New Beginnings ........... Saturday 26th September 2009

Haven't blogged for nearly 2 months, have been busy tweeting tho .......... thought I would concentrate on the one thing but now I realise I can use my blog to record my things about my degree course.
Started by Foundation Degree in Contemporary Jewellery last Monday. Usual induction stuff going on, met up with classmates, they are great and there is another student my age so I am not the only mature one!
Everything went pear shaped when both my daughters were ill! Tom managed to cover 2 days and I did the rest. Will catch up but feel like I have missed out, maybe something really important but I guess I am just anxious anyway.
First project is to design and make a brooch in your favourite colour! 2Weeks to get it done ...............
In the meantime I have been working on a new range in copper .......... see images!

Saturday 1st August 2009

Might have shown the ring before but I just love it so here it is again .......... and a new pendant which I also love, biased? yes but I don't always love everything I make. I don't like doing hearts or flowers but I get asked for them all the time as they sell well.

Maybe I need to be more commercial especially if I want to make any money. I need to look at 2 separate sections really, one for outlandish pieces and one for middle of the road pieces ......... there is definitely a market for both but they need to be approached differently.

Anyway, have spent a lot of today power washing the back patio of our house ..... now there's a very satisfying job and it looks great!

Friday 24 July 2009

my upmarket chave earring, had a good response, people who I thought wouldn't like them love them!

they are sterling silver, 6cm hoops .............

Wednesday 22 July 2009

Just lost 3 hens to a fox, saw it dragging off Lulu and ran after it but too late ......... only 1 left so might as well give it someone and thats the whole thing over with .....

Have just ordered some silver for some new designs, a few experiments going on ........

My chav inspired earrings have gone down well so far .... will post image tomorrow ........

Off to Manchester with daughters to shop ..............

Tuesday 21 July 2009

I spent last week at an Art Fair in Kendal ........ had a great time, sales were good but not brilliant although I might get a trade customer out of it which would be great ..... lots of compliments and appreciative people and the other Art people were fun.

I have a few bits to make this week but mainly I am going to enjoy being at home, its weird being out for 7 days and it made a change for me but I really enjoy working in my workshop by myself!

I have doing some photos for Vogue, hoping ot get my bead jewellery in the magazine in the September issue. Watch this space.

I have customised some 'chav earrings' which I love, even my kids like them, so far most people like them so will get some on the website soon.

Thursday July 2009

Have a look at this website, there is lot of knitted jewellery out there but this is really classy professional stuff, the best I have seen ........... I love it.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/fashion/2576097/Knitted-jewellery

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Trying to take more professional images so hope this is better (and not ebay - ish)
I love these bangles and they are starting to get noticed, everybody comments on the one that I wear so they are getting centre stage at the markets that I am doing over the summer and hopefully I will be advertising them in a magazine soon!

Friday 3 July 2009

Great summer bead necklaces with sterling silver flower ..... £18.00 www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk
Had no electricity this morning, it was a scheduled cut but I forgot so the washing machine was half way through, and I was polishing some silver in the polishing machine ..... computer went dead, then it clicked ...... anyway I prepared my hallmarking ....

I was expecting a silver delivery this morning but it didn't arrive so its really screwed up my day and tomorrow ..... oh well happy Friday .......

Wednesday 1 July 2009

U2 started their tour yesterday in Barcelona, you can see a set up of their stage design www.360.u2.com/ ........ supposed to be fantastic .............

Have made a couple of new necklaces /pendants ..... will post images tomorrow ...

Friday 26 June 2009

Necklace with fantastic glass beads made by Emma@beadenvy.com ...... love the turquoise colour ........ this one is going to Obsidian Art in Stoke Mandeville so hopefully someone will give it a loving home!

I am making stock at the moment ready for the Summer Art Fairs .... I am at Old Nell's in Bilsborrow on Sunday 28th at the Lancashire Love It Fair and then I have a week at the Art Fair in Kendal from 13th - 19th July and then I am doing the Art in the Pen weekend in Skipton in August. Hopefully I will need lots of stock so I am busy making .............

Wednesday 24 June 2009

Great sterling silver and glass bead bracelet ...... great beads from emma@beadenvy.co.uk, just received some more for a necklace I am making. I lover her work.

