All done and Dusted

All the shows finished for this year. Thank you to all my regular and new customers for their support, this year.
I have been, like most of you, getting over a heavy cold.
I have spent a lovely couple of days with my son and his partner, they manage the Falkland Arms, Great Tew, in the lovely Cotswalds. http://www.falklandarms.co.uk/
Wonderful old world pub and I even had a four poster bed!!
It is certainly a photographers dream, I took a picture of this lovely thatched cottage.

However back to work, I manage to do some lampwork Interchangeable ring toppers.

Both of these are sold from my Etsy shop.
I will be making some more after Christmas. The other pictures, shows a couple of lovely focal hearts, however only the teal green one is for sale, on my Etsy shop.

Well if I do not blog again, before Christmas, do have a very happy, healthy and prosperous time.

Nearly There

Most people will have almost finished their Christmas shopping over the next couple of weeks. I will not do mine until the last show is finished, and then I will wrap and pack.
I will be at The Rural Living show this Saturday and Sunday 26th / 27th in Taunton Somerset.
Mostly with my Ceramics.

Coasters always make a nice practical present. These are a set of Birds with a holder.

Have you noticed the weather, how mild it is. Now my grandfather used to say if there are a lot of berries on the holly, that's for a cold bad winter?

My Holly trees are loaded in berries this year.
Don't forget, I have items for sale on Etsy or if you can make it to the show do pop over.

Jingle Bells

Yes it is that time of year again, putting your thinking caps on, what are you going to buy for your loved ones.
Try giving handmade this year, unique with a lot of thought into the item.

I am doing what I always do, this time of the year, going round in circles and getting no where. I have been trying to build up stock for the shows, but I do get side tracked onto other things......

This year I will be selling ceramic candle lights, Christmas tree ornaments and some of my lovely Lampwork jewellery.

Hope to see you at some of the shows.

Christmas is a Coming....

Before I new it October had come and gone, so doing the usual rush to build up stock for the November Fairs.
I will be at The Rural Living show in Taunton 26th & 27th at Kings Hall School and at Westlands in Yeovil on 20th Nov. If you are around please pop by and say hello.
I have A few more new Items to show you this month, first a lovely pale pink lampwork and crystal bracelet, coordinated with rose quartz and sterling silver, this is on my Etsy shop at £39.50

Adjustable Sterling Silver ring, with my handmade cabochon.



I have also been making a few Christmas presents for family and friends. I don't see the point in buying mass produced, when you can give a unique piece that you have created.

The ring is the adjustable ring, that one I shall sell and the cabula brooch is a present for a friend.
I will try and blog again in a few weeks time, but I don't know if you noticed the weather last week. There was a foggy morning and the dew seem to hang like glass droplets, I couldn't resist taking this picture.

Falling Leaves

The leaves and apples are now falling off the trees, Autumn is now here after that lovely hot October week.
How many of you are now thinking of Christmas......yes Christmas.
I start my Christmas fairs now  and this year many of my regular customers, would have noticed that I have cut back on the number of shows that I attend.
Reason for that is to have some quality "me" time. I am still doing the larger shows and some small ones that support local charities.
I have bee playing with silver over the last couple of weeks, so here are a few pictures. These items will go on my Etsy shop, unless I sell before hand.

Handmade or Assembled

I know that this a very touchy subject, but for many lampwork Artisan, it is difficult to find fairs or places to sell, that understand Handmade to those items that are assembled.
Speaking for myself, I have had a few organisers, who will not take anymore jewellers, but then many, do not handmake there items, but assemble. I know that this is also an art, but if you actually make the glass cabachons or beads and then the silver work, there is a lot more effort and work in the item and the cost should reflect this.
I also understand that there needs to be prices for every ones pockets, in this time of people worrying regarding jobs and morgages.
For those of you that may read my blog, could you bear in mind, that we who make Hand made are proud of that and your help to promote, truly handmade, helps Community Crafts and skills stay alive and grow.

Holiday is over, Now back to work.

I have just had two super weeks in Greece (Zante) the sea was so warm and the accomodation was really good.

I didn't waste all my time on the sunbeds. I took my tools and some work with me and made a bracelet and a necklace, they will be in my Etsy shop soon.

Will blog again next week, with more items from Avalon Designs.

Aqua Ring

I made a really lovely cabachone in aqua colours, thought it would make a nice ring to match the rest of the set.

The silver really sets thi one off. I think this one will stay with me.......

Aqua Sea Necklace.

Thought I would make up a crystal and aqua marine Necklace, for my holidays. I love the colour of this glass and can see more things are going to come out of the studio in it.
Shame that it can only be purchased from America.
The necklace has a silver heart toggle clasp on it and falls in line with the breast bone, it is really comfortable to wear.

More New items from Avalon Beads

Had a busy week, making up some more Bracelets. This Autumn copper bracelet is now on Etsy for sale.

It is a good 8"inches in length.

The silver Earrings, need a final polish before I pop them on, and the Iceberg bracelet, well that one might stay with me as I really like the sparkle effect with the matt ripple beads. They are all made in my studio and the lovely lampwork beads are annealed in the kiln for strength and durability.

