Moving Day! Yeah??

Our bodies are stiff, tired and exhausted. Who ever thought we couldn't pack our store in two days and be completely out of Waukegan Ave, hasn't met two stubborn people. We've done other crazy things like this before, but the years are gaining on us. Maelo our son, says to me while lugging a display case, "It's time you guys decide to stay for a LONG time". A man of few words and gets to the point.

Tomorrow morning it's back to the new location. Maelo took vacation days to help Jay hang the slat walls. He's a guy, but knows Jay likes to push himself. Turning 50 this year, Maelo is sweet and looks after him, from a distance but it's sweet he cares for us old out of shape people. Thank you Maelo, you are appreciated, loved and respected. What a great kid! And thank you to our other helpers Eric and Christine, you are loved and appreciated as well. Great people are hard to find.

I'll take pics of the store with all the boxed in the morning, mid day and at the end of the day. Stay tuned!
Lucy and Jay

Saturday, 1/2 done~ou

Today, Luz's son Maelo and I did the Belmont Ave location while Lucy was doing the packing at the Morton Grove Location. I took pics of the new location. It's sort of sad to be saying good by to the old. There are friends we won't see, kids who came to us because of our location and we know we won't see them again. Are they "shallow", no, life is about convience. I learned early in life living in a condo. The friends we had wouldn't visit us when we moved a few miles north. That is life, friends of convienience! Sort of like work friends, how many of you still keep in touch with friends you worked five or ten years ago.

It's scary to move, new challenges await, new friends to meet and because of location, new customers to great. Friends are the ones who follow you through thick and thin. Know your problems and respect you for who you are. We have several, Tuesday nights are a close knit group of people. Think of it as a "parade of personalities". If not for beading, these people would not ever have had the purpose to meet. Each with a different background, historical geniality and yet the age of each of us doesn't matter. We appreciate each other and respect each other. It's sort of like a family. Jay's at least, there is "no reason" why each get along, all with different mother/fathers, all from different backgrounds and yet they all know and love each other. That's what friends are. (Ny family is truely a "cabbage batch" group who were raised by great people, never saw color, religion or challenges, only respect and love for onanother. My dad called "loverian"

I don't often have the oppurtunity to contribute to the blog. (Lucy is sleeping) but I have to tell you, the Tuesday night open beading evenings is such a warm feeling of people, sharing thoughts, stories and ideas that makes me glad we started a store. Who knew that there were that many great people out there!

The funny thing is that not every night is about beading! Some talk about family, life, historical events and goals/plans for the short range and long range. We are there to laugh, encourage and learn from each other. I had no idea that you guys were serious about the herrinbone earrings! It's unique and pretty neat.

Thank you for being you. I know, i'm not sentimental, emotional and often ignore you. But I appreciate you. Thank you.

Luz had grown, once shy, still shy, but looks forward to seeing each and everyone of you, she set's the tables up by 11 am, just planning on you arriving. It's not about sales, you don't have to buy anything. It's about you!

Thank you for being you, I was going to list you. Then I thought, if I said Jean first, your feeling might be hurt because I didn't mention you first. So instead, i'll mention my buddy, my story teller, my friend who I cherish, BOB. The most patient person I know. Loving and caring, to give his time and wait paitence, for the women he loves, to wait and encourage their hobby. Thank you for being you.

So, today I worked at the new store. Maelo, lucy's kid, and I, Guess he's my stepson? Worked at finishing the new walls, painting the duct work and painting the ceiling. i needed to build a wall for the 4x8 slat walls. Just wait till you see it~~~~ We did a great job! (LOL)

Ok Jean, I know there are typos, past/present tenses and I probably have more phonetics than you would care for, Criminy, I ready it three times, but Thank you for caring enough to read this.

Jay
Shhh, Lucy is sleeping, don't tell her I posted)

Well the main wall color is done, 99.9% at least.

We found this really cool paint at Home Depot. It's a speckle paint that is good for metal. So we bought some of this liquid gold, ($9.00) a can and gave it a shot. Took four cans to see what we've done. We figure about 6 more cans should do it. It's like mud coming out of the sprayer and really looks good to decorate the ducts instead of building a box around it to hide it. We just have to get higher on the ladder to paint further.

We've been noodling how and when we're going to pack up Morton Grove and truck it to Chicago. The current plan is to pack on Saturday and Sunday and get a Uhaul on Sunday to move it all. Still haven't started parking the store yet. Maybe our ideas are idealistic and won't work? Maybe we've done this before and know it takes longer to set up than it does to pack. What do you think?

Tomorrow night is to finish the wall, (Jay) and paint white paint on where it belongs (Lucy). We thought about working late and sleeping there on Sunday night so we can get an early start on Monday a.m.. Jay pointed out that one of our camping sleeping bags is keeping the stray cats next door warm. Jay is such a sap, when the weather dipped below 10%, he went out and got a sleeping bag, (rated @ 15 below) and spread it out over the "village" next door. It's still there, he won't take it because "the cats need it". Oh well, the store is only 2 miles from home, so we'll just sleep in our bed.

