Photographs

After taking a good look at my blog, I realised there are no photos on here!!

Here a few of the new items I have made in the past few weeks:



This is the Purple Jasper Necklace which has a ribbon tie rather than a traditional clasp. The ribbon enables the wearer to tie the necklace to any length making it very versatile for anyone. This would make a perfect gift for anyone who loves the colour purple.

The necklace on the right is the Starfish Necklace. I am really pleased how the glass beads capture the light and show the beautiful colours of the sea. This necklace is a heavy necklace with a lovely starfish charm that would suit any animal lover or simply someone who loves blue!

November 2008

After my first jewellery party in 2007, I had some idea of what to expect, but my last jewellery party, earlier this month, just proves that every day is different.
I had a lot of interest into the jewellery party, many people had not actually come across one before so I was able to reach out to new potential customers. On the actual day of the party, I was surprisingly nervous and spent quite a bit of time preparing myself and getting things looking just right.
As people began to arrive I felt much better about the party and started to enjoy it a bit more. I had decided this year to lay out a selection of my beads and charms for guests to browse through and choose items to have made into custom designs. This idea really worked well and I took as many orders as I did sell actual pieces.
I feel that this years jewellery party was a success in that I found some new customers and I took many orders. I did enjoy the evening as it went on and found that quite a few existing customers remained.
As winter is approaching, Halloween and Bonfire night is behind us, the evenings are getting darker and colder. I have been somewhat lazy with making new pieces and especially lazy with photographing. That is why now I have many photographed pieces to show you.... I have pulled my finger out and got on with it!

Jewellery Party

After such a long time of not writing, I am just going to write a quick message to say that there will be a Jewellery Party next week, November 4th. Hopefully people will come but I have not had as good a response this year, but there is still time before Christmas to sell some jewellery!

Fun Packed Week

The past week has been very busy. Last week, having got an Orange Wednesday cinema ticket and a 2 for 1 voucher for Pizza Express, we headed to Gunwharf Quays to see The Dark Night and have a meal out. The film was brilliant, very dark and gripping. It was a long movie, but there were no periods of boredom, I didn't fall asleep once! The meal at Pizza Express was nice, we had regular pizzas and then desserts of Banoffee Pie and Caffe Reale (cup of coffee with figs and cream on the side!). All was much enjoyed.
Then on Friday we had a visitor to stay for the weekend; my brother in law. We enjoyed a quiet night in on Friday evening and then on Saturday we went along to The Tenth Hole tea rooms in Eastney for chocolate cake. It was a lovely afternoon, perhaps a bit too hot for my chocolate cake, but pleasant and sunny. We then went to the Natural History Museum where we enjoyed a very hot butterfly room. On our way home we walked along Albert Road, browsing in a few shops on the way. At home, we ate a dinner of homemade pizzas and watched the movie (bought earlier on Albert Road) 28 Weeks Later. After being scared, we were joined by another guest who stayed over until Sunday evening. Sunday was a day I had been looking forward to, there was a Chinese Festival on Castle Fields, which boasted Lion dances, sports acrobat, Tai Chi, Chinese dance, Chinese folk songs, Library van, sports taster martial arts, smoothie bike, Chinese crafts and foods. None of that happened..... when we drove down to Castle Fields there was no-one around. On investigation the event had been cancelled due to the weather conditions! There was a light drizzle. We were all very disappointed and ended up in Gunwharf Quays. We then came home and cooked our own Chinese feast followed by cherry and apple crumble.
After a very busy and enjoyable weekend it was back to work yesterday and now the countdown begins to next weekend!

New web shop

Please check my online web store at http://www.freewebs.com/shootingstar27/.
I have just updated my website with a gallery of jewellery already sold - these items can be remade using similar colours and materials, please just ask.
There is also a new web shop http://www.freewebs.com/shootingstar27/apps/webstore/ with only a few items at the moment, but please keep coming back, I will update with the new products as I put them online.

Where are the biscuits?

