How to make a beaded wine set





These are the instructions for making a beaded bottle opener and beaded bottle stopper.

 

The following are the products you will need to make the beaded wine set:

Beadable Bottle Opener

Beadable Bottle Stopper

Big whole beads

Colored beads of your choice

 

 

 

Twist off the round ball of the beadable bottle opener and add the beads of your choice.

 

 

                          These are the final beaded bottle opener and beaded bottle stopper

Bethany
Inspired Designes
http://www.inspireddesignes.com

10 Keys To Growth

You’ll never know who you might have been if you don’t grow.
Success is about personal growth not techniques, strategies, or methods.

Awkward:

Growth feels awkward because it means not yet and not there.

“Not there” is falling short.

Growth is a dance between pressing forward and falling short, at the same time.

Opportunity:

Growth stops when you choose comfort over discomfort. Growing leaders banging against and press through resistance.

Growth is stepping past what you did in the past.

Everyone reaches the point where pulling back feels great. But, leaders who pull back have reached their potential. Leaders who press through resistance, uncover new opportunities for meaningful service.

Growing others:

Your greatest service is growing yourself into helping others grow.

Helping others grow is helping them press through reluctance, face resistance, and risk failure. Everything else is just dabbling.

10 Principles of exponential growth:

1. First efforts always fall short. Those who can’t fail, don’t grow. Those who don’t fall short, didn’t reach far enough.
2. Growth spurts make people feel awkward in their own skin. Think of adolescence who struggle with changing bodies.
3. Help people reflect on their own journey. Enhancing someone’s self-awareness is a great gift.
4. Pulling back is the point where growth stops and circle-running begins.
5. Stagnation is the result of staying the same.
6. Persistent irritation concerning the same issues signals stagnation.
7. People instigate growth. Hang with people who expect more of you.
8. Never underestimate the value of irritating people and negative circumstances.
9. Hold hands and kick butt, at the same time. Environments of growth are supportive but not comfortable.
10. Focus on people who aspire to grow. Only those committed to growth actually grow. Everyone else has an excuse.

BY Leadership Freak

Bethany
www.inspireddesignes.com

Learning to say No

Do you have difficulty saying “no”? Are you always trying to be nice to others at the expense of yourself?

Well, you’re not alone. In the past, I was not good at saying “no”, because I didn’t want to hurt the other person’s feelings.
For example, whenever I get requests for help, I would attend to them even though I had important work to do. Sometimes the requests would drag to 2-3 hours or even beyond. At the end of the day, I would forgo sleep to catch up on my work. This problem of not knowing how to say “no” also extended to my clients, business associates and even sales people.
After a while, I realized all these times of not saying “no” (when I should) were not helping me at all. I was spending a lot of time and energy for other people and not spending nearly as much time for myself. It was frustrating especially since I brought it upon myself. I slowly realized if I wanted personal time, I needed to learn to say “no”.

Why We Find It Hard To Say “No”

To learn to say “No”, we have to first understand what’s resisting us about it. Below are common reasons why people find it hard to say no:

1. You want to help. You are a kind soul at heart. You don’t want to turn the person away and you want to help where possible, even if it may eat into your time.
2. Afraid of being rude. I was brought up under the notion that saying “No”, especially to people who are more senior, is rude. This thinking is common in Asia culture, where face-saving is important. Face-saving means not making others look bad (a.k.a losing face).
3. Wanting to be agreeable. You don’t want to alienate yourself from the group because you’re not in agreement. So you confirm to others’ requests.
4. Fear of conflict. You are afraid the person might be angry if you reject him/her. This might lead to an ugly confrontation. Even if there isn’t, there might be dissent created which might lead to negative consequences in the future.
5. Fear of lost opportunities. Perhaps you are worried saying no means closing doors. For example, one of my clients’ wife was asked to transfer to another department in her company. Since she liked her team, she didn’t want to shift. However, she didn’t want to say no as she felt it would affect her promotion opportunities in the future.
6. Not burning bridges. Some people take “no” as a sign of rejection. It might lead to bridges being burned and relationships severed.

