I've been putting off this review for months, and I sincerely feel terrible about it! I have a friend, Liz, who started an Etsy business in February, but has been running a small business through Facebook since 2014.
I met her in high school, when she was a senior and I was a freshman. I always felt like she kind of took me in, and helped me integrate into high school life. I think it really helped me settle in, being friends with a senior. She is a fellow animal lover, and my normally aloof OTTB, Teddy, absolutely loved her.
If my aloof horse loved her, of course I'm going to be her friend! Even after she graduated high school and moved away, I stayed in touch with her. I loved seeing what she was up to, since she is an absolute sweetheart. Last year, she started learning how to make her own jewelry. Right from the start, I absolutely loved them! Each piece was incredibly unique and beautiful, and she made the effort to showcase them to show off at their best.
Last summer, Liz posted on Facebook that she was sending out free samples of her jewelry, and did anyone want some? Of course, having fallen in love with her jewelry, I immediately sent her my address!
A few weeks later, I received a package in the mail. They were some beautiful purple earrings. They were very well-made, and felt a lot more sturdy than the flimsy ones you get in stores. She also wrote a lovely letter that came with the earrings.
This past February, she created an Etsy store where she showcased her beautiful handmade jewelry. She had branched out from earrings to necklaces, to animal accessories, to hair clips and bands. I always looked at her store and her Facebook page, drooling over the beautiful jewelry.
In March, she advertised a fundraiser for a group of rescued pit bull puppies that had heartworm. They desperately needed medication, but heartworm medication is expensive, especially for puppies. She created a fundraiser in which she handmade beautiful wire necklaces and sold them, and 100% of the profits went to the rescue organization to pay for treatment for the puppies. I jumped at the chance to help out, and ordered a necklace.
She then messaged me on Facebook and offered to throw in a pair of earrings for free. Who was I to deny a free pair of earrings? I asked if I could write a blog post in return, and she enthusiastically agreed. She told me I could pick out any earrings from her store, and I selected a few that I really liked, and told her to surprise me. And she did!
A few weeks later, I received the necklace and earrings.
The necklace: I loved it! The workmanship was beautifully done, and I couldn't find anything I didn't like about the details. It wasn't heavy around my neck, and every time I wore it, I got many compliments. It's easy to pair with any outfit, and at $20, the price was super reasonable. Additionally, the fact that it went toward a great cause made it all the more wonderful.
However (and this is a BIG however), I have sensitive skin. The metal in the necklace would make me break out if I wore it for longer than a few hours. I made the mistake of forgetting to take it off one night, and I fell asleep with it on. In the morning I had a rash around my neck. If you have sensitive skin, or are allergic to metal, I would highly recommend not wearing the necklace for any longer than a few hours, and definitely not overnight. Additionally, if you wear the necklace and are sweating, you may end up with skin that is stained green. I wore it to a wedding in Alabama, and when I took the necklace off, I had bluish-green skin where the necklace was against my neck. This is not a matter of workmanship but more so the source from where the metal came from.
The earrings: Liz told me that this pair of earrings was one of her favorites, so it was a honor to receive these from her! They are a little more "dressy" than the necklace, in my opinion, so I couldn't pair it with every outfit. However, I did wear them at my sorority formal, and got many compliments. Again, I have metal sensitivity so I couldn't wear them constantly (but I cannot wear most earrings constantly anyway). They seem to have "sides" so I typically wear them with the stone closest to my head (the opposite of how they are in this picture). They are definitely a lot of fun! I tend to fiddle with my earrings, and have subsequently broken many pairs from stores, but I haven't had a problem with these! The workmanship is great, and for a matching pair, you can definitely see the differences (see picture). It shows the level of dedication in her work, and the handcrafting.
Liz is awesome and the things she makes are gorgeous. The profits of many of them go toward good causes! The prices are absolutely reasonable as well. She will also accept requests and can make jewelry to fit your preferences. If you're looking for handcrafted jewelry/bows/accessories for yourself or a friend, I absolutely recommend her (and it helps that the packaging is adorable too!).
Interested? Want to see more? Want to buy something?
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LillybetsBeadsnBows
Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LillybetBeadsnBows
I met her in high school, when she was a senior and I was a freshman. I always felt like she kind of took me in, and helped me integrate into high school life. I think it really helped me settle in, being friends with a senior. She is a fellow animal lover, and my normally aloof OTTB, Teddy, absolutely loved her.
Last summer, Liz posted on Facebook that she was sending out free samples of her jewelry, and did anyone want some? Of course, having fallen in love with her jewelry, I immediately sent her my address!
A few weeks later, I received a package in the mail. They were some beautiful purple earrings. They were very well-made, and felt a lot more sturdy than the flimsy ones you get in stores. She also wrote a lovely letter that came with the earrings.
This past February, she created an Etsy store where she showcased her beautiful handmade jewelry. She had branched out from earrings to necklaces, to animal accessories, to hair clips and bands. I always looked at her store and her Facebook page, drooling over the beautiful jewelry.
In March, she advertised a fundraiser for a group of rescued pit bull puppies that had heartworm. They desperately needed medication, but heartworm medication is expensive, especially for puppies. She created a fundraiser in which she handmade beautiful wire necklaces and sold them, and 100% of the profits went to the rescue organization to pay for treatment for the puppies. I jumped at the chance to help out, and ordered a necklace.
She then messaged me on Facebook and offered to throw in a pair of earrings for free. Who was I to deny a free pair of earrings? I asked if I could write a blog post in return, and she enthusiastically agreed. She told me I could pick out any earrings from her store, and I selected a few that I really liked, and told her to surprise me. And she did!
A few weeks later, I received the necklace and earrings.
 |
| Image from: Lillybet's Beads & Bows Facebook page |
However (and this is a BIG however), I have sensitive skin. The metal in the necklace would make me break out if I wore it for longer than a few hours. I made the mistake of forgetting to take it off one night, and I fell asleep with it on. In the morning I had a rash around my neck. If you have sensitive skin, or are allergic to metal, I would highly recommend not wearing the necklace for any longer than a few hours, and definitely not overnight. Additionally, if you wear the necklace and are sweating, you may end up with skin that is stained green. I wore it to a wedding in Alabama, and when I took the necklace off, I had bluish-green skin where the necklace was against my neck. This is not a matter of workmanship but more so the source from where the metal came from.
 |
| Image from: Lillybet's Beads & Bows Facebook page |
Liz is awesome and the things she makes are gorgeous. The profits of many of them go toward good causes! The prices are absolutely reasonable as well. She will also accept requests and can make jewelry to fit your preferences. If you're looking for handcrafted jewelry/bows/accessories for yourself or a friend, I absolutely recommend her (and it helps that the packaging is adorable too!).
Interested? Want to see more? Want to buy something?
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LillybetsBeadsnBows
Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LillybetBeadsnBows
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