One of the most touched pieces of jewellery at the Christmas Market ...... but nobody bought it! Sterling silver hammerd bangle with fastening and mega chunks of amethsyt .....Much admired ...... oh well.

Have been very bad at blogging, time flies ..... web site is doing good ...... I am shopping for pressies so thats good ..... sorting out Christmas, family, etc etc ....... have been steadily losing weight in anticipation of putting it on over Christmas! ...... hope my silver jewellery trade sales are good .... have put a lot in to sale or return ..... have a buzz going on in my head, ideas, plans which hopefully will come together soon ..... need something to solidify it, bring it all together .... hopefully n the near future!

Wednesday 26th November 2008

Happy Birthday Dad.

I survived the cold of Manchester Christmas Market for a week .... how do people do it for 5 weeks I do not know ...... I was exhausted from the long hours and freezing from the cold .... all because I want to sell my beautiful jewellery! There has to be easier ways .......... but saying all that it was great fun, really enjoyed the banter with the people looking and sometimes buying and had great fun with the other traders ............. glad to be home, hardly saw the children for a week, Tom had to 'run' everything and he did a good job and it made him realise how much I do ......... not a bad thing!

Back to reality, sorting/making some commissions, and actually making some decisions about next year!

Wednesday 12 November 2008

Going to drop off some jewellery today, had some re-orders from Arteria which is good ........ trying to come up with a 'credit crunch' range to suit a budget in time for Christmas which is easy for earrings but pendants/rings/bangles are more difficult ...... had too much rain over the last few days but we have remained surprisingly free of water around the house ...... going for a quick ride this morning on my bike before I start work!

Sunday 9 November 2008

Got my bike last week and went for a ride whilst weather was decent enough .......... good to get out but need more practice with the all the hills round here .... made quite a bit of jewellery, trying to use bits and pieces up whilst sales are low - ring with peridot is a 'recycled' bangle! ........ finally saw Barbara the other day, haven't seen her for ages.....

Remembrance Sunday today so going to church early for a wreath laying ceremony .........

Friday 7 November 2008

simple sterling silver square earrings for Christmas presents ...
£10 .... trying to come up with low price pieces ......

finally got my bike from Pedal Power ..... feel like I have paid totally over the top for it bit my recycling/environmental conscience is topped up for quite a few months now ....... so now I can get on with cycling places instead of driving .....

Thursday 6 November 2008

Love this bracelet - I know I love all the glass bead jewellery I make - the beads by Emma www.beadenvy.co.uk are called Poppyfield ..... they are great, red green and white ....... look great with the sterling silver .....

The amber pendant is ok ..... I decided to set some stones in silver, I have a few knocking about and never use them, stone setting is'nt my strong point .... they don't really go in to it in detail when you are studying so you end making one piece for the course and nothing else ...... so I decided to do a few stones yesterday .... the amber came out best .... I did a turquoise stone but the setting is so bad I am going to redo it .... I also did some other bits and made a ring with a peridot which I have claimed for me! Will post images another day ................

Went to Wennington Hall School fireworks last night ..... great display and we got treacle toffee and chocolate apples that they had made .........yum .... and thanks.

Tuesday 4 November 2008

So much to do so little time to do it in .......

Sunday 2 November 2008

November already! ......... Thursday went well at Arteria Gallery 23, display was good and lots of people looking and buying ........ Friday was Bond day ...... film was good, usual stry line but I quite like Daniel Craig as Bond, brings something to it that the other didn't ....

Planning for Manchester Christmas Markets, stock, pricing etc .... have been invited by the Lady Mayoress to a dinner before the Market opens to celebrate the 10th Aniversary!

Wednesday 29 October 2008

Went to bed last night after hearing about the Brand/Ross fiasco and woke up to it on the news again this morning ......... at least its a change from the crdit crunch doom and gloom ....... it just shows shows you how much power the media has in this country .....

off to Manchester shopping with my girls today ......

Monday 27 October 2008

Love this ivory necklace .......... have received some great bead today from Emma at www.beadenvy.co.uk who is currently in Spain! Can't wait to make some pieces ..........

Half term ........ got bits done today and baked bread! even had an order for some earrings ........ girls have chilled enjoying the luxury of being at home all day .... lit an 'early' fire so its nice and cosy ..... hoping to go to Manchester this week, see the Bond film, go to Halloween party, might even go for a run!!!

22 October 2008

Hoping these cufflinks will sell well this Christmas .... have some more but can't find the image ... will sort out ... going to London tomorrow to see customers, stock them up for Christmas etc .... meet up with Paul (friend) for lunch and hopefully see the Rothko exhibition at the Tate Modern ....

Why do most of my friends listen to Radio 2? I love Radio 1 especially the Chris Moyles show ..... makes me laugh and I love the music ....................

