Blog Modules

Industry, Products

Meet new IJL 2016 exhibitor Grew & Co

by IJL •

Australian fine jewellery brand Grew & Co will bring its signature collections and speciality Mokume Gane techniques to International Jewellery London in September.

Here, we speak to Grew & Co’s Gabrielle Grew to find out more about the brand’s signature style, its success in the Australian market and why breaking into the UK industry is so important to Grew & Co’s international growth…

Q: Can you tell us more about the history of Grew & Co and how the brand developed?

GG: Our company was established in 2006 and part of the collection has been available for the past 5 years in the wholesale market. The other more recent collection has been available in our local market for 18 months. We are well-respected brand in the jewellery community and wedding industry in Australia with our team having over 40 years of experience in jewellery design and manufacturing.

Q: One of your specialisms lies in the Mokume Gane technique – can you explain more about what this is?

GG: Our head designer Simon Grew leads a team of jewellers and designers with international and local expertise with a high level of skill in the Mokume Gane technique, which resembles the grain of timber with precious gold. As a result, pieces are very distinctive and organic in appearance.

The other collection we offer features the darkest metal that occurs naturally on the periodic table, Tantalum. Lined with gold and textured patterns these are contemporary, sophisticated alternatives for the modern couple seeking bridal jewellery. Tantalum is a grey element known for its rarity, durability, ductility and non-reactive properties. Tantalum’s understated colour and special characteristics make it a perfect choice for the customer looking for the unusual.

Q: As this is your first IJL what do you hope to achieve at the show and what sort of visitors are you trying to reach? 

GG: Our collection is very distinct and unique so we hope to attract buyers looking to offer their customer a new and interesting alternative for a very savvy and design-minded individual.

Q: Is growing in the UK market a priority for Grew & Co and what do you think British consumers will see in the brand? 

GG: Establishing our brand and in the UK is an enormous priority. We feel our products will resonate with British consumers who appreciate the high level of craftsmanship and unique materials behind each Grew & Co piece.

Q: If you could talk directly to the retailers and buyers that attend IJL what would you tell the about Grew & Co? 

GG: The design values behind our collection are of beautifully understated natural textures combined with a various combinations of warm colours and tones. While being perfectly executed our work is not over refined reflecting the wearer’s individuality. Our product is aimed at a design oriented consumer looking for a point of difference. Overall, Grew & Co is a fashion-forward brand creating Australian made products based on quality and innovation.

 

Industry

5 minutes with: IJL 2016 exhibitor Sutton Tools

by IJL •

Here, Betts Metal Sales operations director and group sales manager, Karen Martin, explains why Sutton Tools will exhibit at this year’s International Jewellery London and reveals the pieces of equipment that have performed strongly this year… 

Q: Why did Sutton Tools decide that 2016 was the year to exhibit at IJL?

KM: The feedback from other exhibitors over the last few years has been good, this together with the fact that Sutton Tools has now been acquired by Betts Metal Sales will  make it a vehicle for us to show our exciting product offering that not only covers jewellery tools but bullion and an extensive range of wedding rings.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about the history of the company and the sort of services you provide? 

KM: Both companies have a combined history of almost 400 years of serving the jewellery trade, we are managed by the ninth consecutive generation of the same family. We supply refining services, jewellery finishing services as well as all jewellery related products. The front-end staff we employ all have jewellery related experience, so you can really talk in depth to an expert about the products you are buying or the service you require.

Q: Are there any new innovations in technology for the jewellery industry that have impressed you recently? 

KM: We are the sole distributor for the PUK 5 a  precision welder from Lampert and we will be demonstrating this at the show. Obviously 3D printing is an exciting new development and we are looking at this carefully to see what we can introduce to our range. When we select innovative tooling, we like to be able to demonstrate the benefits and understand their place in the market before we just offer anything as part of our selection.

We are also launching a training room in our Suttons Trade counter later this year, where we will demonstrating all our tooling and holding specific workshops.

Q: What are your aims for 2016 and are there any areas you hope to expand in?  

