Wednesday 7 December 2011

and I got the window decorated in Skipton, great copper beech branches, sprayed randomly with gold, gold and black baubles and some leaves around the bottom .... all looks very tasteful.

I did the Storey Vintage Christmas Fair on Saturday which was great.  I had some good sales including my pepper pot pendant that sold to the first person who saw it.

I also sold quite a few of the old silver charms with and without a chain.  So if I can expand my vintage range I might try a few more vintage fairs next year.

I am just working on turning some old spoons and forks in to pendants, not the ones you usually see, I am trying to do something different.  

I have a great commission at the moment.  I am making a contemporary silver ring for a customer and using 2 pearls from her old gold ring and setting them in to her new ring.  Before Christmas!  And I am making a hashtag from perspex.

Right, back to work ..........

1 December 2011

Had to post a short blog today as it's the 1st of the month.

I have been busy sorting stuff out and now I should be working on jewellery as I left my handtorch in the shop yesterday and I have just got it back.  I am working but just taking a break to post this.

This is a new pendant, based on my Fickle range and I have added gold leaf to it.  It looks great on but I am not too sure about the gold leaf and its sustainability.  You can buy it off my website The Jewellery Room.

I will just have to keep wearing this piece to test it out.
I am off to the shop again tomorrow in Skipton and I am going to decorate the windows for Christmas.  My boss is a Muslim so we are definitely not going over the top, we are going to be subtle so I hope likes it.

Wednesday 30 November 2011

I have had fun this week getting ready for the Vintage Fair at the weekend.  Its at the Storey in Lancaster on Saturday 3rd December 2011.  I have got quite a few upcycled and old pieces ready as well as some ranges and designs.  Fingers crossed I sell well!

I took this on my run this morning, there is always great dramatic light at this spot in the morning.  I have taken several from here over the years and they always make a good picture.  And this one was on my Blackberry!

This one of my vintage, upcycled pieces.  I have used an old charm from a silver charm bracelet, an old boot. I have about 10 different charms in total, they are great just as a single piece on a long chain.  Hope people like them.

Thursday 24 November 2011

Its been a mad week of work.  I  did a day for my friend on Tuesday (my day off!) at Manchester Christmas Market which was great, not as cold as usual and there were 2 football matches on so they were lots of Italian fans walking around singing.  Sales weren't too bad, it's early on yet so I was quite pleased with them.

I am in the process of designing a pearl ring for a customer, I have to email some designs this week to her so she can choose one.

I have just made a Wrap ring off my website for a customer.  It is a birthday present for her husband and she wants her initials and all her children's initials engraved  on the inside with a love heart, aahhhh, cute.

I am also flirting with some new designs.  I am quite desperate to make them but I need to hold back.  I have spent a fortune on materials to make all my Christmas stock and I really need for the money to start coming in before I start buying again as I have bills to pay as well!.  If I was sensible I would do all this after Christmas and get them ready for Valentine's Day ..... if I was sensible!

15 November 2011

Got some great new pieces by Susan Weir of Edinburgh on my website.
Susan makes beautiful sterling silver and gold jewellery, very simple, clean lines.

Both these pieces are matt finished with polished gold detail on.

Available now on my website.

Friday 11 November 2011

 I have finally got my jewellery on display in the shop in Skipton.  It dominates one of the windows and one of the cabinets inside.  I didn't have any props really so I used some of the tools from the workshop.

I am working on a better display for Christmas so I will change it at the beginning of December (official Della date for when we can start getting Christmassy).





We will get some more handmade jewelllery over the next few weeks from other designers so I will have to make room for them!

Saturday 5 November 2011

Tweet by Emma Freud today
Wow.. The perfect start to Saturday. A Richard Curtis movie in real life! Thanks @paddy_delaney http://t.co/8Y0Y2ROg 
It's only 3 minutes long but a beautiful romantic gesture ........

