To celebrate INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY Networking Entrepreneurial Women@Glam (NEW) are holding an EXPO, showcasing a selection of work by women, with demos, talks, workshops and other events available. Stands will be open between 11am and 4pm situated in The Basement, Student's Union, University of Glamorgan, Main (Treforest) Campus, Near Pontypridd, CF37 1DL FREE ENTRY.
CHILICHIC JEWELLERY will have a selection of handmade designs available at the event along with some gift sets perfect for Mother's Day.
I'm looking forward to meeting new makers and it will be my first visit to The University. I hope some familiar faces will be there and anyone coming along please stop to say 'hello!'. I hope to use the day to also get feedback on offering workshops and what people may be looking for. Wish me luck :)
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Monday, 5 March 2012
Making Jewellery Magazine April Issue
The latest 'MAKING JEWELLERY' magazine is a Celebration special, appropriate then that April sees my own big birthday (40...ssshh!) and so I am especially delighted to have a step by step article featured in the issue.
It was a very time consuming project that had it's origins in a previous (epic!) necklace design I made for an International Women's Day exhibition last year at stockist 'Lemon Blues'. This time it was suggested I try creating a similar design but in a gradual flow of colours. Due to time issues I decided to use larger seed beads this time to create what is a very dramatic statement necklace. The cuff bracelet uses memory wire and multi row crystal spacers to maintain shape. Impact jewellery for that special occasion.
SUPPLIER UPDATE - I adore the colours and the beads were lovely, unfortunately Empire Beads where I purchased the materials has just shut it's doors and so I have looked around and suggest BEADS DIRECT for similar supplies if required.
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| Necklace, Bracelet & Ring |
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| Original Inspiration Design |
SUPPLIER UPDATE - I adore the colours and the beads were lovely, unfortunately Empire Beads where I purchased the materials has just shut it's doors and so I have looked around and suggest BEADS DIRECT for similar supplies if required.
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Birthdays
I've been busy with boring stuff like paperwork lately and not been making anything so I took time out last week to make birthday pressies for two friends. First up was EC's day and as she doesn't wear fashion jewellery often I decided to make a bag charm. I really like the plated gunmetal finish on the findings and the square, cut out piece fit perfectly on a chunky semi-precious bead pendant I've had for a while. All secured with silver wire wrapping and a vintage red bead with dangling leaf charms to finish.
LD's is a Leap Year birthday and so for her 9th(!) official birthday I again used laminated butterfly images, originally done for a recent step by step Making Jewellery Magazine article. L had admired that necklace and I promised to do something similar for her. This time I wanted to give the piece more weight and so used a recycled, antique gold finish chain (almost genuine Vintage..it was mine from the 80's!) interspersed with a selection of semi-precious beads and spacers. I chose three different butterflies in similar colours and used long head pins to attach to each other, folded over at the back, looping around each other to form a rigid frame. This gives the pendant some weight and will keep the butterlies in place.
I'm very pleased with the finished pieces and hope the girls were happy. It's SE's birthday next in March and I already have a lovely quirky design in mind. April & May sees my two oldest friends (R&G)and I reach our milestone birthdays and so I will have to pull my sketch book out and get some new ideas flowing in readiness to produce something special for them both.
I will be spending my big birthday week attending a course to enable me to teach jewellery making skills to students. I'm really looking forward to being able to offer workshops and welcome any suggestions or interest in what I can make available to those interested in making bead designs.
LD's is a Leap Year birthday and so for her 9th(!) official birthday I again used laminated butterfly images, originally done for a recent step by step Making Jewellery Magazine article. L had admired that necklace and I promised to do something similar for her. This time I wanted to give the piece more weight and so used a recycled, antique gold finish chain (almost genuine Vintage..it was mine from the 80's!) interspersed with a selection of semi-precious beads and spacers. I chose three different butterflies in similar colours and used long head pins to attach to each other, folded over at the back, looping around each other to form a rigid frame. This gives the pendant some weight and will keep the butterlies in place.
I will be spending my big birthday week attending a course to enable me to teach jewellery making skills to students. I'm really looking forward to being able to offer workshops and welcome any suggestions or interest in what I can make available to those interested in making bead designs.
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