♥ New Beads For September!

Photo Credit - ZoeAndBruno

Loads of new beads have appeared in my store within the last couple of weeks, with more yummies to come!

- Ree ♥

A Taste Of The Old

It has been forever since I have made a treasury on Etsy.
For those of you who aren't familiar with Etsy, a treasury is a list you can create which brings together a collection of your favorite handmade items, supplies, vintage finds or colors. If you're lucky enough, your treasury may end up on Etsys home page.

So, here is my latest treasury...


A Taste Of The Old

I hope this week finds you well,

- Ree ♥

♥ Good Things In Life Never Come Easy.

Photo Credit - Sparksoffire

My dad bought home a news paper article the other day with some positive words of wisdom which I thought I would share...

"I've come to realise that, without motivation, goals can remain pipe dreams.
You need to care about and really want a certain outcome, then pour your heart and soul into achieving it.

I've seen in others, and learnt myself, that the human body can endure more and perform better than we give it credit for. But it's not the body working alone. The body is just the nail being driven in; the mind is the hammer, the driving force that will push a person far beyond their own expectations and on to success.

I think what stops some people is that they fear the act instead of focusing on the outcome. Only occasionally does my mind let go and I catch myself thinking "what if?" But then I give myself a mental upper-cut.
Life is here to be lived. And with the right attitude and willingness to deal with the hurdles. it really can be bloody awesome!" - Source unknown.

A great article for those in indie or like-minded businesses.

- Ree ♥

♥ New Beads - July

This month I have, again been listing lots of unique beads in my Etsy store, with more to come in August. I have a new store section, ‘new beads. july’ so you can view all the new beads with ease.

♥ Czech It Out - New Beads In Store Now

New beads have found their way into my store, with more to come in the next couple of days!
My new supplier has given me (and you, I am sure) a whole new storm of ideas and inspiration.
Many beads which appear so natural looking, means you won’t need to take a long walk to have ideas running through your mind.


Also a portion of all beads I purchase from my supplier are dedicated to humanitarian relief and development in North America. So when you purchase beads from ZoeAndBruno, you can feel proud that although you are supporting an indie business, you are also helping those in need, in third world countries.

Love A Little More

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a day for just couples.
I like to see the day as a time to reflect and take note of all the things I love and appreciate in my life. A little like Thanks Giving. I think it’s a positive way of looking at being single.


1. I love my family and friends. I also love how the internet allows me to make friends through Twitter and Facebook. Friends with the same interest and passion for an indie life.

2. I love my creative life. Without my beads and my passion for taking photos I can’t imagine being happy. I love that I am able to express myself through my bead site and now my blog.

3. I love my animals (I prefer to call them furr kids.) As high maintenance as they are, I love feeling needed and playing a mother like role in their lives.

What do you appreciate and love in your life?

♥ My Days Work

Thanks to our modem dying I was unable to check my site for the last couple of days and this is what I conjured/worked this morning.

♥ The Importance Of Taking Good Photographs

This year it’s my goal to change all my photographs. My past photos, to me felt a little too commercial, so I am going with a more crafty, natural look.
Since I have changed my photos, I have seen a huge increase in page views, treasuries and even sales.


In the previous business courses I have done, the instructors could never express enough how your photographs make or break a sale. Your photo, other than the item itself, is the image. You want to present your craft or supplies like you would see them in a magazine. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that your product, (in its near perfect photograph) shouldn’t have imperfections when received from your customers. You have to show your product next to how it is in real life.


Your photos are also your brand. Try to stray away with how other sellers maybe taking their photos. With my photos, I was inspired by how beads are so close to nature, therefore I am now taking photos of them on a somewhat natural background. It inspires jewelry artists to buy/create. You also have to make taking photos fun, otherwise you will soon loose inspiration and you won’t have the energy to create the photos you need to sell.

I hope I don’t give the impression as if I am a professional because I am far from it. I just wanted to share my thoughts/knowledge with methods that have been working for myself as of late.

- Ree ♥

♥ What Are Your Goals For 2011?

Fresh starts normally mean new beginnings or vice versa. So I thought for my first blog post for the new year, I would love to ask/hear what everyone's goals are for 2011.
To be honest, I achieved so much last year (not meaning to sound so front...) My bead businesses is slowly growing, I have a new casual job in a liquor store and well my health seems to be well and truly on the mend.

My only aim is to be organised.

So I am looking for some inspiration. What are your plans for this year?

