Friday 19 October 2007

Good week so far this week ............... had a lovely day yesterday, it was my sister's birthday so we went out for lunch which we hadn't done for a long time so we had a good chat.

Half term started today ........... made fudge with my daughter, she wants to take it to the Youth Club Treasue Hunt tonight ..... other daughter is writing a story!

Doing bits and pieces for work that need sorting and making pieces for Christmas sales .......... nice new silver pendant taking shape!

Also organising a jewellery party at the Borough in Dalton Square Lancaster on November 15th.

See you there!

16 October 2007

Full of cold today but plodding on as I have to deliver some jewellery to Gallery H in Arnside and I also need to make, make, make more pieces.

Done a bit of cleaning, trying to keep on top of dirt! Where does it all come from?

Going to bake a pie for a neigbour and do some shopping for a friend who is ill ......... sort children out later, its Guides tonight!

Oneof those days ...........

15 October 2007

How time flies ......... feel quite bad that I haven't been keeping up to date with the blog but there just seems to be so many other things to get done. Priority has been the jewellery, getting more silver making, hall marking and getting it out there .... even amidst the postal strike!

The exhibition in London at Spencer Coleman Fine Arts is going well. I have some more galleries to supply now, one being Gallery H in Arnside and Ribby Hall in Kirkham. I am now getting on with 'christmas stock' so hopefully I will have enough to supply everybody.

We watched the rugby on Saturday along with most of the country! Not a terribly exciting game but a deserved victory .......... can't wait for the final now!

My eldest went to the Big Gig on Saturday (a Guides thing) and she saw Natasha Bedingfield, Kate Nash, the Hussiers, McFly, Robyn, Amerie amongst others, she was on a real high when she got home ............ and I was quite jealous, wouldn't have minded going myself!

Well lets hope I make a better effort at keeping up to date this week! I wll try, promise.

26th September 2007

Busy making jewellery ...... mainly to stock up for Christmas but also to show to galleries in the hopes that they will exhibit me.

D day tomorrow at Spencer Coleman Gallery in St Katherine's Wharf .... hope someone buys my jewellery or even lots of people!

Have my first yoga session tomorrow ..... really looking forward to that. Have done a bit of running and bit of cycling but as the hedges are being cut at the moment I get a puncture every time I go out! Will give it a rest for the time being ..........

Saturday 22nd September 2007

Wow what a week!

Sadly my father in law died last week and we had to go to the Isle of Man to attend his funeral. It was a good funeral, a cremation which kicked off with him being put in a motorbike sidecar hearst! Then we did a short part of the TT course that he liked before going to the crematorium .......... how fantastic when you loved motorbikes and the TT! The funeral directors were great, really lifted the occasion for everyone in our car. I also got the chance to get better acquainted with my husband's 'half' family .... itsalongstory!! The good thing is that I have another father in law who I know really well.

On the way to the Isle of Man I got a call from the Spencer Coleman Gallery in St Katherine's Wharf to see if I could send them 16 pieces for an exhibition that starts on Thursday 27th September!!! Not a lotta time but wow fantastic exposure for me.

Another gallery, The Bluestone Gallery in Devizes called and put in another repeat order so that was great and i have targeted a few other local galleries to me and I have appointments with them over the next few weeks ........... so things are kinda lookin up!

I am annoying the children because I have The Fuguees 'Killin me softly' on repeat on iTunes, can't get enough of it at the moment.

Old school friend Jan is tying the knot in October so that is good news. It means a meet up with lots of people from school some of whom I haven't seen for a while.

The sale finishes in the shop on Monday ...... its been quite good but not as good as past ones ....... I guess that is retail for ya!
Best part is all the new stock we have ordered, I have put some on the website already www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk

Off to eat pasta and drink red wine now!

Ciao

Monday 17th September 2007

Run Fat Boy Run was great, predictable but one of those great funny British movies, easy to watch and relaxing ... it is a 12A but was disappointed that the F word was used a few times, have to say it does annoy me, I don't see why it has to be used and I feel that it is so acceptable now. Anyway don't get me started on that!

Getting excited about new stock for the shop and website, lots of ordering going on this time of year so in the next few weeks its definitely worth looking at the website to see what we have.

Have been running over the weekend as every time I dragged my bike out it had a puncture. Another sign of the times this time of year ............. hedge cutting time! The girls have both had punctures so it was my turn but it did me good to have a run for a change.

