October - It's our Wedding Special month

Wedding season is almost upon us, so we are making October all things wedding!  We'll be looking at our top wedding gifts in store, favour ideas, table décor inspiration and guest posts from wedding people in the know!  Yay... excited!

We have all had that moment when we just don't know what to get as a wedding gift.   What do you buy the couple that has everything already?  Or the couple who don't have anything for that matter.  A wedding gift is something you want to take your time to pick, to make sure you choose the perfect present that will be enjoyed for years to come.

We have some very good news... we CAN do Gift Registry's at the Ruby Orchard!  I know - exciting isn't it.  So brides... here's what to do:

• Book a time to come in - we can chat about logistics and select the method's that suit you and your guests.
• Select the lovely things you would love to be gifted with on your big day
• We'll produce your Gift registry catalogue for mailing to your guests.
• Your guests can come in and purchase / or email us the items they would like to purchase.
• We place that item in your gift box.
• You collect the gift box full of the goodies. Simple!

Keep watching for our wedding posts throughout October.

It's the end of sunny September

September has been a great month at The Ruby Orchard... it's been busy! September sees boxes brimming with stock arriving ready for the festive season. Here's a look back at what we have been up to...

1// Nicola Tweed moved on from The Ruby Orchard team (sad face)... but kinda didn't leave!  She is now a brilliant freelance web designer and has started working on our new website... watch this space... it's going to fab!

2// Millamae 2015 diaries, good old fashioned toys and fresh spring ceramics arrived in store. Check out our facebook page for pics of our new stock.

3// We started our 'Which?' guide series... reviewing and comparing our products on price, prettiness and popularity.  Which biccy tin, Which butter Dish, Which Salad bowl would you choose?

4// We love that spring means flip flops, colour and sunshine!

5// We shared our top 3 people we would like to meet. Inspirational people in our kinda world!

6// Our new soap range was launched!  Andrea designed some great labels, I wrapped all 48 bars and FRESHHH Verbena has almost sold out! Odette from Riverlea is busy making some more!

7// We inspired you with some funky bar stool ideas we are working on.

8// John the Potter came to town!  Check out the range of pottery we have from this talented man!

9// Heritage day was Lekker! Ha Ha... anyone who knows me will know I never use that word as I am 100% pom! We laid up our Braai table in store.

10// Whilst busy planning our October Creative 'In Store' workshop I have been writing a series of business tips for new and small creative business. Check out the first one here.

Some of you have started your Christmas shopping... you crazy organised bunch!!

Cannot wait for October so much planned! See you soon! 

This weeks Which? Guide - Salad Bowls

This week we look at Salad bowls.

Great big luscious salads filled with loads of fresh veggies, or smaller, daintier salads, with just a few select ingredients - what is your preference?  Whether you are catering for a big family gathering, or a birthday braai, or even a quiet dinner for two - we have something to suit all occasions.

We have a gorgeous selection of salad bowls to choose from - which one will grace your table?

Beautiful, big and bold twisted salad bowl from Pret-a-pot

Price:  R365

Prettiness:  Pretty with an edgy exterior

Usability:   Perfect for a big salad at a braai or family gathering

Our star rating:  5/5 stars

Gorgeous turquoise colours - Urchin Art

Price:  R335

Prettiness:  Very pretty - gorgeous turquoise and white. Great Value. 

Usibility:   The smallest of our bowls, perfect for a small, simple salad

Our star rating: 3/5 stars

 Bold, gorgeous and all the way from Betty's Bay by John the Potter

Price:  R750

Prettiness:  Oh so pretty - the colours are beautiful

Usibility:   Another big, fill to the top type bowl that could cater for a big group

Our star rating: 4/5 stars

Business tips - Some thoughts for new businesses

The Ruby Orchard has now been running for 18 months.  I can happily put my hands up and say... I've made mistakes, but I can also say I've made some good decisions.  The Ruby Orchard continues to grow and people from all over SA are slowly starting to hear about this little shop in Howick!

Here are a few of my top tips for new businesses...

source 

1//Be organised, make lists and have a plan!  I know what i'm trying to achieve today, tomorrow and next week.  I have planned events, blog posts and stock I want to get in store for the rest of the year. I am already looking at my 2015 calendar!

2// Learn, Learn, Learn... You can always learn a little bit more.  Get yourself a network of similar business owners, follow blogs, book a coffee with a fellow creative. Bouncing ideas off others can be a great way to analyse what you are doing.  We booked a creative consultation with Nadia vd Mescht in 2013 to plan our marketing strategies for 2014 and came away fizzing with things we wanted to try and do!

3// Except your mistakes, get over it and move on.  I've ordered products that have arrived and I've hated them, I have taken on furniture jobs that were far too big for our team and we didn't quite pull it off. You cannot dwell on these mistakes, just learn from them.

4//  Keep a little eye on what your competition are up to, it's healthy to know... but don't get obsessed with them! You need to make your business unique and move forward in your own direction.

5//  Keep things fresh and changing - never stop trying to make things a little bit better.  If something doesn't sell, then it must be cleared and something fresh and exciting put in its place!  If an event is a flop... then analyse why... and make the next one 100% better!

Good Luck!