Moving

Please go to Cleathero Creations for future posts on my jewellery
thanks muchly

Rings and Bits

I didn't do any jewellery making while i was away.
I had a lovely time but it was not conducive to jewellery making.
Today with no voice and an annoying cough I settle in to make some easy jewellery.

I pulled out some magazines for inspiration and came up with the following.




heart throb

ugh excuse the dry hands... man sand and salt really doesn't help your skin


Love Elephants


This is a challenge piece for crafty mamas. Simply Xmas in July. They are xmas trees. I think they need a star and some green beads too.

Hopefully will do more jewellery throughout the week.

Wire Overload

Today I bit the bullet. I have been putting it off and putting it off but it can no longer be ignored. I ordered my first bulk lot of wire. It is coming from NSW and in it the order includes wire I have only rarely used. Square and 1/2 round. I purchased the half round as it is better to bind with. It sits a little neater when doing the binds and I do believe it grips the wire better once pulled tight.

My obsession with wire is increasing. I also received some lovely wire magazines. These I will continue to collect as I go on. Maybe one day I will be able to let them go but I suspect not for many years yet.

It could be time to clean out my beading magazines.

Moonlight Magic

Do you know the secret life of butterflies? not many do. But i will let you in on a secret. When the moon is full in the sky and its silver light streams between the branches of trees in the forest. the butterflies dance turning to silver when the moonlight touches them.



Sterling Silver surrounds this lovely green and brown heart. It would hang nicely rom a sterling silver chain or as you can see looks lovely on the leather.

Frog Loves Butterfly

Frog really loves butterfly but butterfly is too clever and won't let frog too close.

I am realy excited by this piece. It was my first dive into freeform wire work and i have to admit I LOVE it. I have had trouble wrapping hearts before the shap is often lost in the wrap but not this. This is just divine. it conforms to the shape of your focal bead and sets it off.

It is for sale at etsy SOLD

I changed my jewellery aproach and i feel better for it. When I first started jewellery making I was drawn to wire work. It really drew me. the thing was i felt intimidated by it. I didn't think I could live up to it. So I stuck with beading and dabbled with the wire. I wasn't as happy with it. But I have steped out and i love it. So what if I have flops. I will learn from them.

Doesn't mean I wont be beading but my focus will be more toward my first love wire!

About time

About time I posted these items

The Blue Horizon


These beads are a mix of ones I have collected over the past year. They were milling about in my cotainer doing nothing until one day I opened the box up and thought WOW these look nice together. I have to admit I am not a beader and once I started stringing those little seed beads I really had to think about how to thread everything on so it sat nicely.

This piece is available in my etsy store. SOLD

Twiggy

My prototype. This litle bracelet is made from 26 gauge wire. It is one piece of wire twisted. The wooden beads threaded on the wire and twisted give the bracelet it's twiggy look.

The bracelet is very soft and can be shaped. The branches can also be positioned. There is an invisible clasp giving the piece a seamless appearance.

What is my favourite Colour? Pink...no Blue!

Named because my daughter can never make up her mind about her favourite colour.

this is a simple wrap using sterling silver. there is a wire worked silver heart hanging. The pink crystal and bali silver hearts just finish the piece off.

I'm debating about this piece I mayjus have to keep it for myself!

Ha!

Some very poor photos of the jewellery I made the other day.
I really should set up my little studio so that it is ready to go.




They are made from sterling silver, freshwater pearls and fire polished crystals.
The cuff is fully adjustable.

It is light to wear and looks very feminine if. Jewellery making wasn't done yesterday due to the loss of my snake. Nor was any housework and in this house I really can't afford to miss a day like that.

A fiddle

I fiddled today and made a few items, only have a picture on one though so you'll have to wait for the cuff and matching necklace. they were wire worked so it was fun to do. The pair also mached up to earrings i made last week.



Then this afternoon I was reading about macrame. i thought that could be interesting in wire, so I pulled out my thin wire and had a go. I like the finish although I need more practice. It will definately have an interesting effect when the half knots do their trick and curve around.



So introducing wire macrame.

The Market

Take a quick peek




I didn't sell too much but I had a great day. I took careful note of what attracted people and what they asked for. It was very frustrating when the one thing I was asked for I was unable to make.... Sale Lost because I didn't have matching beads.
Note to self I intend to make matching sets from now now on. Some things I can't. But for the most part I will be able to.
My wire cat and dog pendants also attracted attention, but I hadn't strung them I didn't have the leather but mainly I didn't have enough displays to showcase them well enough.
Note to self Get more displays, make sure pendants are strung.
It was interesting to see what people looked at and it was an eye opener.
On another note, when offered a position with a lot of traffic TAKE IT, sounds obvious doesn't it but my friend wasn't comfortable with the position we were offered and we were taken to another. I would have to say for the amount of people that passed through the markets we maybe saw 10%. By the end of the day she apologised I laughed and told her that next time I will choose the position.
Bring on next month. There will be changes.
I do know if I cold make those walls I would make a fortune LOL.

