SBS Event 2016

As I alluded to in my previous post, a week ago last Friday, that was the 12th February, I attended the #sbsevent2106 with Theo Paphitis  this was my 4th sbs event - I can count them by counting the items of jewellery I have made for each of them! this was this years...

crocheted wire and bead beads 

I have posted about sbs before on here so please search my labels to read more or visit the the sbs website 
This year I again attended with Jo Hill a member of the Staffordshire Artist Co-operative (Gallery at 12) and an extremely talented textile artist -
I had a list in my head of other sbs winners I really wanted to meet up with, some for the first time, some I meet every year, some to collect ordered items and some to thank for purchases I have made since our last event. As always I left not having met up with everyone I had hoped and happily meeting others who I will now hunt out again next year.

Jo Hill and Marika Rauscher 

 With Klair Ward  and Rachel Wright 

with Carole Renshaw and Jo Hill

with Sharon Marshall and Liz Evans 

with Fran Gubbay

When we arrived we all started congregating in the reception area collecting our name badges and enjoying chatting over teas and coffees while we waited to be invited into the main hall.
Once in the main hall we continued with our networking over more tea, coffee or something from the bar, Jo and I were joined at this stage by Carole Renshaw who arrived just in time as Theo Paphitis was shortly to take to the stage  - After hearing from the sbs sponsors  it was time for what we were all waiting eagerly to hear, the latest sbs news from Theo Paphitis and all - and wow what news!
The announcement of an sbs shop which will soon be up and running, thanks to sbs winner Joanne Smedley of Red Herring Games and Mark Childs of Ryman for getting this organised - Am I interested?..  oh boy yes! I was considering re-opening my Etsy shop this year but now I shall hold on and see what happens over the next few months instead.

After hearing all the other sbs news we broke for lunch and more networking before we all sat down again for Question Time and this years Theo Paphitis was joined by Mike Pickles - 'Really Useful Products and Holly Tucker - 'Not On The High Street' what an inspirational panel, some brilliant questions and answers.

When Question Time was over the first timers all lined up for their photo - while  Jo and I continued catching up with more people before saying our goodbyes, collecting our goody bags and heading home.... and what a journey that was - a half hour journey that took almost 2 hours - but that's another story!

Another fantastic day - thank you Theo Paphitis and Ryman for inviting me and for all the hard work you put into this, it is always a highlight of my year! looking forward to seeing you all again in 2017

My '60 seconds' tribute - David Bowie - a music Hero but not Just for a day - Forever !!!

This morning we woke just in time to hear the sad news that David Bowie had died. I was really taken aback by how much this news affected me. I grew up with his music as did many other people and I was privileged to have seen him in concert at the N.E.C back in 2003, where he waved to me from the stage - then he laughed when I realised he really was waving at me -  No he really was waving at ME!, everyone else around me was sitting down!!! - 
Anyway I could have stayed at home bursting into tears every five minutes or so - that is what I felt as though I wanted to do, but I had a WiRE (Women in Rural Enterprise) network meeting to attend and I decided it would do me good to get out instead of moping about the house!
So I selected one of our Bowie CD's and drove the 11 miles to the network meeting immersing myself in Bowie music.
I arrived 5 minutes earlier than usual, so I sat in the car park listening to the end of the CD and in that time I got my phone out and planned my 60 second introduction, which we all are invited to do at the meeting.
Normally for my 60 seconds I talk about my jewellery mentioning my sbs win and Theo Paphitis and I also talk about Gallery at 12 - it sometimes takes a little bit longer than 60 seconds to get through everything, so when it came to my turn this morning  I could feel the network leaders concern when I got out my phone and explained I wanted to do something different today! 

And here is what I read out! 

'Hi my name is Angela Smith and I am a jewellery designer/maker with a passion for "fashion" and like "fashion" my jewellery often "changes" - whether you are "dancing in the street", looking for "fame", a "rebel rebel", "china girl" or a "starman" i can make jewellery to suit your needs - never feeling "under pressure"
I also run workshops which are suitable for "absolute beginners" as well as "young Americans" '

David Bowie - a music Hero but not Just for a day - Forever