Preparing For My First Jewellery Stall eek!

Since my last post, I've been really busy working almost every night creating new jewellery. I am very impressed that I was able to stop myself several times from buying new beads...literally had to think myself out of it.

So 2 weeks ago I saw an event on facebook for a Christmas Fun day at our local leisure centre and thought to enquire about available stalls. I think deep down I thought it'd be a bit late asking now. Got a reply asking to see some of my work, to which I replied with a link to my shop. I was shocked to get a reply saying there was availability for me ..eek! Was I ready? really? the lady said it was a 'bring your own table' event and I was going to turn it down due to not having a table but then I realised it wasn't the table that was my problem...I was looking for any excuse as nerves had got the better of me.

Got a lot of encouragement from a friend and talented jewellery maker who really gave me the confidence I needed to go ahead with the process of securing my place at the event.

I had a million things going through my head at once...I'll need to make more this and that, need to buy or find a table, table cloth, jewellery display , oh and more business cards, public liability insurance .......

Researched online, made a checklist of things to take on the day like mirror, change; things to order like bags for packaging, business cards ; things to make like men's bracelet (which I hadn't made since 2013 or so. I needed to buy new beads for these too :-D) ...so I've been busy ticking these off my checklist and I'm happy to have received all my orders the last of which arrived today -large gift bags.

Picked up a foldable table from a friend and jewellery display stuff from my jewellery making friend.... all ready now! I shall be doing a practise run tonight. .. setting my stall up  in the kitchen as I would on Sunday 2 days time.

Earrings

Particularly excited to see people's reactions when they pick up, feel or try on the jewellery , as I don't get to see this from my online  shop.

Back with a boom!!!

It's been ages since I posted anything on my blog and that also is a reflection of how much has happened on my Facebook page and even in my etsy shop.... life, baby girl (17 months old now)..you know how it is :-D

My shop was still running but hadn't made any new pieces of jewellery. Just the occasional sale and trip to the post office.

In the last 2 or so weeks I've got my mojo back. ..whilst standing in a crowded train on my way home from work , I caught sight of  a handbag within my eyeline and remember thinking to myself how different a plain handbag would look with an accessory going across from one end of the bag handle to the other...and within seconds my thoughts wandered off going through (what felt like) a million and one design ideas and I couldn't wait to get off the train,  drive home and get to work.

I had come across the term 'bag charms' in the past but paid not much attention to them...never owned one or actually seen one in person, didn't seem to have noticed any of my friends own one either.

The design I had in my head didn't seem to me to be a bag charm...I visualised a decorated chain going from one end to the other as if it were a 'necklace' for the bag...I thought..

The next couple of days were exciting times and felt good to get back to being creative again.  Buying new stock for the bag charms, and ordering even more new items as my ideas evolved.

Then, with my materials ready I got designing, though interrupted occasionally when I would have to go upstairs to put my littlest one back to sleep but thankfully bedtime routine is now a whole lot easier.

The original design idea I had in my mind on the train which then led to the other designs seen below. (Not been listed yet in my shop )

                             

Red Stripe Agate Gemstone bag charm 

   

These were made this week.

                 

 I've had very positive feedback on these from close family and friends and hope to get the same from everyone else now that they have been listed in my etsy shop. 😊

For free shipping on orders £10 and over, use coupon code FREESHIP10 at checkout!. Valid till the end of November 2013!!

http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JewelleryByNneka

Blog Discount

Get 20% off orders over £5 with coupon code - BLOGDISCOUNT20 - at checkout  valid until the 6th of october 2013.  #coupon #couponcode #discount  in store

Celebrating 100 'Likes' Facebook Milestone

Just reached my first 100 'Likes' milestone on my facebook fan page

As a way of saying thank you, I have just created a coupon code which entitles you to 40% off your order when you spend £10 or more. Offer lasts till the 14th of september 2013, Just enter FBMS40 at checkout to claim!!! Feel free to share 

Useful info for creative businesses

I have just returned to jewellery making after taking some time off from having my baby girl.

Been researching on how best to use social media to boost my business followings, product awareness etc and have come across very interesting and useful tips from the following blog posts from Theresa Cifali

Why YOU Should Use Twitter for Your Creative Business

How to Convert Your Pinterest Account to a Business Account

The Top 5 Facebook Marketing Strategies Every Business Needs

I will be implementing tips from the above and also making use of some of the 6 FREE Twitter Tools I never knew existed.

I would like to hear about your experiences with social media marketing, how have you found it, which medium do you prefer etc.

Earrings Sales

EARRINGS SALES!!!

If you buy 2 pairs of EARRINGS, you may choose a free pair of equal or lesser value than the highest priced of the 2 you purchase. Read instructions on any earring listings.

Non gemstone earrings can be found here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JewelleryByNneka?section_id=12290799

Gemstone earrings can be found here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JewelleryByNneka?section_id=12280414