News update!

Hello everyone! Hope you had a lovely Easter whatever the weather where you were.

The last few days have been totally hectic - on Saturday I was at the newly branded Tavi Arts Market in Bedford Square, Tavistock, on Sunday I wrestled a blind into submission and finally up at the window and on Monday and Tuesday I had a delightful student with me.  She was with me to find out a little about working with and colouring aluminium and after much experimentation she finally left for Hertfordshire on Tuesday with a couple of pendants, a couple of cuffs and loads of inspiration and enthusiasm. Good luck with it Libby!  If you would like to find out more about courses just follow the link.

Yesterday I had a phone call from a lovely lady who I'd met at the Arts Market on Saturday and who'd fallen in love with one of my silver pieces.  She wanted to know if I'd still got it and her very kind husband popped over and bought it for her! I was quite sad to see this piece go as it was a favourite of mine! I might make something similar in another colour - what do you think - should I?

I'm currently working on some new designs to show you so I hope you'll like them when they're finished.

I will also be stocking two brand new galleries in the next couple of weeks, Craft Mafia in Nottingham and Porters of Station Road, Bovey Tracey, Devon so I hope you'll check them out when they fling open their doors at the beginning of May.  As well as that I will be restocking Studio 61 in Matlock and Boo Gallery in Northamptonshire with brand new work so pay them a visit if you're in the areas. I'll also be at Crocadon Producer's Fair, St Mellion on April 20th so why not come and see me - you might be able to pick up a discount or two!

So, I'm off now to put my loaves into the oven (I've been inspired by Paul Hollywood!) as the breadmaker is temporarily redundant!

See you next week!

I Need Your Help!

Hi all! Well Spring is here.... oh no wait, it's not! There seems to be nothing on anyone's lips but the weather and it's hardly surprising, Easter should bring chocolate not bring two feet of snow!  We've been lucky again, we live on a steep hill and were aware of being battered by winds and rain, but no flooding - indeed, it was only when we saw the water cascading down the steps from the park at the top of the street on the news that we realised how bad it had been. Many people have suffered though.  Here's hoping for Spring to begin soon.

I've not got any making to show you this week as we've been doing the dreaded decorating that we've been putting off!

I've been carrying out a little bit of research lately to try to establish how people search for my jewellery.  I'd really appreciate your help!  Take a look at this picture - if you saw someone wearing something like it and you didn't know it was made by me - what search terms would you use to find it on Google? It would be brilliant if you could leave me a comment with your ideas. Thank you.

Do remember that I posted about BASCA winner Simon Dobson's crowdfunding music project? Well, there's still some time left to help him reach his target. For more information and to find out what Euneirophrenia actually means take a look at Simon Dobson's profile

This is a picture of him taken recently by photographer and member of Hugh's Three Hungry Boys, Tim Cresswell.  Isn't it a fabulous photograph? It would be wonderful if you could help this album to be made.  Thank you.

If you live in or around the Plymouth area I will be at the Tavi Arts Market in Bedford Square, Tavistock on the 6th April and at Crocadon Producer's Fair, St. Mellion on the 20th April so why not come and see me and help me try out my nice new shiny card machine!

So wherever you are, whether you've been plagued by snow or floods, I really hope you have a happy and peaceful Easter with lots and lots of choccy!

Blue Skies

Hello again world! It's bright, sunny, cold and crisp here this morning, just as it was yesterday, although I was pretty cold then - indoors in a barn, standing all day (forgot the chair) at a producer's fair. It was a really nice venue, although I did wonder where I was going as it was quite a way off the main road down a muddy lane! Apparently, the owners normally run a hog roast there too and the producer's market with fresh quality meat (no horse here!!), veg, pies, pasties and cakes were in one barn and the makers and artists were in the adjoining barn.  Really nice atmosphere, busy and I met some lovely people.  I shall be at the Producer's Fair at Crocadon Sawmills at St. Mellion again on the 16th March so come and see me and buy yourself lots of treats! You won't be able to resist!!

I had lots of good comments on my wall art so I think that's something worth carrying on with.

Thinking of Spring and seeing the odd glimpse of blue, this week I made this pretty stylish collection called Blue Skies - do you like it? If you should be interested in this set please contact me.

Blue Skies

The latest news on my brand new range is that it's in the hands of the laser cutter as I type!! How exciting is this??? I hope to be able to feature it in the blog next week, so if you know of anyone who blogs about jewellery and quirkiness do let me know and I can then send them a sample.

So, last week I told you about the bespoke jewellery I made for a bride's mum to wear with her special outfit - she loved it apparently and my work is currently selling really well through Nicola Hurst Designer Jewellery, in fact, she's becoming my fastest selling stockist which is fab!  Nicola's own designs are gorgeous, especially her latest little silver figures necklaces - love them! Do make sure if you're in the area that you take a look at her gallery. Nicola Hurst Designer Jewellery

Next week I hope to feature my new range of work and if I can find a willing victim I also hope to start the 'Three Beautiful Things' blog where I ask interesting people to tell us about and show us their 3 things that mean a lot to them, where they came from and why they hold them as precious. If you would like to tell me about your three things and would like to be featured, then do contact me through my website SlickSilver Jewellery.

Onwards!!

Valentines and Romance

Hello all, it's February and the physiotherapy continues, however, I am improving! I have managed, with a little help from my friends (!) to start a little bit of work! Yay!! I seem to have no dexterity with my saw or strength for my hammers yet and have many chunks missing out of various fingers to prove it, but strangely my bench guillotine and rolling mill are the easiest to use. Strange but true!

Onwards!

So, it's nearly 'that' time of year again.......Valentine's Day!  I thought this year I would try to have some alternatives available for those who like pretty, but not blingy.  There are only two of these very pretty Chantilly pendants so drop very big pointed hints to the boyfriend/fiance/husband!!

Chantilly Heart
 

On the same theme I thought about producing something for girls whose style is a little more punky - again there's only two available, so get in there quickly!! These are called Heart Rocks. 

                                                                     Heart Rocks


Both of these designs are available on my website and nowhere else at all! SlickSilver Jewellery

I'm a bit of an old romantic at heart and thankfully so is my husband! He's an artist and I usually receive a card that he's painted for me which is lovely.  We're coming up towards our second wedding anniversary so I do appreciate that that may not always be so, but I hope it is!!  We spent our honeymoon in our favourite place of St. Ives and no doubt we shall go back there again around the date like we did last year, even if only for the day. A magical place!

So, girls, what's the most romantic thing that's ever happened to you? I know I'm very lucky, but one of the sweetest things that's ever happened to me was last summer when my husband (he knows my love of all things gadgety) secretly bought me a much desired iPad with my name and SlickSilver Jewellery engraved on it. It wasn't for a special occasion either - needless to say I howled copiously! He aslo leaves me little notes when he goes away, I even found one in the fridge once! He'll kill me for telling you this though!! I'd love to hear about your romantic stories although romance is different in everyone's eyes!  I always remember my very dear grandad buying my nan a delivery of manure for her birthday because he knew she really wanted some for her roses! Good thing we're not all the same!!!

If anyone fancies coming to see my work I shall be at Crocadon Producer's Fair, St. Mellion, Cornwall on the 16th Feb so come and say hello and remember to get your hearts!

Have you voted for me in the Craft and Design Selected Awards yet?

Val Williams - SlickSilver Jewellery