our spanish speaking customers now have a blog

Being multicultural, Born in Chicago, living in Puerto Rico, and then back to Chicago, has given me insight into the wonderful melting pot of the USA!

In Morton Grove, When customers come in the store, most of them know of my Hispanic heritage, the others think I might be Indian from India or from Pakistan and are so inquisitive, the dominate nationality is really heavily focused on their own in any community. It's uncomfortable and why do we care? Some celebrate Christmas, passover, kwanza, or rhamada. I sell beads, jewelry and that's about it.

Those who really know, know I'm from Puerto Rico, and a decendant of the Taino. Native of the island of Puerto Rico.

So, not that ethnic cultures matter, I've decided to create a blog for the store in spanish, not because I am hispanic, but, since I only speak one other language, I'm trying to capture a wider customer base. Jay is only english based and therefore limited in his cultural base. Sorry, dear, but....

Keep up to date with me on my blog,
http://www.adeliasbeadcloset.blogspot.com

Well, it's been a week!

Decided to take some night time pictures of the store. It's called Physiognomy. How things look from all angles and perspectives. The neat thing is when we do a window, we should always stand on the outside, unless of course you are very skilled then you have a vision which isn't naturally destiined, but a learned talent. It will take us time, accept advise and eventually we'll get there!

If you have suggestions, feel free to offer them. Anyway, see you tomorrow night.
Jay and Lucy

DONE!

Just a few things for Jay to do tomorrow, but we are open for business!

We'll sleep well tonight!

TADAH !!!!!!!!

Well, we're 99.9% done with the store. The end of 12 hour days, sore muscles and aching backs. Got a few things to do tomorrow, but were open for business. In the morning, Jay will wash the front windows and paint the new back door, plus a few other small things. Lucy is still wracking her noodle to figure out where to put stuff. The store is smaller, but it's cute, WARM, great boiler system, Thanks Josephine (landlord) and fresh!

If you are available tomorrow, stop by and say "HI"!

March 4, 2010

Well, nothing too major happening today. Just hanging beads, tools, and setting up the cases with the Swarovski's, pendants and other stuff. Today was Jay's big accomplishment. The door closure had to be replaced. Had to drill new holes, tap them for the right threads (1/4 20) and get it to work. He paced for two days and said ok, today is the day! It works!

Tomorrow is still hang and empty all these buckets and boxes and tubs! We didn't think we had this much, but the hard part is where to put it or display it, Smaller store and we aren't able to use the 2x2 slat wall square or the grid triangle which had the stringing wire and bead cord!

Stay tuned, still planning on open for business 3/8/10.

OMG, Lucy list keep growing!!!

I'm on vacation, is there any rest? Not as a business owner!!

Today, Lucy hung beads, set up the bins, hung up tools. I set up 2/3 of the glass display cases. Wired them for electrical. Found out I didn't know how to change a door closure, hung a 1/4 slat wall. Scrapped the tape off the front window, hooked up the speakers and stereo. ATT came by to get the phone lines working.

This store is a different configuration than Morton Grove, more like Gunnison Ave. We have to remember to economize space and make it fit!

Adelia's Bead Closet will be alive and well very soon. No cats today. Luv them but they are worse than a toddler always under foot and the stuff they can get into! Bead strands and cats don't mix, let alone the loose ones that roll so cool!!!

Starting to feel like a bead store now!

99% of the painting is done. At lunch we went home, so close it's really cool. Picked up a cat and went back to work. George, the needy cat wouldn't leave Lucy alone, she so took him back to the store.

Tomorrow is connect the lights in the cases, hang pictures and start hanging beads. Body is starting to recover, yeah right!

Day one! Unpacking..............

Wow, we have a lot of stuff to do. Today we moved around the boxes about four times, Luz's son, Maelo (one with Gotee), and his friend Eric came by to hang up the slat walls. Jay will do the last slat wall. There is an electrical box on the wall which he has to cut and box out. The previous tenant was a printer. This place is wired everywhere for the presses. Got home around 7pm. What a short commute, I LOVE IT!