A day in the life of Shona, mum, wife, jewellery maker, LIFE JUGGLER ETC ETC ETC!

Precious Memories website at http://www.precious-memories.co.uk/

As I write this David Cameron, yes The David Cameron, the Priminister is on the Steve Wright in the afternoon show (yes ok, I listen to ‘Old FM’ lol).  I am wondering if a man as busy as that can make time for an interview then I need to look at his time management skills.  I could use an extra couple of hours each day.

My day started with me quickly logging on to my work e-mail & our team facebook pages just to touch base & check I haven’t missed anything.  I love the fact that the team all support each other, I can post a question & invariably there are a few instant responses from someone with a possible solution, it’s great.

So then it is on to the normal Monday morning stuff, school bags, reading books & homework back in (don’t forget Teagan’s swimming stuff!), pack lunches (note to self, remember Aris didn’t eat that new biscuit, was she full or did she not like it?), laundry on, dishwasher stacked, dog/cats/chickens fed & eggs collected. It sounds like we live on a farm, no just a normal (slightly mad) house.

I love my job with Precious Memories, not only do I get to make the most stunning bespoke jewellery for people but it all fits in around my life, especially my 2 girls & our Great Dane pup.  Today is no exception.  School run has been run. Followed by a quick visit to my boss.  Who doesn’t love a meeting with the boss sitting in a sunny garden drinking a cool coke whilst planning the priorities for this week ahead, no stuffy offices for me 🙂

my first piece of work creating a child’s drawing on a pendant.

I have been a mum for nearly 10 years and have been trying to find a job that would fit me & not the other way round.  My youngest daughter is only 6 and I still want to be there to pick her up & hear about the highs (& lows) of her day as well as help Aris with homework etc.  Now I can do that.  To say I feel more alive & fulfilled now is an understatement.  I am so glad I joined this company. I am looking forward to a busy and bright future.

Right, the school run has been run again & my house is full again and it is time for tea for the girls, dog, cats…..but not the chickens, they get to eat all day.  Have I eaten? mmm best I grab a bite too.

I can’t sit here tell you all about my day or my time management will be right out of the window. So please excuse me I have tea to cook.

Did I say busy?  Well I am a mum!!!  And David Cameron, well on reflection, I’m doing ok, he has staff.  I realise don’t need his tips after all.

Shona Murray

(e) shonam@precious-memories.co.uk
http://www.precious-memories.co.uk
head of the South Studio, Jewellery for Precious Memories

Mums Who Juggle

Precious Memories website at http://www.precious-memories.co.uk/

Black Eyed Peas is blasting out on the radio, as I sit in the kitchen writing this with my youngest daughter who is eating baked beans for lunch. No-one could ever describe life at the Hickmott home as normal. This morning began with Savana throwing up (so no need to call the office to say I can’t come in), a list of emails to do, laundry, tidy the house, food shopping and completion required on a proposal for a huge corporate company to which I am visiting the head office after the weekend. To say I have learnt to juggle is an understatement, but would I change my life?– quite simply “no”.

Since I became a mum 7 years ago, I was in the fortunate position to stay at home when my daughter Bailey was born. However, I was not one to sit and twiddle my thumbs, so taught myself to create 3d casts. At the time, it was for family and friends but as time passed, my hobby became a business, which today exceeds all expectations. I am constantly asked “how on earth do you do it?”, I do not have any magical answers, it is sheer hard work requiring endless amounts of energy, and I have certainly learnt to juggle my time as a mum, wife and business owner. But in summary I would say some of the key aspects are:-

Time – Management:- As a mum I ensure that I have quality time with my girls and work just has to wait. There have been times when plans have changed, but I have always talked things through with my girls and at 3 and 7 they are incredibly supportive. When I first began creating casts the nature of the job allowed me to do this with the girls around and this is a significant factor in why so many mums are now joining the company. Without fail they go to bed by 7 pm every evening and are brilliant at doing so. Routine was key and from an early age I have never had any problems at bedtime with them. I then know I have time to do my emails and telephone calls and have a glass of wine!

Support:- Having a good support network is key, sharing taking and collecting the girls from school with my husband and other mums. Within the company, they have my support as well as the support for each other.

Multi-tasking – I am often doing 3 or 4 things at the same time without realising it. The moment you become a mum you learnt to adapt often using one arm as you carry your baby in the other. Buy the shopping, whilst confirming a booking on my mobile, and watching your child does not run off to the sweet aisle. Being able to adapt naturally has helped me to juggle my daily life.

