The Caribbean Collection

Now with a title like that it's got to warm you up!
For a few months now I have been working on something called 'The Caribbean Collection'. The collection consists of a series of editions, each one specific to an island in the Caribbean. Each edition includes bracelets, necklaces, earrings, keyrings and more all colour co-ordinated with the colours of a particular island's flag.
The first edition of the collection I would like to show you is the 'Trinidad and Tobago ' Edition. This comes at the right time as Trinidad and Tobago will be holding their annual carnival next Monday, so very fitting.

Although, this particular collection centres around the Caribbean I can adapt these to any other country/continent if requested. So don't hesitate to get in contact if you want to 'represent your flag'. You can contact us at info@urbansd.co.uk Click HERE to find us on Twitter, Search 'Urban Sophistication Designs' on Facebook or call us on 07904217986

To all of you heading down to Trinidad for the carnival I wish you a very safe journey,have lots of fun, enjoy the sun and sweet soca...but please bring back some sunshine with you!!

Until next time

Emma xx

Giveaway Time

Hello

As the completion of the website refurb is very nearly done, here at Urban Sophistication Designs, we feel a giveaway is in order!

It's this simple, once we have reached 500 followers on Twitter we will be giving away a gorgeous handmade venetian glass bracelet. So get re-tweeting and look out for updates.

You can follow us here www.twitter.com/urbansdesigns

Good Luck

Emma xx

Very Nearly There!

Hi All

Last time I blogged I updated you about all the exciting things that had been happening behind the scenes at USD headquarters.

Finally, we have all of the new packaging and are just waiting on a few small orders of personalised materials.
The website make-over is very nearly complete and looking good (even if I do say so myself!) and there are some great new products to be unveiled.

I thought I would take this opportunity to give you a sneak peek at some of the newest products that will soon be available.


Butterfly Handbag Charm

Bright Stars Keyring

Front Fastening Glass Heart Necklet

Choker Style Black and Orange Necklet

Girls Pink Opaque Glass Bracelet with Butterfly Charm

Orange and Black Glass Bead Necklace

Rock Chick Red and Black Keyring

Remember,if you want a bespoke piece made for a special occasion you can email me at urbansdesigns@yahoo.co.uk, search Urban Sophistication Designs on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter


Emma xx

Happy New Year

First things first...Happy New Year to one and all!

I hope you enjoyed a very happy and pleasant festive period.
Here at Urban Sophistication Designs there hasn't been very much rest, it has been all systems go. One of the biggest changes you may have noticed is that when talking about the business we have been using the term USD. Don't panic we haven't changed we have just shortened the name and taken the first letter of each word from the company name. As from April 2011 instead of having to type a ridiculously long URL into your address bar it will simply be USD although all other aspects of Urban Sophistication Designs will remain unchanged.

While most of you have probably been enjoying a few days off work, a few too many chocolates and the odd (!!) glass of mulled wine, I have been a very busy bee designing and working an a range of new collections. These collections include men's jewellery, new children's ranges, fab new accessories and stunning new pieces. All of these will be coming very soon, so watch this space.

Remember, you can keep up to date on all the latest goings on by following us on Twitter or Facebook

Here's to a great year

Emma xx

Where has the time gone?

It has been so long since I last blogged I feel like I've let myself down a bit, but with good reason!!

When I got the website up and running in April of this year I expected the odd sale here and there, the odd commission from previous customers and maybe a few new orders through some of the other avenues I have been promoting the business through but boy was I wrong!

To date, there have only been a few sales through the website but I don't think I was quite prepared for the amount of work that was put my way by existing customers, friends of friends and other people who had seen my work either in person or online.

With several wedding orders under my belt, these orders including cake toppers, tiaras, bridal jewellery and bridesmaid gifts, personalised Christmas decorations, made to order jewellery and household accessories orders I had to make quite a big decision in cutting down my hours worked at my 'day job'. Although I am self-employed and work from home it became extremely difficult for me to do my job, work on my jewellery orders, maintain the house and look after the 3 children...something had to give!

After a lengthy discussion with my very supportive and understanding partner we have decided that based on the last 8 months I should focus fully on developing Urban Sophistication Designs meaning that as of December 24th I will no longer be an accountant but a full-time jewellery designer!!!
I know that there will be times when sales are rare if not non-existent but we are fully prepared for that and it means that instead of scheduling meetings, providing finance reports and auditing accounts I can plan my week so that my time is used efficiently and I can begin to regularly update my blog, Facebook, website and attend a few more craft fairs.

I was considering completely overhauling the website and using a different host but feel that as most of my sales haven't actually been through the website so far, an update and freshen up will be more than enough. With this in mind it means the website will have to be removed for a few weeks while all of this work is done.
I can begin to tell you how liberating it feels to finally be able to follow my dream.

Emma xx

Just where do I start?

It has been a very long time since I have blogged,I know, but things really seem to be taking off leaving me very little time to myself.

I was approached by a photographer from a well known magazine in the Caribbean to provide some jewellery and accessories for a photo shoot, had 3 big wedding orders to complete, stock to produce AND look after an 8 year old, 5 year old and 18 month old during the holidays...Phew,I'm glad it's all coming to an end.

I am hoping that with the children back at school next Friday I will be able to focus on marketing and really driving website sales. I had a crisis not too long ago, I wanted to re-brand and start all over again. This was due to the fact that although I seem to be doing pretty well on commissioned pieces and wedding orders, the website has brought in very few sales. I have realised that in order to drive customers to the website I really need to put myself out there and not be worried about rejection.

With this in mind I spent the little time that I have had to myself to plan and design some new collections, look into marketing and advertising avenues and really get stuck in. Having such a fantastic partner has really helped as I know he has really kept me motivated.

So here's to a bigger and brighter future!!!

Craft Juice Tuesday

WOW,what a week it's been. We've had febrile convulsions,fevers,viral infections and hospital admittances all since my last blog post. Those of you that are following me on Twitter will know all about the ups and downs.
To be able to sit and write this post and admire all the lovelies over at www.craftjuice.com has been a very welcome distraction!

There is no particular theme this week just random selection of gorgeous handmade items.

My Top 3 - Tuesday 1st June 2010

This choice needs very little explanation as any woman will know. Feeling a bit stressed? A bit of bling will always cheer me up!!!

It's a shame I didn't discover this a lot sooner. All the trips we've made to casualty recently this Crayon Roll would have really come in handy!

I knew as soon as I saw this that I would have to include it in my blog. This bracelet is called 'Sunshine' and as the name suggests,who wouldn't feel a warm cheery feeling wearing it. Just what I need after the week I've had!

To see these items and more then head on over to www.craftjuice.com

Until next time...xx