2011 was a year of ups, downs, and lots of firsts for Blue Buddha Boutique. Taking a look back as some of our most memorable moments and accomplishments, we feel really great about where 2011 took us and can’t wait to start tackling new plans in 2012. Here’s our list of 2011 moments – feel free to share your biggest chainmaille accomplishments and/or memorable B3 experiences in the comments below.
B3 Recognized as an Innovative Retailer
In 2011, the Craft & Hobby Association asked retailers to describe their innovations in customer service. We told them all about our innovative customer service practices (from chainmaille advice to notes in our customer database) and were recognized alongside four other outstanding retailers at their winter conference in LA. Read more about this honor…
Happy 8th Birthday B3 + Blue Velvet Cupcakes
In February, B3 turned 8 and celebrated with what else but BLUE velvet cupcakes! We loved all the birthday wishes you guys sent in and shared Nadja’s recipe on our blog (which we know some of your tried out and enjoyed at home!)
Funny Cat Video Contest
In February, we asked you to submit your favorite funny cat videos for you chance to win an adorable Evil Kitty t-shirt. Your videos were endlessly entertaining to our office full of cat lovers, but in the end there could be only one winner – Mikaela E. and Maru.
First ever B3 snow day
The giant blizzard Chicago experienced in 2011 earned many names (Snowpocalypse. Snowmageddon, and Snowtorious B.I.G. just to name a few) but for B3, we called it a snow day! For the first time ever, we had to close the shop for a snow day. (Special note from Jenna: The snow was so extreme that I actually had snow IN my kitchen – and of course snowmen in my kitchen sink.)
Rebeca’s first international publication!
In March, Rebeca appeared in her first ever international publication with Perlen Poesie, a German magazine. This was especially exciting because Rebeca lived for a year in Germany when she was younger. Read more about this very cool accomplishment…
Bead&Button – Bead Dreams domination, fire breathing cats + Jason mugging for camera
The Bead&Button Show is always a major event for us and 2011 was no different. We especially loved how B3 ambassadors dominated the wirework category of the Bead Dreams competition! See more by visiting our Bead&Button 2011 photo album on our page on Facebook.
First Ever B3 Talent show
As part of our annual employee retreat, B3 had its first ever talent show! Talents ranged from monologues to tap dancing and even baking and nail art. Check out this post for photos and videos of all the talents that were shown off.
B3’s retail space sadness & the overwhelming support and good wishes from customers about it
As we mentioned, 2011 was full of ups….and downs. In August we made the difficult decision to walk away from the retail space we had been trying to move into after a number of roadblocks made it clear it wasn’t the right place for us. Lucky for us, we didn’t stay down for long. The outpouring of support we received from all of you was so appreciated and helped us be even more motivated to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and find a new dream space. Read more about this decision…
First ever Featured Product contest
In September we introduced our Feature Product of the Month contest and awarded Lia H. with the first win for her beautiful necklace that featured our size X12 rings. We have run the contest every month since and continue to be inspired by your creativity. We can’t wait to see what you create in 2012 – and who will be crowned our first ever Mailler of the Year in January! Visit the Featured Product of the Month category for more details about this contest.
Show off your Maille Week
We named the week of October 21st official “Show Off Your Maille” week. We asked you guys to show off what you were wearing and making each day (and we did too) in an effort to increase the visibility of the craft we all love. Check out the posts we made that featured all the great jewelry made by you and the B3 team.
First Maillers’ Choice kit
In November we launched our Maillers’ Choice kit promotion – inviting you all to design a custom kit by voting for your favorite color and metal choices and then making a limited number of them for sale at a discount on our website. The first round was a shocking success (the kits sold out in minutes!) Your overwhelming response to this fun promotion has made it a keeper for 2012. Read more about this promotion…
We survived an audit!
Those of you who follow us on our page on Facebook heard all the trials and tribulations that lead up to our audit (including rescheduling the appointment umpteen times and receiving a notice addressed to Ms. Rebeca “Mojito”!) Well, we survived and decided to share how we got through it on our blog. Read more about how we prepared for and survived the audit…
DIY: Rebeca’s first show as her own brand + youngest mailler ever
We wrapped up the year with some of our favorite shows including The DIY Trunk Show and One of a Kind. This year, Rebeca branched out and sold her handmade jewelry for the first time under her own Rebeca Mojica brand. We also got the warm fuzzies at the DIY Trunk Show when we had our youngest chainmaille student ever (about 6 years old!) at our Make + Take station.
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