I am up to my eyes in dust and rubble!

Not really, but it feels that way.  We now have 4 rooms completed and our tradesmen are working on the next 3.  The new rooms look great, we can't wait for it all to be finished.  S&M are having great fun barking at the workers and Megan loves to run behind them biting their trousers.  This is a bit of a problem for those wearing shorts! 

Anyway, I have been working.  I did the psychic fair in Alton which was no good at all!  OK if you were a tarot card reader but not selling jewellery.  Then I did the Winchester Discovery Centre and sold several items.  I also re-opened my Folksy shop which I decided to do because my jewellery has changed a great deal over the years.  I sold a ring - a lovely amber ring which was wonderful!  Tomorrow night I am doing Ladies Night at Hursley school and then off to Bournemouth BIC centre for a 2 day Festive Gift Fayre on 26 and 27 November.  Then I am back to Hursley school for their Xmas Bazzar. 

I have been busy making things and trying to promote my shops.  I am going to the Desire jewellery and silversmithing show at Winchester Guildhall on Friday with Wendy and Penny.  I can't wait to see all the lovely things I can aspire to!

I used some square wire (2mm) to make a bangle and a ring - I found it much harder to line up for soldering than round wire.  Maybe it's just me. 

Still haven't sold our house in Somerset, we may have to rent it out.  We have been lighting our log fire, despite the fact that it's not that cold yet.  I just love it - we are getting through so many logs.

Well, I am going to try to upload some piccies and then off to feed S&M.

I forgot to mention that the silver hammered heart ring is featured in the Christmas Showcase on www.ukhandmade.com, click Christmas Showcase, then jewellery.  I was so chuffed!!

I got my mojo back!

Yey, I have been working!  Made a lovely mixed freshwater pearl necklace (see piccie) and a couple of pairs of small earrings.  I have done 3 craft shows in the area and have sold 8 pairs of little earrings.  I also sold my lovely silver ring with the cut out circles.  I have lots more shows to do before Xmas.  I guess people buy earrings because they are cheaper than necklaces and bracelets and with the current climate people are not splashing out.  I was asked if I had "anything for less than £1" by a little boy and a girl who wanted something for £2.50.  I may try little things for kids to give their mum's for Christmas. 

We have asbestos in all our artexed ceilings - we had no idea they used asbestos in artex.  Apparently you either skim over the ceilings or take them down - I know which option I am going for!

Our gas boiler packed in yesterday as well and I am waiting for the gas man to turn up.  Sophie and Megan are being groomed this afternoon - they don't know it yet!

Megan is OK now but on her special diet, which she doesn't mind.  Anyway, back to work!

It's all taken off!

I have been busy finding venues for craft shows and I am now signed up for 8 shows before we go away in December. 
I did the Discovery Centre in Winchester on 10th September.  A very nice venue with a huge window behind me which showed off my silver very well.  I did OK for September.
I am doing the Discovery Centre again in November.  Check out my website for the other shows I have lined up.
Poor Megan has been in the wars since I last wrote.  She started weeing all the time and eventually had blood in her urine.  We took her to the vets who said she probably had a urine infection.  She had an injection and some antibiotics and away we went.  She seemed to improve but then it started again and she passed a stone about the size of a cherry stone.  We thought that was the end of it and then she couldn't wee.  That obviously is very dangerous so she had to have a scan and they found another stone stuck in her urethra which she was trying to pass but couldn't.  They had to operate, and having just found out that she  has a heart murmur we were very worried.  She had the op and everything is fine now, apart from the fact that she has to be on a special diet for the rest of her life to stop her from getting further stones.  No more treats - poor little thing. 
I did a taster session with the World of Beads in Winchester on lampwork beadmaking.  Great fun made quite a few beads but not sure whether to spend out to buy more equipment. 
Other than all that, everything is fine and we are settling in very nicely in Hursley.  I'll keep you posted on how the shows go.

Yes, I am still around!

Just realised I haven't written in my blog since May.  I have been so busy - I haven't made any jewellery since then either. 
We moved to Hursley and the last of our possessions are coming from Somerset on 15th July - can't wait, although we will have so much furniture - we need to get rid of one bed and probably some other things. 

The sale of our Somerset house fell through and it is back on the market which is annoying but what can you do eh!

Still settling in here - went back to London once to get my teeth done and am going again next week for a further dental appointment.  May need to find a local dentist.

Had a great holiday in Sardinia - I definitely recommend it.  The weather was so hot.

I have to go now and sort out my studio and then maybe make some stuff.  S&M are fine - they love it here as at the back of the garden there is a wooded area where they can run around.  They have so much freedom compared to London.  Not sure the postman is thrilled about them.  All the neighbours here are lovely and Richard is settling into his commuting to London. 

No jewellery so you will have to make do with a couple of holiday snaps.

Less than two weeks to go!

Getting very close now - very exciting.  The Somerset house is on the market and we have had a couple of viewings. 

I did a jewellery sale at Abbey View Nursing Home in Sherborne yesterday and we raised £141 for their charity.  I was selling off my old stock at rock bottom prices. 

I made this lovely summery necklace and earrings in blue dyed agate yesterday.  My first try at forming corners in silver (the pendant).  Tempted to keep it myself but I have already made a peridot set to go with my new green dress so I mustn't be too greedy!

Not long til our holiday - off to Sardinia with Gill and Richard II (sister and brother in law) and of course Richard I.  S&M are going back to Victoria in London as we haven't found anyone in Winchester yet and they do all love each other. 

Gill and Richard II 1st wedding anniversary tomorrow - can't believe their wedding in Bath was a year ago.  Me and Richard will be celebrating our 12th anniversary on 29th May.

What do you think of my handcrafted earwires - I love the fact that they are so curvy. 

No longer Londoners!

We completed on our flat on Friday - hurray!  Our flat was featured in the Evening Standard because it was in the same Mansion Block as Yoko Ono used to live when she was seeing John Lennon (Hanover Gate Mansions).  Not missing London yet but I will be going back soon to get more jewellery supplies and go shopping!  She picture of Megan in our garden - does she look like she's missing London????

I have made a few rings and bracelets since my last entry (see pictures). 

We have exchanged contracts on the Winchester house and are due to complete on 3rd June.  We have also put the Somerset place on the market (where we are living now).  Richard is finding the commute a bit challenging but he does manage to do his emails on the train which is good.

We are off to Sardinia with Gill and Richard on 15th so it's all happening.  I need to get talking to people in Winchester about the craft fairs etc and get myself booked in before its too late. 

I must say it's nice to be able to hammer without the neighbours complaining.  Talk soon

hello from sunny Somerset

I haven't written for ages! I have been very busy trying to move house. We have almost sold our London flat - just waiting to exchange and complete. In the meantime we have all moved to Somerset. Me and S&M are loving it but poor Richard is having to commute to London every day. It's a long commute which is why we have put an offer in on a house near Winchester. At the moment we are in limbo land until we exchange. All our London furniture is in store and I have had to cram all our stuff into this house. We have been so lucky with the weather - it's been glorious since we moved here 3 weeks ago.

I have been making jewellery as well as all the other stuff. Not as much and quite a bit of it is for myself. I am loving my tumbler. The things come out of it so shiny - its amazing. Here's a few piccies of some things I have made.