Bugs Bead Blog

There are changes coming to Etsy in August 2025 that you may not be aware of.  Some of your favorite pattern shops will disappear.  Why?  Etsy wants every shop to use the Etsy Payment System, that's why.  Many artisans on Etsy are from smaller countries who's banking system does not match up with Etsy's Payment System and they won't be able to use the PayPal Stand Alone payments any more.  They have been informed that their customers will be unable to purchase by August 3rd and their shops…

This has been a year that none of us will soon forget, hasn't it?

I have a few things to say about what is going on globally.  First of all, this tariff nonsense won't affect digital downloads from what I find through my research.  Secondly, you will notice that my entire inventory is on sale.  You will find these prices here and not in my Etsy shop simply because I don't pay Etsy fees here so I can afford deeper discounts for you.  Thirdly, I am offering…

This is the time of year where we reflect on the past year and plan for the next.  As I was going through my unpublished patterns last week, I came across some photos of beaded bangle bands that I had designed and beaded more than five years ago.  I had the patterns listed then but, sales weren't strong and the shop I purchased my bangles from had no stock so I de-listed the patterns and promptly forgot about them.  

Lo and behold, the shop I purchased my "blanks" from has them back…

One of my first patterns created about 10 years ago was called "Cat Crowd".  It has also been one of my most popular patterns and because it was so popular a few "New-to-Etsy" designers have copied it.  In fact, it's been copied so many times that I'm now giving it away for free.  I've included the pen wrap pattern in the same design.  

If you are a pattern designer or an aspiring…

I tried a new thing.  That's not news actually because I'm always trying new things.  This new thing did NOT end up in my little drawer of failed, tried things though.  Tube earrings with fringes!  

Here we are 13 months after my last post and I am proving that I am definitely the worlds worst blogger. I will confess though that 2024 was the absolute craziest year of my life.

A job opportunity in Alberta became a home purchase and a move within 6 weeks. I’m not kidding. It happened that fast. The best part is that we got to move back to our old stomping ground and in our old neighborhood where everything is familiar. I could not be happier. There is still much work to be done in…