Christmas Gifts

If like me you haven't finished (or even started!) Xmas shopping yet...there are still lots of small businesses out there waiting to sell you lots of fabulous handmade gifts. Craft fairs are now  a staple of many events so why not take a look at them this year and know your cash is making a real difference to some very hardworking people. Our high streets are dying too so spare  a thought for the small independents that are true gems of our local towns and villages, and who knows, you may find you are pleasantly surprised by the wonderful things they offer.
 
CHILICHIC JEWELLERY can as always be purchased at  stockists VISIT CAERPHILLY, FLOWERSOF DISTINCTION CAERPHILLY, BEDWAS, TASTE OF ENTERPRISE EBBW VALE, BOJANGLES MOMMOUTH and MODEL HOUSE LLANTRISANT and I will also be exhibiting at one show only at THE GENERAL OFFICES Ebbw Vale
Thursday 22nd December at...

Another gem of a stockist is LEMON BLUES in Pentre and owner Melissa is inviting you to discover her unique stock and more this and next Thursday....you can't fail to fnd something beautiful here, I promise!

A Taste of Enterprise- Starting a Business

I was browsing the Taste of Enterprise website today and stumbled across the'client' section that contained some info about me and when I started up in business with the Enterprise's help. I don't remember seeing it before but it was interesting to read my own words several years later and compare to how things have progressed...and stalled! What strikes me is my passion for making jewellery has clearly not abated and luckily I am still doing what I love. Of course my '5 year plan' hasn't gone exactly as I'd expected, mainly because of the arrival of our gorgeous daughter nearly 4 years ago and the financial difficulties we all face have naturally had a knock on effect for even big businesses, much less minute ones like mine. On the positive side my designs still sell (YAY!) and I now have several fantastic outlets stocking my work (Model house Llantrisant, Visit Caerphilly Centre, Bojangles Monmouth, 
Lemon Blues Pentre   Flowers of Distinction Caerphilly and Taste of Enterprise Ebbw Vale

Working for yourself is never an easy option but it has given me huge opportunities over the years to do a diverse range of things and has undoubtedly made me a more confident person. If it is something you want badly enough you can make it work. Taste of Enterprise will be holding more Taster Sessions in the New Year and  I would strongly advise anyone interested in a new venture to seek their help.
 

Farewell to Sunny Autumn Days..

Gorgeous, sunny days like today can't last much longer and so I thought I'd post some photos that have already translated into the jewellery and continue to inspire new designs.

 Red Coral single beads on soft silver wire.

 Semi-Precious single beads on soft wire.

I love these trees and how the dead branches are shaped...

 ...and entwined. Lots of ideas for incorporating them into jewellery designs.

Look how beautiful that sky is...and the colour on the catapillar is stunning.

South Wales Echo

The South Wales Echo has done me proud today with  an article on Chilichic Jewellery being worn by Nina Wadia. They were given permission from Hello! Magazine and John Partridge (Christian in EastEnders) to use the photo from his Civil Ceremony and Miss Wadia kindly took time out for  a chat too. I really hope it will encourage lots more sales at Chilichic's stockists and enquiries for orders! Anyone interested is very welcome to get in touch... x
 Newspaper Article

HELLO! MAGAZINE

What a morning! I've just had a local newspaper photographer here to get shots for an article on Chilichic's recent good fortune of being worn on TV. The lovely reporter Wendy then rang me and directed me to HELLO! Magazine's website where Nina Wadia can be seen wearing her Chilichic necklace at her co-star, John partridge's wedding!! I've been keeping an eye out but managed to miss it and so was a nice surprise :) So, if you fancy a look follow the link...
Hello! Magazine- John Partridge Wedding- Nina Wadia

Cancer Research Wales Clothes Sale Event

Grab a bargain at this fabulous annual event in aid of charity. A wide range of good quality second hand fashion at knock down prices, a selection of stalls selling handmade goods and Xmas pressies and a special bridal section are all available.
Starts 11am til 2pm at The Legacy Cardiff International Hotel...get there early, it's a popular one and expect a  rush for the best picks!
Chilichic Jewellery will be available on site with a good selection of HANDMADE, STERLING SILVER AND BEADED DESIGNS along with GIFT SETS perfect for Xmas. x

 Last year I sold pretty ballerina gifts that were headed to Eric Clapton's daughters from their Godparents...doubt I'll top that this year but you never know! A selection of gift sets are currently in stock starting at £35.00, anyone interested can contact me direct for futher details or check out the FACEBOOK page this week and I will have an album of images to view.

TASTER SESSION: CAERPHILLY - PHOTOS

Yesterday's 'Taster Session' held at Chilichic Jewellery stockist's the 'Visit Caerphilly' Centre went really well. Thanks to everyone who joined us and I hope you all had a good day! It was lovely meeting new people as well as having the support of some friends, all of whom got stuck in and tried their hand at the skills on show. Well done to all the ladies that made jewellery with me and I hope to see all of you again.

Jess had never tried jewellery making before and made a glass and wire wrap pendant, her gran is an experienced beader and made easy work of a pair of blue glass earrings..matching her jacket and scarf perfectly!