Shocking news about the helicopter crash and the airplane crash ........... must be such a terrifying thing to experience.

Hoping to get on with making some more jewellery tomorrow as I have a few appointments and I need to get some pieces hallmarked and definitely need to build up my stock for the next few months.

Its Saturday

I have to say I am disappointed with myself with not keeping up to date with my blog ........ I planned to write it at least every other day ........ oh well ........ off to see Run Fat Boy Run now! Blog will have to wait!!

Getting back to normal!

First back at schoool and the children were sent home because there was no water .... and I was on a train to London with my husband! Fortunately my neighbour was around and she helped me out by looking after them for the day. Of course the children were ecstatic that they had an extra day off but annoyed that they had got up early .........

Went to London to visit a gallery in the hopes that they will exhibit/buy my silver jewellery ........ waiting to hear from them. Also had a look round International Jewellery at Earls Court and saw some fantastic new stuff, designs, ideas, great colours for the new season.

Tomorrow (Saturday) I am doing a Craft Market in Kirkham with Made in Lancashire. The weather forecast is good so hopefully it will bring people out to have a look round.

I purchased my new barrel polisher from Cooksons last week ..... wow! I have been meaning to buy it for ages but kept delaying it as there were always more important things to buy but I am so glad I have done it now, everything looks so much more polished! Sadly I get very excited about it but others jewellery people will understand. Can't help being passionate about jewellery!

Listened to Radio One Chris Moyles on the way to work this morning (listen to him every morning) and he really made me laugh...... it was all a bit toilet humour so I won't go in to detail but it was funny. Shockingly heard on the news that Kate McCann was now a suspect in her own daughter's disappearance .........

Need to pack up for the craft market now so got to go..........

Fascinating week with work ........ some great commissions for me and some other designers ..... also I took my new range to Finestra Gallery in Kirkby Lonsdale and they loved it so bought all my stuff, now I have to crack on with some more ...... always easier said than done in the school holidays!

We are starting a 2 week sale in the shop next week - sterling silver heaven for lots of people - so hopefully our sales will go up. It will be nice to get some new stock in for the autumn ....

My neice Heather is working out well for holiday cover in the shop! Had a few reservations but she is doing okay .......

Weather forecast is supposed to be good for next week so going to plan some outdoor activities ...... climb up Ingleborough with a group of us and our children ...... get some more cycling in, a bike ride to Bentham ........ maybe even a swim in the outdoor pool at Ingleton!

Wednesday 8th August 2007

We are now in the middle of our 'camping holiday' and have had a great time so far. Checked the weather forecast and went down to Oxford, beautiful weather so camped there for a few days and then moved on to London to stay with a friend. Have to say that I have enjoyed being under canvas, didn't think I would but the weather being so good its been great fun.

Took the children to the Tower of London yesterday and had a humourous beefeater guide that made all the difference to keeping the kids attention. Highlight of course was the crown jewels, got plenty of ideas for new jewellery designs! blingy tiaras, orbs, maces etc ........ went to Spencer Cooper gallery in St Katherine's Dock and enquired if they would be interested in some sterling silver jewellery, they didn't say no so will organise to show they some samples in September.

Had the usual fun people watching on the bus into and out of town, I love coming to London but equally love going home. Need to make abit more money so I can have a pied a terre in town!

Off to see some more culture today, hopefully the V and A and a few exhibtions at the Portrait Gallery if the kids can stand it! Should be off to Sussex tomorrow for a few more days camping as the forecast is good ............

27 July 2007

Thank God its Friday .................... the girls got back from their trip yesterday, they kinda enjoyed it! It was nice to have them back and it was our wedding anniversary so we celebrated with fish and chips and Prosecco! I made the Malteser cake which is actually a biscuit but truly delicious, very similar to Rocky Road that they sell in Starbucks which is made with marshmallows rather than Maltesers .......... all extremely fatteningly moreish!

Made it up Ingleborough on Tuesday (thought Tom wouldn't get back in time so I went for a 20km bike ride in the morning!) and really enjoyed it. It was very misty on top so we didn't stay long but we had a refreshing cold drink when we got to the bottom.

I went to Preston PAD gallery on Wednesday to drop off some of my jewellery to put on sale there. Its a great gallery well worth the visit and the long trek to the bottom of Church Street!

