Queen Bea's Big Thank You!

Merry Christmas in December--not to be confused with everyone's favorite home shopping tradition, Christmas in July!--and a big fat "Thank You!" to you for making this blog so much fun. You guys are an absolute blast to hang out with--even the haters and trolls ... you just add a little spice to the entertainment. ;-)

This blog has only been up and running less then a year now, so I need your help. What do you love to read about on the blog? What do you want to see more of? What could you do without? Be honest, I can take it. I think ... stiff upper lip and all that.

Oh! And I have to tell you about my Christmas present that I found for myself. I 'm sooo excited! On Craigslist, I snagged an 18k yellow gold band ring with channel-set square natural emeralds and baguette diamonds (yes, I do wear real stuff too, people). And get this, the band is HEAVY--I hate flimsy gold jewelry, you know--I think it's about 7 grams of gold stuffed into that little band. I love it! It's gorgeous, it's high-quality, and I got a great deal on it. Apparently some lady was unloading everything her no-good ex-husband ever gave her. In any case, I got a rockin' deal on it. For what I paid for my heavy 18k gold emerald and diamond ring, I would have ended up with some hollowed-out nothing from just about anywhere else.

I will probably be posting sporadically this week. Even though I am lucky enough to get the week off to spend with my family, it's going to be busy. So I'm not making any promises about the quantity or quality of the posts this week. We'll just have to see how it goes.

My family is coming here for Christmas so there is lots of shopping and cooking to do--and that's not even counting all the present wrapping and delivering for everyone on my home shopping Christmas list.

Anyway, my father just started Weight Watchers a few weeks ago, so I'm trying to make the menu a little healthier for his sake. The main dinner is shaping up nicely (brined pork tenderloin with apple glaze, roasted rosemary potatoes and winter squash, hearty vegetable soup, dried cranberry, walnut, and blue cheese salad with balsamic vinaigrette), but the rest of it is a big calorie bust, I'm afraid. Oh well, tis the season! There will be a revolt if there is no spinach dip and bourbon cake!

We're also planning on hitting Dollywood after Christmas to see the lights.

So, by Queen Bea's royal decree, have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Can You Sell Jewelry On Live Television?

Have you ever pretended to be a home shopping host? If you haven't, just try to do a little sales pitch for something you're wearing today. Go on ... what are you waiting for? Do it!

Just try to talk about whatever it is in an interesting and engaging way for one minute. Just one measly minute.

I'll wait ...

Harder than it seems, isn't it?

Being a host is sorta like being a good politician, you have competing interest groups--management, vendors, producers, customers--all vying for their attention, you have to "let your personality show through" without ever offending anyone or being politically incorrect, you have to be approachable, but still above the fray. Oh, and you need to make sales--lots of them!

This is why I try to cut the hosts a little slack (with the obvious exception of a certain former HSN host), because their job ain't easy, baby.

If you still think that you can master this fine art, checkout this advertisement on Craigslist because The Jewelry Channel is looking for a few good hosts:

The Jewelry Channel, located in the greater Austin/Round Rock area, is looking for freelance hosts to sell fine jewelry on a nationwide, live format.

We have found that people with experience in news, reporting, commercials, infomercials, live tv or public speaking have worked out best for us, but if you think you've got what it takes to get it done, send us an email, along with a head shot or recent photo, and a resume.

We require our freelance hosts to live in the greater Austin area, for they may be called in on quick notice. Freelance hosts normally get their "baptism of fire" by working in the overnights. Truly, you must be willing to work any shift you are assigned to.

Reminder: All applicants must supply a head shot and resume. No exceptions. If you have a show reel, it would be welcomed but not required.

Auditions/interviews will be held at our studios in the Austin/Round Rock area this coming Friday, Nov. 14th beginning at 11am. Our last audition drew 18 freelance hosts, so our slots usually fill up quickly. Please respond quickly, with a time that would work best for you. Auditions usually last about 30 minutes. We will try to accomodate you whenever possible. As you might expect, all appointments are first come, first served.

Since you will be asked to sell at least one item during the audition/interview, it might do you well to watch the network, since we operate on a different format than the conventional TV shopping networks do. We can be seen on Dish Network ch. 218, DirecTV ch. 226 and via our web site at www.tjc.tv.

TJC is a great place to work, with a good bunch of people. Hope to see you soon!


Hmmm ... I thought that they were going out of business ...