On Friday we went along the Central Library, in Portsmouth, to attend a Murder Mystery evening. We were unsure what to expect but it started off with an author talk from two local authors, June Hampson and Pauline Rowson. After the talks, a body was discovered and this began the Central Trail which we were to follow to uncover the murderer. The clues led us around the library, once we had the final clue it was up to us to question the witnesses to piece together the last moments of the victims life and discover her murderer.
Our team raced through the clues and then uncovered some interesting facts from the witnesses before finalising our evidence and winning the prize! Two teams guessed the murderer correctly as well as the motive, and were rewarded with a signed copy of the two authors' books. Our team won a signed copy of Pauline Rowson's 'The Suffocating Sea'.
See Pauline's own blog for a more in depth account of the evening. Overall a fun and enjoyable night.

Going Well

The past few weeks have been really great for jewellery sales. I can't really explain why but things seem to have taken off. Whether it is because I am wearing jewellery I have made every day or that I have been making more of a point to say that I make jewellery.... whatever it is it is working!
Hope everyone has been enjoying the sunshine, looks like it is over now just in time for the weekend. Not much happening this weekend for me apart from a murder mystery night this evening which should be quite fun.
Hopefully I will get some more pictures taken this weekend and put them online in the near future, but I do realise I say that quite a lot!!

Trying My Luck...

As it is a 5p listing day, I thought I would give it a go and put a few items of jewellery on EBay. I am not expecting anything so any viewers will be much appreciated.
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/Jewellery-Watches__W0QQQ5ftrksidZp3911Q2ec0Q2em1QQQ5fcatrefZ1QQ_flnZ1QQ_npmvZ3QQ_sacatZ281QQ_ssnZstarQ5f027QQ_ssovZ1
It has been a long time since last writing a blog, and it feels good to be writing again. Hopefully I can stay motivated enough to keep writing!
I am in the mood to be making more jewellery, and have been doing so, but it is just the hassle of taking all the photos that holds me back. I wish there was an easier way.... Never mind, I am sure I will be inspired to take some photos of the jewellery soon enough.

Getting On With It

I have given myself a kick up the backside and am going to get on with my jewellery business.
Although I have plenty of other things to be doing, what I should be doing instead of (or while I am) watching TV is making more jewellery and concentrating on marketing.
Watch this space for new photos and items, that I know I have said will come, but really they will this time. Now the sun is out I feel more renewed and determined to get things done. This is applying to all my life, not just my jewellery business.
Hope all is well with everyone else, and you are all enjoying this beautiful sunshine.

Losing Faith

I am slowly becoming disheartened with my jewellery business. I have invited many people to my jewellery party at the end of the month but so far only 5 people have confirmed, 2 of which do not live in this country and one is me!
I understand that a lot of my friends don't see my jewellery as a business, they just see it as a hobby so I cannot expect them to be as keen as I am about everything.
I am also quite disappointed with Etsy. I have had no sales so far and not many views either. I do know that the jewellery market is very saturated and perhaps Etsy is not the right place for me.
I guess all I can do is be more positive and keep working hard. I am sure that things will pick up soon.
Has anyone else felt like this?

Birthday Present

I finally I got a Nintendo DS Lite yesterday! I am very excited about it. Although I only have Brain Training so far (and I do not wish to share my brain age... yet), I am very pleased to have received my birthday present at last.

I haven't forgotten about my new feature, come back soon as it will appear.... I promise!

New Feature

Each week I will be featuring one of my pieces of jewellery, showing it in detail. With pictures and explanations of my inspirations for that particular piece.
This will start tomorrow with a new necklace I made last night.
Check back for the new feature.

Also don't forget the April Competition. See below for details.

How to make a delicious raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake

I have just joined EHow and written my first article!
So now everyone can enjoy a delicious raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake :)
http://www.ehow.com/how_2254481_delicious-raspberry-white-chocolate-cheesecake.html

JJMFinance Feature

I have been featured on someone else's blog!!
http://jjmfinancesurvey.blogspot.com/
I completed a short survey about my Etsy shop and my answers are now on this blog.
Had a lovely birthday weekend, my pudding party was a success! Everyone bought lovely desserts and I got some really nice presents. On my actual birthday we went to Bournemouth Oceanarium, it was a gorgeous and sunny day. Saturday was less than sunny, as soon as we got to the seafront the rain started :( it was all good though as went into the arcade. Sunjai even won two aeroplanes on a two penny slot machine!! I did win the bowling though with 147 points!!
We then all drove down to the Tenth Hole tea rooms for tea and cake. It was yummy, I had a slice of apple and blackcurrant pie with ice cream. After that we headed home for fish and chips before going to our friend's house for his birthday party.
After the clocks going forward yesterday, I can definitely notice the loss of that hour! Tonight will be an early night.

