POTTERING ABOUT WITH JEWELLERY

Hi everyone

I know I begin most of my blog posts with either a weather forecast or a comment about the weather, and this one is no different!  I AM FED UP WITH THE RAIN!  Sorry for the capitals, but just wanted to make sure the Weather Gods hear my request.  Is it really just my imagination (I feel a song coming on) or were the summers of my childhood (yes, OK a long time ago) warm, full of sunshine and lasted longer than 2 or 3 days?  I am sure every day of the school holidays was wall-to-wall sunshine - or is it age playing a trick on my memory?  I know I am lucky, no floods ruining my home and treasured possessions and I cannot begin to imagine what this must feel like, but like most of us I do need some sunshine.

Did you read Badger Boo Media Hound's latest guest blog post?  If you don't shed a tear or two, you are very hard-hearted - so nip over when you have finished reading my post and see what he has to say.  I am in need of guest posters for July, so come on you Handmade Mondayers, please get in touch and join the growing group of Guest Bloggers.  It would be lovely to have you take part.  You can contact me on christmaspiecrafts@virginmedia.com and a reminder just in case: 600 - 800 words, lots of pics, and all of your links (Twitter, Facebook, etc).  Your choice of topic can be craft or non-craft related, a bit of unashamed business promotion, talking about a place you love, a hobby, at pet or something that you feel you would like to write about.

My missing piece of pottery is still missing; I was advised that at another centre, a student's work turned up after it had been missing for three months!  Perhaps the person who took it decided they didn't really like it after all.  Oh well, I have enrolled on next term's course, so perhaps sometime in October I should have my fourth serviette holder back.  The course tutor has suggested I make another one to complete the set, but as the first batch were stamped and rolled, it is slightly difficult for a very amateur potter to get everything just right the second time around.  I shall have to ponder on this a while.

I have been busy this week making stock for my wall at Bourne Mill and here are pics of a few of my makes:

Don't forget to visit the blogs taking part in Handmade Monday to see what everyone has been up to in the last week.

As part of the Open Studios Event, I attended an Introduction to Wirework course yesterday run by Julie Holt at the Surrey Jewellery School.  An intense 2.5 hours during which I learned lots of easy techniques to make jewellery findings, and also made three pairs of earrings.  The session was a fantastic bargain at £15 - a special price for the Open Studios event.  Here are photographs of 2 of my makes:

The Open Studios event finishes today, although there are a couple of dates next month to catch up on visits.  I really recommend you try to see some of the great work of the artists who are taking part and also look out next year for the short courses some of the artists run - such great value.  Julie has lots of short courses on offer and I am considering doing one or two over the next few months.  Whilst I don't necessarily think I will branch out into the world of making/selling my own jewellery (too much competition really) I would like to make things that can embellish either my cards, gift bags or wreaths with.

The sun is out, the rain has actually stopped (perhaps the weather Gods have heard my plea?) and although it is very windy, I am going to do some gardening.  At this time of year, it is a case of grabbing time in the garden whenever possible as everything grows very, very quickly.

Finally I want to share with you my good fortune.  I received an email in the week advising me that Mr A N Other had arrived in Heathrow with $4,000,000.  Unfortunately, Mr Other was unable to leave with this money unless he paid a release fee.  Sadly, he was unable to do this and the sender of the email has given me a chance in a lifetime opportunity to share the $4,000,000 with him on a 60 (in my favour) - 40 basis.  All I have to do is transfer £1,700 and $2,400,000 will be mine.  As you can imagine I have been very busy checking in handbags, behind sofa cushions, emptying jars, raiding the cats' piggy banks' in an effort to raise the £1,700!!

Have a good week everyone, don't forget to check out the Handmade Monday blogs, my guest post and do please get in touch if you would like to be a guest blogger in July.

'See' you on Wednesday

Jill