Thinking Summer!

A local shop has asked to see some colourful summery sets - so I've been sat here wearing a vest, T-shirt, sweatshirt, thick cardigan, ski socks and my thickest trousers with the halogen heater about three inches away from me, looking out at the snow and trying to think of warm, summer days. Boy, it was hard!!

Here's the results:

These are mainly shell with glass spacers. I do like the beads with the holes - it's a challenge to find something that fits exactly.

These wiggly beads are an old favourite - and give a more delicate look. The coloured beads are shell.


More shell here with some Mother of Pearl.

And lastly a real zinger! The small beads are shell and the large nuggets are dyed agate. I got them at the Chepstow show last Sunday.

These next two use beads that I bought at the NEC on Monday - and aren't part of the summer range!

This one uses Spider Web Agate which I love. The black beads are Onyx and I've used lots of Sterling Silver which sets up a good contrast.

The name is from Lake Tawakoni State Park in Texas where a communal spiders' web measured 200 yards (180 m) across. Entomologists believe it may be the result of social cobweb spiders or of spiders building webs to spread out from one another.

I, for one, definitely won't be visiting there any time soon!

And this one features one of my all-time favourite stones - Picasso Jasper. These flat cylinders are my new favourite shape - so you'll be seeing more of those in various stones.

This last one belongs to a friend who asked me to repair it. Have a guess how old it is?


Well, it has been in her family for over 100 years having been bought back from Africa. It's so modern looking isn't it?

We did pretty well at Clerical Medical on Wednesday and it was great to get back into selling-mode. We have, today, secured another office selling venue - and this is a BIG one in Bristol. We're really chuffed.

Martha got her snow days - no school yesterday or today. Tom was also off. We didn't get too much snow and what we had mostly melted away quickly. We are kept just that little bit warmer by the Bristol Channel. It's always a degree or two higher here than even a couple of miles inland.

Not sure what we're up to this weekend - I think the forecast is for it to be very cold, so maybe we'll just stay in and snuggle up on the sofa. Sounds like a plan to me.

Hope you haven't been too badly affected by the snow.

Have a great weekend and keep warm.

Much love.
xx

Back in harness...

Today is our first event since the onslaught of the pre-Christmas selling. We are in at Clerical Medical offices selling in their canteen. We aren't expecting too much in the way of sales, but it will be good to get back into selling mode.

And it will be interesting to see our customers' (many of whom we're getting to know quite well after our visits there last year) reactions to our new ranges that we've been developing during January.

My squiggle pendants are evolving at quite a rate now.

Here's a triple squiggle pendant:

It's fun to make the individual squiggles and play with them until I get an overall shape that I'm happy with - a bit like doing a jigsaw.

For the next one, I thought I'd try to incorporate something else into the squiggles. I had got these hammered domes, so I bent the wire around them and soldered them in place.

I'm pleased with the way it's turned out. I've called it Islands in the Stream... which is an early nod to Comic Relief as Rob Brydon (Bryn) and Ruth Jones (Nessa) from TV’s Gavin & Stacey are duetting on the charity single. It's released on 9th March and Red Nose Day is on 13th.

I'm currently trying to work out a way to raise money through my blog for Comic Relief... watch this space.

Had a super couple of days... Sunday I went to Chepstow Bead Fair to give my mate, Julie Fountain of Lush Lampwork, a hand with her stall. And then on Monday (yes, through all that snow) the two of us went to Spring Fair at the NEC. I bought lots of lovely new Sterling Silver beads and loads of fabulous new beads... which you'll be seeing over the next few weeks. I'm itching to get to them.

But first, I must away and get packed up for today. Wish us luck!

Hope you're all coping with whatever snow you've had - we had quite a lot on Monday night which all disappeared yesterday, but we're forecast a load on Thursday/Friday. Martha has her fingers crossed as she felt hard done by not having a snowday yesterday.

Take care, all, and keep warm.

Much love
xx

I got plastered...

or rather, my new workspace did!

It's only taken a year to get to this stage... but I'm hopeful that it won't take too much longer before I can get in there and create gorgeousness. Next step is to emulsion the walls and ceiling and then get the plumber in to install the radiator. Watch this space...