Jewellery Party

Now I have made a date for the next jewellery party (April 30th) I can begin planning and promoting it. The first thing I have done is announce the event on Facebook and invited all members of my Shooting Star Jewellery Designs group. This has not done very much as only people who cant come have RSVP'd. This is pretty annoying as they are all actually my friends and possibly don't realise how important my jewellery business is to me. But never mind, I am sure some people will come!
I have also ordered some new business cards. I do have some but they are in that ever so safe place that I have forgotten where they are. It is a good thing though as my old cards had my maiden name on. i have also changed the colour a bit to make everything stand out a bit more.
I will also be announcing a prize draw throughout the month of April. Stay tuned to find out more!
It is lovely to have the long weekend coming up, I just hope the sun comes out for it. My husband and I don't have any plans but it will be nice to spend time together knowing we don't have to do anything.
Check back for the prize draw details!

It's Been A Long Time....

I am back, back from where I couldn't say and perhaps not back for long. I thought I had better make an appearance on my own blog as I haven't shown it any attention for a while. Life seems to have got in the way of jewellery making and promotion. I really want to hold another jewellery party in April so I need to get on with everything!
Do you know what? I am going to decide a date right now - April 30th. That is when my next jewellery party takes place.
That feels good to have made a date and have something to work towards. I can get on with making more items and preparing invites, fliers and packaging.
Sunjai (my husband- not sure if I have mentioned him before) and I have been busy catching with friends. He has been back and forth to Kent to visit his grandparents while his parents are on holiday. We are both going there this weekend and seeing his brother too. I will be happy to have peace and quiet as they live in the countryside/middle of nowhere so I can relax with a few good books.
Since last time I wrote my book group had its March meeting. Unfortunately only three of us could make it! We were discussing Catch 22 - so perhaps that says it all! The next book is called Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami. I have read the first chapter so far and am enjoying.
I had best get back to boring 9-5 work and will try to stay more faithful to my blog as the weeks go on.

Weekend Away

Today I am going to visit my parents on the Isle of Wight. They live on the west by the sea. I am going as it is Mother's Day on Sunday and also to have my bridesmaid dress fitted. In May I will be a bridesmaid for one of my best friends and my mum is making my dress. I will let you know after this weekend what it is like!
I have been busy this week, making the invites for Jo's Hen Weekend in April. She is having a Disney theme and she will be Snow White so I used yellow and blue ribbon down the side of the card with a small picture of Snow White. Then I wrote all the details in black with silver to highlight the important info. I was pleased with the final design, it took me a few evenings to do it all, as I ran out of ribbon on the first evening! Hopefully Jo will be pleased with them too.
Just got to get through today at work before having a relaxing weekend. I still have to get my mum a present for Sunday, will be searching the shops at lunchtime today. Sh did mention to me that the photo frame I decorated for her a few years ago has broken so I could give her that, but she would be expecting it; I will see what is in the shops.
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

Waste of time

I forgot to say yesterday that I took on board people's comments about my photos being scanned and took some photos of jewellery with my camera. It was a waste of time! I couldn't get close enough to get any detail and the background paper I used just reflected the light. I know I must have been doing something wrong but I much prefer the ease of scanning the jewellery and editing on the computer. I know I am not an expert at that but at least it doesn't blur!
Anyway I do like looking at pictures of jewellery that have been taken with a camera, it does look very impressive but I just couldn't get the hang of it. I may try again when it is sunnier, but I wont be spending so much time on it.

Butterfly Sparkle Necklace

Here it is, as promised.

The photo of the Butterfly choker I made yesterday and tried to describe! Maybe you can let me know how well I described it and if it was how you imagined.

I have been quite busy today, I had a day off from work and relaxed at home. I made a few new items of jewellery and updated my Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=12340 with better descriptions, a new banner and avatar. Constructive criticism welcomed.

I have also put some earrings on Etsy to match a bracelet already listed. The daisy millefiore beads I used for the items are so pretty and summery. They really put some sunshine into a dull day. Definitely what's needed at the moment.

I am listening to my brother-in-law's radio show at the moment, good music and chat http://rarefm.co.uk/listen.php if you want to check it out - The Stefan Show. Every Friday evening at 8pm.

