Friday 16 December 2011

Last Handcrafted in Bedfordshire Market of 2011!

Well we have got through the year and almost to the end of 2011, and tomorrow is the last handmade in Bedford market of the year.

There will be lots to see and as it is the last market before Christmas...... lots of opportunities to get those last minute gifts.

And on my stall.....in addition to my handcrafted fine silver jewellery.....I have also created some gold and silver plated beaded earrings, and my new range of copper creations will also be having their first outing, along with some copper Christmas Decorations.....just a little something I thought I would try.
Finally - Whilst having a bit of a clearout - I found some encaustic wax art and Christmas cards that I made a little while ago.  So rather then just keep them in storage I thought I would bring those along too.
That said - there is something to suit everybody's pocket - from £2 upwards.

So for some original art, unique wax greeting cards, fine silver jewellery, copper jewellery and decorations, and beaded earrings and jewellery - come along to my stall tomorrow between 8.30 am and 4.30pm.

I am hoping that the weather stays calm and dry and we have a very prosperous day on which to end our markets.....at least until April 2012 - which is when we will be back.

Hope to see some tomorrow
Bright Blessings and Seasons Greetings to All xx

Monday 28 November 2011

New look Website......and other stuff!

As Autumn takes hold and Winter approaches it is very much time to reflect on the past year.  I could have done a lot of things differently, but poor health and financial constraints have made this year a bit of a challenge, and so I am happy to be at a point where I can step back and review, and also plan for the coming New Year.

Firstly, I have a new look website which I have painstakingly built myself.  I am self taught in Dreamweaver, and whilst it may not be the easiest of software to get on with - I am sure there is simpler stuff out there - it is all I had access to it and so I took the plunge.  I am very pleased with what I have done.  It was certainly a learning curve, and I am already planning the next one and thinking of what I could have done differently!!  Anyway - it will do for a while. LOL 

Click here to view the new website.

We Are Bedford Pop Up Emporium

Until 15 December I have the honour of having a selection of my jewellery on display at a temporary Pop up shop in the new Castle Quarter of Bedford.  The shop, organised by the We Are Bedford group is for one month only and closes on 17 December 2011.  Don't let its 'temporary-ness' deter you from visiting....if anything let it emphasise the urgency for you to visit!

Why! - the pop up shop is about the community and it is stocked with loads of locally created handcrafted goods - all 100% genuine handcrafted items - art, fabric crafts, jewellery, furniture - all made locally.

So get along and have a look at what the best of Bedford have to offer - before its too late!!

New Copper Clay

With the price of Silver PMC today - and the fact it has increased so much of the last year - it has become difficult to maintain my creative activities, teaching has also seen some changes and the price of my finished products have also had to increase in line. 

However! There is a new kid on the block - Copper Clay.  It is worked in a similar fashion to silver clay, but it is so much more affordable - thereby making it an ideal starting point for anyone wanting to learn metal clay working, and it also gives me a new look to my products too.

I have tried a sample pack and today have taken delivery of a full pack of clay - which I will shortly be diving into in a creative frenzy!......so watch this space for new creations.

Holistic Therapies

Finally, I can't remember if I have already mentioned this, but I am now also offering Reflexology and Reiki treatments at The Mews Osteopathy and Sports Injury Clinic in Bedford.  Although more of a medical centre the clinic does offer some holistic therapies such as Homoeopathy and Nutrition, in addition to Osteopathy and sports massage.  An now, of course, Reflexology and Reiki.

For more details about The Mews Clinic - Click Here.

For details about Reflexology and Reiki - Click Here.

Well that is all for now folks - hope you have a look at all the links above and by all means share them with any interested contacts - the folks following the better!

Bright Blessings to all
xx

Tuesday 18 October 2011

Buy in Person for Christmas

Well, it is that time of year again - the flurry of activity in the run up to Christmas.
If you love my jewellery and want to know where I will be so that you can buy in person before Christmas - avoiding that last minute rush.....I will be at the Handcrafted in Bedfordshire Market in Bedford town centre on: -

Saturday 5 November and Saturday 17 December.

Check out the website first if you like and then come and see the jewellery 'in its silver glory' on one of the above days - do the 'touchy feeling - try before you buy' thing.  I can usually be found outside M & S - though this may be subject to change in December.

