Out with the old and in with the new...

Wow 2008 is very nearly at an end and as many of us do at this time there is some reflection going on for the year past and some looking ahead to the future!

What have I done this year:

• I started my business up properly and so far so good.
  
• Tony and I took the girls to see "Lazytown" back in April which was definitely one of the highlights of the year. Even Imogen enjoyed it even though she thought she might be to old for it!!!
  
• My friends wedding in Greece was a fantastic holiday with fantastic company.
  
• We have all been generally healthy which is always a blessing. Money has been very tight but we are dealing with that. Christmas would have hurt a bit but I can get us back on track over the next few months.
• I have made some fantastic friends on the Frit Happens forum and even though I have not met many of them I truly count them among my friends. I have had a few downs this year and they have been a fab source of support during these times. They are also brill for helping me out when I have a question and just for being there. They are a fab bunch.
• I also have some fantastic "real" friends. You know who you are and thank you for listening to me when I am miserable and for making me laugh! (Paula!)
  

What are my plans for the New Year:

• To concentrate on my bead and jewellery business a bit more and get my new ideas off the ground like the tuition and the childrens parties and some other ideas.
• Enjoy my family.
• Finish the patio and the garden this year
• If time and money allow to redecorate the living room and hallway!
  

I am sure I will add to this list I avoid New year resolutions cos I always break them and then feel crap for not being strong enough so I make a list of things to acheive. Lots of things will depend on the economy and whether or not the building industry is affected by the "recession". Tony is a builder so if they get affected we could be in dire straits but I won't dwell on that, things seem to be ticking along at the moment so fingers crossed all will be ok.

I wish you all a very happy new year and I hope you get everything you wish for 2009. I wish you happiness and health. I look forward to blogging in 2009 and this will be quite nice to refer back to on 31st December 2009 and see how my year has gone.

What are your plans for the new year?
TTFNx

January Sale.

In the true tradition of Boxing day I am having a January sale on my website. All beads (except spacer beads) are 20% off as is all the jewellery. Go visit my website and get yourself a bargain Aurorabeadz

What other news. Christmas day was lovely, quiet but lovely. Missed my eldest daughter cos she was with her dad yesterday and it was really quite quiet without her here. Savannah threw a massive paddy at 3 ish and took herself to bed for 2 hours so I played Animal Crossing on my Wii and Tony listened to the copious amounts of CD's that he got for Christmas. Altogether a very peaceful and chilling day! Today will be quite busy as we have the parents to visit. Tony's mum and dad first then to my mum and dad but first Imogen comes home and we get to watch her open all her pressies!

I hope you did not over do the eating yesterday and today the food fest begins again :-)

TTFNx

Sleeping beauties (not)...

It occured to me that seeing a box of bits and pieces may not be enough information so I have added a couple of photos to give an idea of what can be made from the little boxes of goodies I will supply at my childrens parties! I am so excited by this idea and a couple of others I am having that I cannot bloody well sleep properly!

Sleeping has become quite a problem in my house at the mo. Imogen is full of cold so she is not sleeping well and colds bring her the usual problem of nosebleeds! Savannah still gets up at 6am despite us buying one of those clocks that you can set what time the child gets up with. Hers is Sleeping beauty, she wears a blue dress when Savannah has to be asleep and a pink dress when she can get up. All Savannah does is moan that the "blue lady" is still showing! Tony just does not sleep well, he was up at 4 this morning watching TV and same yesterday! He blames the bed, says the mattress is uncomfortable but as we have a superking size bed I don't think buying a new mattress is an option at the mo, would cost too much!!! And as for me, my little head has gone into overdrive with ideas for my business. I am actually having to rein them in a bit cos I only have so much time for the business and as much as I would like to take the leap of faith and jack in the day job I have too many responsibilities. So I am back to my usual dilemma. How to promote Aurorabeadz but meet the committments Tony and I have! Right now I guess it has to be maintain the status quo don't change nothing...but I can dream can't I?

This is likely to be my last post before Christmas so I just want to say to all my readers old and new:
My Family and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and propserous 2009.

TTFNx

Children's Parties

I am pleased to announce that my idea about children's parties is a goer. I am finalising details but I am going to do them from January. I have split parties into 2 groups 5 - 8 year olds and 9 - 15 year olds. The youngest age group will have a little box with a length of elastic and a selection of beads that they can use to make a selection of bracelets and necklaces. The older children will get a box with a charm bracelet and a selection of beads that they can use to make their own charm bracelet. This will involved teaching them a little wire wrapping but no cutting will be involved. The pictures above are a representation of what each girl will get. What do you think?

My head is a spinnin'....

...you know how when you get an idea it becomes all consuming well....I don't get them very often but I have had one. Nothing to original you understand but something that feels very right and a brill idea for me! I have done a little research and I can't find to much around where I live so it looks like it might be a goer.

What? I hear you cry. What on earth are you rambling on about Sam. I'll tell you.