Now we are off to the pub to celebrate a friend's birthday, everyone seems to be born in February! This first part of the year has been very busy time for birthdays. It has been a great opportunity to catch up with everyone though, and enjoy some very good nights out.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

Butterfly Sparkle

I finally made another piece of jewellery last night! I actually sat down and got everything out and made something! I am very pleased with myself. Unfortunately I cant show you til tomorrow as I havent had a chance to take a picture yet. I will try and describe it for you - you can let me know how accurate my description was when you see the pic!
At first glance you see a pretty pink butterfly, this was adapted from a pair of earrings found in Dorothy Perkins of all places. I have put this butterfly onto a memory wire choker that fits perfectly around your neck. I have used pink seed beads to co-ordinate with the pink butterfly and accented this with small silver seed beads and black chakri discs. The black beads bring everything alive and bring your eye down towards the butterfly. The silver really adds extra sparkle to the necklace which could be worn either for daytime as a fun piece with jeans and t-shirt or to add something special to an evening dress. It would really light up and catch people's attention when worn with black. The colour pink in the necklace is vibant and warm.
I have been waiting to use this butterfly for a long time and am pleased with the result. You are just going to have to wait another day to see it!

Etsy Critique

I have put my store up for critique on Etsy and have had some helpful tips so far. I was quite worried about being criticised but everyone has been very kind. It has given me some things to think about, I will be putting these things into action over the next week or so.
Please feel free to take a look at my store http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=12340 and critique or leave helpful tips and suggestions in the forum http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5476096
Thank you for looking.

Manic Weekend

After a long week at work, this weekend is so far the longest weekend ever! On wednesday evening, my husband and I went out to a favourite restaurant - Rosie's Vineyard - for a Valentine's meal. The food there is amazing! We were so full afterwards, I fell asleep as soon as I sat down in front of the tv when we got home.
Valentine's evening consisted of us waiting a long time to cook dinner and eat it and then make home made waffles and eat them. We had planned to sit down and sort out our honeymoon scrap book but it got too late to start that (that will hopefully be a project to do tomorrow).
After work yesterday we both hurriedly tidied the flat and got started on cooking for our friends. We had quiche with asparagus wrapped in parma ham, served with salad and victoria sponge for afters. We then proceeded to play Lord of the Rings Risk whcich took a good few hours! We finished off with Scrabble. I was terrible at both games last night. I blame it on being tired!
Today we were both working at the Children's University. Putting on workshops for primary school children. It was a fun but tiring day and now I am just about ready for nothing else! I have had a cup of tea which has warmed me up. But still not put me in the right mood for jewellery making. I have seen a blog recently where the author has been doing a project a day, it is a great idea. I dont know if she works full time but never the less it is an achievement. She has been going for about two weeks I believe (correct me if I am wrong!). I just wish I could find the time in between working full time, cooking, cleaning, reading for two book groups and seeing friends. I am not complaining at all, I love being busy, it makes me appreciate the quiet days when I can relax and do as I please. I am taking the next hour or so to do just that.

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope everyone has a lovely Valentine's Day whether you are celebrating the day or not. It is after all a normal day with an excuse for the card and chocolate companies to make more money.... but I dont really mind as I love chocolate.

Home Time

It has been a long day at work today :( I will be very glad to get home and sit down to have dinner.
I did meet my friend for lunch, which was lovely, we had a nice walk around the shops getting our Valentine's presents for our partners. My friend was very excited about Valentine's day, more so about the giving of her presents to her partner. I should probably be more like that, but I do like getting gifts!
I am being a bit of a book worm at the moment so unfortunately there hasnt been much time for jewellery making. I am part of the local library reading group and the meeting is tonight. The book we are discussing tonight is The Sea by John Banvilles. It really hasnt appealed to me and I have only read about half of it. It just doesnt stimulate me enough to want to know what happens. It will be good to hear what everyone else thought of it. I have also recently organised a book club with some friends. The first book we read as a group was Life of Pie by Yann Martel. I very much enjoyed it, I think most people did too but surprised by the ending. It gives you a lot to think about. The next book for that group is Catch 22. AFter tonight's library book club I need to start Catch 22 and finish quickly, I have so many books on my shelf that are unreaad and I just bought another 3 today!
Still loving this gorgeous sunshine and the fact that is light when I leave work!