Wednesday night

Well, after work today we spent a couple hours and did just painting. Got one half of the store done and half of the other wall. Gets tiring after a full day of work, but pride of ownership kicks in and we keep going. We're deciding on decorating as we go along, thinking of plants and what the heck goes with the color violet besides white? Blue?

Found this cool spray paint at Home Depot. We have exposed duct work and didn't like the aluminum look, so we test painted a section. It's a speckled paint. What do you think?

Jay and Luz

OMG, "getting old sucks!" So said my jay's Mom. This morning we bought the 2x4's, dry wall and door, needed two, way to heavy. Stopped off the store by 10am and started painting and building. The main reason for painting is to create character and theme. The main reason to build a storeroom is to keep the fridge/microwave and as well as backup stock in the back. Plus this is where Jay does the graphic design work for the website, coupons, birthday party rack cards, etc.

We are pooped! Body parts sore, hands hurt, back is stiff and when did painting a ceiling and walls become stressful? Jay hates to bend so his knees are stiff, back hurts, hands swollen, when did we become old?

Anyway, we snapped a few pics of the progress. The walls true color didn't come out true, it's violet. But we'll be back tomorrow night after work to do some more.
Jay and Luz

Planning stages........

OH let the stress begin! Who am I kidding, most of the stress was already here, now that we found a location, it's the planning, marketing, building and decorating the new store as well as how to move all this stuff!

Much like when you move your personal residence, it's calling the utilities, insurance companies, getting a business license, mapping out the layout of the new store and in what order makes sense!

And to think, after the store opens, how to let everyone know we are there? Adjusting to a new commute, changing of daily routines and settling into a new life. Our vacation? It's lugging, painting and not to restfull at all.

Our plan is to move everything in the first week of March and be open for business on March 8th. For those of you following this blog, thank you for your interest, we appreciate you.

Lucy and Jay

We are moving our store

Owning a business is as stressful as it rewarding, physically and mentally challenging. Over the past year, and final year of our lease, my husband and I have been thinking and rethinking, much like the larger companies have, on ways to cut overhead, not diminish service, and stay in business.

I won't lie to you, this economy has been on a downhill slide since 2008, trying to compete with our local competition is like a game of friendly checkers, they are all great people, we're just trying to get more pieces. The biggest spoiler is the online etailers with their low, low prices and poor quality beads and findings. We understand price points, convenience, staying warm while you don't have to go outside. But, nothing can replace the human nature of touching, seeing, comparing and talking to others to inspire new ideas and new ways of doing something.

With all that is going on in business, we have decided to relocate our store to Chicago. The cross streets are Harlem and Belmont, we are a couple blocks west on Belmont. Items we considered were location, cost persquare foot, parking, and if we thought our beads would be happy in a new place.

There are many customers we will miss, and we also know we will have many who will follow and many more customer to meet and welcome to Adelia's Bead Closet.

Come on, follow me and let's have fun,

Lucy
Adelia's Bead Closet

Keeping up with the Jones'

Instead of an official "sale", we've decided to offer instore discounts on items up to 75% off in some cases. Stop by today to see what's on sale this week!

2010 Classes

Well, I finished it, almost. The way I write them out is in Word, then I send the file to Jay who uses a few software applications to make a .gif file out of them and post them to the website. Next step is to update the pictures.

Take some time to check them out. THERE ARE ALOT OF THEM!!

Up and coming events

Well, it's time to wrap up another year. Not only the end of the year, but the end of the quarter and time for another class schedule. Scheduling is a tricky process. What do you want to learn? What interests you? When are the teachers available and you are available?

Well, i've talked to the teachers and I am busy making new class samples. Over the long weekend, Jay will take some pictures and create the class list, update the website and we'll be ready for 2010! (How do you spend your holidays? LOL)

For Christmas and New Years weekend, we'll be taking extended time off. The store will be closed Christmas eve thru Sunday and the same for New Years Eve thru the following Sunday.

Have a good celebration, eat well, drink enough and enjoy the end of 2009!

Lucy and Jay

Pick up your Swarovski holiday tree kits

Ready for the holidays? We have the Margarita crystals available in kits for you to make these really cute earrings.

Happy Black Friday

Well, it's over. The day has come and gone and we are left with memories. Memories of loyal customers and friends we have encountered, shared with and look forward to seeing again. The day was a great steady flow of traffic from 8 am when we opened to 6 pm when we closed. It felt like 2006 all over again. My heartfelt and a sincere THANK YOU to all who showed up and took time from their busy schedules to stop by.

For the month of December, we've put a coupon on the sales and discounts page for you to print out the page, bring it in and save 25% off you purchases any day we're open during the Month of December. Take your time, plan your execution and attack! 123, come on in.

Handmade Holidays at Adelia's Closet - 2009

Have you seen our webpage? Once again, this is our fifth annual 50% off sale. In prior years, we've offered it only on the strands, but this year we figured why not have it off for the whole store! The customers always asked for it, and sure, why not give it to them!

