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.

In with the new

I had a bit of a play this week, trying out a few new techniques and I got a light tent. A lot of people have commented that I needed to improve my photos. So I got a cheap £25 set from Amazon that included 2 lights as well. This does make the difference, unless you're photographing tiaras. For some reason, tiaras look really flat if you use the light tent.

The reason I was re-photographing my tiaras was that I intend to have my own bridal tiara and jewellery website soon. I've been building it on Weebly this week. So watch this space for more news.

I've made 2 bracelets, 2 pairs of earrings and 1 necklace this week. The first bracelet was my attempt to do something for men. When I saw the black and white jasper, I knew this would work, and the chain gives it a more rocker feel. I even managed to persuade my husband to model it.





I then decided to go to the other extreme and do something very pink. And I mean, very pink.

 

My main piece of work though was slightly inspired by a spiragraph. I wanted to do something different with Howlite skulls, and came up with this. I won't lie, this took me a while. I made a coil and used 3 types of wire. I am very pleased with the result and I did make some earrings to go with it.

 

In other news, Jewellery Maker Tv, have showed my blue flower wirework sodalite and white quartzite necklace on their Wall of Fame. Not only that they used it to promote their jig. They said "These beautiful flowers have been made by Angela. Angela Finch. Thank you Angela, we're using your work as a classic example of how to use the jig. And look how regular and how beautifully sized these flowers are. Look at how symmetrical they are. Look how the designs the same to that flower, to that flower. You can get really beautiful designed uniformed sized flowers on an incrediable design like this. Just Gorgeous. Thank you Angela for sending it in."

 

Photos at last, and my creations

Yay, I finally managed to get the photos to work, all thanks to Folksy Forums. So below are the promised photos of what I made for my Mum's Christmas presents. I really liked the heart necklace.

 

 

I've been mostly making bracelets this week, and entered both of them in Jewellery Maker TV Wall of Fame. And they both feaured, am really pleased about that. The first one is made from blue quartzite, quartz and agate on memory wire and wire wrapped. I was happy with the way it turned out. The presenters said: 'Look at that colour' 'Beautiful colours' 'Great idea' 'Its a beautiful idea, those are my colours as well.' 'Very good' 'I that was on a stall I'd buy that one, cause thats my colours. And then I'd have to buy a holiday as well because that makes me feel like I need to go on holiday' 'Yeah, and with the memory wire bangles they are just so easy you could wear that to the beach, couldn't you' 'Easy, you don't have to worry about clasps or anything. 'Well done Angela' 'Really like that one'.

 

 

The 2nd bracelet was a bit of an experiment but came out really well. I think its my first statement piece. It includes 43 faceted agate roundelles and organza ribbon. The presenters said:  "Angela, I think it looks absolutely beautiful. I love the way they're kinda nesting in the ribbon there. It looks beautiful. Thank you so much for sending that in Angela, it looks lovely."

I have recently started making some sterling silver jewellery that has proved to be popular. Of the 3 items below, only one is still left for sale. The Emerald and Pearl Drop earrings with the pearl at the bottom.

 

Been busy

Well, I've been a bit busy recently. I made a Pininterest page, please see the link above. I've also started posting on Craftjuice, so who knows more people will become aware of my jewellery.

Recently I've been doing macrame again. My Shell and Green Agate Short Necklace was even featured on 'Jewellery Maker TV' Hall of Fame. They commented::" mmmmm, that's lovely that Angela." " I love that green." "Gorgeous" "stunning". I'm still having difficulty posting images, so please follow this link to the necklace.

White Shell and Green Agate Short Necklace

Other news, I sold a pair of ruby and pearl sterling silver earrings. The customer was very pleased with them, and has comissioned a bracelet with quartz and leather look macrame. I do bespoke work, so if you're looking for something in particular, please contact me as I may be able to make it for you.

Valentine's Day is coming up, and the above service could be quite handy. I also have some heart themed items, and sophisticated items in my shop that may solve that gift problem.

Emerald and Pearl Sterling Silver Earrings
Purple Aventurine and heart shaped lava rock earrings
Purple Aventurine and Heart Shaped Lava Rock Necklace
Black Hearts with Red Beads mobile phone charm

Illness and Macrame

Well, it's been a while. I've had a horrible virus that makes half of my face in nearly constant pain, still got it but it’s getting less.

I had a big order of 8 Macrame bracelets this month. Luckily, I find Macrame therapeutic and it helps take my mind off the pain. The blue colours were very popular, and they turned out really well. Now all I have to do is work out how to do my accounts.

 While being ill I’ve been watching a lot of ‘Jewellery Maker TV’ DVDs. This has spurred me on to have a go at my first wirework project, ‘The Tree of Life’. It’s easier than it looks, and I was quite pleased with the result. I used quartz chips for the leaves, I was trying to go for a Gondor style look. Only problem was that some of the colour came off the wire, so I need some nylon covered pliers before I attempt to sell this design. On the bright side, it means that this necklace is mine, and I’ve already had positive comments about it.

 
Merry Christmas everyone, and I hope Father Christmas brings you all you want.

New techniques and first bespoke items

This week I tried a new technique for me, a floating bead jewellery set. I had some flourite nuggets that I really wanted to use, and decided that amethyst nuggets go really well with it. I was so pleased with the result tht I sent it to 'Jewellery Maker TV' 'Wall of Fame'.

They showed the bracelet photo, and I was really pleased with what was said. Especially because Mark, my favourite designer on there was positive about the design. Mark said "Tom and I were looking at this, this morning, we just love the simplicity of it. And Flourite is one of my favourites." Vicki, the presenter commented that it was "gorgeous, beautiful".

 

After that high, I got my first bespoke order on Etsy. A ribbon choker and bracelet set. I'd experimented with ribbon, and how wire could make it look prettier. This design was what came out of my ideas. I had originally used lapis lazuli but the customer requested amethyst. I think they turned out ok, and the customer is very happy with the order.

Fame at last, well, Hall of Fame

I've made a few items these past 2 weeks. My first make was a Carnelian Necklace and earrings. I was watching 'Downton Abbey' and got inspired. I've tried to go with the elegance of that series.

 

 

I'm actually quite pleased with the way it turned out. The gemstones look a lot nicer in real life though. I decided to send it to 'Jewellery Maker' TV's 'Hall of Fame', and they put it on air. Comments  by the presenter, Carole included: "Some beautiful, gorgeous tones in here, really, really right for Autumn" "that is absolutely gorgeous with that beautiful little drop there." "that's stunning, and beautiful earrings there as well" "Angela, thats absolutely gorgeous, thank you very much." "An interesting design." So, I think its safe to assume that they liked it. I'm going to enter another one and see what they think. It's nice to get feedback on my designs from people in the know.

 

I decided to make some cheaper necklace and earrings sets at stocking filler prices (£5-6). They are very simple, with agate pendants, but they are something I would wear myself. I think the graduation of colour in them is quite simply gorgeous.