Sunshine

It has been a beautiful sunny weekend here in Portsmouth. Yesterday I took full advantage of the glorious weather and went down to the seafront with a few friends. We ate chips on the beach, walked along the promenade and played games in the arcade. It was great to catch up with old friends and do something with no worries.
We then celebrated out friend's birthday with lots of drinks and chocolate cake. After going to a few pubs we ended the night with a yummy curry. It was really tasty so I finished all mine and as a result sort of fell into bed with a very full tummy! It was a good evening and great to do something different.
As a result of all this, I have not done any of the things I had planned to do. Those things were pretty boring though so I am glad to not have done them! Today has been a relaxing day spent in my pyjamas watching tv and drinking tea. A lovely way to finish off the weekend.

Needing More Time

It would be perfect if I didn't have to work, I could spend all day making jewellery. By the time I have finished work and got home, had dinner and sat down, it is already too late to even start anything. Then the weekend...... the ideal time to sit down and create...... or so you would think. Even that free time I don't seem to do anything!

Never the less, I have made some things over the past week and am pleased with how they turned out.

You can see this latest necklace for sale on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9426367

As I was saying before, it is a replica of a past design with slightly different colours. The glass heart is really eye catching and people always comment when I wear a piece of jewellery with a glass heart like that.

At last it is Friday tomorrow. It feels like it has been a very long week, and I am looking forward to having no work over the weekend. I plan to make some more jewellery, but you know what they say about the best laid plans!

New Etsy listing

I have just added another item to my shop on www.shootingstar27.etsy.com Check it out, I need all the views I can get!
Have been making new jewellery this weekend will upload pics tomorrow, just off to relax before bed and then another week at work :(

Getting down to work

This week I have been desperately trying to find time to make some more jewellery. With both Valentine's Day and Mother's Day fast approaching I want to make some new items to put online and take into work. I would also like to have another Jewellery Party before Mother's Day but I will wait and see what happens for that one!

So I did make one item last night! Something similar to a very popular necklace I made last year. I made sure I wore it out a lot, as you can see it is an eye catching piece. People always comment on how nice it is, so I tell them I made it myself and they can buy it.......... that's it though, people dont seem to want to buy something I am wearing already! It is like they think I will be doing without if they buy it! Anyway I finally sold the one on the left, when I wasnt wearing it I might add, and I have made something similar. Hopefully it will be as popular.

I am going to get on with some more jewellery making now, I am in the mood to use my creativity.

Flickr

I have just set up a new account on Yahoo (after forgetting all my previous passwords) to set myself up with a Flickr account to show all my jewellery items.
I will use this to show photos of jewellery I have made for custom orders as well as everything else.
Here is the link to my page http://www.flickr.com/photos/23369968@N08/
I am planning to make some more jewellery this week so keep checking back for more photos.
If any of you want to buy anything then please drop me an email and I will get back to you regarding prices/time length etc.

Catch Up

After such a long time with no new updates, I will now be writing an essay! Quite alot has happened over the past six months, both in my jewellery business and personal life. I got married in June so much of the year running up to that was spent rushing around planning the one day. It all turned out perfectly in the end and we enjoyed a relaxing week in the Maldives as our honeymoon.
As for the jewellery business, I displayed my work at an Art Show in Cowes on the Isle of Wight in August last year. Despite it being a quiet event I managed to sell a few pieces. I made back the cost of the table and gained a few prospective customers too, so it wasnt a wasted day.
I built up my stock and had a Jewellery Party in November last year which was a great success. It was a very laid back event, it was mainly friends so they all knew they didnt have to buy anything: but many did! I took quite a few orders too, that I completed in time for christmas.
I went along to a Bead Fair in Surrey on December 1st, and built up my inventory stock. I picked up some lovely new beads and findings. I am looking forward to using them.
In early December I found some new customers in my work colleagues. They were all very impressed with my work and bought many items as christmas gifts.
During the past month I have added new photos to both my website (www.freewebs.com/shootingstar27) and my Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2231497660). I also have a store on the website Etsy.com (www.shootingstar27.etsy.com). I have had some views but I don't seem to have as much time as everyone else on there to post on the forums every 10 minutes! I have also had some nice comments on my items.
Overall I have been pretty busy. Hopefully the next few months will continue to be busy and I will try to update more regularly. I will post some photos of my new items later in the week.