Wednesday 17 June 2009

So have made 3 men rings ........... I was asked by a gallery in Devizes if I did any rings for men, they were looking for something that was defintitely handmade and for men so I came up with these 3. The wrap ring I have made for a long time and have made a few for men over the years but the other 2 are new .... quite inoffensive but definitely handmade so I am hoping they like them ..... if interested email me your ring size. Everything is sterling silver ......

Coincidentally, I saw this article on men's bangles ..... will have to come up with some new designs now .......
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/lifestyle/article-23707682-details/Band+of+brothers:+The+rise+of+the+man-bracelet/article.do

Wednesday 10 June 2009

http://www.missmalaprop.com/

The above site has a great article on cleaning silver jewellery with or without gemstones, definitely worth a look and it works .....

9 June 2009

http://tiakramerjewelry.com/home.html

love this jewellery all made from paper, well worth a look ..........

Summer Exhibition opens Friday at Arteria Gallery23 Lancaster with my Black and Gold range in it, preview evening on Thursday ......

Have got some new designs for pendant lined up, will experiment over the next few weeks .............

Monday 8 June 2009

Love this story, she obviously has a reputation wearing the brooch and then everything that happened after ..........


http://www.prweb.com/releases/hazel-blears/brooch/prweb2505004.htm

Tuesday 2 June 2009

Have to mention Susan Boyle or SuBo (that must have been an indication of her fame, she got a nickname within a month of being on TV). These reality TV shows are fantastic entertainment but it is beginning to show now how dangerous it all can be. Of course we all think we want the fame and the life that goes with it (or not) but in reality only a few are equipped to deal with it. Most people who pursue it from a young age are prepared for it but even then there are a few who don't quite make it. I really don't mean to rant I just wanted to say that Susan Boyle look likes she could deal with it all, needs time out and some help which I am sure the show is providing ............. best of luck to her.

I went off on a sales trip last week, visited some galleries/shops that I have sold to in the past and got some great orders. Now I am busy ordering/making etc .......... I checked out a few places in Cheltenham as I don't sell there so hopefully I can generate some new customers as well ........ I also saw some great countryside ....... particularly liked Devizes (Bluestone Gallery) and Bishops Castle ........... beautiful places.

Off to London tomorrow for a photo shoot for my daughter!!

Tuesday 26 May 2009

How times have changed ............

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104465622

Tuesday 26 May 2009

Great story on engagment rings ..... girls are buying the guys engagement rings ..... makes sense, we wear them to show we are going to get married but the guys still look single .......


http://www.miamiherald.com/living/story/1060259.html

Sunday 17 May 2009

"been a busy week, we became the first rural area to lay fibre to the home, so Lancashire leads the way in UKplc. We did a trial dig from one house to two more who had poor visibility due to trees, and we sent the wireless signal to them through the fibre.
I have put links to two of the videos on youtube, (sorry about the quality) but there are five in the series if you want to see them all, just click on 'more from this user' and youtube will list them. You can access the links from the village blogspot, http://wrayvillage.blogspot.com/

Computer club next Friday if anyone wants more info, just call in, 1.30 at Wray online centre or email anytime.

It is crucial that rural areas have access to next generation broadband, it means we can keep up with digital britain and also adds value to our children's futures, our businesses and our house prices! If we want to stay in the game we need to be looking at advanced wireless/fibre connections. If anyone has any contacts for ducting, manhole covers or any digging equipment please reply to this email, and please watch the vids if you get time, and feel free to forward this message to anyone who isn't on our mailing list.
Power to the people
chris

--
http://www.wrayvillage.co.uk "

From the wonderful Chris who does so much forus all ..... thanks

Saturday 16 May 2009

http://www.treehugger.com/galleries/2009/04/edible-fashions-that-make-a-tasty-tasteless-statement.php?page=1

Edible fashion ......... great slideshow ..........

Thursday 14 May 2009

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/fashion/articles/2009/05/14/serving_notice/?page=2

This is a great story on Lady Gaga and her future plans .....

It would be interesting to see what her fashion line might be, where would it sell ...... etc, etc ........ or perhaps there are too many other things in life to actually be thinking about Lady Gaga?

