Monday 23 June 2008

Busy, busy, busy!

It's been a busy couple of weeks here in Stardust land, and also quite stressful. I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in my hands and several other joints. Needless to say its the hands that worry me most, as a jeweller they're quite important. As a jeweller who sells entirely online they're absolutely essential. There's lots of useful things one can do to try and manage it though so I'm remaining optimistic. The Arthritis Care website has been invaluable in providing lots of useful and pertinant information that my GP failed to mention.

Other than stressing about my fingers (which are rather painful) I've been busy getting stock listed and ordering more. Check the New In Stock category over at www.princess-jewellery.net to see what I've been adding. I'm also midway through another tutorial for a beautiful sparkly pink bracelet. I haven't written it up yet but it should be available in the next few days - watch this space!

And finally, I thought if I'm going to find myself with extremely restricted finger usage within the next few years, I need to get back to drawing regularly! I was always told I had no drawing talent and thus it was only around November last year when I plucked up the courage to teach myself to draw. Due to general busy-ness I haven't drawn at all since around January this year but over the weekend I pulled out my pencils and took a stab at my first ever fairy. She's far from perfect but given my lack of experience, I was reasonably pleased.

Fairy Drawing

Until next time...

Happy Beading!


Stephie
x

Tuesday 10 June 2008

A New Necklace Tutorial

Its turning out to be quite a busy week so far. Nothing major - just lots of little things needing doing. My ad for the UK's Bead Magazine was sent to them yesterday for the professional treatment (I sent a fairly basic layout of what I want, along with the jewellery I want featured in it for them to photograph and produce properly). The magazine comes out in August and of course, by then I really need to have the stock levels upped a bit (particularly on anything I'm featuring in a tutorial!).

More tutorials are on the agenda this week. Haven't quite decided what but I think I'm looking at the lovely bright white silver componants I sell at www.princess-jewellery.net with some pastel shades in crystal. I also want a techniques tutorial done for the art of fitting pinch bails. I want a good selection of tutorials available in a relatively short space of time which means getting a few done every week for the next couple of months.

Speaking of tutorials, there is now a matching necklace for the Summer's End series. I hope you enjoy (click on the picture).

Free Necklace Tutorial

Friday 6 June 2008

A new website - and new tutorials!

It has, admittedly, been an age since I posted here, mainly because I've been so busy with all manner of exciting things that I've simply not had time to update my blog! I am hopefully back on track now, and over the couple of weeks I shall try and show off some of the designs that have been made over the last three months.




The main reason for the absence has been the development and launch of my brand-new website at www.princess-jewellery.net. My wonderful range of Sterling silver beads & findings, Swarovski crystal, gold filled beads and findings, glass beads, etc. are now available on my own website. The selection on ebay has been cut down considerably so the webby is really the best place to shop!

I've also made a start on adding some brand-new tutorials to the site, and expect to continue increasing the range over the next few months - here's a few of the most recent ones. My tutorials are free to use, subject to the restrictions at the bottom of my Jewellery Tutorials page, so enjoy and don't be afraid to experiment with different colours and looks!

Flying Free Earrings
Free Butterfly Earrings Tutorial


Summer's End Bracelet
Swarovski Crystal Bracelet Design Tutorial


Summer's End Earrings
Earring Design Tutorial


Happy Jewellery Making!
Stephie Hall