So this is the hair after the hair cut.
In the end I just had 6 inches cut off but basically its the same hairstyle.
One step at a time, I might just go for the fringe next.






Skipton is slowly taking shape, still a long way to go but as I said before it will just evolve along the way.
I am off there on Saturday to put my jewellery out and sort out some displays etc.

I am working on some new cufflinks this week.
Need some inspiration or else I will end making some like these again.

Off to a big bonfire in Lancaster tonight, haven't been to a bonfire for a few years so looking forward to it.

Thursday 3 November 2011

Having a day off.

Been busy over the week goign to Skipton and helping set up the shop.
It doesn't have a personality yet but there is no hurry, it will evolve in time.

Going for a hair cut today, I want to be brave but I might bottle it last minute.
Here I am in a recnt photo.

Not a good photo but it shows the length of my hair.

I will post another after the cut.

Cuff links ....... I love cuff links but they are definitely not as popular as they used to be.  I have sold a couple of pairs recently which has prompted me to put them on my to do list before Christmas.  Now is the time if any when they are going to sell so I am going to research and come up with some designs.

Sunday 30 October 2011

This was posted as an article on Twitter by the Guardian.  It's about the Occupy movement generally and its the concluding paragraph of the article.  These are our governmental leaders!  If you want to read the full article by Andrew Rawnsley click here.

The protesters shun formal leaders and hierarchies – and I also don't see why they should be criticised for this at a time when conventional leaders and hierarchies have been so conspicuously useless. Here are some recent scenes in establishment politics. Silvio Berlusconi displays his incomparable charms by describing Angela Merkel as "culona ichiavabile" ("an unfuckable lard arse"). Rick Perry, contender to become Republican candidate for the great office of president of the United States, questions where Barack Obama was born five months after the White House released his long-form birth certificate, and excuses himself by saying: "It's fun to poke at him." A punch-up breaks out on the floor of the Italian parliament between one right-wing member of the government and an even more right-wing member. Nicolas Sarkozy tells David Cameron to "shut up" because he is "sick" of him. David Cameron elevates the tone at prime minister's questions by shouting: "Complete mug!" at Ed Miliband.
Protesters or leaders? I know who looks the more grown-up.

Enough said.

Teen Awards

Girls went to Wembley to the Teen Awards and amongst others saw Ed Sheerin, One Direction and Rizzlekicks.  They had a great time, cam back on a massive high which lasted for days and were exhausted.  Good times, good memories though.

This is a great bangle made by Katherine Grimes.  It is made from fine silver and is textured and wrapped around several times with a kind of knot fastening it.  It is very popular, I have had it on my website since I started out and it is still a bestseller.

Old piece resurrected

Just as it says in the title.
I had an order to make one of these pendants and matching bangle which I hadn't made for a while but I really enjoyed making it again so will churn some more out for the Christmas market.

Tuesday 25th October 2011

The days are running away faster and faster.  I have some orders off my website so hopefully things are picking up.  I have been repairing a silver and glass wine jug for a church and I have been over to the new shop in Skipton to help sort it out.  It's not open yet but hopefully it will be next week.  I will work there 2 days a week repairing and selling with the owner.  Hopefully I will get some great raining from him and within the year we hope to do some of our designs, a collaboration!  His work is very traditional and mine is very contemporary so it should be exciting.

I love jewellery made from wood, this is great so have a look

http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/2011/10/mini-profile-at-poppytalk-handmade_2324.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FISuVv+%28poppytalk%29

Tuesday 18th October 2011

Happy 50th Birthday to my sister today.

You can have a look at the latest jewellery trends for Autumn and Winter 2011 here.  As usual there is a real mixture of very different designs. Animal / luxe /geometric /baroque styles are dominant.  Kelly Rowlands seems to be very influential in what she wears, she has a great style and comes across as a very nice lady on XFactor.

