Adding info to the Blog

So far all my blog posts have been real ramblings about things going on with my business. I am now going to try and add some jewellery information and hints and tips too.

One thing that I really hate doing is cleaning silver, so why not try and prevent having to spend valuable time carrying out this tedious task in the first place.

So what is tarnish?

Well it is a thin layer of corrosion that can appear on metals making it look dull in colour.

It occurs from various airborne chemicals, which will speed up the tarnishing process if jewellery is left  out in the open.

So what can we do to prevent it?

1. Grip Seal Bags
Always store your jewellery in an air tight bag to try and prevent any airborne chemicals getting to your pretties.

2. Silver Tarnish Cloth
You can wrap your pieces in one of these cloths to keep them out of direct contact with the air.

3. Anti Tarnish Strips
These are tiny little black strips which can be bought and placed in your jewellery box or displays to help keep them glistening.

4. Acid Free Tissue Paper
Store your jewellery in white acid free tissue paper in your jewellery box, this will not only prevent it from scratches against your other items but also keep it out of the air.

5. Quick Wipe Over
After wearing your jewellery always give it a quick wipe over before placing it back in its box, this will remove any oils that have come from your skin.

6. Apply perfume before jewellery
Always make sure that you put your perfume on long before your jewellery as this can speed up tarnishing.

Silver Studs based on the seaside

British Craft Trade Fair - Day 1

The big event has finally arrived and day 1 now completed.

Yesterday we left home bright and early and got into Harrogate at 9am just in time for a spot of breakfast. We stopped at the famous Betty's Tearooms for an English Breakfast

We got to the Great Yorkshire Showground at about 10am and started to set up.

This was the space having just assembled the cabinets.

And this is us all set up.

There has been interest today but it did seem a little quiet. Maybe it was because it is Mothers Day?

Hopefully tomorrow will be nice and busy.

Having a little de stash!

Now that I have finally decided on ranges I will be selling beads that I wont be needing anymore. If there is anything you like the look of just leave a message or email me on mail@zazu-jewellery.co.uk

This is for dyed freshwater pearls in grey, 3 different pinks, 3 different yelows, 2 different blues, purple, burgandy and an orangy/gold. This is £6.00 including postage

*SOLD*

I also have semi precious stone chips.

These are 32" strands, there are 9 strands of small Rock Crystal chips. £1.80 a strand including delivery

There are also 2 strands of Fluourite chips, strands of Rose Quartz, 1 strand of Pink Opal, 1 strand of Hematite, 3 strands of Larbradorite and a 22" strand of Lapis Lazuli chips with 4 Black Agate heart beads 15mm.

All these are just £1.80 each

I have 3 puffy hearts which are drilled across the top. They measure approx 30mm tall and wide.

I have a Green Aventurine (as pictured), Blue Sandstone and Amethyst. £1.50 incl postage

2 15" strands of blister pearls. £2.00 incl postage

Square glass beads 20mm x 6mm thick. There are 6 grey, 12 purple, 4 blue, 6 gold & 4 green. £4.00 incl postage

silver coloured tiara base £1.80 incl postage

8 Blue lace agate roses with double holes at the back. They measure approx 15mm. £2.00 incl postage

22.off , 6mm Swarovski AB bicones. These are the drop ones with the hole at the top of the bead. £5.00 incl postage

There is a lot more to come including Murano Glass hearts and stars, Jade hearts, Rose Quartz hearts, mixed strands, Glass pendants, Silver bangle blanks and memory wire rings.

If anything takes your fancy just give me a shout.





Studio 61 - Exhibition

Wow it seems like its been a long time since I last blogged.
This month I have an exhibition at Studio 61 which is a gorgeous little gallery just outside Matlock in Derbyshire.

I have taken a few pics of the gallery and lovely Karina has taken a picture of some of my pieces in their new home.

Some of my items on display

Some of Karina's mugs and the most amazing scented candles

Loads of bath and body goodies

Another room with Paintings and ceramics

The boutique section with jewellery and bags

The window with a beach theme

If you get the chance please do go and visit it is in a beautiful location and there is always a pot of coffee on the go.

Warwickshire Arts Week - Part 3

After visiting some artists/designers in various mediums last week I have been feeling really inspired. There is a an incredibly talented bunch around Warwickshire.

Below are three people myself and my friend went to visit.

Andrew Flint makes gorgeous human scale forms and vessels from ceramics. He had them displayed in his garden and they looked absolutely amazing.

www.andrew-flint.com

Jane and Neil Moore were both exhibiting their work in their beautiful home. Such friendly people, we had a chat with Neil about his large figurative paintings and Jane was so helpful with her advice for me and Sam and our jewellery careers as well as making us a teeny bit jealous of her fab studio space!

Jane's work is enamelled silver jewellery. She is incredibly talented and uses a really unique way to make her pieces.

www.janemoore.co.uk

Neil is a very talented painter, they were all really large and he framed them himself as well. He had a real way of making the eyes on the paintings look so alive and bright. They really captured your attention

www.neilmoore.co.uk

Warwickshire Arts Week

Yesterday me and my friend Sam went round a few local artists open studios. I was absolutely amazed at the talent there is around Warwickshire. 

Over the next week I shall be blogging about my favourite designers we saw yesterday.

Peter Lovelock is a very talented photographer and also does some amazing drawings using a stippling technique.

This is my favourite by him.

Check out Peters website www.peterlovelock.com

We also saw Andrea Thorpe who happens to be our tutor at college. She has some gorgeous chunky silver jewellery with various designs including Cherry Blossom, Bamboo and Protea.