Tuesday 21 October 2008

Getting sorted with more jewellery ..... ordered more silver as need to make enough stock for run up to Christmas ...... have to buy more beads from Emma www.beadenvy.co.uk as I love em so much!


Image is of first in new range .... need to develop it further but will not launch it until after Christmas ......... sterling silver and perhaps a bit of gold ..... sterling silver and leather .... bracelet, silver earrings ....... the full monty!

Weather is a fantastic range of allsorts today .... quite fancy a quick walk but need to make some pieces that have been ordered off the website ............. www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk

Saturday 18 October 2008

Loving these beads from www.beadenvy.co.uk ..... another necklace

Happy Birthday sis ............ had a good week, got hallmarking back, went to PAD gallery and gave them some stock for Chirstmas sales ...... I am off to London next week to see some outlets there and leave more stock and then i need to stock up before the Christmas rush .... yes ever the optimist but there will be one.... just might not be my jewellery!

Having a chill out day today, one daughter at a sleep over an one has gone off to the Big Gig in Birmingham, a Girl Guide pop concert, very exciting - Scoutin for Girls, the Hussiers, the Saturdays etc are performing ........ she will come home on a real high!

So we might just nip out for lunch whilst we can, sans enfants ... omg .... how often does that happen?

website is looking good, I really like the new design, Roger has done a good job on it www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk

Wednesday 15 Ocotber 2008

wow .... new look website went live yesterday

www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk

love the new look and it was about time really, its been there for 4years so needed a face lift though I am slightly nervous as I loved the original site ............... slowly the site is filling up with my own designs of sterling silver jewellery...... not sure if it will end up being just my jewellery .... don't think though as there is some great sterling silver jewellery out there from other designers ...........

lots of other stuff going on .... Winter Exhibition coming up at Arteria Gallery 23 in Lancaster (if you want a ticket to the Preview email me) ............ Manchester christmas Market 18 - 24th November for me and Jo, we are sharing a stall .......

On call for First Responders again today so am home based and need to do phone calls etc .. tidy up, maybe bake!


New range of sterlig silver jewellery brewing up ........... have amde a necklace so far! but am loving it ...

9 September 2008

Good week so far .......... left lots of sterling silver jewellery at 2 outlets, made more and sent off for hallmarking ...... will go see more outlets next week .......... things are going well, I hope people like the new range, have more ideas coming through so want to start on a new range soon .......... have removed jewellery cabinet from Barton Grange, they felt they weren't selling enough and want the space for other things ........ will have to find a replacement.

Saturday 4 October 2008

Thank goodness for Emma and her handmade glass beads, she has made some fantastic beads for me, its so nice to find someone this helpful with an equal passion for what she does! She has a great website www.beadenvy.co.uk so have a look at her beads and little critters!

I have made some great sterling silver jewellery designs with her beads and Emma loves it as well which is a great endorsement for me.

No running this week ....... having some time out from that but have been to the gym and hope to get my bike soon so will start on that ........ if the weather improves! rain rain rain ..........

I am on call today and twice next week for First Repsonders so that should make me get on with more silver jewellery, stocking up for Christmas sales!!!

Might even bake this week, haven't done it for a couple of weeks and actually bought some muffins which I never do!

Monday 29 September 2008

A week since I last blogged! ..... finally got the bike I bought off Ebay for my daughter .... bought it in August and the courier didn't pick it up as it was n't boxed! Anyway its here now and perfect.

Have found a great new bead maker, fantastic except I have spent way too much on her great glass beads .... need to get on with my designs and retail my jewellery!

Did the 10km run yesterday in Preston and it went well, actually enjoyed it but have decided to give up running for a few weeks again mainly to see if it is easier to lose weight and will I be able to sleep better which are all my own theories but we shall see ......

Went to Carlisle on Friday with Tom and had a good look round whilst we was at some meetings ....... nowhere for my jewellery but it was a good day ..... shopping is good and I found a nice park area outside Tully House to have my lunch and enjoy the sun for a while ......... met a nice lady called Ivy Graham who I had a chat with ...... well it was a long discussion really ......

Family came over yesterday and we had a nice dinner altogether ......

Monday 22 September 2008

Great weekend at Harrogate, good sales so helps to pay everything!

Went to an impromptu bbq (making the most of some fine weather) at friends which was very pleasant, had a good time. Think it was the second bbq of the summer!

Got all my orders done from the trade show so happy about that and think I have sourced another bead supplier thank goodness. Her glass beads are great and just need a few tweaks for my Equal range and she seems obliging so here's to a happy working relationship.

Went for a 10k this morning, did well so feel okay about the Preston run on Sunday despite lack of training ........

Wednesday 17 September 2008

Went for a run this morning and met Barbara's new puppy! Cute as can be but lots of work .................. getting everything ready for Harrogate, hope the jewellery sells well ..... hallmarking due back tomorrow so can get my orders out ............. probably going to the gym tonight with Marnie .... on call today for First Responders so hope no call outs!