With our long history of service to the jewellery trade, we believe we are well placed to offer a well- rounded customer experience, we believe we offer great customer service delivered by staff who are practised in the art of jewellery making and refining.

We want to offer a service where all jewellery making products and advice are available, our motto “Cant find it…Betts will” will be extended to cover the Suttons range as well. We are looking at new technology with the tooling area and will be introducing new lines and demonstrating them at the IJL show.

People

UKJA Finalist Eleni Zolia on her booming brand, Zolia Jewellery

by IJL •

International Jewellery London is thrilled to be supporting the Retail Jeweller UK Jewellery Awards New Designer of the Year category in 2016.

To celebrate, we’re finding out a little bit more about the shortlisted designer-makers and brands, including Eleni Zolia, jewellery designer and founder of Zolia Jewellery.

Here, Eleni explains why her sculptural jewellery naturally attracts a confident customer, and reveals the organisational questions she would ask an industry mentor…

Q: When did you establish your brand and what is your background in jewellery design?

EZ: Zolia Jewellery was founded in 2015 and it came a while after my postgraduate studies. I have an MA in Jewellery, Silversmithing and Related Products from the Birmingham City University School of Jewellery. Previously, I had gained solid silversmithing and jewellery design foundations during my vocational training at the Mokume Institute in Athens, Greece. However, I should add that there are always aspects in jewellery design and making that I learned and learn by myself, and by being a professional in the sector as a way to develop myself and keep my work fresh.

Q: How would you describe your design style and is there a particular woman you design for?

EZ: My design style is sculptural and imposing. Zolia Jewellery flirts with the idea of jewellery being a form of sculpture and sculpture being a form of jewellery. Wearable pieces of art with an eccentric and quirky essence are transformed into unconventional pieces of jewellery. Fluid, futuristic curves in harmony with angles create the unique signature.

The woman that wears Zolia Jewellery is a confident, cultured and stylish woman who seeks individuality and wants to wear statement pieces of jewellery that underline her personality. She appreciates the unique style, the arts and the craftsmanship.

Q: Do you have any key collections or stand-out pieces that always seem to draw attention?

EZ: The big rings are always the pieces that stand out for the uniqueness of their design and for the fact that, even their size and unconventional shape, they are very comfortable and easy to wear as they fit the anatomy of the hand perfectly. The large pendants also intrigue people because of the concepts that are hidden behind them and their highly detailed craftsmanship.

Q: What is it like being a new designer in the UK jewellery industry?

EZ: The UK jewellery industry is huge, complicated and involves diverse styles and customers, but it is not chaotic. Everything and everyone, after a persistent effort, can fit. There are many things to learn and many paths to discover. So it is exciting and challenging in a good, self-developing way.

Q: If you could learn one thing from a mentor or peer in the industry what would it be?

EZ: How to keep up with everything! Honestly, since this is my first year in business, I have to multi-task. I design and make the jewellery, which is the main and most thrilling part, but at the same time I am responsible for almost everything else from the website and graphics to marketing and contacts. There are far too many things in my to-do-list. So I could use a tip or two about that and probably get some more hints on how to develop Zolia Jewellery as a business.

Q: Finally, do you have any experience exhibiting at IJL and what are your impressions of the show?

EZ: I was an exhibitor at IJL in September 2015 and it was my first appearance in the jewellery sector. I was noticed by wholesale customers, some of them high-profile ones, and that led to stockists and relations with the prospect of future stockists. On top of it the advertisement that came from magazines and blogs contributed significantly to the brand awareness of Zolia Jewellery.

In short, the IJL exhibition played the most vital role in the development and exposure of Zolia Jewellery that brought me to the point of being shortlisted for New Designer of the Year 2016. I am already planning for my stand in the Design Gallery next September!

Education, Industry, News, People

Utilising LinkedIn as a tool for business success by Warren Knight

by IJL • • 2 Comments

Social media and SME growth coach Warren Knight worked with International Jewellery London in 2015 to bring you ‘Think #Digital First’ – a book specifically focused on how the jewellery industry can adapt to social media and digital technologies to grow their businesses.

