Art Market York - October 2015

Well what a weekend!!

As anyone that takes part in shows you will know these are great events but a bit mad.

Thursday 1st Oct 10.30 am - Set Up
Always a mad time and a feeling of being rushed that you are never going to manage to convert your tiny 2x1meter space into retail beauty!  People always think jewellery is easy to display as its small ...... but that just means there is a lot of it to display!!!  It took me from 10.30-4.30 to set up!

Unloading can be a bit chaotic

Friday 2nd October 10.00 am - Day One show opens to public!

Lots of exciting work to see

 Little cafe area to stop for refreshments

Saturday and Sunday 3rd 4th October - The show continued with lots of visitiors.  Talks and workshops took place throughout the weekend.  I was kept plenty busy and met some great people and chatted with some lovely customers.

Sunday 4th October - 4.00 pm - The breakdown, eaqually as mad as set up day but just quicker!!  It took me about an hour and a half to pack up!! - Overall it was a great show and I look forward to next year..... watch this space!!

Sunset at York Racecourse

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The Elevated Envelope

Well this is my first attempt at this. A friend sent me a link through facebook after I commented that what comes through the letter box these days is quite depressing and is normally in the guise of a bill.

Basically you sign up..... get given a theme.... on this occasion 2 months to complete your 10 letters, to a list given to you of like minded folk doing the same thing elsewhere in the world.

The theme this time was 'Sweet' now that can mean a few things and your are open to interpret this how you wish. I took on the idea of sweet in the uk being the same as candy would be in the US. So after my lovely other half bringing me a lovely box of chocs, inspiration hit..... My 'Sweet' theme would be a box of chocolates.

I decided to make a stamp to represent the chocs to go in the choc box, on the back a recipe for some chocolate truffles. The envelope was to be the 'box' complete with ribbon and gift tag.

I also wanted to make my envelope quite small.... again using the sweet theme I have always loved the old fashioned Jane Austin style letter and so a smaller envelope was made. I then decorated the outside by stamping and painting my ribbon and drawing some tags. I made a few variations just to try.

The final extra was a little 'sweet' heart supposed to resemble and edible treat on a ribbon. These were just made from shrink plastic, drew various designs on them and threaded them up. These can either be worn as necklaces, used as bookmarks or just a little bit of decoration. I hope they have arrived with the recipients ok and look forward to seeing my elevated envelopes coming through the door.

For more information if you want to take part the next time follow the Ephemera facebook page and follow the blog. All organised by Tara Bliven!!

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Blue, Blossom and Buttons

Cherry Blossom outside my workshop window

Blue Skies and Blossom, Spring is here!!

So looking outside of my workshop window what did I see a few days ago? I saw the above two pictures! Lovely Cherry Blossom and deep blue sky.  There is nothing more beautiful in Spring time!

This image has always inspired me and I have taken many photos of cherry blossom which I use in my jewellery and now in my buttons, both the handmade 'Odd Bodd' buttons, and my printed range.  I will hopefully get these on the website soon but in the meantime e-mail info@jessicajewellerydesign.co.uk for any purchasing enquiries.

"Odd Bodd" Handmade Buttons

Large printed buttons with my Jessica Jewellery Design image

Smaller buttons in 3 different shapes

Hope this blog has brightened a dreary day!!

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My Kinda Jewellery......

People always worry about buying me jewellery because I design and make it they think it must be impossible to find things I like. Very far from it, I think being in the business I am, makes me appreciate and love a whole host of different jewellery.  I also get asked quite a lot 'What "type" of jewellery do you like'....so I thought I would put a little blog together with a few pictures of some of the jewellery I have and love to wear by a few different jewellers who I admire, that also make and or design their own work. I should also add that I love all different materials, and am constantly fascinated by how people use and adapt materials in different ways.

Jane Dzisiewski - Resin.

Love this work she is based at the Manchester Craft Centre which is well worth the visit, loved it there then saw her work again at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair.... So this was a lovely Christmas Prezzie from my other half!

 Sarah Packington - Acrylic

I have always loved the bold but simple designs that Sarah creates.  I was lucky enough to have a 3month work experience with her whilst on my degree which taught me a lot more about using acrylic.  I spent a LONG time polishing bangles like the one you see.  So now as well as loving the colour appreciate wearing it!!

 

  Tamsin Howells - Acrylic

A lovely lady who's work I have seen for a long time but who I really first met at the British Craft Trade Fair and since then our paths cross at various shows.  Love this bright cuff bangle.

Marmalade - Polypropylene

This is very lovely delicate work using printed patterns onto a polypropylene.  I have admired their work for many years and seen it evolve.  I got this piece as a birthday prezzie, its from MIMA which has a very good gift shop for contemporary handmade jewellery.

