Monday, August 17, 2009

We're Moving !!!!!

Exciting news.... We're moving!

We've found a wonderful place, with a gorgeous studio. It needs a little work, but with all things going well, we should be ready to start classes early next year. The studio is situated in a lovely bush setting on 25acres in the Hawkesbury region of NSW.

Of course, I'll keep you posted on the progress. If you are interested in attending jewellery-making classes in 2010, drop me a line and I'll let you know when we're ready to go.

Because moving the current workshop (and home) is such a big task, I am not taking any orders or custom-made work until mid-October. I apologise for any inconvenience, but there is just no way I can work through the move.

Will post again soon......so busy!!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

The Lunch-Break Ring...

Finally got some spare time to update The Jeweller's File. It's Sunday and I've just done my end-of-financial-year stuff, so I deserve a bit of me-time, don't you think?

I have a couple of interesting things to show you this post, firstly (as the title suggests), The Lunch-Break Ring !

OK, it has nothing to do with food....here's the story behind it.

I work (as a jeweller) in a retail store a couple of days a week and a ring came in for repair which caught the eye of one of the sales people, Donna. She just loved the general design of the ring and asked me about making a similar one for her. Being a simple, no-solder design, I suggested she try making it herself and I set her the challenge of making it in her one hour lunch-break. Donna, being the fiesty chick she is, was definately up for it. So, lunch-breaks sychronised, we set to the task.... and so created The Lunch-Break Ring!

She took to the tools really quickly and had a great time making her own version of the ring (and yes, she did it with those nails!!). It looks fantastic and really suits her. OK, Donna, next step......the torch!!!


Another custom design order I recently made was for a snake neckpiece. I was contacted through my Snake Jewellery website and quickly realised that Jenelle and I were going to get along well. She had this fabulous idea of a snake neckpiece and I customised a design to suit her. The neckpiece was just stunning. Here are some photos of the process and the finished piece. The pictures, unfortunately, really don't do it the justice it deserves; it's a gorgeous piece.




I'm also putting together the projects for Grafton Artsfest....plenty of fun things to make! Don't forget, time is going fast so enrol now if you are planning to join us.

Hope to see you there !

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Time Flies

Well, they say "time flies when you're having fun"..... or if you're a frog, "time's fun when you're having flies". (OK, I'll stop with the corny jokes)

But seriously, where has the year gone? Who can believe it's nearly July? And that wretched end-of-financial-year paperwork is looming......ugghhh !

It's almost Grafton Artsfest time again. This year, Artsfest runs from Tuesday October 6th to Sunday October 11th. If you are planning on booking in to any of the great courses available, I'd recommend you do it soon as time really is running out.




My class will cater for beginners and those with some experience. Most projects will be adaptable depending on the skill level of the student. If you have any enquiries about my "Precious Metal Skills" class, please feel free to contact me and if you would like a printed Artsfest guide, which lists all of the courses and events, just let me know and I'll pop one in the post for you. You can also visit the Grafton Artsfest website http://www.artsfestgrafton.com/ for an online version and, of course, to make your booking.


I've been busy, not only creating some great jewellery, but also designing. Now all I need is the time to make the designs a reality! Following the Lego ring, I was asked to make two Scrabble tile pendants. My client is giving them as a gift to two of her close 'scrabble-playing' friends overseas. I just love these.... I'm going to make a whole lot more of them when I get the time. The back is also silver to allow for a personal message to be engraved.


Aren't they great? These are made with the classic older style tiles. When you actually look into it, there were quite a few variations of the humble Scrabble tile. Who would have thought!


I have lots more to show you, but time is getting away from me again, so check back in a day or so when I'll post again......


Thanks for stopping by.