We're still here!!

Wow...this must be the longest break yet!! I've really got to get to grips with the whole blog writing thing and try to keep up to date. Ironically the reasons behind not writing is because I've been busy which means I have loads to tell you!! Anyhow, you could catch up through our Facebook page and see the workshops we've been running and all the gorgeous pretty things everyone's been making.

New Workshops...

I've been designing some new workshops for our new programme that now runs until Christmas (say that quietly so not to scare people). Our newest workshop is A Decorative Wire Cuff - I actually submitted this into the new Fine Silver Magazine and had a really good response so decided to offer it as a workshop. The first of them is this Sunday so I'll upload peoples creations on Facebook next week.

I've also secured some day and residential workshops for Denman College in Marcham Nr Abingdon. Denman College is the WI's (Women's Institute's) centre for learning. The workshop titles are:

• Beading for Beginners - Day School
• Precious Metal Clay - An Introduction Day School
• Beaded Jewellery with Handmade Findings - Two Day Residential
• Silver Beaded Jewellery from Scratch - Three Day Residential

I very excited to be teaching for Denman. The facilities and environment are just amazing and the fact that its on my doorstep is perfect. To find out more about these courses and everything else they offer visit www.theWI.org.uk.

Last week I taught at The Birmingham School of Jewellery for a day. I delivered a Precious Metal Clay Beads workshop. This is the first time I had taught this session and I found it went really well. Everybody got to explore all the different types of clay and make a variety of beads you can see all the images on our Facebook page. The class were lovely and the staff and Birmingham were amazing especially Alan and Mike who couldn't be more helpful so thanks a million to them.

Hard at work

Wood Clay Beads

Well, that's all for now...I'm going to do my best to keep up to date(ish).

Amy.x

P.S. Harry's still as beautiful as ever!!

Look what Vikki made....isn't it beautiful. Vikki is one of our regulars at the shop and she has been working on a project for quite a few months now. She kept coming in buying pretty sparkly beads and this week bought in the results!! I think the necklace is gorgeous and a fabulous example of what can be made from a variety of different beads...some of the beads I haven't had for 2 years!! The project is based on one from Bead Magazine...Flower Garden - (I'll find out the issue number). I really appreciate it when customers bring their projects in for us to see......it's great to see what creativity is happening out there and how our products are being used. More welcome....

Artweeks, Finger Prints and workshops....

Wow! Doesn't time fly when your busy!! I've had the most fabulous few weeks. Artweeks went really well this year. We got the exhibition up and running in time for our private view on Friday 8th May - Thank you to everyone that came along. I think at our peek we must have had about 30 people watching demos, browsing our range of materials and tools and enjoying the exhibition. I was pleased with how it all looked - I took a gardening theme that worked really well. I bought some artificial lawn to use as the background - the silver and lampwork beads looked great against it.

Harry before the mayhem of organising Artweeks Private View

Ohh thats nice.....

Kay was demonstrating on how to make lampwork beads

Lucy was demonstrating Precious Metal Clay

We had a great response to the possibility of Lampworking classes. I can't wait to get my stock room sorted out to accomodate the class!!

I've been asked to do a few commissions recently using the finger printing technique on Precious Metal Clay. This is a pair of cufflinks that Lucy asked me to do with her thumb print on.....she gave them to her now husband on their wedding day!! As you can see the date has been inscribed on the back. I've used liver of sulpur to oxidise the print then buff back to highlight the print.

I also did a bracelet for David to give to his wife who gave birth to little Oscar. The finger print is Davids but when baby is old enough and his finger print defined enough we're going to do his too. To make the bracelet even more 'charmy' I added a few baby charms. I've called it Mummy's Baby Bracelet.

Though you might like to see some jewellery made on a Beads & Wire workshop I ran for Adult Learning in Chipping Norton. These were all complete beginners - we had a lovely day and fabulous results.

Last but not least I'd like you to meet my new neice.....Gladys Parthenope Flittersnoop!! Isn't she adorable. She's an 8 week old Pug puppy getting bigger my the day. Tomorrow Harry and Gladys will meet - I'll be sure to take lots of photo's and post the best ones for you.