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.