What a day!

It is 2.25am on friday.....and I have worked on my website for two days.  I am actually trying to get up to date with everything so that I can focus on the teaching and the new commissions, except the website took so long that I am still behind a day, despite my best efforts.  Tomorrow I tidy the studio and the I am hoping the dining room, and then I will be able to focus on everything else. 
I am really looking forward to all the upcoming teaching, and can't wait to get making in readiness for the River Festival.  I do want to get the commissions done too....so I am thinking that it will be work, work, work until after the 18th July, and then there's the girls birthdays, which we are celebrating late (due to me being at the river festival!) and so it goes on.  After which I will have to start making with Xmas in mind!!!  Bring on the summer and August, because I am soooooo taking a week off!! LOL

Anyway.......yes I am tired and going to bed.....but not before I say........Website updated - new jewellery and list of stockists - new pictures on fingerprints and commissions pages......take a look, why don't you!

Good Night all
Jane
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Two New Polls to take part in.

Look to the left and their are two polls for you to vote on anonymously - it will help me to improve the service I offer - so why not give it a go.
Thanking you in anticipation...
Jane
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To Market! To Market!........

I shall be at market on Saturday 12 June 2010 from 9.30 to 4.30 in Bedford.  I am with the Handcrafted in Bedfordshire group, so all the stalls in our group contain products made by the person selling them, or a family representative.  In addition to my personally and individually handcrafted Unique jewellery, there are also another two jewellery stalls of different genres, and then there is glass, pottery, wooden crafts, fabric crafts...to name but a few, and we now also have two vinage stalls with us selling vintage clothes, handbags and jewellery.  Lots for people to see, in amongst the usual Saturday Market stalls.
We all accept cash - most probably accept handwritten cheques - very few if any accept credit/debit cards.  As I have a website you can place a purchase order with me at events to hold the item, and then buy online within a specified period, or I can send you a paypal invoice.  Either way the item will be sent to you by next day special delivery once money has been received.
Check out my website for an idea of what I have to offer and come and meet me and view my jewellery 'in the flesh' so to speak on Saturday.
Hope to see you then...
Love & Light
Jane
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It's been a while!!

Well, it has been a little while since I have written anything of relevance here, certainly not jewellery related anyway. 
I have mentioned Fathers Day...and there are some lovely silver cufflinks and man pendants now available.
I am in the process of updating the website with more new creations, so bear with me - I am only one person and am doing my best at the moment, which I have been finding increasingly difficult of late.  I remember a book (or it may have been a film) called 'The Loneliness of a long distance runner', well the same could be said of self employment, particularly when working from home.  Sometimes it can be really difficult to stay positive and motivated, when it feels like I am just banging my head against a brick wall.  I don't doubt my product - I know my jewellery is lovely - I get praise and compliments where ever I take it and when ever I display it.  I know my prices are accurate - I regularly check that they are in line with similar products, and I use the same pricing 'equation' on everything I do.  Yet people just aren't buying.....I guess it is the recession....or maybe selling on the market isn't the right 'market place' for it.  But the market is more affordable and regular than craft fairs....so what do I do?
Anyway, the up shot of my little moan is that I am clinging on by the fingernails.....clinging to my dream......and hoping that we don't go under in the process.  So the the last few weeks have been very difficult and have taken their toll on me....but I believe that I am coming out the other side.  Today I actually went into the studio to work on some commissions, first time in a couple of weeks, and it felt good, so if I hold on to this positive feeling, hold on to why I enjoy doing this, hopefully it will see me through until people start buying my jewellery again.
What would help, would be if you like my jewellery, then follow me on the various internet sites and most of all - buy it.  They are all one off pieces never to be seen again.....

Bright, Positive, Divine Blessings to All.
x

The Escape

Friends have a band which is really awesome......check it out.
"http://www.theescapeband.co.uk/index.htm"

Fathers Day is coming!!

For that special man in your life.....Your Daddy......what about some handcrafted fine silver adornments?!  Go to my business facebook page - see link below to left - for a preview of some cufflinks and man pendants.  They are in the Photos link.  They will be going up on the website later in the week - but if you see something you like.....phone me using the contact number on the website.

Discussion Topic and Reviews on Facebook

There is now a new discussion topic on Facebook - so take a look and give me your feedback - it is always appreciated and it does actually help me to improve the services and products I provide.

It would also be really nice if I had a couple of positive reviews posted on the Facebook page......so if you are happy with what I have sold you, then a review from you on the site would be lovely.