Knight will return to IJL this year to share more of his social media top tips, including his latest research on the power of LinkedIn. To give you a taste of what’s to come, we asked Knight to share his essential advice on how to grow your business using LinkedIn, and why it can be more than just a CV hosting service…

300 Million business can’t be wrong… Or can they?

Everyone talks about Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as a tool to use for increasing brand awareness and getting sales, but what about LinkedIn?

More than 5 million businesses in the UK have a profile and set up a company page on LinkedIn, and 1 out of 3 professionals on the planet have a LinkedIn account. The average user is on LinkedIn for 7.3 minutes per day, and 62% of businesses log in to their LinkedIn account when at home. The B2B social network is just as important as the likes of Facebook, and Twitter and as a Jewellery business, you could be missing out on finding new prospects to generate sales by not utilising LinkedIn.

As someone who has eight years of experience in social media I can say that LinkedIn (along with Twitter) has been one of the biggest sales drivers for me, and I want it to be the same for you. I am going to share with you some tips and tricks around using LinkedIn for your Jewellery business.

  1. Optimise Your Profile With Keywords

Having a LinkedIn account is great, but if you aren’t completing your profile 100%, and using the right keywords, you won’t attract the business you want from LinkedIn. Think about the Jewellery industry and your business. Where does your expertise lie?

  1. Custom URL

Whilst this isn’t specific to the Jewellery industry, this is an important step. To be easily found on LinkedIn, you do need to create your custom URL, sometimes called a “vanity URL”.

  1. Position Yourself As An Expert

When creating your LinkedIn profile, use keywords that build your authority. For example, using the likes of “award-winning” or “25 years in the jewellery industry” will help position yourself as an expert. Building trust through experience is how a person is successful on LinkedIn.

  1. Share Relevant Content

I use LinkedIn for so many different things, but the biggest engagement driver is when I share my content with my LinkedIn audience. As an authoritative figure in the Jewellery industry, share the content you write with your audience. This is a great way to increase exposure around your business, and to build your name in the jewellery industry.

  1. Build Your Community

There are so many different ways you can build your community within the LinkedIn sphere. Comment on your connections posts, ask questions (and answer them where relevant), join groups, create your own groups and be completely transparent online.

  1. Avoid The Hard Sell

As I wrote in my previous article, understanding your target customer as well as their pain is what is most important when using social media. Don’t use LinkedIn to sell, sell, sell. This is not what social media is about. You can achieve your goals by connecting on an emotional level rather than constantly talking about you, and your products.

  1. Give Recommendations and Endorsements

A recommendation on LinkedIn is almost like a review, and takes more time and effort than an endorsement. Take the time to give recommendations to those you have worked with as chances are, they will reciprocate.

  1. Use Quality Visuals

The way you present yourself on LinkedIn, or any other social network is extremely important. Use professional photo’s only for LinkedIn as it is specifically a business network.

Don’t forget to stay consistent and engage with as many people as possible. Whether you are looking for stores to stock your jewellery, or wanting to build your business profile in the jewellery industry, always be proactive, and transparent online.

Treat LinkedIn as part of your “customer experience” strategy… just because LinkedIn is a professional network, it doesn’t mean that it should be treated different to the likes of Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Want to find out more?

Warren Knight will be running a complimentary LinkedIn webinar on the 19th April, at 7pm GMT on how to generate sales using LinkedIn. In this one hour webinar, Knight will explain how to…

  • Find potential customers using LinkedIn’s search functionality
  • Get to the top of LinkedIn for your specific keywords in less than 60 seconds
  • Utilise all of LinkedIn’s features to put you one step ahead of your competition
  • How to share targeted and relevant industry information
  • Build your LinkedIn business network to over 500 connections
  • How to find, and connect with channel partners
  • Design and implement an online networking strategy, specific for LinkedIn
  • How to become an expert, and position yourself as this on LinkedIn

Visit IJL 2016 from 4th-6th September at Olympia Grand to hear more from our inspiring line-up of industry experts and speakers.

www.TitusPowell.com

Industry, Products

Meet new IJL 2016 exhibitor Grew & Co

by IJL •

Australian fine jewellery brand Grew & Co will bring its signature collections and speciality Mokume Gane techniques to International Jewellery London in September.

