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.



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.

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.

 

 

 

Old Tiaras into New Jewellery



BEFORE - my wedding tiara

 

This week in preparation for Sunday, the wedding fayre at Tabley House, Knutsford, 12pm - 4pm, I have demolished my own wedding tiara. The thought came to me that you can spend an awful lot of money on something you will only really wear once. It's the kind of thing that you don't want to throw out because of the emotional attachment but its just taking up space.

I've decided to offer a service to make your old tiara into beautiful jewellery. It will cost approx. £10 for silver plated copper jewellery, more if sterling silver is required. I would have to see a photograph of your tiara to see if I can recycle the beads on it. Obviously, any bought from me can be recycled.


AFTER - a pretty necklace




AFTER: an elegant pair of earrings





I think they both turned out really well, and I can now wear something that does mean a lot to me. Though it felt a shame to take the tiara apart, it was definately worth it.



Bridal items

This week, I've mostly been concentrating on Bridal Jewellery and Tiaras. I've booked my first Wedding Fayre. It's on March 17th at Tabley House in Knutsford. This is apparantly a really nice old fashioned mansion type house that hosts weddings. Looks very pretty from the photos, and I am looking forward to it.

So I designed two new tiaras this week. The first was supposed to be a 1920s flapper style, but kind of morphed into a vintage Victorian style tiara. It still looks very pretty though, and I am really pleased with how it turned out. Especially seen as I was really worried halfway though making it because it was not 20s enough, just goes to show that you should always finish a piece you start as you may be pleasantly surprised.



 

The 2nd tiara I created used a variety of green beads, and I twirled the twisted wire to give a slightly different look. Instead of using beads on the headband, to finish I used a zig zag piece of silver plated green wire to give the tiara a modern look. I think it worked quite nicely. I call it a green and white tiara, because it is an uncomplicated style.

 

The jewellery I made speaks for itself really. See below for photographs of them.

 

Rainbow Moonstone and White Cultured Pearl Necklace

Rainbow Moonstone and White Cultured Pearl Sterling Silver Earrings

 

Peach Cultured Pearl Gold Plated Sterling Silver Earrings