Venue Dates.....

O'K this is the dates and venues that I will be until the end of December.
10th November 10-30 till 3.30 East Coker Village Hall.
29th November eve Crewkerne lighting up night Victoria Hall.
30th Nov & 1st December Rural Living at Kings Hall Taunton.

Hope that if you are near any of these venues, that you will pop in and say hello.

New Items on my facebook page and for sale.

Christmas is coming.........

Now that my holiday is over, the nioghts are drawing in and that dreaded word, CHRISTMAS seems very close.
First though, my holiday in Greece for two weeks, was super. We just relaxed and did nothing. I did take my drawing pad with me, plus a good jewellery book.
We took a boat out for a whole day and pulled into some lovely little secluded beaches. Swam in the blue waters and did a bit of fishing.

We had an unexpected earthquake one evening. The tables shuddered and the glasses moved. It must be so awful for those, who experience really bad ones.
We met some really nice people and usually ended the night in our little bar, near our apartment. I brought two commissions home with me, so must get on with those.
I have had a Open studio day last week and raised £225 for our local hospice. The weather was awful, so not as many customers as I would have liked, however those that did come were lovely and gave very generously.

Only made a few things this week. A commission and these Acorns.

Now please remember, when Christmas shopping. Please support local Artists. We work very hard to bring you, unique and quality items, that you will not be able to buy in the high street shops.



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Getting ready for the shows......

Well as the title says. It is time to build up stock for the Autumn and Christmas shows.
I had an Excellent show at Both Axevale and Taunton. The visitors poured into both shows and it depleted my stock. Both in Ceramics and Jewellery.
I have been busy making stock and completing orders.Here is some eye candy for you to have a look at.

This was my table at Taunton Flower Show

I am having a open studio day at the end of the month, so needing to also build up bits for then. I will coincide with Somerset Arts Week.

I have been practicing my piercing work and finally finished my Dragonfly.

 

I have also been making some silver bracelets, both plain, hammered and with sentiments on.

The wording is in Latin on the front and translated inside,  "Together Forever" I really love making bracelets and bangles although I really must make a few rings, as I am very low on them.

The new re - decorated studio is working well, with everything in it's own area. I am now up and running with lessons on....

Basic Silver work

Tube- lined Ceramics

Beginners Lampwork

I can be contacted via my email rita@avalon68 fsnet.co.uk

Summer is really here......

What super weather we are having, hope you are all keeping nice and cool.
The studio is now finished and I have designated areas, for my silver work, Ceramics and glass.
It was hard work but with my husbands help, it is so worth it. This is how it looks now.

I can seat seven people now . I have kept my large kiln and will still be doing ceramics, but on a smaller scale.

I intend to offer 1:1 sessions in Tube lined Ceramics

Basic Lampwork for beginners

Basic silver work for beginners.

I did treat myself to a day out yesterday, improving my piercing skills. Had a super day with Jes Holt who produces some incrediable silver jewellery and is a great insperation. This is what I am making, even though it still has a way to go.

Dragonfly Brooch.

Although I really want to go on and finish my brooch, I must get down to doing some ceramics. It is Taunton Flower show the first Friday and Saturday in August, so I must keep focused.
This is some of the items ready for finishing.

Will pop back next month and let you know how I have got on.

Avalon Designs Make over......

Well, we have all heard of the 60min make over. Avalon Designs studio is having having a bit of a spring clean and facelift.
After more than 20 years of making and selling ceramics, I am down substantially reducing the ceramics and concentrating on my, silversmithing and lampwork..
The studio is being changed around to accommodate this.
So far I have sorted over 200 moulds, sold my second kiln and started to take down and move some of the shelving.
This is how it looks so far.....a complete mess. But believe it or not, I do have a plan :)

 At the moment, I am unable to work out there, so sorry if you are not seeing anything new for a few weeks. Please bear with me
I hope that most of it will be finished by next week.

Fathers Day....

