Day one at jewellery school- tools of the trade

 

Today was the first morning of my 4 week Charm/Amulet making course with Sarah Hyams. I took lots of photos (hopefully didn't irritate the others too much) and i'll update with what we actually got up to today later, but in the meantime here's a few photos of some of the tools of the trade. Pliers, copper wire, masking tape, reverse action tweezers, gas torches and piercing saws. I can let you in on the news that for the first time in years I am writing this with a bracelet around my wrist, so the update tomorrow won't be a photo of me sitting crying because I can't work out how to do it!

Tofino Eagle Necklace by Sarah Hyams available at Two Red Trees

Hand and Stone pendant by Sarah Hyams available at Two Red Trees

I'm starting a 4 week course with Sarah Hyams in making silver charms in a few days time. It's just 4 mornings and then it will all be over, but i've never tried to make jewellery before (perhaps because I don't often wear it). Since i've started working full time I find that I have more energy and inclination to do something creative with my time outside of work, i've also recently made some new friends who are talented artists and makers, and that's got my creative bones itching again. I deliberately took the year off from making when I went to do my MA, but now i'm back in the world of work I think I need to factor some creativity into my routine.

 At the moment one of my pieces of work is on exhibition in America. The ever wonderful Susan Schwake included a piece I did several years ago in her new book 'Art Lab for Kids' for which I am very grateful.

 

Silver Jewellery from Ian Shipton

My former tutor Ian Shipton has been making silver jewellery recently- here's some I thought might interest you. They are approx 1" long and have fittings on the back so can be worn as a pendant or brooch.

I don't know much about jewellery as I never wear it, but Ian leant me this piece to show to a few people that might be interested and what I really like about it is the weight of it- I tried to remember all the technical details about how it was made but i'm afraid I forgot. This one costs £60 and if you're interested you can find Ian here, or leave a comment with me and i'll pass your details on to him.

Oh and yes, they are what you are thinking they might be.

Flickr brings me wonderful treasures

I love Flickr- recently it's showered me with treats, in the form of beautfiul photos of wonderful things. Yesterday Elvira commented on a photo I had taken of my cat Biddy, when I went to take a look at Elvira's photo stream I was totally blown away by the images of her jewellery. I'm not a jewellery wearer by any stretch of the imagination- but if I was the kind of person that was comfortable in accessories then this is the kind of thing I would love to buy.

You can buy some of these pieces via the website which has an English version for those who don't speak Spanish. I think these pieces of jewellery are little works of art in their own right.

Project Spectrum: Blue Bird

new necklace
Originally uploaded by crunchcandy.

Ok so the majority of this image is the red of my favourite red cardigan, but this is really only an excuse to show off the little blue bird necklace I just treated myself to. I decided in October last year that I would try and learn all about wearing jewellery, a phase I seem to have missed out on in the past. So here I am, 33 years old, showing off my newest attempt at jewellery wearing.

Necklace from Topshop a shop that I never visit as the largest size it sells is still about 6 sizes too small for me. I saw this in a magazine and knew I had to have it!