2009 Recession

A quick message to all our loyal customers who may have noticed some price increases recently on certain items. As you are in no doubt that we are all in a recession, with the newspapers quick to spread doom and gloom.

The good news is that crafting and jewellery making tend to do quite well during these times as buyers look for cheaper alternatives to high priced retail jewellery.

The bad news (good news for all our Eurozone customers) is that the downturn in the UK economy, this time, has seen the Pound Sterling weaken against many currencies. It has weakened considerably against the US Dollar and the Euro. And since we mainly import goods using these currencies, it is costing us more at present and unfortunately we are having to pass on some of these costs.

For those of you who have been buying from us for a long time, you know that we offer quality products at competitive prices that rarely increase. The raw price of goods we have been buying from the manufacturers have been increasing for a year or two, but we were able to offset these increases against the strong Pound and we were able to maintain prices. However market forces are working against all importers at present, making the cost of goods ever more expensive.

We are absorbing as much costs increases as we can so as to help keep prices down. However you will notice certain products increasing in price more frequently than normal. We are only doing this for products that we have recently imported (and therefore cost more). Prices won't change for items where we already have stocks.

Of course if the Pound strengthens significantly in the future, then you will see our prices come back down. Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to keep prices stable. May I suggest that where you buying items that have increased in price, that you look to increase your selling price as well. This will ensure you are still making a living from all your jewellery making.

We will endeavour to keep sourcing new jewellery ranges and beads in 2009 in a bid to keep things fresh and to give you more ideas and choice.