Monday 15 September 2008

Harrogate this week! Retail show, another new one for me so hopefully it will go well. I have stock from the shop that needs to go and I have lots of my own pieces so there is a good variety.

Had a good weekend ........ did bits around the house and watched The Kite Runner on DVD which was good, the girls watched it as well all the way through, their first foreign language film! Shirley the cockerel died (beautiful black Orpington) which was expected but we kept on hoping he might recover ..... on Sunday we went over to see Margaret and John (third cousin!), they live in a great spot in Littledale ......... blissfully quiet.

Just polishing some pieces for the show then getting together all the bits I need today ...... did a good run this morning, almost 10km so nearly there ..... only 2 weeks until the one in Preston!

Wednesday 10 September 2008

Well I did it ......... trade fair, been there, seen it, done it and got the T shirt! Went well, got some good orders for outlets in the south of England .......... very quiet trade fair though and quite disappointing amount of buyers ......... really not enough to go round .......... busy now fulfilling orders etc .... and everyone survived at home! they can cope without me after all!

31 August 2008

Last day of the month and its ....... raining .......... had a good week, designed and sorted my stand for the exhibition so feel far more secure about things now ....... getting no sleep though but think that is down to running! Have slept like a baby over the summer when I gave up running but now I am back to pounding the lanes I have started to sleep badly .... must look further into this. I am only running for September, there is a 10km on 28th in Preston so after that I will stop then I can see if its the running ...... think the girls are sorted for back to school .... stationery, uniform etc etc ........ went to Leeds last week shopping but bit disappointed ..... did some oxidising on silver jewellery pieces, pleased with the results, see pics ....

Monday 25 August 2008

Bank Holiday Monday .......... drizzling .... which is a shame as we had convinced the girls to go on a big walk (with only a small amount of moaning) and now they are trying to use the rain as an excuse ........... we will keep trying!

Spent Sunday at the Dragon Boat Race which was quite good though lacking in other activities but hopefully they can build on that for next year ........ Saturday was a major gardening day, we finally got the mowing and strimming done after all the rain and waiting for everything to dry off ..............

Trade show! What trade show? Can't even think about it at the moment .......

22 August 2008

Had a great birthday yesterday .... breakfast in bed and lots of nice pressies ..... the girls were very helpful and we went out for a meal in the evening to the Lunesdale which was great ............

I am still thinking about the trade show and everything that entails but haven't quite made it to getting organised ..... ha .... but here is a great new necklace in the design of the glass bead range ....... thick sterling silver wire, sterling silver nuggets and those fantastic glass beads made by Andrea ..... £170 on the website www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk

Wednesday 20 August 2008

Went in to Lancaster and met a friend today whilst the girls went to the cinema to see Wild Child ..... they kinda liked it .... the usual teenage rom/com was the comment ......... I am getting on with designing my exhibition stand for Design Edge and once I have done that I will make the few more silver pieces I need to finish off the ranges I am marketing at the exhibition. There is an miage of the glass bead necklace that matches the bead range ...... pricey at £160 but is a heavy piece of quality handmade jewellery.

Its my birthday tomorrow so I supposed to do nothing but lets see what the weather is like before I make any decisions ..........

Tuesday 19 August 2008

Have been trying to catch up from our holiday in Berlin/Warsaw .... well atually I feel like I have been really busy but don't seem to have achieved much. I feel very lethargic and really can't be bothered to do anything ....... I have 2 retail/trade shows coming up in September and I should really be sorting those out but I just can't be bothered .......... we had a great trip by train - I would really recommend train trips for holidays .... it was very relaxing and its great to see all the cities and countryside that you pass through ........ Berlin was a great city to have alook around and Warsaw was beautiful, the old buildings, the colours, the history .... we really enjoyed it all ......... except the food!
So.......... I am just planning my marketing literature for the shows .... trying to make it as little as possible as I know from past experience that (as a buyer) you throw a lot of it away ....... I think I could do with some more images but sterling silver is difficult to photograph so I need to work on that .... its probably too late but I have other images anyway ..........
oh well must get on and make a start ...........

Thursday 7 August 2008

We have been in Berlin for 2 days, the weather is fantastic and we have had a great look around ........... the journey was fun, all the trains ran on time and the overnight to Berlin was an adventure ....... the girls were thrilled with their carrige that converted into a bedroom ......... we have done a big tour of the 'main places' and also spent half a day in the zoo! Dont know why but we quite often end up in the zoo when we go abroad! Whats that all about? Onwards to Poland today ............

Sunday 3 August 2008

Oh well Garstang Show wasn't too good sale wise but a nice day nonetheless as I spent it with my sister. Off on holiday tomorrow ... the train trip from Wennington to Warsaw! Really looking forward to it ..................

