Hello and Goodbye

Hello again! Where's the summer gone??

I'd just like to start this week by mentioning an amazing metal artist Katie Lake who was a founder member of Flameworks.  A lot of you may know her as having won gold in the Craft & Design Selected Awards twice including this year or will have seen her sculpture.  Katie lost her life recently whilst enjoying the Cornish sea.  She was an inspiration to so many people and enabled students with visual disabilities to use the furnace.  A larger than life character, full of fun and we shall miss her, but we will celebrate her here in Plymouth and at Flameworks.

I seem to have produced an awful lot of work over the last couple of weeks and that's been for a number of reasons. The first reason is now done and dusted because twenty pieces have gone off to Salford Museum and Art Gallery for their brand new sales area and also for the By Hand exhibition happening from October to January at Ordsall Hall in Salford. The second reason for all this activity is that my husband artist David Muddyman and myself are holding Open Studios this year starting at the end of August.  We are part of the Plymouth Arts Trail which comes under the umbrella of Drawn To The Valley's exhibition of art along the Tamar.

Full details of when we'll be open can be found in the booklet from local outlets and also on my Events page. Come and see us, there'll be some amazing artwork to buy and my jewellery and wall art.

Over the weekend I dyed some new sheets of aluminium and I'm really pleased with what's to come - one sheet looks like painted silk or batik in shades of pink, another looks like a field of lavendar just coming into bloom and othe other reminds me of surf and blue/green waves. I can't wait to start cutting them out.

So my project for the coming week to is to come to grips with making my site available to Stumble Upon - anyone else tried that?

Want a sneaky peek and what's going to be for sale soon on the website? This is the PopArt collection and there will be a necklace and earrings too.

 

 

 

 

So, see you next week all - have a lovely week doing whatever it is you do!

And The Winner Is......

Hi folks!

Yet another busy week draws to a close.  I managed to make a lot of jewellery while my husband was away and yet he doesn't distract me when he's here, but perhaps I feel the need to fill my hours more when he's away! So there's a huge pile for photographing now and now the sun's gone.......harumph....

A sample of what i've been working on this week!

So first of all this week I'd like to thank all of you who took part in last week's competition.  Lots of correct answers, however (drum roll.....) the winner is Lena Smith of Lena Smith Music. Congratulations and a lovely cuff will be on it's way to you this week!

The rest of the entrants will be added to my newsletter list so that they can receive a discount voucher to be used online. If you would also like to receive my monthly newsletter with discounts and special offers and early bird discounts on new collections before they hit the website why not contact me?

So, there's been a lot of deadline meeting this week.  My contract has now been signed and sent for the exhibition at Ordsall Hall, Salford and for selling at the brand new Landing Gallery at Salford Museum and Art Gallery and I've also sent off an application pack for selection for another exhibition so I shall be waiting with baited breath.

For those of you who were concerned for the welfare of the mouse last week, it disappeared without a trace!! Our victorian house has a void underneath, not quite deep enough for a cellar and not accessible to us, so we think that's where it went. At least it escaped the cat!

 

 My very tidy workbench - can't remember when it last looked like that!!

So what are we all up to next week?  Well I need to do my next newsletter and make a batch of earrings as Hannah's at Seale Hayne Gallery have run out! I also need to finish and send all the jewellery up to Manchester and I need to prepare for a workshop I'm running in Liskeard on the 10th August at Cartwheels Craft Centre.  If you would like to book a place, please follow the link.

Ok, thanks for reading and I'll see you next week!

Competition Time and Mouse

Hi all!

Well yesterday was a little traumatic - I choked on a piece of pickled ginger! Yes I know it's a comdey moment, but my life flashed before my eyes and I saw myself as a pile of bones, only coming to light when I didn't arrive to pick up hubs from the station..... (ok slight exaggeration, but still....) and then as if that wasn't bad enough Layla the cat strolled into the lounge with a live mouse!! She meowed to tell me she'd bought me a present, mouse took off like a rocket underneath our corner sofa which is heavy and a tight fit. Now, I can't budge the sofa and this is Layla's attitude to the entire thing! Bothered? Not much.....

