Monthly Round Up - Merry March

It's been an extremely busy month at The Ruby Orchard. It included new stock, new systems and a fully booked course! Here's a look back at what happened in the merry month of March.

1// We launched our first ever course and made a trip down to Shongweni market and I Heart Market to do a little bit of marketing. We were bowled over by the response from you all and can now officially say that the course is fully booked... bring on the 1st of June!

2// We went flippin' crazy on Pancake day and were treated to delicious pancakes from The Chinwag Cafe in Howick.

3// Our trip down to Shongweni included our first Washi tape order. Woooweee we can't believe how many awesome things you can do with a simple roll of washi tape.

4// Polka dots, hearts, bambi and lots of bunnies arrived in fine style in March, perfect for tea and cake dates.

5// Mid March we put out our feelers for a new member of the team and enjoyed getting to know more about our true followers.

6// We bragged about furniture you definitely won't find anywhere else.

7// Easter started early with the arrival of lots of bunnies and little chickens.

8// With great pride we became the only stockists in the Midlands with Skinny La Minx.

9// If you are looking for a little something special and personalised then maybe, just maybe, our prints are what you are looking for.

And finally if you've been in to the store in the last week or two you may have noticed some new nifty barcodes and our new till system.. it's onwards and upwards... beep, beep!

Personalised Prints and Designs

The Ruby Orchard team has a few hidden talents... One you may not know about is our personalised prints and design service.

If you love a saying or quote and want it as the mantra in your home then pop in and see us.  We have lots of samples to browse in store, you can drop us a mail or make an appointment to see me (Hannah) and i'll design it with you, for you!  You can choose the fonts, colours, layouts and graphics.

We have designed prints to make wedding days special, motivational quotes for school common rooms, the cutest baby prints and lovely mother and fathers day gifts.

The prints are printed in the highest quality, mounted and framed beautifully with the choice of black, white or rustic wooden frames.  We can print any size, as big or as small as you like! Prices vary depending on design and sizes, but as guide... A5 framed prints fro R195, A4 framed prints from R295, A3 framed prints from R395.

A selection of our best sellers...

For the perfect wedding gift - use song lyrics, places, sayings, hymns, dates and names to make a lovely gift that will be kept forever. 

Birth announcements, baby showers, christening gifts, bedroom rules, 1st Birthday gift, keepsakes. 

Easter bunnies

Ceramics bunnies (a best selling product of 2013) are back in store, 40 of them are hopping around the shop making us and customers smile.

Happy Paddy's Day

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In celebration of Paddy's day and all things green we've put together a little Ruby Orchard green product coloured collage for all the Irish out there. Happy Celebrations!

Soon to be stocking - Skinny laMinx

Those of you who signed up for our newsletter will have already received the news that we will soon be stocking Skinny laMinx!

Skinny laMinx was started in 2006 by Heather Moore.  Her contemporary textiles and home goods are designed and manufactured in Cape Town are available worldwide.  I came across Skinny laMinx products at a pop up shop in Hilton a couple of years ago and was instantly in love!

Skinny laMinx Shop - 201 Bree Street, Cape Town

The Skinny laMinx designs are funky and fresh, natural and vibrant.  They will add a trendy pop of colour to any home, table or outfit.  These gorgeous cushions, make up bags, tote bags, trays and more have been dispatched from Cape Town and should be in store next week! 

I literally cannot wait to brighten up the shop with these stunning, proudly South African products. With only a handful of stockists in KZN we are so happy to be bringing Skinny laMinx to the Midlands. 

Furniture you won't find anywhere else!

We recently refurbished an old workbench, the legs were not salvageable so we designed, manufactured and spray painted a steel table base.  It's clean lines and simple design against the rustic, chunky top looked stunning. 

A customer loved the piece and thought it would work so nicely on her poolside deck.  She asked us to design and manufacture a set of eight stools to nestle under the table. 

