A String of Beads

Busy Busy!

A mad day today, sorting out the web hosting and trying and failing to sort out a template for my business cards, how can something so small take so much effort to sort out! I gave up in the end and resorted to printing a few myself as rather embarrasingly I get asked for them and I don't have one on me!! The web hosting, though, is exciting as it means that the site is now going on to its server. All I have to do now is sort out the photography. I had a go at the weekend but the lighting and reflections on some of the beads was a bit frustrating, so I ended up ordering a portable light box that I can put the jewellery in to photograph. It sort of looks like a pop up bin on it's side! It should give a more diffuse light and help me achieve that  wow factor (well that and paint shop pro !!)

Talking of small things, something that has given me so much joy is this bead

Isabelle created this for me, and it is a place that is very dear to my heart. I am amazed at just how she manages to capture a landscape in a bead and they are truly a work of art.

Little Boxes!

Here's a peek at the gift packaging I am thinking of using.

I like the beads but I would really like to get the logo on there somewhere. Printing on the ribbon is mega expensive, as is printing on the boxes. Maybe a little tag would work.

Back to the drawing board!

Last night, with thanks to my online friends, I learned how to add a watermark to my images, I'm quite pleased with the result but must remember to put the mark across the beads!

I have spent most of the day writing the text for the website. I would never have believed how long it would take to make sure you cover every eventuality from postage to diclaimers for accuracy etc.. I hope I didn't miss anything!! It's all done and emailed off to Paula, and that just leaves me the task of photographing all the jewellery itself!!

Business Link!

I cannot rate their service any higher. They are always at the end of the phone or  willing to see you, to discuss any aspect of setting up your business. I had a meeting with them yesterday to go over a few things, and it was time very well spent. When you start up you have to know a bit about so may different aspects of a business, and it's so easy to miss things, but via their website I have been able to set up an action plan, so that I don't forget anything and then end up with a nasty surprise later on. I came away feeling even more spurred on and ready to go!!

Testing Testing

Last night I got to see the test version of my website! It's so exciting to see this idea develop, and all credit to Paula at www.Projeto.co.uk for her hard work at turning my airy fairy ideas into a workable website!

Now the hard work begins as I have to write all the text and supply all the images for the site. I shall have to switch the phone etc.. off and get down to it!

All of a sudden it's looking very real.

I have a theme!

It's all about branding (or so they  say!) So I have given much thought to the style and type of packaging for my jewellery. It's going to be Plain Black boxes and aqua ribbon. I did want to get the ribbon printed but it would be too expensive, so we'll save that for next year! If you are spending a lot of time and money creating  and then paying for wearable works of art, then I think it's important to pay attention to the little details too. I will also be sporting a black t-shirt with the logo on the front :) Black is a good colour to have as a background for jewellery, it seems to make the colours pop out!

The boxes arrived today  and they are fab! I can't wait to send out those orders all deliciously wrapped! Just waiting on the ribbon now and then I'm nearly there!

New beginnings

The first post for my shiny new blog.

This is all about my new venture, Hand crafted jewellery. This is a totally new world to me, owning my own business, and I am amazed at all the work I have had to put in to get this far! I'm getting there though, but it will be a couple more weeks till my website is up and running. I'm hoping to post my latest creations here plus updates on the development of 'A String of Beads' I am so excited about this it's untrue, and my head is bursting with ideas! Thank goodness for notebooks !! As well as the website I shall be attending a number of craft fairs in the run up to christmas and I will add these details along the way. There's nothing like seeing things in real life as opposed to on a screen!