How to make your money go further this Christmas

It's pretty tough out there at the moment for small businesses. Sales seem to be down for most people, and I've seen a few who have had to close, or take on part time or full time jobs as well as running their business. I am so grateful to have my full time job, so I can keep making jewellery and helping people, through quiet times like this. 

It seems obvious that shoppers are struggling too. So, I thought I would share some tips on how people can make their hard earned cash go a little further this Christmas, and still support small businesses. 

Offer days

Fiver Friday and Tenner Tuesday 

If you are looking for stocking fillers, or secret Santa gifts, these two days are a good way to find a bargain, or know exactly how much something is before purchasing. Simply use the hashtags #fiverfriday and #tennertuesday on Instagram, and you'll get a list of any posts which have used those hashtags too. 

I have seconds bracelets at £5 each which are available all year round. These are made from extra beads I didn't put back after making a bracelet, or aren't quite the right size or shape I need for another make. 

I'm planning on sharing more Tenner Tuesday offers as well in the lead up to Christmas. 

Gift wrapping 

A lot of small businesses will gift wrap purchases at Christmas. I gift wrap all of my products at no extra cost, hopefully saving you an extra job at this busy time of year. 

The personal touch

A lot of small businesses can personalise products for a really thoughtful and unique gift. Obviously, this may take a little longer than usual orders, so you may have to plan ahead a bit to ensure gifts arrive in time for the big day. Check if orders can be sent direct to the recipient if you are ordering later. 

I offer a bespoke bracelet made using crystals which I intuitively select for the person the gift is for. The crystals can help with emotional or physical issues.

Markets and fairs

And if you don't like ordering online. There are SO many Christmas markets and fairs. From small craft fairs in village halls to garden centres, to larger venues and outdoor markets in city and town centres. 

Many will have special offers on, which are only for that day, so it's another great way to get a bargain. 

As an added bonus, there is usually a stall with tasty homemade snacks, so you can treat yourself as well as others! 

Happy shopping!

Sam x

Living in the now, this autumn

Look at me writing another blog so soon!

I had an email this morning where the author mentioned having their Christmas decorations up, and they'd been receiving emails about 2025 planners. 

 

And while I get that as a small business owner, I should plan ahead, or even at all! It made me think of shopearly2024, I've been focusing on Christmas. But it's still 18 days until Halloween, and the leaves have only just started to fall.

I think I need to live in the moment more, instead of trying to drag the future into the present, before I miss my favourite season.

But I'm also enjoying showcasing 3 products a day for shopearly2024. 

So I found a compromise. I'll showcase my weekly 3 items on stories for those that love to be ahead of the game. While my main posts will be all about autumn, and what I'm doing right now, for those that like to live in the moment and embrace this time of year.

To celebrate the now, and the beautiful changing seasons - the inspiring view while I write this on my phone…

Are you Team Live in the Moment, or Team Live for the Future?

Sam x

All about autumn crystals

Hi,

I took two days off at at the start of last week, and instead of getting out and about, I've been stuck inside waiting for the rain to stop! And I was so looking forward to October being here, too.  

I snuggled up with a blanket on the sofa, and started writing you guys a blog instead. October is looking like it will be a busy month for me! 

I'm taking part in Folksy's Shop Early 2024. You can get a head start on your Christmas shopping and support small businesses at the same time! And with all amazingly talented people taking part as well, I think I might have to start my Christmas shopping early for a change.

To have a browse on what's on offer, head to folksy.com and search Shopearly2024

Next week, I'm including my bespoke healing crystal bracelet, silver heart design necklace and stress relief necklace and bracelet set at the moment, and plan to change things around to let other products get in the limelight! 

And I can't let my favourite month go by without celebrating the crystals which remind me of the colours of autumn. 

Carnelian

Carnelian increases self esteem and courage, and can help overcome procrastination. It can help bring abundance into your life. Physically it helps with circulation, lower back issues and arthritis. It can also help with overall health and wellness. Carnelian is a fabulous crystal with many healing properties. It not only gives you a physical energy boost, but also increases motivation and confidence. It's known as the singer's stone, so if you have always wanted to join a band or choir, this is the crystal to help you do it!

Tiger eye

As well as increasing energy levels, tiger eye and boosts self esteem and confidence. It is a stone of good luck and abundance, and has such beautiful banding with golds and browns, it's a must for jewellery making.

Mookaite 

This crystal has all my favourite colours of autumn, burgundy, browns, and oranges. Mookaite also reduces procrastination, allowing self reflection to find the cause of avoidance. Also boosting motivation so you can work on solving the issue.

Orange aventurine

You need this crystal if you need a positive outlook. It encourages pleasant encounters with people in your daily life, which I feel we need more of in society at the moment! Orange aventurine increases confidence, and can help to release feelings of being stuck. 

To see my full range of jewellery with autumn crystals, click on the link below. 

https://folksy.com/shops/HolisticCrystalCreations/collections/334425-autumn

Sam x

Top tips #2 A crystal for abundance

Anyone need a little more abundance in their life? 

There's a crystal for that! Well a few actually. 

One simple way I like to draw more money in my life, is to add a carnelian tumblestone to my purse, where it works to multiply the money already there. 

Carnelian isn't the only crystal which can help with abundance. Here are a few others which also attract abundance. 

Green Aventurine

Green - the colour of money. Green aventurine creates abundance weatlh, and also luck. So if you feel you are down on your luck, this crystal is for you!

Malachite

Another green crystal, malachite helps you to acknowledge the things which are holding you back from attracting money, wealth and abundance. It also works well with green aventurine. 

Tiger Eye

If you've become too focused on only one way to improve your finances, tiger eye, can help you to broaden your horizons and find new opportunities. 

Citrine

The stone for those wanting to manifest wealth and abundance. It also reduces the negative self talk, that can hold you back. 

Good luck in your pursuits! 

Sam x

Top Tips #1 Crystals for Meditation

I've started to do Top Tips Tuesday on my social media accounts. I use crystals a lot around the house as well, as making jewellery, so wanted to share some of my knowledge so they can help you too.

I'll share each weekly tip to this blog, so you can look back easier than on social media. 

I've been trying to add meditation to my daily routine, something I have tried a number of times before! 

There are so many crystals which can help with meditation. But I have picked just three to talk about today. 

1. I'm my own biggest critic, so I will be using rose quartz, as it promotes self love.

2. Smoky quartz, is a really good crystal for grounding, which can help draw excess energy from higher up in the body. 

3. Amethyst calms the mind, so can help with focus during meditation. 

I'd love to hear if you try this, and notice a difference in your meditation practice. 

Sam x

Crystals for healing

Look at me writing another blog within a couple of weeks of the last one!

The theme for March Meet the Maker for Friday was brand. And I'll admit, I'm probably not that great at getting my brand message across.

When I started making jewellery, I did just want to make jewellery that looked pretty. It needed to help people as well.

The first piece of jewellery I made was a necklace for my mum, I selected amethyst, blue lace agate and rainbow fluorite, to help with joint pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. She wore it for 6 weeks, and now it stays next to her bed so the crystals can provide a little top up of healing energy while she sleeps. A similar version is now available as a double bracelet. 

Whenever I make a new item, I'm always thinking of the way it could help someone with physical or emotional issues. And there are so many different things which crystals can help with, it can be difficult to pick which to focus on. 

An inspiration for me is also nature. I love to be outside, whether it's walking the dog, horse riding, or growing veggies in the garden. I even made a four seasons collection of bracelets which were inspired by the colours of the different seasons. My favourite time of year is autumn, as I love the reds, golds and browns of the leaves as they turn. 

One of my favourite plants is lavender, which is why I wanted to add it to my logo. 

Until next time. 

Sam x

Story time

I've logged in, and put keyboard to blank screen for the March Meet the Maker, a small business challenge, inspiring some media posts with a difference.

The prompt for day 1 was Story Time, which appealed to my younger self who studied creative writing at university. 

So... are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin my origins story. 

Once upon a time, there was a quiet creative, called Sam. She worked 4 days a week at an office job, and in her spare time was building an animal therapy business.

Then one day along came a pandemic, and everything changed. No more visiting doggy clients in their home, no more commutes to work, and no visiting friends and family. Not everyone made it through, but Sam was very lucky, staying healthy and  able to work from home at the office job. A short two week lock down was soon extended, and staying in the same four walls as much as possible became the new norm. A new distraction was needed. Something to keep Sam's mind focused, but nothing to taxing!

As part of her animal therapy business, Sam had started making pet collar charms to help with anxiety, arthritis and even car sickness. She'd also collected more than a few crystals to use in therapy sessions, and for personal use.  

Shut away in a storage box upstairs, gathering dust, the crystals were crying out to be put to good use. And with more time on her hands than before, Sam followed the trend of other creatives in lock down, and started to make things. Jewellery to be precise. Starting simple with some bracelets, and then trying things a little more complicated like wire wrapped pendants. A few were shared on Facebook and friends and family wanted to know if they could have one too. 

And that, readers is how Holistic Crystal Creations was born. A way to focus in a time of uncertainty and big changes. And a way to help people, with the tools available - some pretty crystals with amazing healing properties. The smallest of small businesses, just one person, inspired to make jewellery that heals, posting it to people who like the designs and healing properties. 

A pretty uneventful origins story, really! No spider bites or exposure to gamma rays, but, you know, there was a global pandemic, which is pretty dramatic...

I hope you liked my little story, if you'd like to see some more of my creations, click on the link below to my folksy shop. Enjoy the rest of your day! 

Sam x

Holistic Crystal Creations

Folksy Shop