Monday, November 26, 2012

My Secret Sister


Have you ever heard of Bead Swap-USA? Its a group formed by Nicole Weltch, and is known as the "Home of the Traveling Bead Box".  Its a place where people get together and swap beads, charms, findings and finished items. In addition to the themed travelling boxes there are also P2P (person to person) swaps and even RAOK (Random Acts of Kindness) packages. It all adds up to a whole lot of fun, great beads and new friendships!

ONE of the many swaps I signed up for is the Secret Sister Swap. Those who are participating are partnered up and then given three dates when secret gifts are to be sent out to the assigned partner,  aka Secret Sister.The guidelines state each gift should have a value of $15 to $30. But some people JUST don't follow the rules! MY SECRET SISTER is one of these people!

MY SECRET SISTER is crazy and sly, very SLY! She started out buying me a substantial gift certificate to LIMA BEADS. I was blown away when I got the e-mail telling me the news.  Since then she has sent me cards upon cards with cute poems and sayings which have really made me smile. They have been a real pick-me-up at a time when things have been a bit rocky - emotionally.


Although I knew there was a second mailing deadline I NEVER expected anything as I felt I have received more than my fair share. So when I went to the post office today to check my mail and there was a package from my SLY SECRET SISTER I was shocked. BUT that shock turned to UTTER shock when I opened the box. My grandson gets excited whenever I get a package so I always let him help open and unpack them. WELL it took us 30 minutes to go through the box. IT was PACKED. All kinds of little surprises packaged in seperate little bags with a note attached to each one.

There was a letter enclosed which let me know that my Secret Sister had thought a lot about me and packed each and every piece with me in mind. She "studied" me and found out what I love and tried to include it in the package - AND DID SHE EVER succeed. I love EVERYTHING!
Come look at all these goodies...

Note: I had to use collages because otherwise I'd have too many images and you would be overwhelmed and seriously jealous!


                                         
Clockwise: Artist Beads with a challenge to name the artists.
Inspired by nature, beach glass and more
Magic Mix with color-changing beads with a Valerie O'Neal focal
A gorgeous silk embroidered bag
FLY: Antiqued brass enameled butterfly focal and connectors
 
 
Copper filigree, connectors, charms, links, and gorgeous wirework
 


  

 Clockwise: Jasper, goldstone, fossil coral and odds & ends
Czech and Chinese Mix
Sea Creatures
 
 
 
AND LORDY...oh, LORDY!!
Copper Bezels
Brass goodies of every kind
Silver Bezels
and MORE metal findings in many shapes and sizes
 
 
 
 
Love this wire piece my Secret Sister created herself,
 
 
 
 
AND a favorite MACRO to discribe my LOVE of COPPER!
 
 
Isn't she something?!
(Please stop drooling all over my blog!)
 
 

23 comments:

Jami aka DaMamaShipp said...

Awesome! There is no doubting that you are loved and thought of... enjoy every moment!

Melinda A said...

You deserve a good sister, because I am sure you are one in return.
I too love my SS. She's kind and thoughtful. And I have tried to be the same as an SS to mine.
What an awesome program to provide each other with beady love.

Beady Girls Are the BEST!

Unknown said...

OMG!!!

Unknown said...

Oh, holy moly, what a pile of goodies! More than anything, I love the thought and care she took. (And the beads ain't bad either!) Her wire flower ball thing is just tool cool! Do you get to find out who she is? I do need to check out that site, but I think it will have to be after the holidays.

Monique (A Half-Baked Notion) said...

Honestly, Shelley, this bragging is unbecoming... not that I'm jealous...MUCH!

Dana said...

Such a wonderful stash of goodies. I'm sure you will have fun creating for some time now.

Cassi said...

What a wonderful idea this is. I've only recently gotten involved in the beading community, but it certainly is one of the most generous and kind communities I've ever encountered.

Unknown said...

Wow !!!! Yup I'm jealous I hope I get to participate next time

SueBeads said...

WOW! Is all I can say!

Unknown said...

An exceptional gift from a SS, who obviously knows what a kind and generous soul you are.

Anonymous said...

I don't know who she is but that was amazing of her mom. Good things come to good people like you, and I'm sure nothing but good things are in store for her as well. Beautiful gifts from beautiful people to beautiful people. Love it!

Unknown said...

Thanks Jami. Yes I am spoiled! HEY Congrats on the Kalmbach win!!!!

Unknown said...

Oh I totally agree - BEADY GIRLS are the BEST!! Thanks for coming by! XXOO

Unknown said...

I know I know!! What I said, exactly. I might have even uttered OMBeadness once or twice too!

Unknown said...

Oh Shirley you HAVE to check out BeadSwap-usa. Everyone is so loving - of beads of course but of each other also! See you there?!

Unknown said...

Haha well I DO have to publicly thank my Secret Sister, ya know?! heehee

Unknown said...

Oh definitely Dana, when I was young I used to play Sewing Store with all my grandma's notions and patterns. NOW I can open a little bead store! hahaha LOVE IT!

Unknown said...

Oh Cassi Renee you have made an excellent choice in getting involved with us Beady Chicks...and I see you already won something on one of the blogs! Congrats!!

Unknown said...

Yup, dive on it to the group Tiffany. Did you sign up for any travelling boxes, or P2P swaps? FUN!!!

Unknown said...

I know Sue, crazy huh? I have the BEST bead karma! Having so much fun with all my new friends! YOU included. xxoo

Unknown said...

Disclaimer: Marlene and I are partners in crime so please try to understand when I say to her....MARLENE oh now since ppl are watching I am a kind and generous soul. I know you work in Polymer Clay but this is wayyyyy PC of You!! xxoo

Unknown said...

Anonymous (who I believe is my youngest daughter, LeeLee!) I know isn't my Secret Sister the best? Remember when I first joined these online groups and would tell you how I was online till the wee hours chatting with my new bead friends. You asked me was it a cult?! hahahaa

Toltec Jewels for Jewel School Friends said...

Wow!! That is awesome! Love all the fun goodies :) Was that Nicole? How sweet!

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