Bright Light Gems

Public announcement

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 22:03:22 GMT

Bright Light Gems is dead, long live Ethical Beads!

EthicalBeads.org</h3>
Comprehensive ethical beads & jewellery directory listing

EthicalBeads.com
One-stop shop for ethical beads & jewellery

Progress & lack thereof

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 21:48:38 GMT

Apologies
Sincerest of apologies for the lack of updates lately. I recently started a full-time office job (on top of my part-time retail job), so I've had absolutely minimal free time. It's a very strange feeling for me, having been studying for the past 15+ years!

In any case, I'm getting back on track now.

Action
I've worked out a plan that involves beading in my lunch break and immediately after work, so we'll see how that one works out. I shall keep you updated on how I'm getting on at least weekly. Honest!

Orders, customers & thanks
I've received orders from some brand new customers (thank you!) - so I'm busy filling those. It's odd having reduced periods of creativity, but I think they're more intense than when they were of longer duration, so hopefully my jewellery will be even more beautiful than hitherto.

Craft show
In addition, my office job is already creating opportunities for me, as there's a craft show! It's on 3rd/4th November. I have to arrange time off in order to attend. But even if I can't go, I'm definitely entering. Must remember to send off my entry form!!!

If you'd like to attend, please let me know and I'll send you details. It's in Central London around lunch time.

New items at Etsy

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 00:25:45 GMT

Four new items at my Etsy store!

http://brightlightgems.etsy.com

Available - but not yet listed - see below. Please contact me if you're interested in any of these.

Items are £5 - £10 each. I ship internationally.

New items!

Sun, 18 Sep 2005 23:05:57 GMT

I'm in the process of listing brand new jewellery at my Etsy store. However, if you can't wait to see them, you don't have to!

http://www.brightlightgems.com/etsy050918/

I have bracelets, earrings and sets. I can make matching necklaces too - just comment or email with the name and/or description of the item/s pictured and what you'd like your requested item/s to look like.

Prices etc. currently To Be Determined (very shortly). I'm always happy to listen if you'd like to negotiate prices, although you should note that simply asking for money off is unlikely to be successful. :)

Ethics of beauty

Wed, 14 Sep 2005 19:14:19 GMT

I've been thinking about fairly traded beads &co recently.

Satu prompted me to with a post in her LJ.

As I mentioned in my last update, one of my core motivations (ideologies, I call them) is Recycling. I would like to add Caring to the list. It's all very well caring for the environment, but want about people?!

Currently, I can't though.

Whilst I certainly make an effort to purchase beads that have been produced in fair and reasonable conditions, whilst I don't (consciously) buy from China or India, whilst I try to avoid buying gemstones; I'm no Bead Saint. I lapse pretty often.

However, Satu's post has spurred me to action. From now on I will be following the advice I found somewhere on the Internet - whenever buying from a mass-production type store with products of uncertain origin, I will ask where they were made/came from. Not hard is it?

This will encourage me to just buy from fairly traded places in the first place. I'll see how it goes for a while. Will let you know how I get on and hopefully, very soon, I'll be able to say I'm an Ethical Crafter!

The Ethics of Beauty?

Fair trade & ethical suppliers

Update: Site

Sun, 11 Sep 2005 22:09:29 GMT

The majority of the additions and improvements are to the About pages.

I now have a mission statement [Ideology]

To summarise, Bright Light Gems is devoted to:

- Creativity
- Sharing
- Service
- Recycling + No waste

If you think these are worthwhile goals or if you disagree, let me know!

Plus there are vacancies on my team for International Liaison Officers for all countries except Sweden. If you want to (or already do) promote Bright Light Gems voluntarily, please apply by letting me know.

Update

Sun, 11 Sep 2005 16:33:04 GMT

Done lots of stuff, so lots of things to say!

- Recently launched the brand new Bright Light Gems Etsy store.
     - Buy one, get one half price! Until November, so buy now. Excellent presents!
     - More coming soon, by this time next week definitely
     - Can't wait until Etsy split the Jewellery section in to more sub-sections!

- Received lots of feedback recently!
     - Notably from a lovely lady called Jill who wins the award for Comments Most Likely To Make Kathleen Big-Headed. Thank you so much! :)
     - Terry, who likes the name of my site
     - Clare, who was refreshingly sceptical in a clear-sighted way and has - inadvertantly I'm sure :) - encouraged me to highlight the benefits of doign business with me
     - Ann, who says I should set up a stall at St. Leonard's church! Not sure I want to encourage Sunday trading wrath, but am thinking of a workaround
    - Satu, who was just generally so nice as per usual and re-introduced me to Etsy, for which I will be eternally grateful
     - heavenhill, incorrigibleme & tocz, who sent supply queries, prompting me to post about the availability of some hard-to-find bits
     - khinara & thursday_quote, who left lovely comments about my pieces in _diy_earrings
     - Thank you to everyone who's supported me thus far, I appreciate it more than words can say

- I now have buyers and potential buyers in the UK, Sweden & the US. Result!
     - My international liason officer (Sweden) - Cimmy (yes, you've been promoted again) - has been marketing for me. Thanks so much!

