'Angela's Gate... How does Your garden Grow?'

Yesterday was the first day of my exhibition in Gallery at 12 Eccleshall.
I have based the exhibition on nature photographs from two of my other blogs, 'Views from my garden gate' and 'Beyond my garden Gate' so most of the jewellery on display has been inspired in some way by the wildlife and flowers in and around my garden or further afield, I have also used my photographs to show where the inspiration for the designs have come from and indeed there are some of my photographs as cards which will be for sale during the exhibition. The other part of my exhibition is called 'How does your garden grow?' based on the nursery rhyme.
Let me take you on a brief tour....
Mary, Mary quite contrary How Does Your garden Grow?
With silver bells ... silver bells I think wedding bells, wedding bells... wedding jewellery ...

there is a large glass cabinet in the exhibition area - two shelves show some of my wedding jewellery designs, but of course I am always to make to commission too!!!

... and cockle shells

A selection of jewellery inspired by shells and the sea shore,

... and pretty maids all in a row

pretty maids have pretty dresses -  a selection of my knitted wire, bead and sari silk dresses as brooches or in box frames.

Then the rest of the exhibition is Angela's gate

My exhibition will be in Gallery at 12  until 28th May, the gallery will also be hosting a charity day on May 16th where 10 % of it's sales on the day will be going to Shape Arts.
It would be lovely to see you sometime during May, but if you are planning to make a special journey then May 16th would be a good day to choose!

sweet pea after the rain - Sunday whisper

Photography by Angela Smith

cobweb - Sunday Whisper

photography by Angela Smith

Fennel seed heads - Sunday whisper

photography by Angela Smith 

gentle wave splash - Sunday whisper

photography to inspire you by Angela Smith 

Jewellery stall at Shallowford House

Today I was at Shallowford House for their Open day,
With the sun shining through the marquee windows all day it gave a lovely backdrop to my display!
My jewellery stall

Many people were sat outside enjoying the sunshine watching the displays and listening to the choir.
A lovely day
I Made many sales including several pairs of earring and other items of jewellery and I also made many name necklace orders during the day

One of my hares sold too

along with more of my photo greetings cards

If you have an event in Staffordshire or Shropshire and would like me to attend with my jewellery and cards please contact me.

A weekend of sales

I would love to say that I make jewellery just for my own enjoyment - but even though I enjoy every minute of making my jewellery, unfortunately I also have to justify the hours and hours I spend making it, which means I have to sell it too, which means that occasionally I will attend craft fairs, and this weekend was one of those craft fair weekends. I spent two very enjoyable days at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Wolseley Bridge, Stafford selling my wares and catching up with other crafty friends such as Helen Billingsley with her fabulous ceramics - Helen also sells her ceramics in Gallery at 12 as one of our guest members

and Kim Robinson with her beautiful wildlife art printed on bags, aprons, cushions, cards and other items, Kim has also exhibited in Gallery at 12

Noel Bennett a fellow member of the Staffordshire Artists Co-operative - Gallery at 12 was also in attendance selling his fantastic photographs and paintings along with his wife Christina who was selling her pastel pieces and promoting her art classes, As well as Vance Lupton another member of the Staffordshire Artist's Co-operative demonstrating his amazing wood turning skills and selling his wares along with a group of Staffordshire wood turners. I didn't manage to get any photos of their stalls as when I remembered to get my camera out their stalls had customers in front of them, so you will just have to visit the Gallery's website or better still the Gallery itself!

The visiting birds of prey from Red Lion Farm were well shaded from the sun which was out for the whole of the Sunday.

The sunshine was very welcome and it brought lots of visitors to the Wildlife Trust who spent a lot of time wandering around the grounds, and many of the visitors ventured indoors too to look at the stalls.

And yes I did manage to sell items of my jewellery, and had several orders for name necklaces which I could make there and then, and I even sold some of my photograph cards which was amazing as there were three very talented photographers at the event so I didn't expect to sell any as they weren't the main part of my display.

My stall 

'Snowdrop fairies'

Look what I found in amongst the snowdrops and other places!!!

This selection of cards will be taken to Gallery at 12, Eccleshall this week.

All fairies made with wire and beads and some of them are hanging around in Gallery at 12 too!

Valentine cards

First make your wire, bead and sari silk hearts - then photograph them, then print them off for great unique and original Valentine cards...

handmade by Angela Smith