Keeping the sparkle in your silver

So far all my blog posts have been real ramblings about things going on with my business. I am now going to try and add some jewellery information and hints and tips too.


One thing that I really hate doing is cleaning silver, so why not try and prevent having to spend valuable time carrying out this tedious task in the first place.


So what is tarnish?

Well it is a thin layer of corrosion that can appear on metals making it look dull in colour.

It occurs from various airborne chemicals, which will speed up the tarnishing process if jewellery is left  out in the open.

So what can we do to prevent it?

1. Grip Seal Bags
Always store your jewellery in an air tight bag to try and prevent any airborne chemicals getting to your pretties.


2. Silver Tarnish Cloth
You can wrap your pieces in one of these cloths to keep them out of direct contact with the air.


3. Anti Tarnish Strips
These are tiny little black strips which can be bought and placed in your jewellery box or displays to help keep them glistening.


4. Acid Free Tissue Paper
Store your jewellery in white acid free tissue paper in your jewellery box, this will not only prevent it from scratches against your other items but also keep it out of the air.


5. Quick Wipe Over
After wearing your jewellery always give it a quick wipe over before placing it back in its box, this will remove any oils that have come from your skin.


6. Apply perfume before jewellery
Always make sure that you put your perfume on long before your jewellery as this can speed up tarnishing.

Silver Studs based on the seaside

More Beadies For Sale

So I am back from the British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) and busy making up orders. It was a really positive experience and learnt a hell of a lot from it. There are a few things that I would now do differently but all in all really good feedback was received.

This morning I decided to do a car boot sale to get rid of some unwanted items. Made a decent amount of money which unfortunately will be paying my credit card off :-(

I have ideas for some new ranges that require a little cash so some of my beads that dont make up my collections will be for sale. I still have a fair few beads that need to go to new homes and here are just a few.

Murano Glass Stars 13mm available in green, blue, dark gold. Each pair is £2.00 including postage

Murano Hearts also available

A 23" strand of various semi precious stones including Cherry Quartz, Tigers Eye, Goldstone, Jade, Black Agate hearts, Rhodonite, Jade Hearts and Jasper - £4.50 including postage

15.off 10mm Swarovski Crystal hearts in Bermuda. £4.50 including postage

17.off 20mm Jade hearts £4.00 including postage

15.off 15mm Black Agate Hearts £3.00 including postage

16" strand of 10mm Goldstone beads £2.50 including postage.

This is all for now bit still a few bits to go. If you are interested please dont hesitate to get in touch via: mail@zazu-jewellery.co.uk or leave a message on the blog

British Craft Trade Fair - Day 1

The big event has finally arrived and day 1 now completed.

Yesterday we left home bright and early and got into Harrogate at 9am just in time for a spot of breakfast. We stopped at the famous Betty's Tearooms for an English Breakfast

We got to the Great Yorkshire Showground at about 10am and started to set up.

This was the space having just assembled the cabinets.

And this is us all set up.

There has been interest today but it did seem a little quiet. Maybe it was because it is Mothers Day?

Hopefully tomorrow will be nice and busy.

Having a little de stash!

Now that I have finally decided on ranges I will be selling beads that I wont be needing anymore. If there is anything you like the look of just leave a message or email me on mail@zazu-jewellery.co.uk

This is for dyed freshwater pearls in grey, 3 different pinks, 3 different yelows, 2 different blues, purple, burgandy and an orangy/gold. This is £6.00 including postage

*SOLD*

I also have semi precious stone chips.

These are 32" strands, there are 9 strands of small Rock Crystal chips. £1.80 a strand including delivery

There are also 2 strands of Fluourite chips, strands of Rose Quartz, 1 strand of Pink Opal, 1 strand of Hematite, 3 strands of Larbradorite and a 22" strand of Lapis Lazuli chips with 4 Black Agate heart beads 15mm.

All these are just £1.80 each

I have 3 puffy hearts which are drilled across the top. They measure approx 30mm tall and wide.

I have a Green Aventurine (as pictured), Blue Sandstone and Amethyst. £1.50 incl postage

2 15" strands of blister pearls. £2.00 incl postage

Square glass beads 20mm x 6mm thick. There are 6 grey, 12 purple, 4 blue, 6 gold & 4 green. £4.00 incl postage

silver coloured tiara base £1.80 incl postage

8 Blue lace agate roses with double holes at the back. They measure approx 15mm. £2.00 incl postage

22.off , 6mm Swarovski AB bicones. These are the drop ones with the hole at the top of the bead. £5.00 incl postage

There is a lot more to come including Murano Glass hearts and stars, Jade hearts, Rose Quartz hearts, mixed strands, Glass pendants, Silver bangle blanks and memory wire rings.

If anything takes your fancy just give me a shout.





Where is the time going?

Once again it has been a long time since I last blogged. I did say that I was going to blog about 2010 in the life of Zazu Jewellery but unfortunately my scanner has broken so cant put my press articles in!

I have decided to start a party plan business so if you would be interested in getting some extra cash please do let me know.
I have my first recruit who lives in the same town as me and she has her first party booked  in a couple of weeks time.

I have been busy refining collections like this:

Creating new collections like these:

Its only two months til the British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) and i'm getting really excited. There is absolutely loads of stuff to do still.
I now have all the stand furniture and need just a couple more necklace stands. The hotel is booked and most of the collections are completed.
I do however still need to design some promotional material, make up a stock of jewellery and get a hair cut!
I am hopeless with my hair so I plan to get it cut the day before we go in the hope I can keep the style looking good for 3 whole days!

New Year, New Room - Well Kinda

I hope that everyone has had a great Christmas and New Year?
I went to Wales to visit the folks and my sister over Christmas, it feels like ages since I last saw them.

On my way home I picked up my display cabinets for the BCTF I am so excited/nervous now, there are only 3 months to prepare.

I didn't do anything for New Years Eve as I have come down with the lurgy but it has been nice to has a bit of time to relax.

I started to clear out my craft room today, I can now see the floor which is incredible! It has been used as a bit of a junk room but this year I need to get focused and organised so I will be chucking, donating and car booting a lot of stuff over the next few weeks.
I just need to clear the bookshelf and the desks now and then head off to town to get some more storage to put in my wardrobe for finished pieces.

By tomorrow I'm going to try and get together a blog of all the highlights of 2010.

Moving Forward for Zazu Jewellery

Hi Everyone,

It feels like its been ages since I last wrote anything and there has been lots going on.
Firstly yesterday was my last craft fair of the year, I wont be booking any smaller ones next year and maybe just a couple of the bigger ones if I can get in.

Im hoping that towards the end of January I will get my Party Plan business together. I have met up with a lovely lady who lives down the road from me who is very interested. I am hoping to get about 5 agents initially. I just need to get photo's, catalogue, order forms, a chip and pin machine and some advertising material! (not too much)

I have launched my new site, there is still loads of work that needs doing on it and new items to go onto it and new ranges which will be launched in the new year. These include more sterling silver ranges, wedding ranges and my new card range.

Well I think that's all for now, speak soon.
xxx