 

 Emma Turpin - Silver Necklet

Emma is based in the Southern England and she had a stand opposite me at the Bovey Tracey Contemporary Craft Fair, after chatting about business etc and admiring each others work I couldn't resist this lovely piece.  It also turns out Emma graduated from the same University as myself and did the same degree but was a couple of years below me.

Wood Ring

I am sorry to say I can't remember the designer to this one, it was from a mixed showcase at the Manchester Craft and Design centre.  I love the pattern and love that its so ornate and then made from wood.  Love a lot of the work that is out there at the moment using wood.  Its a material I would love to have a go with.

Lynsey Walters -Felt Bird

Not much of a story behind this little brooch, acquired from the GNCCF just loved the colours and love Lynseys bold use of felt and buttons in her work.

And last but not least another question I get asked is what is my favourite piece of my own jewellery!?  Well usually the newest ranges are always the most exciting because you create something you at first didn't know you could.  However I have made myself a bangle and necklace (necklace below) from the Cartwheel Flower lilac range.  Purple is my favourite colour and it goes with a lot of things I wear.  I also love the way the images came out, they involved a very late night trip out to a very muddy field in winter, to catch these Cartwheel Flowers in silhouette.

Jessica Jewellery Design - Acrylic

Quote from Resin Jewellery by  Kathie Murphy book ISBN 978-0-7136-7311-1 (page 17)

"Where plastics continue to receive little acclaim is studio jewellery.  Because plastic products tend to be mass produced for maximum profit, it is still regarded as a cheap material.  This criteria is not true of plastic jewellery that has been individually handcrafted.  The time and judgement taken to transform plastic into a piece with an aesthetic quality can never be inexpensive."

I think that is an interesting quote and think people need to value jewellery not necessarily because it is made from expensive metals and gems, but because of the work that has gone into it.  Also the value of jewellery is a lot to do with what it means to you.  I would love to hear your stories and see photos of your special piece of jewellery or and interesting item you have and why, or what it means to you.  The stories behind jewellery are so interesting.  I think it is important to enjoy your jewellery whatever it may be made from.

Feel free to post your pictures and comments on my Jessica Jewellery Design Facebook page . Please be responsible and do not post anything inappropriate. Thank you

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New Work .....

Well the brand new range 'Optical' has been doing really well so far, and is filtering into shops. You can also order direct by looking at the trade catalogue on my site then just e-mail your order as I haven't had time to get pieces uploaded to the shop.

The range is a brand new shape for me, a circular shape but very 3D and tactile. The use of black text on the back gives a unique optical effect throughout the pieces and you do find something new in them every time you look at them. I love that people are a little bit mystified and question what is happening when they look at my work.
Each piece is hand shaped and the surface of each piece of acrylic has been hand formed then sanded and polished as usual. The idea is that both the wearer and viewer can be puzzled and intrigued with the pieces whilst they still look pretty and wearable.


Spirograph images also feature quite heavily along side the text, I had great fun drawing with an original Spirograph set to draw up the patterns I felt worked the best. They also helped me come up with the overall design (although it may not be obvious in the final pieces!)

I hope that has given you a bit more of an insight into my new range of work. Keep up to date with all my news and of new work over at my website www.jessicajewellerydesign.co.uk

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Behind the Scenes Spring Fair NEC

This was my first time exhibiting at Spring Fair, one of the biggest trade fairs in the UK. I thought it would be interesting to show you all a little of the behind the scenes of setting up a trade show. We arrived in Birmingham about 11.00 ish and had to get the car emptied as soon as possible. Stand spaces are very small so its tricky when your first getting your stand together!

Once you've found your stand and emptied the car its time to unpack and start the display!



Last thing to do is cut away the protective cover and your stand is complete, the gangways get carpeted later in the evening.

Image of finished stand at Spring Fair.

When the displays are done everyone needs to leave the buildings. I had to get to my accommodation and then had a little time to explore. This was the eve when the snow came, it was pretty much gone by the next day.

The show opened to buyers on Sunday 5th Feb until Thursday 9th Feb, a long show but I did enjoy it.

My next show is the British Craft Trade Fair in April.

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An Inspiring Trip

Well the last weekend in October saw Jessica Jewellery Design take a break. Weekend away with 9 others and 2 babies, it was a full house!! Way out in little remote cottage near Cargill, with its beautiful surroundings. No phone reception and although access to WI Fi managed to resist the urge to check the work e-mails! I had hurt my back a few days before, so walking far wasn't really an option but think we made the most of our trip and enjoyed group meals at the local pub/ or round the big dining room table. Just taking it easy really, such peaceful surroundings (although windy and drizzly) , managed to get a few ideas down in the sketchbook and took lots of pics.

Views from the Cottage

Trip to a waterfall nearby that was just hidden away, was great view and you could go right behind the water!


With it being Halloween weekend we obviously had to get into the spirit of things!

The drive home.......



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