Trial and Error!!
5th July 2023
I do like to bring new ideas to the range and spend a good amount of time seeking out new lines.
I usually try them out in my Etsy shop first before adding to my website. It had been suggested that I stock Tissue Box covers and at long last I managed to find some of good quality. They have sliding bases so the tissue box can be inserted easily and be kept secure. I have square and oblong so if popular, these will be added to the website. What do you think?
Another new item is the Key Box, this is a box with a door that has 6 hooks ready to hang keys inside. One of the more expensive items on the range but would make a super gift. Have you seen it? I am always happy to try and source your ideas – is there something you think would make a good keepsake or memento?
I have also updated my Tooth Fairy Box and added a wooden tooth to the top. This is also made of wood and has been painted white to add more dimension and interest to this little box
As with most products, I have faced some huge price increases over the last year or so and sadly have had to raise the price of most items. Everything from wood to ribbons has shot up in price and not forgetting postage! I have tried to absorb the costs and managed for a while but sadly prices have had to go up.
Finally, if you purchase something from the range, I would love to hear your views! Could you please leave a review on the item page? It would help me no end and also help prospective customers.
Thank you
Where did January go?
31st January 2023
Time has simply flown by without me realising and I have to say that I have not kept up with my blogs!
I am thrilled that my lovely customers have kept me nice and busy and when not creating keepsakes I am usually catching up on paperwork, researching new ideas, embellishments and trying to come up with new lines to add to the range. I am always happy to hear your ideas too so do drop me a message.
Some of the new lines added include Bookends and Coasters which are due to be added to the website shortly
I have also recently introduced a new line in boxes, namely mini trinket boxes. Although not immediately wedding related, the trinket box makes an unusual thank you gift for a bridesmaid especially if her name is added. Moneyboxes are perfect for christening gifts or even as a New Birth gift – babies always seem to get money given as traditionally it was said to be lucky to give a new baby coins. Adding a name and even the date of birth makes a wonderful keepsake to treasure.
I am always trying to come up with new variations for my existing range and am regularly asked for ribbon colours other than the traditional ivory, cream or white. I am more than happy to do this, sometimes I have the colour in stock, if not, I am happy to source from my suppliers A little extra time is all that is needed so order in good time if you can.
Don’t forget, all items can be adapted to suit the occasion. Just because a heart has text for a wedding doesn’t mean to say it cannot be changed to an Engagement keepsake or even as just a ‘Thank you’ gift. That’s the beauty of personalised gifts made by craftsmen/women!
It’s difficult knowing which colours will prove popular for this seasons weddings which is where my lovely Facebook family come in. (Have you liked my page yet? – https://www.facebook.com/blackberryweddingdesigns keep up to date with new lines and ideas and special offers and please comment when you can as it does give me ideas on what you would like to see on the range in the future.
Christmas is coming!
20th October 2022
The wedding Season is slowing down a little now although it never really comes to a stop. A few years back, I decided I would like to keep busy through the winter months so started to introduce Xmas gifts and ideas to the range.Personalised gifts are always popular and very well received. Various shaped boxes with lids are probably one of the most purchased items and range in small sizes through to the larger Memory Box sizes.
Some of the newer items for this Christmas include Dice shakers complete with wooden dice, Perpetual Calendars and Bottle Openers. Memo Pads are new for this year too and make a super gift that is just that little bit different.
I have just added a ‘Believe in Santa Bell’ which comes with a drawstring pouch and can be personalised. Watch out for its addition in the shop.
There are a few new ideas which I will keep secret for now but keep checking social media and this site for updates! If you have any ideas please feel free to contact me as I am always on the look out for new lines and ideas
How do I choose?
20th September 2022
I am often asked my opinions on colours or wording and it is such a difficult thing to do as we all have different tastes. I can only speak from what I am working with and as with most things, trends vary from month to month. At the moment it’s all ivory with pastel colours for the roses etc!
Most of my keepsakes come with a choice of four colours for the ribbon loops that hang over the bride’s wrist. Those are cream, white, rose gold or ivory. I find that cream is not used so much now so unless you are sure that the bride is definitely wearing cream, it’s a colour best left. I have found that most brides prefer to wear ivory now as it is not as harsh as white on the skin tones and this is backed up by the large amount of ivory I seem to use every week!
It’s great to be able to match the colour of the bridesmaids or wedding theme by having ribbon roses, butterflies etc. to coordinate. If you are not sure, look at the invitations for a hint of the colours being used – I carry a large selection of colours and if given enough time I will try and source the right shade if I don’t already have it. It is impossible to keep all the types of tartan in stock, in some cases there are several for each clan! I now stock a basic red, blue, purple or green but if you would like me to use a special tartan, I am quite happy for you to send a length for me to incorporate into your horseshoe.
There will always be a wedding that you are not too sure of the colour scheme, for those I usually recommend using all ivory – it looks very chic!
Wording can be another uncertainty. With a horseshoe, think of it as having three sections – top left, top right and bottom.
- Around the bottom edge suitable wording would be ‘Congratulations on your Wedding Day’ (depending on space) or ‘With Love and Best Wishes’ this can be changed to suit you as long as I can fit it in!
- Top left hand side usually has the couple’s christian names
- Top right hand side usually has the date of the wedding
Sometimes the venue is put around the bottom especially if it happens to be a special venue or the wedding is abroad!
I am happy to add whatever you would like but please be aware space is limited – sometimes less is more!!
I am able to add your own personal message on the reverse, maybe ‘With love from Mum and Dad xx’ Once again, space is limited and too much text will make the keepsake look cluttered. Spoons and rolling pins have less area to add text too so if you need more wording maybe a horseshoe or heart would be better.
What a funny year!
What a funny year to be trading in wedding keepsakes and gifts. I realised that since opening my new website, I have not yet started my blog and that really isn’t good enough! It has been such a hectic, unpredictable and strange past 16 months or so especially for the wedding industry which I am obviously involved with. My own daughter has postponed her wedding twice and we are all keeping our fingers crossed that the third date will be successful.
Thinking outside the box, I have had to diversify my range and introduce new lines away from the wedding theme. You will now find a range of giftware that can be personalised and this has kept me busy whilst weddings and celebrations have been cancelled once, twice or even more.
With time on my hands, I have been able to research and find new lines and ideas. Although some of these you will find in my shop, others are still in the pipeline. New ideas and suggestions are always welcome, so don’t be shy. Let me know if there is anything you would particularly like to see. I am always happy to seek out different colours or make items with components from different items. The range has grown thanks to comments and enquiries from all my lovely customers. These have all kept me going, made me smile and helped me through the last year or so. Thank you all
The spoon shown is the standard wedding spoon which has tartan ribbon added for a custom order. You can find wedding spoons here : Personalised Wedding Spoon
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