Here, we speak to Grew & Co’s Gabrielle Grew to find out more about the brand’s signature style, its success in the Australian market and why breaking into the UK industry is so important to Grew & Co’s international growth…

Q: Can you tell us more about the history of Grew & Co and how the brand developed?

GG: Our company was established in 2006 and part of the collection has been available for the past 5 years in the wholesale market. The other more recent collection has been available in our local market for 18 months. We are well-respected brand in the jewellery community and wedding industry in Australia with our team having over 40 years of experience in jewellery design and manufacturing.

Q: One of your specialisms lies in the Mokume Gane technique – can you explain more about what this is?

GG: Our head designer Simon Grew leads a team of jewellers and designers with international and local expertise with a high level of skill in the Mokume Gane technique, which resembles the grain of timber with precious gold. As a result, pieces are very distinctive and organic in appearance.

The other collection we offer features the darkest metal that occurs naturally on the periodic table, Tantalum. Lined with gold and textured patterns these are contemporary, sophisticated alternatives for the modern couple seeking bridal jewellery. Tantalum is a grey element known for its rarity, durability, ductility and non-reactive properties. Tantalum’s understated colour and special characteristics make it a perfect choice for the customer looking for the unusual.

Q: As this is your first IJL what do you hope to achieve at the show and what sort of visitors are you trying to reach? 

GG: Our collection is very distinct and unique so we hope to attract buyers looking to offer their customer a new and interesting alternative for a very savvy and design-minded individual.

Q: Is growing in the UK market a priority for Grew & Co and what do you think British consumers will see in the brand? 

GG: Establishing our brand and in the UK is an enormous priority. We feel our products will resonate with British consumers who appreciate the high level of craftsmanship and unique materials behind each Grew & Co piece.

Q: If you could talk directly to the retailers and buyers that attend IJL what would you tell the about Grew & Co? 

GG: The design values behind our collection are of beautifully understated natural textures combined with a various combinations of warm colours and tones. While being perfectly executed our work is not over refined reflecting the wearer’s individuality. Our product is aimed at a design oriented consumer looking for a point of difference. Overall, Grew & Co is a fashion-forward brand creating Australian made products based on quality and innovation.

 

Industry

5 minutes with: IJL 2016 exhibitor Sutton Tools

by IJL •

Here, Betts Metal Sales operations director and group sales manager, Karen Martin, explains why Sutton Tools will exhibit at this year’s International Jewellery London and reveals the pieces of equipment that have performed strongly this year… 

Q: Why did Sutton Tools decide that 2016 was the year to exhibit at IJL?

KM: The feedback from other exhibitors over the last few years has been good, this together with the fact that Sutton Tools has now been acquired by Betts Metal Sales will  make it a vehicle for us to show our exciting product offering that not only covers jewellery tools but bullion and an extensive range of wedding rings.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about the history of the company and the sort of services you provide? 

KM: Both companies have a combined history of almost 400 years of serving the jewellery trade, we are managed by the ninth consecutive generation of the same family. We supply refining services, jewellery finishing services as well as all jewellery related products. The front-end staff we employ all have jewellery related experience, so you can really talk in depth to an expert about the products you are buying or the service you require.

Q: Are there any new innovations in technology for the jewellery industry that have impressed you recently? 

KM: We are the sole distributor for the PUK 5 a  precision welder from Lampert and we will be demonstrating this at the show. Obviously 3D printing is an exciting new development and we are looking at this carefully to see what we can introduce to our range. When we select innovative tooling, we like to be able to demonstrate the benefits and understand their place in the market before we just offer anything as part of our selection.

We are also launching a training room in our Suttons Trade counter later this year, where we will demonstrating all our tooling and holding specific workshops.

Q: What are your aims for 2016 and are there any areas you hope to expand in?  

