Week 34: Sketchbook Project Update

As I (may have, can't quite remember!) promised, I have taken some photos of how I am doing so far with the Sketchnook Project.  There are lots of sketchy pages, some with just notes about what I want to put on them, but below is a little selection of images from the more finished pages. 

I'll update you more as I go along; I'm beginning to realise just how fast we are speeding towards December, and the end of January deadline, eek!!

Week 33: Curio

For a little change this for this week's Challenge 52 post, I thought I would blog about something interesting that I found at the weekend.

I don't know about you, but when I wander into town to go shopping or look around the market, I do like to have a browse through the charity shops in town (we have quite a selection!).  I often buy books and DVDs there, and clothes when I am in the mood to try them on!  I like finding little inexpensive treats for myself or as gifts, and helping a charity at the same time.

So, on Saturday I was having my usual browse through the charity shops when I found something which I can only describe as a Curiosity.  It was under the glass counter, and quite black and dirty, but I decided I would bring it home and clean it up to see if that would give me a better idea of what it is - and I still have no idea!

I even took it into the jewellers where I used to work and no clues there either!  It seems to be some kind of Art Nouveau-stlye pendant, although despite being fairly weighty it shows no signs of wear, for example like you would usually get around a pendant loop where it rubs against a chain over time.  I'm pretty certain it's not silver, from the colour and the weight, it's possibly pewter, although the one thing we all agreed on is that the stones seem to be coral.

After all that, I decided the best thing to do with it would be to put it on a chain, and it is around my neck right now!

If anybody has any better ideas about what it could be please do let me know!  For myself, I think it's a rather pretty new addition to my jewellery collection, and goes to show you can find some wonderful things in charity shops - even if you don't quite know what they are!

Week 32: Commissions, Craft Fairs & Christmas!

Wow, I've just been having a look back at my last post where I started off saying how far-off Christmas seemed, and now here we are and it is approaching fast!  Which says two things, firstly; I really do need to start paying a lot more attention to the date so I can keep on top of things, secondly; once again, I haven't blogged for ages!  I'm sorry!  But this time I have a good excuse, as for the past few weeks I have been very busy finishing a rather large commission of wedding jewellery!  I will be including some photos on my Commissions page soon.  However, it's all finished now, and so on to the next big thing which is.... Christmas!


Yes, it finally is time to really start getting ready for Christmas!  I have been very busy this week starting some new pieces, and I have some findings and such on order to finish them up nicely.  Some will be off to be displayed for the Christmas shoppers, but for those of you who prefer to do your Christmas shopping online some of them will soon be appearing in my Folksy shop too.  I will put some photos up once I have some pieces finished.


Of course, some of my new things will be going with me to my Christmas craft fair in Halstead in December, which brings me neatly round to my final bit of news!  Don't forget to come and visit me in Halstead, December 10th if you're in the area, for my next We Are Handmade craft fair.  I have a flier to put up here when I get a chance, or you can visit their website to find out more about the Christmas fair as well as their other events next year, some of which I will again be taking part in.


I have also received confirmation that I have been accepted to take part in two more fairs next year, the Made-It Markets in Cambridge!  I'm very excited about these, and being right in the middle of Cambridge they should be fairly busy events!  The first is taking place on Saturday March 31st, and the second one is on Saturday November 24th, both in Cambridge Guildhall.  I will be putting more details on my Events page soon, but for now you can visit their website for more details.


I think that's everything up to date now!  Don't forget to look out for my new pieces in time for Christmas, and for more information about where you can see me and my work in the flesh!!