We will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday this week for some rest and relaxation.

Jay remembers growing up, his mother was an avid knitter. For Christmas every year she would start in mid summer and every night after dinner, she'd park her fanny in the chair and continue where she left off the previous night. All tolled, she would make about 20 sweaters. There were mostly the scandinavian style with the fancy colors around the neck and shoulders. Most of the sweaters were given as gifts some she would drop off at a local resale shop and some were special orders in specific colors as gifts from the guys she worked with.

It wasn't so much of a money saving exercise, but more of a way to keep her mind active and busy. Man, that women knitted so much she got tennis elbow! Working with a different medium was also fun for her. She would cross stitch, embroider and needlepoint. My dad on the otherhand, spent his time in the basement, puttering with building something, and he was an avid reader. Dad would have loved to have the internet in his day, he'd never sleep! My Dad was the jewelry maker in the family. He'd carve pendants out of wood, make molds and create plaster casts and had a rock tumbler that ran 24/7. Vibrated throughout the whole house.

Well, this wasn't hard, I was reminded by Michelle and Jean the other day that i've been too lazy and hadn't updated the blog since the end of August. Well, I don't have to wait to New Years to make a resolution. I promise to be a little more active, thanks for the reminder.

Jay

Recent thoughts...........

There are many social networking sites available. Blogging is one of them, then there's Facebook and Twitter and you can chat on your phone, IM, etc. We like blogging because it's informative and easy to use. About once a month I'll jot down my thoughts and try to keep up with it. It's easy to forget, even though it's a Marketing tool as well as an insight into the life of Adelia, it's not always easy to write things that people will care about. (Being from Boston, I'm practical as well as cynical and maybe I think TOO much and answer my questions before I even ask you?)

So, what's on my mind? Well, i've been looking at other bead websites and getting inspiration for ours and I noticed that some of them have oodles and oodles of happy smiling people on their pages to project a look and feel of happy people buying, giving a feel of wonderfulness to the store. That's a great idea, so your wondering why our site isn't filled with happy faces? I'm sort of shy person and one, not comfortable asking someone for a photo and two, I prefer to not have to go through all the rigamarole to get permission forms filled out (lazy too?). However, I like using our camera to take pictures of what our customers ask for.

For almost four years, we have been whacking out a class schedule, in the beginning I had it in a calendar format with pictures and then changed it to a brochure piece then had both versions available and now we have it as a calendar with words and no pictures. Believe me when I quote "You can please some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time." So yesterday inbetween customers, I got out my camera and took pictures of class samples.

We figure, since many people, or most, have a computer and access to the internet, then having pictures available on the website as well as the schedule of classes makes sense, DUH!! In my defense, it is time consuming and takes practice to take photos of jewelry. The silver sometimes is gold colored, the lighting almost always isn't right and paying for a professional photographer isn't something that I can do in my impulsive American way of "I WANT IT NOW" mentality.

So, click this link and you can see some, not all of the class techniques we teach at Adelia's Closet. The last picture wasn't taken yesterday, but last week. Curious? Have a look! Last weekend I actually did a video, not a great one, once again spur of the moment and posted it to YOUTUBE. Another fine example of preponderance, where do these people find the time to do all this?

Enjoy what's left of Summer, It's back to school and next raking leaves and hoping I fit into the cooler wardrobe of yesteryear!

Jay

Just playing with the new camera

This summer, we are hosting a spectacular event - Beading with Tiffany!

For $20 per child, you can drop them off for two hours of crafting/beading with Tiffany!

There are different crafts they will do each day. Dream Catchers, necklaces, earrings, rings, decorate a jewelry box and scrap booking.

Reservations required,
Space is limited so call Luz today at 847-966-2323 to learn more.

Closed for the holiday weekend

Everyone takes vacations to recharge, relax and spend time with family. The hardest part is deciding when to do it when your a small business owner with no employees to cover when your gone.

You know you'll miss some revenues and there are bills to be paid, but planning and budgeting can make this all happen. Jay and I will be taking off three whole days! Staying home and keeping the cats busy, and taking the old Harley for a cruise.

See you on Monday, enjoy your weekend.

Luz (Lucy)

Glenview festival

Jay spent a very relaxing and sunny day Saturday at the Glenview Chamber of Commerce street fair. Besides his sunburn, his other comment was "WOW, i'm surprised how many people know you!"

If you stopped by to say "hi" I appreciate you and will return the "HI" on your next visit.

Luz

Memorial Day Weekend

After the events of the past months, Luz and I will be taking this weekend off to recoup, clean the house and maybe "Go Fishin' " We will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Have you seen this site? 

 Seems like a good resource to help support the backbone of the United States.

Jay

Krystal passed away today

For those of you who have been keeping up with Krystal, this morning we laid her to rest. The cancer came back and the tumor was interrupting her breathing and swallowing. A great dog and she had a good long 13 years with her family.