Anyhoo

I've solved all the little glitches (I think) in the new website and I'm chuffed to bits with how it looks!
That brings me on to my website launch competition where you can win a little bit of something nice - all you have to do is count how many items are for sale on my website at the moment and to enter you will need to send your answer via the Contact Us page. Please don't post your answer below as others will see it! Closing date is Saturday 27th at 5pm.

Last week I gave you a teaser of one of the new pieces so this week I thought I would show you a whole picture of a cuff from my favourite collection ever - Digital Cuff.

What do you think? Do you like it? There's a necklace and earrings to match on the website too.

Exciting News
So what's next for me?  Well I'm extremely busy at the moment putting collections together to go off to Salford Art Gallery and Museum to go into their brand new Landing Gallery and also some work to go into an exhibition they're organising in Ordsall Hall, a Tudor Manor in Salford.  The exhibition is called By Hand and will run from October until January. This is very exciting for me as it's the first exhibition i've taken part in outside Devon. If any of you are in the area, please do go and take a look and let me know what it looks like as I doubt I'll be able to make it up there.

Anyway, I'm off to the studio now to put together the collection I've been working on over the last few days - it's called Solar Flare and is yellow/peach/orange and it's very summery.

See you all next week! Don't forget to enter the competition you've got to be in it to win it!

It's Finally Here!

Hello world, have you missed me?

The last three weeks have disappeared into a fog of work, work and a little more work.  I did have a few days away visiting my parents which was lovely and completely internet and phone signal free too (although I confess to being a little panicky about what I might be missing.....).

So what is it that's been taking up so much of my life? It's the new website, that's what. It's now been launched, although there are a couple of little glitches in the way of logos not opening correctly, but the content all works and it does look pretty!  I've also co-incided the launch with the release of some brand new work so take a  look and let me know what you think. Most of the feedback I've received so far has been positive and centred mainly on the colour scheme which people seem to like.

Would you like a sneeky look at one of the pieces I've featured on the new site?  This is Digital and I loved the end result so much that I made myself a cuff and some earrings.  It has been printed on to the aluminium using acetate and then dyed.

Digital Necklace

Artist David Muddyman and myself will be taking part for the first time this year in Drawn To The Valley's Open Studios and will be doing so as part of Plymouth Arts Trail.  There are 101 artists taking part altogether at various points along the Tamar Valley with 27 of us around the Plymouth area.  If you would like further details about our opening times please see Events, however if you would like details about the entire event please take a look at the Drawn To The Valley website. We really hope you'll come and see us if you're in the area, we will have paintings, drawings, jewellery and wall art available for you to buy and take home.  We will be accepting card payments.

So, now that the website's off my hands for a little while I might get back to making jewellery and blogging about it!

Retrospective Reflections

Hi all!

Hope you will forgive my lack of contact for the last couple of weeks, but it's been a very busy time!

Anyone else visit The Contemporary Craft Fair at Bovey Tracey this weekend? If you did, you probably agree with me that it was fantastic, if you didn't, you really should go next year! My objective this year was different.  I wanted to catch up with a few people I already knew, I wanted to have a closer look at a few people's work I admire, but mostly I wanted to chat to exhibitors to get a feel for the show as I'd really like to apply next year.  Everyone was friendly and keen to pass on tips.  I also looked at the ways in which the stands had been set up, all so different.  I was thinking about my own work and trying to imagine it in the space.  I also want to say a big thank you to Justine Allison who gave me loads of great advice long before she realised that we were going to buy some of her beautiful handmade porcelain vessels. Hopefully she's going to take part in one of my collaborative blogs in the future. Also lovely to catch up with Alison Graham again and buy some of her lovely porcelain too - that's it now, all wedding present money finally spent on art (we've only been married 2 years!!).

