Zazu Videography

Have you seen this fantastic video of one of my cards being made?
Photos were taken of every movement made to make the design and hey presto a video has been created!

and this is the finished design, I decided to turn it into postcards instead but may get some cards done too.

Postcards in packs of 4 with envelopes for just £2.50 available here

Gift Wrap £1.10 available here

What a Knight!

As some of you may know last night myself and Rob headed down into town to the Leamington Spa Assembly to see a gig.
I have been told for a couple of years now that I need to go as it is an amazing live venue and boy they werent wrong.
The venue is very intimate with intricate wall paper and decor, very art deco.

We had a great spot just two away from the front and had an amazing view.
The first group up were a group of 4 lads all of which played their own instruments and had incredible voices. They are from Australia and this was their debut in the UK. They are called Electric Empire so check them out.

There was another chap who's name I can't remember but was famous when I was just a little girl.

And then there was the absolutely stunning Beverley Knight. I didn't realise I knew so many of the songs, it was a real blast from the past and I will definitely be getting her albums now as the powerful voice coming out of this petite lady was incredible.
She came on stage in skin tight black trousers (like Sandy on Greece) and absolutely rocked the place!
There were a number of super quick outfit changes each time having more of a wow factor. I honestly dont know how she got changed so quickly!

At the end of the night the whole crowd sang Happy Birthday to her backing singer Bryan.

Myself and Rob were lucky enough to get passes to see Beverley after the show. There were only about 10 or so people who got to meet her so feel very privalaged.

We were all ushered to the bar area where Beverley came to meet up after getting changed a few minutes later. She came in with her cup of tea - very rock and roll!

She spent a few minutes talking to people and then came over to Rob and scaredy cat me  in the corner!
Beverley is the nicest person, just so lovely and friendly. I made her a necklace which I hope she liked, it was based on my Gaia necklace but a little more intricate.

I just want to say a huge thank you Beverley for putting on an amazing show and for putting up with me waffling to you last night!
xx

Thinking about my New Years Resolution already

I have been at another event today and it has got me thinking about next year and where I want to go with the business.

So here goes:
I will not be attending smaller events
I will not be making things that I don't enjoy just because I think it will sell
I want to gain more stockist for both the cards and jewellery
I would like to have more of an online presence so will be looking into SEO a bit more
I would love to make more of a mixture of price ranges so make some lovely top quality gemstone jewellery
I want to attend a wedding fayre
The gift range is going to grow and I would love to add new items regularly

Well thats my thinking done until next year!

Been Featured

Just a quick post to give you an update on our new card range.

Well they seem to be very popular so far. Some have made their way to Studio 61 in Derbyshire and another lot will be working their way onto an online shop soon too.

My Nan has taken lots to sell at her local craft fair in West Wales.

I have also been featured on lovely Laura's blog check it out A Daisy Chain Dream please do take a look.

Present Greeting Card

Nearly forgot, I am running another offer with GoodyPass. Get a £15 voucher for my website which costs you just £5 - Christmas isn't that far away you know! GoodyPass

Cards, Post Cards & Wrapping Papers

I have been doing a lot of talking recently about launching a new gift range.

Well (drum roll please) hear is the first of it - YAY!

All of the designs have been made using beads I use in my jewellery

We have launched 4 postcard designs which will be sold in packs of 4 with envelopes these retail at £2.50 per pack.

There are 4 greeting card designs, left blank on the inside to use as you wish. These retail at £1.80 each

This is my favourite on, images of the rest will follow.

Some of the designs have also been made into gift wraps, these retail at £1.10 each gift tags will follow soon

These are large sheets measuring 50cm x 70cm

I hope you all like them, would love to hear your comments

We will be looking for shops to stock these items, if you would be interested please do get in touch here.

Halifax - Who Gives You Extra?!

As some of you may know 'R' lost his job in August. When it happened the first thing we did was to go into our local Halifax branch to arrange a payment holiday.

The chap was really helpful and said we would be eligible for up to 6 months payment free. We initially only took out 1 month and decided to take each month as it comes.

So we are coming to the end of the month and 'R' still hasn't got any full time work, although things are looking promising. This morning we headed into branch again and they said it wasn't anything they could do in branch. What? Only a month ago did we sort the last one out.

They said we needed to phone up to sort it so we requested to use one of their phones. I was on hold for 15 minutes only to be told we cant have another holiday. Again, What? We were told 6 months last month.

The bloke on the phone sounded as if he was half asleep and couldn't really give a damn about our case, he even asked us why we wanted the holiday... erm the same reason as last month.
He then went onto ask, 'well is he getting a job?' that is the plan I replied but it still means another month without money.

So as I tend to, I lost my rag a little, for him to finally say he has another solution.
His solution was that because 'R' had been making regular over payments we could have October off as it would be coming out of that money but after that nothing, zilch, Nada!

So what has Halifax done to give us extra.....
Naff all, just given us our own money back but refusing to help after that.
What happens if R isn't working in November? Are they prepared to just let us lose our home?

What else has happened between me and Halifax?

Last month went in branch to reduce my overdraft, they took all relevant information put it through the system and gave me a print out, so why did it fail to change on my account?

Had issues making payments when paying for shopping on my card, luckily I have a spare card with a different back.
Went into branch, they said there was nothing wrong but maybe I should try the card by making a small payment like buying a coffee before buying food shopping - thanks for that!

I phoned up recently to discuss my loan, I got through to someone who went on to transfer me to Sainsbury's - Yep I kid you not! The lady at Sainsbury's was very helpful, I just wish I would have taken the loan with them now!

When we took out the mortgage with Halifax they would be prepared to lend us 170k but wouldn't give us a joint bank account for us to put some of our wages into to pay the mortgage and bills. How does that work?

That's enough from me because I am about to boil!

Thanks Halifax for all your help over the last 24 years. I cannot wait till next year as when my loan comes to an end I will be moving current account, mortgage and ISA too.
It may not be much of a loss to Halifax but it will give me great satisfaction to go into branch and close each of the accounts.

My Holidays

We hadn't been on holiday for about three years and with Rob losing his job recently it seemed like a good time to go away.

We headed down to my sisters near Cardiff last Saturday where we had a lovely relaxing time. We went down to their local beach which was scorching and then ate (lots!).

On Monday morning we headed to Cornwall. We decided to camp in Bodmin so set up camp ended up asleep by 8 because we forgot batteries for the light!

On Tuesday we visited Looe and Fowey. It rained constantly but this didn't stop us having a great time.

Wednesday we went to St Ives. I absolutely love it there, Rob ended up being dragged around all the shops!
We went to the pretty Cath Kidston shop, Poppy Treffry and Red Hot Sal amongst others.
We took a walk on the beach and managed to find some small bits of sea glass too which was a bonus!

On Thursday we went to the Eden Project. I have been before, not long after it had opened but it has changed so much. Loved every minute of it.

  

On Friday we went to Padstow, it wasn't long before the sky turned grey and we heard rumbles of thunder. Then there was the flashes of lightening and suddenly all plans for the day went out the window! To stay in the dry we went to the Jamaica Inn, had a lovely roast dinner and a wander round the museum.

We left only to see massive queues on the A30 so we de-toured for what seemed like hours in the fog and torrential rain over Bodmin Moors. 

The rain and wind continued all night, I did think that the wind was going to take our little tent but we were safe. Lots of other campers didn't last the night and packed up in the pitch black.

We are now back in Leamington Spa but so wishing we were back in Cornwall - I'm longing for a little shop down there now!

P.S Very annoyed we forgot to get pasties!