Fair Friday

Here in the UK, we are used to Boxing Day sales which start after Christmas. Over the last few years we have somehow adopted the American sales which happen after Thanksgiving. The day is known as Black Friday and it sure has put a spanner in UK retail. Shopping patterns have changed as customers hold off shopping at what used to be the peak retail period. Understandably, they all hope to bag a bargain. It is very hard not to join in the price slashing explosion, because the customer's attention is easily caught by the thought of paying less. But as my photo says, I charge a fair price for a fair job every single day, and if I were able to slash my prices like the huge retail giants, it would either mean I am charging too much everyday, or that I am not paying myself fairly for the work that I do in order to bring you a bargain.

#shopsmall

#supportmakers

Charlotte Bezzant on Instagram

I have just changed my IG name to @charlottebezzant I see someone has already jumped in and snaffled the old @cbezzant one so please use my full name if you want to join me over on Instagram.

Instagram: @charlottebezzant

Pinterest: @Cbezzant

Facebook: @charlottebezzantjewellery

Mistletoe necklace

I can't believe it's nearly Christmas. This morning I made a handful of mistletoe necklaces as I have had some festive orders for them already.

Your can find them in my Etsy shop 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CharlotteBezzant

Sunday treat

Remodelling a sentimental price

Sometimes you have a piece of old jewellery, that is very special to you for sentimental reasons. You might wear it, or it might be languishing in a drawer, because it is not your taste. Rather than leave something unworn, you might want to reconsider having it remodelled, so it can be worn and enjoyed again.

The story of the remodelling of this ring is not a case of it being unloved in a drawer. It was loved, and it was worn. It belonged to the grandmother of a bride to be. 

The ring was really the only piece of jewellery that the bride to be wore. I suggested that we could use the sapphire from this ring to create a new ring. It meant that the special connection to her grandmother could be worn all the time, while fitting in perfectly with the more contemporary look that she wanted for her wedding and engagement ring.

When the sapphire was removed, I gave it a good clean, and it was a joy to see it looking so blue and so beautiful.

It was paired with two new sparkling white diamonds.

Setting the stones

To be worn and treasured afresh.

A secret engagement

A lovely man got in touch. He wanted to propose to his girlfriend and he was looking for a special engagement ring. When we got chatting about what kind of ring he was looking for, it became clear that he wasn't really too sure what he wanted.

He thought she might like emeralds. He thought she might like sapphires. She wasn't a big jewellery wearer, so he didn't have many clues. Rather than risk the wrong choice, we settled on a a very special proposal ring.

This beautiful and simple band is set with a sparking flush set diamond. The inside of the ring is engraved "Zoe Will you marry me?"

This ring seemed right for so many reasons. It gave the couple the joy of springing a surprise engagement. It gave them the possibility of designing a forever ring together. It meant Zoe would have an engagement ring that she truly loved. The other thing that seemed so right about this Zoe is a triathlete, and it meant that when she was competing, she could wear this ring,  rather than anything set with big gemstones as she ran, swam, and biked for miles.

I am happy to report that she said yes!