Porcelain jewellery

Though production is in somewhat of a slump (due to an arm, which seems to have given up on me, momentarily) I was still able to take some pictures of the few things I did make. Looking forward to the moment I can start again, though.

'Jellyfish'

Porcelain with gold lustre, gold, pearls, amethyst and zircon.
For information on porcelain course click on:
http://nl-nl.facebook.com/pages/Art-Ceramics-Studio-Gillian-Smith/162531940815

BEAUTIFUUUULLL

Morning arrival

View from my chair

Beautiful people, beautiful jewellery, beautiful scenery.
Who wouldn't want to be part of this jewellery sale at a small castle. I so look forward to this annual event anyway, and this year it was made even more special because of early snowfall. Breathtaking outside and Cosy (with capital C) inside with the open fire, lovely mulled wine and fantastic jewellery giving us a glow.

There were loads of people and it was a great success. Drinks and nibbles are served, throughout the day and the extra service of Valet Parking means one can drive right up to the front door and not worry about slippery snow or ice. If you would like more information on this unique jewellery made by three sisters, please click on:SLUIS JUWELEN

Announcement Meesterlijk/'Masterly' Fair, Amsterdam

From the 27th till the 30th of September, you'll be able to find me at the Meesterlijk Beurs/Masterly Fair, where I'll be assisting my friend Mary.
It's held at the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam and, if you like DESIGN (+ art and food), it sounds like a good place to visit.
For more detailed information please click on: MEESTERLIJK.
For pictures click on: IMAGES

Hope to see you there.

Gifts

Not only was I given a HUGE, fragrant, bouquet of flowers, on Friday. I was also put to the test by having an elegantly wrapped present placed on the living room table and not being allowed to open it till this morning.
Grinding of teeth, Chewing of nails,  Rapid Blinking of eyes!!! ....but I passed the test succesfully and was able to unwrap this BEAUTIFUL watch (middle).

Testing...testing...

Launch Piaget Rose in Amsterdam

We're in July already and I've been neglecting my blog. I really enjoy 'blogging' but I also really enjoy my goldsmithing work and, thankfully, I've been given more assignments lately. Proper planning is the answer and I'm working on it. One of the 'work related' events, recently, was an invitation to the launch of the Piaget Rose collection at Hotel 717 in Amsterdam.

It was more a sort of 'bi-launch'. A lushious, sweet smelling, cherry-pink rose had been named  after Yves Piaget in 1982 and now a whole new collection of jewellery with a rose-theme was 'revealed'.
Mary had invited me to join her and..BY GUM..I enjoyed myself. Hotel 717 is a beautifully renovated (original style) hotel and as we arrived, we could already smell the mesmerizing, sweet scent of thousands of roses, which only increased, when we entered the courtyard garden which was full with impressive looking people. Ahhhh, the good life..pink roses, pink champagne and pink delicacies, served by young men and women with pink cheeks......oh yes, and there were diamonds too.

Inside, the jewellery was beautifully displayed and, although not all of it was to my specific taste, there were some exquisite pieces there, like this diamond cuff-bracelet.

To see more of the collection click on: PIAGET ROSE.

Burners are burning again.

Exactly one year after I wrote about my plans to have business-cards printed and making a start with Me-me-linkjewellery, I finally managed to light the burners again.

The cards took forever and during that time I moved again (this time to Amsterdam). These may not be very good excuses for the delay in 'setting up shop' but there you have it.

My work-area is a lot smaller than before so I've had to spend some time on getting everything 'just right' and getting 'maximum efficiency' out of it. It's much cosier though and, after having made and repaired some jewellery for others, that little 'glow-feeling' is back.

(right) front+back of cards

Jewellery by 'Sluis juwelen'.

This weekend there will be another opportunity to enjoy, admiring/buying, some of the fabulous and original Sluis Jewellery by sisters Wilna, Ine and Mary click here for website.
Together with Henriëtte, I'll be there to lend a helping hand. Below, a beautiful blue/grey Mabe Pearl, set in a unique ring-design (one of Mary's trade marks).

 

Preparations

Ooohhhh the joys of creativity.