Monday 11 May 2009

Definitely overdid the exercise this weekend ... but enjoyed it all. Had a great walk up Ingleborough on Saturday .... only set off at 7.00pm so didn't quite make it to the top (Tom walks exceptionally slow)..... we turned round at 8.30am so we could get back before it was dark .... had a picnic .... great views, lovely deep pink sky at that time in the evening ........

Sleepover went well .... not sure that they moved from their pyjama's and the TV for 18 hours ......... but they enjoyed.

Have a couple of commissions to make over the next few weeks .... not much going on so will try and drum up more sales from my trade customers .............

Saturday 9 May 2009

Eldest daughter was 15 yesterday ........ she was made up with her wireless mouse for her Mac and other bits and pieces. Having a sleepover tonight, kinda girls night/chickflick/junk food night.
Tom and I are going out and hopefully climbing up Ingleborough if the weather is okay.

Have made new bangle and matching ring, simple hammered charm, moves, bangle and ring hammered on one side .......... have also finished new range, more on that later ......... can buy pieces from www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk

Missed Dizzie Rascal on Jonathan Ross last night, will have to catch up on iPlayer later ...........

Thursday 23 April 2009

Have a look at this article, its great, uses recycled pieces to make funky jewellery

http://www.metroactive.com/metro/04.22.09/style-art-0916.html

Wednesday 22 April 2009

Tis World Earth Day! Celebrate our environment and take care of it .....

Have been running and walking alot recently, feeling good .... new jewellery range is doing good, pendants,earrings and cufflinks finished, doing another set so I can get it all hallmarked .... hoping to launch it in Arteria in June but will probably sell it at Wray Fair on 4th May as I am doing a jewellery stall there ......

Thursday 16 April 2009

Daughter's birthday yesterday, there are still 8 of them in a tent, weather was good but the wind got up last night but they all stayed in there! A bit too much shrieking but they had fun ..........

Black and Gold range almost finished ..... I am really pleased with it ....... image shows pendant and long earrings ....... 2 more pendants and 2 more earrings to do ....... love it!

http://www.prweb.com/releases/Precious_Accents/Pandora_Charms/prweb2217934.htm
Pandora charms still going well, what a great concept and update of the old charm bracelet. I sold it for a few years and it just flew off the shelf but it was difficult to get stock as it was so popular ....... not my cup of tea but looks beautiful!

Wednesday 8 April 2009

Have just finished some bridal jewellery, love doing that, makes it so special, so hopes she likes it.

Starting some new designs, black and gold ...... made a couple of pendants so far .... probably won't get much done over the holidays but will crack on with it when the girls are back at school .....

Went to BCTF on Monday, dominated by jewellery as usual but some great pieces, some very talented people ......... hope they got lots of orders, its expensive and tiring.

Going for a run with Barbara then in to town with the girls to meet my neice and shop ..............

Wednesday 1 April 2009

No April Fools this morning from the girls ..... definitely growing up!

Weather's great again, ran to the garage to pick up my 'courtesy old banger' ..... not going to get my car back until next week!

Still working on Business Plan .... and waiting for materials for acid etching .... waiting, waiting .... need to be more patient ... will spring clean my office today, might as well .... whilst I am waiting .........

Tuesday 31 March 2009

Have been busy doing paperwork/research/accounts so no blogging .... got hallmarking back and distributed that only to find out that one customer has closed down their jewellery shop in Preston due to the recession .......... hard times ...... have been researching acid etching and have ordered materials needed so I am designing pieces for that and if it goes well hopefully there will be a new range soon ..............

Saturday 21 March 2009

Bought these rings from Lucas Jack, sterling silver, faceted glass in great colours .... peridot, amethyst, baltic and black .... they look great, chunky but no too big, have put them on my website.

Had a good week, got lots done, Tom's birthday tomorrow so we are going to the Inn at Wray for dinner tonight and hopefully off for a walk/picnic tomorrow if the weather is good ...............

Thursday 12 March 2009

Forgot I had taken this picture when it snowed .... got geese, hens and cat prints!
Had a weird meeting yesterday which is becoming more clearer ... just when I decided on a direction something else comes along but this time I am going to try and achieve both ....... can't really elaborate as I haven't got my head round it yet.

Tuesday 10 March 2009

More cufflinks in sterling silver ..... look great, Tom wants them!

Saw the Young Victoria last night, the girls loved it and they learnt a bit of history as well!

Been for a run, doing admin and posting off some orders ....

