Gemstone bracelets

[wobblyknicks]

Ok, not doing this for profit, just in response to some MN'ers asking - so hopefully this isn't advertising.

But anyone who wants me to make a bracelet (or other jewellery) for them, can you post on here

zp, I'll get some ideas to you asap (probably in a couple of days at most), but have to do gf's and gm's first - have kept them waiting YEARS now!!!

Lastly, if anyone wants to choose their own charms the two sites I think are best (even tho they are American) are cheap but not a huge range or more expensive but bigger range

There's also postage to add on to those prices - its $25 for the first one and $10 for the second, but I'd be putting in a bulk order so that would be spread about a bit. Does anyone know if I'd be charged extra at customs when they came into the UK?

Just re-discovered this while I was searching my favourites - the best site for charms is actually this one I'd have to get a quote for p&p because they don't quote on the site but the charms are gorgeous and cheap.

I love some of those chrams youve linked theyre lovely.Havent forgotten about you I just need to lay low on the spending otherwise Ill have another reffereall for something else , namely my shopping addiction !!! I REALLY REALLY want one , but have to postpone at the mo. I am soo excited about it. sorrry babes, I will come back to you when Ive talked DH round.

melsy - no probs at all, just sorry I left you all hanging for a month while the pc decided to have a nervous breakdown!!! I'm slowly building up more and more idea of where I can get a good range of supplies from, which helps!!! Anytime you want something, come here and say so but no pressure at all!!!

Take care ordering from the US WK, I am pretty sure you will have to pay more taxes when the parcel arrives in the UK. I think it is anything over a fairly small order value (£15 ?).

Will try to find link to info for you.

Thanks snugs - I thought I would have to pay some duty but even so, the stuff would probably STILL end up cheaper than from the uk (crazy I know).

OK - Customs and Excise site is not exactly written in clear English!

Here is shopping on the internet

and here is guide for international post users

As far as I can tell you will have to pay Import Duty (likely to be 3.5%) + VAT at 17.5%, plus possibly a fee to the Post Office for checking and processing. Could add up to a hefty amount.

Thanks snugs - I'll look through all that and factor it in. Thing is, a lot of the stuff here seems to be at least double the US prices so even with tax and shipping, it's still cheaper!!! Madness!!!

The UK sites probably buy from the USA suppliers and will have already paid all the duties etc, hence the higher prices.

It may be worth e-mailing the USA sites. I did this when buying some stuff last year. They kindly supplied me with a list of UK buyers of their products so that I could buy direct.

On the US site my order was £112 (buying in the UK was £130), but by the time duties were added it would have been more than £155.

Posts crossed - hmmm, double the price does seem a bit extreme. I think a lot of places are cashing in on the popularity of crystals etc at the moment.

Thanks snugs - I will keep checking out the uk sites (its easier than from states really), but the main problem is sterling silver charms. Beads and gems I can get in the uk but s/s charms are hugely expensive over here - I think they know that a lot of people don't know what they're worth and will go to a jewellers for a charm bracelet rather than buying charms by themselves.

Hiya wk have not lost that much weight and lol at the skeleton! Drunk too much recently So yes that all sounds about right.

Glad you're not a skeleton - would have to disown you then - can't stand people who are so thin they disappear when they stand sideways.

WK yes mine is a citrine chakra braclet my wrist measures 16cms. Thank you

Do you want round citrine beads or citrine chips?

Wk I would prefer citrine beads if possible but if chips are easier for you then I don't mind. Thanks again

beads will be fine, any preference to how big?

Also, forgot whether I asked you before gm, but do you want it on elastic or on wire (with a clasp)?

WK , could I have them on a wire with a clasp (optherwise DD will think they are hers) Can the beads be not to chunky or too small - will try and thinkof a way of illustrating this does it help ??

WK - no worries about the wait,I'm a newbie here!

Thanks zp! Gm - they're usually done by diameter from say 4mm (teeny) to 10mm (huge) - does that help?

WK thanks for the info. I think possible 8mm Thanks again

gm - that'll be fine - I'm just waiting to hear back from one place to tell me if they can do wholesale for me and then I'll tell you how much it should be.

gf - I'm getting yours sorted too, there's just more to find!! The charms are the hardest thing really. I can order them from the states, which would probably be cheaper (even including the duty I might have to pay) but it might take longer. But there are a few sites - the ones I linked to earlier and also this that I've just found that has a good range and the postage is really cheap too. But this is an excellent UK site that also has a really big range, but the charms will work out about a pound dearer each. So either I can choose some for you and try and work out the best deal or you can go to those links and choose them yourself. I reckon that if I get them from the US I could put about 8 charms on the anklet and about 4 on the bracelet - whereas it would only be about 6 and 3 if I get them from the UK. IYKWIM!!!

Forgot to say - the other option is buying (new) charms from eBay, but naturally that will take a lot longer.