I would also like to mention the lovely Sue Gregor, whose cuffs I adore.  She generously told me how she works which is a fascinating process and her display looked gorgeous.

In the Aim Higher section I was amazed at the quality and the designs of the jewellery coming out of the regions colleges - such a positive impression.

We also fell totally in love with the furniture at Coucou Manou - thinking I'm definitely adding some of their wares to my Pinterest want boards!!

One of the reasons I've been so busy is that I'm working on a brand new website! the address when it goes live at the end of the month will be the same so keep checking. I hope that you will see a more developed style throughout the site.  I've been working on lots of new pieces that will be seen for the first time when the site is launched and I hope that you'll like what I've been up to!

Here's a little teaser for you!

I'm also currently experimenting with a shape that is completely new and involves solving some pretty niggly mechanical issues, but I'm working on that! It is sometimes difficult to make something look simple!

Anyway, that's it for this week.  I'll be back in 2 weeks as I'm on holiday next week - I'll be coming back with a bang and a launch!!

Bespoke or Commission

Hello, me again!

I thought this week, I'd look at an aspect of my work which you might be less familiar with - bespoke creations.

What does bespoke actually mean?  Traditionally it's a term used to describe clothing which has been tailored to fit a particular customer ie a made to measure suit, however, it is a term often used to describe other items which have been made in line with a customer's requirements. It is often also known as a commission. 

Bespoke seems to suit my jewellery better than commission does as my end product is specifically to match clothing.  I work with bride's mums who also want to their outfit to look special, often want to compliment colour schemes and who don't really want to come face to face with a guest wearing the same! My journey starts with ideas from the customer on shape, style and design and will then include colour swatches supplied by them and if possible a snippet of material, but if not then some good photographs of the outfit in question.  I dye several samples of aluminium until I'm happy that I've got a good match and then work on a selection of pieces for the customer to choose from. I'm also happy to work with customers who are not mums of brides but do have a special occasion to dress for though!!

Of course, I'm also happy to work on commissions! I recently had a customer ask for a blood red cuff via one of my stockists and the customer was very happy with it, but that highlights the difference for me - yes I was making specifically for a customer, but as a commission, not bespoke to match a particular item.

Anyway, I shall be starting to work on the new website soon and hopefully that will be live from the end of June and I plan to launch with a whole load of new work so make sure you take a look.

This week I've been cutting up a sheet of blue aluminium which is covered in writing - a bit different to my normal work but I'm quite happy with it so far, but I might keep you in suspence until the new site is launched!

This gorgeous pendant will feature on my website soon

See you all next week!

Does it remind you of a Mojito?

Hello all, me again!

I enjoyed summer, we had a whole week of it this year! Last night sounded like Armageddon out there with wheelie bins being blown over and being sent rumbling down the cobblestones and it's mid May for goodness sake, we should be celebrating beautiful spring days, not putting the central heating on! Rant over....

Second rant.... 17 years of having to get up at 6.00am for work, you'd think now I work for myself I wouldn't naturally wake up at the crack of pip....wrong! I've also discovered that it's not much use doing your social networking at 6.30am because nobody else is up in the world, no-one!!!

So, what's been going on since my last confession?  Well, I've placed some of my work in another brand new craft venture. If you're in the Nottingham area then take a look at Nottingham Craft Mafia.

Does anyone else use Google+? I registered but other than having a profile and posting this blog on it each week haven't been particularly active.  By accident the other day though I discovered the 'communities' section and through posting a few bits and pieces in various relevant jewellery communities I've found a lot of new interest in my work which is great. If you haven't ventured into them yet, take a look, there's some interesting bits.

I have been making this week though which is good because I've been doing so much admin lately that I haven't had much time - oh, the irony...... Anyway, what do you think of my latest offering which is, as usual, made from handpainted and printed anodised aluminium? I'm sneakily quite pleased with how this has turned out.  For some reason it does make me think of a Mojito......