For more details about the Handcrafted in Bedfordshire market check out this facebook page.
For my website, click here

Friday 5 August 2011

Next Market and events

The next Handcrafted in Bedfordshire Market is to be held on Saturday 13 August and I hope to be in my usual spot outside Marks & Spencer.

Saturday 14 August I shall be at the Northampton Festival of Natural Health and Unique Shopping Experience, at the Park Inn in Northampton - 10am to 5pm.

Saturday 20 August I shall be at the Wellingborough Summer Gift and Craft Fair.

I am trusting that these events will be well supported and of course also trusting that I will make sufficient sales.

Bright Blessings to all.
xx

Friday 3 June 2011

Handcrafted in Bedford Market

The Next Handcrafted in Bedford Market will be on Saturday 11 June 2011 from 8.30am to 4.30pm, in the pedestrianised area of Midland Road, Bedford Town Centre. Our line of stalls run from M & S down to BHS.


There are also a couple of Vintage stalls who attend, in association with the Handcrafted in Bedford (HiB) group.

As a group, we now also have a Facebook Page which I look after on behalf of the crafters. At each market I take photo's of a few of the stalls and get contact details for the crafters, which will all go on the page - thereby making them more accessible to the public outside of the market days.

Take at look at the page by clicking Here and if you are a 'Facebooker' - do please 'like' it and spread the word - particularly if you are local to Bedford. We want to attract more people directly to our market, and not to have to wait for them to just 'stumble' across us in passing. LOL

That's all for now
Thanks for reading
Jane
x

Prices!

I do so hate to discuss money and prices etc but needs must and all that.......

The price of Precious Metal Clay has increased considerably over the last 12 months - particularly over the last few months.  This time last year a 16g pack of PMC cost around £24, then it went up to £27.  At around Christmas time it went up to £33, and then with the VAT increase to £37.  Then the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan.....Of course all our thoughts were with the people of Japan - all of us stunned at what they were having to endure.  I certainly couldn't comprehend losing absolutely everything in a matter of seconds, watching loved ones be washed away.  About a week later I realised that I might actually have just gone out of business......the manufacturer of PMC is in Japan, and on further investigation I found that they had plants close to the damaged reactor.  It wasn't looking good for a while, but as it turns out the PMC plant is actually in the south of Japan, and so thankfully was not directly affected.  However, the above events did have an affect on the stability and price of the Yen.  The result was that the price of PMC rocketed further, and whilst the UK Distributer had held off any price increases until last year, it was not longer possible to cover any fluctuations.  Therefore, after the earthquake a further couple of price increases - the same pack of PMC now costs in the region of £45 (inc VAT).  

Whilst other UK suppliers may well have kept their prices as low as possible for as long as possible, I expect that they too will also have to adjust their prices very soon, if they haven't already.  Even the other brand of metal Clay - Silver Art Clay has also increased there prices by around 60% in one go - so this is happening across the industry.  From my perspective, as I get discount from one supplier I will remain loyal to them because it still beats the cost of getting my supplies from those whose retail price may be slightly less.

Workshops

This of course has had a knock on affect on the cost of my workshops and the way I charge them.  In the past I have offered all inclusive workshops - prices to include the materials used.  This is no longer possible due to the way the cost of PMC has increased so dramatically, and that it is likely to continue to increase in line with the price of silver.  Because of this - my tuition is now restricted to One ot One sessions and Small Group Tuition (up to 3 students on a course), and these are priced for my time, knowledge and overheads only.  Students will now be required to source and purchase the required materials for the tuition session themselves, and bring the materials to the session. 

My reason for this is that over the past year I have arranged workshops with third party organisers in advance for their advertising etc, and by the time we have got to the workshop and me ordering the materials, the price has increased beyond what my discount will 'buffer', and I have ended up teaching for a lot less or in some cases nothing, as I have had to cover the difference.  Not a good situation when trying to feed a family!

The website is gradually being updated to reflect this, and whilst I enjoy teaching I am drawing back from the number of places that I teach and also the number of coursed that I put on.  I will now be booking the small workshops when I have sufficient numbers interested in attending.