So, what's been happening? Well, it took me an age to throw off that cold/cough I picked up in London. A real pain. But, I'm all fit and well now and looking forward to a busy autumn.

Back-tracking to where I left off. Monmouth show was a bit of a disappointment, sales-wise, but there were 20 other stalls selling jewellery! It would seem that the organisers of big fairs don't really care about the mix of crafts in their marquee, as long as everyone has paid their money. Craft fair organisers do, usually, have limits on the numbers of traders selling each craft. A pain as jewellery always fills up first, but it gives the customer a wider selection and the traders don't have so much competition. Still, we did make a profit, which is good news!

At the beginning of September we were back into Clerical Medical and did well, especially as we booked a party from that.

And, of course, the beginning of September means back to school. Martha wasn't best pleased as her school has introduced blazers from this year. I think she looks very smart...

but she decided she looked like a 'dork'.


Tom started his 6th Form College. All very grown-up and responsible.

We did a lovely event on 6th at a local(ish) primary school to help raise funds for their swimming pool. Although the turn-out was low, a high percentage of visitors bought some jewellery which was great. We also helped the funds by buying loads of the second-hand books, Christmas cards, a 'few' cakes and raffle tickets - two of which won great prizes! A good day!!

Monday saw me at the Autumn Fair at the NEC with two of my super beady chums. There was lots of chatting and quite a bit of shopping done!!

Last Wednesday, we had our first visit to sell in the Axa offices. And blimey, what super offices they have! Rolling lawns, a lake, their own branch of WHSmiths, a nail bar, a gym, squash court - fab. Almost made me wish I could have a job there... almost! We did really well and look forward to going back at the beginning of October.

This weekend, my lovely mum is coming to stay and on Sunday, Brian is running in the Bristol half marathon! He's so fit, my hubby! And then Monday is a daytime jewellery party.

So, you see it's all go round here. And, of course, there's been jewellery made:

Golden Oriole: lovely Black and Yellow oval Agates with matte Black Onyx and sterling silver.

A byzantine chain maille set using silver plated and antique copper rings. It took ages, but I really like it... it moves beautifully.
At the Autumn Fair there was a definite trend towards large jewellery, so I bought these lovely - light - wooden beads and teamed them with some ribbed gold plated tubes. I think this will look fab with a chunky knit in the winter, don't you? As I think this one is not for the faint-hearted, I've called it 'Wood You?'

A challenging bead this next focal. A super one by Emma Ralph, but it really didn't want to be made into anything for ages. Finally, it spoke to me and demanded this lovely colour combination of glass pearls. I've named it Hedgerow Treasures as it reminds me of the bounty of autumn.
The next two I made as a commission for my lovely friend, Anne. She only wanted one, but I do like to give customers a choice, if possible. They are double shaggy loop bracelets made with antique gold rings. The first one uses all black beads and the second has a mix called Volcanic Beach. She chose the second one and it's now gone off with Anne to a posh do!

OK, that's got you all caught up with goings on.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I'll try to not leave you in the lurch for so long next time!

Much love to all. xx

Whoooooosh!

That's the sound of another week flashing by!

Good news on George. We went to see him yesterday and he could move his arms and wrists... and he'd had some proper food. This progress means that everyone's spirits have lifted. There is still a long way to go, but at least he's heading in the right direction.

On Wednesday we were in Clerical Medical - our 3rd visit. We were rather disappointed with our sales, but it was the week before payday and with the kids breaking up next Friday, I expect lots of our customers were saving for their hols. But we did get a party booking, which is great and lots of lovely comments. We have to think of it as putting down a good base for the autumn/pre-Christmas sales. Fingers crossed!

Not done huge amounts of making this week, so don't have any pics at the moment. I'll try and get some posted up early next week.

We're off to see my lovely mum for the weekend as it's her birthday on Monday. Can't tell you about her present, as I know she's an avid blog reader!

It's also my brother's birthday this weekend - in fact, tomorrow. However we won't be seeing him in person this weekend as he lives in Brazil! Although we do hope to be able to see him on his webcam! Don't you love technology?

Let me tell you a little story about my brother... when he was about three, he wanted to know what an experiment was. My dad said that he'd show him. Dad took us to the top of the garden. Dad told us to flap our arms very hard as the experiment was to see if we could fly.
We all started to flap...
"But, Dad," my trusting brother said, looking at my dad, "when we get up there, where shall we go?"
Bless.

Hope everyone has a fab weekend and I'll see you next week.

Hugs and kisses to all.

Jewellery jottings....

So, a month ago, I promised to bring you news of the big show that we did...

Well, it wasn't our best ever event. Sales were pretty poor, but we did clear the table and petrol costs and made some profit - which was more than some stalls did. The problem was the weather. It was an absolutely fabulous day - gorgeous sunshine - which was lovely for those attending the event, but it meant that it was sweltering inside the craft marquee and people were too hot and bothered to be bothered. People were coming in, feeling the heat, and going straight back out again.

Our stall was in the middle of the tent and we kept asking people around the edge to open up the sides of the marquee to try and get some breeze, but it only gave a bit of relief. Also, because we were so hot, we became lethargic and so didn't engage with the customers in the way that we would normally. A lesson learned... we'll take fans to the next event in a marquee!

However, we had two parties at the end of that week and both of them were a great success. An evening one which broke our previous record for a party and then a daytime one which was a really lovely event... with great food! They restored our faith in our products and overall it was a super week.

We are back at Clerical Medical on 16th and then our next big event is the Portishead (next town to Clevedon) Flower Show - which is a two day event. Well, Friday 12 - 8 and then Saturday 10-6. We're hoping to go down on the Thursday to set up to take the pressure off ourselves for Friday and leave us more energy for the event itself. Will let you know.

Let me have a look what jewellery I've got to show you:

These first four pictures are sets that I've made with Sterling Silver beading chain. I've not used this much before, but I love it and will be certainly using more of it in the future. The chain actually goes through the beads - which can be held in place by using crimps, or as in the case of the black and white striped agate beads, can run freely along the chain. It's great for making earrings too - as I've done with the pink set.
You'll also see here my new favourite earwires. These giant kidney wires are great - and I've made myself a few pairs with these - I love 'em!




I love this set - but sadly if I wear green, I look like I'm going to throw up! It features beautiful pearls - the large green ones at the front and then ivory dancing pearls separated by some green rice pearls. It's fab, isn't it?!
And a slightly more understated green pearl necklace!
I'm all behind with my photographs, so there's lots to show you. I'll get onto it and report back. Been doing loads more chain maille, so I'll let you see that too.

The other thing that's happening on the jewellery front, is that my new workshop (in the old kitchen) is getting closer. The electrician should be coming to do the wiring in the next week or so, and then it'll be on with the plasterboarding and the plastering. Then, hopefully, we can start kitting it out. I can't wait to get installed. I'm itching to do much more with my silversmithing. Watch this space.

Phew! I think I'm all caught up now. Although I'm sure loads of things will occur to me that I should have told you about.

Many apologies, once again, for my lack of posts. Hope this marathon has made up for my absence, in a small way.

I'll try to do better! Four out of ten, more effort required! LOL!

Much love to all.

Are WiiFit yet?

We're into GCSE mode now. Tom's done the first Physics paper (not too bad, Mum) and tomorrow is Spanish Oral and RF. He's so laid back about it all... it's just me that's stressing!

Our sale last week at Clerical Medical was great. We took practically the same as the first time we went and several people who bought last time, bought again. A good result.

The big thing - and the reason for the lack of posts(!) - that happened at the end of last week was that we got a WiiFit... and we've all become rather obsessive about it. It's great fun. I admit that I like playing the games much more than doing the jogging, yoga or exercises, but I reckon that if I'm doing something it's better than doing nothing! Martha is, at this moment, doing two hours of step... 2 HOURS!! She's watching Top Gear - she's got a HUGE crush on Richard Hammond - and stepping at the same time.

I've been making some shell necklaces today - they always sell well - and have sent some off to my out-worker (or Mum as I call her!) this afternoon. It's an interesting way to work... I design the necklace on paper, send Mum the 'pattern' and the beads and she strings it up for me, then posts it back for me to finish off and to make the earrings. I'll take some photos when they're done.

There's been a flurry of sales on the website this week... which is lovely. I must put some more things on there. There are certainly not enough hours in the day at the moment.

Right, better get back to it. The stock-take is all but done (thank goodness) and then I'm into serious making mode. Our first big show is only three and a half weeks away... EEEEEEK!

Jerez, Journey's End and Jewellery

Actually as Jerez is pronounced 'Hereth' it isn't really alliteration, but hey ho!

After Seville we detoured to Huelva to see some friends and their lovely baby. Then back on the tourist trail.

Jerez is an interesting town if you like sherry... which we don't! So we didn't visit any of the bodegas - but did go to the clock museum - which was packed with... well, clocks! But you had to go round with a guide who only spoke Spanish. Hmmmmm.

Anyway, there was more Moorish architecture, which I'm sure you're fed up with by now, so I'll just give you a picture that I like for its composition and leave it at that.

Shame about those blokes standing in the middle.... Only joking, boys!

The other Jerez picture I'll share with you is another one that I like for its photographic qualities. I think I must have got my eye in by the time we got to Jerez!

It wasn't until we got home and I uploaded the photos onto the computer that I noticed the orange on the wall. And now that's my favourite bit of the photograph!

After Jerez it was time to head back to Malaga and the flight home. But as we had an evening flight, we had time to stop off in Ronda. Stop off and fall in love with this stunning town. Definitely somewhere I'd like to return to.

Ronda is the birthplace of bull fighting. While I don't like the sport, there is something about a matador that is very sexy. And this statue, outside their bull ring, demonstrates what I mean.
One of the main attractions at Ronda is the bridge:

It crosses a gorge which is 100 metres deep. Here's the view straight down:

It's a fabulous looking bridge - like something out of Lord of the Rings. Here's a picture, which I've swiped from a website to show you the whole thing. I didn't get this angle as you have to go down into the gorge to get it!
Fabulous, isn't it?

We travelled through marvellous countryside on our way to Malaga and ended up getting there too early. So we headed for the nearest seaside... Torremolinos! After all that culture it was certainly a change to be in the famous beach resort.
Brian having a well deserved drink after the hair pins of the drive through the Sierras.

And that's it, folks. Well done to all those who have travelled with me on this epic blogging journey. It's been lovely to be able to share my pictures and memories of a super holiday with you.

And so to jewellery. The stock take and re-stock still continues... but I did give into the beads over the weekend and did even more chain maille.



I'm particularly proud of the necklace and earrings set as they took ages to do and my fingers were aching afterwards.

Tomorrow we're back into Clerical Medical - our first return visit. No idea how it will go, but think I might make a few more things today to take with me.

Better get on with it!

What a week!

Phew! That was a heck of a week... and just when I thought I couldn't cram in anything else - Thursday evening involved dashing Tom to A+E!!! He spilt (my) coffee over his hand. He's absolutely fine and we did the right things... (just so you know if you don't already) held his hand under cold water for 15 minutes, then wrapped it in cling film, wrapped it in a tea towel with ice, kept it elevated and took him to the hospital.

It was scary though... but we've been very lucky - that was Tom's first ever trip to A+E. That's 16 years, so we're counting ourselves fortunate.

Onto jewellery matters: the sale at Clerical Medical went very well - and they're such a lovely bunch of people, very complimentary, very friendly - and have great taste in jewellery!! We're now booked in for four more sales through to the end of the year. Excellent.

Last night we were selling at a fashion show put on for International Women's Day. That was great too! I'm sure those of you who sell jewellery will know what I mean when I say that you can never tell what you'll sell at any event. Last night I sold a lot of stand alone Sterling earrings and some sets that I'd had in stock for so long I was thinking of re-designing them. Strange, but infinitely fascinating.

Here's a selection of things made this week:

Firstly, these pearl chandelier earrings. Sorry, it's not a very good picture - and I can't take another cos these sold last night! First time out. I think they have a very Art Deco look about them.
This set is Impression Jasper and Amazonite rondelles with Thai Hill Tribe silver. I'd not come across Impression Jasper before, but I really really like it.