I hope you will forgive the fact that my quick snaps are taken on my iPad. There is a reason for this and it's the change in the law regarding ownership of pictures posted on social networking areas. My understanding of it is that unless the photograph is protected by being on your website or has links directly to you then it's licensed for anyone to use, therefore my good quality images will only be posted on my website. I don't know the full details of the law change but I do know that the changes were bought in over night with no warning.

The next week will see me at Crocadon Producer's fair on Saturday 18th so if you're in the area of St. Mellion, Cornwall come and say hello, mention that you read my blog and i'll give you 15% off!! How's that for an offer!

See you next week......

Planning and I need your input!

Hello again everyone!  Hope you've all been enjoying the lovely weather - sadly it's not going to be around after tonight but at least we've had a few days of sunshine to make us all feel better!

I feel like I haven't drawn breath since attending the Crafts Council Hothouse Taster Day! I keep waking up at ridiculous hours with ideas and the need to get things down on paper.  As a result it's been a pretty busy week! I've had some interesting meetings and scheduled some more, attended Tavistock Arts Market and generally had a great week, lots of sales and lots of interest. The type of week when I love working for myself, even though I work far longer hours now than I ever have before and it does feel a little bit like I'm spinning plates!

I'm planning a brand new website in the next couple of months so once again, I'd really like your feedback.  When I visit craft fairs I always dress my stand in black as it makes the colours in the aluminium jewellery really stand out and people often comment on how good it looks.  My question is black or white background for the website? Do you find one or the other easier to look at? Let me know what you think!

I'm looking forward to making some jewellery next week - I haven't had chance to make anything this week! I've got a couple of sheets of aluminium already dyed so I will have something to work with.

I can also tell you about a brand new gallery that have opened the doors this week and which has my jewellery on display - go and have a look at Porters of Station Road, Bovey Tracey, Devon if you get the chance.  It's a lovely shop and Ali will give you a warm welcome!

Have you ever thought about taking a short course in texturing/colouring metal or an aluminium taster day? I offer one to one half day courses in a variety of themes or if you prefer full day group courses I will soon be working with a couple of craft centres in Cornwall to deliver that training - do let me know if you'd like me to pass on your details.



Texture and colour on copper

The second and third pictures are examples of copper that has been heat treated in different ways - playing with texture and colour is great fun and the techniques learned can then be incorporated into your own style of working.

I look forward to your comments regarding the new website! Onwards!

Hottest Event of the Year!

Hi all!

Following on from my last blog which was an opportunity to get involved in naming one of my aluminium pattern designs, the winner is Sara and she suggested Club Tropicana which really appealed to me.  She said the design reminded her of grapefruits, lemons, limes and oranges and I thought that really fitted it so well so Club Tropicana it is! Sara wins a pendant in that design. These are a couple of images of pieces I made out of the design.

 

Hope you like the name and thank you for taking part if you did - I had some lovely suggestions.



So, onto this week's hot activity!

Some time ago I applied for a place on the Crafts Council Hothouse Taster Day which was held yesterday at Plymouth College of Art. 

Now, I'm not sure what I was expecting but it was something along the lines of wrinkly old me and a lot of talented fresh faced students - not so! Of course, there were a lot of students from Plymouth and from Falmouth and they were all lovely and fresh faced, but what was also refreshing was that there were also many others in various stages of business, from set-up stage to early trading.  I'd imagined it would be interesting but largely not aimed at me.  What I can absolutely say is that if you get an opportunity to attend one of these sessions, you really should go! 

The day started with a goodie bag (always a good start!), coffee and then down to business with my favourite business author Alison Branagan who'd grabbed me in a big hug when I blurted out during coffee that I'd got all her books (I hadn't realised who I was chatting to!!).  She gave us common sense, intensely practical advice.