My new bangle is selling well (see it on www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk ) and I am going to make a matching necklace soon ............ I tend to wind down in the summer when the children are off school.

We are supposed to be going on a camping holiday this year .............. starting off in Oxford! Might have to do a last minute change of plan ........... will check the long range forecast and see what is happening with the weather. Those poor people who are flooded, I hope they can get sorted as soon as possible.

Lazy weekend planned, bit of tidying up, bit of gardening if the weather holds off ...........

23 July 2007

The school holidays are upon us ................... which I actually enjoy! I love that time with my children, we have time to chill and do stuff we never get around to doing .............. people always say 'nearly the school holidays' whilst rolling their eyes and I roll my eyes back.

Having said that now, our 2 daughters have gone away today until Thursday on a Youth Group holiday for the Catholic church ................ mmmm. We will see how they liked it when they get back.

In the meantime I can stay at work late and tomorrow we are off walking for the day with no restrictions on time, very strange feeling!

Had a few webs sales over the weekend (another silver bangle CAV31 ... proving popular!) and some sales of my own jewellery that people locally have asked for.

Off to have a look for a recipe for Malteser Cake which I will make for the girls when they gte home on Thursday.

Sales good at shop today which historically is unusual, normally quiet first 2 weeks of the holidays!

19 July 2007

What a week ............ I have managed to 'get over' Manchester and will apply to do their Christmas market, its all experience isn't it?

Made some more sterling silver jewellery this week which were all commissions and I have some designs I want to try out but that can wait until next week.

Yesterday I spent the day in Preston, I had a hospital appointment in the morning which went well as I was down to have surgery in September but they have decided to try alternative treatment first. Obviously I am relieved but twistedly I was thinking that I would have a genuine excuse (in my mind) to not run for a few months and not have to work for a few months!

Anyway after that I went on a mini shopping spree which I have to say is unlike me as I am not a shopoholic so I did enjoy it. Then I went off to Pad Gallery to see if they would be interested in having my jewellery in there and I think they might be but I have to officially apply first.

Today, weather great by the way, I got a bike ride in this morning, popped some jewellery in to a customer, mowed the lawn and have done a lot of admin/paperwork whilst listening to Radio 1 ............. loving Kings of Leon latest ...........

14th July 2007

Only just enough energy to say that Manchester Markets has been terrible so far .............. long days, spent alot on it and no return so far ......... only sold a few items so I am feeling despondent especially as I was all hyped up for a great weekend! Its going to be a real effort to get out of bed in the morning for the last day ...............

Tuesday 9th or 10th July 2007

Its been one of those days aahhhhhhhhhh ................. started great, went on a bike ride early, got home and did some tidying up, the postman delivered my hallmarked silver jewellery, allelulia .... everything was going great .......... and then I played with my website again and messed up so I have a gap at the top of the page so people are going to think it is blank! I have also got some code on the bottom of the page as well ......... its always so easy when you read the blurb and it says just copy and paste this code in to each page of your website!

THEN I phone up to check on the whereabouts of my mobile credit card unit that I need for Manchester Markets on Friday and ......... they have received confirmation from me by fax on the whole deal! What fax? Never received one! Soooooo, a nice guy called Patrick Shea (I pronounced his surname right first time so he was impressed, it was never that easy to impress a guy when I was single and younger!) has taken on my case and is helping me to achieve this mobile unit by Friday ...... but no guarantees.

Have managed to bake more bread and start to sort everything for Friday in the mean time ........ next week I was going to sell my jewellery at the Royal Lancashire Show but its been cancelled, will I get my money back? Think I will organise a jewellery party at home instead as I have a lot of jewellery to sell and also there is lots of stuff in the shop that I can reduce to tempt people.

And I've thought it was the 9th today.

Taking girls to Guides tonight, bit of shopping in Booths which means I will have to wait for my XL glass of wine ........

Ciao people .................

Monday 8th July another week

Desperately trying to come up with a 'cool' design for displaying my jewellery in Manchester ........

Had a great weekend .............. Church Garden Party on Saturday, poured on and off all day but it was a good day. Bumped in to Nick (Woods of Morecambe) from the Chamber of Commerce Etrader Meetings and his wife and children, small world ....... Saturday night stayed fine and we went to a BBQ at our friends house near Lancaster which was great. Sunday Tom went off to climb Scafell Pike and I took the girls swimming to the outdoor pool, have to make the most of the gaps of good weather!

