Heart Of Scotland

Ok who likes music? EVERYONE!!!! Have you heard of the Heart Of Scotland Choir? Made up of talented singers from the Forth Valley area, not only do they sing traditional songs but you can hear their take on Dolly Parton, The Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon... (I could go on but we'd be here a long time) Why not find out for yourself? They have a gig in Falkirk Town Hall this Saturday night (18th Feb) click on the image below for details!

The choir will be performing a fantastic set of songs for their debut in Falkirk called "HEART AND SOUL", would make an excellent valentine's gift or a lovely night for all the family!! : )) Tickets are £10/£9 and £5.

JEWELLERY CLUB!
As you know I've been teaching jewellery workshops at Resonate Arts House in Alloa. My workshops are held on the first Saturday of every month, next one is wire wrapped pendants (more details on that coming up in a future blog post!)

However, not many people know that I also run a "drop in" Jewellery club every second Wednesday.
There is no need to book for the Jewellery club, just turn up! Basically tell me what you want to make and I'll show you how to make it, we have beads and findings for sale in the Resonate shop OR bring in old broken jewellery/beads and we'll create something new.

Click on image below to see samples of items we've made at Resonate workshops!

Dates for this month are 15th and 29th Feb, 6pm till 8pm, cost £5. Come along and get creative!

Jewellery Club - Resonate Arts House, Unit A3, North Castle Street, Alloa

Phone - 01259 928014  Or Email info@resonate.uk.net

Valentines Day

Ok, its February so I guess I should acknowledge Valentine's day! Back in January while looking for cards to send people (I have a lot of new year birthdays to buy for!) I discovered this wonderful Etsy shop MMdesign (Maureen Mitchell Design) After ordering my cards I discovered that Maureen lives just down the road from me (and she kindly hand delived my cards!) I think this is a true example of "the Etsy community"! Since joining Etsy I have connected with people from all over the world, but it is so nice to meet someone local to me. Maureen originally trained as a jewellery designer/silversmith but now she concentrates on creating beautiful prints and cards. Below are some examples of her work, if you click on the images it will take you to her Etsy shop.

Oh yes, I was going to mention Valentine's day! Maureen has created some lovely Valentine's day cards and prints, please take a look...

 All You Need Is Love - Valentine card

 Be My Valentine - Limited Edition Giclee Canvas Print

Following the Leader - Blank Greeting card

Ok, I'm breaking away from the Valentine's theme with the last card, but I had to post it up on here because it is one of my favourites! I gave this one to my friend Lou for her birthday, but I very nearly kept it for myself! MMdesigns are also on facebook (click HERE) and please take a look at Maureen's website maureenmitchelldesign.com

Jewellery Making Workshops In February

Hello, just a quick post to let you know about my next Jewellery workshop at Resonate Arts House in Alloa on Saturday 4th Feb, 10am - 12 noon. Learn basic stringing and crimping techniques and make a beautiful multi-strand necklace. The workshop costs £20 and this includes use of tools and all materials are supplied (plus tea and coffee!) To book phone Resonate - 01259 928014.

If you click on the picture below (which is an example of the necklace we'll be making) it will to take you to my facebook photo album of jewellery samples made at the Resonate workshops.

Also we have "Jewellery Club" starting at Resonate on Wed 1st Feb, 6 pm - 8pm, Cost £5.
Basically at Jewellery club you  turn up and either bring your own beads/findings or buy some from the Resonate shop, ask me what you want to make and I'll show you how. Some people like to bring old and broken jewellery and I help them turn it into something new. The Jewellery clubs run every fortnight so February dates are 1st Feb, 15th Feb and 29th Feb.

Facebook Page

Hello and Happy 2012!!!! First blog post of the new year!
Just a quick blog post to say that finally the Artizania facebook page is here! Yay! Click HERE to visit or click on image below. I will be back with a proper blog post soon, once I've finished uploading photos and refining my facebook page!

I've added more rings and vintage themed jewellery to my Etsy store, click image below to check them out!

New years resolutions...

Ok, so one of my new years resolutions is to improve on my photography! I read a really interesting article this morning about how you can make your product photographs a lot more interesting by using props and creating a scence for your product (in my case jewellery) I always tend to go for the minimalist approach when photographing my jewellery (my thinking was that you need a good clear view of the item with no distractions) but I'm going to give this whole "creating a scene" thing a go, I think its a good idea. When I look at my Etsy store I do tend to think that my photos lack colour and interest, they need livening up! Of course the good thing is that Etsy gives you space for five photos, so there is still room for my minimalist, clean product shots too! Here is my first attempt at a product shot using background props, I really enjoyed playing with the props (a perfume bottle and my jewellery box) and creating a setting for my pendant, and I look forward to taking more photos like this!

This pendant is now listed on Etsy, please click on photograph

Here's To A Happy And Successful New Year!

Ok, I'm a couple of days early but I'm wishing everyone a happy and prosperous 2012! I found this very unsual Victorian New Year card!!!! I'd been watching the kid's show Horrible Histories and they were talking about "Wierd Victorian Christmas Cards" Ha ha! I had to go online and check out "Wierd Victorian Christmas Cards" after that! And this New Year card is one of my favourites!

Believe it or not I actually like this! I think he's cute!

Ok, how do you follow that? Hmmmm, you can't really can you? So on a completley different note, here are some pics of my latest jewellery designs, I'll uploading them to my etsy over the next few days.

"Audrey" pendant is already for sale, click on either photo!

That's all for now! I'm excited about my new "button" necklaces, will get better photos taken of them soon and I also have lovely new "Statement" rings for 2012! Once again I'll wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR! Have a good one, and don't be partying too hard on Hogmanay! Ha ha ha! Mx

Have A Crafty Christmas!

Ok, so I have just over a week to complete my christmas shopping! Eeeeekkkk!!!! This year I'm making a lot of my prezzies (there are a lot of decoupage boxes and drawstring bags getting made) One thing that I LOVE are these tags to use with my sewing projects, they really add a lovely touch to my bags and cushions, it just makes everything look extra special.

Tags bought from Kokosnoot art and design 

As I've mentioned above, I bought these tags from Kokosnoot craft and art supplies shop in Callander. It is one of my favourite shops for crafting supplies (especially ribbon!) and if you happen to be in the area please pay them a visit, you'll be glad that you did. They have a lovely selection of art and craft goodies. To find out more visit their website - www.kokosnoot.co.uk (you can also "friend" them on Facebook!)

Kokosnoot - Soooo much ribbon to choose from! I love it! 

I'd like to say thanks to Nic for kind permission to use these photos ( :

One of my cushions featuring "made with love" tag

Christmas prezzies for my friends! Luckily they don't read my blog, so I'm safe to post pics up! (actually the box isn't even finished yet, I still need to decoupage the outside)