Speed Jewellery Making and other news

Not blogged for a while because a lot has been happening. I applied for the post of Guest Designer on Jewellery Maker TV and was lucky enough to get to the screen test stage. The weeks before I was slightly stressed, practising making jewellery so that I would be ready. The day came, and I travelled down the day before so that I was rested. I had to make as much jewellery as I could in 4 hours, have an interview and a screen test. Unfortunately, I did not get the job, as there were many talented designers there, and I look forward to seeing what they come up with on screen.

One of the best things to come out of the experience, well, apart from the JM shop which was well worth the visit alone, was to meet fellow jewellery makers. I made quite a few new friends. Jewellery making can be a solitary thing, and its always good to chat to others who have similar hobbies. The jewellery I made on the day is at the bottom of this blog. I have decided not to sell it, but to keep it all for myself. However, if you would like something similar please contact me.



In other news, I am now a published writer. My work is featured on page 19 of '101 ways to stitch create and craft vintage' book that was out last month.

Playing with Craft Artist 2 and some new makes

I've wanted to have some software to display my jewellery photos better on Facebook for a while. Publisher just seemed to be too expensive for what I would use it for. After watching a bit of 'Create and Craft' TV I decided that Craft Artist 2 was for me, and I was right. It takes a bit of getting used to but can be used to great effect. I am now in the process of using it with all the photos of my jewellery, though that will take a while.

Recently I've been making bracelets. I tend to get an idea in my head and just go with it. Pearl look bracelets was one idea that I went with. I don't often use faux pearls in my work, I prefer gemstones, but these ones were so pretty I had to use them.

 

 

 

 

After all these makes I decided to go back to using gemstones. I also wanted to use colour too, and decided to do a random style memory wire bracelet using lots of different gemstones. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

 



Had a month off, and now I'm back

It's been a busy time here. I had new windows installed, and this meant panic cleaning over the house twice. It's really amazing how much dust new windows can cause. I'm still finding bits that need cleaning.

I've also decided to put all my beads in boxes for ease of use, this does take a lot of sorting though and after 12 boxes I'm still not finished. I have started making bookmarks again, this is a great way to use end of strand beads.

 

 

They always surprise me with how nice they turn out.

 

The main thing I've been doing though is opening a new Etsy shop for my husbands cards. He's a graphic designer and has decided to sell some of his designs on cards. I've also done a Facebook page for the business too. Please take a look. He will also create custom designs if asked.

 

 

Too hot and a great new video

Is anybody else finding it difficult in this heat? Don't get me wrong, I love summer but this is a tad too hot for me and I haven't been creating a lot recently.

A few months back I sent some jewellery to a company I'd been talking to on Twitter. They create videos and were looking to move into promoting products. I am so pleased with the results, and would heartily recommend them.

 

It makes my jewellery look really sparkly. Please feel free to share the video.

Bracelets and yet more bracelets

I've had a busy time recently.

• I completed my first tax return, once I'd managed to get all the information it was quite easy.
• My Folksy shop has now got more items for sale than my Etsy shop.
• Attended a 'Networking Mums' meeting, even though I'm not a mum. It's a group for ladies in business.
• I attended a Webinar on marketing run by Folksy.
• Updated my website with cuff links and rose quartz sterling silver earrings.
• I've booked a stall for a fair this Saturday.

I decided to make bracelets this week, I enjoy doing macramé and it all started with a custom piece. The customer asked for black waxed cord and multi colour crackled quartz. This was the result.

 After making this bracelet I definitely was on a roll and made many, many more. All can be currently found in my Etsy shop.



I started thinking that I really should make some pocket money items for the fair this Saturday. I decided on Wish bracelets, that I'm making out of jute. The idea behind the Wish bracelet is that you make a wish when you tie it on your wrist, when it falls off your wish may come true. There's 7 beads because that's a lucky number. Apparently, the colours that you use also have meanings. I'm still making more of them, and they will debut at the fair.



Proms and Cufflinks

Recently I attended a 'Prep for Prom Pamper Session' run by Crafty Penny Events at the Hillcrest Hotel in Widnes. I thought the idea was great, the organisation exceptional and the variety of stalls was perfect for the theme.  Lots of networking was done, and many tips shared. Below are photos of my stall at this event.

 
 
I do believe I'm getting better at creating the stall. This time I had my Mum's help.





My husband says that I need to expand and do more items for men. On his urging, this week I've learned to create cuff links. There were a few trials and errors involved, but finally I've got the technique down. I've put them in my Etsy shop.

 
 

 

 

On another note, my Folksy shop has now expanded quite a bit with over 40 items in it now.

