Octobers a Funny Month...

I like October, its starting to get wintery and a good excuse to snuggle up with the curtains drawn. The organised people are starting Christmas shopping but people are also starting to think about Christmas and saving too. However sales in October have been steady and I have spent a lot of time getting ready for the Christmas period.

There is a lot to do to get ready for the peak season, thinking about stock, packaging, storage, up keep of online stores and planning my personal bits and pieces now so I don't run around like a headless turkey!

Last Christmas was busy, busy, busy but things are slicker now so I should be able to keep control. I am always learning and stock control is proving difficult to master... back orders seem to vanish mysteriously and delivery times are taking longer than I expected... But I have good stock levels and am almost ready for November!

The website www.notajewellerybox.co.uk has some new products such as the mannequin above. And the Little Book of Earrings is now in stock in Purple and Green, which are proving to be popular. We will also soon be able to take cards without having to use paypal which is great to be able to offer an alternative at checkout.

Have a Great Christmas and I'll post an update of whats happening in the New Year

Summer Time

Summer is here! Well its raining today but technically it is here! So I've been a little slack writing my Blog.

I started this blog when I started Not a Jewellery Box, my intention was to keep a record of my experiences when setting up in business. The last few weeks have been very busy, both sales wise and behind the scenes. I put a lot of pressure on myself to tick things off my list and July has turned into my month of choice to revamp my website.

Because I sell on E bay, Amazon and Not on the Highstreet and these sites have such huge visitor numbers my website was a Back Stop. Now that the business has grown I feel it is time to rebuild and improve. I was very lucky to have an experienced successful business man point me in the right direction and so far so good.

The website is currently under construction and there is a lot to do. My biggest worry is SEO and link building, a vast subject that is rather daunting but one that I need to learn about and understand. I'm reigning in my gung ho approach to getting things done and taking my time on this one.

Next Saturday (24th July) we will have a stand at the South Devon Festival I'm hoping to at least be able to hear Will Young when he headlines! Fingers crossed for the weather, I knew that the weather would play a major part in the success of the event but now its just around the corner and its raining it's hope and pray time.

So for now my focus is www.notajewellerybox.co.uk, listing new stock items and hopefully making the most of the summer.

Selling on The River

Last month I signed up as a Seller on Amazon. I Even bought a book about it! I'm one of these people that ignore the tutorials and pages of how to's! But Amazon feels so different to Ebay that I thought I better swat up. In fairness the book only arrived yesterday but its sat on the coffee table ready to be read!

March was a strong month, perhaps the rain or mothers day or the new sales on Amazon I always find it hard to know!

I have an appointment with a Business Advisor at Business Link on the 16th which I am looking forward to. Their main question was what issues do I have? Well I don't, I'm not being big headed but I don't have any main issues, things are going well. So why the appointment... I guess I just appreciate the fact that fresh eyes see things that I maybe won't?

I'm hoping this review will confirm that I am going in the right direction, and even produce an action list of things that will strengthen it! I do like a good list!

Preparation for Summer Events is moving along, t-shirts are being printed, and displays made. I don't want to be under loads of pressure in May with lots to do so I am spreading it out. Maybe just maybe I will be able to enjoy the sun!!!

I'm looking forward to the South Devon Festival with Will Young!!! I was watching him on T4 on the Beach on Saturday he looked good and is a real performer!

Well I guess I better crack on with my Travel expenses for March!!!

Trade Shows & New Products

Living in the South West I feel like I'm miles away from the main trade shows such as the Spring Fair, to attend it an exhibition in its self! Sorting out childcare, travel etc so I was very pleased having attended at Show in Exeter to have found some new products: Such as a very pretty mirrored acrylic jewellery tree. I have also found this lovely fabric jewellery hanger:

To see them in more detail please go to

http://www.notajewellerybox.co.uk/index.html

I've always loved jewellery and could not resist adding a few lines of Silver Jewellery to my product collection.

I choose Silver 925 mainly because my opinion is that costume jewellery as in beads etc is everywhere now even in Boots the Chemist! With the recession hitting small business hard there are fewer unique shops around that would have sold silver, such as your boutique style shops! To view the collection go to

http://www.notajewellerybox.co.uk/page16a.html

As always I like to test new products on friends and family so the collection somewhat dwindled before I managed to get it online but I'm adding new pieces soon as everyone loved them.

The Summer will be here soon (I hope!) so I'm planning what events to take part in. So far I am booked for the Taunton Flower Show and South Devon Festival staring Will Young. I am also considering Abfest and a few county shows etc. Here's the catch "The Great British Weather" I'm the kind of person who likes to think positive so I'm hoping it will be sun sun sun! Selling on line is great it doesn't seem to be too weather dependant. Well its worth a try!

I need to mention a special person today. My mum... She has now been promoted to Finance and Distribution Officer of www.notajewellerybox.co.uk ok ok she does my books and sorts the packages! Personally I think the first title is well suited as with out her help I wouldn't be where I am. She is always first to say well done, to cheer at a good result and generally be my sounding wall! Thanks Mum x

Talking of Mums if you want a unique Mothers Day present then take a look at the website.

www.notajewellerybox.co.uk

Christmas has gone but there are snowmen all around!

Its now creeping towards the middle of January. The weather if really bad, but perhaps good for internet shopping. Sales are continuing to go well, Not on the Highstreet has been a sucess, and I am now doing some internet advertising so sales on my website are steady.

I found Nov and Dec a little fretful, I have now introduced some new processes to make everything slicker. I now have a royal mail account so no more standing in the Post Office although I must say Karen and Trevor at the Watcome Post Office are fantastic, far friendlier and helpful than any other local office. Its a shame I will not be taking my business to them to support them, but with two small children I need to be able to drop and go!

Lizzy Tish Jewellery is now available on my website, the butterfly and daisy designs are featured in Necklaces, Earrings and Bracelets. I also have some new products such as a Brass Lisbeth Dahl Earring Stand.



I hope the new year is a happy one for everyone and the economic situation starts to improve!

Happy New Year from http://www.notajewellerybox.co.uk/