I have a weird week of working, visiting a uni with my daughter and doing a Careers Day at a private girls school, should be interesting!

Saturday 15th October 2011

Should be a day off today but I am covering this afternoon in the shop for someone else.  Needless to say its a beautiful sunny day!

I had to show this ring again as I have done a small modification to it recently and it looks even better.
It is a great style and there is a matching pendant on the website.  The pearl comes in pink or peacock blue.

Interesting article about the Creative Industries from the CBI.  The creative industries are expected to grow more than 4% from 2009 - 2013 which is double what the rest of the economy is expected to do!

I am at home today doing some repair work on a salt and pepper cellar from the 1920's.  I quite enjoy this type of work as long as it is not too difficult!  At least it is one of the rewards of having to work for someone else and getting a regular wage for it.

I have sent quite a few pieces of jewellery out over the last few weeks, all on sale or return so my coffers are getting depleted as I won't get a return until nearer Christmas when the buying kicks in.  I have a lot more to do so I hope my cash flow improves.

Simple pair of earrings made in sterling silver with lava beads which are a great charcoal colour with a smooth but rough looking texture.
On my website for £24.  I am working on a long pendant to match them.

Sunday 9 October 2011

My girls are at the Teen Awards today!  It has been loud and full of energy in this house since they got tickets 2 weeks ago.  The youngest daughter got 4 tickets and gave 2 to her sister so they each took a friend.  Thanks to the wonderful Sunday train system here in the North West they had to travel down on Saturday night so that they go there in time for 12noon Sunday.  Big adventure all round.  I will go on line at 2pm on to Radio 1 to see what is happening.

I have finished off another pendant.  It is a slice of greeny blue agate set in sterling silver.  The design of the setting is unique and has already been admired by people.  It is on my website for £55.

As it is a miserbale wet day today I am going to get on with some spring cleaning, I always do mine in Autumn! 

Thursday 7th October

Really sad news today that Steve Jobs has died, a visionary of whom there seems to be no-one else close to his level of genius.  He said,

 "If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it"

which is something I seem to be doing daily so hopefully one day I will find it!

Here is a picture of my Ribbon pendant.  Made in sterling silver with a little freshwater pearl it is a great looking pendant.  It is very small and dainty for me but I am really liking it.  I think it will apppeal as a gift especially for Christmas.  You can buy it off my website now The Jewellery Room

Off to work today in the shop, not looking forward to it, miserable windy, wet day.

Wednesday 5th October

Apologies, it's nearly 2 months since I last blogged.  No excuses, just busy really but I still should have blogged.

So I shall carry on as normal.

I have designed and made some new pieces which I will post tomorrow.  I have had some good sales over the last few months but as usual it has gone quiet, I need sales to be more consistent.  I need time to think about a strategy.  I need time to put together a strategy.  I need time.

I have just made a bangle for an order in Miami!  I don't get many orders from America because of the exchange rate so it was a nice surprise.  I have overcharged on the postage I realise now after sending it off today so I will credit him the difference later when I inform him it is in the post.

What is with this new Blogger format?  Not liking it at all ..............

I have seen some great films over the last few months, the best being The Tree of Life with Brad Pitt and Beginners with Ewan McGregor, both powerful beautiful films.

I am off to Birmingham City University on Friday for a visit with my daughter, the UCAS closing date is drawing near so decisions will have to be made soon. 

Both my girls are off to the Teen Awards at the weekend with friends, the excitement level in our houser is very high.  Pixie Lot, Ed Shearin, Rizzlekicks, One Direction but to name a few will be performing!

NO time to blog since coming back from holiday ..... been busy working and getting ready for Art in the Pen.  Made lots of new pieces so hopefully they will be well received ............. will report back next week.

Yes holiday snaps, Tenerife, had a great time and now back to business ......

At last ...... new pieces

New ring, at last!

I love this piece and have worked hard on it.  It needed some modifications and maybe some more but I will be wearing for the next week to see how it feels and works.

