FAQs
FAQs
One-of-kind bracelet
What does Beading Divas to the Rescue do?
A group of caring and creative women raise money for animal charities by selling one of a kind, handmade bracelets made with donated beads. Every month we choose a different animal charity to raise money for.
How do I donate beads?
We are not a 501 c3 charity so we cannot give you a tax deductible form. However, most people just give. You can drop off beads at:
– Silver Sea Jewelry, 330 N. 4th Avenue, 520-624-9954 (always call first)
–CataVInos Wine Shoppe, 3063 N. Alvernon Way (1 block south of Ft. Lowell), 520-323-3063 (closed Sun/Mon)
To arrange pickup:
–Leave a voice message here – 520-955-9061 — for a quick response
–Email karynzoldan@yahoo.com – put: “Beading Divas” in the subject line/don’t use all caps
Beads can also be mailed to Silver Sea Jewelry.
We also accept old jewelry that can be taken apart, jewelry tools, and ribbons. No bags of 99cent plastic beads, please. Anything that we cannot use is donated elsewhere.
How much do the bracelets cost?
Bracelets cost $20/each. You can view a representation of bracelets on Etsy. Every bracelet comes with a paw charm and is a coil for easy on and off, one size fits most.
People can pay with cash or a check made out to the designated charity. If they buy the bracelets online via Etsy.com, there is a $5.50 (U.S.) and international shipping varies. Charities received the entire $20 no matter if people pay by cash, check or online.
One-of-a-kind
How do you choose the charities to raise money for?
Here’s a list of charities which we have sold bracelets for. Some have been chosen more than once. There are seven original Beading Divas and each Diva is allowed to choose a charity on her birthday month. For the other months there needs to be a consensus by us. We go dark in July for R&R, regroup. During the months of the 4th Avenue Street Fair, local to Tucson/So. Ariz. charities are always chosen.
Most charities are local to Tucson or Arizona but not all. We have raised money for charities in Florida, Mass., Kansas, and California/Guam.
If you want your charity benefiting animals to be added to our consideration list, view the requirements below and then send an email to karynzoldan@yahoo.com and in the subject line put “Beading Divas.” Tell us about your charity and add a link to your website.
Do you have any requirements for the charities that you choose?
Yes. See below:
–Your organization must have a PayPal account – Any online sales from our Etsy site will be deposited directly from our PayPal account into your PayPal account at month-end. (No exceptions.)
–Proof of your charity’s 501 c3 in hard copy or online document – Most supply the latter. You can deliver the print copy to Silver Sea Jewelry, 330 N. 4th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705. (required by 25th of month prior to being a recipient) or email your contact person.
–Five (of the same) 8 ½ x 11-inch laminated posters – includes your logo, photos, descriptive paragraph about your charity. Posters are used for in-store bracelet display, store window, and other locations selling bracelets. To be posted throughout the month. Deliver or send to Silver Sea Jewelry – see above.
–Email photos with stories (jpg photos + Word document or cut & paste to the email for the stories) for our blog so that we can update it a few times a month inviting people to buy bracelets or send donations directly. – Provide by 29th of month before. Your contact will advise where to email info.
–Help publicize the bracelet sales to your adopters, volunteers, Facebook page, Twitter. Add a link from your website to our blog and Etsy site during the month you are chosen. Send out emails. If you need visuals of bracelets, ask. Visuals help sell bracelets. (The more you get involved promoting the bracelet sales, the more $$$ you make.)
–Provide business cards or brochures – If you want people to walk away with more info about your charity, especially if they don’t buy a bracelet – To be available throughout the month.
–Sell bracelets at your events (this option is available for Southern Arizona only). If you have any events/meet-and-greets or fundraisers, you can pick up some bracelets at Silver Sea Jewelry and sell them for $20/each; no exceptions. All unsold bracelets must be returned by the end of the month.
–Provide Silver Sea Jewelry/Beading Divas with a receipt (for tax purposes) after you receive your online bracelet sales from Etsy via Paypal.
–You can make even more money if: Board members, adopters, and/or volunteers take the bracelets to work or to a party to sell; you ask a donor to match the bracelet money raised or the online sales raised. (Bracelets are available in So. AZ only)
–You can ask a special donor to match online bracelet sales.