After that session, the speakers came thick and fast and every one was absorbing, some talking about their experiences as Hothouse cohorts and others about their early professional practice and a lightening introduction from Lucy Foakes on social media networking. We also had speakers from the The Devon Guild of Craftsmen, The Contemporary Craft Fair, ArtsThread and of course the Crafts Council as well as many individual artists. 

I went to bed last night buzzing with information and exhausted in a really good way.  This morning I was up at 7am trying to get the information down onto different lists, to do and to remember. There was so much of value.  As you can see, I cannot speak highly enough of this opportunity. I've already made contact with some people I met there.

So, now I really should go into my studio and do some of my other work, there's some work to be sorted to deliver to a new stockist tomorrow and a restock to get into the post today, no peace for the wicked!

Onwards to next week!

Interactive Blog - Get stuck In!

Hi all!

Well yesterday I really thought that Spring had arrived and even managed to catch the sun a little whilst walking by the sea, however, today it's back to normal!  Hope those of you who've got the nice weather are enjoying it on my behalf.

So, this post is intended to be an interactive one!  I've been working on a new pastel coloured sheet of aluminium, in shades of pink, peach, pale yellow and pale green and I'd like you to come up with the name for the pattern.  I've put some photos of the pieces cut out and semi-finished so that you can have a look.  There will be cuffs, a couple of necklaces and some earrings in this colourway and I have kept aside a special piece to make up as a prize for the winning suggestion, so get posting your ideas! You can make more than one suggestion and to keep the ideas fresh, send them to me via my website contact page.

Have you got some ideas then? Can't wait to see what you come up with! Remember, the winning suggestion will get a pendant in this design! You have until Sunday 21st to get your entries in and the cut off time is 2pm so get busy!

 

I've also been working this week on a new design shape and so far I'm really pleased with the outcome.  I'm planning to explore this shape further - do you like it? I think it's very stylish and if you're interested in owning this little beauty let me know SlickSilver Jewellery.

 

 

Hubby's away this week so I shall be busy, busy, busy! Lots of designs planned, some shopping for some little niceties for my craft fair stand, lots of social networking, some craft fair entries to do and some new galleries to stock so that should keep me amused for a few days.

 

I'll be at Crocadon Producer's Fair at St Mellion, Cornwall on Saturday from 9 - 3 so come and pay me a visit and if you ask me nicely I might give you one of my new discount cards!

 

Look forward to hearing from you!

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!

News and What's New

Hi all - I missed you all last week! We had a very busy week at home and I have to say that this week may well be the same as we start decorating! Needs must!! My husband's an artist and our lovely white walls are covered in little splashes of prussian blue, don't get me wrong it's one of my favourite colours, however, thankfully he's on a waiting list now for a studio!

Well in some ways this week has been quite exciting - I've delivered work to one new gallery, Hannah's at Seale Hayne, Newton Abbott, Devon, I'm about to deliver work to another new stockist, Tania Holland in Bridgnorth and there will be news of a brand new gallery who will be stocking my jewellery but a bit more about that next month when they're a little closer to opening their doors, so good news.  On the down side I'm still waiting for my shiny new mobile card machine to arrive....grrrrr. Would have been nice to have had it for Crocadon Producer's Fair last saturday!!

Anyway, I've been making though and have added Brocade collection and Peonies collection to my stock though there has been a lot of interest so they may not be around for long!  What do you think?



Brocade Collection 1
 

Brocade Collection 2



Peonies Collection

I have a couple more people lined up for Three Beautiful Things so hopefully I'll be able to include another one soon, hope you all enjoyed that feature.

Can I remind you that there's only a few days left to vote for me in the Selected Awards, if you have already, thank you. If not please do take a look, there's loads of categories to vote for and you could be helping someone like me (or me!!) to get a little more recognition for their work. To vote for me just follow this link and click vote at the bottom of the page Val Williams - SlickSilver Jewellery

See you all next week - have a lovely week.

Euneirophrenia - Read to find out more!

Hello all! This has felt like a busy week, but a fun one too!

On Friday, I was fortunate enough to have lunch at The Treby Arms in Sparkwell, just outside Plymouth, and the food was pretty amazing so if you get the chance to go, then do! The chef and owner Anton Piotrowski was the 2012 winner of Masterchef and the place has a really lovely and surprisingly informal ambience.

Yesterday saw me visiting the Eden Project for the World Pasty Championships as my good friend and forthcoming Three Beautiful Things contributor, Jackie Butler (Features Editor for the Western Morning News) was one of the judges.  I met up with my daughter and son-in-law there and we had a really lovely day. Hayley and Alex even managed to talk me into going up to the extremely high metal mesh walkway in the roof of the tropical biome. Very very scary!!! It took an hour for my legs to stop feeling like jelly, but I did it! Definitely somewhere everyone should visit!

So, what have I been making this week?  Well as you saw last week, I've now launched my upcycled collection and this week I've added brooches to my website in other quirky and fun shapes. They're only £15 so make sure you get yours! SlickSilver Jewellery

I've also been busy making another aluminium set of jewellery, this one is called Eau De Nil as I think it looks like water.  What do you think?

Anyway, onto something I really want to share with you all this week, because I think it's important for this particular album to be made.

My son, Simon Dobson, is a composer. He writes for any type of ensemble, however, a large proportion of his work comes from the field he grew up in, brass bands. For many this will bring forth memories of Terry Wogan performing the Floral Dance on TV, but for those involved in the scene, they will know that there is now more cutting edge and quality music within the genre, but very little money around to commission more in this country.  Whenever Simon writes a new work he pushes the boundaries and is renowned for this.  One of his more recent works A Symphony Of Colours was nominated for a British Composer Award and Simon did indeed win his BASCA in December 2012.  He is now trying to raise the funds needed to produce an innovative album of his music which will cross and blend genres, styles and ensembles. Even if it's only £1, please do consider helping to make this happen, only through public finding will it come to fruition.
Read more about this great project from Simon Dobson here.  Make sure that you're a proud part of Euneirophrenia.

That's all this time folks, see you next week and thank you for helping with the album!

Three Beautiful Things No.1

Hello world!

Well this week seems to have gone by in a blur of working on the brand new upcycled jewellery range but more on that later!

In my last couple of blogs I mentioned that I wanted to start a new feature entitled Three Beautiful Things.  This will take place every few weeks and this is my first one.  To start us off I thought I'd feature artist and composer David Muddyman (yes, I know he's my husband, but he's a pretty cool guy!!).
Dave is an artist, composer and member of the group Loop Guru. As an artist he is interested in the landscape around him and his work can be figurative or go towards abstraction as he looks at the shapes and lines within a landscape. As a composer he often creates sound pieces that echo his painting interests, trying to capture the musical essence of a place or take you on a sonic journey.

 

I asked Dave to tell me about his 3 things and this is what he said.

 

“This is going be so hard as sometimes beauty is intrinsic to a piece of art itself and sometimes it is the associated memories that add to its beauty.

 

My first piece is a painting by Cornish artist Saul Cathcart. It is an acrylic on canvas painting of Brown Willy on Bodmin Moor painted from a dell called King Arthur’s Hall. I was introduced to Saul’s work by Val soon after we met. I loved the vibrancy of his colour and method of applying the paint. Soon after we moved in together Val and I visited Saul and were treated to a mini exhibition in a local church opposite his house near the Moors. We had been determined to treat ourselves to one of his paintings for our new house but ended coming away with two – even then it was a hard choice. This painting has added significance to me I was lucky to go out painting with Saul one freezing, November day and he took me to the spot where this was painted. Saul’s paintings have continued to blossom and every exhibition of his we attend has several that I love but we live in a small house already covered in paintings and I am still so happy with the one’s we have.

