this earlier this summer, but at least we’ll have it out here for the holiday season and next summer, right?

OK, taking your beading with you when you travel can be a bit of a challenge.  The best travel beading is probably bead crochet, because your beads are all strung on the cord and safely contained.  Crochet needles are usually allowed on public transportation and planes with no problems.  You don’t have to add thread, so scissors or cutters can be in checked luggage.  Win-win, right? 

Unless you wait till your’re moving to start the project.  Starting a bead crochet project is the most challenging part of the whole thing, and it isn’t unusual to rip it out a few times before you are happy with it.  Your life will be far more pleasant if you work the first 2 or 3 inches at home.

Travelling with bead weaving can be more complicated, but can be done with a bit of planning.  First, you want a beading surface that will keep your beads contained, separated, and relatively easy to reach.  And that can get past security easily.  Thin plastic “pencil boxes” sold with school supplies are nice, especially with the vellux bead mats stuck in place.  I’ve seen them with two layers of mat on the bottom glued together, with circles cut out of the top one to make little pits to hold the beads on one side.  Putting one or two layers of mat on top and closing the lid will keep them safe and separated.  You can also include your work in process if it fits, along with pre-threaded needles.  Keep most of your beads in little plastic bags or plastic tubes in your purse, so if something happens, you’re not frantically scrabbling to recover 7 grams of Delicas from the seat and carpet.

One word of advice – get the “book strap” wide elastic bands and wrap one around the whole thing to keep it closed tight.  Those little latches will pop open at the worst possible time.

Take your own beading style into account before choosing a project for the road.  If you like to sightsee or talk to seatmates, peyote patterns might not be a good choice.  Coral-type fringe, tubular herringbone, and spiral ropes are usually good travel projects. 

And when beading poolside or on the beach, always remember that more than 3 umbrella-drinks can have disasterous effects on your tension.  Or good effects, depending. 

Have fun!!

We’ve had several customers lately that have asked this very question, or ones close to it.  Mostly because they’ve found places on the web that will “help them with all the paperwork” for “only a couple of hundred dollars!” 

Hm.  You don’t have to spend that much, and it isn’t very hard.  You don’t really need help to do the paperwork, just a little time. 

The hardest part is deciding what legal form your business will take.  You can become a “sole proprietorship” just by declaring yourself to be one.  If you and a friend are going to go into it together, you can form a partnership the same way, but partnerships are “legal entities” and have to file income tax returns.  Check with an accountant or lawyer, or read some of the ”business startup” websites with free information to help you decide.

Once you’ve decided what structure you’re going to have, you probably want to apply for a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name Certificate at your local county office.  (http://www.kelanroycpa.com/krcpa/clerks_offices.htm  has a nice list of DFW offices and info.  Most county offices also have information online.)  While there are plenty of home based businesses that haven’t done this, if you want to make sure someone else can’t call themselves “Amy’s Jewels” in Texas, you have to register the name.  Also, if you want a bank account in your business name, the bank will want to see the certificate.  And the paperwork isn’t horribly complicated, and the fees are usually pretty low.  If you’re smart enough to start your own business, you’re smart enough to complete the paperwork, so don’t pay $100 for someone else to mail it in for you!

Next you’ll need a sales tax number, which is free.  You can register online at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxpermit/  or go to a local office.  The state has a list of local offices and other helpful information at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/fieldoff.html .  You’ll have to have an estimate of your annual sales when you fill out the paperwork.  Be honest.  This determines how often you have to file and pay.  And you have to pay sales tax to the state for everything you sell that isn’t legally tax exempt, or they get really huffy when they find out.  Again, information on the state website free and isn’t hard to understand, and the staff in the local offices can answer any other questions you have.

But remember, once you’ve declared yourself to be in business, there are income tax and sales tax returns that have to be filed, records and paperwork to be kept up with, and an amazing amount of junk mail directed at your new venture.  

Congratulations and Good Luck!!

We have two of our Artful Bead Birthday Beadaplooza t-shirts saved from our big First Birthday celebration.  We have decided to award them to the two people who write the best “I deserve this t-shirt because”  paragraphs in the comments.  You have one week – we will announce the winners next Saturday. 

Make it funny, we’re still a bit tired from all the Birthday Celebrations, and we could use a good laugh. 

Thanks

PS:  Mary had one of those “Oops” moments at Market last week.  You know, one of those “How many pounds of stuff can I put in the car  before the suspension breaks?” spells we get sometimes when confronted with truly amazing beads at great prices.  As in “lost her teensy mind and where will we put all this stuff?” followed by “HOW MANY BOXES???  Of WHAT???”  “AAAAAAKKKKKKK!!!”

So next week, we’ll have some new chalcedony, labradorite, moonstone, tourmalines, and other wonderfulness.

The rain ended our plans for the tent in the parking lot for games and excitement, so we just moved it inside!!  We’re decorated to our eyebrows, and the cake is delicious!!

Ready for the party

Carol and Lizzie

See? Cakes!

And our newest staff member Lindsay!  You HAVE to come say Hi to Lindsay, really you do.

So come join the fun – till 7 on Saturday (8/1) and noon – 5 on Sunday!