Behind the Seams

Why We’ve Gone Quiet: Website Chaos, Heatwaves, and a Fresh New Chapter

Kerry Atterbury

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Image shows pink iMac computer with the 'about us' page from the Lilly & Jude website

Slogging over a hot keyboard

If you’ve been following me on social media, you might have noticed things have gone a bit… well, tumbleweedy lately. No, I haven’t packed up Sprocket and run off to join a leather cult (although honestly, I might if they meet in an air-conditioned building - good do, it's been bloody hot!). Things have just been... a bit much at Lilly & Jude HQ

The short version? I’ve been elbows-deep in leather, tangled in tech, and swearing at Shopify more than is probably healthy.

The Big Move: Wix to Shopify

Let’s talk websites. Or more specifically: why I binned Wix.

Wix was a lovely little starter flat – functional, charming in its way, but after a while… it started to smell a bit damp and the neighbours (read: backend integrations) were a nightmare. Every time I tried to do something clever - like set up a social media shop or link it to Pinterest - it sucked harder than a Dyson on turbo. 🌀

So, I've packed up my digital belongings and moved house.

Shopify, in contrast, is the swanky loft conversion with storage, space, and a proper front door. It’s letting me build the kind of website that does justice to my bags and gives you the kind of shopping experience that doesn’t make you want to throw your phone.

What’s in it for you?

A smoother, faff-free checkout
Easier navigation (no more clicky-loop nightmares)
Space for fun new extras: VIP perks, loyalty rewards, and more
A better way to tell each bag’s story and show off those juicy product pics

Building it has been like learning to make a new bag from scratch: loads of fiddly bits, a few accidental stabbings (me, not the website), and a near vertical learning curve. But it’s finally coming together - and I must admit, it’s looking lush (even if I do say so myself!)

River Bloom: You Can Now Sniff the Bags in Person

Amid all the digital chaos, something really exciting happened—Lilly & Jude bags are now stocked in the beautiful River Bloom boutique in Ironbridge, Shropshire!

This place is a proper gem - think beautiful boutique fashion, handmade goodies, and indie business vibes for days. If you’re local (or up for a nice little day trip), go have a nosey. Seriously. You can walk in, give the bags a squish, and take a giant, satisfying sniff of that glorious rescued leather.

Go on. You know you want to.

And tell Steph I said 'Hi'!

There’s something magical about seeing your work out in the world - and knowing it’s nestled among other ethical, gorgeous things just makes my heart do a little happy dance.

Blue store front with decorative metal railing above on a brick building.

You should see the view from the doorway - a stunning vista of the World Heritage Site, Ironbridge and the River Severn

While all that’s been happening, the studio’s been in full-blown gremlin mode.

I’ve got piles of pattern pieces and perfectly matched linings stacked like a game of textile Jenga
Leather scraps are everywhere
It’s been hotter than Satan’s underpants, which means leather-stitching has been… sweaty
And I’ve been flipping between furiously sewing bags and “feral, overheated, perimenopausal goblin hunched over a keyboard, with a fan on full blast, 3" from its face” - weather dependent.

Basically, I’ve been quiet online because I’ve been flat-out getting all the behind-the-scenes stuff just right - so when I do come back, it’s with a bang (and some bloody beautiful bags).

Leather pattern pieces in a container with various coloured fabrics on a table

Pattern pieces all over the bloody place! Now if it could just cool down for long enough for me to sew them together without leaving sweat in the pockets - that'd be great

I’m nearly there. The new website is almost ready for its big “TA-DA!” moment.

Once it’s live, here’s what you can expect:

Fresh stock, ready to shop (and sniff)
Behind-the-scenes stories from the making table
Some shiny new surprises for VIPs and loyal lovelies
A proper upgrade in how you browse, buy, and feel good about it all
A brand-new batch of gorgeous linings (yes, I went on a bit of a spending spree… worth it)
Some exciting new patterns I’ve been dying to try
The beginnings of my very own Lilly & Jude leathercare range (yes, really!)
Dreamy gift wrapping, complete with a hand-painted watercolour card by our in-house artist
Gift cards, because people have definitely been asking for them (and even if they haven’t, let’s pretend they have - woohoo! Giftable leather joy for everyone!)
Even more exclusive VIP offers and secret sales, just for subscribers. If you fancy some hush-hush discounts and early access, scroll to the footer and pop your email in the magic box.

And once I’ve wrestled this mountain of sewing into submission… it’s time to start planning for Christmas (Bonkers, I know. It’s July. I’m sweating through my linen and thinking about mince pies. Apparently, this is my life now.)

Thank you for sticking with me during the quiet patch. I know I’ve been missing from your feed, but I’ve been here the whole time - covered in thread, glued to my screen, and muttering at Shopify like it owes me rent.

Here’s to the relaunch.

It’s coming soon.

It’s going to be gorgeous.

You’re going to love it.

Or else.