My Twitter Support Group!

Hi folks!

Well what a week it's been! Times, they are a changing...... they could write a song about that I reckon....

Last week I told you about my submission to Flameworks Art2Go Christmas Exhibition at the Royal William Yard, Plymouth.  Last time I entered this I turned up on the night to see a few of my items displayed and felt a rush of pride, and when I had an urgent message to contact them on Tuesday I thought the worst.  Not so!! They want even more so last night was spent sorting, coding, labelling and pricing lots more work for them to choose from today.  The downside of this was that I completely forgot to attend a pre-arranged Twitter party at 8pm.  I was one of 2 birthday girls and I forgot to go to my own party!!! How lame is that?!?

This brings me on to this week's subject matter - Twitter.  Now I know some of you will be sitting there shouting get a life at the computer screen, however, I figure if you're reading this, you're already half way there yourself!!

The fact is, I blooming love Twitter!!

This week has been a rollercoaster, with potential plans afoot to change my whole lifestyle and as well as the support of my husband and family, I've found great props in a couple of my Twitter friends.  Yes, I know it's strange because we've never met, but we do support each other when we can see that it's needed. Emails have been flying back and forth as well as tweets with ideas and plans - you see what could be better than bouncing ideas around with people of a like mind? It makes perfect sense to me, because often, we can't rationalise something and we get bogged down by it, but someone else comes along and offers a simple solution and off we go again.

The party organiser last night was Sarah Marks from http://www.tiny-gems.co.uk and she makes gorgeous sparkly wedding jewellery and heirloom bouquets and is a bright and chirpy tweeter and along with Tara from http://www.daisyicecreamvan.co.uk who serves the most amazing goodies from her vintage van at weddings and events, we regularly meet up on Twitter to give our very knowledgable opinions on Strictly Come Dancing and anything else we all happen to be watching!

There is one person who's given me her time and ideas tirelessly this week though and that's Sarah from http://www.sljewelleryandaccessories.co.uk and she makes stunning bespoke bead and wire jewellery.  We've emailed and supported a lot and she's decided that I need a plan of action!! Her help has been invaluable and many months ago she spent time explaining a lot of SEO jargon to me as well. I really hope that you'll go and visit the websites of all these lovely ladies and buy lots of nice things from them.  If you're in Wales, look out for SL Jewellery - she may be teaching somewhere near you soon!!

Ok I'm off now to deliver my jewellery to the exhibition - come and visit if you can - photos next week!!

Challenges, Changes and Cherry Cheesecake!

Phew - well last week's blog was an exciting time! I had some lovely comments from people entering the competition, a few new followers and you seemed to enjoy the challenge of searching through for the name of the collection that features on my background and you all got it right!

So challenges and changes are my theme for this week's blog.

My greatest challenge at the moment is that I still can't make my jewellery although my shoulder is finally beginning to improve, so hopefully the day won't be too far away! Luckily I was aware that I wouldn't be able to make anything for some time so I stockpiled before I had surgery and I can confirm that I will be launching my new website with a new aluminium collection or two. Just wait until you see mouthwatering Cherry Cheesecake and Surf's Up!

Cherry Cheesecake - but what is it?

That was a neat little link there to the changes ahead on the new website and the challenges it's bought me (and my husband!).  It was supposed to be so simple, but inevitably, it wasn't!  You can, however, expect on the new site to see a shop for each of my collections, Waves, Impressions, Colour & Texture and Aluminium. I'm also hoping to get a forum going with a different subject for discussion each week if possible but we'll wait and see how good the take up is on that.

The other challenge I've had this week is finding another artist to collaborate with.  I'm looking for designers who produce something out of the ordinary and I have emailed a couple of people whose designs are stunning and totally different from anything else I've ever seen.  I really hope I hear back from them soon, however, I shall carry on looking anyway and if anyone has a suggestion I will gladly take a look and see if it fits in with my own work.

So, hopefully before my next blog we shall be up and running on the new site and may be able to celebrate the launch in some way - another competition do you think?

Colour & Texture Collaboration 2

I would just like to open this week's blog with a word of thanks to our emergency services and police for their stirling work, a hearfelt saddness for lives and livelihoods lost, deep thanks for the social media's tea and broom gangs cleaning up and a profound hope that we can turn all of this horror around.


When I came up with the idea of a collaborative blog featuring the work of artists I admire, I wasn't sure whether it would work or not, but I hoped that it would at least bring those people together in a common cause. I'm pleased to say that this week I have another fabulous knitwear designer's work to share with you.  I first came across Corinne Carr's designs at Gallery Latitude 50 when I was on honeymoon in St Ives in June and was instantly drawn to the colours and textures she uses.  I asked her about her inspiration.

1. Where do you get the inspiration for your designs?

My inspiration for a new design usually comes from wanting something different to wear, going into shops and not finding it. I find that is the trigger for a new shape. People will say, 'Oh I really like that jumper/jacket/cardigan' and it will become part of my collection. Then in terms of colourways, I draw a lot of inspiration from the Cornish countryside. My studio windows overlook the moors of Zennor and I find that the changing colours of the seasons filters through to my knitwear.

