Swarovski remains as popular as ever

I have been making beaded jewellery for over twenty years now and although I have seen many types of beads come in and fall out of favour, one type has remained a constant in my stock throughout - Swarovski crystals. It would seem that you just can't get enough of sparkle!
When I first started making jewellery I would combine Swarovskis with plated bead shapes such as hogans and roses - now I combine them with pearls, either freshwater or Swarovski and / or diamante beads.
Today I made a few pairs of earrings to add to my depleted stock, as I have my first fair for 2016 at the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust March 5th and 6th, next week after this weekends workshop I will make a few more pairs as I still have gaps in my display.

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith 

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

A new design range in the making - crocheted beads

I would like to introduce you to some new jewellery which I have been working on this year. Although the initial idea came to me when I was enjoying a quiet couple of weeks away with family in the Hebrides back in October last year, I had to put it on the back burner so I could concentrate on Christmas. Whenever I could, though, I picked up my crochet hook and started crocheting, as always with me I didn't use wool, instead I crocheted with wire threaded with tiny glass beads  - the result was a selection of crocheted wire and bead beads.
below is a selection of photos showing different stages of the crochet process

thread the wire with beads

crochet a ring and increase the stitches

continue to increase the stitches

crochet without increase before decreasing again to make....

the finished crocheted wire and beads bead

I wanted to wait before making an item to share on here until I had a few items ready and before I had tested the water by making a necklace using some of my crocheted beads, to wear at the #sbs event which was last Friday, (I will be writing a post about the #sbsevent at a later date) - this is the necklace I wore;

 I wanted to make it a statement piece that would stand out in a crowd and it did! so after having such an enthusiastic response to this necklace last week I returned home to make up some jewellery with the beads I had already crocheted, I will continue to work on this idea now, so there will be more jewellery to show at a later date but for now here are my new designs

crochet bead necklace 18 inch with silver plate clasp

crocheted bead necklace on 28 inch black plate chain

crocheted bead asymmetric necklace on 27 inch black nylon coated wire with black plate clasp 

crocheted bead  with glass bead necklace as pendant drop on a 28 inch silver plate chain

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith

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

Jewellery making workshops planned for 2016

I now have a few workshops planned for 2016 at Lily's Secret Vintage Tea Room, Swan Pit, nr Gnosall, Stafford, as listed below

Saturday 27th February

10.30 am - 12.30 pm Basic Jewellery Making 

£26 includes all the materials plus tea/coffee

You will receive instruction from myself on various bead jewellery making techniques - then you will be able to choose from a large selection of beads to make your own jewellery including  simple, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. If you are a beginner hopefully by the end of the morning you will have confidence to make many more items in your own time and tackle simple jewellery restringings and repairs too! If you have already attended one or more of my basic jewellery making sessions before then you are might like to take your jewellery making to the next level, maybe making a multi-stranded necklace for example. You will also have the opportunity to purchase extra beads, findings and tools  

1.30 pm - 3.30 pm 'bead and chain lattice bracelet'

£26 includes all the materials plus tea/coffee 

Receive instruction before making your own unique four stranded bracelet using beads with chain to form a lattice pattern between the beads.  - there will be a choice of colours for your bracelet  but to avoid disappointment please let me know if you have a colour preference when booking

To book the full day the cost will be £49 to include all your materials and hot drinks plus soup and sandwiches 

Saturday 2nd April

10.30 am - 12.30 pm Basic Jewellery Making 

£26 includes all the materials plus tea/coffee

You will receive instruction from myself on various bead jewellery making techniques - then you will be able to choose from a large selection of beads to make your own jewellery including  simple, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. If you are a beginner hopefully by the end of the morning you will have confidence to make many more items in your own time and tackle simple jewellery restringings and repairs too! If you have already attended one or more of my basic jewellery making sessions before then you are might like to take your jewellery making to the next level, maybe making a multi-stranded necklace for example. You will also have the opportunity to purchase extra beads, findings and tools   

1.30 pm - 3.30 pm cottage garden bracelet (plus earrings if there is time!)

£26 includes all the materials plus tea/coffee

Receive instruction before making your own pretty beaded bracelet using glass pearls and silver plate flower beads - this bracelet will be an ideal practise piece for making secure wrapped loops - a skill which you can then use to make other items of jewellery such as earrings and hanging drops.

