Thursday 25 September 2008

The last of summer - my flower jewellery

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Really nice people

Yesterday I had an invitation to sell my work at a nice cottage. A Christmas At Home in November with fellow designer makers. It will be lovely.



It reminded me of how I used to sell, years ago,.

Most weekends I was behind my laden trestle table in some draughty village hall willing a customer to come through the door. That was the trouble with 'craft fairs' - often people didn't come through the door. You went because you enjoyed seeing other sellers. There was that community spirit, that warmth and friendliness - people who make things are usually really nice people.


I'd like to think that some of these craftsmen and women - the lace makers, the book binders, the wood turners, the blacksmith , the wool spinners are modern day heroes. People do appreciate them. Lots of people are interested and ask questions. But trying to make a living by selling what you make with your hands is a precarious business. You just don't know how much money you are going to make from one month to the next..

Wednesday 24 September 2008

Where to Buy

Tricot Too is a beautiful shop in Dragon Street, Petersfield selling individual clothes, unusual jewellery, handmade buttons and quirky, things you don't see elsewhere for the home.

The pictures below show part of Tricot's window with one of my necklaces, close ups of a couple of the necklaces and my handmade buttons.
I was inspired to make the velvet neckpieces after seeing Tricot's new season clothes - all finger tip soft in shades of grey/beige/soft black.
There is a sister shop, Tricot Designs in Tarrant Street, Arundel, which also stocks my work.

Pieces from my new aut/winter 2008 collection




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Tuesday 23 September 2008

Unfinished business

At this moment I have nine legless, hairless dolls; a quantity of velvet to finish neckpieces; 100 badges waiting to be painted and a bulging notebook full of ideas I haven't even started to create. I just need to keep at it until it is done!

The dream is always a long way from the reality! Don't you find that? Being a born optimist I believe that my house will one day be perfect - just like the magazine images; I willl one day be really slim and able to wear stripey tights with a cute mini tutu and , of course, earning that first million is just around the corner!!!

You'll have to bear with me as I get to understand this blogging thing. At the moment I can't seem to put a photo as part of a post. It has to be separate.

Huggy mummies

Huggy mummy badges painted by me.Posted by Picasa

Monday 22 September 2008

Sharing the journey

Only seven weeks before Country Living magazine's Christmas show where I have a stand. If I let myself absorb that information I would panic.


Everything I sell there is designed and handmade by me. The process is fun but hard work and at this moment I don't know whether or not I can achieve enough stock to make it worth while.


Stay with me and I'll share the journey!