MEET THE BRILLIANT ‘SO JUST SHOP’ (& WIN GORGEOUS JEWELLERY!)
One of the loveliest things about blogging is coming across super retailers, whom previously I would never have heard of.
And of course, sharing them with you!
So Just Shop is one of these wonderful retailers. As soon as I heard about the site, as soon as I saw the stunning pieces and more importantly – as soon as I became aware of the ethos – I knew I had no choice but to bring it to your attention.
Because you see, this is a site that champions and celebrates women.
And well, you all know how I feel about that. *smiles*
So Just Shop – which was recently shortlisted for Virgin Media’s Pitch to Rich campaign – brings together and supports diverse, talented women-led artisan groups from some of the most vulnerable communities in the world.
Which means that every time you buy one of their beautiful pieces – So Just Shop sells everything from jewellery to baby wear – you can feel happy in the knowledge that you are helping to increase the economic empowerment of women across the world, enabling them to build a better life for themselves and their families.
Wonderful stuff huh?
To tell you more about it and how it all began, I chatted to Jennifer Georgeson, the founder. An inspirational woman if ever I’ve come across one.
Here’s what she had to say…
Please tell us a little about you & why you decided to set up ‘So Just Shop’.
I have many years of experience working in international development and have seen first hand the power of economic empowerment of women.
Aid, free healthcare and education are vital tools to lift communities out of poverty, but if you can’t afford the bus fare to the clinic or school uniforms for you children there is a limit to what can be achieved.
I want to enable women to gain economic independence wherever they are in the world.
What do you hope to achieve with your beautiful new website?
I want to create a new model of business, one which benefits both those shopping on the site and those selling to the site.
Having worked all over the world, I found some beautiful accessories of incredible quality and skill, the like of which you cannot find in the UK.
I’ve also found that many of these gifted artisans are living in poverty because they cannot get a good price for their product in the local market or because the price of their products are being driven down by middle men taking a large cut.
So Just Shop gives customers the opportunity to buy these beautiful unique products, whilst giving the artisans the opportunity to sell directly to them so they can receive a much higher price for their goods with no middle men fees.
This dramatically increases their economic empowerment, allowing them to work their way out of poverty.
Why do you think people should purchase something from you?
Primarily because they like the products, but also because of the story behind them – they can learn who made the product as well as where and how it was made.
We aim to sell high quality, unique, contemporary products that can’t be found anywhere else.
Our customers are our biggest advocates, if they like our products, are repeat customers and recommend us to their friends then how can we not succeed?
A tough question I know (!) but which are you favourite items in the shop & why?
Oh, this is tough!
Right now (this does change on a daily basis!) I love the burnt orange, mulberry silk scarf, hand woven by Women Weave in India.
It is soft and beautifully lightweight – ideal for summer and shall be a staple in my wedding and summer party outfits. Handily, this is a perfectly complemented with the Twist Golden Carnelian Bracelet – made by a ladies collective in Nepal.
Finally, if people take away only one thing from this post about ‘So Just Shop’ what would you like it to be?
By shopping through So Just Shop you are given the opportunity to buy unique, gorgeous products whilst enabling women in some of the most vulnerable communities in the world to work their way out of poverty – it’s a win-win situation!
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Thank you so much Jennifer! I don’t know about you, but she had me at ‘I want to enable women to gain economic independence wherever they are in the world’!
Please do pop over and have a lovely nosey around this beautiful site. It really is full of lovely, beautifully made items and all sales will really help to improve the lives of women living in some of the World’s poorest countries.
Win an item of jewellery!
Ok, ready for more good news?
The lovely Jennifer has very kindly donated these two stunning pieces of jewellery as prizes to Pouting In Heels readers!
To win the stunning Lily Silver Black Onyx Bracelet or (my favourite!) this beautiful Anju Copper Tiger Eye Necklace, simply follow the instructions below and good luck!
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With love,
Katie
This competition is promoted at Prize Finder and Loquax.
Azra Copper Bracelet I love the colours and the healing powers of copper are much needed for my poorly hands.
http://sojustshop.com/collections/jewellery, as it’s made from copper hope it may help ease pain
I like the beautiful Twist Silver Moonstone Bracelet which would go with a lot of my outfits and compliment them
Twist Silver Moonstone Bracelet
I love the bracelet it is just ‘me’
i love the Lily Silver Moonstone Bracelet
I love the Twist Silver Moonstone Bracelet, it is so pretty!
I love the Twisted copper tigers eye bracelet
Twist Copper Tiger Eye Bracelet as its coper and different
What a fantastic website! There is too much to choose from!!! Thanks for letting us know about this through his blog
Thanks Hannah! I know, gorgeous huh?! Love the idea behind the shop soooo much!
love the silver moonstone bracelet,it would go with most things
These necklaces are gorgeous! I’ve already paid So Just Shop a visit n there are a few pieces I’ve got my eye on! (“,) x
I absolutely Love the Handmade Colombian Tote Bag! It looks like it has so much culture embedded into it that i’d take it everywhere this summer!
I love the mottled colours in the Orange-coloured South African Seed Statement Necklace, it really is a statement.
i love the Shine Copper Tiger Eye Bracelet
I love the Twisted copper tigers eye bracelet!