 

 

My second piece (or pieces) are a small collection of pots. I have always love pots – sometimes it is the shape, sometimes it is the over-glazing. I knew I would have to include one in my list of favourite things but the choice was difficult. In the end I chose a small selection that we bought in the Lake District. I feel bad that I cannot remember the potter’s name and, in fact, I can’t remember exactly where they were bought, but with these it is partly the pots themselves that I love but it also the memories of one the most wonderful holidays I have had there that made me choose these. I think they may have been bought at the Percy Gallery in Cockermouth – a wonderful old building full of treasures. We frequent a lot of galleries and have found that some we walk into hold no interest at all and some are like a lost cave of delights. It is obviously down to taste and some gallery owners have similar taste to us. Cockermouth itself was a beautiful town and it was so sad to see it flooded the following year and realising that the ground floor of the Percy Gallery was under water….. The ceramic pieces themselves are quite small with abstract design which, to me has a Japanese feel to it (I have always loved contemporary and historic Japanese ceramics). They were not expensive, but value is relative and I can get just much pleasure from looking at a pot that cost me £15 as I could from a Bernard Leach (possibly even more pleasure as I would worry much more about the cat breaking a Bernard Leach pot). So, memories and motif combined to make these pots some of my favourite things.

 

 

My third piece is my Appalachian dulcimer. While not really a work of art, being a new and relatively unadorned dulcimer, its beautiful is in its form and in its sound. For one thing it is an instrument that is very difficult to sound horrible. Its three courses of strings for drone, usually based on a root note of D, and the scale of the frets either form a Mixolydian scale or an Ionian (or major) scale. It was used to accompany folk songs in America. It just makes me think of sitting of veranda of a shack in hilly glade as the sun is going down. The only problem is that we don’t live in a hilly glade or have a veranda in Plymouth, but maybe when my talented wife becomes famous for her wonderful jewellery and we have our house in St.Ives…. ah…..everyone needs a dream.”

 

 

 

Thank you Dave for kick starting my Three Beautiful Things blog feature.  If you would like to take part do let me know.

 

So, does anyone want to know details of the upcycled book jewellery? I took some previously loved hardback books and laminated them with retro prints, sealed them and then they were laser cut.  So far I have a selection of necklaces which will be on my website in the next couple of days SlickSilver Jewellery and I'm also working on a series of pins too. The great thing is that they're only £15.00!!! I will also be selling these at craft events.

 

 

 

 

Make sure you get yours - there's loads of shapes to choose from!!

 

See you next week!

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!!

Wall Art and Selected

Hi all, it's that time again!

Well today is a fast day (I'm following the 5:2 diet) so I thought I'd write my blog to distract me from wanting to eat as the bowl of melon did not even begin to cut it this morning! So now I'll have a nice cup of green tea and talk to all of you instead.

I had a lovely girlie day out with my daughter on Friday and she said she really liked my aluminium wall art so I had a go at another one over the weekend, very colourful result! What do you all think?

I'm slowly getting back into work mode but find that I have to rest my hand for a few days after making anything.  Over the past couple of weeks I've been working on a bespoke selection of jewellery for a bride's mum, a commission which came to me through Nicola Hurst Designer Jewellery, a lovely gallery and one of my main stockists. A customer had been into the shop and liked my work but really wanted something to match her hat.  She left a tiny piece of straw taken from the hat for me to work to and she was really pleased with the results.  I made two necklaces, a bracelet and two pairs of earrings for her to choose from and she chose a set and was very happy.  I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of dyeing and mixing and painting until i'd got a good colour match! So if you, or anyone else you know, can't find the exact shade of jewellery to match your outfit or compliment it then let me know, I might just be able to help you there!

Can I ask you all to vote for me in the Craft and Design Selected Awards? Thank you so much! Just follow this link. Val Williams - SlickSilver Jewellery




It would be amazing to get at least a few votes as this is the first time I've been nominated!