Happy Fathers Day, to all you dads out there. It is a wet and windy day today. It seem ages away from my super week in Turkey. It was only two weeks ago. A super week of swimming, exploring and relaxing.
We spent it in Callis Beach, long beach with the warm sea lapping up over a pebble beach.

We went to the large turkish market that sold just everything. It went on for miles and the warm sweet smell of fruit and spices.

I must admit, I spent a lot of the time in the sea or sunbathing. There was a super fish market which you could buy your fish and then take it to one of the small restaurants,that suround the fish market, they will cook it and provide garlic bread and salad for £2.50

Anyway I am now back, and out in the studio getting ready for Axevale show and making up some jewellery orders.

Here is a bit of eye candy that I have finished. speak again next month.

Silver and Glass

Here are a few pictures to show you, what I have been up to, over the past few weeks.
A stunning necklace with freshwater Pearls, Crystals and a handmade, Etched silver focal bead.

A pair of silver Etched bridegroom cufflinks. Etched words from the wedding vows.

Another pair of cufflinks with a leaf pattern.

Finishing up with a super Sterling Silver bangle with Ice Blue Bead.

Also a Ice blue and silver bracelet, made with my handmade lampwork beads.

If at any time you see something you would like to buy, then contact me via my email

rita@avalon68.fsnet.co.uk

May Update....

I seem to always start by apologizing I have not updated recently. So let's get that out of the way !!
Time seems to go so fast, when you are enjoying yourself.
I have been busy in the studio, making ceramics and jewellery. This time of year it is Lily of the Valley, strawberries and Bluebells.

Although I have taken some time out, to take some spring pictures of the lambs.

Look at my Twins

You can see any new jewellery on my Face Book page under Avalon Designs or in my Flicker picture Library by just clicking the word on the left hand side of my blog. This will take you there.
I will update my Website tomorrow, with places / shows that I will be attending this year.
Hoping to make some Bridal items shortly with Pearls, silver and crystals. So watch this space.

Bangles and Beads

Just a really short update. I am so please with the way these turned out.
My new style of sterling silver bangle, with a interchangeable, lampwork bead.
Love to know what you think.

Sorry about the wrinkly arm, but it is the only one I have :)
These have to go off to be Hallmarked and I hope to have them on my Etsy shop by Easter.

Happy Mothers Day

Well the weather outside, maybe cold and wet. However I hope all you mums have had a super day.
I have been busy, not just with my lampwork, but the silver work and Ceramics.
A friend wrote a lampwork tutorial, which can be found here,
  https://www.etsy.com/listing/124286230/bubbles-urchins-and-carousels-lampwork?
She sent me a few cabochons and asked me if I would like to turn them into a piece of jewellery. I made a bracelet using her Cabochon as the toggle and a pair of earrings.

I used my own beads for this lovely bracelet. It will have to go off to be hallmarked.
I have also been making some Vessels, that can be worn as pendants or popping some perfume in them. I also thought they would make lovely memorial vessels. Here are a few that I have made and sold.

While writing this, the rain has now turned to sleet, so lets hope it is not going to snow.
I am also revisiting my roots, with ceramics. I have been making buttons and beads, these can be found on my Etsy shop.

Pop over and have a look.

Time to go and do some work. Thanks for popping by.

Spring is just around the corner....

I hope you all had a really good New Year and are now ready for Spring to arrive.
With all the snow we have had over the last few days, we long for those warm spring days to arrive.
Although my garden looked like something from a Fairy Tale, with the snow hanging from the trees, so white and crisp. I am ready for it to now disappear.

I took a walk around the garden this morning and there popping there heads up, were the lovely snowdrops. Who would have thought that such delicate flowers, would survive the weather.

I have been busy over the past few weeks with a commission piece of jewellery, which I will show you when the person in question has received it :)
I have made another pair of Stud earrings, in a lovely opaque Aqua colour. I am also working on another silver pendant.

I hope we have now seen the last of the snow and can look forward to the spring.

I am gradually stocking up my Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/ceram60  so do pop by and have a look. Not before time I am also updating my website http://avalonbeads.webs.com

Stay warm and safe, I will write again soon.