Flexibility:- Throughout life I have always had an open mind and when you become a mum your life is turned upside down. The ability to adapt in different situations is so important and I love the fact that I am now in a position where I can offer a job which offers flexibility for others.

Work :- No matter how good the deal, there are always cons. These include being constantly busy and telling myself there is only so much time in a day, so set myself realistic targets. I remain very grounded and take each day as it comes knowing that without a certain amount of self- belief, the business would not be where it is today. Against all odds in the current climate, I am thriving and feel very honoured to now be in a position where I can offer an attainable low cost entrance fee back into work helping a large group of frustrated mums to find a way out from a mundane job, encouraging them to build on their creative skills in a job working around their family.

Products Offered by Precious Memories:-

Head Office based in Aylesbury which creates unique keepsakes for adults and children including:-

3D Casts of hands or feet in various luxury materials in frames or with mounts

 2D Impressions of hands or feet set in beautiful frames with client photographs

Unique silver jewellery set with imprints from adult or child fingerprints, footprints or drawings

These are sold, produced and delivered by a network of franchised mums operating across the UK.

Current positions available within the company:-

Jewellery Makers £100 plus VAT wendypw@preciuos-memories.co.uk

Jewellery Agents £150 plus VAT contact janu@precious-memories.co.uk

2D Impressions £1000 plus VAT (half amount paid up front other half in commissions) info@precious-memories.co.uk

3D Cast Artist – £1250 plus VAT (half amount paid up front other half in commissions) info@precious-memories.co.uk

http://www.precious-memories.co.uk/

info@precious-memories.co.uk

telephone 01296 399280

Meadowhall casting day fun!

Precious Memories Make a Lasting Impression in Sheffield!
http://www.precious-memories.co.uk/

Sheffield (well Rotherham technically) was the home of ‘Kindercast’ – the baby impressions company who used to be in Debenhams. So what better place for us to be than in Sheffield.

The place? Boots in Meadowhall – in the childrenswear department to be exact.

This was our second month in there, we are in there monthly now and it was lovely today seeing client’s from last month coming in to collect their casts. One mother – an ex-Kindercast customer after a matching cast for her little boy Harry – was thrilled to pieces when she had a peek at her finished frame when I gave it to her.

Anyway, Jan was kept busy taken fingerprint jewellery orders off clients who flocked round to admire the gorgeous sterling silver jewellery we had on display. There were whispers of the words ‘Christmas presents’ in the air as people priced up potential gifts from us.

The people Jan chatted to loved the fact that once the print was taken it can be reused to 18 months without having to come back to us to have another print taken…

Anyway, that is for Jan to blog about, I was too busy enjoying my castings. From Lewis, aged just 7 weeks and having his feet cast in 3D, to Brianna – a 17 month old having her hand and feet impressions taken into clay – all the clients were adorable. Even little Isaac who promptly drooled all over his clay impression once I had taken it – don’t worry, the drool and cast are just fine!

(in fact, so excited was I that upon unpeeling Lewis’s cast this evening to discover he had his toes curled up JUST like his mum had hoped for, I had to give her a quick ring to let her know how well they had turned out!!!!)

At about 4pm we packed up and headed home happy and tired. Problem is, I am writing this blog when I should be pouring plaster into those casts…..

Our Collection of Silver Fingerprint Jewellery, Hand & Foot Prints and Drawings

Precious Memories website at http://www.precious-memories.co.uk/

Our Silver Hand, Foot and Fingerprint Jewellery and Keepsakes are growing more and more popular by the day!

Fingerprints – from the age of 2 years

We now recommend our fingerprint products to be created from the age of 2 as the prints are much more developed. However, we are more than happy to take the print at an earlier age – but just want to highlight that print may not be as defined. Again, we can take the prints at our studio, party or by mail order.

Prices start from £35

Hand & Foot Prints using inkless wipes.

Since we began making the bespoke jewellery it has become clear that the best type of print for a newborn is their hand and foot print – so we are delighted to now offer these in any style to compliment our current range of jewellery. Please note this product can be done at one of our studios of by mail order.

Prices start from £45

Mini Drawings, Handwriting & Pawprints
Do you have a particular picture you would love to capture on a charm. Then scan or post us the original and we will turn it into a stunning keepsake.

This can be done from any age. All you need to do is get a black and white image scanned over to us and we will do the rest.

Prices start from £45

All of the above can be done by mail – order. If you are interested please email janu@precious-memories.co.uk to place your order. 

All details of our products can be found on our web http://www.precious-memories.co.uk/