Goodbye to 2012

So yes this post is a little late it is the 6th of January but this year has been so busy already!!

 

The year that was......

 

2012 was huge for me, first I said a HUGE Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter who turned 1 in March, how fast does that first year go!!

We had an amazing Tea Party Themed birthday for her complete with High Tea for the adults.

 

Then in April I finally tied the knot with my partner of 5 years, after deciding to get married in January we had very little planning time so the next 3 months consisted of a lot of late nights crafting as I made most things for our wedding including bouquets for myself and my 6 Bridesmaids and Flower Girls.

 

My bouquet along with my daughters who was our smallest Flower girl at 13 months, the day was filled with great family and friends, truly a day I will never forget!

 

 

 

June saw the launch of the Vintage Spice Facebook page, after thinking about for a couple of weeks I finally made it live!

Having a back round in Pharmacy and Retail I had a small amount of business knowledge but nothing that could really prepare me for owning my own small business and everything that comes with it.

Yes I knew it was going to be hard work but I had visions of being able to stay at home, work in my PJ's and watch the business roll in!

With no business plan, limited funds, and next to no computer knowledge I set to take over the world!

 

I spent the next few months trying to market my business, set up a website and get the word out about what I was doing.

 I also launched more products into our range with headbands, bows, clips, earrings and brooches.

 

 

 

In October I decided to start doing some markets to get the word out locally and get my business seen! I started with a small community market and I was blown away by the support I received even with my limited amount of product.

 

I came away from that market learning so much about my products, how to display them, how much stock I should have and how truly unprepared I was, such a great learning experience!

 

Many more markets followed with growing success, I then booked Martinborough Fair and The Grand Wedding Show in Auckland for 2013.

 

I had always hoped but never really thought that Vintage Spice would take off in the way that it has and suddenly felt quite overwhelmed by the amount of success and also the work ahead of me, I am also a mum of an almost 2 year and have a husband who does want to actually see me occasionally!

 

Needless to say 2012 was somewhat of a big blur, and so has the last 6 days of 2013 which is set to be even busier with Martinborough Fair in February and March and then up to the big smoke of Auckland in April for my biggest showcase yet The Grand Wedding Expo!

 

I look forward to what this year has ahead of me I know it will be filled with late nights, hard work, great rewards, awesome people, and amazing opportunities!

 

Here's to 2013!!

 

Robin xx

 

Other places you can find us....

 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/VintageSpice

Blog http://vintagespicenz.blogspot.co.nz/

Website www.vintage-spice.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/Vinspice

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/VintageSpiceUBA/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delightful Jewls

When it comes to being engaged the first thing people say is "Show me the ring!" So here is some hand candy for you.

 

This is a beautiful Brilliant cut diamond, similar to my engagement ring except mine is yellow gold. Modest, simple and timeless.

Cluster engagement rings simply means there are multiple settings of stones in the one ring, this can sometimes be less expensive because the stones are smaller, this style of ring is also great for the 'Bling' factor as you get multiple reflections from all of the diamonds.

 

Another way to buy an engagement ring is getting an antique ring sometimes a family piece which is always so special. These can be expensive depending on the manufacturer, how old it is and of course the value of gold and stones. Just remember to get the settings checked by a jeweller before you wear your piece, over time the settings can weaker or break and you would hate to loose some of those precious stones! Settings should be checked at least every year.

If your budget is tight, fake it, the ring set above is from Pascoes and retails for $49 yes and that is your engagement and your wedding ring, while they don't have the same sparkle as real diamonds you hand will still look pretty in bling!

 

Robin xx

https://www.facebook.com/#!/VintageSpice