With our long history of service to the jewellery trade, we believe we are well placed to offer a well- rounded customer experience, we believe we offer great customer service delivered by staff who are practised in the art of jewellery making and refining.

We want to offer a service where all jewellery making products and advice are available, our motto “Cant find it…Betts will” will be extended to cover the Suttons range as well. We are looking at new technology with the tooling area and will be introducing new lines and demonstrating them at the IJL show.

People

UKJA Finalist Eleni Zolia on her booming brand, Zolia Jewellery

by IJL •

International Jewellery London is thrilled to be supporting the Retail Jeweller UK Jewellery Awards New Designer of the Year category in 2016.

To celebrate, we’re finding out a little bit more about the shortlisted designer-makers and brands, including Eleni Zolia, jewellery designer and founder of Zolia Jewellery.

Here, Eleni explains why her sculptural jewellery naturally attracts a confident customer, and reveals the organisational questions she would ask an industry mentor…

Q: When did you establish your brand and what is your background in jewellery design?

EZ: Zolia Jewellery was founded in 2015 and it came a while after my postgraduate studies. I have an MA in Jewellery, Silversmithing and Related Products from the Birmingham City University School of Jewellery. Previously, I had gained solid silversmithing and jewellery design foundations during my vocational training at the Mokume Institute in Athens, Greece. However, I should add that there are always aspects in jewellery design and making that I learned and learn by myself, and by being a professional in the sector as a way to develop myself and keep my work fresh.

Q: How would you describe your design style and is there a particular woman you design for?

EZ: My design style is sculptural and imposing. Zolia Jewellery flirts with the idea of jewellery being a form of sculpture and sculpture being a form of jewellery. Wearable pieces of art with an eccentric and quirky essence are transformed into unconventional pieces of jewellery. Fluid, futuristic curves in harmony with angles create the unique signature.

The woman that wears Zolia Jewellery is a confident, cultured and stylish woman who seeks individuality and wants to wear statement pieces of jewellery that underline her personality. She appreciates the unique style, the arts and the craftsmanship.

Q: Do you have any key collections or stand-out pieces that always seem to draw attention?

EZ: The big rings are always the pieces that stand out for the uniqueness of their design and for the fact that, even their size and unconventional shape, they are very comfortable and easy to wear as they fit the anatomy of the hand perfectly. The large pendants also intrigue people because of the concepts that are hidden behind them and their highly detailed craftsmanship.

Q: What is it like being a new designer in the UK jewellery industry?

EZ: The UK jewellery industry is huge, complicated and involves diverse styles and customers, but it is not chaotic. Everything and everyone, after a persistent effort, can fit. There are many things to learn and many paths to discover. So it is exciting and challenging in a good, self-developing way.

Q: If you could learn one thing from a mentor or peer in the industry what would it be?

EZ: How to keep up with everything! Honestly, since this is my first year in business, I have to multi-task. I design and make the jewellery, which is the main and most thrilling part, but at the same time I am responsible for almost everything else from the website and graphics to marketing and contacts. There are far too many things in my to-do-list. So I could use a tip or two about that and probably get some more hints on how to develop Zolia Jewellery as a business.

Q: Finally, do you have any experience exhibiting at IJL and what are your impressions of the show?

EZ: I was an exhibitor at IJL in September 2015 and it was my first appearance in the jewellery sector. I was noticed by wholesale customers, some of them high-profile ones, and that led to stockists and relations with the prospect of future stockists. On top of it the advertisement that came from magazines and blogs contributed significantly to the brand awareness of Zolia Jewellery.

In short, the IJL exhibition played the most vital role in the development and exposure of Zolia Jewellery that brought me to the point of being shortlisted for New Designer of the Year 2016. I am already planning for my stand in the Design Gallery next September!

Education, Industry, News, People

Utilising LinkedIn as a tool for business success by Warren Knight

by IJL • • 2 Comments

Social media and SME growth coach Warren Knight worked with International Jewellery London in 2015 to bring you ‘Think #Digital First’ – a book specifically focused on how the jewellery industry can adapt to social media and digital technologies to grow their businesses.

