Handmade Jewellery Designers On The Increase

Designers handcrafting jewellery is by no means a new concept. However over the past few years the number of designers has dramatically increased. There are now a wide range of jewellery designers, working with a variety of materials including precious stones, pearls, beads, clay, glass, plastic and recycled materials to name but a few.



But why the dramatic increase?


Designing handmade jewellery is an affordable hobby that allows you, in many cases to work at home. Getting started and learning how to design your own jewellery has never been easier. Courses or teaching resources are readily available at local centres, online, or by purchasing craft/ jewellery magazines. There are even online jewellery forums that publish training materials for their members and provide a great communication tool for jewellery designers to share their knowledge or seek advice.


For people wishing to start their own business, jewellery design and creation can be a great building block, as overhead costs are low and the pace of the business is controlled by the designers themselves.


The growth of the internet and the costs of creating a web site are falling, it has never been easier for designers to establish their own online business. This opens the door to a whole host of new customers and an all round sales presence, along side the local events the designers currently attend.


Also the internet has made it much easier for designers to purchase jewellery supplies from across the globe. A greater selection of materials, tools and packaging can be easily sourced and purchased.


The number of online handmade jewellery selling platforms has also increased. Sites such as Etzy enable designers to create an online shop and sell their jewellery through these sites for a small percentage fee.


Free online marketing is also readily available through social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter or social Blogs. These sites offer the designers’ free range to promote their new product launches, display images of their jewellery designs and build a customer base.


In conclusion the growth of the World Wide Web, has greatly improved the visibility of jewellery designers and encouraged more people to start creating their own designs. The web offers a great platform for the designers to promote and display their work and begin to build their own jewellery businesses.

Aberdeen PA Launch Party

The owner of Athena Gifts, Emma Crawford attended the Aberdeen PA Launch party on 1st September 2010. Emma spent an enjoyable evening meeting many other PA’s and business owners.

The Aberdeen PA web-site is a brilliant resource for busy PA’s or Secretaries as it offers a directory of local suppliers, a forum for the pa’s to share advice, tips, recommendations and similar future events. - http://www.aberdeenpa.com/


Athena Gifts has joined the directory, to assist the PA’s with a great selection of jewellery and gift ideas for celebratory events or much needed retail therapy. Our 24 hour online shopping and gift wrapping service will make shopping for that perfect gift or treat that little bit easier.

Beads and Bow Collection

Beads and Bow Collection - Product Launch

Beads and Bow range is an exclusive new collection by Jewellery Designs by Rachel.
The necklaces are designed by combining an array of quirky bows, fabric beads with a mixture of crystal, pearls and sparkling beads. These eye catching necklaces are great fun, yet beautifully designed pieces of jewellery. These designs are one off pieces exclusive to Athena Gifts.



Here at Athena Gifts we are really excited about the Beads and Bow Collection, the necklaces are beautifully handcrafted and very unusual. We can't decide which design is our favourite, they are all magnificent. We will let you decide?

http://www.athenagifts.com/index.php/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.browse&category_id=39

Ellees Hair and Fashion Show

Ellees Hair Design Fashion Show, 1st October 2010, Copthorne Hotel, Aberdeen
Fundraising Event for a local charity Befriend A Child, Tickets cost £10

Really excited to announce that we will be displaying our handmade jewellery and gift collections at the Ellees Hair Design Fashion Show on the 1st October 2010. We plan to display a number of our exclusive jewellery collections and great gift ideas for Christmas.

The event is being hosted by Ellees Hair Studio, to raise money for the Befriend A Child charity. Local businesses Cocoa Voilet and Pure will be supplying the clothes and Ellees Hair will be showing casing their latest hair designs. Going to be a great event and something different for Aberdeen.

Tickets only cost £10 and include drinks and nibbles. Great girls night out, so hurry while tickets last. If interested in attending, please email info@athenagifts.com and we will advice you where you can buy tickets.

Useful links:

www.ellees-aberdeen-hair-salon.co.uk

www.befriendachild.org.uk

Get Ready For Christmas

Christmas is an expensive time of year for everyone, presents, party nights, new outfits, food and drink it all starts to add up. Even birthdays, weddings and leaving presents still fall into the equation at this already expensive time of year. Don’t despair here is some tips and advice on how to spread the cost and still have a great Christmas.


Start a Christmas fund jar, try collecting loose change. Nearer Christmas you can head to a coin converter machine, you will be amazed at how much you have saved.

If a Christmas fund jar is not for you, why not plan ahead for friends and family birthdays on the lead up to Christmas. Start buying your birthday gifts and card’s early, this way you get a much better selection of cards and gift ideas.

You can do the same for Christmas presents; by writing a list of your family and friends and setting a budget per head, you can then work through your list at leisure, thus preventing double buying, people forgotten and that last minute shopping dash.

Set your family a challenge by agreeing a maximum budget per head. It is amazing the gift ideas people come up with when on a tight budget. Fun gift ideas for Christmas day are perfect, or why not join together to give someone that special gift they always wanted.

Here in the United Kingdom we all love a bargain or special offer. To hear about the latest offers and promotions, why not join your favourite shops social networking media such as Face Book or Twitter. This way you will be the first to hear about up and coming events, special offers and new products.

Alternatively search online for e-coupons or promotional shopping codes, a number of online retailers will offer special promotions or discounts for their online shoppers. Have a search you might be surprised at the offers available.

Why not shop online, you will be amazed at the number of gift shops that are available, with brilliant gift ideas for everyone. Find different gift ideas for all budgets, from jewellery, gadgets, home-ware, sweetie shops, you name it you will find it online. With the number of online gift shops increasing, prices are competitive and delivery costs low.

If you are feeling creative you could always make you own handmade gifts, such as soaps or candles. Why not search the web for handmade gift ideas, you will be amazed at the choices available.

The key to success is taking time to prepare that all important list and set your budget. Don’t forget to raid the sofa for any loose change to help start your Christmas Fund Jar.



Happy Shopping

Women On A Mission

Black, navy, grey, pin strip suits – do these descriptions sum up your working wardrobe? Career women in some instances can be limited to the business attire they wear, however, professional career women still have personalities and good fashion taste, but how can you reflect this in the world of business, one word Accessories.

Jewellery accessories are a great starting point, a splash of colour or shimmer can brighten up any outfit. Bold, contrasting colour jewellery is a great way to show your personality, be daring and go for vivid colours and eye catching contemporary designs. Women on a mission must stand out from the crowd.


Delicate designs also work well pearls or silver/gold design pieces always look great and never date. Pearls show luxury and wealth, still adding a touch of femininity. Sterling silver or gold jewellery pieces always add a touch of glamour.


Handmade jewellery may be another alternative, seek out unique one off pieces that will turn heads and you are guaranteed that no one else will be wearing the same pieces. Why not try a piece of jewellery created by precious stones, such as vibrant red coral, luxurious black onyx or bewitching hematite.


Word of advice when selecting jewellery, best style of neck chain is choker or 16” chain (vary depending on neck size). Choker style chain’s, ensure your necklace sits’ higher around your neck making the piece easily visible. Beware of long dangle chains, these can be annoying when they hit against the desk or mid length necklaces can get lost behind blouses. Bracelets, we all love charm bracelets but when typing or at a meeting they drive you insane clinking against the surface. Earrings, you know what works for you, 1-2” drop is a good length size to go for, leave your big dangle pieces for the weekend when the partying begins.


Women on a Mission show your personality with jewellery accessories to glam up your power suits.


Author: Emma Crawford, Athena Gifts, www.athenagifts.com