I will also be making a pendant to match so watch this space.

I have also made some more 'upcycled' pieces, a long chunky pendant so I will post more images next week.

This is fantastic contemporary jewellery from some Hungarian designers.  Pushing the boundaries ...... I love it ...........

Emotional Design

 analyzing products in a holistic way to include their attractiveness, their behavior, and the image they present to the user -- and of the owner. In this work on design, these different aspects of a product were identified with different levels of processing by people: visceral, behavioral, and reflective. These three levels translate into three different kinds of design. Visceral design refers primarily to that initial impact, to its appearance. Behavioral design is about look and feel -- the total experience of using a product. And reflection is about ones thoughts afterwards, how it makes one feel, the image it portrays, the message it tells others about the owner's taste.

My last few ranges have been based on emotional design, something which  started to research last year.  Donald Norman is an expert on psycho physics and have a passion for design.  I am working my way through his books, essays and interviews, taking my time to absorb it and understand but I feel in tune with it, he makes a lot of sense.

I am doing Art in the Pen in August and need to get sorted out.  I work 4 days a week in a jewellers and I am going away for a week so I am trying to be organised as I know that I will run out of time.
I need a new display this year as it is my third year so I want it to look different.  I have asked a friend if she has anything I can borrow and she says yes but I am still waiting to see the stuff!  She has a lot on her plate as well so i should be more patient.

I am going to use some sketches and tools  to use as props and try to create a workshop type of atmosphere around my stall.  That's my starting point anyway!

Still working on it.

My friend gave me some of her jewellery that she didn't want so that I could maybe use it in new designs.

I haven't really been that creative but I have managed to  'upcycle' some bits in to earrings and a necklet.

The silver balls are quite intricate, think they are plated so I have put everything on sterling silver findings.

They are on my website www.thejewelleryroom.co.uk if anyone wants to buy.

New earrings, I have used hoops but also you can have them on hooks or studs.

New pendant.

I wore the above once and got an order for 2 sets from a friend!  Hopefully the orders continue ....

Had a crap week at work, enough said, don't like to linger.

I have had some good sales of my jewellery this week which I really need to improve on.

some plant images to show the progress of my summer pot plants ...........

Had an interesting week.  It's been quite busy at the shop, sold some nice pieces, tanzanite and diamond ring which was a replacement for an engagement ring that a lady lost last summer.  She had been looking for another one since then and finally found one in the shop. Nice.

I have made some new jewellery which I love.   I need to finish off some of it then I will post images.

We had a few friends over last night and had a great evening eating al fresco.  Hoping to eat outside again tonight, got to make the most of this weather.

I might try my hand at fishing today!  Will let you know ...........

I was on my way to pick up my daughter form the train station on Sunday when I passed this ice cream cone at the side of the road.  This is a B road, so smallish country lane, its about 1 mile from my house.

So the next thing I saw was the ice cream van.  It had been hot so I thought maybe I was seeing things.  I picked up my daughter and drove back past it and it was still there!  We got out and had a look.  It is being run by a farmer who is diversifying.  He is selling ice cream at weekends and he is also starting course fishing.  He found a natural spring on his land and he got permission to dig a pond and has filled it with carp.  The best bit is that the ice cream is my favourite!  It's Walling's ice cream from Cockerham so I think I know what I will be up to at weekends ..... and I am going to try the fishing as well.

I have an order for my Fickle necklace.  Someone bought the earrings and gave it to a friend for her birthday and now she wants the necklace.



Slow day at work today.  Tomorrow the Antiques Road Trip is visiting the shop and filming old jewellery so something different to look forward to.

This is the dog that is running rings around us.  She is so spoilt, behaves like a child and is very demanding.  I am quite shocked at how she behaves and demands attention.  Everyone is the house including the kids cannot wait for her to go back home!  These are the kids that have nagged me for years to get a dog - this has changed their minds - not that all dogs are like this but they now realise the attention and care that they need ..........



