Jewellery!

I have been busy trying to set up my web site sharonbetts.co.uk for selling my jewellery, and showing stuff I have made. Also the three pieces I submitted for the exhibition were accepted, so a preview to attend this Friday - and I really wanted to have the web site vaguely presentable by then, so I can hand out some sort of business card - yet to be sorted, should the opportunity arise!

More Jewellery

I have the opportunity of submitting some jewellery for an arts week, max of 3 items, application has to be in next Wed, before they look and choose what they will exhibit. It all has to be made within the last year - the Birdie pendant I know I finished after Christmas, and the other 2 I finished this Tue. Really couldn't remember when I finished other pieces I could have submitted, so I thought I'd go with these:

My trusty Birdie pendant - I love this, and there was alot of work went into it. It also gets lots of comments, so I'm hopeful...


Next is a comission - I was asked to make a Holly pendant, and this is what I came up with. If this one is successful, then my friend won't get her pendant for a little while longer. But I guess it would be nice to say it was publically exhibited. The main leaf was frosted, and the veins brought back to a high shine to give extra interest. The central vein coils round to form the bail.

And finally, a stylised leaf. It was originally just going to be silver, but we covered enamelling in my class, so I filled the 'recess' with blue enamel and torch fired it, as we have no kiln to use (the general method for enamelling).

Exciting Opportunity

During the week I had an offer to do some freelance work for a jeweller (she's my tutor at my class). It would mean becoming 'self empolyed' and all that doing that entails, so I'm currently on a big learning curve.

I've been thinking about setting up an on-line jewellery 'shop' for a little while, and I think this is pushing me more and more to think about it. I've sold one or two things to people I know, and the exhibition I was involved in also gave me a huge ego boost too, so was considering it more seriously since then.

The freelance work would be about 5hrs a week give or take, depending on how busy my tutor is. I'm flattered she obviously thinks I have the abilities - after all, this is her business she wants me to help out at. Anyway, I start tomorrow. So we'll see how that goes. So my head is full of things that I will have to set up and organise - like invoicing, tax and NI stuff. Its exciting, but daunting at the same time.

So, if I set up an on-line store, what do I call it? And do I create a 'logo' or not? And how easy is it to set up? after all I'm not terribly technically minded when it comes to computers.

Owl Broach and some Cards

I made this owl as a broach to go on a bag, or coat (using copper and brass). Its ears a touch spiky though! He is kinda cute though, and fairly easy to make. Inspired by some owls from Craftwork Cards.


This card uses some really cute stamps from Stampin Up. A fab set that also comes with some little houses.

The next card was inspired by one made by Ashley Newell, shown on Nicole Heady's blog here. I'm really pleased with how this turned out - love the colour combo, and it makes a great 'man card' - I can see variations of this being used for the next couple of male birthdays.

Cardstock and ink, Stampin Up, stamps by PTI.

Felt!

I got a book from the library, and baught a few supplies.

tore off a small piece of fluffy wool, and started stabbing at it.

And hey presto! A small felted ball. And now I'm excited by my small creation. (Is that sad? After all it is only a small ball of felt). But was fun to do - I can see this being 'good' to do if you're annoyed at someone.

Now, what to do with my little ball of felt...

Mothers day

Here's a card I made for motherd day, for my mother, also fits the passion for papertrey challenge to use some old stash I've had for a while. The base card I've had for ages, along with the rub-on sentiment (using old stash).

The the felt flower is a broach, which I'd pinned to the card as a small gift. The button is from PTI (so I just about qualify for the callenge).

Red Cards

A couple of cards I made for 'just in case' the boys needed to send a valentines to someone at school. Callum ummed about it, and decided not. James said not right at the beginning. So, they've just gone into the card box.

Hearts die cut in felt, stamps from PTI

Stamps from PTI, Stampin up circle punch

And finally, really I was just fiddling with an idea for teacher cards - an apple die cut (sizzix) from felt, and words printed from the pc.