Absolutely Fuming!

I have spent the last week making up stock and half the morning getting ready for a night time fashion show event this evening.
I left the house in plenty of time and got myself £25 of petrol.
I drove to Birmingham and Sat Nav said I had arrived (I couldn't find the location!) I parked up which cost me £2 for half an hour and I took a wander, asked a passer by where the location was but no luck.
I got back to the car and phoned the number that I was given in an email to get instructions on finding their loading bay but got the answer phone.
So I set off in the car again but just couldn't find it. I parked in a bus stop to ask a taxi driver and bus driver but they didn't know. I was still soo close to the Sat Nav location as well!
I phoned Rob at home and he went on the website and got through to the same answer phone.
After 1 hour 15minutes I called the number for the third time and left a message (a bit arsy) I just couldn't believe that they would give a number but not answer.
An hour and a half of driving went passed and 15 minutes before the event started and I decided to come home.

So I spent £50 on the event, over 80 miles travelled and £2 parking. Why did I not just stay at home and buy the amazing shoes that I have been drooling over this week!

And relax........

Very Busy Week

I have set myself a quite large weekly 'to do' list in order to get everything done in time for my first trade fair in April.

I have been busy loading items to my Etsy page as it has been very neglected recently. There are some great bargains here and most are one off items.
I have also been putting some things on Ebay in an attempt to make some space for my stock.

A new website should be ready (fingers crossed) by the end of October, I have been busy loading items but there is still loads to do, this is a sneak peak so far.

This is a new collection based on some jewellery I have previously made. These would make ideal wedding jewellery. Made with freshwater pearls, rock crystal and cute sterling silver toggle clasps.

I just need to design some matching earrings now.

Its been a long time

Its been such a long time since I last blogged.

I took on a part time job recently but didn't enjoy it and when they messed up my wages that was the final straw!

Anyway, I feel like my preparations are a bit behind schedule for the British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) next year.

I have been thinking about some new collections which i;m really excited about.

I have booked the B&B which is in a pretty looking pub a couple of miles away from the event. I am getting Ikea vouchers for Christmas so I can get my displays, my sister is getting me a table and chairs and I have just bought 4 lovely frames from Ebay to display some collection. What do you think of these? 

Im busy designing my new non jewellery range for the trade fair as well as a new website which I hope will be live by the end of October.

Only 5 months to go, so better get cracking!

Exciting News

I applied for the BCTF a couple of weeks ago thinking that I would never get in but I did.
It is a trade event for British designers so I feel very privileged to have got in.

I have been checking the site ever since I found out I had been accepted to see if my name was there and today it was - I'm so excited but really nervous as well.

I also signed up for their online magazine. This is my page.

If anyone has any hints and tips for my first trade event I would love to hear them.

Now to get on with making and designing my stand.

Speak soon

Chloe

xx

Studio 61 - Exhibition

Wow it seems like its been a long time since I last blogged.
This month I have an exhibition at Studio 61 which is a gorgeous little gallery just outside Matlock in Derbyshire.

I have taken a few pics of the gallery and lovely Karina has taken a picture of some of my pieces in their new home.

Some of my items on display

Some of Karina's mugs and the most amazing scented candles

Loads of bath and body goodies

Another room with Paintings and ceramics

The boutique section with jewellery and bags

The window with a beach theme

If you get the chance please do go and visit it is in a beautiful location and there is always a pot of coffee on the go.

Warwickshire Arts Week - Part 3

After visiting some artists/designers in various mediums last week I have been feeling really inspired. There is a an incredibly talented bunch around Warwickshire.

Below are three people myself and my friend went to visit.

Andrew Flint makes gorgeous human scale forms and vessels from ceramics. He had them displayed in his garden and they looked absolutely amazing.

www.andrew-flint.com

Jane and Neil Moore were both exhibiting their work in their beautiful home. Such friendly people, we had a chat with Neil about his large figurative paintings and Jane was so helpful with her advice for me and Sam and our jewellery careers as well as making us a teeny bit jealous of her fab studio space!

Jane's work is enamelled silver jewellery. She is incredibly talented and uses a really unique way to make her pieces.

www.janemoore.co.uk

Neil is a very talented painter, they were all really large and he framed them himself as well. He had a real way of making the eyes on the paintings look so alive and bright. They really captured your attention

www.neilmoore.co.uk

Warwickshire Arts Week - Part 2

Following my blog from yesterday I am including some more people that I went to visit on Saturdays trip out to see some artists.

These lovely people were all exhibiting in the same location and were just fantastic.

Bren Boardman works with screen printed fabrics and stitching which is then melted to create the most amazing pieces of art.

She is a very talented lady and gave me a lot of inspiration and help on getting my ideas down on paper.

www.brenboardman.com

Tom Hare uses willow to create stunning outdoor art pieces and sculptures.

www.tomhare.net

Nicola Richards is a ceramicist. She makes her items by using a variety of smoke firing techniques. She gave us a quick demo and made it look a lot easier than I know it would be!

www.nicolarichardscermics.co.uk

More very inspirational people to be featured tomorrow.