Firstly I would like to say a huge THANK YOU to every customer and follower of my brand in 2024! It has been our best year trading since we started way back in 2017. Each tail that has arrived in the studio has had a massive effect on my life as well as the business and I am so grateful to receive every order large or small.
I learnt a lot last year, where to focus my energies and priorities, dealing with grief, the sale of my own horse and running this rapidly growing business. On a personal side it has been one of the most difficult years of my life loosing mum, but it has really brought into focus how precious my time is and how quickly time passes. Which lead me to make a large sacrifice to enable me to regain control of time and energy. Selling Rebel was hard but has been the best decision, he is in the best most loving home. I don't have the guilt of not being able to give him my full attention when work is busy or pursuing training him to higher levels for my own gratification (he was very happy to stay at the lower levels). There will be another special horse out there for me when the time is right again.
I invested in a lot of new tools and machinery that has helped the handmade process move along quickly and efficiently. I also found new suppliers and teamed up with other jewellers to offer this high skill level to my products. It has been a very productive past 12 months.
The time leading up to Christmas is a crazy period, (yes I do wear those crazy eye wear for stone setting I am not that crazy looking usually) I basically have to produce 6 months worth of orders in 2 months. This means very long hours at the bench and a lot of focus and determination; but its all worth it when I get your feedback and reviews, they really do make me smile.
Enough of the past so what can we expect from Diva Tails Jewellery in 2025?
Well of course I am continuing to handmake all my jewellery for you as this is a core value to Diva Tails Jewellery. I will be making some items via casting to quicken the process, quality and avoid large price increases, any cast items will still be from my handmade designs so still unique to Diva Tails. I am also committed to making Christmas stock throughout the year so I can double what I could make by hand this year. This would mean I can push the order deadline back into December to help people purchase that special gift.
We will be out at shows this year! Hurrah! Because I am not committed to keeping an equine friend or out competing myself, I can take Diva Tails on the road. I am looking at some major shows for 2025 and hopefully you will be able to meet me and see the items in person this year.
There maybe some none horse hair items in production, giving far more options for people who what a special piece of equestrian (and country) jewellery to remember a horse or give to a loved one. I used to make equestrian jewellery a few years a go which proved popular but chose to focus on the horse hair with the launch of the new website. Now I feel like I have a bank of core designs that people will love and I am excited to launch them in spring 2025.
The search for our brand ambassadors will commence this year also, please watch this space if you want to join Team Diva with your horse.
So that's enough waffle from me. Keep watching our socials for more news and images of what I am making. So with that thought I guess I should head to the bench and start the first makes of 2025. Vicky x