Have had no orders for the past few days from the website which is strange ........... I've checked everything is okay so don't know what has happened ............ maybe its just a quiet time ...... if anybody out there sees something weird let me know http://www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk/

Talking of jewellery again I haven't had my silver back from the hallmarking office yet! Need to polish it up and price it before Friday!

Saw a picture of the skull encrusted with jewels by Damien Hirst over the weekend ...... £50 million! It is amazing what people do make and more amazing what sells at those prices.

Anyway, must get on ....................

Thursday 5th July 2007

Interesting day, tried acid etching on sterling silver for the first time. Very random result, some of it worked and some of it didn't but enjoyed doing it.

Went for a run this morning (no rain!) and then went off to do the acid etching as we had no electricity for the day - some sort of repair/maintenance thing- it happens a few times a year. Jo Dix did the acid etching, very talented jewellery designer, she makes some amazing pieces.

Got the weekly shop done and out of the way as tomorrow its .............. go to work with a parent day!!!!! So my daughter Mia is coming with me to the shop, she thinks she is going to get some shopping done but I have a few jobs lined up for her.

Still haven't sorted my display table for Manchester Garden Market next Friday so need to crack on with that.

Trying to sort out a holiday in the summer, we are going to stay in the UK (carbon foot printing etc so no flight this year - did I mention I drive a Land Rover?) but have probably left it too late. Going to spend a hour or so surfing now to try and find something ...........

Tuesday 3rd July 2007

Had a family weekend, Tom's family came over on Friday and stayed the night and my parents came over on Saturday for dinner. Sunday was Race For Life in Lancaster, all 3 of us did it again (27 years to the day since my Mum died). It was a good day except I felt really ill after for the rest of the day, not sure why .......... could have been lack of sleep over the last few days.

Seemed to be on target for getting all the jewellery ready for Manchester Garden Market in a few weeks. Trying to keep up the work with website though finding it far more difficult than I realised, its like learning a new language!

Have made a few new designs in sterling silver that I love so I will develop those over the next few weeks.

Had a baking day today ....... made some bread (I do one loaf every week everyone loves it), some buns for the kids and some chicken soup from a leftover roast chicken at the weekend.

Also did a run, tidied up and sorted the cat out!

Its Thursday already!! Have accomplished alot so far this week.

Went for a run with Barbara yesterday after attending eldest daughter's award ceremony at school - 3 awards wow, very proud parents! The run was good, did about 9 km then came home, finished a silver order off for a local shop and delivered it.

Also managed to get all the jewellery done I need to take to Manchester with me, just a few finishing off bits to do. Now I need to design the display to attract shoppers my way! Costs keep going up, sorting and hiring a mobile card machine is expensive ....... sorting the display will cost as well though at least I can re-use it a few times.

Today I finished my City and Guilds course in Art and Design, hurray, but need to buy a tumble polisher as I have been using the one at the college for the last year. The effect is great so its worth investing in one.

Tonight its a clay pidgoen shoot for the Rotary Club ....... ooops its already raining ....... and a BBQ so might just give it a miss.

Tomorrow its working in the shop again ....................

Silver soldering day

Another good start today which has continued well so far ........ I had to stay at home today and work because I am 'on call' for the First Responders in my area. I have made a lot of silver jewellery which was my plan as I am doing Manchester Garden Market in 3 weeks time and I need (hopefully) lots of silver to sell. I have made a good start so I will get it ready for hallmarking now, get it back and then polish it ready to sell.

I also do photography and aim to take some images on canvasses with me to sell in Manchester as well.

Some the jewellery will go on the website as well http://www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk/

I am going to go on a long bike ride later, some fresh air would be good and also some exercise as I feel like I have a trapped nerve in my leg - its all that standing and soldering probably.

Need to do some cleaning!! and take girls to Guides later ......... will feel quite smug if I get it all done!

Monday 25th June 2007

On my list of things to do this week is create a blog and its midday and I have started it already!

My reason for creating a blog is because all the SEO experts have been telling me for months that this is currently the best way to help your website in the 'rise up the rankings' (that bit should be said in a Kenneth Williams voice!). So for purely selfish reasons I am writing a blog to help my website www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk 'do' better with the search engines.

I intend to write about my passion for silver and jewellery that will hopefully be of interest and also topical stories in the world and anything that might interest people ....................... hence the title.