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?

Good morning!

This is me this morning

Well we can dream, right?  In all seriousness, who wouldn't want to look this healthy, happy and completely content?

Last night's pamper mission took the form of an indulgent evening curled up with my honey and simply relaxing.  It might sound strange but I love the evenings where we can spend a whole evening together in the same room, but each be doing our own thing.

Today's a long day for me, so I have a lot of scheduled posts showing you some of the unique items I have for sale  I can't wait to start making some new creations at the weekend, but have some custom orders and a lot of hours in the office before then.

What do you plan to do to today to nurture or pamper yourself?  Or are you saving up so you can be just like that woman on the beach?

Rituals and treats

I have an outlook on life that some may consider a little selfish.

I work long days, and have a good number of daily responsibilities, like any woman I know.  Each day I try to make sure I have a little time to myself.  Sometimes, that is ten minutes on the commute to work, other days, like today, it's an hour sat with my laptop and with one of my pets playing around my feet (my pet rabbit Bandit today).

I try not to feel guilty, but it's about soothing your soul, feeling a little nourished each day.

This week, I'm going to try and share what I have done each day, to look after myself and nourish myself.  I'd love to hear your ideas, what you do for yourself to feel a little more human.  By all means, if you have an idea of something I should try, let me know!

200 days down...

I've been neglecting the blog recently, and for that I apologise sincerely .

The shop has recently reached 200 days old, and looking back I am so pleased by how it has progressed.

Back at 100 days RogueJewels had had 2500 views and nearly 100 favourites. 

Another 100 days and there are so many wonderful things to be grateful for!

My items have been seen 6500 times I'm those hundred days. It's completely gobsmacking! My items have received more than 250 favourites in that time.

Roguejewels is currently being advertised by Leah Loverich's blogs 

http://1940sthrowback.tumblr.com and http://leahloverich.blogspot.co.uk/

I'm also due to feature my items in the flesh at an upcoming craft fair (and a few other things in the pipeline).

The shop www.etsy.com/shop/roguejewels has now expanded to accept payments by debit and credit card in addition to paypal.

I am still so excited every single time I see someone has stumbled across one of my items.  I'm trying to expand the lines I run to develop my signature style.  I've been creating custom items for a number of people so if there is something you have been thinking of but not seen yet, contact me!

With all my thanks

L

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

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

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 

final countdown!

There's a lot happening over the next few weeks, new job, new year following my birthday, and new projects coming up on the site.

There will shortly be an announcement regarding the shop, so keep your eyes peeled!

Spotlight on...

Beaded Jewellery.

One of the key, but often overlooked areas of my etsy shop and offline creations are beaded jewellery.  I have an eye for things that shine and catch the light, and this Sea Breeze memory wire bracelet features my favourite tones, in an attempt to replicate the beautiful colours of the sea.

A very different style is this Black Pearl memory wire bracelet which features jet black faux pearls in a thin line, topped with a very dark grey pear shaped bead in a decorative cap.  I find thinner beaded bracelets to be more flexible, as you can stack them for different effects

Also featuring the Dragon red beaded bracelet

Many of these items also come with matching earrings, and more matching rings are on the way.

As a special thank you for blog readers, throughout June you can get free shipping within the UK for any purchases over £5, including an item of beaded jewellery.  Enter coupon code BEADOFFER at the checkout.