Some pictures

I saw this style of ring somewhere (sorry don't know where). Liked it thought I would give it a burl. The ring is adjustable and I made it from copper and glass beads. It looks really good in that colouration. I will be doing more in different styles and colours. The style is comfortable to wear.

Wave Ring
$11USD (including postage)

I have been doing wire writing, the girls have loved it as have their friends, teachers and our neighbours. It took me a while to get a rhythm but it is easier now. I just need to decide on the style. This style has only straight up and down but I think I prefer loops. I will need to track it down and give you an idea of what I mean.
If you wish to have a name pendant (pendant only) done in sterling silver it will cost
$13.00USD inc postage

I can also add a wire dangle for an extra $2 or a crystal for $3 but you will need to email me to let me know.

Red delight is a wire creation with some lovely little crystals. The design is very light and so pretty. I coiled it all by hand. This piece is made all from craft wire.








Butterfly Blue has swarovski crystal butterflies, craft wire and sterling silver. So very feminine.

Gotta admit

the nerves are settling in. Oh I know I will sell heaps at the show but the preparation always gets me on edge. Maybe it will improve over time? today I need to set up this tent. I want to be able to figure it out so that i can do it easily when I get there.
I also i'll also go grab some more change.
I have been praticing keeping my mouth SHUT. I have a tendency to point out the faults on a pice I have made. the thing is uless it is a glaringly obvios fault no one will notice. So in my head i have been going over what to say to customers and that does not include yes but look...
I don't think you ever move past that point. You will always see the faults.
I am going to paraphrase a quote

You will always make mistakes, an artist learns which ones to keep.

Preparing

I am really glad that I changed my mind and went for the walled tent if the rain keeps coming we'll need it. i will be going even if it is still raining. I need to do this show. I wnat to do it. The rain will be welcome and so I do not wish it away, it is needed.
But the tent will be a happy place.
I intend to have a floor covering. But I have no idea what. I used to have a rubber backed rug that would be handy. I will have to try and find it.
I have tried a new design for rings actually 2 new designs, one is an adjustable ring based off of something someone was wearing. The other ring, well, the design has heaps of potential but I am still trying to figure out how to finish it a litle more tidily. This ring may also end up being adjustable but it is a reall pretty design.

photos coming soon.

No time for making.

I managed to make a grand total of 1 earring this weekend not even a whole pair.
Sad very sad.
I don't even have a camera to be able to load up my photos. Actually I don't even have my camera to TAKE any photos.
Friday night was a good night though. I went to rangers with the girls for a second week in a row. How is this jewellery related? Well easy. The first week I taught the older group how to make beaded spiders. The boys were not that keen until they realised the beading meant they were going to make spiders. They made them, named them and then proceeded to play wit them the only way boys know how.
Attack, killer spiders. LOL
This past friday when I went again we made book marks. I did cheat a little and purchased some big platic beads to make the job a little easier but in the end the kids had a ball and made them look great. I also added a few to the lucky dip box that they have for anyone they may want to grab one. i did this wih the spiders too. There is always someone away or who loses theirs so at least they will be able to grab one.
Last week I made a fw earrings. they were all different although the pattern of some of them were similar. I am not going to display the similar ones if they sell fantastic I will put the next one up. I don't think I will use my bullk sale sign this time. I need to create a cutomise sign though.

Show

I have been busy making. Very busy.

I have a craft show coming up in 2 weeks and in that time I am also heading down to NSW for a weekend.
So it is busy busy.
I am taking a different approach to what I do this time. I have brochures and business cards. I am oig to do a FREE drawing, yes that's right FREE where the people could win a pair of earrings. i need to take photos LOTS of photos.

I also purchased a proper tent. Why? Well in this case I plan to do a show once a month I want some protection. The good thing is that I can also take it camping as extra shade. I am also solely concentrating on my jewellery this time. I am not going to sell my other things this time. I am sharing a booth with my friend who makes stacks of things including jewellery. Is she competition for me? Well not really her suff is very different to mine and people who want her stuff wouldn't be after mine anyway.
The advantage of sharing this booth is that if people stop to look at one type of jewellery they may scan across and buy from the other anyway. If they are with friends then their frends may browse across as well.