Jewellery

Of course the above price increases have also affected the price of my jewellery.  Older pieces are still priced at what the raw materials cost me when they were made, and it is only the new pieces that are now reflecting the recent price increases.  It has also been necessary for me to increase my hourly rate - and so together in comparing the older pieces against the new there is a noticeable difference in price - but I believe that you are still getting value for money in buying my jewellery directly from me.  Were my Jewellery to be in a gallery or a shop it would be around 30 - 40% more expensive, which I think may well price it out of the market!

I will therefore continue to sell my jewellery directly to the public myself, either through markets, craft fairs or from my website and I trust that those who are already lovers and wears of my jewellery will continue to support me and spread the word about my lovely and beautiful creations.

Thanks to those who have continued to support me during what has been a difficult financial and economic climate for those in the 'luxury' businesses.

Bright Blessings to all xx

Friday 29 April 2011

New String to my Bow!

Or rather I should say "adding an old string"!

Due to financial constraints and the lack of suitable jobs, in addition to my jewellery making, I will soon also be returning to my previous field of self employment - that of Complementary Therapist treating in Reflexology and Reiki.

When I left the profession some years ago, I always said that there was unfinished business - and I guess, due to the timing and speed at which I have made the decision....and also how 'right' it feels, that now is the time.

I will be continuing with my jewellery making,  and to a lesser degree teaching also, but my focus will now also be on remembering all the theory and getting back up to speed with the treatments.  For a short while - Free Treatments will be available to family and friends - so get them while you can.

Blessings to All
Jane
x

Next Events

St Cuthberts Street Family Festival

Saturday 30 April 2011, 10am to 5.30pm - loads going on including indoor craft village - where you will find me with my jewellery.

All the shops are getting involved too and a fab local group Dynaphone Records will be performing.  This looks to be a fab day out for the family.

Handcrafted in Bedford Market

The next market will be on Saturday 14 May 2011 - come on down to Bedford Town Centre and find us in Midland Road (pedestrianised area) - and me you will find outside M & S.

Hope to see you soon
Jane
xx

Wednesday 30 March 2011

Countdown to the start of the Handcrafted in Bedfordshire Markets!

Well the day is looming - the first 2011 Handcrafted in Bedfordshire Market is to be held on Saturday 9th April, and from then on the 2nd Saturday of the month from April through to November.


Now in case you haven't yet been to one of the HiB markets, they or rather we (the crafty traders) can be found in Bedford town centre in the pedestrianised area of Midland Road. This would be the bit running from M & S down past BHS and Primark.

The majority of the stalls are all selling items handcrafted by the trader or a family member - and these are genuine handcrafted goods of a high quality - and they are all made in and around Bedford and Bedfordshire. There may also be a couple of 'vintage' stalls - again selling quality items but from long gone era's.

Of course - I will be there with my jewellery - and if you are not already acquinted with it - it is all personally handcrafted by me. I work in Precious Metal Clay, which is pure silver that has been ground into tiny particles and combined with an organic binder and some water - giving it a putty like consistancy. It is a fabulous material to work with and allows both texture and form to be applied with relative ease to create the most gorgeous Fine Silver Jewellery, which undergo the same testing and hallmarking as all precious metals, and whereas Sterling Silver is hallmarked as 92.5% silver, my jewellery is hallmarked as 99.9% fine silver.

Each item is a unique one-off piece, though I am currently working on some duplicable ranges, which although designed to replicated, will in themselves each be unique, due to processes involved in their handcrafting.

So....take a look at my website, particularly the fine silver jewellery page, and if you see anything that you like the look of, come on down to the market on the 9th to view it in person, or if you can't wait that long - buy it online through secure payment with PayPal.

Here are all the dates for the markets......

9th April
14th May
11th June
9th July
13th August
10th September
8th October
5th November
and
Sunday 18th of Dec.

Do come and support your local craftspeople - it has been a tough 12 months so Here's to a better 2011.

Hopefully I will see you there.

Bright blessings to All
xx

The Random Journeys of an Aries Moon: Mercury Retrograde II - Re-booting and Relishing t...

