2011 (part 1)

What a year it has been!  2011 began with me thinking about 'doing' something more with my jewellery, (just because I was never going to wear everything that I was making).  I applied to attend some markets, with lots of encouragement from some friends, thanks Sonia, Keri and Majane!

The market experience was amazing.  I very quickly realised that my display was terrible so I worked on improving it.  I still am, as I don't think anyone would ever be completely happy with the layout of their stall, I certainly am not!  But it definitely looks better than the first market I went to at The Valley Market. 

I have learnt about writing applications and taking photos (I am terrible ~ thanks Keri for the wonderful photos you have taken for me).  I am still struggling with the whole pricing and 'selling myself' thing but I guess it is a gradual learning process and one I need to keep working on.

The type of jewellery I make has changed and evolved and I hope will continue to do so.  I still love doing all sorts of different techniques but I really love working with silver, piercing, forging, soldering, and forming and of course working with glass.  I have found that combining these things with the use of gemstones has been a wonderful transition.

Hmmm..what do I make though?  Well the basic pieces such as necklaces, rings and bracelets have been added to.  My work now includes, lanyards, rings, hat/scarf pins, bag charms, key rings, bookmarks, wine charms and glasses chains.

Oh there is so much to cover from 2011 that I think I might add to it in another post!

Have a good night all and I will catch up with you in the morning with next 5 daily gratitudes! :)

What a Week!

Wow! it has been an amazing week.  I have been busy with my children (well young adults really). Last Wednesday, I was relaxing playing a computer game.  My youngest son was really happy because he had spent some birthday money on some fishing tackle.  He had picked out a couple of lures and had taught himself how to tie them onto his line. 

While practising this new skill he managed to get the lure hooked into the couch.  That was a nuisance but could be dealt with.  However by the time I had turned around to help him ~ less than a second ~ he decided to try and get it out himself.  Easy ~ of course not ~ the lure he was practising on had two hooks on it so the one not stuck in the couch became very deeply embedded in his finger.  I am sure you can imagine the rest.  It wasn't pretty and required a trip to the after hours doctor.

The piece which was removed from my son's finger

Lucky for grandparents ~ he spent the rest of the week with them while I was at school.  The weekend involved making some jewellery for my friend's wedding.  I also helped to put together the place mats for the guests ~ not a simple job either.  It took three of us working together quite a few hours to make them all!

A sterling silver and handmade glass bead bracelet

Finds

Well this week has been one where getting back into routine has been the go. Back to school for the kids and I! Yesterday was spent doing housework (ho hum) and today we had a trip to the tip shop (doesn't sound all that exciting does it!). 

Hubby wanted to get some things for the garden and I was looking for a crock pot or slow cooker to use with my handmade glass beads, we didn't find either.  I came home with a few pillow cases for Cathy to use to make her gorgeous bags, a wooden thing-a-me to hang my tools on and a couple of besser block bricks to use to make a bookcase in an effort to sort out the mess I have in my craft room.

Three weeks ago I managed to find the floor of my room but since then card making and jewellery design and production have destroyed the room.  I like to work on the floor so there is one clear patch where I sit to work.  I hope that during the week I manage to fix the mess and reorganise the room so that getting out and putting away become easier and within reach of where I sit.  Well that is the plan I guess time will tell!

I am amazed about how close Christmas is.  Less than three months away!  So I have started on making Christmas cards.  I have begun by hunting out all my old cards and cutting out pieces which can be reused on new cards.  I found three cards with the same picture and they have become a nice paper tole card.  The other pieces I have cut out have been place into a file to be used over the next few weeks.

Last week I was able to put some of my jewellery on display at my hairdressers.  The girls there have bought a number of pieces before and thought their clients might be interested.  Fingers crossed that they are!

Have a great week all and hopefully I will see some of you at the Woodbridge Market on Sunday.

Bye for now
Lee-Anne :)

Busy times!

Well after a busy, but fun two weeks it will be back to work tomorrow.  I am looking forward to seeing all the children in my class but I have loved having time at home to catch up on things and create and make as I wanted.  I have worked hard to make some cards, the pyramid types have been my favourites lately.  I have also finished the table numbers for my friends wedding in October.

My boys have been out and about.  My youngest spent a week with his uncle in Stawell in Victoria and my eldest has mates with their licences, so they have been out and about (mostly getting food I think from the golden arches).  So the house has been very quiet which meant lots of me time (and some of the empty nest syndrome ~ I think I could get used the quiet though).

I will get my camera out and take photos of the cards soon.  In the meantime here is a necklace and earring set I created using 'treasures from the sea' ~ red coral (recycled from a necklace found at a garage sale), sea sediment jasper and fresh water pearls.