To book the full day the cost will be £49 to include all your materials and hot drinks plus soup and sandwiches 

Saturday 7th May

10.30 am - 12.30 pm Basic Jewellery Making

£26 includes all the materials plus tea/coffee

You will receive instruction from myself on various bead jewellery making techniques - then you will be able to choose from a large selection of beads to make your own jewellery including  simple, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. If you are a beginner hopefully by the end of the morning you will have confidence to make many more items in your own time and tackle simple jewellery  restringings and repairs too! If you have already attended one or more of my basic jewellery making sessions before then you are might like to take your jewellery making to the next level, maybe making a multi-stranded necklace for example. You will also have the opportunity to purchase extra beads, findings and tools   

1.30 pm - 3.30 pm - project T.B.C.

£26

I am still working on the project for the afternoon session but you can be sure it will be fabulous!!!!  - If there is anything you really want to learn how to make please let me know - I might be able to base the project on your request!

To book the full day the cost will be £49 to include all your materials and hot drinks plus soup and sandwiches 

Sunday 27th June

10.30 am - 12.30 pm Basic Jewellery Making 

£26 includes all the materials plus tea/coffee

You will receive instruction from myself on various bead jewellery making techniques - then you will be able to choose from a large selection of beads to make your own jewellery including  simple, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. If you are a beginner hopefully by the end of the morning you will have confidence to make many more items in your own time and tackle simple jewellery restringings and repairs too! If you have already attended one or more of my basic jewellery making sessions before then you are might like to take your jewellery making to the next level, maybe making a multi-stranded necklace for example. You will also have the opportunity to purchase extra beads, findings and tools   

1.30 pm - 3.30 pm project T.B.C.

£26

I am still working on the project for the afternoon session but you can be sure it will be fabulous!!!!  - If there is anything you really want to learn how to make please let me know - I might be able to base the project on your request! 

To book the full day the cost will be £49 to include all your materials and hot drinks plus soup and sandwiches 

If you would like any further information about these workshops or would like to book a place on any of these please contact me a.s.a.p.

places are limited -  After several no shows last year I will now require a non-refundable deposit of £15 for the half days and £30 for the full day

'Midnight'

As we are approaching the party season I have been knitting again this week - this time with party outfits in mind -
knitted on black enameled wire with glass beads 

'Midnight'

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith 

seasonal red jewellery

What colours will you be wearing next month? Red always seems to be a firm favourite and with that in mind I decided I needed to increase my stock of red jewellery for the Christmas fairs coming up in the next few weeks - (my next one being tomorrow evening)
So these four sets will be out on display, providing there is space, along with many other items -

red hand cut faceted glass beads with clear glass faceted beads

Red  'coral' Swarovski pearls with tiny glass beads

red 'coral ' Swarovski pearls along with large navy glass beads

dark red Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls

If you are local to Stafford please look out for the fairs I am attending and if you have time pop in and take a look at all my jewellery - you will find a list of events on the right hand coloumn of this blog.

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith

Mauve Swarovski jewellery

Today I have been working with these mauve Swarovski pearls and purple Swarovski crystals to make a one off 16 inch necklace with matching earrings.  I can re make the necklace to a longer length if requires or I could make a bracelet to match. This set would be fabulous for smart day wear and would complete a mauve 'Mother of the Bride' outfit beautifully.

please contact me for further information

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith 

'Priscilla' comes in any colour

My range 'Priscilla' is now complete.
I can make any of the items in this range using the colour of your choice.
Today I would like to share with you 'Priscilla' necklace and earrings. Made using Swarovski pearls and Swarovski crystals, the necklace has been made on a 16 inch  chain - I can make this any length, and the earrings are hanging from sterling silver ear hooks.
'Priscilla - crystal' necklace

'Priscilla - scarlet' necklace

'Priscilla -crystal' earrings

'Priscilla - scarlet' earrings

'Priscilla'

For further information please contact me

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith 

'Ella' an alternative range

My last two posts have introduced the necklace and earrings for two of my limited ranges 'Jessica' and 'Bethany'. As both of these ranges have the same Swarovski pearls and crystals in their designs I decided to make an alternative range with earrings and a necklace that would go with either 'Jessica' or 'Bethany' bracelet - this range is very elegant in its simplicity just a single Swarovski pearl and Swarovski crystal drop, the earrings are on sterling silver ear hooks and the necklace is on a 16 inch  chain - I can make the chain to any length required.
Introducing 'Ella' ....

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith