I get a lot of questions about my small business Ellie Bea Jewellery and the story behind my brand, so I thought it would be a good idea to share the Top 5 Questions as my first blog post. I am super nosey when it comes to brand stories and all the Behind The Scenes info and I'm pretty confident I'm not alone - who doesn't like to know the juicy facts behind the brands you love and the businesses with whom you spend your hard earned cash? So here we go - my Top 5 FAQ's about Ellie Bea Jewellery:
1) Why is your business called Ellie Bea when your name is Mandy?
Good question. My business name is actually inspired by my Gran, Beatrice Eliza. She was a big part of my childhood and was always at the heart of our family. She was such a strong, hard working, loving and generous person who always looked out for her family and friends. If you happened to drop by on a Sunday, there was always an extra stool to pull up to the table and the Sunday roast would be stretched as far as it needed to go! Her values of kindness and compassion were passed through the generations and now onto my small business too - so we can all share the love.
2) How long have you been making jewellery?
I started making jewellery over 20 years ago which surprised me when I added up the years, time flies! My designs then were mostly beaded jewellery using pearls and glass beads which I sold at markets, fairs and my own home shopping parties (remember when a week couldn't go by without being invited to a home shopping party?) Over the years as my family changed, my business also changed to become the Ellie Bea Jewellery brand you see today - using beautiful Liberty of London fabrics and linens to create necklaces, keyrings and keepsakes with personalised details and thoughtful words.
3) What does your Ellie Bea logo mean with the 3 circles?
The 3 overlapping circles represent the impact we can have on each others lives. Our actions and words can have a ripple effect, extending out to those around us, lifting us up or tearing us down. It's amazing how a few simple words can make someone's day, a small heartfelt gift can let someone know they are not alone - a smile or a thank-you to a stranger can change the way they feel. It sounds cheesy but we can all make a difference every day with a little compassion, thoughtfulness & kindness. And in addition, the circles represent my jewellery - circles of colour, joy and comfort!
4) How did you come up with your designs?
To be honest, my Ellie Bea Jewellery designs capture everything I love - beautiful fabrics, bright & beautiful pastel shades, floral prints & uplifting stripes, thoughtful words and ofcourse my long love of jewellery!
5) Can I send a gift direct to my friend?
All my Ellie Bea Jewellery items are wrapped beautifully in cotton pouches and tissue paper, so they are all ready for giving and I can send them direct to your friends and family too. Simply add their address in the "Shipping" section and if you could like me to include a handwritten note for you that's free of charge too - just pop your message in the box at the checkout and I will include a postcard message for you. The perfect way to send a last minute gift straight to their door!