Red Bird Blogs

New Studio - Update

2012-01-24T09:50:00.000Z

Our builders have been really cracking on with the build. It'll be 3 weeks tomorrow. (Is that all??)
And my new studio has changed from this....

To this...

and yesterday the front wall started going up...!

I must point out that I'm only having a teeny corner of what was the garage, not the whole thing (now wouldn't that be nice?) but I do know I'm a very lucky girl to be getting a little room I can leave all my stuff out in. Not ideal to have oxygen and propane tanks in reach of the kids!

Dala Horse giveaway!

2012-01-23T14:03:00.002Z

I had to tell you about this fantastic giveaway on the Dala Horse blog

And here's what you can win.... how beautiful is that!?!

Sue is a fantastic jewellery designer and maker, and this piece really shows just how skilled she is.

More info on the giveaway from her blog

"The giveaway runs Jan 23rd thru Jan 30th. The winner will be announced Jan 31st. The obsidian in this pendant gives off a black or soft blue hue depending on how it catches the light. I included a playful little rabbit on this named "Moonshine" who doubles as a rabbit totem. The Beadwork on the chain picks up the tones in the obsidan.....this is very unique....the first of its kind for me design wise."

Go and take a peek.... http://dalahorsestar.blogspot.com/2012/01/giveaway-has-arrived.html

January Birthstone - Garnet

2012-01-16T09:54:00.000Z

By her who in this month (January) is born
No gem save garnets should be worn;
They will ensure her constancy,
True friendship, and fidelity.

Garnets are apparently found in a variety of colours - including orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black, pink and colorless. The rarest of these is the blue garnet, discovered in the late 1990s. But the colour we usually expect to see is red, from a light bright crimson, to deep claret colour.

If you're into the theory of healing gemstones - the garnet is thought to assist the regulation of the heart and circulation as well as provide strength and protection.

The most popular colour amongst women is red, and I definitely have to go with the majority in this case. I'm a huge fan of red, and of these stones too. January needs a little brightness, don't you think, and these sparkly red gems are just the thing. Shining bright through the chilly gloom.

Click on the pictures to go through to the folksy shop and see more of the pieces!

Birthstones

2012-01-14T21:42:00.001Z

This year I thought I'd get to grips with birthstones! These are the stones which traditionally symbolise the month of the wearers birth. Such a lovely idea, and I love jewellery with a some special meaning for the wearer.

I started with good intentions last year, with plenty of garnet (January), and amethyst (February) but a house move and the ensuing chaos meant that everything got put to one side, and I played catch up for the rest of the year. This year is going to be different .....oh ho ho, yes.

The above is a common chart, from the American Society of Jewelers (this seems to be the modern list). There are so many different charts and lists of birthstones. I always thought when I was younger that my birthstone was jasper, or bloodstone, but it turns out this is the traditional one, and I could also use aquamarine.

Just in terms of planning I must admit I might not be able to stretch to much when it comes to April!! Traditionally it seems that the colour is the key, so a nice little cubic zirconia might just cut it.

In addition to the symbol of the month, some think that birthstones can bring luck or health to the wearer. This power is also supposed to be stronger if the stone is worn in the birthday month. I'm not sure I believe in the healing power of gemstones, but to each their own. And it can't do any harm and I can't think of a better excuse for those with an April birthday.

Do you have any jewellery in your birthstone? Have you swapped your birthstone for another symbolic stone that you liked better? Apparently lots of people do!

Look out for some garnet goodies being listed next week....

New year, new house (ish)

2012-01-08T20:55:00.001Z

"Excited" does not come close to how I'm feeling about the current events in our household. Building work started three days ago (*squeal*).

And, when it's finished in March (no really, I believe they will finish on time) I will have my very own workspace. And it will be better than this....

and a lot lot warmer....

And, so much more tidy and organised.

My workspace (I'm struggling to call it a "studio"!) is going to be in that corner, by the wheelbarrow....

...and I'm hoping that eventually the view from my new window will not have a portaloo and a skip

Exciting times.... 2012 is going to be a good year.

Well hello there 2012!

2012-01-06T12:52:00.001Z

Happy New Year! Is it just me or does it seem like Christmas was months ago. It's only just 12th night for goodness sake.

The kids started back at school yesterday, so I'm trying to get back into business mode. Get the shops open, and perhaps most importantly.... get making again.

I found this completely brilliant and inspiring clip on the Craftblog UK

Terence McKenna - Reclaim your mind from Olivier Ferland on Vimeo.

What do you think? This is exactly what I need to get me moving this January. Do you have any more inspirational clips or quotes to help us get 2012 off with a bang? (I know you do creative lot, you! Come on, spill).

2012 is going to be the BEST YEAR EVER. I'm pretty sure of it.

Christmas Postage Dates

2011-11-17T21:21:00.001Z

Well it's that time again. I've already started panicking about Christmas approaching way too quickly. Since having the kids, gone are the days when a last minute dash on Christmas Eve cuts it (or is even logistically possible). So I thought it was also about time I let you all know about postage dates.