These are from her Cherry Blossom range.

Take a peek at her items at www.akthorpejewellery.co.uk

I have loads more people I want to give a mention to so will do over the next week.

Birds of a Feather - Folksy Friday

Todays Folksy Friday follows a bird theme. I get woken up every morning by birds singing in the tree outside my bedroom window. I have never seen theses birds so this is what I imagine them to look like!

Wee Bird Pendant by Cherryloco

Cartwheel Bird Print by Bird & Bridge

Bird Cushion by Sew Gorgeous

Bird Hairclips by Bbel

Who?What? Bird by FruteJuce

The Song Bird by Terri Lowe Design

See Through Spirals

Some of you may remember seeing my Silver Spirals post about a new range I am developing, well this is another part of the collection. Made from clear plastic with hints of colour these are really cute little earrings.

The latest addition to this collection will be revealed soon.

Chloe

xx

Who lives in a house like this?!

After cleaning my pet out last night I realised I had put a little too much paper in for her! The only time ive seen her today is when ive come with ginger nut biscuits!

Can you guess what it is? Her name is Monkey as she likes to climb.

She's a rat! She is absolutely lovely. She has a real personality and incredibly fond of food!

And this is her trying to get her ginger nut!

On the subject of monkeys would you take a min to fill out a quick survey created with Survey Monkey. You will automatically be entered into a draw to win a black agate pendant

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SRRLJ6X

What a day!

I had my first craft fair of the year today. I got up bright and early drove to the venue with an hours set up time but couldnt find the building anywhere!

In the end I got some help from a lovely parking warden! I know! He walked with me to the gallery which I would never of seen on my own.

There was no parking which proved a real pain too.

The event turned out to be a complete washout there were so many jewellery stalls and virtually no passing trade.

As it was so quiet it did give me time to get making and I did this. Its made from handmade lampwork glass beads in clear and crystal cubes (excuse the pic)

I also met a lovely man called Dave. He and his wife make jewellery made from real flowers. They are truly stunning. I have seen them at events before but never had the chance to talk before today.

These are some of their items.

Take a look at some of their items on: http://www.etsy.com/MyHeartsMyFlowers

Silver Spirals Necklace

I have been working on a new collection recently which is made from sterling silver. It is formed to produce a shell like shape.

The pics just dont do it justice! The inside is super shiney with a hollow blue glass bead and the outside is matted. It hangs from a 30" chunky belcher chain.

I also plan to make this in other materials.

I would love to hear what you think!

Speak soon
Chloe
xx

Heart of Glass

I have a jewellery party coming up next week and have been asked if I can have a wide range of prices.

I dont really have any jewellery under £10 so thought these pendants would be perfect! They are made from glass, really chunky and hang from a beaded necklace.

Hope they go down well!

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Chloe
XX

Busy Busy Bumble Bee!

I have been busy making jewellery today for the first time in ages.
I have just got myself a new stockist who has taken a lot of my stock and I have a party coming up so thought i'd better get cracking!

Well this is one of the things ive done, its my favourite of the day. It's made from pretty white Freshwater Pearls, Swarovski Crystals and has a Sterling Silver Heart toggle clasp.

Sterling Silver Items

I thought it was about time I showed the world some of my Sterling Silver makes. I am training to be a jeweller and would love to hear your thoughts.



This is a stretcher style earring made from a solid piece of silver. It has a pale lilac CZ stone on the front.

I will start to add more of my items soon.

Business Trip

I havent been on here much lately, I seem to be really busy which is deffinately a good thing.

Myself and my sister Sarah went on a business holiday to Cornwall last week. What a great week we chose.

We visited sooo many places and racked up over 800 miles on the 5 day trip.
We passed on our information to a number of companies and have lots of contact details.

Since coming back I have become a lot more focussed and am determined to turn this business into a well known name (this may take a while!).

I have a gallery to go and see on Monday which is really exciting.


I am still on the hunt for new stockists so if you know any shops or galleries where my bits would fit in please do get in touch.

Speak Soon
Chloe
xx

Make a day - Bracelet

Well this isnt like my regular stuff! I had these beads but didnt know what to do with them - hope you like

It is made from lampwork glass beads and tiny dyed pink Jade beads finished with a sterling silver toggle clasp.

Make a day - Murano Earrings

Well unfortunately this week I am a little behind - mainly due to the fact by the time ive made things and got round to photographing it is pitch black and you cant see my pics.

These are Murano glass earrings on really funky sterling silver feature ear wires.

Make a day - Rose Quartz Necklace

This is what ive made today. Its a really chunky necklace with a Rose Quartz rose pendant which is enhanced by the black Lava beads, silver Freshwater Pearls and the mini Swarovski Crystals.

Zazu Jewellery Birth

Hi everyone,
Welcome to my first blog. Just a quick intro for you. A couple of weeks ago a small Jewellery business was created. There is now an online store http://www.zazu-jewellery.co.uk/ where you can find all sorts of jewellery to suit your needs. There are still more items to go on just give it a little more time.
Zazu Jewellery also appear in http://www.theartiststudio.co.uk/ as well as running jewellery parties and attending crafts fairs and events. The events are mainly taking place throughout the midlands but if you have any suggestions please feel free to contact us.
Well with the "Credit Crunch" taking place everyone seemed to think now was not the best time to be starting a business, but it seems to be picking up and I am currently attending a number of Pamper evenings. These give everyone a break from worrying about money and gives everyone the chance to relax and enjoy themselves - even if it is only for a few hours.