I hope you have all had a good bank holiday  and the sun shone for you all.

Solstice Bracelet

I have just added this bracelet to my Etsy shop.

Lovely warm colours of winter, with the sparkle of summer.

Etsy Shop

 I have now added my Etsy shop, which you can navigate to by clicking on the bar on the left.

Cabs and Silver

This week has been very busy, getting orders finished and trying hard to finish others. On Wednesday I treated myself to another days tuition, with the talented and lovely George Harper-East http://www.mizgeorge.co.uk/  learning the art of working with silver to enhance my lampwork beads and cabochons. I had a super time and made a pendant / brooch with a large cabochon made by Julie Fountain from Lush http://www.lushlampwork.co.uk/

 

 

I love the little silver bezel set earrings, they are really comfortable and I am sure I will be making more.
Now I must return to my studio, the orders will not do there own.....

Life is just Busy, Busy.....

Sorry it has been a while, since I updated. I have been doing a couple of Shows. One at Axe Vale and then a very successful Taunton Flower Show. Thanks to all those customers who popped by, also those who bought from me. I took my Ceramics to this show and came away with lots of orders.
Busy in the studio getting ready for the Christmas shows.

This time of year the apples and strawberries seem very popular, although blueberries are my favourite
I am still trying to do some lampwork in between the ceramics and made this bracelet up and some big hole charm beads.

The bracelet is on Etsy for sale and the ocean Cabs are to be made into something silver, but that is for next time....

Back from a long Weekend.

I have been away for a long weekend to Brixham with my family and the dogs. It was lovely to spend good quality time together. We walked our feet off and visited loads of places. The dogs played in the sunshine.

Husband and son (Hunter Gatherers) went fishing and caught nothing !!!
The coves in that area are lovely and was worth the steep walk.

Now it is back to work in the studio making some more Ocean Focals and Big Hole Beads, which will be on my Etsy shop and Ebay this week.

Will update with phot's over the next few days.

Cabs, Silver and Big Hole Beads

Since I last updated you, I have been busy with making and coring Big Hole Beads, to fit any of the popular European bracelets. These will be on my Etsy shop and Ebay next week.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ceram60?ref=pr_shop

Do have a look at my shop, I have finished items and beads for you to buy and make up.
Here is a set of seven beads called Violet for sale.

I have also been making some new cabs, making them into rings and pendents, set in silver. I am waiting for some cabs to come back that I made, they need to be lapped / sanded off on there bottoms, so they will sit correctly in there setting.
I am also hoping to have another day course with the talented George Harper-East, who taught me so much about silversmithing.
Time to finish this blog, speak again soon, with other goodies from my studio.

Cabs and silver

Just a short post today, as it is very busy here at Avalon with builders.
A couple of months ago I went on a silver course with the talented George Harper-East, there she taught me how to solder and work with silver, make a ring and do a fibula.
I make my own cabs and last week I felt convident enough to have ago at a ring at home in my studio. I am pleased with my result.
The cab is a lovley stormed green and pale blue
I have also been making some silver cored big hole beads.

These are on Ebay for sale 110704249765
Well as I said it is just a short blog today.

Buy On-line

You can buy on line from my Etsy shop or via my website or any of the shows that I am doing.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ceram60?ref=pr_shop

Holidays and Catching up.....

Well I have not updated in a while as I have been on holiday to Cyprus. It was so lovely and hot and the food was out of this world. As soon as I stepped off the plane the warmth and the smell of herbs, just hit you.
Paphos harbour was buzzing with fish restaurants and cool balmy evenings.

The week came and went really quickly, with the most lovely sunset on our last night.

Now down to work in the studio ! I had a reasonable show on the Bank holiday monday considering it rained all day.
Back on the torch making some Big Hole beads and a little bit of Cyprus in a focal Ocean Bead.

I'll catch up with you all very soon.

Who said retirement would be to much time to waste !!

I took early retirement a couple of years ago, thinking I would have all the time in the world........not so.....my ceramics is busier than ever, even though I have cut out some shows, my lampwork is also doing quite well, the garden needs attending to, then there is the housework and I must get at least a swim in each week. Our poor dog sulks when he has to wait for his walk.

I have been busy with my ceramics over the past couple of weeks. Thses items are ready to be wrapped and put into the box.

My sister in law comes over one day a week and helps, trying to organise me, which at my age is impossible......
I have also been doing some large holed and capped beads. Really loving the lampwork, but have to consintrate on the ceramics or I will have nothing for the shows.
I am also in the middle of re doing my websites, so please be patient as it is taking longer than I thought.

Big Hole beads and Cabochones

I hope you all had a lovely Easter and enjoyed the lovely weather. I had a few days in Brixham and it was so relaxing.Even Lacey was so chilled out.

However it is now back to the studio getting ready for the May Bank Holiday show at Sherborne Dorset, with my ceramics.
I have also posted some silver cored beads and cabochones on ebay 110682316918 do have a look, you may see something you like.

Maybe post tomorrow if I have a good day in the studio and anything to show you.