Folksy Friday

One of my closest friends gave birth to a gorgeous baby boy on Wednesday of this week! To celebrate I decided to give my Folksy Friday this week, a baby theme. All of these lovely things are currently available:

Gorgeous handmade cards made by Hig Hig Hooray.

This cute baby girl card has been handmade by Fiona's Crafts.










This lovely, quilted blanket has been created by Margosha.

Want a personalised sleep suit then look no further than Catty Designs.

How cute is this set for a premature baby made by Sweetpea Family?











This is just a very small selection of the items that can be found at Folksy. All items are handmade with love by very talented designers and crafters. Please pay them a visit!!

Did you Know you Can Buy on Facebook?

There seems to be an awful lot of blogs around at the moment about Facebook. Many include how to set up a business or fan page, how to publish your page etc. I have decided to take a slightly different slant with this blog!

There was a report in the news recently that there are something like half a billion users of Facebook in the world. That is a huge potential audience for a crafter such as myself and according to statistics around half of these will sign in on any given day! However, it still seems that many people do not realise that they can actually shop on Facebook!

Christmas is not that far away, I know, doesn't seem possible whilst we still have some semblance of summer, but it will creep up on us before we know it! Many of us end up taking a trip to the High Street and spend a fortune on parking etc for the privilege to buy all their Christmas gifts. How great to be able to sign into Facebook and find items that you can buy from the comfort of your own home! No parking to pay, no queuing for hours, just stress free shopping!!

Many of my fellow crafters on Facebook also offer special features such as discounts or low, even free, postage on their items for fans of their page. Some will also do regular giveaways or competitions for fans. It's really simple to become a fan of these people, just visit their page and click "Like". This simple thing could give you the opportunity to get great, more often than not, quality handmade items, at a fraction of what you would pay for mass produced gifts on the High Street.

There are other benefits too of shopping on Facebook. Once you become a fan of someone you have the opportunity of building a relationship with them before purchasing if you want to. You can comment on their wall posts, ask question about their items or even get a bespoke item made. You can also interact with other fans as well including asking them about their experiences of purchasing from this particular seller. Getting this peace of mind is not something you would get by shopping with a faceless organisation!

Here are just some of the places to find great quality items on Facebook:

These stunning lampwork and sterling silver earrings are created by Erika Price Designs. All fans receive 10% discount on prices. Please visit the Facebook shop at: http://www.facebook.com/ErikaPriceDesigns?v=app_135607783795

This amazing Celtic Lovers Plaque has been created by Gelert Design. Once there are enough fans of this page, there will be giveaways and competitions open to all fans. Get "liking" to be in with a chance of winning. Please visit the Facebook shop at: www.facebook.com/gelertdesign

Gorgeous stud seashell earrings made from natural shells and ethnic style beads created by Kellas Creative Wishes. All fans receive low postage costs on any goods they purchase. Please visit the Facebook shop here:
http://www.facebook.com/KellasCreativeWishes

Handmade flower pendant made from aluminium and recycled plastic created by Surf Jewels. Fans of this page receive free p&p right across the UK! Please visit the Facebook shop at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Surf-Jewels/75443957589?v=app_135607783795&ref=ts

This necklace is made from agate flowers, tiger skin quartz and malachite by me! I offer 10% discount to all of my fans. Please visit my Facebook shop at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Unique-Beaded-Gems/263472909436?v=app_135607783795&ref=ts

This stunning heliotrope flower fairy has been created Miss Mary Elliott. Mary offers 10% discount to all fans. Please visit her Facebook shop at: http://www.facebook.com/MissMaryElliott?v=app_135607783795

This really cute wooden bracelet has been created by Bizzie Lizzies Jewellery. Please do visit her at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bizzie-Lizzies-Jewellery/111251792258253?ref=ts

This gorgeous handmade card has been created by Laura from Cards and Candles for All Occasions. Please do visit her shop at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stoke-On-Trent-United-Kingdom/Cards-And-Candles-For-All-Occasions/113482312019654?v=wall&ref=ts

This stunning Sami style bracelet with Sterling silver beads has been created by Kay from Hamespun. Please visit her Facebook shop at
http://www.facebook.com/Hamespun?v=app_135607783795&ref=ts">http://www.facebook.com/Hamespun?v=app_135607783795&ref=ts





There are loads of different shops on Facebook where you can find all sorts of amazing handmade items. Please do think about investigating some of these before heading off to your High Street.

Happy shopping!!

Men's Jewellery Update

Well here are the first few pieces of my new men's collection:

Tiger eye and hemalyke stretch bracelet priced at £10 in my Folksy shop: http://www.folksy.com/items/692649-Men-s-Stretch-Bracelet?shop=yes

Pale brown carved horn beads stretch bracelet priced at £7.50 in my Folksy shop: http://www.folksy.com/items/714477-Men-s-Carved-Horn-Bracelet?shop=yes

White and black carved horn beads mixed with wood rondelle beads. This bracelet has been sold (priced at £8.50) but I would be happy to create a similar design for you. Please feel free to contact me at: jwalters@uniquebeadedgems.co.uk





There are more pieces coming soon including some gorgeous paua shell cufflinks! Watch this space!!

Fantastic Few Weeks!

I really needed to share my excitement with you all! I have just had the most amazing few weeks! It feels that finally word is beginning to spread about my jewellery and I am making great sales at craft fairs as well as in my galleries. I have been doing this full time since February and have had a few very tough months were I was wondering whether it was really worth continuing but suddenly it seems to be taking off!!

Here are just a few of the items I have sold in recent weeks:

Agate, lapis, aventurine and howlite necklace

A pearl rope made with an unusual combination of coloured cultured freshwater pearls

I sold this bracelet on Saturday at my jewellery demonstration at Leabrooks Gallery. It's made from green/orange agate, aventurine and pearls. However, the lady that wanted it is not a fan of pearls so I took these out and replaced them with the jade ones she wanted. She was really pleased!

Red tiger eye leaf charm bracelet

Aquamarine and citrine charm bracelet

Yellow turquoise and jade earrings

Tiger eye, agate and shell necklace








and finally....

Leopardskin jasper sterling silver ring that was made to order for a fellow Folksy seller.

Please do have a look at her shop too! She is a very talented milliner who has created some amazing designs.

http://www.folksy.com/shops/imogensimagination
http://www.folksy.com/shops/ickleimogen

Thank you so much to all of those who have bought my pieces. You have no idea how cheerful it has made me! Long may the sales continue!!