If you nodded to any of the reasons, I’m with you. They applied to me at one point or another. However, in my experience dealing with people at work and in life, I realized these reasons are more misconceptions than anything. Saying “No” doesn’t mean you are being rude; neither does it mean you are being disagreeable. Saying “No” doesn’t mean there will be conflict nor that you’ll lose opportunities in the future. And saying no most definitely doesn’t mean you’re burning bridges. These are all false beliefs in our mind.
At the end of the day, it’s about how you say “no”, rather than the fact you’re saying no, that affects the outcome. After all, you have your own priorities and needs, just like everyone has his/her own needs. Saying no is about respecting and valuing your time and space. Say no is your prerogative.

7 Simple Ways To Say “No”

Rather than avoid it altogether, it’s all about learning the right way to say no. After I began to say no to others, I realized it’s really not as bad as I thought. The other people were very understanding and didn’t put up any resistance. Really, the fears of saying no are just in our mind.
If you are not sure how to do so, here are 7 simple ways for you to say no. Use the method that best meets your needs in the situation.
1. “I can’t commit to this as I have other priorities at the moment.”
If you are too busy to engage in the request/offer, this will be applicable. This lets the person know your plate is full at the moment, so he/she should hold off on this as well as future requests. If it makes it easier, you can also share what you’re working on so the person can understand better. I use this when I have too many commitments to attend to.
2. “Now’s not a good time as I’m in the middle of something. How about we reconnect at X time?”
It’s common to get sudden requests for help when you are in the middle of something. Sometimes I get phone calls from friends or associates when I’m in a meeting or doing important work. This method is a great way to (temporarily) hold off the request. First, you let the person know it’s not a good time as you are doing something. Secondly, you make known your desire to help by suggesting another time (at your convenience). This way, the person doesn’t feel blown off.
3. “I’d love to do this, but …”
I often use this as it’s a gentle way of breaking no to the other party. It’s encouraging as it lets the person know you like the idea (of course, only say this if you do like it) and there’s nothing wrong about it. I often get collaboration proposals from fellow bloggers and business associates which I can’t participate in and I use this method to gently say no. Their ideas are absolutely great, but I can’t take part due to other reasons such as prior commitments (#1) or different needs (#5).
4. “Let me think about it first and I’ll get back to you.”
This is more like a “Maybe” than a straight out “No”. If you are interested but you don’t want to say ‘yes’ just yet, use this. Sometimes I’m pitched a great idea which meets my needs, but I want to hold off on committing as I want some time to think first. There are times when new considerations pop in and I want to be certain of the decision before committing myself. If the person is sincere about the request, he/she will be more than happy to wait a short while. Specify a date / time-range (say, in 1-2 weeks) where the person can expect a reply.
If you’re not interested in what the person has to offer at all, don’t lead him/her on. Use methods #5, #6 or #7 which are definitive.
5. “This doesn’t meet my needs now but I’ll be sure to keep you in mind.”
If someone is pitching a deal/opportunity which isn’t what you are looking for, let him/her know straight-out that it doesn’t meet your needs. Otherwise, the discussion can drag on longer than it should. It helps as the person know it’s nothing wrong about what he/she is offering, but that you are looking for something else. At the same time, by saying you’ll keep him/her in mind, it signals you are open to future opportunities.
6. “I’m not the best person to help on this. Why don’t you try X?”
If you are being asked for help in something which you (i) can’t contribute much to (ii) don’t have resources to help, let it be known they are looking at the wrong person. If possible, refer them to a lead they can follow-up on – whether it’s someone you know, someone who might know someone else, or even a department. I always make it a point to offer an alternate contact so the person doesn’t end up in a dead end. This way you help steer the person in the right place.
7. “No, I can’t.”
The simplest and most direct way to say no. We build up too many barriers in our mind to saying no. As I shared earlier in this article, these barriers are self-created and they are not true at all. Don’t think so much about saying no and just say it outright. You’ll be surprised when the reception isn’t half as bad as what you imagined it to be.
Learn to say no to requests that don’t meet your needs, and once you do that you’ll find how easy it actually is. You’ll get more time for yourself, your work and things that are most important to you. I know I do and I’m happy I started doing that.