Knight will return to IJL this year to share more of his social media top tips, including his latest research on the power of LinkedIn. To give you a taste of what’s to come, we asked Knight to share his essential advice on how to grow your business using LinkedIn, and why it can be more than just a CV hosting service…

300 Million business can’t be wrong… Or can they?

Everyone talks about Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as a tool to use for increasing brand awareness and getting sales, but what about LinkedIn?

More than 5 million businesses in the UK have a profile and set up a company page on LinkedIn, and 1 out of 3 professionals on the planet have a LinkedIn account. The average user is on LinkedIn for 7.3 minutes per day, and 62% of businesses log in to their LinkedIn account when at home. The B2B social network is just as important as the likes of Facebook, and Twitter and as a Jewellery business, you could be missing out on finding new prospects to generate sales by not utilising LinkedIn.

As someone who has eight years of experience in social media I can say that LinkedIn (along with Twitter) has been one of the biggest sales drivers for me, and I want it to be the same for you. I am going to share with you some tips and tricks around using LinkedIn for your Jewellery business.

  1. Optimise Your Profile With Keywords

Having a LinkedIn account is great, but if you aren’t completing your profile 100%, and using the right keywords, you won’t attract the business you want from LinkedIn. Think about the Jewellery industry and your business. Where does your expertise lie?

  1. Custom URL

Whilst this isn’t specific to the Jewellery industry, this is an important step. To be easily found on LinkedIn, you do need to create your custom URL, sometimes called a “vanity URL”.

  1. Position Yourself As An Expert

When creating your LinkedIn profile, use keywords that build your authority. For example, using the likes of “award-winning” or “25 years in the jewellery industry” will help position yourself as an expert. Building trust through experience is how a person is successful on LinkedIn.

  1. Share Relevant Content

I use LinkedIn for so many different things, but the biggest engagement driver is when I share my content with my LinkedIn audience. As an authoritative figure in the Jewellery industry, share the content you write with your audience. This is a great way to increase exposure around your business, and to build your name in the jewellery industry.

  1. Build Your Community

There are so many different ways you can build your community within the LinkedIn sphere. Comment on your connections posts, ask questions (and answer them where relevant), join groups, create your own groups and be completely transparent online.

  1. Avoid The Hard Sell

As I wrote in my previous article, understanding your target customer as well as their pain is what is most important when using social media. Don’t use LinkedIn to sell, sell, sell. This is not what social media is about. You can achieve your goals by connecting on an emotional level rather than constantly talking about you, and your products.

  1. Give Recommendations and Endorsements

A recommendation on LinkedIn is almost like a review, and takes more time and effort than an endorsement. Take the time to give recommendations to those you have worked with as chances are, they will reciprocate.

  1. Use Quality Visuals

The way you present yourself on LinkedIn, or any other social network is extremely important. Use professional photo’s only for LinkedIn as it is specifically a business network.

Don’t forget to stay consistent and engage with as many people as possible. Whether you are looking for stores to stock your jewellery, or wanting to build your business profile in the jewellery industry, always be proactive, and transparent online.

Treat LinkedIn as part of your “customer experience” strategy… just because LinkedIn is a professional network, it doesn’t mean that it should be treated different to the likes of Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Want to find out more?

Warren Knight will be running a complimentary LinkedIn webinar on the 19th April, at 7pm GMT on how to generate sales using LinkedIn. In this one hour webinar, Knight will explain how to…

  • Find potential customers using LinkedIn’s search functionality
  • Get to the top of LinkedIn for your specific keywords in less than 60 seconds
  • Utilise all of LinkedIn’s features to put you one step ahead of your competition
  • How to share targeted and relevant industry information
  • Build your LinkedIn business network to over 500 connections
  • How to find, and connect with channel partners
  • Design and implement an online networking strategy, specific for LinkedIn
  • How to become an expert, and position yourself as this on LinkedIn

Visit IJL 2016 from 4th-6th September at Olympia Grand to hear more from our inspiring line-up of industry experts and speakers.

www.TitusPowell.com