Tutorials

You may have noticed that over on the left of this blog there are links to 3 wirework tutorials that show you how to make eye loops, wrapped loops and coils. These are the instructions that I print out for my students on the sterling silver workshops, and they are free to download - all you have to do is go through the website and add them to your shopping basket. Once you've checked out (and haven't had to pay for them :) ), all you have to do is click on the download button on your order details. Virtually all wirework techniques are built on these three basic ones, and the bracelet and earrings are examples of some of the workshop projects I'm teaching over the next couple of months.

I had realised, though, that the number of photos on the tutorials was making them very slow to download for some people, so I've just been through everything and compressed the photos i.e. made the memory space they take up smaller. They're still good quality when you print them out, but they download in a fraction of the time.

So, for fast downloading, step-by-step photographic tutorials click this way. Just remember the health warning that I give to everyone who comes to my workshops - making your own jewellery is very very addictive....afterall, how do you think I got to the stage of making a business out of it?!

By the way, I'm halfway through writing up a couple of new tutorials - one for earwires and a project one for a pair of earrings. I planning some on making clasps and how to oxidise silver too. Let me know if you've got any requests!

More Blooms!

Yesterday was a busy day. I didn't manage to get out into the shed, but I did get alot done. The day started, as most Thursdays do, with dropping B off at his childminder's. I then picked up some croissants and headed over to Nicky's for breakfast - a very pleasant and civilised start to a Thursday! We even managed to get some work done too. In an ideal world we'd 'do breakfast' once a week, but real life always gets in the way and this is the first time we've managed it!

Most of the rest of the day was spent taking and editing photos and bits of admin for the two big things that I've preparing for that I still can't tell you about. I've recently downloaded a free piece of editing software that I love. I used to have to spend quite a while editing photos (using the software that came with my laptop), and spend quite a while waiting for the right daylight conditions to be able to take the photos in the first place! The camera I bought before Christmas and my folding photo studio sorted most of the problems out, thankfully, and this new piece of software seems to have solved the re-sizing issues that I was having. It's called paint.net, and it's worth checking out if, like me, you'd rather spend money on silver and beads than software!

Anyway, these are some of the photos I took, and all the jewellery shown is on the website now. As you can probably tell, I like cutting out this bloom shape! I've made myself a pair of the earrings, and I love the way that they swing when I move - I seem to be going for bolder earrings since having my hair cut short! The earrings, and the matching pendants, are available in gorgeous blue iolite and in tourmaline in rich honey shades and in pinks and greens. They, like the bloom necklace and the daisy cuffs, are made-to-order items, but I'll try to keep one of each in stock.

Calling number 16!

I've just asked T to give me a number between 1 and 18, and he came up with 16, so counting from the first comments left on Monday's giveaway post that means that our winner is........

Stephanie!

Stephanie, if you could email me your address please then I will wrap the earrings up safely and pop them in the post for you.

Thank you everyone who left a comment - and for all your cures for colds! My favourite is still Kelly's chocolate one, but Vicky's idea of no housework came a very close second! Glueandglitter, my immune system is thankfully pretty darn good after so many years so teaching, so these must have been strong germs to get to me! The cold has almost gone now, thankfully.

I've just come back from a rare night out with the girls. These particular girls are friends that I used to teach with. Most of us have moved on from the school that we worked at together, either for promotion or for families. We don't get together as much as we'd like to, but it's always great when we do. I think we were definitely the noisiest table in the pub! I'm off to bed now, though, as B's waking up earlier than usual at the moment. I will be back tomorrow with some of the photos that I took today - it's been a day of admin and uploading projects!

P.S. A note for Vonnie - I accidently pressed the wrong button and lost your comment - sorry! You were still in the draw, though, as I gave you number 4, the number of the comment that I added to Monday's post.

This is Me

I stumbled upon this quiz last night - you know how it is, you follow a link that leads to another blog that leads to another that leads to something that makes you stop. It's a multiple choice quiz - you know that sort that you choose one of the offered answers, or in this case a picture that goes with a statement. I thought it would be a bit of fun and just clicked on the pictures that appealed to me the most - and was very surprised to get an 'evaluation' at the end that seemed to be, well, ME! Whoever wrote the end result descriptions has got a beautiful way with words, and I actually found it very inspiring to see in words how I feel about what I do and how I create. The quiz designated me a 'Hands on' person, which is, obviously, spot on.