As it is Sunday, I will resist the temptation to work properly today and enjoy the rest of the weekend.  Looking forward to a BBQ today at a friends house with the family, and tomorrow there is the White Horse and open mic night - always a must - particularly with it being big band night.

Bright Blessings to all
Jane
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New Polls to Vote on Now!

Not long to vote on these - two simple questions.......
Would you or do you buy jewellery online from the internet?
Where would you buy handcrafted fine silver jewellery from?

Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks J x

Times are a Changing!!

Well this has been a very interesting week.  I wouldn't say that anything remarkable or special has happened....but I have realised a few things....or more so that a few things have gradually dawned on me - which I don't think is a bad thing.

Markets: After another disappointing day a market, I find myself again questioning whether it is the right place for me to be...or rather for my jewellery to be.  Lots of people stop and compliment my work, and some do buy from me.......but I am barely covering my costs and on some days making a loss.  This is clearly not the way to run a business.  I enjoy meeting new/potential and existing customers, and I love the fact that everyone seems to get my jewellery and love it's uniqueness, but if the praise isn't coming via the wallet as well as verbally, then I have to rethink where I am selling my jewellery and ask the question - is the market place the right 'market'?  So - I will be rethinking this aspect of my business and looking for alternative places to sell.  This may force me to face my own demons and challenge my fears.....but I think I am now in a place where I can rise to this particular challenge.

Workshops: Another workshop with Adult learning has been cancelled due to not enough students on it.  I am a little disappointed as it means I don't earn any money, but at the same time I have been wondering about this environment for teaching - do I want to be part of a big council department with all its rules and regulations etc.....or am I quite happy teaching privately where I am in control?  Another question for me to ponder.

I did think that teaching through the council would make my workshops more affordable for students so that they were more accessible to the public.....but if there is no take up, then it appears that affordable workshops are not wanted.  As my private workshops did run...this suggests that people would rather pay £80 to learn then half that with the council.  I don't get the logic either....but that is what appears to be the case!

Website: - do people want to buy jewellery online?  I think a new poll is coming soon - perhaps you want to try before you buy!  Maybe my photos aren't clear enough.  Whatever the reason...I would like to increase sales on the site....so I will be adding a new poll to the blog and my facebook page to get the relevant feedback - so watch this space.

I have been working really hard the last couple of weeks, and today I am taking a rest, but only so that I can evaluate and review for a way forward with the business for the next chapter of its evolution.

I have no regrets about giving up the 'day job' just over a year ago......it has confirmed that I am doing what I am meant to be doing.....but don't think it is easy or that I have the luxury of a spouse earning income for the whole family.  No - this is a labour of love and I have been coining the phrase 'struggling artist' lately, but it dawned on me that this was just going to attract more of the same.....so whilst things may be a little challenging at the moment, I am very lucky, we are surviving and I completely trust that we are being 'taken care of' by the 'Powers that be' (whatever your perception of that might be!), and so I trust that we are alright and it is getting better all the time.

Well that is my 'ramble through my mind' for the day ......contemplating the trails and tribulations of being Me the Jewellery Creator certainly helps to focus the mind and gain some clarity in what is my life, my business and my love.

Bright Divine Blessings to all
Jane
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The Stani Gallery - Opens Today - 22 May 2010!!

I can't believe I haven't already mentioned this on my blog - a definate ommission on my part.  Bad Janie!!
The Stani Gallery in Stony Stratford High street is owned by a friend of mine (Suzi Whittacker - Resident Artist!) and she kindly invited me to exhibit my jewellery at the Gallery.  As this was to be my gallery debut, this was both an honour and a little frightening too.  Lots of anxiety - what if my jewellery wasn't good enough, or didn't compare well to the other 3 jewellers, or the prices were too high, or a hundred and one other doubts and fears that rose to the surface.  Of course I kept beating them down as I truely want to believe that a Gallery was a better 'market place' for my jewellery than 'my going to market'.

Well we had the 'invitation only preview' last night, and it was most enjoyable and certainly put many of my doubts to rest.  I also had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with two of the other three jewellers - both lovely people who are very talented in their own particular fields of jewellery.

So today I went to Bedford Market with my jewellery - a gloriously sunny day - it was lovely.  Lots of people going about their business.  Unfortunately, whilst I did manage to photograph all my new stock and price it and get it on display - and whilst a few did compliment my talants - it was a very slow and disappointing day - not a penny made.  I did reflect during the day on whether my belief that the 'market' just wasn't the right setting for my jewellery was the thing blocking my sales, or whether it actually wasn't the right place for me, or whether it was 'just the recession' and would pick up soon.  I figured I would tackle the mental aspect of it and try to change the limiting belief and then review.  I also pondered the idea that the Gallery might be better and I should just get all my jewellery in shops/stockists.