Just think how good it'll be to get those Christmas gifts done and dusted? And how gorgeously smug you will feel.

If you're in the UK you need to get your order in by 19th December. If it's a custom order, such as fingerprint jewellery you will ideally need to get your order in by 28th November - eek that's next Monday!! Remember I post out first class recorded for most packages, and Special Delivery for custom goodies, or those costing above £30.

For my lovely customers in the US your order needs to be with me by 8th December. And if you're buying from right on the other side of the world in Australia, you'll need to order by 4th December.

After the chaos caused by the snow and certain customs centres (you know who you are NY!) to deliveries last year my advice is get it ordered early!!

Good luck - and happy shopping!

Wordless Wednesday - earth at night

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000Z

Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.

Bonfire Night 2011

2011-11-08T13:15:00.000Z

One of the best bits about living in a little village is the way the community get together to celebrate events throughout the year. In our village we have a FANTASTIC summer party, but the other key event is always Bonfire night.

The pole goes up on the green at the end of September - and for the next 6 weeks hedge trimmings and branches are put out and collected by the bonfire boys and girls. Take a peek at the video below....

And then the big night arrives. A procession with torches around the village, with a band, and the Guy out front. The cold dark night filled with excitement, and smoke. My littlies weren't that keen on going down this year for the big event - it's after bedtime after all, and this year both were just a little nervous about the fire (Littlest was also a bit worried about Guy Fawkes! - he was a pretty scary one to be fair, and over 7 foot tall!)

So a snap decision was made after we watched the torchlight procession, that maybe we'd stay home. We had family over, so had lots of fun playing games until the firework display started... then we ran into the front garden, and wow what a display.

What a show, and what a view from our garden. Brilliant.

It seems really strange that bonfire night is just a British affair. I guess no-one else would be that interested in celebrating Guy Fawkes failure to blow up parliament, but I always assume that this sort of festival would happen everywhere at this time of year, just with a different name, to bring a little light in the darkness, and to get rid of all those hedge and tree cuttings!

Hope you all had a great weekend whatever you were up to!

Becky x

Featured Etsy Seller - Julie Marie Shop

2011-11-01T19:53:00.001Z

Tellus a bit about yourself - (where do you live, what's your name etc..)

Iam Julie Marie Burns and I currently live in Asheville, NC. I saycurrently because I am originally from Madison, WI. My husband, Daveand two kids Lily age 5 and Smith age 3 recently moved to Asheville. We aren’t quite sure if there is where we are going to stay, butfor now it works ok. I also recently started my own online businessJulie Marie Shop on etsy.

Whatdo you make?

Imake purses and bags, scarves, and pillows. I also make curtains,girls skirts and dresses, stuffed animals, and pretty much any craftylittle thing. I love working with felt at christmas time to makestockings and ornaments. I am also into scrapbooking andpapercrafts, but my real passion is sewing.

Whydo you use that medium?

Ilove fabric. I love everything about it. The feel, how it drapes,and the lovely patterns. It truly is an obsession.

When/how did you start crafting?

Ihave always been a crafty person. It all began with drawing andpainting all through school, then once I graduated from college Istarted working at a fabric store and the passion began. I got myfirst sewing machine and the creativity started flowing. Then I hadkids and I started sewing even more and got more heavily intopapercrafts.

Whendid you start selling your stuff - where do you sell?

Istarted selling my stuff about three years ago at a local art galleryin Wausau, WI. I started selling baby shoes and bibs. Then once Imoved to madison I started to learn about etsy, but I didn't actuallystart selling on etsy until August of this year (2011)

Doyou also have a day job, or is this your main job?

Myday job is a stay at home mom and selling on etsy.

Whatdo you love about your medium, what do you hate?

Ilove figuring out new layouts for my purses and experimenting withthe drape and stretch of different fabrics, which is also one of thehardest parts of working with fabric. It is kind of a pain workingwith silky and stretchy material and also trying to get everythingperfectly symetrical. I am a bit of a perfectionist so sometimes itcan drive me mad when everything is not exactly straight.

Wheredo you get your inspiration from?

Mybiggest inspiration is other designers and crafters. Especially AmyButler. She is a true inspiration and talent. But I also love allthe crafters on etsy. They each inspire me in their own unique way.

Whatis your favourite music to craft to?

JackJohnson, O.A.R, Death Cab for Cutie, and Feist

Whatis your favourite piece of your own?

Thedenim ruffle purse or asian inspired purse. Both allowed me toshowcase the beauty of their fabrics. I hope others feel the same.

Wheredo you do your crafting?

Mybedroom. I get a corner of the room for all my fabric, sewingmachine, and cutting table/ironing board. This is not my ideal craftroom, but I have to work with what I have. Luckily my husband iscompletely understanding and doesn’t mind the occassional mess.

You have a lovely store Julie - good luck with it all!

Halloween

2011-11-01T10:18:00.000Z

I hope you all had a great halloween. We didn't go trick or treating this year, as it was the first day back at school and a certain 4 year old was exhausted. We did apple bobbing, and I got the face paints out. And the girls and R had a go at carving a pumpkin at the weekend ...I was quite impressed - better than last years anyway!

