♥ 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 ♥

♥ 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.

♥ 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 ♥

♥ New Beads Making Their Way In May!

Loads of new beads are finding their way into my garden of beads this month. You can expect to find ladybugs, flowers, cats, nuggets, cubes, table cut rectangles, leaves and teardrops...even dagger beads!




ZoeAndBruno


- 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 ♥

♥ New Beads Are Starting To Appear!

ZoeAndBruno Etsy store










- Ree ♥

♥ ZoeAndBruno In The N.E.E.T Magazine

It’s the first time I have advertised in the N.E.E.T Magazine with my ZoeAndBruno bead store.
I love being amongst artist/designers, fashions and just being in a magazine offering an amazing display of creativity and talent.

To visit the N.E.E.T Magazine or too see my add (page 66)
enter here...

- Ree ♥

♥ Pre-Packaging My Lastest (Largest) Bead Order

Pre-packaging beads is always a long and fairly daunting task...

This time around I had to single handily pack 44 lots of beads into tiny packs of 12, 20 and 30 lots of beads etc...

As the multi-coloured beads were a popular hit (which some unfortunately won’t be back in stock,) I have decided to start creating my own color combinations.

I still won’t have the beads listed for a short time... I am planning on photographing them all and then hopefully listing them on Etsy all at once. But when I do, one of my fist mixes will consist of rosebuds in a ‘transparent champagne, blue, rosaline and a beautiful amethyst,’ all with a luxurious luster finish. I'm hoping to have them listed around the middle of November.

Below, I have a photograph of the combination I just mentioned, preparing to pre-package them. =)

- Ree ♥

♥ ZoeAndBruno Is One! $2.50 Flat Rate Shipping For The Month Of April!

ZoeAndBruno is one year old!! - $2.50 flat rate shipping for the month of April only! =)