However, I guess I got my answer when I came home...
Today the gallery was 'closed after the night before' in preparation for the grand opening tomorrow - however inspite of that they still managed to sell a piece of my jewellery - and not one of the more affordable pieces, but one of the expensive pieces.  To say I was 'cock-a-hoop' would be an understatement.  I am soooooooo Happy!!
It also tells me that perhaps stockist/galleries/shops may be the answer.  And I know......one sale doesn't necessarily make a regular thing - but I live in hope.

So..if you are in Stony Stratford, or live close by and fancy a day out...why not go and visit the gallery - it is absolutely packed to the rafters with fabulous art, pottery, glassware and of course jewellery.  Their website is http://www.thestanigallery.co.uk/, if you would like to take a little look and find out about us artists and artisans.

blessings to all
jane

New Jewellery on its way!!

Hi Everyone,
I have been very busy the last 10 days making lots of lovely new jewellery - all handcrafted from the raw material of Precious Metal Clay......I don't just buy in stuff and assemble it you know!! No everything you see here, and on my website, has been personally created by me, by hand - even the polishing is done by hand, with a little help of a tumbler at the very end if I want a really high shine.  These pieces will all be on the website and priced very soon.

That said, I have a very busy few days too....tomorrow I shall be at St Pauls Square in Bedford at the Static market stalls - It is Adult learners week this week, and I will be with the Central Beds Adult Skills and Community Learning team, promoting all the workshops and courses that are available....including my own as listed below in a previous little bloggette!  Then tomorrow evening, I will be attending the invite only preview of the new gallery....with the grand opening being on 22 May 2010.  That will be exciting as some of my jewellery is on display there - my gallery debut!!

Friday - I hope to be at Market....I will have to let you know...check the website or facebook page to confirm.

Saturday - Back to the Gallery for the opening.

Sunday - Shuttleworth Open Day - find me in the Craft Hall!!

Good job I have people at home picking up the slack with the house etc !!

More jewellery coming soon - some still to be completed, some due to be sent to Assay office for testing and hallmarking, some just waiting for chains etc.  So watch this space!!

Bright Blessings to All
Jane
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Yet more technology.....!!!

I am now also tweeting or twittering.....or whatever it is called.  Anyway, you can now find me on Twitter - click the twitter button on the left or type www.twitter.com/wwwjdlmcouk into your search bar, whatever your preference.  Or you could just click on it!!!!  I was doing so well and now I seem to have taken a down turn...IT wise!!

Blessings!! LOL

New PMC Workshops in Adult Education

In place of the cancelled 6 session course on Precioous Metal Clay, there are now 3 individual workshops covering different aspects of using PMC.  All the workshops are open to complete beginners and are integral.....so students will go home with their finished pieces of jewellery at the end of the workshop.  You can just do one or two of the workshops, or you can do all the workshops if you fancy.  Here are the dates and some of the details - more details can be found on my website.

Saturday 29 May 2010: - Pendants & Earrings,  Course Ref: BR626D3N
This workshop will teach the basics of using lump clay, such as applying texture, cutting and shaping. We will look at the different styles of bails to put on pendants, and cover the basics of making simple earrings.

Saturday 19 June 2010: - PMC & Fused Glass,  Course Ref: BR625D3N
This workshop will teach the importance of tension with the clay to surround the glass, and will also look at using glass on top of the silver. You will be making two pendants which incorporate glass.

Saturday 26 June: - PMC & Nature,  Course Ref: BR627D3N
This workshop will include the use of PMC paste, and you will be making interesting items inspired directly from nature, in addtion to a leaf pendant, using an actual leaf from the garden.

Times will be from 10am to 5pm, and the workshops take place at Rayleigh House in Bedford.

View the full course information sheets and use the links to the Central Beds Adult Skills and Community Learning site, where you can book your place.

In addition to the above, I am also teaching at Tudor Rose Patchwork, in Oakley near Bedford.  Here are their teaching dates & topics, and full details and links to Tudor Rose Patchwork can be found on my site on the PMC Workshop page.

Thursday 24 June - Pendant with fused glass cabachon workshop
Saturday 21 August - PMC and Nature Day
Tuesday 5 October - PMC Clasp and Bead Day

Hope to see you on one of the above.
Jane

SPECIAL OFFER - 10% OFF.

