by eanjewellery | Jun 14, 2018 | Chain Links
My 30 Day Jewellery Challenge on Instagram
I’m currently taking part in a 30 day jewellery challenge over on Instagram. You can follow my progress here to see how I’m doing.
Why I decided to take part in the jewellery challenge
If you’re asking yourself why I decided to take part in the jewellery challenge, I’ll tell you. If you’ve read my previous blog post about setting goals you’ll know I like to set myself challenges and goals. This is a good way for me to learn, improve and progress with Elizabeth Anne Norris Jewellery.
When I stumbled upon a comment about an Instagram course, run by Jessica from the Jewellery Academy it piqued my interest. I thought it would be a good way to refresh my enthusiasm for Instagram and learn some new ways I get the message about my sustainably made jewellery across to my followers. I took a look at the course and signed up immediately.
Part of the Instagram course is a 30 day instagram challenge that I’m currently on day 8 of. You can see what I’ve posted on Instagram so far here.
What’s the jewellery challenge all about?
The jewellery challenge on Instagram has been set by Jessica from the Jewellery Academy. The jewellery challenge consists of 30 days of prompts as suggestions for what to post on Instagram. The prompts include:
- A photo of yourself
- Work in progress pics
- Jewellery close ups
- A jewellery collection
- Inspiring quotes
- Where the jewellery can be bought
- Videos
- The list goes on
Following these prompts, the challenge is to post something relevant each day for 30 days in a row, no easy task!
Probably the most important part of the challenge, for me, is to clarify the take home message I want my followers to have about my handmade sustainable jewellery. To me the key factors are:
- To appeal to those who appreciate high quality made to last jewellery
- The importance of offering sustainable jewellery that is ethically made
- That most of my jewellery and packaging is made from recycled materials
- My passion for handmade jewellery over mass produced manufactured jewellery
- My love of tools and the traditional jewellery making process
Along with each post on Instagram we have been asked to include the hashtag #30daysofjewellery. This means that all the jewellers taking part in the jewellery challenge can search this hashtag and follow each others progress. It’s been a lovely way to meet and get to know other jewellers on Instagram.
The hashtag #30daysofjewellery is not only for jewellers. If you use Instagram you can go to the search tab and type in this hashtag to find all the jewellers taking part in the jewellery challenge too.
Check out how I’m doing and leave your comment
So far the 30 day jewellery challenge on Instagram has been fun, challenging, and a great way to meet other jewellers and find out about my followers.
I urge you to pop over to Instagram now, follow me and see what you think of my challenge. You can visit my Instagram page here. Please leave your feedback and comments in reply to the questions on my posts. I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for reading.
by eanjewellery | May 16, 2018 | Chain Links
Supporting This Charity Cycle Ride
Two of my favourite things are cycling and India so when one of my customers contacted me to ask if I’d help out for their charity cycle ride across India I was excited to help.
Women v Cancer Cycle Challenge
Rachel along with 3 girlfriends are joining a group of women to complete a cycling challenge in India. They are raising money for these worthwhile cancer charities:
- Breast cancer care
- Jo’s cervical cancer trust
- Ovarian cancer action
Once they’ve raised the required funds for their chosen charities they will cycle across India with “women v cancer”
Their cycle challenge sounds incredible! It entails five days of cycling over a distance of approximately 400 km across rural Rajasthan in India. They will start with a visit to the famous Taj Mahal and finishing in the “Pink City” of Jaipur. I’ve travelled through this region and visited both Agra and Jaipur. I know it will be an incredible trip.
The Fundraising Challenge
These brave adventurers, many of whom have been affected by cancer in one way or another, have held many fundraising events over the past year including: Gin tasting, Quiz nights, Christmas wreath making, bingo, horse racing, and events for children. One of the girls Sarah, her son who is only 8, cycled 20 miles and raised £1200!
