'Welcome Autumn' sale!

 'Welcome Autumn' sale!  From 03/09/13 to 30/09/13, get15% off all orders over £10 with the coupon code SEPT1234.


We were at a fair in the centre of Oxford on Saturday, at the Pitt Rivers Museum. They were holding a 'Need Make Use' Day and it went remarkably well. We got to use our Izettle card reader for the first time, and at first my heart nearly stopped, because it refused to accept the card!!

But it turned out it was just the signal, and I got an custom order for a necklace as well, so all's well that ends well.


The Sunday event didn't turn out nearly as good. £1 for a cup of tea, and barely 80 people in the door all day!! We came away with precisely £1 to our name, so we're not going there again!!!

But the positive side is that there was someone there taking pics for his blog, and here's a link!!

http://newpavilion.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-craft-fair.html

I'm the second stallholder down.

Hot days!

It's so hot! Too hot really to work in the workshop, but unfortunately I need to make some more cufflinks for a horticultural show we are doing soon. 

I got some metal buttons shaped like watering cans, and they should sell well as cufflinks. 

I have also discovered a marvellous bead shop in princes risborough - anyone who uses beads should go and have a look. I can't remember the name of the shop (if I ever knew!) but there's only one there, at the end of the road on the corner.

A new post from the shop - finally remembered the blog!!

I am taking part in the Christmas In July promotion on Etsy and other places, so people, if you wish to take advantage of a 10% discount on orders over £10, Christmas in July Promo Offer! Get 10% off any order over £10 with the coupon code 'CIJUK10' - just enter at the checkout.

So come and buy your loved ones a piece of handmade workmanship to treasure.........

http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JewelleryByShalotte


I have been very busy recently, with craft fairs, and am involved with setting up an Oxford Etsy Craft Fair, that aims to promote Etsy in Oxford UK, where I live.

It's on the 24th August, and in the Wesley Memorial Hall, Oxford City Centre.

How To.......Make a pair of earring findings

This week I will show you how to make a simple pair of fishhook earring findings. I make them in copper wire, but you can use any sort of jewellery wire you wish - silver-plated, gold-plated, brass, even some of these coloured enamel ones that are for sale; as long as they are at least 0.8mm thick.

You will need -

Tools - Round-nose pliers, flush cutters, tape measure, jewellery file, hammer and steel block.

Something to bend the wire round - I use a knitting needle, usually a 6-7mm, or you could use a piece of dowel.

Wire (at least 0.8-1.0 mm thick) whatever type you wish to use, about 6".

Method -

Using the flush cutters and ruler, cut the wire in half.

Next, take the round-nose pliers, and wind a loop at the bottom of each piece, about halfway down the jaws of the pliers.  Place the knitting needle/dowel about 1cm above the loops on the opposite side of the wire, and bend the wire around so that the ends point straight down.

Remove the knitting needle/dowel. Place each finding in turn on your steel block and hammer the top curve of each one to stop it unbending. Then put the findings back on the dowel and, using your flush cutters, trim the ends to the desired length.

Using your jewellery file, smooth the ends flat.

Necklace ideas

Today I bought a mixed jar of beads at my local HobbyCraft, because I had an idea for making some simple bead necklaces just on copper wire, each bead separate and a variation on a theme of one colour for each necklace.

Pictures to follow....

First post

Hi there,

It's been suggested (by my sister) that I start a jewellery blog; all about my work and my designs. All of the aforementioned come from my own head, and I will be putting a few photos and pictures on here so people can see them.

We (my sister and I) sell our items online in an Etsy shop; I make the jewellery, she makes textile accessories such as hair combs and brooches and knitted & crocheted artisan cowls.

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/Shalotte

Here are a few photos of my pieces, more will follow plus some descriptions of how to make simple pieces, etc, I hope.

I hope you will continue to follow my blog as I take you through my work during the months to come.......