Why buy handmade goods for Christmas?

It's the run up to Christmas, which means a couple of things:

1. Novelty Jumpers.  No I don't know either, and no I won't be wearing one;
2. Trying to slim down to get in to that gorgeous dress for the Christmas party.  Or at least thinking that you probably should try;
3. Eating all the chocolate thereby undoing any good work from 2 above.  Maybe try purchasing a novelty jumper to cover it up?
4. The gift dilemma

It's the same every year.  Start with good intentions, try to figure out what to buy, inevitably have nothing one week before Christmas and oh, I've run out of money too.

Sound familiar?

This year I plan to buy as many gifts as possible through local, handmade artisans.  The benefit of the internet is that local opens up a lot more possibilities.  If you're signed up to the Etsy newsletter you've probably seen their campaign to persuade people to buy handmade this year.  There's also Folksy, facebook selling pages and lots more independent websites.

This is now the busiest time of year, and I will be closing my order books the first week of December.  I will be offering customised and handmade earrings, bracelets, necklaces and cufflinks at RogueJewels

So why buy handmade?

One of the best things about it, is getting something that's absolutely right for you.  Or your recipient, if you're not just buying for yourself (but hey, why not buy yourself something special!).  You get to bounce ideas off of someone to create a one of a kind piece that is perfect for that special someone.  You get to take time, discussing your needs whilst sitting on your sofa, drinking a cup of tea and watching Corrie, rather than huffing and puffing round your local mall, queuing for HOURS waiting for a simple coffee, and then sitting in your car for a LIFETIME trying to get out of the car park at the same time as everyone else, after paying a fortune for parking.  Oh, and then finding you have to take your present back because cousin Laura already bought that present for Uncle Albert, leaving you with no idea of what to buy him and an intense urge to scream...

You also get a built in option of further gifts for the next year, or the year after.  Create a relationship with your artisan and they will be a friend for life, getting you little gifts last minute, maybe even throwing in a bit of gift wrapping free of charge.  You're supporting local economy, rather than huge conglomerate that bases itself somewhere else in the world to avoid paying tax.  You're walking lightly on the earth, creating one perfect design, rather than buying endless ephemera that will complement the 'not-quite-right' present with other 'not exactly I wanted but close enough' goods.

Finally, you get to know that this present will be perfect, simply because you've thought about it.  Because it hasn't arrived in a box from a high street retailer, wrapped in their standard paper, but is from someone who has put love in to that design, and bent over backwards for you.

So go on, why not buy handmade this Christmas?

Custom item for Anna

New listing! 8.99 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://ift.tt/1imyIwe

Custom item for Papayan

New listing! 15.00 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://www.etsy.com/listing/166107513

Custom item for EarthOrlin

New listing! 6.99 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://www.etsy.com/listing/165959575

Buying just got easier

Not that it's ever been particularly difficult for me that is!

I am pleased to announce the Etsy Rogue Jewels store now accepts credit and debit card payments and Etsy gift cards through Etsy's direct checkout.

What does this mean?

You no longer need a paypal account, with separate log in details, in order to buy.  Etsy can securely store card details if you so choose, and you can use Etsy gift cards in order to pay for items.  I love using gift cards (hint to anyone thinking about Christmas already...)

The system is safe, secure and speedy.  Check it out at www.etsy.com/shop/roguejewels

Beautiful steampunk drop earrings red stone and antique brass effect

New listing! 2.99 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://www.etsy.com/listing/126724209

A new autumn line up

I know I promised back to work but hey, life happens.

I am however pleased to introduce the start of my new autumn line.  If you look very very carefully you might sense a theme!

From left to right green sugar skull earrings silver spike earrings, black sugar skull earrings, skeleton silver drop earrings, witch on a broom silver drop earrings

and

from left to right silver pumpkin drop earrings, hanging bat silver earrings, aged copper leaf skeleton earrings, purple sugar skull earrings RIP tombstone drop earrings, hanging spider drop earrings.

Cunningly, these are all listed in a new section of the shop listed as 'Halloween jewellery', although some items are more of an autumnal, new season feel and so you should also check the New In section which shall go live shortly.

These are the first of the new halloween and autumnal items, and links shall be updated as each item goes live over the next few days.  The items are strictly limited, some earrings in particular only have a run of one or two, therefore if you would like to order more than one set please do let me know and I can get the right parts in for you specially.

As ever please check out the other items available on RogueJewels, I have now sold out of an amazing 50 lines since the shop was first set up in April, other items are now very limited, once they are gone, they really are gone!

I love autumn, and for any summer fans, I hope these new items will ease the transition!

Thanks for sticking with me,

Leah

Back to work!

It's been a crazy few weeks.  Between my new job, new commute to another country (how glamorous does that sound??) and getting used to a new city, I knew I'd have a little less time on my hands.

I hadn't counted on a family crisis, fostering a dog the size of a small donkey (but far more gorgeous and cuddly) and then throwing myself headlong down the stairs at work!

So, at the end of the last bank holiday of the year, it's time to knuckle down.  I have recently taken delivery of a number of new components, and have dozens of ideas in my head.