After asking for people's (mainly Eric's wonderful running-partners) opinion/input on different versions of the name for my 'enterprise' it is now time for the next step.
Designers of websites and environmentally-friendly printers of business card, with compliments card and 'receipt-books' (very important) have been approached.
After some necessary bartering, I'm hoping to give both the go-ahead, this week.
The accountant had already been forewarned that I might set up business this year, so he shouldn't be too horrified.
The Chamber of Commerce will be notified some time and the tax people will be overjoyed.
I have approached a few shops, to see if they would be interested in selling this 'easy on the eye/traditional' line of my  jewellery, with one positive result. We'll wait for the end result, when push comes to shove, though.
In the mean time, while I'm waiting for the whole caboodle to come together, I'm making little cards etc. to display the jewellery on. Hopefully it won't be too long before I'll be able to show you all the end result.

Jewelry at Castle, Slot Zeist

Another Jewelry exhibition but, this time, at a different castle. It was held at the impressive, 17th century 'Slot Zeist' and there was an interesting mix of antique and contemporary jewelry on offer. click here for info. in Dutch.

There was a German stand which showed some interesting designs of jewelry and watches.

I particularly liked the expandable diamond ring (into a bracelet), from their ZOOM range. Revolutionary, beautifully made, practical and very comfortable (Naturally, I just had to try it on). To see how it works, click on expandable ring.
My favorite however, were the rings with one, or more  .... 'wobbly diamond setting(s)' see moving diamond. Such fun, and such sssssparkle!!
Another interesting idea, also for men, were the 'MeisterSinger' watches with just a single hand. Elegant and still easy to tell the time on. Single hand watch.

Time flies when you're having fun

'Shark walking' (glass)

It's been a while since my last entry, but time flies when you're having fun!





Eric and I went to the Affordable Art Fair and a week later Mary joined us when we visited the International Jewelry Art Fair.
Both were held at the WesterGasfabriek and both had some surprising art/designs on show.

We did feel, however, that quite a few of the items shown at the AAF this year were there at last year's AAF and also at last month's Arti10 Fair in The Hague. With that in mind, I think that skipping a year is probably a good idea but missing out on them altogether would be a real shame.
Here are a few pictures of the AAF:

Print on aluminium

The JAF.
The International Jewelry Art Fair exhibited a very wide range of jewelry. Varying from the extremely modern and unconventional (or preposterous, according to some) to the more sedate and traditional.
I really enjoyed it and loved finding out more about the latest techniques, materials and ideas.
click Here (then click on name of participant to see their designs).
It was good to meet Mary there and the two of us could be found drooling over the most beautiful pieces.

What I really liked was the fact that, during the four days of the exhibition, lots of other, related events were organised all over Amsterdam by three forward looking young ladies who set up Min-Association more info and here. Well done girls!

i.e. Waiters in Café 'De Jaren' were asked to participate by wearing (sometimes, strange) 'jewelry' (see picture below)

Quick announcement for Jewelry Art Fair A'dam

For all those who like to have a look at some weird and wonderful jewelry at a great location, THIS sounds like a good place to go to. For information in English, click on link and then on British Flag.

I'm hoping to go myself and will report back at a later date.

Pretty Produce

Requests have come in to show some more pictures of the latest jewelry. So here goes and here's to you Cal and Marlies.

(Clips) 'Cal's Bells'

Silver drop (1,5 cm.)+lilac pearl

(Pegs) 'MarBella's'

Silver,  pearl rosette+drop

Seed Pearl Bracelet

Silver clasp (1,5 cm.)

(Clips) 'Flor'

 Silver (2,2 cm.) + Pearl

Earring-Lovers

All the women in my family are real lovers of earrings.
We find it fun, to see which earrings go best with our outfits or, I'm ashamed to say, sometimes it's the other way round.
However, the undisputed champion of 'color-coordinated-earring-wear' is definitely my sister Marlies.
She 'manages' many, many special boxes with little drawers and compartments in which she keeps them all and, somehow, is able to find the ones which are at least 30 years old, but which are 'exactly right for the occasion'.
Not only do we love wearing them, but I love making them. No surprise then, what they'll be getting for Christmas, this year!
Here are a few I made last week. Click on the pictures for real detail.

(above) Sterling silver studs, with 'peacock' pearls and zircon in silver. The pearls are 1 cm. in diameter.

(above) Studs. Silver cup-shape discs with swirl, beautiful quality pearls and zircon in silver. The discs are 13 mm. in diameter.

(above) Clips. Sterling silver with pearl, zircon in silver and facetted, Labradorite drop. The Labradorite drops are of a high quality and reflect an amazing 'blue glow'. The pearls are 11 mm. long.