Impressed that is until I saw this beauty! Rex from Toy Story and some of the little aliens. Apparently there were 5 of the aliens in the morning, but the lady who made them reversed out of her drive, forgetting that they were there....oops.

I now have a severe case of pumpkin envy. I think next year maybe I should have a go. However, whilst the others were busy I did get some time to make some lovely silver lily earrings like these, for a custom order.

Folksy Friday - Mmmmmmmmm Chocolate

2011-10-21T06:40:00.003+01:00

I'm going through a chocolate craving whilst writing this....can you tell? Hopefully with these goodies I won't end up the size of a house.....

...ooooh and as usual, click on the pics to go through to the shop. Enjoy!

Yummy!

Wednesday Moodboard

2011-10-19T11:46:00.000+01:00

A little blog moodboard based on my light and dark earrings. Light, sparkly crystals with deeply oxidised handforged sterling silver wires.

Light and Dark handmade earrings

All the pictures are found on Pinterest - click on the pic to go through to the pin, or relevant site.

Photography course

2011-10-16T18:24:00.000+01:00

With photography being such a big issue when you're selling things online I thought it was about time I went on a course to learn a bit more about what I'm doing.

No one is going to buy some earrings that they can't see clearly, or that are blurred or under exposed. These photos are my only chance to show my customers the colour, texture, and beauty of the item. And luckily my friend Liz had signed up to Groupon and found a brilliant cheap deal; so that is how I spent my Saturday morning.

I had already figured out how to change the white balance, and I know a teeny bit about depth of field. But this course was brilliant. Yes, of course I've read the manuals, but it makes such a difference to have someone to explain it all, show examples, and importantly explain how the different aspects work together.

I had a few eureka moments in there. Hopefully I will remember some of it, and maybe it will start showing through in my photos, but we'll have to wait and see (and I'll let you be the judge of that)! And even if my shop pictures aren't any better - maybe it'll take me less time (and 50 less pictures) to get to those particular snaps!

So, what part of photography do you just not get?

Folksy Friday - An apple a day....

2011-10-14T06:00:00.000+01:00

...to be honest, we have inherited 3 apple trees in our new garden, so we're probably on more than just one apple a day at the moment. But I love eating fruit and veg from the garden, and can't seem to get enough - so I thought I'd share some Folksy appley goodness with all of you...

Go on, click through to the shops - they're good for you!

(You know the drill, click on the pic to go through to the shop, or hover to see who made what)

1 - Lilysweets handmade treats2 - Hoot ceramics3 - Dollydoo4 - Stevie B5 - Hand over your fairy cakes6 - Woolly Duck

Tweet tweet

2011-09-30T06:59:00.001+01:00

Do you tweet? Come find me on twitter @redbirdjewels (you can click here to follow me http://twitter.com/#!/redbirdjewels)

or go find these beautiful folksy finds by clicking on the picks. All of them very, very tweet.

Click on the pics to find out the fab makers behind the birdies.....

A(nother) new beginning....

2011-09-22T09:50:00.002+01:00

Every autumn I have a real sense of a new start. A fresh beginning. Probably more so in autumn than in spring to be honest.

Years of the back to school buzz have seeped into my subconscious, meaning that as soon as the leaves start to change and twirl to the ground, and once I have my pockets filled with conkers (by others you understand, not me) as we pass the horse chestnut tree on the way to school, I get a sudden spurt of excitment and enthusiasm for the new things ahead.

This September has been extra exciting in our household...

... littlest has joined her sister at school! Eeeeeek!!! (sniff)

She's still there just for mornings, until tomorrow when she starts full days.

So far, she's loving it. I'm sure the adrenalin will wear off at some point and she'll be exhausted and grumpy but for now she is having the time of her life.

So, what am I going to do, home alone? I will dry my eyes and ha, yes you guessed it - I'm going to make jewellery. I'm still going to be childminding a couple of days a week, and we have just got planning permission for an extension to the house which'll eat up my time - but I'm so, so, so excited about having a bit of time to really get to grips with my jewellery business.

I've found in the past I've had lots of ideas, but at least two thirds never came to fruition due to a severe lack of hours in the day. That's all about to change!

We've also been getting some decorating done over the last few weeks, and jewellery making has been relegated from the spare room, to the garage (beats sleeping in the garage I suppose!). So that's all change too. Yes, I can see it'll get a bit chilly in there as the weeks roll on, but at least I can hammer away to my hearts content without bothering anyone. And hopefully no one will complain when it's time to liver of sulphur the silver!!

I hope everyone else is enjoying their autumn. Whats new with you??

Wordless Wednesday...Aaaah push it....

2011-08-30T22:00:00.000+01:00

Sorry. But. Love. It.

Inspiration - words #2

2011-08-27T21:55:00.000+01:00

Have a look at this great flow chart....(you might need to click on it to enlarge)

If only it was that easy eh? I do like a flow chart.