Written by Celestine Chua

Bethany
www.inspireddesignes.com
 

Freedom

Freedom

Freedom is measured in so many ways. It may mean having the ability to come and go as you please with no accountability to another, or to make your own decisions about what you want. Small steps, such as a wheelchair ramp, or larger steps like leaving a former safe haven and striking out for the unknown, all represent different types of freedom, as does taking the liberty to speak your mind and think your thoughts without fear of repercussion. So many times, though, freedom gets confused with escaping or running away. True freedom comes from having a sense of running toward something, not from something.

Burdens of our past and present lives can keep us from feeling truly free. We all carry reminders of hated restrictions imposed on us as children by seemingly unfeeling adults, convinced that they had forgotten completely what it was like to be young. Don’t we all long for the carefree days of youth, only to be followed quickly by the remembrance of our anxiousness to grow up? Growing up in an abusive or otherwise unloving environment can keep us from allowing ourselves to become emotionally available to others, locking us in a self-made prison. Only the awareness of the causes of our pain can begin to cleanse us of our reluctance to open ourselves to others and to take steps to create the lifestyle we desire.

True freedom also comes from letting go of all concerns of appearances or approval from others, of having full faith that we are exactly who we are for a very special reason, and that unless we realize that only we alone can dictate a full sense of freedom for ourselves inwardly, we will always seek it outside of ourselves. We find that random actions, another person or another place cannot make us feel free; it is entirely in our hearts and minds, and that acting on our pure knowledge of self will bring us the freedom we crave.

Written by Carina Bachman

Bethany
http://www.inspireddesignes.com

How to make a simple stretch bracelet

Stretchy bracelets are the easiest to make, and require the fewest tools. You can also make a dainty one using clear stretch wire and beads. Here is a list of what you will need:
Beading stretch wire (like fishing wire only stretchy) 

Beads (small and large)

Scissors

craft clip

Super glue (craft glue)

Measure your wrist and cut the stretch wire a little bit longer. Take the beading stretch wire and wrap it one and a half times around your wrist. Cut it with a pair of sharp scissors. You are making it slightly larger so that you can knot it later.

Hold the stretch wire  between your fingers and stretch it gently. This will prevent the stretch wire   from stretching out later on and creating gaps.

Fold some tape over one of the ends of the stretch wire. This will prevent the beads from sliding off while you work. If you do not have any tape, or if the tape won't stick, use a binder clip instead.

Put the beads onto the stretch wire.  You do not need a needle for this; most elastic is stiff enough that you can put the bead directly onto the string. Hold the stretch wire   close to the end, and slip the beads on.
Try to put the bead with the largest hole on first. Once you finish the bracelet, you can hide the knot by sliding it under that bead.

Keep adding beads until you have the length you want. Be sure to wrap the bracelet round your wrist from time to time. The first and last bead should be touching, and the bracelet should be somewhat loose. You do not want it to stretch around your wrist. If you see any gaps or cord, you will need more beads.

Take the tape or clip off, and tie a square/surgeon knot. Start by folding the two ends of the stretch wire  over and under each other, like tying a pair of shoes. Tie another knot like it but don't tighten it yet; you will have something that looks like a ring. Wrap one of the tail ends around one side of the circle. Do the same thing for the other side. Now you can tighten the knot.

Try to slide the knot under one of the adjacent beads. This will determine how you finish off the bracelet. Be sure to have a bottle of super glue ready.
If you can slide the knot under one of the beads, trim off the extra string and put a drop of glue over the knot. Slide the knot under the bead.
If you can't fit the knot under one of the beads, tuck the tail ends inside the beads instead. Put a drop of glue on top of the knot to seal it.

Bethany
http://www.inspireddesignes.com

Tips for small business owners

Sure, you love your small business; it allows you to work on your own terms, control your hours, and pursue your passion. But there’s one problem: you constantly worry about money at the end of each month. If you can’t manage your expenses, no amount of passion can save your business. Try these tips to avoid overspending and get back to the work you love.

Change Your Workforce

Think about it: do you really need permanent staff? Salaried employees incur more liabilities and taxes (and even more office drama) simply by working with you every day. Hiring outside workers allows you to customize skills and labor to each project without committing to long-term employees (and if one doesn’t work out, you deal with fewer hard feelings, too).Temp works come in many forms; try virtual assistants for administrative tasks, independent contractors or temp employees for specialized projects, interns for menial or hands-on work, and commission-based workers for sales jobs.