 New to the area and novices at jewellery making, these lovely ladies created pendants and with so many original ideas, really challenged me with the 'letter' pendant idea. With the time and material constraints I think she did very well and it's put a  seed of an idea for a sterling silver design in my head so watch this space...

 A teacher and her former pupil created two lovely pendant designs. One picking up jewellery tools for the first time, the other familiar with wire manipulation and confident in her design and making skills...I can't wait to see what work this young, promising designer produces if she joins the Enterprise scheme!

Another lady who recently moved to the area tried her hand at a pair of earrings. The graduating silver beads complement the blue glass focal beads and look great on.

Sian and Nicola chose Autumn colours for their pendants with separate drop-down bead details.
Special thanks to both and Becky for coming along and supporting me and trying out the sewing and cake decorating sessions too. They didn't want their photo taken but I insisted, and here's one they may not know about...

The PTA ladies try out some sewing skills making gorgeous heart pin cushions...expect to see some at the Xmas School Fair!

'TASTE OF ENTERPRISE' is a great scheme for anyone interested in setting up a small business and will encourage creative people to consider it as a real option also offering plenty of practical advice and support. Thanks to organisers Carmel, Pam, Carla and Viv for asking me to be involved and If you are interested in finding out more about what they can offer you visit tasteofenterprise.co.uk

TASTER SESSION: CAERPHILLY

The TASTER SESSIONS are heading to my home town! 
Join us at the 'Visit Caerphilly' Centre Monday 7th November anytime between 10am - 3pm and learn new skills and how to set up your own business. If you are unemployed, on a low income or a stay at home parent looking to make your own future, then start here...meet people who have already done it and get help and support from the business advisors. The event is FREE to attend with FREE qualified childcare on site and FREE cake and coffee available for participants.
Make a Chilichic Jewellery pendant, try some pottery, woodturning, sewing or cake decorating with  http://bcakestudio.blogspot.com/

To learn more about the scheme visit  www.tasteofenterprise.co.uk

See you there!

Channel 5's The Wright Stuff

I had an early morning message this morning to say Nina Wadia would be wearing the necklace she wore on 'This Morning' on topical show 'The Wright Stuff' today....

ITV's This Morning

I was delighted Nina Wadia wore her 'Exclusive' Chilichic design on ITV's THIS MORNING last Friday.

Unfortunately I was demonstrating that day and so had to catch up on ITV Player! The necklace wasn't very clear to see and so I've posted a pic here. Again I'm blown away by Miss Wadia's generosity and consideration in wearing the pieces on high profile shows and for letting me know in advance...surely all celebs aren't this nice!

Taste of Enterprise:Taster Session

We will again be demonstrating our making skills and encouraging anyone interested in starting their own business with the 'Taste of Enterprise' team this Friday.
Taking place at 'Greenmeadow & St Dials Community Centre' in Cwmbran 10am - 3pm an assortment of designers/makers will be showcasing their work and lending a helping hand to all who are interested in trying something new. Chilichic is offering the opportunity to make a glass pendant using wirework.
Please pass the information on to anyone you know in the area that could benefit from attending the event.

The One Show: Piccy!

I found this great picture on The one Show's Facebook Page showing Nina Wadia wearing her Chilichic necklace....

Nina loved the new designs I sent and so look out for more soon!

TV Fame!!

The lovely Eastenders actress Nina Wadia wore her Chilichic Necklace on 'The One Show' last night making it my 2nd best Monday night ever...well my daughter was born at 7pm on a Monday so that just tops it!!! It's the same necklace she wore to co-star John Partridge's wedding last Friday and I'm looking forward to seeing the pics in either OK! or Hello Magazine soon. 

Chances like this rarely come along twice and so an exclusive necklace design and earrings are heading to Miss Wadia for future events. Vote for her online now for the 'National TV Awards' and hopefully she will be wearing Chilichic Jewellery!

BIG NEWS!!

I'm very, very excited today after receiving a phone call from the Eastenders actress Nina Wadia (Zainab Masood)!!!
A few years ago I had the opportunity to have my designs worn on ITV's Loose Women and Nina Wadia was one of the presenters that was given her own, specially made necklace. She very kindly rang me at the time to thank me and typically I missed the call and despite her offering me help with opportunities, I was simply too nervous to call back.
This time though I didn't let nerves get in the way,  she was lovely to talk to and I'm very excited as we talked about me providing more designs for her TV and film work....watch this space :)

Taste of enterprise:Taster Session

I had a  lovely day yesterday demonstrating jewellery making at Taste of Enterprise. It was great to see some old friends and catch up (and drink coffee and eat cake of course!) but we were there to demonstrate our skills and encourage willing volunteers to have a  go themselves.

Thanks to Denise, Norma, Janet, Patrica and Lynne for taking part, I hope you enjoyed making your lovely pendants..well done!

These very tasty cupcakes were provided by Angela Coombes of B Cake Studio.
Visit www.bcakestudio.co.uk to see her other amazing goodies.

Jo Richards demonstrating her ceramic skills here and Bernard Dite wood turner extraordinaire!
Thank you Bernard for some lovely wooden buttons, can't wait to see what they will make and coming soon, a Chilichic design incorpoating some of Jo's handmade beads...

Taster session dates for October and November coming soon....