Top of the list at last!

Well it’s been a bit quiet here on the Ring O’ Roses Blog lately.  There are a few things that just never quite make it to the top of the long to-do list and blogging is one of them!  However, I have had another blog article published on the Beads Unlimited's Bead Barmy.  It’s all about being clever with bead caps so if you are a jewellery maker at any level, please go and have a read.  I’m sure you’ll find at least one valuable tip!

Creating and recuperating

I’ve had a rather disrupted month in terms of focusing on my business.  I was in hospital mid-March to have a pesky gallbladder removed and was a bit out of routine for a while afterwards.  I never realised just how much time I spend each week doing laundry, cleaning, hoovering, cooking and taking children to and from school.  With husband taking some time off work and family helping out, I actually got lots of time to make new goodies for two stalls in two weeks.  Selling online is great but it’s always nice to sell face-to-face and talk to people about my jewellery.

Competition success

I already told you all that I'd made it to the final 10 in the Jewellery Maker of the Year competition being run by Beads & Beyond Magazine.  Thanks to the public online votes, I heard at the beginning of April that my piece, 'Casablanca' (pictured below), had made it to the last 5.  I had to send in my piece for the expert judges’ examination and the results will be published in the June issue of the magazine which should be out in the second week of May.  Keeping fingers and toes crossed!

Discovering hidden gems and promotion planning for 2012

Last weekend I went to the Towcester Bead Fair and met lots of lovely new specialist suppliers from amazing semi-precious strands to beautiful artisan components in glass and ceramic.  I’ve got lots of ideas for new pieces and can’t wait to find the time to get creative.  I also have some plans for promotions this year and am starting with a Sale this Sunday 22^nd April on my Facebook page. 

My last online sale went down very well, so don’t miss out.  The fun will start at 8pm and I will be uploading some pieces not yet seen on Facebook (like the one at the top of this post) as well as selling off some old favourites at reduced prices.  Please join us.

xx