Here's a close up so you can see just how lovely these beads are - a combination of browns and pale turquoise - just stunning:

Next is a set made with Labradorite rondelles, Swarovski crystals and Thai Hill Tribe Silver. It's so difficult to photograph Labradorite and get the effect of those blue flashes, but I managed to get a couple.

The next one is also Labradorite - but very different. Looking at my stock recently, I noticed there was a predominance of big and chunky stuff. I suppose being a big and chunky girl myself (LOL!) that is what I'm drawn to make. So, I thought I should try and redress that balance and make some more dainty items. This is the first of them. Labradorite and sterling silver. I was particularly pleased with the earrings - not a style I'd used before, but one I really like, so you'll be seeing more of those.
And lastly, in this batch, Blue Crazy Lacy Agate coupled with Freshwater Pearls. I really love the agate diamonds - I love the fact that there are rough bits, unpolished bits, it makes the beads SO interesting. And, I think, the pearls, just pop the gorgeous colours in the agate.

Can't go without telling you about Wednesday night. It was a real dash to get to London for 6:30, but we made it. The concert was an exclusive (oooo, get me!) event at Gibson guitars. There were only about 200 people there. I'd won 2 tickets through a competition on Amazon. It was a really great experience. Kathryn Williams and Niell MacColl were so un-starry, so friendly and you felt like you could just go up to them and have a natter. BUT, the music was just wonderful. They played tracks from their album 'Two' and I do urge you to try and have a listen to it - in fact, go and buy it... you won't be disappointed. It's beautiful.
Afterwards we went for a delicious Italian meal and then dashed back home. A great and very special evening.

Wow, that's a post and a half, isn't it? Well done, if you've managed to stick with it to the end! Have a lovely weekend and I'll see you all next week.

Much love to all.

Sorry, no pics!

Ah well, not a good costing, packing or photographing day after all! Was at WW most of the morning (stayed the same - minor miracle!) and then had a meeting with Sarah, my chum that I sell with, to try and work out which events we're going to try for this year.
Then spent most of the rest of the day trawling the internet for details of the events - and finding a few more. Looks like it might be quite a busy summer!

Tonight, we're off to the cinema to see No Country for Old Men. Not sure it's exactly my sort of film, but it's won so many awards I feel I really should see it. And it's at The Curzon, Clevedon's own wonderful cinema. Do have a look at the website: http://www.curzon.org.uk/ It's the oldest purpose-built, continuously operated cinema... in the world! And it's about a five minute walk from me.

Then tomorrow is Clerical Medical and then as soon as I'm back from that, hubby and I head for London and the Kathryn Williams/Niall MacColl gig. Goodness knows what time we'll be back - so Thursday I think I'll be pooped! My lovely sis-in-law is coming over to be with the children - can't really call it baby sitting now as they're 16 and 13!

So, I'll check back in on at the end of the week - and hopefully have those pics I promised! :-)

Reporting back

The party was great! We sold a good amount and had several people express an interest in holding a party, so all in all a result!

Mind you, it was hard work being the hostess and a seller. Opening the door, taking coats, making tea, pouring wine, chatting... AND explaining about the jewellery and taking the money... I was EXHAUSTED! But it was great fun and it was lovely to catch up with some of my chums.

Next Wednesday we have our first ever sale in an office. We're at Clerical Medical which is just over the other side of Clevedon, so not far for me to travel... Have no idea what to expect.

A busy week next week as I'm also having my hair done, going for physio on my knee, going to London to see Kathryn Williams and Niall MacColl (very excited about that) as well as the sale above and another event on Friday night.

One thing that happened last week, which you missed because I was so busy, was that my son turned 16. I can't believe it! He's so grown up already. And so handsome... here he is, judge for yourself:

This was taken last October - just outside Padstow.

Off to my book group in a bit, we've just read On Chesil Beach... if you've not read it, I'd thoroughly recommend it. Then, hopefully, this weekend we can do a bit more on turning the old kitchen into my workshop.

So, have a good weekend, all my lovely blog readers - and take care.