It also helps cut costs and you are able to have a break when you need to. the only downside is that I am going to have my girls with me. DH has organised stuff on the same day so they are with me. I will be able to let them wander so far but not too far.
I don't have a banner yet and i want one. But if I get a banner it could cause problems with my friend. But my aim is to get out there and get known for her it is more of a hobby (she works very hard fulltime) where for me this is a chance to stay out of that rut that I hated so much.

So lets see I have a free prize drawing, gift certificates, flyers with information on my parties and brochures for my mothers jewellery. Phew.
I also approached a business locally today and they want me to send information on doing wire work classes for them.

I am making a conscious effort to spot chances. I am stopping and asking people that may be able to help me. I still have to come up with a way of not stumbling over my words. But I will get there. So far there has been no adverse reactions and the way I am trying to word it is so that it is beneficial to them as well.
For example Ii approached a shop today and asked about teaching through them. They were open to the idea but became more receptive as I explained that the classes would be held there and the customers would buy there proucts through them.

How do I do this? I send the customer to the shop to book for my class. While booking (either phone or in person) the shop lets them know about the kit for the class which they must purchase from there. While there they get to cusomise their kit (choose different beads) and be encouraged to purchase some basic tools (not expensive).

I charge a fee for teaching them and maybe give the shop a cut for use of their shop. The class will last 2 hours. And I will do 4 different classes for beginners.

I have to email her my stuf so will get to it very shortly.

Bits and pieces

Here are a few pieces that haven't made it onto the page yet.


metal comb, crystal beads twisted with the wire. The good thing with the wire is theat once it is in the hair you can adjust the beadsto sit the way you wish.



Simple pretty earrings sterling silver, artisic wire and swarovski butterflies


glass beads, glass crackle beads, sterling silver and artistic wire.

No Picture

I didn't get to create yesterday and today I have sick kids. Ugh.
I joined the International Guild of Wire Jewelry Artists
I really want to become professional at this and I want to support the fact that I adore wire work. I asked some questions and I plan to eventually start a chapter in Australia.
These guys are only young but I think with the support they will become a leading force in wire jewellery making.

I would love to see a university set up with them.

I did bead up a cross for my necklace but I think I will try a wire work one as well and then compare the 2. Wish me luck.

Rosary Beads

I love prayer beads of all forms. LAst night I sat down and made my first rosary. It isn't complete as I am going to add a sterling silver wire work cross I am not catholic but the importance behind them isn't lost on me.

IT is made from sterling silver wire, swarovski glass pearls, glass hearts and filigree centre. It wasn't a hard item to make but choosing the beads "Oye" that was hard I really wanted to make it look good.

Here is a peek before the wire cross and a decent photo!

I wonder who it will find its home with? Are you interested let me know?

How did you?

People ask how I became involved with jewellery making. I have only been involved with the whole process about 2 years. My neighbour introduced me and the rest took flight from there. Although I do enjoy beading my first love is wire work. I love that I am able to create without having to need a huge amount of tools and chemicals that is involved with silver smithing and wire work gives me more freedom of expression with the beads I use.

My daughters bead but my eldest shows signs of interest in the wire work. We will see how it goes. I am self taught with my wire work and have purchased quite a few tutorials to learn different techniques.

I have started to do parties and have been to the preschools to do classes with the littlies. I really enjoy the faces as they pull together items and make something unique to them. I think that is why I love it so much it is all unique. Hand 24 children the same beads and you will end up with 24 totally different pieces of jewellery. I recently went to a preschool and the children made mothers day bracelets for their mums.

This is the bracelet my darling daughter beaded for me. Each student got the same beads and the only assistance they received was when I crimped the toggle on the end.

If you notice my 'mum' isn't quite right there were a few 'wwu' and a couple of other variations. Did that matter to us? No this was a gift from their heart and I am happy to say I have seen quite a few mums proudly wearing their gorgeous bracelets.

It is a snap shot of what your children were up to and will always be cherished. The younger children made bookmarks not because I didn't think them capable but their attention span is a little shorter so the book marks allowed them the same expression BUT with less time.

I love jewellery making it really is more then just beads on a string.

Life goes on

This cuff is sterling wire with bali silver and glass beads as well as artistic wire and crystals

















This is a cuff based on eni okens tutorial
I actually named the cuff Watch over the Earth. There are beads in there that look like tiny eyes and I used all types of beads in all colours to try and represent the world. The cuff is totally different to what I normally do and I found I really enjoyed it. This bracelet would be excellent for using up all the odd beads we seem to end up with.

This piece uses silver plate and artistic wire. It was a prototype and I am really pleased with the effect. I smiled when I saw a tutorial for wrapping coils in this issue of Step by Step Wire as I had been playing with this idea for a while and made the above plus the red one.

Silver plated wire and split rings, ab 4mm red crystals and red artistic wire.


