My Job Description

So do you work?  Its a question I'm asked a lot, you see I'm on of those mums who you'll spot walking through my home town, nipping to the post office and the supermarket, dropping in for a catch up with friends so you'd be forgiven for thinking that I don't have a day job.

But when people ask me do I work, I feel a little awkward saying, I own my own business, it makes me feel too pretentious.  So over the last year or so I've been really struggling how to answer this question without sounding that I think way too much of myself, but still explaining exactly what it is that I do.  In the business world this is known as the elevator pitch, as you probably can guess the term was coined in America, lift pitch, just doesn't have the same ring to it does it?

Basically an elevator pitch sums up what you do and what you have to offer in 2 seconds. It's supposed to enlighten and intrigue people to ask you more so you can use it to promote yourself everywhere you go.

So I guess I'll start with what I do, as you know I make bridal accessories.  I'm slightly different than most people in the same niche as they tend to focus on just one type of accessory such as jewellery, veils, shoes, garters, ring pillows, etc you get the picture.  Back in 2007 I started with tiaras, no business planning, I just jumped right in, then it progressed to jewellery and in the last previous years it's moving to veils, garters, ring pillows and shoe clips.

Previously I used to tell people that I made wedding jewellery. I know not the best elevator pitch.  So now I'm on the look out for a new one.

So what is it that I do?  I design and craft a range of bespoke bridal accessories.

What I can offer?  A full design service working with your budget.

Let's make this sound a little more interesting

I'm a bridal accessories designer, creating bespoke designs that allow brides to get what they want for the budget they have.

This seems a little long

How about

I'm a designer, creating bridal accessories for brides who know what they want but can't seem to find it!

I'm liking this a little better, but it's still a work in progress.  I think I'll use it for a little while and see what response I get.

Wish me luck.

If you have any suggestions, leave them in the comments section below, I'd love to hear them and you never know I might even use it.

Wedding Tiaras - Photo Shoot

Last week was probably one of the most eventful weeks I've ever had.  I started the week by passing my driving test.  I'm 33 so I decided it was time to learn to drive so people would stop looking at me like I'm a weirdo.

This however was an non event compared to what was to come mid week with my first ever professional photo shoot for Wedding And Gems.  Usually I do my own photography but I find trying to capture the sparkle of Swarovski crystal really difficult. Plus I wanted to be able to show people what my creations look like when they're being worn. So I contacted Luke from Luke Richards Photography and he arrange for the lovely Carla Monaco to model. 

I intended to take my own camera to the shoot to show you some behind the scenes photos but I actually forgot the camera. Duhhh! 

I know we've probably all caught the odd episode of America's Top Model and have a rough idea of how photographers and models work together to create amazing images, but to see that close up and to actually have some input was pretty awesome. I really did feel honoured to be part of that creative process. 

Seeing my handmade bridal accessories being worn (and worn so well) really made me see my creations in a brand new light.  Normally I just see them as an object, nothing more than the raw materials and invested time but on the model, they became something else, something that I could be really proud of.

I'm still looking through the hundreds of photos I received from Luke and a week later I'm still looking at them in awe.  I really couldn't have found a better photographer or model.  I think I declared things as "perfect" a number of times and it was one of those days that I'll look back on in years to come and still have a big silly grin plastered to my face.

Carla is really as beautiful as she looks. She's really down to earth, friendly and easy to chat to. It was a pleasure to meet her. I've focused a lot on Carla in this blog post but Luke deserves a mention too. He was easy and fun to work with. No hidden extras and no fuss. I don't have a photo of Luke to share, so I'll link to his website instead. Luke Richards Photography