- Have been working on the site today. Will be uploading shortly. By the end of the day I'll have clearer After Sales Care information, links to the various online listings/stores I have, links to other select stores and my mission statement up.

- I've also been working on international pricing due to Etsy being American. You can now get your invoice for pieces bought at Etsy in USD or UKP. For other currencies, just email me - I'd be happy to help. You might also want to try: http://xe.com/ucc - an excellent free currency conversion service.
     - I will be adding an integrated currency conversion service to Bright Light Gems by this time next week.

Beads' & Findings' Supplies

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 23:45:02 GMT

Thank you very much to the Ljers who sent questions & queries about some of the lovely beads featured in my jewellery. Excellent that there's so much interest!

The good news is you can buy these (and many other) beads direct from me. You can buy individual beads or save by buying more beads at mini-wholesale prices - you need only buy five at a time to qualify! Plus you get free P&P if you spend over £5/£8 at once.

Rubber spiky rainbow beads

These are UV reflective.

Also available: blue with pink spikes (awaiting delivery)

£0.50ea or 5 for £1.75 (works out at £0.35ea, saving you £0.75)
USD: $0.92 (5 for $3.22)
CAD: $1.08 (5 for $3.79)

[Previously £1.00ea or 5 for £4, but I've found more economical suppliers so I can pass the savings on to you. :)]

Lampwork black & red heart beads

Also available: yellow/gold (awaiting delivery)

£1.50ea or 5 for £5 (works out at £1.00ea, saving you £2.50)
USD: $2.76 (5 for $9.19)
CAD: $3.25 (5 for $10.83)

Sterling silver hoops

These are '925' stamped.

£1.50/pair
USD: $2.76/pair
CAD: $3.25/pair

Info

Free P&P on beads if you spend over £5 (UK only) in one transaction. The same offer applies internationally if you spend over £8 (approx 14.71 USD, 17.33 CAD).

P&P otherwise is £1.50 (UK) or £2 (international) - flat-rate charge, no escalating costs! [£2 = $3.68 USD / $4.33 CAD approx]

Hope that helps. Please enquire about any other beads you like too. Thank you for your interest!

To order, you can comment to this entry or email me - brightlightgems@gmail.com.

I accept PayPal* (UK & international) & cheques/postal orders (UK only).

NB: The pictures are for illustration purposes only - the prices are for beads or findings alone, as detailed. The items themselves are available to purchase from my site or my etsy store - for £5 each (USD 9.19, CAD 10.83). You can also order them by commenting/emailing me. Cheers.

Best wishes,

Kx

*(with or without a credit card - just let me know which you want to use)

PS I have listed conversion prices in US & Canadian dollars, as guidelines only, because that's what I think would be most helpful to the Ljers who enquired. If you'd like other currencies listed, just let me know by comment or email. I used XE.com, a world-renowned service.

Etsy: Buy one, get one half price!

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 20:22:09 GMT

I'm promoting Satu on my team. :)

Etsy: Bright Light Gems
http://www.etsy.com/user_profile.php?user_id=4297

Buy one, get one half price!
Buy anything from me at my Etsy store before November and receive another item half price!

So buy now and save!

Edit: Seven items to choose from - if they do well, I shall list more.

The prices are in US Dollars & UK Pounds, I can send you an invoice in your choice of either currency, just let me know.

Bright Light Gems - eBay - handmade earrings for 99p!

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 23:08:30 GMT

Earrings for 99p! 10 to choose from, all different kinds

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5031794070

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10

Bright Light Gems - the real deal URL now LIVE!

Wed, 07 Sep 2005 17:50:40 GMT

http://brightlightgems.com

Yes, now you can type in the name of the site (no spaces), add 'dot com' and away you go!

Professional.

Bright Light Gems: New collection!

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 20:11:12 GMT

Last Days of Summer

The funky, fresh collection.

http://bright.nightisland.com/collection.html

News

Sun, 04 Sep 2005 22:51:20 GMT

Good news
- I've completed the latest Collection (#2) - Last Days Of Summer!

Great news
- I'm creating some stunning One-Of-A-Kind pendants to match
- This collection has the greatest degree of customisation available so far at Bright Light Gems (and much more than I've ever seen elsewhere).
You can choose:
     - clasps (toggle, 's' or any other you like!)
     - longer lengths
     - earwires or posts (for earrings)
     - beads - more, fewer, different order etc.