- Ree ♥

♥ Marley And Me

Recently I went into a pet-shop to buy a fish and came out with an 8 week old Pomeranian puppy...

To cut a long story short, I called him Marley, after the movie 'Marley And Me.'

I had never seen the movie until tonight. The movie is really quite powerful, showing just how much pets are part of the family. It is quite a sad movie, so if you are looking for a new movie to watch, prepare a box of tissues beside you for some tears.

Although 'Marley And Me', is a sad movie, I did love what they said at the end...

A dog has no use for fancy cars, or big homes or designer clothes...
A waterlogged stick will do just fine.
A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor...
clever or dull, smart or dumb.
Give 'em your heart and he'll give you his.
How many people can you say that about?
How many people can make you
feel rare and pure and special?
How many people can
make you feel... extraordinary?

It is true, 'until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.”















- Ree ♥

Maybe More Than I Can Chew...

So I have been a little distracted and not updating my blog as often as I would like...

The last two months has consisted of job interviews. Not in this life time would I ever give my bead store away, but as it only pays a minimum wage, I decided that I also wanted a casual position in a shop front. Not only for the money, but so I am mixing with people to help my anxiety levels.

After a small amount of applying for jobs I am now very fortunate to be working at Woolworths Liquor.

This month I have also been busy listing some new beads from one of my more expensive suppliers. I just can’t help myself, I love buying new lines of beads just to keep the business of selling interesting.

So let’s see how I go with the challenge of working two jobs!


- Ree ♥

♥ Awesome Stuff! - September

♥ Summer Breeze
















• 1 :: Doily Clock
by AndFurtherMore on Etsy
• 2 :: Hana Earrings
by PoleStar on Etsy
• 3 :: Quotation Measuring Spoons
by BeeiveKitchenware on Etsy
• 4 :: Mint Brocade Earrings
by Beakee on Etsy


- Ree ♥

It's a lot easier to look glamorous on the net than it is in real life.

So, one of my favourite reads is an Australian small business magazine called 'NETT.'
One article in particular hit close to home this month, with the article beginning like this...

'My eyes ache. My teeth ache. My feet ache. My arms ache. My hair is stuck together with a big fat glob of paint. Or is that fondant icing? Either way it will have to be cut out. My head aches.'

The author mentions, how often boutiques or brick and mortar shops appear so glamorous in movie scenes. All the hard work, wait what hard work? The shops have the perfect paint work, the perfect little studio or office without a care in the world. They have an endless amount of customers and cash that is flowing out of their cash register. You immediately want to start a business or your own...

There is much more to a business which some of us fail to understand. There is the sweat and tears behind what looks like the perfect business. Not to mention the cost. So many people see a business and immediately think the owners are living in a white house a-like set-up. The author also mentions once again... 'Did I mention my head aches?'

While the internet is great for so many things, it is also very fake. Not good for my anxiety. A world where everything is perceived as being perfect. When you are browsing around the internet, you don't normally assume a business is from a home studio or office...

But that is the greatest thing about the internet!

No one needs to know you work in your pajamas or you went to visit IKEA for the day...

In a shop front we and more likely to have a higher standard of professionalism. We have to put on a face and an outfit for the day. It's another world of 'reality.'

That being said, having an online business doesn't mean it's less work than a shop front. Or there is less cost involved. Having a website is just an illusion of what appears to be a perfect world.

And to sum up small online business’s the author in this magazine states, 'The internet maybe fake but the people, customers and the business owners who have made our internet illusion happen are very, very real.'


- Ree ♥

♥ New Vintage Cabochons!

I just adore these vintage Cabochons! I had been looking around to purchase these for sometime and I finally found a supplier that holds them.

Lucite (also known as acrylic) Dahlia/rose vintage cabochons are now in my store in three beautiful color combinations, ‘Salmon, Ivory and Pink.’ Each cab is complete with intricate petal detail.

The sky is the limit when designing jewelry with these. They are so inspiring.
Glue them onto ring blanks, ear post, or bobby pins. I have even seen people adorn them onto lockets.




















- Ree ♥

ZoeAndBruno's New Australian Website

After a number of people asking me whether I had a facility where I offered beads in Australian prices, I decided to create a website with Big Cartel.
Not only can my Australian customers now purchase in AUD, my bead prices will only fluctuate at the time I purchase them, not with the forever changing dollar. Meaning you can also save a little! =)

Eventually I am hoping to direct my Big Cartel address to my zoeandbruno.com domain. =)

ZoeAndBruno's New Website

- Ree ♥