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!

Something new.... perhaps

I've had an idea buzzing around in the back of my head for several weeks, and today I had the time and space to actually make a few prototypes. Two people have seen it so far - one loved them and one said 'I don't do novelty jewellery'. My sister is always so honest. What do you think? I'd love further feedback... below or on FB is you prefer.

Sorry about low quality photos!

Funny names!

If you've read my blog before, you'll know that I'm busy making loads of name necklaces, and a few have come up more than once - Sarah, Ellie Olivia - and I've had a couple of more original ones - Mrs.O, MrsBowles (I like to think that's Camilla), RoRo (LOVE this as it's what my children call my sister Rosie!), but over the weekend I received a more unusual one. Er.... or odd. Well, I thought so at least, but it turns out I'm just old. The name I've been asked to do is Spaz. Uh huh, you read that right. Well, after much uhmming and ahhing, I rang notonthehighstreet. Was I over-reacting I asked? It turns out I am apparently, as it's a nickname from Anna. Anna Spanner, shortened to Spaz. Really? Oh well. Clearly it's a generational thing.

Panic Planning - dontcha just love it?

Today I had a mild panic. Or was it really that mild? The North Bristol Art Trail is just a month away and am I ready? Am I hell. So once I'd got all my parcels to the Post Office (and bought a delicious coffee to fortify myself) I made a list. A very long list.

This year I'm showing at my friend Kate's house, rather than at fig. I've exhibited at fig two years running and I've never shown in someone's house, so it seemed a good idea to try it out. Naturally, I didn't think of the ramifications - like the fact that I might be ridiculously busy with notonthehighstreet work, now, when I would normally be making stock, or that I might still want a small amount of work at fig. So now the reality has dawned, I realise I need to have extra stock so that I have cabinet of goodies at fig, along with some stock to top up anything that sells, plus full collections, and stock at Kate's. That's a lot of pieces.

So tonight I have bitten the silver bullet, so to speak, and ordered nearly £500 worth of silver - argh! That's a lot of silver, or pieces of eight maybe. Then there's the cost of packaging yet to be ordered, paying for a mobile card payment terminal, paying people to look after my cabinet at fig.... gulp. Oh boy.

Thoughts on customers...

I'm really, truly lucky, blessed even, to have a bunch of loyal customers. They are supportive, interesting, they set me fascinating challenges/commissions and it genuinely cheers my day to see them walk through the door of fig. And then there's some others. And we are lucky that they are few in number, but this week I have been chasing one such customer. Over two months ago she ordered one of my name necklaces. She was friendly and we chatted in the shop before she decided to order the necklace and we measured to get the right length, and discussed whether to have a capital first letter. Such was our pleasant conversation, I (foolishly) decided not to ask for a deposit. Since I finished her personalised necklace six weeks ago, I have texted her, emailed and called her mobile. I can only assume she's changed her mind, but why not call me? It's not an expensive item in the grand scheme of things, and she knew the cost before she ordered it. And she knows I've carried out the work, and that I can't just sell it on like an item that's not personalised.

Anyway, I will end my rant with a photo of a commission from last summer, for one of my polite, friendly and interesting band of commissioners - and I thank you lovely peeps from the bottom of my heart!

Names, names, names....

Talk about busy! I've been making non stop names all last week, and the stream of orders has yet to abate - there's another four today following the seven over the weekend! I think my piercing and cutting is speeding up slightly but the designing of them is what can take the time. Who would have thought that a capital T would be my nemesis? Try joining any letter to a capital T - go on, give it a go! It's quite hard not to make it look like a backwards J, or an F. You can see several tries here, and the final one is upside down, top right.

Some interesting Irish names ordered today, which I'm looking forward to - lots of lovely vowels together. I love doing 'o's in particular!