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I seem to start all of my newsletters by writing about the weather, but it is all encompassing with our health, mood, well being - and for shop footfall!
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As we enter the last few days of September, there is a chill in the air, especially in the evenings. My summer clothes have been put to one side of my wardrobe and I experienced the first morning of heavy rainfall since I opened the shop almost three months ago.
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The Old High Street has gone quieter with the cooler weather and with the schools going back; there is just the flurry of excited voices at the end of the school day as the children head back home!
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Every day of trading so far, I have been able to keep my shop door open all day, it is more welcoming to passersby. I wonder how long I can keep it open for as I do feel the cold!
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The 'C' Word
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The imminent change in calendar months has set me planning for Christmas already. I know we all groan at the sight of Christmas treats in the supermarkets in September, but in retail we have to be one step ahead. There are those that need to start buying early to follow tight budgets, the organised ones with their lists and those that spot that perfect gift for a loved one and buy it there and then.
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I have now sold at least two items of jewellery that I have been told will be Christmas presents. It doesn’t stop there either; I'm planning my festive product photo shoot in the first week of October. I have already had gift vouchers printed for the Beginners Jewellery Making Workshops.
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I still need to place an order for more gift boxes, packaging and I'm excited to have my very first shop window to dress with twinkling lights and jewellery, I also feel the need for a real Christmas tree - a real test to my green fingers to keep it alive until the following year.
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Commissions
As sales have been consistently good since opening, I have decided not to take commissions until next year. I find that they always take longer than I anticipate and I need to spend my time making stock, ready for customers to purchase on the day. I will still be taking orders for my collections that need to be made in different sizes up until the end of November. I am aware that I need to pace myself during this busy time and not face burnout!
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Workshops
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The jewellery making workshops are slowly booking up. Lizzie and Clint, AKA Mrs & Mr Davies, are now happily married and wearing the rings that they made for each other! Lizzie made a silver band in a satin finish for Clint and he made Lizzie's ring in 9ct yellow gold to match her engagement ring.
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Neither of them had any previous jewellery making experience and thoroughly enjoyed their workshop time. The photos of their rings speak for themselves, both pieces to be proud of. Lizzie has left me a lovely review which finishes by say "By the end of the session we had made each others rings for our big day, ready to be sent off for hallmarking. It truly was such a personal and memorable experience that we will treasure for many many years to come. So much more unique and special than popping to a high street jeweller and buying a ring off the shelf. I highly recommend doing a wedding ring workshop with Aimi, you won’t regret it and will leave with a truly unique piece of jewellery and a meaningful experience to begin your married life with." Thank you Lizzie!
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There are still dates to book in October and November; you can book online
or in person at the inSilver and Gold shop. I won't be adding more dates until the new year as December is my busiest time!
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Sea Treasures
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I was very excited to receive my latest gallery of the anchor pendant and sea shell collection product photos back from Laura, Anysomething Photography. She made the jewellery look like pieces of art!
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These are now on the website in the Sea Treasures collection. I will be making gold vermeil options over the next week or so, but already have a 9ct yellow gold collection with the starfish pendant and studs, cockleshell pendant and studs and also a mussel shell pendant. These will also be heading to Laura for their own luxurious photo shoot along with the festive one. I need to get some models involved to wear the jewellery very soon too!
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Upcycling
I have made a few furniture changes in the shop this month too. I loved my grey and gold display cabinet, but it was a bit ‘wood heavy’ on the doors and hid the jewellery away slightly. I have purchased, repainted and put a bigger, more open looking cabinet in its place. I’m really pleased with it, although it does need a bit of finessing; it adds a certain sense of grandeur to the shop.
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The smaller cabinet (right hand side) is for sale at the time of writing at £125. Please contact me if you think you could give it a new home. Collection would be from The Old High Street, Folkestone.
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Beach Combing
It’s true that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy – and it also makes Aimi a bit stir crazy!
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This newsletter was written on my Tuesday off. I promised myself that I would stop my admin jobs midafternoon and head out in the sunshine down to The Warren beach – Folkestone’s worst kept secret for sea glass hunting. The day before, three rather animated American female tourists bought a sea glass pendant each, leaving me a bit short on stock.
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As I headed down to the The Warren; it is a steep wilderness to get to it, the sun was warm, birds were singing and I landed on the beach for a bit of seaside peace and tranquillity. The tide was further out than I had ever seen and I headed to an area that I hadn’t explored before.
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I found several frosted shards of sea glass and as I rummaged, I found broken fossil pieces. A bit further down, I almost shrieked with excitement as I found my first ever ammonite! I had always wanted to find one and today was my lucky day!
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After a longer spell of sweeping away pebbles and sand, I found more fossilised pieces, a crinoids and a tooth, that I now believe might be a shark’s tooth! I eventually tore myself away from the beach as the tide was coming in rather rapidly; I headed home with thoughts of casting the ammonite in silver for earrings and pendants – more tasteful Folkestone souvenirs!
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The shop is open from 11-5 Wednesday to Saturday and 11-4 on Sundays. Please check social media for updates before making a special journey!
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More updates from the bench next month. See you soon!
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Aimi x
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P.s. If you haven’t already left a Google review, please do so if you are a happy customer, it really does help to put me on the map!
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