Thursday 31 May 2012

Finding my niche.

I have been trying to find an identity; what makes me stand out from the crowd of jewellery makers and accessory designers out there? I started off with murano glass. Although I had a lot of positive feedback, they weren't selling. I really enjoyed working with fresh water pearls and glass pearls, and I love sparkly things. So I thought combining them together would be my niche. But again a lot of other designers do the same. I added ribbon and buttons to the scheme. Same problem. What is my niche? I thought about this long and hard. I started thinking about my college days and the materials I used then - could I create amazing jewellery and accessories with the skills and knowledge I learnt then? Of course! Then it hit me. Resin! I used all kinds of resin when I was studying. I had so much fun using it. Why can't I use it now? I became quite excited (and still am) about the thought of resin. (How silly!) I did some research and found no one else is using resin the way I want to use resin. I bought myself a large bangle mold and resin. Starting off with bangles then get earrings, rings, necklaces etc. Now I am waiting for Mr.Postman for my 'studio' to arrive! Could I have finally found my niche?

Thursday 24 May 2012

My results!

So here they are! Following my previous post and my inspiration, I have made more upcycled bangles. Using my very own ribbon wrapping technique I have managed to create these colourful and gorgeous bangles! I bought in some AB crystal and diamonte and a string of pearls.

They are a little fiddly and time consuming - but they are worth it!

Funky, cute and orginal. I now have them for sale.

Check out my shop for more;

www.uniquelyyoujewellery.co.uk

follow direct links to the bangles here;

https://www.etsy.com/listing/100552006/ribbon-wrapped-upcycled-large-bangle-set


 https://www.etsy.com/listing/100551473/ribbon-wrapped-crystal-pearl-bangle-set

https://www.etsy.com/listing/100550628/ribbon-wrapped-crystal-pearl-bangle-set


Wednesday 23 May 2012

Upcycled Bangles


As mentioned in a previous post I saw an upcycled bangle. I thought this was great inspiration to make my own versions. Here below is a  before and after shot. This was a little tricky to make. Like the original, I used a string of craft pearls, but unlike the orginal I used red ribbon instead of string. (Sorry for the poor quality of photo, was taken on an iPad!) I am planning on making more and selling them as sets. They are fun to make!

I also inspired my self with the ribbon wrapping. I had three horrible plastic bangles and I wrapped silk ribbon around them in various shades. I really love the outcome. Bright, vibrant and different! I will sell them as a set at some point tomorrow. I have vintage lace, crystals, pearls and union jack ribbon to make more upcycled bangles. Very excited!

Monday 21 May 2012

DIY coasters!!

I saw this on pinterest and thought one day I will have to try this. They are pretty cool, bottle caps in resin. I may collect one type of bottle cap; I prefer the more neutral colours. Another thing which would be pretty cool is to collect newspaper or old wrapping paper and turn them into coasters. Hmmm the idea develops.....

DIY Heart Ring!

A little Inspiration.

Found this on pinterest. I have now ordered loads of stuff to make my very own for all of you!

My first Novelty Cuff Links

Hello all!

I have started making novelty cuff links for the person who has everything! We all know that one person! I made them by upcycling badges and attaching them to silver plated cuff link bars. The end result is pretty cool. The cuff links are made to order and I have more styles and geekery to choose from! Follow the link! https://www.etsy.com/listing/100302342/geekery-cuff-links-more-styles-custom

Wednesday 16 May 2012

Vintage Button Rings.

 Hello all!
I have made my first adjustable costume jewellery rings! Very excited. I found some interesting buttons in my grandmas button tin. I love going through that old tin. I find something new each time. I decided to turn my latest finds into adjustable rings. Of course.. who just wants a simple button ring!? So I chnaged them around a bit - added a few extra bits and pieces and tadaah! I now have a small collection of button rings.
 They are a bit fiddly to make. Also take a while for my special glue to dry. I almost glued my fingers together at one point...

My new collection is now available in my shop!

www.uniquelyyoujewellery.co.uk

Tuesday 15 May 2012

My very first pair of Cufflinks

I have just made my very first pair of cuff links! I never been so nervous attaching real abalone shell to anything before in my life. It costs me a bit to make these and I love them!