Friday 1 August 2008

Happy Birthday to Delia today on her 60th ............... have got busy today, sorting holiday stuff, taking kids to the cinema, last minute shopping and preparing for Garstang Show tomorrow so hope it goes well despite the weather forecast ........

Thursday 31 July 2008

Have had a mad great week of activity ........... day trip to Glasgow - nice but shopping not brilliant ...... Wedding Anniversary 17 years - went for a lovely meal to the Highwayman in Burrow - its okay there but still can't work out the attraction, its mediocre and lacking in atmosphere for me .... there are plenty of other places locally that I prefer.

Went camping in a pod in Wasdale, that was fun, far dryer than a tent (although we had great weather there were a few downpours), quieter than a tent .... just a bit more luxurious but you still feel you are doing the outside thing.

Now I am sorting things out for Gastang Show on Saturday - its going to happen rain or shine so I need to get my jewellery sorted especially the new glass bead pieces as well as all the sterling silver bits ..............

Then we are off on holday!

Monday 21 July 2008

....... had a great weekend, went for a walk on Sunday and had dinner with family, it was really nice and even nicer not to get wet .... all weekend!

Youngest daughter got called back to the hospital, a week later, only to find out she has a fracture which was over looked on the X ray .......... now she is in plaster! She has n't been at her best all week so maybe that explains it!

I finally got hold of Andrea and her beads, many thanks to Jo for sorting that ....... I have a whole load of them now and I am siftng through them ........ heaven!

16 July 2008

Have taken stock of my silver jewellery ....... need to order more silver and get making so I am up to date for trade and retail sales and then there is no last minute panic in September ..... sales in The Artroom Gallery in Garstang are going well although that is always normal initially with a new outlet ... long may it continue. PAD gallery in Preston have moved premises to somewhere more central so I am going there on Friday to drop off some new pieces..... hopefully sales will pick up now they are in a more central position.

Done a couple of runs this week .... only small ones but its a start again ...... much prefer my new regime of gym/walking but the gym is closed for the summer so I will do a bit of running instead.

Girls finish school on Friday for the summer ..... Sports Day today, sponsored walk!! tomorrow ..... both of them are not looking forward to that ... 18 miles the day before term finishes .....

Friday 11 July 2998 House For Sale

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-19723406.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy

I am using all my known avenues to sell my house so if you are interested get in touch .......... it really is very private despite a next door neighbour, we are in the middle of nowhere ... lots of wildlife ....... green ........ peace!

Friday 11 July 2008

www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk

log on and buy some jewellery!

Tuesday 8 July 2008

I am quite happy now with the 6 ranges of jewellery I have and I think it will sit well for the trade shows later on ....... I have one more pendant to sort out but I am having trouble with the supply.

Woke up to rain again ........ getting used to it like everyone else ..... good excuse not to run though ...... haven't actually run since the Manchester 10km ......... having fun at the gym at Wennington Hall School instead, they are really good and we have some great workouts. I will run soon but I don't want it to dominate my exercise routine so I will do some walks and cycling as well ...........

Tuesday 1 July 2008

Have made a move and started the ball rolling for the summer holidays .......... have booked 2 nights in a camping pod with 2 friends and children in Wasdale ..... in the first week of the holidays we are off to Glasgow by train for the day shoppping ...... and now I have enquired about a train journey to Poland via Berlin ....... waiting for details and a price .....

I have done the images of my sterling silver jewellery for the trade brochure at last ..... I have 'topped up' my stock as some new pieces have sold ......... still working on the exhibition stand!

Whilst the weather holds I am going to get some mowing done before I take Anne to do her shopping ..........

Image for my business card attached .......

30 June 2008

Had a good weekend though waved goodbye to our eldest daughter as she went off with the school to Barcelona for the week ........ we just chilled yesterday, took it easy, read the papers and ate!

I am preparing my sterling silver jewellery for photographs so that I can get some advertising materials done ....... still designing my exhibition stand ......... but kinda getting there.

The pendant pictured is of a glass bead handmade by Andrea McKinnon, I have had it for a while and have been thinking about a setting for it and finally came up with this - sterling silver wire twisted etc ........ I really like it and feel it is perfect for the bead ....... it has a kinda flower power groovy feel.

You can it on line at www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk

Tuesday 24 June 2008

What terrible weather over the weekend! I did a little shopping with eldest daughter as she is off to Barcelona with the school next week and needed some more shorts and things .... we got soaked in between shops!

Had a good Sunday ..... family came over for lunch and I steamed a whole salmon which was delicious .... I bought from someone at a food hall at Holker Hall .... must look out for him again.

Got a new outlet (sale or return of course)...... the Artroom Gallery in Garstang ..... they took quite a few pieces so I hope it sells well there.


I have had quite a few outlets paying me for sale or return that has been sold so its topping up the account so that I can prepare for the trade and retail shows that I am doing .............

