Tejas Beads Year In Review 2022
2022 was an eventful year for Tejas Beads. We moved across the country, launched our mobile app, started carbon-neutral shipping,.... and had fun while doing it all! Below we've captured some of the highlights in greater detail and threw in a few fun tidbits of website data as well. Enjoy!
Relocating Across The Country
After years of living in the bustling city of Houston, we decided to make a drastic change and move to a rural area of western Massachusetts. With beautiful rivers, mountains, wildlife, and prolific seasons, we were ready for something different – something that would allow us to be more connected with nature and raise our family away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
In July 2022, we loaded up two semitrucks – one truck full of all our beads and another truck carrying all our racks, warehousing, and office equipment. The truck full of beads broke down in Virginia, and the truck that was supposed to take all of our other equipment didn't show up.... so we had to improvise last minute and find another. But in the end, everything worked out and in just 10 days time we were back up and running again. Thankfully, our Houston team was able to come along for the move and help us get setup in our new location.
History Behind Our New Location
Our new warehouse is located inside an old rustic mill building built in 1814 by the West Boylston Company, a large cotton textile manufacturer in the town of West Boylston, MA. This, however, is not where the building is located today. In 1899 the building was dismantled piece by piece and moved by train, and re-erected in Easthampton, MA. The building's original location is now submerged by the Wachusett Reservoir that was flooded in 1908.
New Mobile App Launched in 2022
In July 2022 we launched our mobile app! The mobile app brings an alternate way to shop, with a wish-list❤️ for your favorites, enhanced search, and back-in-stock notifications, all in a sleek and speedy interface. The app is available in Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Some Interesting 2022 Data
Top 5 Best Selling Stones
- Black Onyx
- Lava
- Tiger's Eye
- Red Garnet
- Amethyst
Top 5 Online Store Search Terms
- Moonstone
- Amethyst
- Citrine
- Jade
- Rose Quartz
Top 5 Busiest Sale Weeks
- Black Friday
- Memorial Day
- Fourth of July
- Labor Day
- Easter
Website Visits By Device
Carbon Neutral Shipping
This is our small way of giving back, we hope others will follow suit.
On A More Personal Note
Many of you know about Tejas Beads from 10 years of trade shows. Kelly traveled the USA in a Chevy Express work van full of gemstone beads and set up the most spectacular trade show booths all around the country, it was a sight to see!
In 2020 trade shows shutdown and Kelly along her significant other Chris, started building the website and moving the business online.... sort of as a way to entertain ourselves during covid. The website launched in June 2020, and little did we know that it would turn into much more than just a hobby.
While we have the appearance of being a larger company, we are really just a small family owned business consisting of five hard working people with a knack for gemstones, technology, and lots of grit. Thank you to our old Houston crew, Linda and Awa! And to our new team, Kathy, Terry, and Eliza, for all of your dedication and hard work!
Most off all, thank you to all of our loyal customers, we truly appreciate all of your support over that last couple of years. We hope that you've enjoyed your experience with us as much as we have with you!
And in case you're wondering, the photo is of Chris & Kelly with baby Aaron in the backpack, he'll be big 1 in January! We were walking the winter lights display in our new hometown in Western Massachusetts.
Stay tuned! If all the pieces fall into place, 2023 will be another eventful year!
Happy Beading!
Comments on this post (26)
I miss your being in Houston but you must follow your heart. I will be with you on line because I love your quality beads….Thanks, b
— Bonnie
Teja’s Beads allowed me to learn how to make my own jewelry and learn so much about gems and stones. When I started off I was very skeptical about any and all suppliers and along came this beautiful website that gave me confidence that I’ll get genuine stones, and Chris was so kind and dedicated in his communication with me and answered all my questions always. I haven’t purchased much in a while because I went in other directions after my original enthusiasm for making jewelry – but I follow your newsletter and how lovely to see this post and learn about your adventures and the new pages you are opening in your journey! Happy holidays and god bless!
— Donika
Really enjoyed meeting and working with you while you were in Houston. Wishing you great success in your new home. Be blessed!
— Jeff
First I want to say I love your beads. And second I come from Boston, Massachusetts. Currently living in Maine. I live in a historical building. It was originally a Convent for the Sisters of Mercy built in 1909. The nuns who lived here taught girls at the Catherine McCauley school next door. Well the building was empty for many years so the Bishop sold the building and all the land to a developer who renovated 88 apartments in the Convent. That is where I live 55 and older. He is building condos on the rest of the land.
— Julie Doherty
Thank you for this beautiful story of your company and family. I’m excited to get my order in, always just need to pare down my wish list a little. Look forward to doing business!
— Deborah Martin
Congratulations on making it through an action packed year❣️ I had no idea you had a history of doing trade shows. I found you online after someone mentioned your store in a YouTube video. I love the beads you carry and am always saving up to get more!!! have a wonderful holiday that will hopefully include some peaceful time off ❤️🤍💚
May you continue to keep the store growing,
Rebecca
— Rebecca