They are silver plated and have a sort of celtic design around the edge, which I put onto a sturdy bar. In the middle I put the shell. Isn't the blue lovely!? I think I will buy some more. And I also have different gemstones, including green amber, rose quartz and mother of pearl. The style of the cuff link means they are quite smart; wouldn't they look great on the groom and grooms-men!?

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Also, I have been experiementing with layering vintage buttons! I found some cute heart shaped buttons and I layered them on larger coloured buttons. Then I turned them into hair grips! How cute are these!?Picture

Branching Out


I have started making silk ribbon roses. They are so fun and quite addictive to make. I started doing the 'rolling' technique and then added my own movements, so each rose is unique! I have made so many I just didn't know what to do with them! I added extra bits and pieces to them, like pearls, beads, crystals etc.. The end results is so cute! I showed my family and they say it looks like it is singing - so here is my first sweet singing rose! Actually, it does look like it is singing.

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Another thing I do for fun is look through button tins! (saddo!) I find doing this relaxing and I always find new and interesting buttons. I started collecting the buttons with different textures, shapes, sizes and colours and then I thought why not try turning them into hair pins! How cute is that!? Having buttons in your hair!

Thats when I realised, I could add these roses to hair pins too! And so I have! I bought a load of silver plated hair pins. (Only high quality findings I use here!) I cannot tell you how fun it is making hair pins!

So now I design and make hair accessories too. Yay! Below is my sweet singing rose, now available in my shop. One of a kind, as I don't have that colour ribbon anymore!Picture
Below is a set of vintage button hair pins. They are so gorgeous and unique! I found these buttons in the old button tin and I love the button with the gold pattern. This set is quite victoriana or steam punk. Love it! Also available now in my shop. :)

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What a lovely Wedding!

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Me and the family went to a friend of the family wedding on the weekend. Was lovely! We drove from London all the way to Blackpool, to a stunning
little village called Wrea Green. Was gorgeous! And they had sheep
everywhere! Luckily the weather held out and it was sunny, albeit a little chilly in the breeze. The wedding itself was beautiful. Traditional but not
stilted.

The wedding couple; David and Katie, both looked so happy. Katie is beautiful and she looked even more so when she walked up the aisle. How she can be even more beautiful is beyond me. (I think she should write a book.) She giggled and smiled all the way through the ceremony. David was very handsome and clearly very proud of Katie. The family literally danced down the aisle after the marriage and we all blew bubbles on them instead
throwing confetti.

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The wedding guests travelled on an old route master bus! Was great! And at times, a little scary. How that bus managed to get through the meandering lanes was impressive! The
wedding reception was in an old country manor house, which I think, had an extension put on. It was big and very grand! We had canapes and champagne whilst the newly weds took more pictures. I laddered my tights. Humph! I wasn't the only one; quite a lot of ladies who wore tights were now bare legged.
After the speeches we had a sit down meal. The main course was a fillet of
beef, which was great, as beef is my favourite meat. Each table had a
'carver' who was, unknown to them, made to carve the meat, wearing a
personalised apron and chef hat. Each 'carver' was nominated by their families - the person who normally doesn't do it at home. And the personalisation was a quote they say or an excuse. My dad was our nominated 'carver' and his quote was; 'They could use 20 people like me.' He cut the meat thickly - which for me - wasn't too bad! Well done dad!


 
 
Moved onto coffees and my 'Big' Little bro played the piano, much to his embarrassment - for a few 'wined' up ladies who kept demanding requests. Then we moved onto the dancing - in the pavillion. Lovely decoration with fairy lights on the walls and ceilings. The father of the groom made a picture wall, where you put your face through the picture frames, with all kinds of dressing up equipment you can think of. Such a good idea - adults and kids a like enjoyed it.
If you like to know more info about the venue and reception you can find follow the link here;

http://www.thevilla.co.uk/

Plus I was wearing my own jewellery that day and I got lots of compliments. Visit my shop for more!

First post


Hey all! I have started using a new blog! So I shall re post all my other posts to this one.. for now!

I have just created my own website! Eeek! I feel really nervous about it, I don't know why really. It just started to hail outside - bad omen? lol

It is spring outside and April Showers! And I am so so cold! But I found a pair of toe socks! Remember them? I used to have loads of these when I am younger. They do a great job; my feet are cosy and warm!