Still finishing off the windows!!! but only got 3 left to do an really want to get it done as someone is coming to look at the house on Thursday. It's not going to sell the house but at least it looks better ..............

Started with a sore throat last night and its still here this morning ...........

19 June 2008

Went to The Design Show in Liverpool ......... some great jewellery there .......... was looking for ideas on displays and got some thoughts going ........

Off shopping tomorrow, doing bits and pieces and then the in laws are coming over the weekend, and my family on Sunday ......... hoping to get a few more windows done .... its really dragging on and we need to finish it as there is plenty of other things we need to be doing .......

Monday 16 June 2008

Some new pieces, I love the earrings and have been wearing them since I made them ..... you can see all the pieces on the website www.thejewelleryoom.co.uk

Had a good Father's Day yesterday, the girls bought some really good quirky presents from Gear in Kendal, its a fantastic shop, they always come up with something different for me when I need something. They also gave him a couple of linen shirts which were on offer at Boden ...... brilliant funky colours and designs ( I bougth those of course!) ............. and finished it off with a nice roast pork dinner ........ tonight they are cooking beefburgers for dinner for us all! Trying to get them more experienced in the kitchen!

Friday 13 June 2008

Friday the 13th ............. I am not superstitious but my children are? I guess they are at that age when its fun to do the superstitious thing, just hope they grow out of it.

Its been a good week ............... I got my new designs made and I love them, they kinda move on from some of my other designs, the Wired! range. It has been difficult to photograph them though so I haven't got anything I can post yet but I'm working on it ..........

I have managed to get on top of my paperwork and next week I seriously need to plan my exhibition stand ...........

Thursday 11 June 2008

Finally managed to finish off new pieces and get everything to the assay office in Sheffield for hallmarking.

Also managed to get a few more window frames painted .......

Now I need to concentrate on designing my exhibition stand for September! I have no idea what to do ..............need inspiration .... now!

I am also devloping some new designs that I started a few months ago but put on hold whilst I got up to scratch with making and fulfilling current orders.

I was going to get the children to make fingerprint cufflinks for Father's Day but it all went pear shaped with bad moods so it didn't happen. There are a couple of cufflinks on the website

http://www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk/acatalog/gifts.html

which are great but I think the children are old enough to sort it out themselves this year so it will be interesting to see how they deal with it!

Friday 6 June 2008

Some images as promised of new pieces .......... called blob! ..... earrings will retail about £35 and the pendant £50 .... the spiral earrings will be about £20.
I am pricing up pieces today for a sale on Sunday at Ribby Hall Wrea Green and making a few other pieces ........ I'm on call for First Responders today and tonight so its a good day to get things done .....

Thursday 5th June 2008

Making an effort ............... had a good week so far, got 2 commissions finished and more jewellery made, I am doing a fete at Ribby Hall on Sunday so need stock for that and also get in to a shop in Preston called Vibe which is a great looking contemporary jewellery shop.

Managed to get on with the windows as the weather is so good so have rubbed down all the back windows ready for Tom to paint them!
Also baked a loaf, Marnie made Chelsea buns at school which were delicious (although we made a pact not to eat bewtween meals or eat junk this week!), still haven't run since Manchester but will get back to it soon ........ think it has been good to give the old body a rest!

Will post some images of jewellery soon ...........

1st June 2008

Oops .................. nearly a month since I last blogged!! Thought it was something like 2 weeks ....... well half term took over last week and we did have the best fun ....... shopping in Preston, Manchester ......... swimming in that wind in an open air swimming pool .......... helping out at Holker Garden Festival .... finally watching Son of Rambow at the Dukes Cinema Lancaster, what a treat!
Of course now I am raring to go with new ideas and lots of jewellery to make ..... I havea lot to do between now and September, 2 shows, one trade and one retail so I need to get an exhibition stand designed and made and lots of printing .... watch this space .......

4 May 2008

Gosh where does the time go to ..... hadn't realised its been 5 days since I last blogged!

Spent Wednesday wandering round Preston whilst I had my car sorted out ........ had to leave it from 9am until 3pm ......... got my hair trimmed and had a good walk round streets I haven't been down for years ....... got back only to be told they hadn't done anything and could I come back again! Why didn't they phone me so that I could have gone back home and got some work done ........ I was very calm (could be the meditation influence!!) and re-booked for another time!

Thursday was my last Photoshop course for a while, I need to get some work done and prepare some images that I want to sort out and then sign up again for the course.

Friday I worked on the website with Roger ......... going to do a redesign and tweak it abit .... I guess it needs it after 4 years but I love the original design by www.madcan.com so I have been hesitant about changing it.

Saturday I made a cake for my neice who is going off to Australia for 3 months ........ we are having a farewell meal tonight ..... today I am going to chill a little and get soem jewellery ready for tomorrow as we are selling at Wray Fair.