This pebble textured pendant is currently on offer with 10% off, until 1st June.  Usually £53, you can buy it on the website for £47.70.  However, if you are a Blog Follower of mine......instead of buying directly from the website - email me your desire to purchase, I will send you a paypal invoice giving you an extra 5% discount (so you pay only £45.05).  On receipt of payment I will then send the item to you.  So Buy now to receive this special offer.

Full details of the pendant are shown on the website - http://www.jdlm.co.uk/

Handcrafted in Bedfordshire Market - Tomorrow!!

I will be at market tomorrow (Saturday 8 May) in Bedford town centre.....find me (probably) outside Marks & Spencer.
I will also have with me a selection of handcrafted tiaras (by my own fair hand) which I am no longer stocking or creating, so they are all on offer. So be it a wedding, confirmation or prom, there may just be something there for you.
Hope to see you tomorrow at market.
Bright Blessings
Jane
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Family Gathering or Selling Opportunity?

Well on bank holiday Sunday I had the pleasure of attending a family &friends gathering, and although I had been asked to take my jewellery along, I wasn't expecting anything other than some feedback. To my delight and surprise a friend not only bought some earrings from me to give as a gift, but also commissioned me to make some pieces for her too......by this Thursday!! (I should say at this point that whilst I am typing this elements of the commission are drying, so I am not actually wasting time as it may appear!! LOL)Needless to say I am now rather busy in my efforts to get the commission ready in time. I usually quote a couple of months on commissions, simply to allow time for everything else in between, so whilst I am feeling the pressure of the deadline, I think this will be a good exercise for me to see just how quickly I can turn things around.

On a separate note, some of my jewellery has now gone to be displayed in The Stani Gallery, due to open on 22 May 2010, so my stocks are a little depleted. That said, I do plan to be at market on Saturday, and maybe even this Friday too - I will see how things go.

Bye for now and Bright Blessings to all.
Jane
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Happy Days!

I have had a lovely day today working in my studio. The sun has been shining, the stable door has been open all day, and as I have been working away on my newest creations, I had the pleasure of listening to the birds and bees twitter and buzz around the garden. Sometimes my concentration and focus is such that natures chattering just blocks out any other noise - even the music I have playing in my studio just seems to fade as the bird songs take over. As my mind focuses on what my hands are creating, it is almost as though nature is giving me an overture to spur me on.
This has got to be my most favourite time of year to be creating jewellery. It all feels so optimistic as the sun gets warmer and the days longer.
I really do love spring!

On a more practical matter, of course all of the above leads me to say that I have been making more jewellery so will be giving a sneak preview probably next week.

I can't remember if I mentioned it before, but I have been invited to display my jewellery at a new gallery that is opening in Stony Stratford on 22 May. I am really looking forward to this as it will be my debut in any kind of gallery - this is a huge step forward for me. It also means that I do need to make lots more jewellery so that I can have stock in the gallery, at my sister-in-laws clinic, and still have stock to go to market with - not to mention the River Festival in July, which I am hopefully going to be attending.

There are lots of things happening.......Isn't spring just wonderful.....all the potential just waiting to burst out into bloom!

Bright blessings to all
Love, light and laughter
Jane
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Thursday 22/4/10

Well what a lovely day at market I had - the sun was shining (though still a little chilly in the shade) and plenty of interest in jewellery and sales. I am really looking forward to market again tomorrow, so hopefully those who said they would come back tomorrow will, and I will have another fantastic day.
I was hoping to be closer to the main pedestrian area tomorrow, but I will be in the same place as I was today.
The last three months have been very slow and dispondency had set in.....it is amazing what a couple of good days can do for that - completely blown it away and I am now feeling very positive and back on track.
Oh I do love spring and the sun!
Hope to see you tomorrow!
Bright Blessings
Jane
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To Market! To Market!........

I shall be at bedford market, outside the harper suite tomorrow in a Bedford markets gazeebo.....and then on Friday, providing the weather stays good I shall be there again with my own market stall. Though on Friday I may try and get a place closer to the pedestrian crossroads - ie Beales and M&S. Times are, I think, from 9.00am to 4pm, or there abouts.

It will be a lovely day so if you are out and about...I hope you'll stop and say hello!

Light and Laughter to all
Jane

Precious Metal Course with Beds Adult Skills and Community Learning.