The Sun is out at last

Yay, its sunny. And has been sunny for the past few days. The barbecue that has been stuck under the kitchen table for 2 years has now been assembled, and has even been used. Yes, summer is definitely here. I must admit it was kind of a shock to the system. I haven't been concentrating on jewellery making recently because of the weather. I've finally been able to do some gardening, and get all my plants sorted after the winter. Only the carnations didn't survive, so not as bad as I first thought.

I've been making earrings recently. I felt that with the weather being nice I should try summer style pieces, so have used mainly bright colours and shell.

I'm not a big fan of animal print but I think a subtle touch can really help an outfit. Also the giraffe style print is just so unusual. and yes, they were crying out to be made into earrings.

These green prehnite earrings are so subtle and pretty. Again, they were crying out to be made into dainty earrings. I can definitely see them with a posh outfit for a wedding.
 
My final pair of earrings was a new style for me. I think the jasper gives them a really lush appearance. The chain just gives the earrings a touch of elegance.

I have made a bracelet too, because I had some beads left after I had made the bookmarks for the custom order. I've had a lot of great feedback about this piece on Facebook, and it is still available to buy in my Etsy shop. I really enjoy making the wire wrapped memory wire bracelets, and pink is on trend this summer.

Journey of a Necklace

I haven't written for a while because I've had a dip in creativity. I'm sure all you crafters out there can relate. It all started with a necklace. I had this vision of a wire wrapped chunky necklace that would have looked divine. So I started to make it, the first time I did not have a long enough piece of tiger tail (beading thread) after the wire wrapping. This happens sometimes but it was frustrating.

So  I tried again. This time the work was too heavy and snapped the tiger tail. You can imagine my frustration. So I stopped and watched some 'Star Trek: Voyager' instead. I then worked out how to fix the problem with more wire but I did not have the right gauge in the right colour. I improvised, I thought it looked good. Then my husband saw the necklace and said it looked like it could fall to bits in a slight breeze. I gave up on that design.

A few days later, after many episodes of Star Trek, and time spent playing 'Skyrim' on the Xbox, I had an idea. I decided to macrame the necklace instead, and the chunky look would still be there. It worked! I really like how this turned out.

The necklace uses Howlite, Agate and an Agate/Quartz pendant. I submitted it to the 'Wall of Fame' on Jewellery Maker TV. They commented that it was 'beautiful'. After all the heartache to finally make the necklace, I am actually very proud of the finished result.

And I'm back crafting, I have so many ideas now. The only problem is that the weather is now decent enough to start gardening. There really aren't enough hours in the day. lol

Bookmarks

And now for something completely different. A librarian friend asked me whether it would be possible for me to make gemstone bookmarks. Surprisingly, I hadn't thought of doing bookmarks before, amazing really considering my background is librarianship. I looked into it and realised I could. She wanted girly ones for prizes for reading, a great idea and I was happy to help.

 

These are what I made for her, the gemstones look really pretty with the silver plated copper wire wrapping. I think they qualify as girly. They are £3 each, so if you would like me to make you one then just contact me and I can accomadate you.

 

This got me thinking about how I could make bookmarks. I knew they had to be thin, as to not harm the book you are reading. So I decided to experiment with embroidery thread and macrame. I was very pleased with the results, and you can now buy them from my Etsy shop.

 



 

 

My First Wedding Fayre

Tabley House

Last Sunday, I finally went to my first wedding fayre at Tabley House, Knutsford. I'd spent that long preparing for it that it seemed strange when the day finally came. My husband and sister volunteered to come along and help me out. It is a good job they did. When we finally found the carpark, it's not that well signposted once you enter the property, we found that the entrance was a lot further away than 50 yards. This meant that I could not carry a lot of my items in, because I'm not supposed to lift heavy objects.

Tabley House again

Tabley House is beautiful, and would be well worth a day out to look around the house. I was pleased when I found out that the majority of the wedding fayre would be held in the library. A stunning room that seemed to fit the day. I managed to get a good spot, and set up.

The day was worthwhile to network with other wedding providers and find out information from them. 'Hi' to those I spoke to, you'll find my twitter link in one of the tabs.

Lots of the brides where still at the beginning of their wedding planning journey. Some did not have a colour scheme yet, whereas others weren't sure about a date. It makes sense that a fayre will help them with ideas. Their excitement was contagious, and I enjoyed talking to everyone of them. There were more grooms around than I had expected, and obviously the brides would not look at my stall when he was with them.

I gave out lots of leaflets and buisness cards. The idea of recycling the wedding tiara into jewellery seemed to go down well, everybody liked the idea.

I believe that as a first wedding fayre for both me and Tabley House,  it was a success. Though I did not make any sales on the day, I am hopeful that those who I chatted to will contact me at a later date.

I've now booked a pre-prom pamper session in May, I've obviously got the fayre bug now.