Take Marketing to the Web

If you haven’t made an effort to build an online presence yet, drop everything and start now. Many of the best outlets for reaching your customers online cost little or no money — plus, you can react quickly to business trends and talk directly to regular and prospective clients. Build your own website and reference it on company letterhead and emails (and anywhere else people will see your business name). Speaking of email, abandon your paper mailers and send email newsletters with sites such as MailChimp. Build social media accounts to reach customers on their level instead of using outdated print ads. If you need money for big projects, try crowdfunding through sites such as Kickstarter. And if you only run a physical storefront, consider selling items online with the help of PayPal or Amazon.

Slash Small Expenses

Image via Flickr by reynermedia
The little things do add up quickly — and if you paid attention to them, you could avoid hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in monthly expenses. Before you make any cuts, check your monthly budget for wasteful activity and ask staff where they see leaks in company spending. Don’t neglect the minute details; some business owners found savings by replacing bottled water with a water cooler, using scanned documents instead of faxing them, or substituting Styrofoam plates with dishes and silverware. These small changes can greatly reduce your environmental impact while lowering monthly bills.

Travel Smart

If your business requires extensive travel, you know that costs can add up quickly — but a few small changes can dramatically cut your monthly travel expenses. If you fly out-of-town often, you may benefit from airline and hotel loyalty programs, as well as credit cards that accrue points or miles. For road warriors, try rent-as-you-go services like Zipcar instead of purchasing a company vehicle that sits idle for most of the month; ride-share programs such as Zimride can also lower gas and maintenance fees. Research extra tax breaks outside of typical travel expenses, since you may be able to make partial deductions from meals or tips on the road. Of course, staying at home cuts more travel costs than anything; try video chats with Skype or FaceTime to avoid a suitcase altogether.

Manage Money Online

Between credit cards, everyday expenses, and taxes, losing track of payments could land you in trouble. By using your computer and smartphone to watch your monthly funds, you’ll ensure you won’t forget a single dollar. Download free financial apps like Mvelopes in order to help you stay on top of your personal finances and always be on the same financial page with your spouse, regardless of where you are!
Turn that passion for your small business into action; you can make dozens of adjustments to lower your monthly costs without sacrificing excess time or money. With changes to your employees, marketing, travel, and finance management, you can get back to focusing on more important work.

Bethany
www.inspireddesignes.com

Small Businesses Struggle

Your target market isn’t clearly defined so we try to sell to everyone.

You are working hard but on the verge of burnout.

You’re spending, and wasting, too much time on repetitive tasks.

You are regularly losing track of incoming, high-quality leads.

There aren’t clear processes and protocols because it’s all in your head.

There are too many prospect clients and not enough time in the day to follow-up with them all AND do your daily work.

You’re spending money to market, but there’s no clear Return on Investment for the money spent. Essentially, you’re wasting dollars and living on hope.

You act out of a fear of failure, rather than the desire for success.

Bethany
www.inspireddesignes.com

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

We are transitioning from the very popular ETSY and Ebay to begin a new chapter in our small online business.  I believe that small business is very import in our country, it help every business to see there dream come true, weather in a store or online. 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and here at Inspired Designes we personally strive to create items that are beautiful for all different types of people.  Whether you are looking for classic lines, or gifts that whisper at nostalgia, I know you can find a treasure that fits your needs.

Inspired Designes was opened on Etsy in September 2014, but prior to this endeavor I had a very successful shop on Ebay.  I wanted to try something a little more personal, and I wanted to let my creativity be the focus so this was a natural transition.  I am proud to be a self-taught designer and crafter, and have spent many years crafting my education (pun intended!).  Every  beaded pen, letter opener, and trinket you see in my shop was lovingly created by my own two hands.  Each of these little treasures is absolutely unique and one of a kind, so with each purchase you know you own something that no one else does in the whole world.

My shop name is in honor of my three lovely grandchildren Jaslynn, Ava, and Naomi and it is my hopes that I can capture some of that childlike wonder in each of my pieces.

Bethany
www.inspireddedsignes.com