FRESHERS: 9 Stylish Back To school Items

1. Small Cactus Notebook

2. Rushton Holdall

3. Raindrop Multi List Book

4. Indian Foil Storage Box

5. Harry Potter Notebook

6. Stardust Stationery Set

7. Baxter Dome Backpack

8. WHITE OUT – 2016/17 Academic Wall Calander

9. Umbrella Pattern Pencil Case/Pouch

 

(From left to right)

1. Small Cactus Notebook from Not Only Polka Dots at Etsy.com : £4.00 + P&P 

If you’re still not quite ready to let go of summer then keep the holiday feel alive with one of Not Only Polka Dot’s tropical notebooks, they’re cute and vibrant bringing a bit more colour to your everyday! They also have a clipboard and larger version of this notebook available!

Link: Not Only Polka Dots

2. Rushton Holdall Bag from Topshop.com : £29.00

Make this one of your cheapest and best investments this year! It’s black and it’s spacious, what more can you need from a bag? This holdall goes with everything and is ideal for carrying all your everyday essentials. It’s both smart and casual.

Link:  Holdall Bag

3. Raindrops Multi List Book from Paperchase.com : £8.00

OK, so admittedly you can probably make your to do lists in a normal notebook if you’re really organised, but what’s the point in being average? What better way to make yourself seem extra pro-active than with a tasteful, bright to do list that is perfect for slipping into your bag.

Link:  Multi List Book

4. Indian Foil Large Stationery Box from Paperchase.com : £12.00

Maybe not an essential, but if you have the extra cash why not opt for this cute box to style your boring University room. Stash those revision cards away in style and for some extra organisation why not add dividers to not only keep them out of sight, but also easy to locate.

Link: Large Stationery Box

5. Harry Potter Notebook from Simply Notebook at Etsy.com : £5.30+ + P&P

For all those Harry Potter fans out there, what better way to distract yourself from the reality of uni than imagining you were casting your spells at Hogwarts? Simply Notebooks has a beautiful collection to suit all types of personalities, from stylish marble covers to more graphic planners there’s one for everyone, see whats on offer on their website!

Link: Simply NoteBooks

6. Stardust Stationery Set from Accessorise.com:  £7.00

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a massive fan of stationery, and when it comes to it I quite like for them to be matching and as well as that I’m a  big christmas fan and this is why this stardust set is perfect. It has a christmassy feel with its golden colour scheme and star patterns and gives you everything you’re realistically going to need, get some post-stick notes and you’re ready to go!

Link: Stationery Set

7. Baxtor Dome Backpack from Accessorise.com : £35.00

Accessorise always have plenty of bags to choose from, but this season along with the blue Amani Mini Backpack this has to be my favourite. The autumn colour as well as it’s backpack style makes it the perfect day-to-day bag. With two additional side pockets, you should be able to fit everything you’ll need whether you’re going to campus or going into town.

Link: Backpack

8. WHITE OUT 2016-17 Academic Year Wall Calendar from Shot Tower Studio at Etsy.com :  £15.00 + P&P

Subtle, yet, classy. If you’re not into having pictures of some random dogs or cats on a calendar why not go for a more slick and sharp option that’s a lot more pleasing to the eye. Then you don’t have to worry whether it matches your wallpaper or get impatient waiting for the month with the picture you like the most. They have more to chose from, but most keep the formal and simple vibe.

Link: Shot Tower Studio

9. Umbrella Pencil Case from Elena Illustration at Etsy.com : £8.00 + P&P 

Unlike no.1 if you’ve finally accepted that the sunshine is disappearing and the nights are getting longer than embrace the weather by buying one of these adorable watercolored pencil cases, that despite the weather they represent remain colourful and cute.

Link: Elena Illustration

 

 

 

An Interview with Laura Elisa, Creator of Gemwaith Elisa Jewellery

The Young Collective’s Founder Lauren Edwards spoke to 21-year-old, Laura Elisa Simpson about the beginning of her beautiful handmade enamel and copper jewellery business.

That moment just after you crawl into bed is when we all begin to develop crazy ideas and draw up optimistic business plans. But, for most of us, we wake up in the morning and almost certainly shrug of the spontaneous ideas thought of the night before.

After a period of ill health last year, Laura Simpson decided she needed something to do in order to occupy her time: “I wanted something to do at home when I felt up to it. I read a lot about jewellery making and enamelling was a technique which caught my eye, mainly because it was possible to add colour to the jewellery.” Even with no previous experience, Laura decided she felt up to the challenge, “I had no jewellery making skills, but once I felt a bit better I taught myself. Before I knew it I had bought a kiln and was bringing my ideas to life.”

Not many people have a hobby they believe they can take to the next level and develop into a business, never mind a young adult who has taken on something entirely new. Yet speaking to Laura she makes it sound so simple: “I enjoyed it so much that I just wanted to share my work with others. I shared some pictures of my jewellery on my personal social media and people seemed to like my work, so I took the leap.” With that began the beginning of ‘Gemwaith Elisa Jewellery’.

“At the start, when I was learning I would just saw out simple shapes and enamel them in one colour, just to get my sawing and enamelling techniques up to scratch. I now have a scrapbook where I put down my ideas.” Although, her jewellery is mostly custom made to order there’s still a very much personal touch to her pieces “My Welsh roots reflect in some of my designs, along with the shapes and colours I love. I also love adding text to my jewellery to add meaning.” Her business has only been up and running since earlier this year but, Laura worked on getting the technique down a couple of months prior to ensure the best possible outcome for her designs: “I saw the shape out of the copper sheet, file it and enamel it in a kiln. Most pieces go into the kiln around 6 times. I also make stud earrings and rings, which is of a similar process.”

Her pieces are up on Etsy, you can also find her on Instagram and on her Facebook page. With social media making it easier to spread the word about upcoming designers, there’s a lot to say when Laura takes her pieces to a local fair not too far from her home town, giving her the chance to interact with her customers for an even more personal touch. When asked about whether Gemwaith Elisa Jewellery is full-time she explains: “At the moment it’s a full-time job as I get ill from time to time. Having my workspace at home means I can rest when I need to. I’m planning to continue with my jewellery making as a side-line business as soon as I am able to work away from home again.”

As I’m someone that gets incredibly enthusiastic about ideas that run around in my head I asked Laura what she would say to other people who wanted to get started on a business or idea of their own. “If you have a business idea you’re passionate about, go for it! You don’t need a swanky workspace to start a small business; you can run it from the comfort of your own home. To be honest, starting my own business was never something I wanted to do, things change and life can be challenging; you have to adapt and carry on the best you can. Determination is all you need.”

Go and check out Laura’s social media’s or Etsy page and see her pretty pieces for yourself!

https://www.facebook.com/gemwaithelisajewellery/

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JewelleryElisa

https://www.instagram.com/gemwaith_elisa_jewellery/