Additional 10% off ALL items ordered before Mothers Day!
Penny Serenade Jewellery Blog
Winter Sale nad Valentine's offer (16-01-2008)
Many items are now reduced to make way for new stock for the spring in addition there is an extra 10% off between now and 10th February for any special Valentine's Day presents.
New item (16-01-2008)
Over the next few weeks I will be putting some new items in the shop for the spring and towards Easter some new bridal pieces. To start with I have added the gorgeous opulant Empress necklace and the cuff bracelet. To view them follow the links below:
http://www.pennyserenade.com/store/Necklaces-2/Empress-61.html
http://www.pennyserenade.com/store/Bracelets-3/Rainbow-Blue-Cuff-45.html
And don't forget there is 10% off everythng until 10th February!
Last order for Christmas (10-12-2007)
My last order day for Christmas this year will be Tuesday 18th December - if an item is made to order please contact me before hand to make sure that I can get it posted out to you by Christmas - thank you ;)
New items (28-11-2007)
I have added a few new bracelets, necklaces and rings to the site just in time for Christmas. Take a look at the lovely Chocolate Sundae Bracelet featuring one of my favourite gemstones - Black Sardonyx http://www.pennyserenade.com/store/Bracelets-3/Chocolate-Sundae-54.html
More new items coming soon!
Xmas Wrapping (07-11-2007)
If you loathe wrapping up your Christmas presents I am now offering a special wrapping service with lovely Christmassy paper at an extra cost of £3.00. If you want to save getting sellotape stuck to everything let me know when you order.
Pearl Wedding jewellery and matching your colours. (22-10-2007)
I am often asked about the best way to match the colour of a brides wedding dress with the pearls in her wedding jewellery. As I use a lot of pearls in my bridal range I know it can be quite tricky to find white or cream pearls to match as they come in such a variety of shades and hues. Often the best thing to do if you are unsure is to ask for a single pearl sample before you order to see if it matches. Pairing cream and white pearls with Swarovski can change the appearance slightly and provides another option if you want to stick to a white/cream theme. If you are still unable to get a shade of peals that you like then you can always look at some of the many other colours that are now available in pearls and try to tone them in with your bridesmaid dresses or flowers.
Coiled Bangle (10-10-2007)
Eni has been working me hard and given me lots of assignments to do. This silver coiled wire wrap bangle is one that she likes - look out for this and other new items coming soon.
Top 5 Things to look for in a Supplier (19-09-2007)
It is really really hard to find good suppliers especially when you need repeat stock. These are the top five things I look for:
1. A Good Variety of Stock
Sounds obvious - but its the little things like 'do they have this bead in lots of sizes? Are there any other cuts or finishes?' If they stock unusual beads 'do they have any others that compliment it?' - its no good if it is such an unusual colour or shape you can't put anything with it!
2. Repeat Stock
It is ok to have one offs as long as you know that they are. I have been caught out by this loads of times - you buy a load of stuff and go back to the supplier for more only to be told that they only had a limited number and can't get any more. Most of the more reputable retailers tell you at the time if purchase if the item is repeatable stock - if you are buying from somewhere smaller it is always worth asking if its a one off and also ask about how long it will take to replenish items that sell out.
3. An Easy to Navigate Website or Catalogue
There is nothing more off putting that not being able to find your way around a website or sales catalogue. I always hate the catalogues that come with seperate price lists - I understand why they do this but you spend ages trying to match the description to the picture especailly it the pictures aren't very well annotated in the first place. The same with websites they need to have things clearly priced. So many jewellery sites particularly in this country wait unitl you have placed the order then call you back with the price, its so off putting as you never know how much you are spending.
4. Clear Shipping Prices
This relates more to the fact that I buy a lot from abroad. Often it looks like you are getting a good deal but when you add the shipping on it sudddenly doesn't seem like such a bargain!
5. Excellent Customer Service
There are only handful of places that I deal with regularly that offer this and they tend to be small business. These are places like Lima Beads that are above and beyond helpful and always friendly and courteous - they make shopping with them a pleasure.
Published Article (12-09-2007)
I have just had an article on starting a business published on the well known Amercican website 'Home Jewelry Business Success Tips' click here to view it
http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/jewellery-business.html
Jewellery London 2007 (05-09-2007)
So Jewellery London is over for another year! It is a bit like Christmas Day after you have opened all your presents - all that excitement and build up and then it is all gone!
This year seemed bigger to me than last. There was as always, the huge display of gorgeous fine jewellery and diamonds at the entrance. These are real show stoppers - stunning baubles - the kind that if you didn't know better you would think they were costume pieces. It was all I could do not to salivate over the displays. This seriously is the place to go to buy diamonds - they are still expensive, but no where near as dear as they are in the shops - we are talking a platinum 1ct diamond solitare for £700. Admittedly this is a trade show but you couldn't get that anywhere else.
Unfortunately I wasn't going for the diamonds - bit of a shame - but there was a fantastic selcetion of bead and gemstone merchants. I always go every year to see the fabulous Ceylon Gems from Tel Aviv - they have the most incredible selection and are fantastic value. The staff they had on the stall this year were amazingly helpful and friendly so they were a pleasure to spend money with. Also Itchydo - again a good selection and lovely staff.
In previous years there have been a limited number of bead and stone sellers but this year if anything there were too many (no pleasing me) the choice was a little overwhelming and you are unsure of who to go to for what. The strange and confusing ways many of them price their stock also makes it difficult to work out who you are getting the best deal from so I tended to stick to those I knew. As I mentioned the staff in general were lovely but at a few stalls they are a bit unapproachable.
I was disappointed to see virtually nothing in the way of gold filled - I know I bang on about this but it is growing in popularity and this wasn't reflected at the show which is a shame beacuse myself and a lot of my competitors are getting asked for it more and more frequently.
I didn't get time to go around all the stalls this year and would have like to have visited the tool section and the international section - it is such as shame that Jewelley London happens only once a year. I would have gone up again yesterday but as there was a tube strike it would have been really hard to get to Earls Court.
The next major show now is Top Drawer- this weekend. It is not jewellery specific and is more gift product based although a lot of exhibitors from IJL are going to be there - if you missed IJL it is worth a look, always register before you go www.topdrawerautumn.com it will save you the entry fee. Enjoy!
Eni Oken (05-09-2007)
The very talented Eni Oken will be mentoring me over the next four months - it is very exciting. Hopefully I will be able to do all my assignments and be a model student!
Jewellery London (22-08-2007)
Just two weeks to go until Jewellery London and I am getting very excited. It is one of the best trade shows and there is always loads going on as well as gorgeous bits to buy. I am looking forward to seeing my old friends Itcydoo there and Ceylon Gems - they both have a lovely selection of gemstones. I am also going to try and go to a few talks the Swarovski one looks particularly good. I am also hoping to buy some diamond rings from Arlaune at trade prices as well.
There is still time to register to go visit www.jewellerylondon.com
New site (05-08-2007)
After months of hardwork and long hours the new site is finally live! Yipppeee!! Special thanks go to Nicky for the design, my parents for their help with the photos and Mal for the build and putting up with my nagging.
There will be regular updates and monthly articles. I hope you like the new look - all feedback is greatly appreciated- thank you!
Liz ;-)
©2003-2008 Penny Serenade