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Written by Dara Spiotto
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Monday, 30 July 2007 |
 Back in the days when our Bead Weekends with Friends were humming along, I tried to think up fun things to do that everyone could participate in. We did our fair share of challenges and gift exchanges and things of that nature, but one time I managed to brainstorm up a project that’s still rolling around after all these years.
It's called Bead Box and here’s how it works. Imagine this… a box arrives to your home. Inside are bead goodies… including beads, books, charms, pendants, clasps, books, tools, wire and finished bead work. Each piece has a price tag on it of a retail value. Hmmm… how tempting! So you look through it and find about two dozen things you can’t live without. How do you buy them? Well, it's like bartering. You pick out the stuff you want, then add up the retail total. Then, you go to your own stash and look for things that you’re willing to part with that are fun, unusual, collectible and yummy. You go back to the box and after making sure your stash items are priced retail, put them back into the box. Make sure the value of what you put in is the same as the value of what you took out. Then you mail the box to the next person on the list, and wait for it to come back to you again! Sound fun? Here’s how to build a Bead Box.
There must be one host. It doesn’t work so great if more than one person hosts the box, and as we go you’ll see why. The host will hand pick a selection of bead friends to participate in the Bead Box. It's sort of a ‘by invitation only’ because it works better to have a small group of friends do it than the mass public. About 8—12 people is fine. Bigger means more time involved waiting while it's being shopped in and then shipped.
 The host accumulates a collection of beads and bead related items, such as books, tools, wire, fiber, finished jewelry, etc. and makes sure everything has a retail price attached to it with a sticker or a price tag. It's fun to go through your personal stash or go shopping to find stuff. The idea is to gather a diverse assortment of bead stuff that is unique, unusual and fun. Not common things, but treasure that is one of a kind, or hard to find, or hand made, or… you know what I mean. Now, don’t go out and spend a fortune on beads for the Bead Box. That’s not the idea. You want to find things in your stash or make things, and then purchase a few things if you wish. Keep your cost low. In the past I usually add up a total of $500.00 retail to put in the box. As the host you can choose how much you wish to put in there, but I think $500.00 gives a lot of variety and a chance for some big priced lampwork, etc. Make sure that everything you’ve chosen has a price on it. I recommend that prices include the contents of the entire strand, or the entire bag to make it easier. You with me so far?
Next, you’re going to create a Feed the Box Kit. This kit is a small box with price tags, bags, pen, fishing line for stranding, etc. That way shoppers can use the kit to fill up the box with their times after they take their purchases out. This kit goes into the bottom of the box.
The rules are that all items must fit into the bead box. The same box will be used again and again to ship, so make sure you pick a sturdy box that can be reused. First put the kit in, then all the beads and merchandise. Secure the contents with bubble wrap if you must. On top you want to put a list of names of the people participating. Each person will send the box to the person who’s name comes after theirs. There’s also a list of rules for the box that should be included. I’ve posted my rules below, but you can revise them to meet your own ideas if you wish. Once everything is in the box, seal it up, and then if you’re like me you’ll decorate it. :-) I cut out beadwork pictures and made a collage on all sides of the box except the top where the label goes. That way when the box arrives to the new person’s house, it will give them shivers as soon as they see it! And it discourages people from being tempted to replace the box with a different one.
 Once the new person receives it, the first thing they do is add up the total of the box to make sure it’s the right amount. Then they can shop until they drop! The box must be mailed out before a week is up, to keep the flow of the box going. Remember, beaders are anxiously waiting for this box to arrive, and not very patiently sometimes! HA!
Ok, so once the box has arrived back to the host...she goes through it and if there are any things in there that she originally put in there, she has to buy them back! Yes, she has to buy her own items back as well as any items that are new that she wants. This way items only go around once, and it prevents people from putting stuff in there that’s below par. In the end they have to buy it back if it doesn’t get selected. So… hopefully everyone will put things in so irresistible that when it comes back there won’t be anything in there that has to be purchased back.
In the end, when the host decides when to end the run, all the beads left are hers. See… that’s why it's hard to have more than one host set up the box. It makes it hard to decide who gets what in the end.
Right now I’m hosting a Bead Box that will be for my friend Irene’s beady pals. She asked me to do it, and I happily agreed. I’m accumulating beads to put into it, and it will officially start in the end of July. When I get all the stuff together, I’ll do an article about it so you can see it as it unfolds. Until then, feel free to start your own Bead Box with your beady friends. Start by printing out these rules I’ve posted below, and then dive into your stash! If you need help, let me know!
Rules of the box:
This box is a portable bead store, shared among a group of bead friends! It is meant to be a fun shopping experience that exposes a diverse and ever-changing selection of beads each time the box is passed between hands. Here’s how it works…
A list of names is generated by the host. The names on the list indicate willing participants, and each one is solely responsible for the safety and timeliness of the box while its in their possession. This list is not to be changed or altered by anyone except the host. If you wish to be removed from the list you must call or e-mail the host with your request. The host will call or e-mail a response to confirm your request. The active list of participants is posted inside the bead box.
 1. Bead Box 2007 will arrive to the first person on the list by (date). That person has one week from the date the box has arrived to shop in the box. Fill in the information on the shipping info page. It is recommended that you re-read the rules of the box before you shop so you understand fully what you’re doing.
2. Shop ‘til you drop! When you receive the box, count the retail dollar value by adding up the price tags on each item. The amount should be exactly $500.00. If there is a discrepancy, you must notify the hose immediately. Look through all the items and set aside the ones you’d like to buy. When done, total up the dollar amount. The amount is what you owe back to the box.
3. Feed the box!! You must add an equal retail value of beads and/or bead related items to the box to compensate your purchases. Items to add to the box can include: Beads in strand form or loose bagged form, finished beadwork, bead-related books or tools, cabs, sequins, findings, bead related supplies, and anything else that applies to beadwork. Beads can be made from any materials. Use the Feed the Box Kit to bag, strand, price and label each item. Prices are to be for the entire contents of the bag or strand. Include things that are rare, collectible, interesting, unusual, handmade, fun and treasure-able! You must replace the EXACT dollar value of what you bought. All items you replace to the box must fit inside the original box with the lid closing properly, since the box will be used again and again to mail to each person. Never put cash, checks, money orders, credit card info, or any other form of payment into the box except for what is described above.
4. Send the box out! The same box must be re-used each time the box is mailed. You are mailing the box to the person who’s name follows yours on the list. Before taping up the box, make sure the retail dollar value is exactly $500.00. Pack the box carefully so  that the contents won’t be damaged during shipping. Remove the old shipping label and create a new one. Fill out an address label and include a return address so that the box will have a place to come back to if there’s a problem. Send the box out Priority Mail. Insure the box for $200.00 and get a receipt for your records. The cost of the insurance and mailing is the responsibility of the person mailing it. If you wish to hand deliver the box instead of mailing it, you must keep the box in your possession until you encounter that individual in person. Do not leave the box where the person will find it. It is your responsibility until it literally changes hands.
Once the box has circulated completely through everyone it will go back to the host and then begin circulating again. Any problem or changes will be addressed at that time.
The second time around… When the box arrives back to you, count the inventory to make sure it is exactly $500.00. Next, look through the contents to check for items you put in during the last circulation that didn’t get purchased. You must buy these items back now. Items can not circulate more than one time. Continue with step 2.
The rules of the box are not negotiable in any way, shape or form. We all have the integrity to keep this clean and fair. Let's do our best to work together and enjoy this!
Happy beading! |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 31 July 2007 )
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