What an absolutely amazing idea for a shop. I love it and will be buying some Christmas presents from this year. My favourite items are any of the twist bracelets, they are right up my street and I do also love the hand woven red, purple and gold cotton and silk scarf. I could not choose just one item there are some really beautiful pieces on there. Amazing! X
i like the Wishes Golden Rose Quartz Bracelet because i like the design
The elephant bodysuit as it is so cute! https://twitter.com/Isis1981uk/status/601434048502706176
I love the wishes silver moonstone necklace.
Tigers eye bracelet it might bring me good luck
The Gem Black Onyx Necklace – I like the slightly nautical feel. Makes me think of the seaside :-)
My wife loves these!!
Twist tiger eye bracelet looks lovely!
Love this necklace http://sojustshop.com/products/wishes-silver-black-onyx-bracelet I do love an anchor sign.
Handmade Colombian Tote Bag – it’s pretty and I need a new bag.
I love anything with stars on! The wishes silver moonstone necklace is beaut!!
http://sojustshop.com/products/azra-copper-bracelet, because they are my colours and it is pretty gorgeous too
I love the Gem Black Onyx Necklace xx
I like the Twist Silver Moonstone Bracelet because it is pretty and I would wear it
Anju Copper Tiger Eye Necklace
I like the beautiful Twist Silver Moonstone Bracelet
The Twist Silver Moonstone Bracelet would give my summer wardrobe a lift.
I love the Hand Woven Grey and White and Yellow Organic Cotton Scarf. I love the soft muted tones and it would go with a lot of things I have already.
I really love the Gem Black Onyx Bracelet because its so unusual and the cute little anchor would be a symbol of my move to the seaside.
The Silver Moonstone Bracelet is lovely!x
i love the Lily Silver Moonstone Bracelet it’s gorgeous
Love the Shine Copper Tiger Eye Bracelet http://sojustshop.com/products/shine-copper-tiger-eye-bracelet love Tiger Eye and i have a pair of Earings that would match perfectly x
I love the twist copper tiger eye bracelet its stunning
http://sojustshop.com/products/anju-copper-tiger-eye-necklace I have always loved Tiger eye
Silver moon stone bracelet because it reminds me of my mam
the silver moonstone bracelet is lovely
I like the Hand Woven Cream & Pink Cotton Scarf because it matches my neutral tones of my clothes, but brings in a bit of pink to perk it up!
Zulu Seed South African Necklace because I like a piece with a story and history.
Hard to pick a favourite but I like the Twist Golden Carnelian Bracelet just because its so pretty.
the Twist Silver Moonstone Bracelet chucky but delicate at the same time
The Organic Cotton Elephant Print Bodysuit because I love elephants :)
The Lily Silver Black Onyx Bracelet is beautiful – I adore quirky silver jewellery and this is just perfect :) x
Love the Twist Golden Carnelian Bracelet, I have a pair of shoes the same colour as the carnelian stone! Love the chunkiness of the bracelet as well
I love the Wishes Golden Rose Quartz Bracelet – it has some great shapes and unusual design which would make it a great taking point to wear
love all of this x
Twist Copper Tiger Eye Bracelet love this
I love the Wishes Silver Amethyst Necklace, it’s very pretty
I really like the Twist Golden Carnelian Bracelet, I have been looking for a chunky bracelet to wear and this is one is lovely. I haven’t seen one like it and I love the colour of the stone and that it is said to boost your creative energy
the beautiful Twist Silver Moonstone Bracelet
Love the Wishes Silver Moonstone Necklace, just because it makes me feel happy and optimistic!
I love the Organic Cotton Zebra Print Baby Blanket as I love zebras and it would be perfect for my baby girl Poppy.
Love the colours of the Gem Tiger Eye Bracelet
Nice enough to way day or evening
Twisted copper tigers eye bracelet, very pretty :)
Love these, they are absolutely gorgeous.
The scarves. I have a bit of a scarf fetish :P
I love the Shine Copper Tiger Eye Bracelet as its just so adorable and pretty
the Gem Tiger Eye Bracelet is lovely
I love the Wishes Silver Moonstone Necklace just so pretty.
I love the range of scarves as they have some great designs
Have to say this Wishes Silver Amethyst Necklace as it reminds me of my Grandmother whos Nickname was Amethyst Because of all things she had in house in relation to this gemstone.
Handmade Columbian shoulder strap bag for my wife. She is bag mad!!
Zulu Seed South African Necklace – great to wear with jumpers in wintr
http://sojustshop.com/collections/scarves?page=2 – this hand woven cream and red organic scarf is incredible, so soft and comfy looking and such gentle colours – it would go with EVERYTHING in my wardrobe.
My fave is Twist Copper Tiger Eye Bracelet, I just love Tiger’s eyes.
The Twist Silver Moonstone bracelet as it is something I could wear with lots of outfits and it is quite thick but not overly chunky
The gem black onyx necklace is really pretty
The New Baby Collection Gift Set is great it will be a great present for our friend that is pregnant
Bookmarked the site – love all of it! My favourite though is the Azra Copper Bracelet. I like that it’s chunky but elegant and it popped off the page.
I love the Twist Silver Moonstone Bracelet it would be the perfect accesory for my wedding in 11 weeks
I love the Handmade Colombian Tote Bag as it is just like no other bag I own x
I love the orange coloured south african seed statement necklace its gorgeous!
the Lily Silver Moonstone Bracelet is lovely xx
The ‘Hand Woven Blue-Grey and White Organic Cotton Scarf’ is lovely