Then its a whole new week .......... bursting with new designs so need to create ..............

29 April 2008

Saturday's run round Wray was absolute murder .......... don't know why as I so used to doing 10 km with lots of hills but I felt terrible, like I had been drugged .......... but made it round and knocked off a minute from last years time! Had a few beers after to recover ..........

Had a nice day on Sunday, parents came over for dinner.

Spent Monday helping out at Wray Fair which was quiet as it rained!

Managed a run this morning! Did some oxidisation on some silver jewellery I have made .......... liked it so might get soem more done.

Tomorrow I am in Preston again getting my car sorted!

25 April 2008

Saw a gallery yesterday Arteria in Lancaster and they will accept some of my sterling silver jewellery for their exhibition which is in October so that is a good one to have before Christmas. The girls went round town and did a bit of shopping ...... of course they did some studying in the morning ..........

Done my on line shop with Tesco ....... now I'm trying to sort out some engraving for a customer on a bangle which is proving difficult. I really wanted to sort this out as it is for a soldier serving in Iraq and he wants to get his fiancee a present for her birthday ... I will keep trying.

Done the Church newsletter for this week, it was relatively straightforward, not much news ..............

Working on some new designs ....... very early stages ..........

Wednesday 23 April 2008

Had a good run yesterday and finally registered for the Wray 10K on Saturday the start of the Scarecrow Festival .............. started my spring cleaning!! getting upstairs done over the next week .... where do all those cobwebs come from?

Have designed some new earrings, thought it might be a good idea to have a bigger range of sterling silver earrings as people are not spending so much. Had a few sales from d'argent in the Oxo Tower so that was good ................ going to PAD gallery in Preston today to change my stock there.

In desperate need of new recipes, simple good food .......... I get so bored of making the same old stuff and then find it impossible to think of new things!

Youngest daughter off school today, feels ill, can't quite get to the bottom of it .......... teacher's strike tomorrow so school is closed! Niece is stepping in to rescue me so that I can still get my car sorted and do my appointments!

Monday 21 April 2008

A week since my last blog! It was a bit of a non week .......... I filled in some applications for retail and trade shows ....... burnt some CD's to send off to galleries etc ..... did my usual runs etc etc .......... everything as normal!

Went to Manchester on Saturday for Mia's birthday treat wither her friends. Train travel is a problem at the moment but we had a good day ......... note on self - must go back by myself and do the stuff I like - didn't get the opportunity on Saturday but it reminded me of how much I like Manchester.

I am on the verge of buying some more sterling silver but only bits and pieces .......... need a good selection of earrings for future events as they always sell well and most people are prepared to spend £10 even when times are hard!

Tuesday 15 April 2008

Happy Birthday to my youngest daughter ........... teenager today! Because of the weird Easter set up she has had to go to school for the first time on her birthday ..... not happy!

Helped at the parents Coffee Morning over the weekend which was a great success, they raised a lot of money for Cenacolo (will expain that one day! or you could google it). Saw a friend on Sunday and caught up ...............

Did another good run yesterday ......... got my shopping done and last minute birthday bits .... helium balloon included. Couldn't get one with 13 on though which was disappointing.

Doing more website work today ......... tax stuff ..... taking Ann shopping .... normal Tuesday stuff ......... really want to see Son of Rambow and Mama Mia, must organise it. Watched Little Miss Sunshine on DVD which was very entertaining, directed by Jonathan Dayton ......... dysfunctional family on a journey together in a VW van which is falling apart like their family relationship but all comes good in the end ........... funny film.

Filling out a 7 day Epic food diary for Institute of Cancer ....... have to record every morsel which passes my lips! Hadn't realised how many sweets/chocs just pop into my mouth on a daily basis!

Off to get a coffee now ............. and some fudge!

Friday 11 April 2008

Another big run done in sunshine and showers .......... baked like crazy over the last few days for a Coffee Morning my parents have organized for Cenacola ..... cakes, cookies, fudge, gone wrong truffles (had to eat those, dont think I can sell them!) .... done the church newsletter, went to a Prosper event (Design Initiative) in Stockport on Wednesday about trade shows, hot to approach them, prepare for them etc .......... good stuff .... lady called Stella Corrall did a talk and she was great, loved her attitude ........

Registered on Flickr so another avenue to promote my jewellery hopefully .............. did an image to put on jewellery info ... its the one at the top ...

Registered on Design Initiative website ........... before you know it the days over!

Tuesday 8 April 2008

Need to get a grip on my website, there is so much to do but it is sometimes seems like a different language .............. need to be in the right frame of mind to get on with it so that will haev to wait.

Did a good run yesterday morning........ and slept well last night thank goodness as I really needed some sleep, I just hate not sleeping but it seems to be a regular occurence with me now for at least half of the month.

