Sometimes I just LOVE Monday's!

When I've got a new idea on the go, there's nothing better than a Monday morning to start it. Though, technically I didn't get going until the afternoon, as I had a couple of things that had to be done first so that they are ready for the post. But by the end of play (3.15pm on a Monday) I had made the first three of my new tattoo er... range? Collection? I need the collective noun for tattoos. A team of tattoos? I've looked it up - there isn't one. I feel a facebook post coming on.

Anyway, this weekend was spent drawing and sketching an idea that has been lurking around the periphery of my imagination for sometime. Tattoos - mainly those created by Sailor Jerry - have long been  something that has interested me, though I would never have one done to myself! But those vintage style, 1950's ones, I just love the imagery and simple shapes. So here are some early sketches....

And then some more worked up drawings...

 And finally, today's pieces, pierced and ready for filing tomorrow!

Also today, my interview with Folksy appeared here in Frankly magazine, and tomorrow (all things crossed and breath held) one of my name necklaces should appear in Heat magazine! Oooooo - I do hope it is in there - I've always wanted to appear in it's pages (preferably on the arm of Jonny Depp or David Tennant, but I'm that fussy) so I'm really, really excited (though very quietly, just in case).

PR or not to PR

Have been musing recently on whether I should try to find someone to do some PR for me. I'm not exactly a consistent blogger, facebooker or tweeter, so the likelyhood of approaching magazines, websites etc and trying to get a mention, small feature etc is so unlikely. But I know I should. So the obvious answer is a PR person isn't it? One who would do small amounts of work here and there, so probably freelance, but in the right field (fashion/crafts/accesories) right? Great idea, but where to start.

Meanwhile, without lifting a finger, I've got some work in Red Direct March issue, out on the 1st of Feb, it's also looking promising for Heat Magazine on the 7th of Feb (another name necklace, naturally!) and now an interview (don't know pub date yet) wtih Frankly, Folksy's online magazine. So all this with no PR person.... should I let things rumble along with the hope that other publications will pick up the phone, or a PR person to keep the ball rolling? Hmmmmm....

Any thoughts on the matter gratefully received!

A rather special commission...

Last week, apart from getting the final remaining (post) Christmas orders in the post, I also had a wedding commission to make - a wild roses tiara! (And I can't help but hear my father's voice saying boomp-see-ay after that word!)

I took some dodgy photos as I went along and here they are....

 

She's getting married on the 2nd of January so hopefully I'll have better photos to post after that!

Almost there....

I'm sorry for my lack of blogging, but it has been work, work, work for the last month or so, with only the occasional day off at the weekends. I do finally feel like the end is in sight, with another 25+ orders leaving fig on Wednesday when the lovely Eva will be back to pack and post. What a godsend she's been!

It's been an interesting month or so as for the first time I've been able to consider a different future for my business. I'd always imagined that I would merrily plod along making a little bit more - money and items - every year, hopefully charging a little more for my work, and selling, in the main, direct to my customers via the shop. The success I've had with notonthhighstreet has given me an alternative vision - perhaps I could have two strings to my business bow; the range of names, initials and charms, and the less populist collections that sell well in the shop. If, and it's a big if, the necklaces remain popular, I will need more help next year keeping up with demand. It's something to ponder when I've a few spare minuted to rub together....

And finally I'm rather excited that I'm in Red Magazine/Red Direct his month! Page 129. AND, thanks to Folksy, I'm also on the Channel4, 4Homes website as one of their top ten craft buys!

Need a good jewellery bench?

Just a quick post today, long overdue I know but I'm swamped by Christmas orders so please forgive me.

You may have seen  my cluttered bench in a previous post, well my husband who made it is now selling them on etsy and folksy. Have look here
http://www.folksy.com/items/2720506-Jewellery-Workbench

I can highly recommend it, naturally, and if you see how much pressure I put that poor table under, you'd feel just a little sorry for it!

Meanwhile, I'm half way through the 70 pre-Christmas orders, but today Red Magazine came out, and my initial pendants are on page 129, and I've already had three orders. Gulp…. then at lunchtime I found a tweet from folksy that led me here….

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/how-to/crafts/folksy-s-top-10-craft-buys


Er…. HELP?!?!?

I'm in love!

With something I made myself. I know that sounds daft, but much as I like my work, and adore making it, I rarely fall for one of my own pieces in quite such a fashion. By this ring is gorgeous! It came out of a customer request that I couldn't make work in the way she wanted, so I created this instead. And she loves it too! Sadly, perhaps, this one didn't fit her, but strangely it does fit me.... It's in the cabinet, for now.

Sparkles and sparklers

I love fireworks but I have to men in the family who aren't happy with loud noises, or crowds for that matter, so in general fireworks are seen from the comfort of out bedroom looking out towards the cricket ground - beyond the row of houses opposite. So not a great spectacle it must be said. But this year we went to my sister- and brother-in-law's house and had sparklers and garden fireworks, baked potatoes and a small bonfire. Lovely! And I took these photos - what I adore is the way the sparklers are caught by the camera. I have tried making designs from this sort of random explosions before, but can get it right. Not even close!