Open Studio Down, 2 more events to go.......

It's going to be a busy couple of weeks! Without really registering I have managed to book 3 events in 10 days..... glutton for punishment? Maybe, but it's a great time of year to be out meeting people.

Tidy for once!

This past weekend, we had the Second Floor Studio Open studio event. If you have read previous posts you will know that most of last week was spent getting myself, the studio and most importantly the jewellery ready. By about 3pm on Thursday I figured that there was not much else I could do so went to see if anyone else needed anything. Chaos reigned, but luckily we managed to get everyone sorted for the 5pm deadline.

This year's display

This time I did get to have a wander round and see who we now have on site. The project has grown immensely since the last open studio in May and in addition to my cake-eating friends Lisbeth Lund and Miles Campbell, we now have fabulous crafts people such as stained glass artist Sophie Lister Hussain and Milliner Katty Janneh.

Many thanks to everyone who came down over the 2 days especially Sid from Syddenham and the lovely Mo Thompson. Hope to see you again at the next one in May 2011.

In the meantime, I'm only 2 days away from the Christmas Market opening at Greenwich Market

Getting Ready.......

Well the Second Floor Studio Autumn Open Studio event is this weekend and I'm just getting everything ready. Table and display is up and now I've just got to finish off the new stock and do an AWFUL lot of cleaning. No matter how much you try to contain it, polishing dust gets everywhere!!!!

We have a preview on Thursday night and the we will all be open from 11am to 6pm on 20th and 21st. Please pop in to visit us.

Leaves on FIRE

Well not actually, but the colours this year have been amazing, I think you'll agree. Sadly the strong winds and rain have stripped a lot of the reds and oranges this week but I've definitely been inspired.

I've been looking at new materials and techniques, partly because the silver price has gotten silly and partly for the new challenge. Copper sprung to mind because of the autumn like colours, it's (relatively) low cost and because it's more pliable - perfect for revisiting Fold forming. This is a  technique of folding and hammering metal that I have toyed with before, but didn't really have the room to fully explore.

Firstly I tried a Romero fold leaf. I made one for myself as a brooch ages ago and it always gets comments so I had a go at another. Really please with the result and polished it to within an inch of it's life to get that lovely orange glow.

Spurred on I went for a simple folded and hammered crescent shape. To get the metal to continue to curve you must keep annealling the piece between sets of hammering. At the time this seem a chore, but it has an unseen advantage. When you open the fold the copper has gone lovely reds, browns and even black on the edges. Absolutely gorgeous!! Got carried away and did some earrings as well!

Open Studio This Weekend

Been really busy getting the new studio ready for the weekend as I have decided to throw open the doors for the Second Floor Studios Open Studio Event. Got another 2 days to finish it off - having this much space all to myself is a little bit overwhelming - and hopefully it will look suitably professional (?)

This week I'll be switching my Greenwich Market day to Thursday in order to set up the display on Friday and as soon as it's done I'll post pictures. The studio will be open from 11am to 5pm both Saturday 15th May and Sunday 16th so pop down and visit us!!!

New Studio!!!!!!!

The laws of physics (and life) state that chaos will expand to fill any given space and the shed I've been working from is now so small that it is bulging at the seams!!!
So after a lot of thought I have taken on some studio space in Woolwich at the Second Floor Studios project. I will be going from this........








to this.....









Yes it is considerably bigger and no it hasn't got all my stuff in it yet (remember chaos!!!!) but it really feels like a step up. Pop back for more photos to see how it shapes up.....

Incidentally, Second Floor are having an Open Studio weekend on the 15th and 16th of May. There are over 65 different artists and craftspeople, throwing over their doors to let you see how they work. Not sure whether my little space will be ready by then, but it will be worthwhile a visit anyway. Come on down.....

Every 9 Months??????

Again, I seem to have lapsed in my blog writing.......

Well in the last 9 months, my jewellery making has gone from strength to strength. The equipment available to me at Laura C has allowed me to make much finer work and I have been working on very delicate designs such as the Heartbreaker set.


I have also started experimenting with enamelling, and although it's still in the early stages I'm quite pleased with the results so far, especially on silver as it gives a lovely shimmering result.

The other really big thing to happen was that we finally took our honeymoon, in New Zealand. The place is amazing, with an Oh Wow view round every corner. I was really inspired by the colours, shapes and textures of the place and now have sooooo many ideas floating around my head. For now I've had to content myself with make some necklaces from the bead mixes I bought in St Beads in beautiful, Art Deco Napier on the North Island.

Back in Blighty we missed all the snow (boooo) but being back on Greenwich Market each Friday has more than made up my cold quota!! I'm now offering a repair and restringing service, so don't just let your favourite necklace rot away in a draw just because it broke.
TTFN