So when the article came out I was thrilled that I had managed to do something all ready. Beat the magazines to it! LOL.








This piece is sterling silver chain, artistic wire ans swarovski butterflies. I really love the heart clasp. It is a really girly bracelet.







This piece was created with random seed beads
I literally would not look at the beads as I put them on until they were all the same length and would add the focal beads.

Time to get serious

Right I am fluttering all over the place and now it s time to do some of the foundations to try and set down what I would like and where I plan to be in the future.

What are my reasons for starting a business?

Well I have worked many years in jobs that I loathe. Jobs where I have gone in and done what I had to do to earn money and nt been happy about it. I want to have a career where I enjoy what i do and I can work around my family. I know that it will interfere a little but this particular business means when I sit down to work they can sit down with me and join in leaning and trying their own things. i can laso get them to help me in areas. If I am teaching young ones how to do something who better to practice on then my girls, also, the elder oes can help me teach the kids.
I want to be able to do something i find fulfilling and show my children they can do what they want when they want, they don't have to do what is expected of them from society in general. I want the freedom to be me and do what I want when I want and I want to make money.
I think I have something to offer.
I want to be available for my girls when they need me.

My objective.

My objective is to have my business up and running by the end of 2007. My teaching at my local TAFE (college) commences in May and I plan to expand that to other TAFEs by 2007 as well.

Hmm things to think on I will come back with more of my business plan.

Busy Busy

Wow what a roller coaster the last couple of weeks have been. Frantically reading up on what I should be doing what other people have done and what i feel I should be doing. Madness. Ain't it grand!!
So what have I been doing?

I have been reworking my website some more. I am happier with it but there are now new sections to it and I am thinking of removing other sections for now the sale section mainly. haven't had much success with that side of it and I actually prefer isting everything on my blog. I find it difficult to update the site all the time I am just not that comfortable with HTML but i get by.

So what else has happened. Well I contacted my local TAFE (technical college) and offered my services to teach a class for basic wire making jewellery. The next thing I know I am being interviewed at the TAFE and that I am going to be teaching a class in May if they get the numbers!

So for those of you out there that wish to learn basic wire making skills please enrol. if it goes well I may even be able to set up another class of intermediate wire jewellery making. I am presently thinking of aproaching a few other TAFEs to see if they would be interested in doing the classes too.
I really want this I am busting myself for this I am making tall this happen. I am finally taking control and going where I wish to.

I really need to get new batteries for my camera i have so many new things to show you all. Ooh on the earring of the month side of things my first shipment went out on time and so on the 30th of April I will put them on show on my web site for eeryone who ordered should have them by then!!

Thanks muchly eveyone I am really happy for the support I have had.

web site web site

tra la la

well kind of major portions of it are up an running. Some areas are still a work in progress but you can go here and have a look.

Aargh

I have a bunch of rings to show everyone, but I can't seem to get the photos looking as good as I wish.
It is driving me bonkers!

Anyway I will load some pictures while trying to improve on what I have.


Wire worked sterling silver ring with a crackle glass bead as focal and 2 glass accent beads.
$12.00


twisted artistic wires forms this free style ring. Each ring is unique and work hardened to maintain its shape.
$8.00


twisted artistic wire forms this free style ring. Each ring is unique and work hardened to maintain its shape.
$8.00


ab purple leaf sterling silver wire wrapped.
$12.00


ab crystal flanked by glass accent beads on sterling silver
$12.00


sterling silver wire twisted into freestyle ring work hardened for strength.
$10.00


This gorgeous purple with matt ab lustre is flanked by glass beads and set on sterling wire.
$12.00


silver butterfly flanked by cream quartz beads set on sterling silver wire.
$12.00

I am really going to have to practice my photography skills ad set it up better

Testing

Hmm I have decided not to move everything from my LJ but I will post more here in regards to my jewellery. Ack 3 blogs what am I doing to myself?

So here is my post

I practiced and I finally managed to figure out how to do wire writing.I love the look of wire names, and decided it was time to learn how to do it.And after making one for each of my girls and the neighbourhood kids I managed to do all the letters bar 8. Kids love it in my neighbourhood when I start something new as they get all the practice items. This is even the boys I tend to have a fair bit of leather on hand to string for them.
I have had a really good idea for a business and now I am checking it out. It is really really exciting to me and I can set it up for minimal costs and take it from there. I plan to start it by the end of the month so April is going to be a very busy month for me.

Oh yes anyone interested in the "earrings of the month" subscription? Every month I design new themed earrings and whoever joins (for a fee) receives a beautiful pair of earrings (sterling silver or gold fill), they will be boxed and wrapped beautifully with a little tag. how nice would it be to receive a new pair each month, handmade and designed, they would also make great gifts for your friends.