Thusday 5 March 2009

Sterling silver wrap ring ...... textured and wraped around 3 times .... one of my first ever commissions .... I have resurrected it and put it back on my website.

Garden is full of sheep again .... most of the plants have been eaten now but think we have worked out where they are coming through ....

At home working all day ..... on call for First Responders last night, today, tonight and tomorrow night! Lots of gaps in the rota, definitely need more volunteers.

Wednesday 4 March 2009

Dali bangle to match ring - sterling silver - simple but satisfying as it has a moving bit which people like to fiddle with!
Went to Parent's evening last night everyone was pleased and results are good ...... just got to decided on options for GCSE before next Friday now ...... she still doesn't know what to do.
Snowing lightly at the moment ...... have joined Twitter ... not sure what it is all about but I enjoy 'tweets' .... read that it was for people with no identity!!

Running and walking going well ... can't believe I have had no alcohol/chocolate for 10 days which makes me sound like an alcoholic but you just take it for granted and reach for the wine bottle instinctively sometimes. I don't drink during the week anyway but I really look forward to it at the weekend .... just waiting for some positive consequences for my deprivation .... haven't seen any yet but hopefully I will losr a bit of weight or maybe not as I seem to eating more sweet stuff to make up for the chocolate!

Friday 27 Feburary 2009

Hammered sterling silver pendant to match bangles and rings ........ not happy with it so look out for 'modifcations' ....... have been busy but have accomplished lots, feel exhausted and have to go out tonight, have given up alcohol for Lent and am starting to feel it ..... will have to see how long I last!

Have decided to make a Dali bangle to match the ring .... can't think why I haven't done one sooner ..... simple design and looks great in silver ......

Went for a run yesterday and had that 'tall' feeling again!

Did lots of pancakes last night, sweet and savoury ...... have given up chocolate and alcohol for Lent!! Lets see how long that lasts ...........

Monday 23 February 2009

Well done to Slum dog Millionaire for all those Oscars and to Sean Penn for Best Actor, haven't seen Milk yet but its on my list ....

Managed to get everything made last week despite half term .... hammered range, chaos pieces etc and got a few pieces out and the rest is at the Assay office in Sheffield.

Looking in to funding for the course in September ..........

random image of my favourite range ........ Luna

Thursday 19 February 2009

Have just posted the hallmarking, hurray so that is all orders almost completed ...... new hammered range is doing good and Chaos pendants and earrings as well so hopefully I can sell lots more of those ..........

Went to see Benjamin Button with the girls on Tuesday .... loved it, saw Brad Pitt in a new light, like him more now, more serious, intellectual role for him ........ long film though, started to worry about the car park ticket!

Car broken down today so its in the garage .... waiting to hear what the damage is .............

Monday 16 February 2009

Had a good weekend, went for a run Saturday, in laws came over and stayed, went for a walk on Sunday, played games with the girls, Uno and card games in the afternoon and watched a film, Matador with Pierce Brosnan, Tom loved it ..... I thought it was okay ......

Need to sort out a few outlets this week but nothing strenuous ..... got an offer from the U of Cumbria so need to look in to that more closely .............. make more stock .... keep everything ticking over ...

Tuesday 10 February 2009

Finally some bangles to match the rings .... have made the earrings but not got to the pendant yet!

Have my interview tomorrow at the University of Cumbria so I am preparing some jewellery to take with me ..... and I am finally getting round to doing my accounts .... again ..... managed to put it off for 2 weeks now ........ so todays the day.

Monday 9 February 2009

Went on a walk with Barbara and dog round Halton and down the Lune this morning ...... finishing and polishing some pieces ready for my interview on Wednesday at the University of Cumbria to show in my portfolio .....

Wednesday 4 February 2009

Have almost completed new hammered range ..... 3mm thick round wire hammered in either silver or oxidised silver, looks good together as rings 'stack up' ...... have made bangles as well and some earrings and WILL make a pendant some time this week .......

I am on call today for First Responders .... no one on call hen until Saturday now so I will hang on to it and work it in over the next few days ........

Had a hair cut yesterday ..... Jade (Brown) needed a model to work on so did a last minute dash to Jo and Cass ...... she did a great job, feels so much thinner!