I have finally managed to get my act together with making some jewellery.  I have done most of the pieces, just need to get some finishing off done and then I am waiting for somefinding to come in the post so next week I should be able to post some images.  I will be selling jewellery at Art in the Pen again this year in August so hopefully these pieces will be liked there.

Head explosion .............

Its been a busy week mainly because I went to London for a couple of days with my eldest daughter to look at universities.  We managed 3 in 2 days, one was an official open and the other 2 we were taken round for a look which was great and means hopefully I don't have to make another trip.  We had a great time, it was hot and we stayed with friends so I caught up with them as well ......... visited Ravensbourne, Bucks New Uni and Westminster.

Choosing universities is going to be hard.  She wants to do Film Production, its been a passion of hers for a few years now.  She could actually go after her AS levels as you don't really need high grades to get in which is a bit of a shame as she is a high achiever, A's and A*'s for her GCSE's and predicted A's so far for her A levels.  Not that it matters but it is nice to be with like minded people and so far Bucks seems to be the one.  Still have to look at York St John's, Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and Leeds Met so you things might change.

So then you get back home and have to catch up with things because nobody has bothered to help out!  I have had some new designs bubbling away for a while and I have now decided to get on with them so I have been busy ordering things so that I can start in the next week or so.

I still have some recycled jewellery to work with, that hasn't progressed but I think it will now that I am getting on with other pieces.

Images will be posted when appropriate.

The dog has been here for a week, it has put everyone  off having now thank goodness.  This dog is so spoilt and very demanding, I cannot believe my parents have made her like that, they must spend all day pandering to her needs!  She will be glad to get back home as we have just ignored her and got on with our lives, she has just had to fit in with us which I think is a new experience for her!

Dog and cat ...........

We might be dog sitting next week for my parents dog whilst they are away for 10 days.  My sister normally does it but she is also away so he asked us to do it. 

It seemed like a good idea and hopefully it will be fine but I forgot about our cat!
She is 16 years old and has had the house to herself, no other pets for all that time.
The dog is a Patterdale terrier, about 1 year old, a bit yappy. 
It will be interesting ...........


I am mulling over making some Vintage jewellery.  By that I mean using second hand jewellery and hopefully upcycling it by adding texture or setting stones in it ..... not sure yet if this is a good idea.  I will have to research it a bit more.

Secret Saturdays

I now have to work Saturdays at the jeweller's shop which I love doing.  This is mainly because I leave a list of jobs that need doing at home and when I get back most of them are done!  I think they do them because otherwise they would feel guilty as I am out all day working.

I have started running again after a 2 week break but it hasn't made any difference, I still feel like I am plodding and get slower.. I am not sure what it is, I could do with talking to an expert but in the meantime I will persevere as it chills me out and gives me thinking space.  Saw a hot air balloon on my run this morning about 7am, beautiful sunshine and clear skies, I bet they had a great time.

My plants are doing good, I need more so a trip to the garden centre is in order next week.  Will take some more (yawn) images to bore everyone with.

I have a couple of pieces of jewellery this week and added some stones, when I get my camera back from my daughter I will post the images.

Off to work, list completed .....................

I have been working a lot at the shop over the last week doing extra days for someone else so I really feel I haven't had time to get on with my creative side.  I really feel the need to go out and do something so I am planning my day off tomorrow carefully.  It could all change of course as it is half term but I will make a plan anyway.

1. a run or walk first thing in the morning.
2. a film or gallery visit would be great but probably not possible tomorrow.
3. time and space to jot down some new ideas.
4. people watch from a pavement cafe whilst I drink a latte.

(go  visit a friend, shop for necessities ie. food, etc, if I have time).