The next fundraising event
These cycling ladies aim to raise £12800 and they still have a way to go. The next fundraiser is an auction, for which I’ve donated a sterling silver bangle, is on Friday 18 May at Teignmouth Rugby Club. This gorgeous bangle is from our eco friendly jewellery collection and is made from 100% recycled silver. This and others are available in our online shop too.
Here’s how you can help
If you want to help by donating or just to read more about these inspiring ladies here’s the link to their just giving page that has all the information about why they have signed up to raise money for women’s cancer.
Good luck to Rachel, Michelle, Sarah and Alice!
by eanjewellery | Feb 12, 2018 | Chain Links
For the love of jewellery making tools
You may already know that I’m a tool geek… I massive tool geek! Yes, I love all the jewellery making tools I use to make my jewellery. Each tool is designed for a specific job and I love that it helps me carry out a specific jewellery making technique well.
I must mention my love of tools quite often because I regularly receive comments from other jewellers, particularly on Instagram, telling me they love jewellery making tools too!
Shout out for Maun Industry Pliers
Last year I was asked to give feedback on Maun Industries new website. I gladly offered my suggestions and was delighted to receive a personal thank you from them for my efforts. Maun Industries manufacture great quality jewellery tools and I particularly love their parallel action pliers for my jewellery making. Click here to find out more about these Maun pliers.
Since then I’ve developed a good relationship with Maun Industries and have been lucky enough to have my jewellery designs featured on their website and social media. It is wonderful to be chosen by them as a designer who uses their tools for jewellery making. Thank you so much Maun Industries.
I originally bought my Maun parallel action pliers back in 2002 and they are still going strong. I use them pretty much every day. They are perfect for straightening wire and it’s surprising how often I need to use them in silver jewellery making. I really believe they will last me a lifetime.
As a teacher, I’m always recommending tools to my students in my jewellery making classes. You may have read my previous post “what jewellery tools to I need” in which I recommend tools for budding jewellery designers to get as part of a beginners jewellery making tool kit?
Want to try your hand at silver jewellery making?
If you’d like to know more about jewellery making tools and how to use them why not read more about my jewellery making classes here. You can try a class without committing to a course so they are perfect for busy people with big or small jewellery making projects.
What’s your favourite tool?
Are you a jewellery designer / maker? A hobbiest or a professional? What is your favourite jewellery making tool and why? Let me know in the comments below. It would be great to hear from you.
by eanjewellery | Oct 23, 2016 | Chain Links
Read on if you want to know the reasons I got so excited watching the Apprentice this week…
I love watching the Apprentice
The Apprentice is so entertaining for it’s cringe factor. If you’ve not seen the program before, a group of entrepreneurs, the apprentice candidates, go through a rigorous interview process on TV with the goal to become Lord Sugar’s apprentice. Each week they are put in 2 teams and set business tasks which invariably go hilariously wrong. After each task, they are grilled on their performance and one candidate is fired. This continues until one winner remains.
Filmed in my home town
This weeks task, sweet making, took place in the seaside town where I’ve lived for 20 years. It’s always fun to see places you know on your screen. Oliver’s team ‘Nebula’ made traditional and quirky ice cream rock and Salt and vinegar fudge. They rode a candy striped tricycle through the heart of the Lanes, selling candy to the public. They also pitched their pillow sweets to one chosen corporate client.
Bolney Wine Estate was that Client!
The multi award winning Bolney Wine Estate is where to find me on 19 November. I’m so excited to have been invited to show my handmade designer jewellery at Bolney wine estate Christmas Fayre this year. This festive family event will include locally made art, crafts, foods, hampers, and a magical Winter Grotto. Personally, I’ll be doing my christmas shopping there plus I’m keen to try their gold medal winning sparkling wine.
Come along! More information here or Ogle at Bolney’s multitude of awards
It was all about knowing what your customer wants
Secretly I also watch The Apprentice for any insights into being an entrepreneur from the master, Lord Sugar and his apprentices. This week’s episode focused on knowing what your customer wants and this got me thinking. So, I’d like to end this post by asking you a question.
What would YOU like to see from me next? I’d love to know so hit me with any suggestions in the comments below please.
