...And it's half way through July. Where has the time gone? I've been quite busy preparing work for exhibitions and generally working at the day jobs :( It's a shame we need money to live!

I've had another set of children's craft workshops through the ST-Art programme, they were great fun as usual, this time we made Harry Potter Messenger Owls from 2ltr bottles. Lots of lovely owls were made and lots of new friends. I'm looking forward to the next round of workshops in the summer where I'll be showing the eager beavers how to make kites like the Ancient Chinese!

I was very happy to be selected for 'From the Humber to the Wash' recently, a mixed media exhibition to be held at the Ropewalk from this Friday until September. I'm getting the hang of this selection malarkey finally!
I also have work cuurrently on display at Craft House Concept in Edinburgh in a 'Paper' exhibition; it's exciting to have something on display in Scotland even if it means I can't go and see it myself.



I'm also the Jeweller of the month in the Ropewalk gallery too and have seen a healthy number of sales so it's all very reassuring. I had my first sale on Folksy and a commission too but more news on that later!

Currently I'm working on a display for the Trinity Arts Centre, Gainsborough for 'Art in the Bar', that starts in a few weeks time so it's back to the bench I go!

I've been working on my paper panels more lately and really enjoying it but I'm not getting to spend as much time in the workshop as I'd like due to work etc. Bit disheartening but I'm sure it'll all work out soon enough!

I'll keep you updated with new exhibitions soon!

Today I got the last of my stuff unpacked at my studio, it's not necessarily in it's rightful place but it's not in a cardboard box anymore, woop!
A couple of weeks ago I also delivered some work to a lady from the Beans Coffee Shop Gallery in Bolsover, who will be displaying and selling some of my new jewellery range. We met at the Harley Gallery in Worksop, which was very handy as it meant we could go see the last day of the Nora Fok exhibition. it was great to see such a range of work from one maker and quite an indepth view of how she actually makes her delicate, cloud-like pieces.

In other news I attended another seminar with the Enterprise Inc. programme, this time I had to travel to Derby to 'Better service = Better profits' which was surprisingly useful. I say surprising because I imagine as a self employed jewellery designer/maker I do not really consider that customer service training is quite as relevant as for someone who will be running a large company, and I've spent the last 8 years in customer service based jobs. But still, I learnt a lot and met some great people and it was glorious weather too.
Since that was a full day event it means I have fulfilled the first part of my timesheet to obtain funding and hopefully should be receiving some money soon so I can buy extra tools and then I'll be able to run workshop sessions, which I'm really excited about.

I'll post some pics of my studio in it's much more organised form shortly but for now I'm mentally shopping for all the tools and workshop furniture I'm dying to buy.

This year started on a high for me with my first exhibition as a Merit Licentiate of the Society of Designer Craftsmen. As a new member we were required to help with the set-up and I really enjoyed getting my hands dirty and getting to have a say in some displays, it's definitely something I want to be involved in again.

I decided to make some completely new work for the exhibition so here are some pics, new jewellers got half a cabinet each so I have two shelves. Trying to make a display stand out in a row of 10 cases when having such little space was hard when I could only carry so much with me on the train/tube but I was pleased with the overall effect of my trusty cork mats.

I displayed new jewellery featuring handmade paper sections cast with vintage patterns, framed in sterling silver and strung on woven paper yarn chains. I experimented with oxidation and was pleasantly surprised, so I matched the oxidised ones with dyed chains.

On my first display I had two brooches front middle, a large fan shaped necklace to the left, a white 3 circle necklace to the right and back middle my grey woven paper neckpiece with silver tassel.

On shelf 2 I displayed two large circle necklaces front middle, black three circle necklace to the left, two of my drop-in necklaces to the right, and front right & left were a suite with stacked paper discs. I really liked the way these pieces turned out and exploring the paper casting that I used at uni.

Can you tell what it is yet? More to follow!

Went to the Antiques place today, didn't really get what I was looking for- cut glass dishes and a set of old hardback books, but I did get a large wooden bobbin, a vintage pot, sewing books, sections from a chandelier and a few bits, I'll add pics soon.

Also, I remembered- I'm on Twitter!! I just realised I never added my Twitter details on here- JMAJewellery I sometimes put a few little bits on there that don't get added to here so keep an eye out.

I thought I better post today, just briefly, to start as I mean to go on.

I LOVE the beginning of the year, it's a time full of potential, a clean slate. I have high hopes for 2011 and I know that it's down to me to make things happen. So, part of my aims for this year (not resolutions, this year I'm making a list of aims to be ticked off on achievement!) is to update this blog more frequently, once a week perhaps. And to have something to write about, I need to get doing more.

Today's little tit-bit is quite big for me- I finally made a decision (which is a time consuming process for me) and have ordered my new camera so I can take better pictures of my work and furnish this little blog with better visuals. I love pictures, don't you? I'm a very visual person, draw me a diagram, show me a photo, act it out and I'll understand anything, well almost!

In addition to this mammoth achievement, I have also been working on my jewellery for my first exhibition with the Society of Designer Craftsmen which opens next Saturday. My new range consists of necklaces, brooches and a ring featuring handmade cast paper panels framed by flat silver wire and with woven paper yarn chains. I will post pics as soon as they're ready to be seen. I'd been trying to decide whether to dye the paper chains grey and oxidise the silver to give it a bit of impact. Plus, I'm not going to lie, I love grey. I had a little experiment with oxidising and liked it so I will take the plunge and try a whole piece tomorrow. Maybe I'll polish or pickle some and oxidise others to provide a contrast.

Anyway, that's my first small step into 2011 for you. Tomorrow I will be visiting an Antiques market to see what beautiful wares I can find for my display.
I'll keep you posted. I promise!