My Kids

I have two children and I cannot believe how quickly they are growing up. Last week my eldest son went on a snowboarding trip to another state that he paid for completely by himself. He arrived home and almost immediately began planning for a trip to New Zealand next year. His younger brother got on a plane today to go to Melbourne to watch Hawthorn play football and then stay for a week with his uncle. I think I might be starting to understand what 'empty nest' will be like and I don't think I like it much. At least I have got plenty to do while the house is empty and I am on school holidays. Hopefully there will be some photos soon of some new creations!

Hmmm...

It has been a very busy few weeks. I have had a great time learning new techniques and making some different jewellery doing an adult education class. Jan Barker is a wonderful and very patient teacher. I can now make stud earrings with stone settings and rings using two different types of bezel settings. I hope to be able to add some of these types of jewellery to my stock very soon. Next term I hoping to continue with the class and learn how to do simple claw settings, rivoting so I can add cufflinks to my stock to cater for some of the men Who visit the markets. Hmmm, what do you think....

New Ideas

I had a lovely day at the Snug Community Market yesterday.  One of the things I love about this market are all the interesting people you meet.  The stall holders are always amazing and inspirational people and those who visit the market love to chat.

A little girl stopped at my stall yesterday with her mum.  Her mum looked at and bought two of my scarf pins to wear in a jacket as a clasp.  While she was deciding which ones she wanted the little girl was looking at some of the other things on the table.  She looked carefully at the wine glass charms I had and then asked her mum to buy her some.  When her mum asked what she wanted them for she said they were nice bracelets for her doll.  What a fabulous idea ~ a new range on the way of doll jewellery for little various dolls hmmm might even include some things for the Bratz and Barbie dolls as well!

Missing In Action

Well I have to apologise that I have been missing from here for so long.  I hope that I will rectify that and try to post more regularly.


I have just got home from the Woodbridge Market.  A wonderful community market with lots of locals visiting as well as visitors who have been moving around this beautiful state of Tasmania.  The market itself is full of wonderful crafts, yummy food and fabulous local produce.  It is on the first Sunday of every month until either March or April next year.

Just a few of the pieces I have been working on while MIA. x

Handmade lampwork bead necklace

A pin using a handmade glass bead and moonstone beads.

A lanyard made using rose quartz and amethyst beads

A metal worked necklace using hammering techniques.

Featured Artisan Va Beach Quilter

Featured Artisan Va Beach Quilter

This weeks featured artisan is Kim - Va Beach Quilter. Kim has a wonderful selection of goodies in her shop. Quilts, table runners, coasters.. the list goes on and on... You can find Va Beach Quilter on:

Etsy

Artfire

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Beaded Lanyards

Do you dislike wearing your ID?  Do you find having to carry work keys a problem?  Well these gorgeous beaded lanyards might just be the answer.  They are made from a variety of beads in different colours.  They have strong magnetic clasps designed to allow more flexibility in their uses.  They are not so long that they knock into people or things when you lean down and they look fantastic.  These ones were made after some of the staff complained at work about having to wear their ID and that when they were assisting children in their class that the IDs were knocking into the children's heads (a pain for everyone) so I thought I might be able to come up with a solution...hmmm...what do you think?

Kettering

A great day at Kettering Community Market today!  My bookmarks were a hit today and now I will have to make some more!

Opps, I forgot to take a photo of the bookmarks :(

Business Cards

Well, I absolutely love my new business cards, stickers and earring cards.  I can't wait until the weekend to show them off at the Kettering Community Market on Saturday!

Hard to tell here how great they look but they are fanastic.

Thanks to Nicole of Tang  Print Media Productions :)

http://www.facebook.com/tangpmp

Why not have a look at her work for yourself ?

Market Day

An awesome day today!  Heaps of people around, lots of amazing handmade products, lovely food and nice weather (although it was still cold).  It never ceases to amaze me what people like and how different each market is.  Today was definitely the day for my hat/scarf pins.  I sold quite a few and was making them as I went.  I think they are fantastic with my handmade glass beads and so did quite a few people at the market today.

Snug Community Market

Looking for something to do tomorrow (Sunday 12th June)?  Well come on down and visit the Snug Community Market, south of Hobart.  Should be a fantastic day with lots of different craft products as well as fresh produce, plants and yummy food!  I will be there with some new things on my stall.  Wine charms, cards and sterling silver rings just to name a few of my new products

Although this sterling silver ring has been sold there will be other similar ones for sale.

Share the Love - Blogger's Unite

Share the Love - Blogger's Unite

This weeks Featured Artisan is Allurynn - Creations by Moonlight! Alluryn has wonderful creations in her shop! A Must have for every jewelry box!! You can find Creations by Moonlight on:

Etsy
Website
Twitter
Facebook

Made It Sale

Woohoo!! I am so happy.  I have made my first sale on MadeIt.com.au.  I was starting to think that a sale was never going to happen either on Etsy or Madeit and now it has!  One of my great handbag charms was purchased today.  I hope the person who bought it likes it!  Is feels like I might finally be making some progress with my jewellery as I may also have some items in a shop opening in South Hobart next month. 