I was due to teach a 6 session course, commencing 24 April (this saturday), unfortunately, there are not enough students booked on the course to make it viable, therefore it will not run.
However, all is not lost......after discussions with the relevant people in charge, we have decided that I will run 3 seperate individual workshops starting on 29 May. All of these workshops will be suitable for beginners, and instead of paying once fee for 6 weeks, you can book and pay for each session individually.
So watch this space for more details....alternatively, check out the website or the facebook page.
Love and Light
Jane

Giving a Talk to the WI!

Well I have just come back from a lovely afternoon with the Women's Institute, having given a talk to them on me, my jewellery and precious metal clay, as their guest speaker. They were very welcoming and also very appreciative of my presentation. And they had a little surprise for me!
Not only did they pay for giving the talk (I wasn't expecting that!), some of the ladies also bought some of my jewellery, which was a lovely surprise, particularly as I nearly didn't take my jewellery with me!! So glad I did. LOL

So it is safe to say that I am more than happy to give talks to the WI, and any other ladies groups and organisations that may require a guest speaker.

It is a lovely day here in Bedford...the sun is shining and I am feeling uplifted and refreshed.

Bright blessings to all
Jane

Morning after the night before!!

Well after a lovely evening with friends last night, good food, good company, a clear night with beautiful stars, a fire pit and a good amount of vino and beer, we are all starting to stir......I think perhaps a few 'thick' heads may exist. Best find the pain killers and get the English cooked breakfast going!

I am really enjoying having my friends to stay, but at the back of my mind it is 'work, work, work', so I am resisting the temptation to work on a Sunday, allowing myself one extra day to kick back and relax with my dear friends......but tomorrow and all of next week I will be very busy.....Lesson plans to finalise, materials to order (providing course has enough students and goes ahead), a talk to give, jewellery to make, and if the course doesn't go ahead - I will be at market too - a day out from doing all the other stuff that needs to be done when running your own business.

I guess that is the penalty for slowing down for a while, all of a sudden everything kicks in at once and its straight from first gear to fifth in one move. Hey Ho!!

Hoping you all have a lovely Sunday and it is also sunny and bright where you are.

Bright Blessings to all.
Jane

Oops! Forgot to mention....

Just wanted to bring your attention to the two Polls on the left - What Silver Jewellery do you like to wear/buy? and Typically, how much would you spend on Silver jewellery? With the first one, it would be a great help if you could respond to the top two/three answers as appropriate and any others that are relevant, and then vote. With the second poll, I just need an idea of what you are prepared to pay for silver jewellery. This will enable me to structure my creations accordingly, in addition to making the more expensive statement pieces that capture my imagination.
In anticipation.....I thank you for your time.
Light and Laughter
Jane

Happy with my Blog - Not such a technophobe after all!!

Well I managed it after all. I am quite happy with this so will be spreading the word wherever I can....hopefully picking up new fans for facebook, new followers for blog and lots of lovely people looking at my website and buying my jewellery!! No pressure then! (Haha!)

I will also be advertising my workshops on here. Currently there are two coming up, but neither actually organised by me, just for a change.

Teaching through Central Beds - Bedfordshire Adult Skills and community Learning, a 6 session course starts on 24 April 2010...providing enough students are booked on the course. Full details of the course, dates and everything else can be found on my website, and you can book your place on it through www.myfuturetoday.org.uk, which is also linked from my website. Basically - take a look at my website - PMC Workshops page.

You will also find a one day workshop on 24 June 2010 with Tudor Rose Patchwork, in Oakley (nr Bedford) - again...all the details are on my website, and you can book your place directly with Tudor Rose Patchwork.

Well that is all for now.....it is a lovely sunny day here in Bedford and I am looking forward to having friends come and stay over the weekend. We haven't seen each other in ages so it will be a great weekend I think. Better start cleaning house then!

Bright Blessings to everyone
Jane

welcome to my Blog!

Well, I am not the most computer literate person in the world, but having mastered the maintenance of my website (to a degree!) and thrown myself into Facebook, I thought it a good idea to give blogging a go! LOL (I think 'twittering' might take a bit longer though - just not getting it!)
Anyway, welcome to my blog - which I hope will complement my website (www.jdlm.co.uk)and Facebook page (JDLM - Handcrafted Fine Silver Jewellery & PMC Workshops - www.jdlm.co.uk). My aim is to preview my new creations on the blog (as I do on my Facebook page)and I may also be offering separate discounts and offers......and sharing with you a little bit of me in my world of unique individually and personally handcrafted fine silver jewellery. I hope you enjoy it.

Jane's Jewellery