My first jewellery making class

Yesterday I took my very first jewellery making class!

I've been making jewellery for nearly 5 years now and all of my techniques are self taught via all the wonderful craft blogs out there and the tutorials you can find on YouTube.

One thing I really wanted to learn properly was pearl knotting, and a commission for restringing a pearl necklace spun me on to book a class and go. At first I thought I really wasn't going to ever get it, like most things, but after a few test pearls I was feeling confident to make the whole necklace.
 
The class was run by Sally at The Beaderie in Cambridge, only 5 people which was just right and Sally is an excellent teacher. I came back with a lovely freshwater pearl necklace which felt like a great achievement in 2 hours. Along with the commission I have to make I have plans for knotting some chunky long necklaces with some of the millions of beads I have left from past bead buying sprees.

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a new hobby - knitting

So I've started knitting!

Being a left hander I never really learnt properly but on a recent trip to the Lake District with some arty and crafty friends I decided that I'd ask the lovely moocowhandknits to teach me to knit!

She originally taught me how to knit left handed, being a right hander herself this was quite an achievement, afterwards I practised on some wool and thin needles to get the hang of it. Then I had a lot more help from my mother in law and now I can knit right handed. I can also cast on and off (although I may have forgotten the cast off bit slightly).

I've started a yummy wide purple scarf in wendy mode yarn which has merino in it, so soft! I'm still a bit slow but I reckon I'll have it finished by the time the colder weather comes.

Am starting to develop something of an addiction to yarn and finding myself drooling over it on Etsy and in shops - I think I want to try some really chunky yarn and knit up something big and soft. I have my eye on this lovely hand spun, hand dyed yarn from Colour It Green on Etsy at the moment too:

Handspun Wool

I think everyone is getting scarves for Christmas this year! ;)

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First try..

First ring, originally uploaded by lazygiraffe.

I made my first ring this week!
I have been wanting to make rings for the shop and I couldn't wait to try them out once I got my ring mandrel. This one is from a tutorial on MacFarland Designs blog (where she also has lots of other tutorials, I am trying out earwires next) for a simple rosette ring.

This was also spurred on by the loss of one of my rings down the floorboards the other day (I am cursing the landlords inability to lay them without 1cm gaps).

Its good for a first go, the wire wraps could be neater and the back is a little warped, but I love it all the same! I did this using 24g silver plated wire, not brave enough to use the expensive sterling wire yet ;)

I am hoping to introduce some simple beaded wire wrap rings to the shop, made with vintage beads and different kinds of wire. I think copper would be lovely.

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Bold as brass

I've been meaning to start working with brass for a while now, and I finally got my big order of beautiful brass findings last week!

I've added some lovely things to my shop with brass earwires, chain and little hammered discs, I love how each piece of brass is slightly different in the way that it is antiqued so that each piece looks a little bit different. I even experimented with antiquing it quickly, with a small amount of vinegar - its amazing how quickly it will antique to a lovely burnished vintage style look.

I am also going to be listing a gorgeous brass necklace in the next week or so (pending arrival of more beautiful brass chain) which is a round circle of brass with little freshwater pearls wired around the edge. This has also made me think about starting a bridal collection, or just a few bridal pieces, using lovely pearls and sterling silver.

I am also gearing up for the We Make craft fair which is on the 22nd June at Dragon Hall, Covent Garden, London. So I have lots of things made already, which I have squirelled away for the fair. Although I am also dying to list them a bit too!

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We Make London

Something I have been meaning to write about for a while.

I am attending the We Make London craft fair on the 22nd June 2008 at Dragon Hall, Covent Garden, along with over 25 other designers also based on Etsy.

We Make is celebrating UK handmade designs and designers, offering something totally unique from same-y high street products. There will be everything from jewellery to soap, to clothing to prints. Take a look in the We Make Etsy shop for a sneak peek.

I am really looking forward to selling at my first craft fair and the response has been great so I hope there will be an excellent turn out on the day! It will be a lovely way to meet my customers and get feedback on my work and also to meet the other designers who are based on Etsy.

There will be product demonstrations on the day and also opportunities to commission work with the sellers there that day.

I will also be sharing a stall with fellow Etsian janicej - who is an extremely talented illustrator, please have a look in her shop!




Event Details:

Date: Sunday 22nd June 2008
Time: 10.00am – 17.00pm
Where: Dragon Hall, 17 Stukeley Street, London, WC2B 5LT
Entrance: £1.00
Nearest tube: Holborn, Covent Garden

We hope to see you there!

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