Monday 2 February 2009

Paperwork day today..... have a ring and some earrings to make for customers this week ....... didn't win the lottery on Saturday so will have to keep working.

New range almost finished, just a simple hammered range, highly polished and oxidised, ring and bangle finished, just working on the pendant and earrings .........

Lovin the snow and sun today .....

Tuesday 27 January 2009

Trying to improve my images on the website so I am re-doing them on a white background ...... new necklace of beads and silver ... not sure if it will be a one off or if I will make more, will put it on the website and see what the response is.

Did a run this morning ... had that feeling of being far taller than I actually am .... looking down from high up which was quite weird when I was running ... it happens when I am walking about but not normally when I am running .........

Lots of paperwork to do today, keep putting it off but will knuckle down to it today!

Friday 23 January 2009

Girls are off school due to the funeral of a teacher Mr Percy. They have been given plenty of work to do at home and are getting on with it!

I have been making just about all day and my fingers are aching ... Brauz in Burton on Trent wanted a Chaos necklet minus pearls .... Oxo Tower shop in London want earrings and lower priced pieces .... I wanted to make some new bangles and a bit more stock for samples to show prospective customers .............

Wore new shoes yesterday, had to go to Kendal ..... initially thought I was walking like a duck but was reassured that I wasn't .... no sore feet either today ..... liking high heels now!

Thursday 22 January 2009

strange things are happening .... bought a pair of shoes .... Country Cousins sale in Kirkby Lonsdale ....... shoes with HEELS! .... it is 20 years since I wore heels over 2cm so this will be interesting as I don't go anywhere 'posh' so they are supposed to be everyday shoes .......... is this middle age creeping in slowly, taking over my psyche? Am I yearning to be 'Boden' Woman? Can't dwell on it for longer as it is too disturbing ..........

started watching Donny Darko again but had to switch it off as not suitable whilst the kids are around but fantastic film ....... have been watching Big Chef Little Chef and really enjoyed it .... Heston came across as a very likeable guy, didn't like the Chief Exec, he seemed to have small man syndrome but I warmed to him slightly at the end ..............

Ordered a few more bits of silver yesterday .... shops/galleries have had a mixed Christmas, some have sold lots of my jewellery, others not so much, London shops did the worse .... smaller, lower priced pieces sold best so will make a few more earrings over the next few days for Valentine's Day ..........

Wednesday 21 January 2009

Earrings and pendant in Chaos range ..............

Went to PAD gallery in Preston yesterday to swap over jewellery. Depsite their move to a more central place they only sold one piece of mine over Christmas! ..... and they told me they were very busy! Fortunately I also supply a shop called Vibe in Preston and I received a nice big cheque off them yesterday for sales over Christmas ....... at least it justifies (to me) having 2 outlets there........... managed to pick up a bargain from a little designer shop there , pair of purple In Wear velvet trousers for £5!!!

Friday 16th January 2009

Remember this sterling silver bangle with chunks of amethyst from November? Everyone admired it, picked it up, tried it on but nobody bought it? Well it sold off the website at Christmas! Hurray.

Going to the Computer club in Wray today to hopefully resolve a few issues for me ..... putting links on wesbite etc .... still can't get the hang of it ......... going to cycle there if it's not raining!

Making some earrings for a customer and some other pieces for a gallery in Garstang .......... then its the weekend!

Must go and see Slumdog Millionaire ..........

Thursday 15th January 2009

New BIG ring ..... sterling silver ..... this one is oxidised but doesn't have to be ......... its on the website www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk

In the process of making more new designs ..... I am designing and making some pendants which I wil put on bead necklaces rather than chains ....... just learning the intricacies of beading at the moment!

Have signed up to do The Art Market in the Westmoreland Shopping Centre in Kendal this July ..... a new one but hopefully a good place and time ..............

Tuesday 13 January 2009

Over a month since I blogged! Got 'blogged' down with Christmas sales etc and then just didn't bother to get back in to it ..... not good ..... so here I start off in 2009...... a new range called Chaos .... I love it ..... a combination of fine silver and freshwater pearls .... lots of different bits thrown together to form a necklet, earrings and pendant but the necklet is definitely my favourite ..... the fine silver is great to work with and it really shines better ... lots of lustre! .... the pearls just hang really well with it all ..............

Have some more designs brewing ..... big ring ..... lots of earrings ........