Busy week ending in a jewellery party

This week's been a busy week, with a mixture of Christmas shopping, stocking up and jewellery party preparation.

It started off with a day out in York. I went to do some Christmas shopping with my Mum. It turned out to be a very wet day and rained most of the day, which put a damper on things, quite literally! We bought a few presents and got a few ideas for various people, but didn't get quite as much as we'd hoped. I don't think we were quite in the mood for Christmassy things with all the rain. We did have a quick stop off at Betty's though, which is favourite place for a treat in my family. We bought a cake to share and I bought one for my husband.

I then spent the next few days doing a mixture of things. I helped out some friends with house sitting and baby sitting. I stocked up on a few items, like my blossom earrings (see photo), and created a few new items. I also made a ring to that someone had ordered.

I spent the rest of the time preparing for my jewellery party on Friday. This was fun and a bit stressful at the same time. I had fun choosing the Christmas music to play, decorating the house and making goody bags for those who attended (see photo). However, I did get a bit stressed making sure I'd got the house tidy, bought enough nibbles and making sure my displays were good. Then finally came the jewellery party! It was a fun time, relaxing with friends with good conversation, Christmas music, and mince pies and sweets to nibble. It was good to catch up, as well as make a few sales.


Are you looking for a party idea? Would you enjoy hosting a jewellery party? Silver Chestnut offers jewellery parties as a service*. When you host a jewellery party, you provide venue, guests, and nibbles. In return for your hosting skills you receive 10% of the takings**. Silver Chestnut provides the displays and handmade jewellery, and will be on hand on the night to answer any questions. If you are interested, please get in touch on the following details or add a comment below:

Phone: 07580633945
Email: jenny@silverchestnut.co.uk


*Currently, I am only able to definitely offer this service in or around Leeds. Other destinations may become possible, dependant on travel times and accommodation, so do not let it put you off contacting me.
**Terms & Conditions Apply

Christmas already?!

No it's not Christmas yet, but I am thinking about it! Normally I don't start thinking about Christmas until about the end of November. I don't even start buying presents until mid December, unless I happen to see something I think someone will really like. So it's quite unusual for me to be thinking about Christmas in September. Here are some of things I've been planning...

Designs
I have started designing (and making) some more winter/Christmas themed items. I've also tried to design them so that people can wear them any time of the year, although I am considering making some snowflake designs. Here are two of the designs:

Frosted Leaf inspired by frost on leaves

Star Earrings

These are currently on sale in my Folksy shop if you fancy a look:
http://folksy.com/shops/SilverChestnut

Craft Fairs
I've been researching and booking craft fairs. I have 3 booked; 3rd November, 17th November and 15th December. I'm going to leave it at 3 fairs this year because there will be 2 weeks between each of them and the Christmas jewellery party I'm planning (see below). This gives me time to restock anything I've sold and make any orders I've recieved.

Jewellery Party
I'm planning a Christmas themed jewellery party for the beginning of December, to which I'm inviting some friends, family and long term customers of mine. There'll be Christmas music and decorations, with food like mince pies and biscuits shaped in Christmas themed things. As well as jewellery to buy for Christmas presents of course (or possibly as a treat!).

It's quite exciting. It's only just September but I am getting excited about planning and making stuff for the Christmas events. I'll blog about the events closer to the time to let you know more.

Are any of you planning things for Christmas yet? Have you started buying presents? Or are you like me and tend to leave it to the last minute? Let me know your thoughts!

Jewellery Parties Part 1

Some of you may be asking what a jewellery party is so I thought I better start with a short explanation for you. It's a social get together where jewellery on display to touch, try on and buy. It's a good chance for friends to have a good catch up and also browse some lovely jewellery. There is a host who is the person who invites their friends and holds the party, normally at their house. Usually the host gets a little gift for hosting and a percentage of the takings. There is also a sales type person who is the person who brings the jewellery along and can answer any questions about it, etc. Depending on the business this person will be an employee (such as sales assistant) or, as in my case, is the person who makes the jewellery.

I enjoy doing jewellery parties because it's a chance for me to talk to customers about what I do and a chance for the customers to see and touch the jewellery, which is a lot easier than seeing a photograph on-line.

Last week I had a Silver Chestnut jewellery party for some friends at my house. It was a fairly quiet evening, but it was good to catch up with friends and I made a few sales too. This evening I'm having another one for some ex-colleagues (not that they're not friends too!). I'm looking forward to it and I'll let you know how it went on Monday!