New Big Hole beads

Well I've been busy making and silver lining a new batch of big hole beads, shown in the photo on my troll bracelet. Now all I have to do is take photos and list them on the webshop, I hate that bit!

Where did all the craft fairs go!

Well, Reebok was a big disappointment but I'm really not surprised. When you are setting up your stall full of things you have lovingly crafted yourself it is a bit disheartening to see stalls with pillows, yes pillows, and garden shears being sold at a so-called craft and gift fair. Now how many of you would appreciate a pillow as a gift!!

However, it was good to see returning customers who did appreciate my goods. Sadly I think that people in search of crafts are definitely voting with their feet and beginning to avoid these fairs where the craft stalls are so outnumbered by 'gifts'

Needless to say this will be my last Reebok Craft and Gift fair!

Eeek - Reebok on Sunday!

How did it creep up on me so fast? It's the Reebok Craft and Gift fair on Sunday in Bolton. Well, I had so many things I was going to do that I somehow didn't get around to but at least I managed a few more macrame and bead necklaces, I love making these. I like the way I can match the cord to the beads and find that using 2 colours makes a lovely effect.

More Anodised Aluminium!

I love the results of texturing the surface of this anodised aluminium, it creates instant oomph! I am definitely loving this new (to me) material. I really should be creating a few extra pieces for next weeks craft fair but can't help getting a bit sidetracked.

Where did my weekend go?

It went here at Myerscough College in Lancashire. It's a lovely location where they do all sorts of courses including horticulture and equine studies to name but two, but I was there to do 2 days of 'Working with Metal and Colour'

It involved working with anodized aluminium which we dyed and treated in a number of ways before fixing the colour, cleaning it up and then turning into jewellery. My own meagre attempts are in the photos!

I had a great time but it definitely went too fast as I had far more ideas for using the dyes and paints. The anodized layer on the aluminium takes up the dyes and paints and they can be layered or resists can be applied between processes.

The pinks and blues in the photos were achieved by dyeing the metal first mauve and then applying various patterns with nail varnish as the resist before dying again in the mauve, applying more varnish and then putting the piece in the blue dye. After fixing the colour, by boiling the metal for 40 minutes, I cut the pieces and put them through a rolling mill with fabric for texture. They were then shaped on the swage block. I was very impressed with the course and there was a plentiful supply of materials and tools to use so all praise for the tutor, Salina Somalya, whose website can be seen here.