Our decor and gift shop is always keen for a challenge!  When I was at school (in the UK) all students had to select two technology based subjects to study from ages 14-16. Girls usually opted to study food technology and textiles.  I however decided to join the wood and metal work and graphic design classes.  Well, the skills I learnt are now paying off!  I love sketching furniture and working with the skilled and talented people who work at and around the Ruby Orchard to bring these sketches to the shop floor. 

Here is the completed set.  I love it, but don't think it is everyone's cup of tea... we would love to hear what you think. 

Join the Ruby Orchard Team!

If you love pretty things, interiors and home decor (well, who doesn’t?) and have always dreamed of working in a boutique shop then this could be for you. 

Based in our bright and spacious store in Howick, the successful candidate will be experienced in “keeping shop”, be well-presented, have excellent written and spoken English skills and an energetic and bubbly personality.  We are looking for someone who can work independently, has good planning and organisational skills and is computer literate.

The role will include:

•      Taking payments

•      Wrapping purchases

•      Answering enquiries and giving advice about products to customers

•      Foreseeing and acting upon new sales opportunities

•      Packing and unpacking orders and displaying items

•      Stocktaking

Previous retail experience is preferred, but not essential.

Hours are negotiable; 3-4 half days per week.  Availability on occasional Saturdays and public holidays would be an advantage.  
We offer a competitive daily rate. 

So don’t be shy - please tell us about yourself; where have you worked before and why you are a good choice.  Send us your CV (no more than two sides of A4 please) and send to therubyorchard@hotmail.com

Gorgeous Ceramics coming soon...

Here is a sneak peek at the new Ceramics that will heading to The Ruby Orchard in April. 

This Bambi bowl  is just too cute and the little jug will look lovely with my cups and saucers! 

 

Made in Cape Town these Urchin art ceramics are available across South Africa... we wont be beaten on price though!

Hairpin Inspiration

Inspired by Home Magazine (pic below) and our latest furniture range we created a delightful Oregon round topped hairpin side table for a regular customer of ours. 

                                

Our customer loved that the metal legs gave a transparent effect but wanted a wooden table top, so we manufactured some hairpin legs and Neil from The Streets furniture made a gorgeous natural top. The finished product was exactly what our customer was after...another happy customer!

*If you find something you like and think we might be able to make it then please let us know... we'd like to make you a happy customer too*

Are you an exclusive Ruby Orchard shopper?

No? And why not?
 
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By signing up to our newsletters you will receive a monthly email jam packed with exclusive sneak peaks of new product arrivals, special offers, discount vouchers, information about up and coming sales, invites to events and much much more!

Our first newsletter will be landing in our exclusive Ruby Orchard shopper's inbox on Friday so if you aren't on the list, best you get on it today!

It's Pancake Day!

In England, Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day is quite a big deal. Growing up, on Pancake day we didn't have an evening meal, instead we ate pancake after pancake with lemon juice and sugar... delicious, it was always one of the biggest treats of the year! When I arrived in SA pancake day came and went and nobody mentioned it.

Why Pancakes?? Pancakes are associated with the day before Lent, it is the last night of eating rich foods. Pancakes use up the rich foods like eggs, milk and sugar, before the 40 day fasting of lent begins.

This year I am making an effort to bring pancake day to SA!

Here's my recipe for you...
// 2 Eggs
// 6 Tablespoons of plain flour (cake flour)
// 10 Tablespoons of milk (add more milk if needed to make the batter a gravy type consistency)
That's all.... don't add sugar!

Top tips:

• Whisk all ingredients together and chill in the fridge before cooking 
• Use a medium - high heat, a non stick pan and a spray sunflower oil 
• The thinner the pancake the better 
• Tossing is essential! 
•  Serve with lemon juice and sugar

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Woowwee Washi!

We are now stocking Washi Tape

We had so much fun selecting our stock... we love it all!  R34 a roll

Decorate, create, craft, design, brighten.

Parties, stationary, cards, wrapping... and so much more!

Here's some ideas for you to get crafty... 

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Check out Andreas amazing ideas and washi projects on her blog - Clever bird banter

I LOVE what she did in her girls bedroom...

Enjoy!