I hope the Snug Community Market on Sunday goes well too and I will be over the moon and nothing will be able to bring me down! x

Snug Market

I have heard this week that I will be able to attend the Snug Market again.  I can't wait this is a lovely market with lots of gorgeous handmade good and fresh produce.  It is on the Sunday June 12th.  What would you like to see me make more of?

New Pendant

I was looking through a magazine tonight and saw a nice necklace with wire and crystals.  I thought I could use the idea and make my own version.  Check it out!  What do you think?

New listing

Evening all,
I have just listed a pair of earrings on my made it store.  The earrings are a pair of my favourite featuring my handmade beads and sterling silver jump rings.

Please let me know what you think.


www.madeit.com.au/LeeAnnesHandmade

Share the Love - Featured Artisan!

This weeks Featured Artisan is Theresa Karnes - Tak Unique Designs. Teresa has beautiful creations in her shop! You can find Tak Unique Designs on:

Artfire

Facebook

Next market

I am really looking forward to The Valley Market this Sunday.  Busy making new stock and checking that my display looks as inviting as possible.  Hope to see you all there! I will post some photos of the new things when I get a chance :)

Featured Artisan

This Week's On Fire For Handmade Featured Artisan is...Drum Roll Please...Moonsong Ranch!

This weeks featured artisan is Doug from Moonsong Ranch! Wonderful creations for you!! You can find Moonsong Ranch on:

Etsy

Website

Artfire

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

This weeks Featured Artisan is Lori - Curiositiy's Piqued. Lori creates

 baby items, purses, bags, household items and Christmas ornaments that I crochet, sew and craft by hand. She also has another shop called Tadasana Tribal. You can find Curiositiy's Piqued on:

Artfire

Blog

Facebook

http://www.tadasanatribal.artfire.com

http://www.facebook.com/tadasanatribal

http://tadasanatribal.blogspot.com/

Stores

I am slowly adding new items to both my etsy store  http://www.etsy.com/shop/leeanneshandmade and my made it store www.madeit.com.au/LeeAnnesHandmade.
Let me know what you think of these stores :)

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mums!

Busy Week

It has been a very busy week!  Getting ready to have not one but two stalls at two different places at the same time on Friday night.  That meant that I needed to almost double the amount of usual stock I have.  I also had a busy open home for my friends to get their mother's day gifts and cards last Sunday.  This was a very successful day, but that also resulted in having to make new items to make up for those sold.

The stalls last night, one at the Lindisfarne Football club Mother's Day  evening and the other at a shopping night for a very special little girl both did quite well.  The fundraiser was fantastic with a nice sum being raised to assist with the development of Willow's Organic Oasis.

My little friend, Ainsley (the one with the cute red handbag), did an amazing job selling my jewellery and cards at the football club.  Thanks Ains xx

Here are some photos of some new items thanks to Keri for www.photosbybear.com.au

Open Home

Wow!  What a fantastic day for an open home.  The sun was shining and the view from my living room amazing.  I had quite a few people visit and all left with some fantastic Mothers' Day gifts and cards (some ladies chose their own gifts). Below are some of the jewellery which went to new homes :)

Facebook

Good morning all!!

Have you seen my facebook page yet?  I will have specials and giveaways at various times and they will all be advertised through this page.  Why not drop by, like and have a look
http://www.facebook.com/leeanneshandmade

Featured Artist

This weeks Featured Artisan is Ruth - RSS Designs in Fiber. Ruth has beautiful creations to decorate your home! Stop by RSS Designs in Fiber and see for yourself! You can find Ruth on:

Here is the link for the code: http://www.box.net/shared/uvog7l6m16

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RSSDesignsInFiber

http://rssdesignsinfiber.blogspot.com/

http://www.artfire.com/users/rssdesignsinfiber

http://www.facebook.com/ruth.sandra.sperling?sk=info#!/ruth.sandra.sperling

Buttons, Buttons and more Buttons

A quick post to show you all some of the work I am doing with handmade buttons and metal. Hope you like these.

LeeAnnesHandmade

Hi all, I am very excited as I have just opened a store on the Australian site for handmade.  The site is Called Made It, and promoted as The Handmade Market Open All Day Every Day!  Have a look at www.madeit.com.au and see what you think. From the home page type in LeeAnnesHandmade to search for my business and check out the earrings that I have listed.

www.madeit.com.au

Collinsvale Market

What a lovely market at Collinsvale today!  Lots of people enjoying lots of craft, food, fresh produce and knick knacks.  A great day seemed to be had by everyone.  As always it was wonderful meeting new people and chatting to other stall holders. 

Wedding Invitations

Just finished by friends wedding invitations.  Here are a few of them

Memory Wire Bracelets