There will also be a completely new range of upcycled jewellery coming soon made from old book covers that will knock your socks off. Quirky and original! I can't wait for you to see them!

I'm also looking to find artists, artisans, musicians, ceramicists, celebrities, indeed anyone interesting or with an interest in the arts for a new type of blog collaboration called Three Beautiful Things.  Let me know if you are interested or if you could suggest someone who might like to take part

Until next week!

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

New Wall Art

Hello folks! Well it's been a bit of a white world since my last blog for most of you, but strangely not for me! There seems to have been lots of snow fall around Plymouth, but I haven't seen so much as a flake........so far........

This week I've been concentrating on booking craft fairs and shows and so I can confirm that I will be at Crocadon Sawmills' Producer Fairs St, Mellion, Cornwall on 16th Feb and 16th March and on 4th May I will be at the Artist's Market in Tavistock.  You will also be able to visit my stand at Poltimore House Food and Craft Fair in Exeter on the 30th June.  No doubt more dates will be added as we go along and I'll let you know.

 

So, physio tomorrow on my obstinate finger. I've had some designs in mind for wall art for some time now so yesterday I thought I'd see what how much I could manage. What do you think of the results?

Not the best image but good enough to give you an idea of the range I plan to introduce to enhance my aluminium jewellery. Hopefully they'll prove popular as intial feedback has shown to be the case.

Well that's all for this week and if you like my work, why not pay a visit to my website and see what other lovely things are available to buy?  If you see something you really would like for Valentine's Day, make sure that you tell your other half and give them fair warning!! Visit SlickSilver Jewellery for further ideas!

Inspirations and Giveaway

Hello folks!

Well, isn't it cold and dark? It feels as if it should be at least 5pm and that I should be drawing the curtains when it's really only lunchtime - what's going on? Can't wait for the Spring! Carry on reading for news of my Giveaway to make us all feel less wintery!

So what I have I been up to, apart from doing my accounts and filing my tax return - lots of admin stuff, that's what.  Been replying to lots of emails etc. and I started physio for my finger.  Think it's going to be a long haul to get back to where I was before the fall, but hopefully I'll be able to do light work soonish.  My new designs are all there in my head and some on paper looking like they were drawn by a two year old on an off day, but it's a start!

In the absence of hands-on making, I thought I'd talk about the things that I find inspire me.

1. Shade Cards
Am I the only person who could positively drool over paint charts? Possibly! Wool shops have a similar effect on me. My husband is an artist and he often makes sample charts of colour mixes so they're always around the house. Thankfully I'm also able to produce Pinterest boards of stuff I like and if you're also a Pinterest fan, feel free to follow my boards - isn't it a great idea? Why not follow me on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/slicksilverj/

2. Books
We have a house full of books. I collect jewellery books and my husband collects art books.  The work of Kurt Jackson and Gerhard Richter have inspired several of my dyed aluminium sheets.

3. Paris
I love Paris and the colours and elegance of the buildings (not to mention the patries) always make me want to capture the essence.

4. St. Ives, Cornwall
Possibly my favourite place on earth, beautiful light and stunning scenery with houses tightly packed and clinging to the terrain and golden beach everywhere you look. Fabulous galleries too.  No-one could fail to find inspiration in such a place.

5. Rust, Old Brickwork, Peeling Paint
When I see a texture such as this I grab my phone to take a picture. I'm rarely able to capture the texture exactly but often take elements of it into my next piece.

6. Chocolate
Now obviously this doesn't directly inspire me, but it certainly helps!! 

So what inspires you to be creative?

Tell me your answer coupled with the name of your favourite piece currently on my website in any of the collections and I will chose a winner but don't forget to leave me an email address or way of contacting you! The winner will receive something from a collection which hasn't appeared on my website before so I will tell you no more!! Start browsing SlickSilver Jewellery and good luck!

Closing date Thursday 17th January at 5pm