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.

The Christmas Rush......

You think you are ready for it, but then you realize your not !! That is the run up to the Christmas shows.
I have just finished my last show and the stock has  a really large hole in it. However that now leaves me, with a blank canvas to start the new year.
My trusty sketch pad has loads of new ideas from pendants to brooches and rings. I can't wait to start after Christmas, with I hope a few new tools for birthday / Christmas. Surely with all the hints I have dropped, someone will have got it :)
As always I have some pictures to show you. I am still etching a lot of my silver jewellery, especially the backs of my rings.

Well here goes, the first picture is a pair of 14mm silver etched stud earrings.

The next is some silver and lampwork cabochon studs.

Lastly a 25mm Silver Poppy Ring with silver Poppies on the bezel edge.

Hope you have like the items of eye candy, that I have shown you. I will blog again next month / next year. I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a healthy New year.

Thanks to all my customers, old and new for making this a really good year.

To my friends (you know who you are) thanks for your support and encouragement.

SEE YOU ALL IN 2013

Busy, Busy, Busy.....

It is that time of year, when you look at the calender and realise that you have Christmas shows for the next couple of months and you need to make more stock.
The ceramics is taking time with pouring, painting and then glazing. However the kiln has been busy.

I have some shows where I can only sell Ceramics, others where I can take my handmade Lampwork and silver jewellery.
Thought I would show you this ring that I made a couple of weeks ago. It is now sold. It is a stunning lampwork 25mm cabochon dressed in a silver bezel setting, which has been etched on the back.

I love making large rings, there is such satisfaction in the end product. I also love making these silver and lampwork stud earrings.

I think they would make super Christmas presents.
There are some super handmade items at local shows and it is up to everyone to support the great British Artisans in everything Handmade.