Have started to make inroads on my images that I want to print on canvas .............. just another little thing I am doing!

Kids had a good first day back at school, youngest got her results from Grade 1 Rock School exam ............. she passed hurray .... she thought she had failed as nerves got the better of her and she got the wrong day so wasn't prepared mentally ....... well done her.

Off on a seminar thing tomorrow ............... about trade shows!

Friday 4 April 2008

Had a terrible nights sleep as the girls decided to sleep in my room for a night before Dad gets back! Big mistake, we all kept each other awake in our own little way ........ managed to do a 10km run this morning but feel totally exhausted.

Got Last King of Scotland on DVD so looking forward to watching that over the weekend.

Got my hallmarking back so will get on with that next week when the girls are back at school.

Busy week next week .............

Wednesday 2 April 2008

Made it through the day yesterday without any major April Fools!

Got my hallmarked sterling silver back today so I am quite eager to get out there but of course its school holidays so I will have to wait. And next week is a busy one for me anyway so it will probably be the week after before I get anywhere!

Had a good run this morning .... about 12km ..... wearing my new running shoes! Still got a sore foot though .......

One daughther has gone off to a friends house so down to one ......... she wants to go for a walk! Its 2.30pm and she has just got dressed! But she has been revising and doing homework until now so .........

Monday 31 March 2008

Don't you just hate it when the clock goes forward .......... I need my sleep! And at the grand age of 44 I have just sussed out that it goes forward in the spring and back in the winter ..... I never really thought about it but now it makes sense .... or not .... we should just leave it alone anyway .........

I have started the week with a run, got a new pair of running shoes at last, it always take me about 6 months from when I notice I need a new pait to actually buying them, same with all my running gear ... always more important things to buy .... school shoes, clothes, food, microwave etc ...............

Need to mention the Moon Cup as well....... won't go in to too much detail but its an alternative to tampons and sanitary towels. Its a little cup that you insert ......... as usual at 44 I have only just discovered them but how I wish I had known about them years ago ..............

Feel quite full of enthusiasm today (!!!) so mean to get on with things I have been putting off! Keep tuned for progress reports ..........

27 March 2008

School holidays ........ got some baking done yesterday so the kids are stocked up on cake, biscuits and bread! One of them wanted to see Accidental Husband so off she went whilst we sipped a nice latte and did a bit of shopping ......... got my silver off to the hallmarking so when that returns I need to pull my finger out and start selling! Again!

26 March 2008

Wow what a great Easter weekend. We went to Good Friday Mass and the girls served on the altar (it was their first Good Friday one)and as usual its quite a moving service. Tom's parents came over for the night as it was his birthday on the Saturday. We went out for lunch to Thirteen in Settle, good food ......... in the evening we had some friends over, Tom drank way too much red wine and paid for it on Sunday. We went sledging and built some big snow things in the afternoon .... it helped Tom's hangover abit! ......... my parents came over for dinner and on Easter MOnday we went to their house for dinner! Great fun, family Easter just as it should be.

Wednesday 19th March 2008

A few images of my bead ranges ...... found some great unusual beads that I had to have and actually made soemthing with them. I have a horde of beads and stones that I buy and never use ... they are so pretty and shiny that I have to buy them but then I never get the inspiration to use them. Thank goodness this time I did. I also met a great lady called Andrea McKinnon who make glass beads which are fantastic. The colours and designs are great ..... different from pieces I have seen before, I have just made a pendant with one ....... I tried to design something around it but its so great on its own that it doesn't need anything else.

Its husband's birthday on Saturday so am arranging a small soiree of friends for a drink ........ will be nice for the Easter weekend.

No great plans over the weekend, the weather forecast is bad, but will get up to no good over the 2 weeks holiday anyway with the girls.

18 March 2008

Had a good weekend, went to the Oudoor Show at the NEC ( birthday treat for husband, he enjoyed it as he listened to Alan Hincks talk about his climbing/walking, one daughter was bored and one daughter had fun trying all the climbing walls).

Sunday we had family over for dinner so big roast chicken meal.

Relieved that Shannon has been found but feel like everyone else there is more to this story ........ lets just hope she is okay and can carry on her life.

The stories from Tibet are terrible. I really feel that is should be a separate coutry but how can that be when it is surrounded by the might of China. The Olympic games are going to be interesting as it gets nearer and nearer .............

I feel quite strongly that my jewellery is developing well and 'growing up'. I still love designing, creating and making new pieces and I am brimming over with ideas but I really need to calm down and slow down ....... I need to promote and sell one new range before I start on others!

Off to do more making .........!

14 March 2008

I have sold my landrover ....... yes my beloved landrover. I have been saying I was going to sell it for about 2 years now and I finally did it. My last winter of driving for 10 miles before the it heated up, my last winter of driving and trying to wipe the inside of the windscreen because of inadequate ventilation ..... my last winter of terrible mpg ........ the children can stop moaning that their knees are touching their chins in the back of the car .... I won't be dripped on anymore from condensation from the sun roof ........ and I am going to miss it! It had character and attitude but hey its only a car and I just need to get from A to B.