2. Is there a craft medium that you've always had a hankering to try your hand at?

I'd always wanted to do printmaking and finally a few years ago I was fortunate enough to be able to borrow a printing press and experiment. I fell in love with the process - the alchemy of it. Of course, you have control when you put the ink on the paper and place in on the press, but then there is a magical moment when the print is free from the pressure of the press and the final image emerges. That transformation that takes place beyond your gaze - beyond your control - is the fascinating part. Unfortunately, with the gallery and my knitwear business growing so much over the past few years, I haven't been able to return to printmaking and develop further. But I have every intention of doing so as soon as I have the time. I have not ruled out trying my hand at painting either!

3. If you could see one famous person wearing your designs, who would it be?

I can think of a few (if I'm allowed)

Ines de la Fressange because she is the epitome of French style and makes everything she wears look absolutely fabulous.

Camila Batmanghelidgh because she loves colour as much as I do and because she is such an inspiration with the work she does for children and I admire her greatly.

And maybe Annie Lennox because she is so stylish and she sang songs I danced to when I was just starting out in design. And because my aubergine 'Feather' cardigan would look amazing with her platinum hair!

. Where can fans buy your work?

My full collection can be found year round at my studio gallery Latitude 50 just outside St Ives and knitwear can be ordered online at www.corinnecarr.co.uk. In Cornwall and the Scillies: Gallery Tresco, Trelowarren Gallery; Trellisick Gallery; Guild of Ten Truro; The Round House Gallery Sennen; The Square Gallery, St Mawes; Wave 7 Gallery, Port Isaac; Mid Cornwall Galleries, Par; UK wide: The National Trust Cotehele Gallery, St Dominc; Heart Gallery, Hebden Bridge; Blue Duck Gallery, Reading; Blue Ginger Gallery, Malvern.

I'll also be exhibiting at these national craft fairs for the first time this year: The Cornwall Design Fair, Trereife House later this month, Made11 Brighton in November and Made by Hand Wales in Newport in December.

 I'm sure that you will agree with me, that Corinne Carr's work is stunning.  Walking into her gallery is like looking at an open packet of Fruit Pastilles - your mouth literally waters at the array of coloured cones of wool lining her work area! Make sure that you visit the gallery at www.gallerylatitude50.co.uk or check out www.corinnecarr.co.uk and start writing that Christmas list.


I asked Corinne to think about autumn colours and I love what she's supplied.  I think that her designs would work really well with some of my own pieces.
The collection on the left is called Stained Fingers from Blackberry Picking and the collection of the right is called Nighttime Reflections in Inky Water.  Both collections are available from my website at www.slicksilverjewellery.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

I've also included a few images of some other pieces which are available from me on request.

This wide cuff is from the Andromeda range and is £39.00 It is approximately 5cm wide.

The choker pendant on the right is also from the Andromeda collection and is £29.00.

I hope that you've enjoyed my blog and that you will add Corinne Carr and Mhairi Wild to your list of 'must haves' (and me too if you like my designs!!)  I shall now toddle off and ferret out another top designer to share with you in the not too distant future.

Gifts and Friends

Well hello again! I hope you're enjoying my ramblings because I'm really enjoying doing them.

I hope you all visited Mhairi Wild's website following last week's blog and have made out your wishlists for xmas!  I had a lovely surprise the other morning when I had a parcel from Perth.  It really was like Christmas as I opened it.  There was a layer of hand dyed silk and inside was a stunningly beautiful skinny scarf from her new range in colours that had been scraped straight off a Scottish glen.  See what I mean? Apparently I'm the first person to own one and I'm very honoured. 
If you would like to own any of Mhairi's accessories then she informs me that Concrete Wardrobe, Edinburgh on 0131 558 7130 will be happy to help you or you can contact www.mhairiwild.co.uk

So what I have been doing this week?  Spending far too much time on my laptop if truth be told, but it's allowed because my shoulder is still healing and I can't drive or work yet.  I feel that my time has been productive (if you don't count the internet shopping!!) and I now have very active Facebook and Twitter accounts.  I can also now be found on UK Handmade. http://ukhandmade.ning.com/profile/SlickSilverJewellery

The more time I've spent on social networking the more I've realised what a great community we have in the crafting world. Facebook is great for keeping up to date with friends, especially my closest friend who happens to live in France (she's my French agent!!) and Twitter has allowed me to make a whole host of new friends whom I chat to on a daily basis (you know who you are girls!!). Becoming a member of UK Handmade is another level of professional networking as I immediately realised that there were local groups of like-minded people, some living in the same city as me. Old friends that I've yet to meet.  I've certainly met some really lovely helpful people through my laptop and phone who are committed to their craft/art and to sharing it with others.

Whilst trundling through the virtual world I've also been looking for my next blog victim!! Seriously I'm looking for my next interviewee who's work really appeals to me.  I have a couple of people in mind so watch this space.  So far I have spotted a dress designer, a knitwear designer, a milliner and some others so I will put the feelers out.  Do you like the idea of me featuring, interview style, another artist on the blog every now and then?  I would love to know what you think so please feel free to leave me a comment below.

I thought I might show you some of my silver jewellery.
These are some of my reticulated sterling silver pendants in my Ghost Daisy range. They are hallmarked and are available to buy.  They are supplied wrapped in tissue and in my black gift bags. Please contact me on info@slicksilverjewellery.co.uk

I'd also like to end my blog this week by putting some beautiful artwork on my page.  Our house is full of paintings so I thought I would share some with you.  They are the work of my husband David Muddyman who has his own website. www.davidmuddyman.co.uk