Keep watching www.etsy.com/shop/roguejewels and www.facebook.com/roguejewels for literally dozens of items over the next two weeks!

Sale ends soon!

It's the last few days of the sale in my shop Www.etsy.com/shop/roguejewels so make sure to pick up any items at a discount price!

This is the only sale I will be running in 2013, and once lines sell out they will not be coming back.

There are some new, exciting lines starting once the sale ends Monday, so be sure to add the shop to your favourites!

New item for roguejewels memory wire beaded cuff coming soon!

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/ccpQwJDG3B/

Exciting new products!

Whilst the sale continues to run on the Etsy shop RogueJewels I have put some plans in to place for the next items to be listed.

No new items will be listed until the sale ends; I hate nothing more than a 'new lines added' advert during a sale!  I am trying out some new things for the shop that will be listed next week including shambala bracelets.

I've also picked up some products to assist with colour and patina of products; more information will follow shortly and perhaps some how-to pictures.  I can't wait to start playing.

Picture taken by me with the help of instagram, check it out on www.instagram.com/rogueylawyer

The weather has turned from a blistering heat wave to torrential rain, and I can't say I'm disappointed.  The heat was lovely but I adore summer rain.  I'm looking forward to deeper and richer colours including greens, coppers and browns.  I'm an autumn child at heart.

Look out for these new products coming soon.  In the meantime please do check out the sale at RogueJewels for 33% off everything in stock.  The more that sells, the more new items I can produce for you!

Please do share the shop and make sure to like the facebook page www.facebook.com/roguejewels for regular updates.  If you know anyone who runs a blog or page that would like to feature some of my items please do put them in touch; I'm very grateful for everyone's help and support in this project and look forward to giving back some good karma.

With love,

L

Roguejewels birthday sale

I'm currently counting down to my birthday. I'm not telling you how old I am, and I can tell you it is NOT given away by the size of the discount on the store.

It seemed a good time to run a sale: the summer holidays are here, it's nearly my birthday, and this week I am on a holiday between my previous job and new employment starting next Monday.

It's also time to set down the size of the shop. I love creating and adding new items, but at nearly 200 items, the shop was too large for me to organise, too many items to view and seemed too 'noisy'.  My intention in running the sale is to run down some of the lines, and free up some space in both the storage here and online.

So far 10 unique lines have sold out, and I am down to a single item for a number of the earring, necklace and bracelet lines.  Once these items have sold out I am not making them again or buying the components in again. It's time to move on to something new.

The sale is only for a limited period, so get your orders in as soon as possible, before that item you had your eye on sells out for good!

Www.etsy.com/shop/roguejewels

Featured item: love necklace. I adore this necklace and have kept one for myself. Available from http://etsy.me/14oZHNA #steampunk #shabby #chic #love #necklace #silver

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/cUWYpoDGyw/

I'm gainfully unemployed for the next week, I have my favourite home cooked meal on my lap and my soul is soothed by this weather #soul #peace

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/cUUjRhDG_H/

I love this seahorse design, much like these https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/154148414/birthday-sale-33-off-antique-silver roguejewels

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/cTw7L5DG-t/

Roguejewels sale update

So far the sale has been running for 17.5 hours and more than 7 individual lines of items have sold out.

I am making up the remaining spare jewellery I have, however the jewellery is first come first served and items are strictly limited.

Check out the listings at www.etsy.com/shop/roguejewels

It's here! RogueJewels sale!

The roguejewels birthday sale is now live!!

One third off absolutely everything in the shop for a limited time only. Once it's gone it's gone...

Check the sale out, get your orders in quick and please share with anyone you like!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RogueJewels

Announcement: roguejewels' first SALE!

I am very pleased to announce the first RogueJewels sale will commence on the 26th July!

The sale will run across all lines on the shop however items are strictly limited:once they're gone they're gone!

The best news is the sale is for 33% off every item-including all custom design items!

Please do share this with anyone you think will be interested. I anticipate this will be the only sale this year, so take advantage while you can!!

Www.etsy.com/shop/roguejewels 

Thunder and lightning!

Here in the south west of England we had the most amazing thunder storms last night! I know it's broken the heat wave but it looked like a tropical storm; constant rolling thunder, sheet lightning and monsoon like rains. Now everything is fresh and cool and sweet smelling.

Fingers crossed that should mean I get a lot more of my organising done, without slumping into a heat induced siesta.  As soon as I am done the big announcement will be forthcoming! Promise!

In the meantime, my last Tuesday in my current employment.  Organisation all round as I clear my workload and desk, it feels quite cathartic.

Getting organised

Ahead of the surprise later this week, I am getting myself organised.  185 items are currently listed on the shop, which is way too many to handle!

I've therefore established a new way of keeping all the jewellery safe whilst it waits for its new home, thanks to some Really Useful Boxes and trays, a pen and plastic bags.  A far clearer way of organising things all round.

You may notice a few changes on the shop this week as I update the inventory and list all the multiple items.  Keep an open eye and keep checking back; as soon as my inventory is done there is a lovely treat for everyone coming up!!