Don't worry about the choices being overwhelming though; you can ask me for advice and I'll be more than happy to help (just email or call). Or if you don't mind, just leave it to me and I'll make sure your jewellery looks beautiful. :)

Could be better news
- Due to a combination of family commitments and my own mis-management of time, the new collection won't be up until tomorrow. (I've taken some pictures, but they're not as good as the daylit ones will be).

Email me: inspirewithhope@gmail.com

eBay - bid NOW!

Sat, 03 Sep 2005 21:54:28 GMT

Last chance...

my eBay listings

Update: New items, eBay & customisation service

Wed, 31 Aug 2005 21:53:15 GMT

New items
There are lots of fabulous new items, many of them only uploaded today - so have another look at the site!

eBay
Following the success of my eBay listings, I'm listing more items.

Edit: Listings are up and end very early on Sunday morning (~12.15am).

Bright Light Gems: My eBay Listings

Customisation
Just to remind you, I offer many free customisation services - e.g. I adjust the lengths of nearly all bracelets and necklaces to fit you perfectly. Often you can choose what style of chain you would like with your pendant.

In addition, you can have beads re-ordered, added or removed. Sometimes there is a charge for this service to cover the cost of materials and/or time. Please email me for quotations - you will be under no obligation to buy.

Admin &co
- I bought the new domain a little while ago and I'm currently working on getting it all set up. In the meantime, please continue to use: http://bright.nightisland.com/ Which will continue to work even after the domain is up too.

- I'm currently experiencing technical difficulties, which mean I can't upload as fast as I'd like to. Please bear with me as I work on solving these. I can still receive comments, emails etc.

eBay

Sat, 27 Aug 2005 20:16:27 GMT

Two items have already sold.

Bid now before someone else gets all the others too!

Only one hour to go!

Bright Light Gems: My eBay Listings

Customer service

Mon, 22 Aug 2005 20:33:26 GMT

Today's Dilbert reminds me of Argos...

"If you have any questions... I don't have time for that sort of thing."

The antithesis of Bright Light Gems, of course!

http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-20050822.html

Special offer!

Mon, 22 Aug 2005 07:00:45 GMT

This isn't on the site yet, which is why you should friend the blog and receive all these offers on your flist, but!

Free Special Delivery on all Mauve Admiration Collection Sets!

That's an instant saving of £4.95! Plus, your jewellery will be guaranteed to arrive the next day.

Update: New collection!

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 21:12:46 GMT

I've just uploaded a new collection: Mauve Admiration. It's more high-end/classy than some of my other stuff, so check it out!

Prices for individual sterling silver pieces range from £5.99 - £29.99, with sets going up to £39.99.

Update

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 16:34:34 GMT

Can't stop for long, just writing to say I'm busy working on more jewellery for the site, with lots more pictures!

I'm also linking to the eBay listings and getting ready for the next batch of things to list.

As for the lovely Next customer who admired my jewellery yesterday. If you do happen to order anything from the new collection you liked, I'll give you a 10% discount. :)

Update

Sat, 20 Aug 2005 11:44:00 GMT

Thanks to the wonderfulness that is Ian, the brand new (working!) forms are up on the site now. To use them just scroll to the bottom of any pf the pages, fill in and Send!

I also now have business cards! If you'd like me to send you some absolutely free, just email me your address and the number of cards you'd like.

PS Don't forget the eBay listings!

Hot Pink Fuchsia Butterfly Glass Silver Plate Set NR
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5024731352

Rainbow Glass SilverPlate Set (gay lesbian interest) NR
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5024731358

Compliments

Thu, 18 Aug 2005 00:14:19 GMT

Ooh, I do so love getting compliments. Especially on things I've created.

*feels warm inside*

Right, am going soon. Will make a list of flatterers to add to the Credits page. :)

eBay!

Wed, 17 Aug 2005 20:18:12 GMT

Hot Pink Fuchsia Butterfly Glass Silver Plate Set NR
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5024731352

Rainbow Glass SilverPlate Set (gay lesbian interest) NR
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5024731358

Both sets starting at £2.49, with no reserve.

Update

Wed, 17 Aug 2005 17:53:04 GMT

- Feedback forms: Right, for now I'm directing users here to leave comments, which should also do a good job of promoting the blog, so yay! I also have tankdavinci working on the real forms. Review due 27Aug05. Edit: Fixed 20Aug05.

- Marketing: I have at least two people actively promoting Bright Light Gems for me, just because they're lovely people. Thank you mrs_silmarwen & campciabatta!

- eBay: I'm listing some items tonight. Sneak preview! Edit: Done! 17Aug05.

- Jewellery: I'm making more jewellery all the time. I think I'll be revamping the items in the catalogue every 2 weeks - 2 months. We'll see how it goes.

First order placed!

Mon, 15 Aug 2005 19:44:19 GMT

It's official.

The first Bright Light Gems exclusive has sold*.

Eeeee!

So check out the site, decide what you want and buy now - before someone else gets it!

* Well, is in the process of selling, but minor detail, hence small print.