The Odissa Handmade Guide to Virtual Fairs

Virtual fairs are looking like the way to go this year, and we're here to show you how to make yours unforgettable.

A virtual fair has enormous potential. So many Odissa elements can be incorporated into your fair presence, and it'll give you the chance to revamp anything that has become set in its way. With no space limitations, worry about buying enough burgers and less cleaning up and packing away stock at the end, you can concentrate on making the elements of your fair enjoyable for all. A virtual fair has no geographical limits so anyone can take part, including far-away friends and relatives.

How does an Odissa Handmade Virtual Fair Work?

Subscribing sellers on Odissa Handmade that are also signed up to a virtual fair are included in a dedicated showcase page given prominent position on the...

The Wedding Ring market is changing. Recently Palladium rings, once popular around the time of WWII, made a resurgence as a popular material for a wedding ring and then the price skyrocketed, along with other precious metals.

One material that has remained stable for wedding rings for over 20 years is Titanium, both in the UK and the USA. In fact, this material is now being increasingly used in the creation of jewellery due to its lightness, strength and durability.

The pros and cons of titanium wedding rings. 

What are the advantages of buying titanium wedding rings?

Titanium rings are very scratch resistant, hypoallergenic and lightweight at around a quarter of the weight of gold. Titanium is a high tensile material meaning it will resist deformation and retain it's shape longer than precious metal rings.

The original 'showroom finish' on...

The UK Hallmarking System is the Oldest Form of Consumer Protection

Regardless of where the sale occurs, on or offline, If you are sold an item of jewellery made with and described as gold, silver, platinum or palladium over the minimum weight and it is not hallmarked, then the seller is breaking the law. Only jewellery that carries an officially registered British or international hallmark can be sold in the UK.

Fake products are on the increase and one of the most common areas for the fakers to operate in is jewellery manufacture. However, we do have a system in place to protect the consumer that has been in operation in the UK for over 700 years; hallmarking.

Ask any person in the sreet though if they can identify a genuine hallmark and many will struggle, often confusing a simple '18K' or '925' stamp as an official mark...

Handcrafted product sales are on the increase and for good reason. The flood of poor quality Far East products, fuelled by cheap prices and unrealistic claims that don't hold up, has pushed consumers to look for alternatives in the marketplace. The expression 'handmade is best' has rung true for decades, but never more so than now.

So, why is it better buying 'handmade'?

True handmade products are few and far between and the correct term now should be 'handcrafted' as most products use an element of technology or machine manufacturing which, in itself, is also highly skilled, but handcrafted is good for the environment. Less fuel and energy is used to produce and transport the products making it more efficient.

If you're a regular buyer of handcrafted products, give yourself a pat on the back! :-) You're helping to support a local business and create jobs. People tend to value a...