I won't bore you with everything it said, but this is the part that really made me go "This is Me":

"For you, creativity is all about getting physical. You like to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. Being able to make something with your hands is an important expression of who you are. Art is probably a big part of your life. And you like to use your natural flair for creativity at work and at home. You particularly enjoy the feeling of seeing a project through from start to finish. Nothing beats that sense of satisfaction that comes from watching your own creation evolve and grow. Chances are you really appreciate the special skills that you have – it’s a wonderful way to be able to express yourself in this way."

So go on, how do you create? You can find the quiz here!

Tag, you're it!

A couple of weeks ago Magriet tagged me, and I've been really slow at posting a response and passing the 'tag' on - sorry Magriet! The only excuse that I have is that I used up my best 'random facts' a couple of months ago, and it's actually taken me until now to think of some more. Actually, now I read back that last sentence it sounds quite sad, but never mind!

The rules to this tag are:

1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Write six random things about yourself
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them
5. Let each person know they've been tagged

So, here goes!

1. I have knitted 3 pairs of fingerlesss gloves and 1 pair of baby's bootees so far this year, and I started my new hat yesterday - yep, when I renew my addiction to a craft, it's serious!
2. I have 3 sketch books - one in my bag, one by my bed and one on my desk. There's nothing worse than having a great idea and not having anything immediately to hand to record it on!
3. My favourite time of day is actually first thing in the morning before anyone else gets up, especially on a sunny day. However, because B hasn't learnt to sleep in yet I've become a bit of a night owl. I'm not wishing my life away, but I am looking forward to getting my quiet mornings back at the weekends when he's a teenager!
4. Okay, halfway through now, I can do this! Erm...I wanted to be a meteorologist. I did all the right A Levels and had a provisional offer at Reading University to study meteorology and maths, but didn't get the grades - which was most definitely a good thing as I love how my life has turned out.
5. I don't like tea or coffee, never have, but that doesn't stop my Grandma from offering me a cup of tea every time I go and see her!
6. I have two really exciting pieces of news that I really really want to share with you but I just can't yet! I just don't want to jinx them! I'll tell you soon, though, promise! I know, such a tease...

Okay, now the people I'm tagging:

1. Nicky at Sparkly Treasures
2. Laura at Beads by Laura
3. Alice at Raspberry
4. Katy at I'm a ginger monkey
5. Laura at Bugs and Fishes
6. Kyoko at Cotton and Cloud

Thank you, all of you who left comments on yesterday's post - you have been entered into the draw, and the rest of you have until midnight tonight to put your name into the hat to win that pair of heart studs! The cold cures were great - I think my favourite by far is Kelly's chocolate cure!

Love is in the air!

I know it doesn't seem that long since Christmas but it's only a couple of weeks until St Valentine's Day! That means it's time for a Valentine's offer on the website - spend £25 or more on jewellery or workshop places before the end of 14th February and receive a free pair of fine silver stud earrings, a pair of heart studs shown above. Another reason to drop your loved one a subtle (or not so subtle!) hint!

I didn't want to leave my blog readers out, though, so it's time for the first Daisychain blog giveaway of 2009. All you have to do is leave me a comment on this post before midnight on Wednesday and you're in the draw! The competition is open to those of you who aren't in the UK too, and if you leave an anonymous comment please remember to leave your name so that I don't get confused. Good luck!

By the way, the comment doesn't have to be on any particular subject, but if anyone out there has discovered the cure for the common cold then I would be grateful if you could let me know!

Full Bloom

This week has been a week of finishing projects, taking photos and general admin. I've had a few new designs on my desk that have needed simple things like sanding, polishing, bails soldered on, that kind of thing, so I've been strict with myself - no new projects (except commissions!) until they're finished! The one that I'm particularly pleased with is this necklace. It was one of those rare ideas that worked perfectly from sketch book to finish - often ideas want to be adapted as I work on them! It's on the website now as the latest in my Bloom made-to-order designs.

Today has been a workshop day - the ladies who came to play with beads and wire today made beautiful charm bracelets and matching earrings. The next workshop is on this coming Wednesday and that's full , but if you fancy coming for the one after that in February to make a pair of sterling silver earrings, see here for details!