The Birds and The Beads - Custom Handcrafted Jewelry

Mother & Grandmother Collection Childrens Collection Religious Collection Friends & Family Collection Labor of Love Collection Simple Pleasures Collection (coming soon!)

Women business owners to offer Holiday Boutique
Published: November 22, 2007 Schaumburg Review

The second Annual Holiday Boutique at My Party Princess, Inc. promises to be a fun and festive event designed for women and girls (and those seeking holiday gifts for the ladies in their life) while also benefiting women in our community.

Two Schaumburg women business owners are teaming up with other local business women to offer for purchase gift items such as handcrafted jewelry, beaded handbags and gourmet foods. It all takes place on Tuesday, Dec. 11 from 5-9 p.m. in the fancy, flirty setting of My Party Princess, 1118 S. Roselle Road in Schaumburg.

"It will provide shoppers with a unique, intimate shopping experience," said Jennifer Chiostri, organizer of the event and owner of the Schaumburg-based The Birds & The Beads custom handcrafted jewelry. Scheduled participants include a consultant from Tastefully Simple gourmet foods and gifts, the owner of Monarch Designs beaded handbags, as well as an entrepreneur who offers yummy cake-in-a-jar, and other vendors.

My Party Princess owner Melissa Raitano will feature something exceptional for the little girls who visit during the event. For a special low price, girls can get done up in an upswept hair-do, crowned with a red and green tiara. Raitano will also offer merchandise specially geared to little girls.

"She will have some great princess and diva items that night," said Chiostri.

Refreshments and holiday music will add to the merry atmosphere.

Giving back

Chiostri believes the event offers a chance "for women business owners to help each other and expose each other to more customers. And most importantly, to give back to the community," she said.

All participating vendors will donate an item for a raffle, and raffle ticket proceeds will benefit the Schaumburg Township Adopt-A-Family and Food Pantry programs. Chiostri plans to use the funds to create baskets of toiletries for women in need in the community.

Chiostri began her The Birds & The Beads business in 2004. She designs bracelets, earrings, bookmarks and other handcrafted items, and will work with customers to create custom designed jewelry as well. She showcases many of her pieces, some which feature Swarovski crystals, Swarovski pearls and sterling silver, on her Web site at www.birdsandbeadsjewelry.com.

My Party Princess opened its doors in 2004 and offers themed birthday party packages such as Princess Parties, Tea Parties and Darling Diva Parties, and hosts Girl Scout outings and play dates as well. Parties include a dress-up session for the girls with elaborate, boutique quality costumes. Raitano also offers "extras" that may be added to parties, ranging from a diva doll cake to a visit from a costumed princess to a ride in a pumpkin carriage. Details are available at her Web site at www.mypartyprincess.com.

For information on next month's Holiday Boutique, call Chiostri at (847) 217-1231. Admission is free.

Catherine Stier is telling Schaumburg's stories. Share your stories with her by e-mailing cbstier@concentric.net or calling (847) 352-1979.

Let me tell you about The Birds and The Beads…………

By	Wanda Bain Schaumburg Review/Schaumburg Showcase February 9, 2006

Let me tell you about The Birds & The Beads.

It's a relatively new business in Schaumburg owned and operated by an industrious young mother, who has discovered a new talent and is making it pay off.

Jennifer Chiostri, a stay-at-home mom, who worked in the insurance industry prior to having children, dabbled in taking personal development classes one of which was a bead jewelry class at Joann's Fabrics and Crafts. Here she learned to wield flat-nose pliers, squeeze tweezers, deal with lobster clasps and use wire cutters. The end result was personally designed bracelets for her two daughters that won her rave revues from family and friends.

Her girlfriend Melissa Loutos suggested Chiostri start her own jewelry design business, and she began dreaming about making this a reality. She didn't want a hobby. She wanted a business. Talking it over with the man in her life, Randy gave her the green light to pursue her artistic enterprise.

Between baby bottles and beautiful beads, a star business owner emerged. Chiostri followed a start up business plan. First, she needed a catchy name. She brainstormed with her husband, and he recommended The Birds & The Beads. She researched and registered the name and wrote up a marketing plan.

She sought uniqueness and found it, buying up colorful Swarovski crystals and beads. With her plan, she identified each niche market to pursue. Working in sterling silver, she also creates one-of-a-kind key chains, bookmarks and other jewelry for adults. Godmothers are ohing and ahing over their fabulous looking gifts.

Chiostri does home parties and takes orders online at her website www.birdsandbeadsjewelry.com.