–If you help us spread the word that we always need beads to continue our mission, it is greatly appreciated.
When does my charity receive the money?
After month end, the bracelets that were sold online via Etsy – that money will transfer from our Paypal account into your Paypal account by the 7th of following month. If your charity is located in Southern Arizona, you will have to come into Silver Sea Jewelry to pick up the cash & checks no later than the 10th of the following month. If your charity is not in Southern Arizona, checks and a check or money order for the cash will be mailed within the first two weeks of the following month.
How much money can my charity raise?
That depends on different factors – time of year and amount of promotion. We don’t guarantee a minimum. Charities have raised from $600 to $4,020 so far. The average lately seems to be between $1,200-1,700.
While we try to keep as much stock as possible, all bracelets are handmade. Since we are not a business and are all volunteers, there could be a rare chance that we run out. We try our best for that not to happen.
Beading Divas to the Rescue has raised more than $60,000 selling one twenty dollar bracelet at a time so it’s prudent to take this opportunity seriously.
one-of-a-kind
How can you afford to do this?
We could not afford to do this if we had to buy beads. We are fortunate that people far and wide have given beads to us, plus our Bead Drive 2013 helps keep the supply ample. We buy in bulk – wire, findings, shipping supplies. We also charge $5.50 for S&H (if you buy online) which covers postage and supplies. On occasion the Divas may chip in for emergencies. We are also blessed to have some generous and talented bracelet makers (Noni, Joan, Sandra, Naomi to name a few) who buy their own beads and make bracelets for us. Bead Drive 2013 has netted us a huge supply of beads.
What are the websites used to promote the bracelets?
Important Links:
Bracelet blog
http://beadingdivasbracelets.com
Buy bracelets online-Etsy store
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Lizziestardust
Why is the blog called aka Greyhound Injury Fund and not Beading Divas?
We started fundraising for Lizzie Mead’s greyhounds who suffered $14,300 in veterinarian bills after being in a hit-and-run accident. The dogs survived and thrive. We decided to keep giving back to the animal community that helped us and later dubbed ourselves Beading Divas to the Rescue.
Right now it’s more important to continue our mission vs. start another blog or website with the right name. Unfortunately, we were not quick enough to reserve the URL.
Who are the original Beading Divas to the Rescue?
• Lizzie Mead – owner of Silver Sea Jewelry, adopter of 3 greyhounds (Rider, Opal, Bird) and 1 cat
• Michelle Caillet – owner of the Greyt Escape, adopter of 2 greyhounds (Riley & Opa)
• Karyn Zoldan – web content writer/PR/activist, blogger/Tucson Tails adopter of 2 greyhounds (Jett & Girlfriend)
• Cynthia David – scientist, adopter of 1 greyhound and 1 small mixed breed (Harmony & Mimzy)
• Glenda Taylor – retired investigator, adopter of 2 greyhounds and 1 American Eskimo dog (Beamer, Anabel, and Ice/rainbow bridge)
• Loren Dawn – artist, adopter of 1 greyhound (Saffron)
• Angy Shearer – development, adopter of 1 greyhound (Misty)
How is possible that only seven Divas have accomplished all this?
Ah, we have not done all this with just the seven of us. We’re like a working Board but we have no Board. Our successes are doable because hundreds of women (and a few men) have helped us by donating beads, making bracelets at our bracelet making bees, donated beautiful bracelets for us to sell, taken bracelets to work or parties and sold them on behalf of the charity, and more.
We have been very fortunate to have so many people in our corner to help promote our efforts and work side by side us to raise money for animal charities. We also have many repeat customers.
Thank you one and all.
What’s the best way to contact you?
Call our message line – 520-955-9061 — for a quick response
Call Lizzie at Silver Sea Jewelry – 520-624-9954
Email us at karynzoldan@yahoo.com – Put “Beading Divas” in the subject line
——————
If you have a question not answered here, email it to karynzoldan@yahoo.com and put “Beading Divas” in the subject line.
Thank you for reading — you can never have too much bling in your life.
[...] FAQs jump to navigation [...]