We are getting some Alfaberge jewellery in the shop which I am quite excited about.  It is not something I would wear but I can see its potential, I am sure it would sell well in the area where we are.  I am trying to plan a display to catch people's eye as they are passing the shop window, and I keep thinking of vodka and Russian dolls!  Might have to work on that.

This is one of my favourite rings, one of my first rings that I made which I am still selling now.  I redid the image for my website as I was asked to make one recently for a birthday present.  I have a few new ideas for rings which I need to work on, hopefully tomorrow!

Caught this picture on a walk, I love the sun on the water, it was a cold but bright morning.  I have taken to walking now insead of running as I am so tired due to sleep deprivation.  It has been going on for a few months so hopefully the tide will turn soon, I think it is hormone related but not totally sure, a visit to the doctor might be next if nothing changes soon.


I found my camera, it was just lying there waiting for me as these things normally are when you lose them!

Thursday 26th May 2011

Happy to report new bread machine is great.

I haven't ranted about the lawn mower yet, have I?  It broke (yes we have had a succession of break downs recently, think I am next or it feels like that), and as it is a ride on we needed the repair man to pick it up.  That took 2 weeks and it is still with him, 4 weeks later.  As you can imagine the grass is quite long now and we do have a lot of it.  It normally takes about 2 hours to cut anyway in normal circumstances.

I seemed to have mislaid my camera so I cannot upload any images that could help you to understand better what I am going on about but never mind I am sure it will turn up.  I also have a picture of the hash tag and peridot earrings that I was commissioned to make.  They drove me crazy, so small, 1mm and 2mm pieces of 1.2mm thick silver that I had to make in to hash tags and then I had to set some small peridots in them ................ nothing more to say!

Hopefully I will find my camera and show you the results.

I have a full day today, more jewellery to make, cleaning, food shopping etc so need to get on.

Writing my blog when I should be off to work ............

I have applied to exhibit some jewellery in the Platform Gallery Clitheroe, part of their Open Craft Exhibition this summer.  Hopefully I will hear from them!

I have finally managed to start a commission for Liz who owns the Flower Bank in Hornby.  She has had a faceted aqua marine stone for many, many years, tucked away in a box and she has finally decided to so something with it.  I recently made a ring for her daughter  which she loved and I think it prompted her to do something with her aqua marine.  As she has had it for about 25 years I don't think there is a rush but I like to get on with things once I have been commissioned.

We went to see Dylan Moran last night at the Opera House, Blackpool.  He was great, not laugh out loud to me but very humorous rants.

I think I have mentioned that my bread machine gave up the ghost about 2 weeks ago.  I have made a loaf every week for years with the machine that my mother in law bought me (she was good at giving my domestic appliances for birthdays and Christmases, some of which I was glad about).  Well I finally received my new one from Morphy Richards.  Of course my old one had been discontinued so I got an equivalent one, basic but I only use it to mix and rise the dough in.  I take it out and beat it up and get it to rise again and bake it in the oven, I don't like the shape of the machine ones.  Anyway I have prepped it as instructed and this Sunday will be its first session so I will report how it goes .... life is just so exciting sometimes.  The point of this being that Morphy Richards gave me a great deal on it, I looked at their website and then phoned them up.  As I had already owned a MR product I got a good discount but even if I hadn't they would have done a good deal, always phone them up before you buy and try haggling, you have nothing to lose.

Added this image as my blog seemed word heavy ..... random image of part of my pond that is overgrown with weeds but has quite a lot of wildlife hiding in it so I am loathe to do anything about it.

Now off to work in Issac's Jewellers, should have left 10 minutes ago .....

Surprise

My friend gave me some wooden beads ages ago, it was a necklace that had broken.  I have intermittently made a few bits and pieces from it and sent it off to her.  I finally used them all up last week by making a long necklace from belcher chain and the wooden beads.  I put a stone piece at the bottom of it which came from a beach  in Escubells in Ibiza where we stayed last summer at her house.  I posted it off to her so it was a complete surprise and she loved it.