Check this out from a friend of mine - very fluent in astrology and delivers it in easy to understand lingo - no jargon! The Random Journeys of an Aries Moon: Mercury Retrograde II - Re-booting and Relishing t...: "Below is a post I wrote yesterday, as Mercury was stationing at 25 Aries. I’m writing this in a virtual “black hole” in communication terms..."

Thursday 17 March 2011

Next workshop Saturday 26 March

There are still places left on my workshop so if you fancy a day out being creative making fine silver jewellery - then click here for full details.  The deadline for bookings and payments is Tuesday 22nd.

Picture shows an example of the types of jewellery you may be able to make on the day - of course of your own design - you can expect to make at least 2 pieces - maybe more depending upon size.
These items were created on another recent Intro workshops, and none of the students had prior experience.



The next workshop is to be held on Saturday 23 April and the topic is PMC & Fused Glass - click here for full details.

This is the style of jewellery we will be making on the day and again, many on the workshop had not had prior experience, though some had already attended an Intro day.  Not all the students wanted to make two glass pieces, so they made some 'just silver' items in addition to their glass with silver surround.



Check out the full website for details of all I do - click here

Hope to see you sometime soon

Bright Blessings to All

Sunday 16 January 2011

PMC Workshop 22 January 2011

There are still some places left on my Precious Metal Clay workshop on 22 January.  If you are interested and would like to attend then contact Tudor Rose Patchwork, who are organising it via the following link
http://www.tudorrosepatchwork.co.uk/ and check out the courses/workshops.

You pay a booking fee to Tudor Rose Patchwork, and you pay me directly for the materials.  At the end of the day you leave with a piece of fine silver jewellery that you will be proud to wear, knowing it is of your own design.

Saturday's workshop topic is that of a domed hollow pendant/accent bead.

Check out my website http://www.jdlm.co.uk/ for more details on other workshops, if you can't make the above date.

Hope to see you.

Jane
xx

Sunday 9 January 2011

Newsletter Jan 2011

Here's the first Newsletter of 2011.  I hope that these will be quarterly or every couple of months.
Click here to view newsletter.

Saturday 8 January 2011

Happy New Year Everyone!

2011 is upon us and I really do hope that it proves to be a very happy and prosperous year for all.

So as the New Year has started and I have said a very relieved farewell to 2010 - yes I was pleased to see the back of it (LOL)......I turn my attention to what I learnt about myself in 2010, what I did right, what I did wrong or could have done differently, and what positive steps I can take forward into 2011.  So as the we entered into January I made a firm commitment to myself to start as I meant to go on, not to let mishaps and other things side track me, not to get dispondent or down hearted.....and basically to stay focused, motivated and to just get on with it regardless.  And so that is what I am doing.  Things still aren't great......but at least my head is now in the right place to deal with it and push through it.

Reading my last entry, I should correct something - the band that Holly joined actually lost the lead singer within a matter of days, so that was very short lived!  She is however now in another band - still early days, but hopefully this will be a better opportunity for her, and at least the previous lead singer is actually giving her vocal coaching, we really can't be faulted and is so generous of her.  So I will let you know when they are doing a gig next.  She does still sing at open mic nights though, and that is always worth going to.

The website has been updated with all the new 2011 Workshop dates, so if you are interested in learning to make Fine Silver Jewellery and working with Precious Metal Clay, then take a look - lots of dates and prices to choose from.

I am currently taking a little time out from jewellery making whilst I evaluate what has and hasn't sold well, and also while I decide what I really want to make - where my heart lies and also what style of jewellery I can do that will actually earn me a living.  Lots to think about and perhaps some changes too.

Apart from my website (http://www.jdlm.co.uk/) you can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter - the buttons to those are on the left - it would be great to have some new followers and fans.

I started doing a newsletter last year, but this dwindled....more down to me than anything else......so I plan to resurrect this very soon - so if anyone has anything they would like me to add to it that relates to my jewellery or workshops, or maybe you would like to advertise something in it, then get in touch with me.

Finally, I would like to say a huge Thank You to friends and family who have supported me during 2010, and also to customers and students who have stuck with me.  It really does mean a lot to know that you are out there rooting for me, and it really has helped me to start 2011 with a new found sence of ambition.

Bright New Year Blessings to All

Jane
xx