Stella & Dot - I'm all signed up...

I first hear about Stella & Dot via my fantastic blog friend Maria from Very Busy Mama. She had been sporting a few of their gorgeous pieces of jewellery given to her by Kristin Biggs who is a Stylist for Stella & Dot in the US. Maria kept telling me how much she was in love with their range of jewellery and how much she knew I'd love it too...

Well, I took a look at their website and Maria was right, I was quickly creating a wish list in my head of what Stella & Dot pieces I'd like to be rocking.  At first I was going to be a hostess and have a UK stylist come to my house and hold a trunk show (rather like Tupperware parties of the past and Ann Summers parties) but I just knew at the back of my head that really, I'd like to become a stylist myself.

Since having Ethan, I've not gone back to work.  My last working day was the 1st of May 2009 (Ethan wasn't born until the 15th July!!!) and I haven't missed it.  Yes, I've wished at times that I was doing something other than being a SAHM but not matter how hard it's been, I've never wished I was back in my old office.  I worked with some lovely people, but that was about it.  The pay wasn't great and the work was pretty mundane.  It was just something I had to do.  Now though, Ethan will be starting pre-school in September (admittedly only for 9 hours a week!) and I am ready for a new challenge.  It has to be something I can easily fit around childcare though.  How many jobs do you know that will let you work 3 hour shifts a couple of times a week?  Not many I'd think.. Most like you to commit to far more.  I want to be in control of my time.  Especially as I hope to be pregnant again soon.  Something I can work hard at when I want and hold back on a bit when I'm stressed/tired/breastfeeding a newborn.  Stella & Dot really seemed like the right thing for me.

It's very early days at this stage, I've only just signed up and received my first jewellery samples (they aren't free, you pay £170 ish to sign up as a stylist (I can't remember the exact amount!) but this does include a heap of (very heavy!) look books/magazines, invitations, a diary, learning tools and jewellery to the value of £300.  Not bad really.  I must admit that the reason I took so long to decide was the money side of things.  It's no small thing for me to hand over the best part of £200 but in the end I decided it was worth the risk.  In theory I should be able to cover my initial costs pretty quickly, but I am realistic and expecting it to perhaps take a little longer.  Who knows!

When the jewellery arrived yesterday, I was very excited.  The first thing I noticed was how gorgeous the packaging is.  They've made a real effort to make your purchases feel special, like a treat.  I'm not usually interested in packaging because normally it goes straight into the recycling and therefore, the less packaging the better I usually feel.  This packaging is so nice though, I'm going to keep it because it makes pretty good storage for the jewellery!!  Especially as I'll need to take it to and from trunk shows and keep it in tiptop condition.

I am now in the process of sorting out my first trunk show.  I'm going to host the first show at my house.  As a stylist you are allowed to host your own show twice a year.  My sponsor, Kristin Biggs (the lovely lady in America who gave Maria her pieces) has told me that it's a good idea to host your two shows early on because you can earn a lot of free jewellery credits which of course is a good idea because I want to build up my collection - that way I'll have more to show off at future shows.

I really am quite excited.  I'm nervous as well.  I'm nervous I won't make a success of it.  That no one will like the jewellery (how though?!) or that no one will spend any money.  It is difficult because many of my friends are on a tight budget and have young children so may not feel investing in jewellery is a good idea, but I hope that they will still buy a little something, even if it becomes something you wear only on special occasions.  However, Stella & Dot do make bags as well, and what woman doesn't need (ehem, want!) a new bag?

If you are reading this and think you fancy the idea of hosting a trunk show, do let me know.  I'm based in the North Somerset/Bristol area so can travel around that distance.  But who knows - contact me and we can always discuss options.  You can also purchase Stella & Dot jewellery online via my stylist page.  If you think you like the idea of becoming a stylist yourself, again, let me know.  I can help you with any questions you have and can even (if you like) be  all, my sponsor is in America!

I hope to regularly post on my blog about my shows and new peices I get, new seasons jewllery etc but if you want, you can also "like" my dedicated facebook page to be kept up to date with news!  Don't worry, I'm not stopping all my usual blog posts, it's business as usual... just with some new business added in!!