Here is some new sterling silver jewellery ...........

Did I mention we are selling our house? We have decided to move for many reasons ...... its time to move on, I want a smaller garden so we are down sizing really ...... trying to simplify life generally! Therefore we are spending a lot of time looking at other houses which is very time consuming and quite exasperating ....... you see a great house but its too near to the motorway/next to a sub station/on a main road etc etc.

I have actually managed to make quite a few pieces of jewellery over the last few weeks some of which I will continue with .... I still love my Luna range and the pendants are looking fantastic. I have added some earrings recently either studs or drops which match really well. The bead and silver pieces are great but not as popular yet .........

Trying out my marketing skills this week so hopefully I will have another customer soon ............. or not! Have approached some people over the last week and not got anywhere ..... everyone is complaining about lack of sales so they don't want to take on anymore stock.

Must be positive .............

Liquorice allsorts

Have finally got back in to making mode ........ had a few sketches that needed developing ......... a new bangle which didn't quite work but will probably be okay with a few adjustments ..... new necklaces which have bright funky glass beads ..... bracelets and earrings to follow. I have also developed my Luna range to include more pieces and some more upmarket pieces ..........

I attended a seminar lead by Rachel Smart which prompted me to get on with things ......... I have set myself some targets for this year (not sharing this in case I don't achieve them!....so defeatist already ......... - note to self - must be more positive!)

Watched DVD Angles in America - Al Pacino/Meryl Streep - Mike Nichols film adapted from stage - fantastic.

Oscars .......... poor Atonement! Haven't actually seen it but feel like I have as I have seen so many clips!

Have added some new pieces to the website over the last week ..... silver bangles mainly and some of my new pieces ........ bangles sell exceptionally well .........

11 February 2008

Still doing bits and pieces for the shop and waiting for the council to come and do a handover.

Listened to the news earlier........ McCartney/Mills settlement .... am I interested? He married a much younger person quite quickly, no pre nup ........... its sad more than anything that another child will live between 2 homes.

Watched the BAFTA's last night, Daniel Day Lewis was great and I am glad Atonement got something ............ and Amy Winehouse won loads of Grammy's, I love her music and hate the druggy image she has but those days of being squeaky clean have long gone ..... if she wants to live her life like that let her ...........

Was going to do a bit of baking but the oven thermostat went last night (whilst roasting some chicken!) so cant do 'oven things' over the next few days!

Friday 8 February 2008

Went to see my sister who is recovering nicely from a hystericalectomy .....made her laugh which was painful!

Went to view 2 houses - love both so not sure what to do - one is similar to the one we live in...... in the country, bit quirky, old etc and the other one has everything we want but is in a cul de sac, surrounded by houses but in a village atmosphere!

Did the cabinet in the Scarthwaite Hotel - no sales! Not good ...... but the sales are slowly increasing on the website so ....

Got my silver order yesterday so need to start on those new designs and its half term next week!

Wednesday 6th February 2008

Went to the Spring Fair on Monday with a friend. Some great new jewellery designs were on show and we had a good day.

Spent today catching up on repairing a ring, modifying some earrings and making 2 sterling silver commissions.

Still looking in to changes on the website and waiting for advice and quotes!

Shocked about Grange Hill but I guess time moves on. I used to watch it when I was younger but haven't seen it for years ........

Going for a run tomorrow and then on to my course, Adobe Photoshop! Progressing nicely with my images and should have some canvasses to print soon ............

3rd February 2008

Had a good week. Closed the shop so I now just have the website to run and promote my wonderful sterling silver jewellery. Going to Spring Fair at Birningham tomorrow for a look see at what is going on ........ went for a run after Church today, had a 'family' drive out to deliver a letter and things and watched Wild at Heart with the girls ........... also watched Bourne Ultimatum ........ brilliant as usual ..............

Saturday 26th January 2008

...... been a while ....... got out of the habit and was very easy to stay that way ...... so many other things to do ......... so trying to get back in to the habit ........... currently redesiging the website as things are changing slightly, shop is closing next week so just selling on the web but still continuing with my jewellery.......... got a new customer last week in the Oxo Tower ... d'argent which is a great shop full of fantastic jewellery from designers all over the country .......... hopefully my pieces will sell well! Need to pursue that now more than ever so watch this space!

Heard of a shooting or stabbing in Preston ...... its getting worse and nearer ....... thats 2 incidents in the last few months ....... thinking of going on a diet, would like to lose half a stone so need to start thinking along those lines .......... also increasing exercise level as will probably do Manchester 10km again and maybe some others ...... well thats it for now ....... hopefully I will carry on .........