CHILDRENS PARTIES

I have 2 girls of my own who adore making jewellery with me why not share this with other children. Instead of getting a party bag full of sweets and junk that just gets thrown away I can provide the equipment, tools and knowledge for children to make their own piece of jewellery. I can do simple elasticated bracelets for 5 - 8 year olds and the 9 - 15 year olds can make their own charm bracelet. I can show them some simple wire wrapping etc. they all get to use their creative sides and make something special for themselves! I want to do one now and see how it goes!!!!!
I know this is not a new idea there are people around that do this already what is my spin? My own handmade beads for a start but I guess I need to think about why my parties are special!
I am so excited come on 2009
TTFNx

The countdown begins...

...I forgot the most important piece of news. It is a little over 3 months till the "Flame Off" at Towcester. Visit Tuffnell Glass for further information. This year it is a 2 day event with demos from Sarah Hornik, Beverley Hicklin, Jazzy Lily and Julie Ann Denton and loads more. I am quite excited!!! I have booked hotel and got my tickets! Tony and the girls are coming as well so they can potter around during the day and we can sepnd time together in the evenings.
Book the date in your diary April 17th and 18th 2009, Towcester racecourse.
TTFN x

I do other stuff....

...not just jewellery! So I thought it would be nice to share. I love nature. I know that sounds naff but there is something stunning about nature. The pictures here are of the heavy frost the other morning. I used the macro setting on my camera and got these shots and I love them!

More fingerprint jewellery

More fingerprint jewellery

My first blog award

I have got my first award. Elaine from Chatelaine Jewellery has nominated me and I am chuffed! Nice to know my ramblings are read!!! Thank you Elaine. Now the rules are that I must show the award on my website, link to the person who nominated me and nominate other blogs for the award. So....of to think about who to nominate!

Other news....my fingerprint jewellery has really taken off I have 3 orders sitting here with me to finish today and another one to make. I have run out of bloomin clay so I need to get on and order some! I still have not managed to play with my Koil Kutter I have bought some copper wire so I will get to it! only 2 more days at work and then I am off for 2 weeks so I will have a play then! Watch this space for my chain maille jewellery.
My spacer beads are doing very well as well! Despite the fact that I thought making job lots of small round beads would be boring I am finding that it is really good practice. I am really getting the hang of making sets of beads similar sizes and getting really good puckers as well so I am glad I started this.
I have another idea in my head for the new year which I am thinking through so if it goes ahead watch this space and I will give you details soon!
I got my tax return back yesterday and I made £11 profit last tax year (I had only been in business for 3 or 4 weeks) and I have got a bloody bill for £40 odd quid! Ok its not a lot but I pay my tax in the day job and only made £11 profit so WTH is that bill about!!!!!! Makes you wonder why you go legit and above board!!!!
Right gotta go errands to run and jewellery to make!
TTFNx

A bit later.....Right I have thought this through and nominate the following for the award.
1. Melanie Moertel I have just discovered this blog and the beads on here are simply to die for I love them simply scrummy!
2. Sarah Downton I love how Sarah writes in her blog and she imtroduced me to this fantastic world of glass and for that I love her!

Please go see their work you won't be disappointed.

There are loads of people whose work I adore and their blogs are shown on the right of my blog! Dont' foget to have a look at their work and musings as well!!! I am always scouting around and finding more so keep checking back.

TTFNx

Christmas presents

This is an order for a friend for Christmas! The blue beads are handmade by me. I am quite chuffed at how it turned out so simple yet completely effective.

This is another order I have been asked to make. It is 2m of thin leather with randomly spaced pearls. the ends are finished with my own handmade beads and it is calle a lariat. It is such a fantastically versatile piece of jewellery. It can be worn wrapped once round the neck like a scarf or several times to make a choker or many different combinations in between!

TTFNx

I'm so excited..

..don't take much to excite me but I have just taken delivery of my Koil Kutter so I can now make my own jump ring. Chain maille here I come. I do have loads to learn but this will compliment my beads beautifully. These are made by me with kits bought from Maille Queen

Now I can make my own jump rings and tumble them!!!!

Not just silver either although that is my fav but I can do copper, gold coloured wire etc etc etc!!! the sky is the limit.

Better day today!!!

Morning, trying to be positive today so only good stuff allowed on here!

So what news: I have drawn the winner for my prize draw and I have emailed the winner. I am waiting for him / her to email me back with a name as I don't want to put the email address on the Internet!

The website has loads of new stuff on it all in the jewellery section. I have reached a point where the site is looking a bit messy cos I just keep adding pages so I am now trying to organise things logically. I have now got submenu's for the jewellery section so if you are looking for necklaces then there is a necklace page. Ditto earrings, bracelets and jewellery sets. I will do this for my beads as well but not sure when I will get to it. It does mean that the website is looking a little messy at the mo but please bear with me cos hopefully it will better once I have done it all!

Have you got your Christmas decorations up yet? I am putting mine up gradually, I normally do them all in one evening and surprise the girls but savannah has been asking for them up so I put a few up to keep her happy. I think I will put the tree up tonight and let Tony finish putting the lights up! Only 14 days to go till Christmas and I don't feel in the slightest bit Chritmassy which is typical cos back in October I was really Christmassy. Started to early and burnt out LOL!

Right I have to get ready for work and get Savannah to my childminder so I best be off. have a good day guys and see you soon.
TTFNx

Apologies in advance you might want to skip this post....

....Without getting to melodramatic I have quite frankly had enough! there is nothing about beads or jewellery or my children or anything in this post! so please Iam not offended if you switch off now. Tomorrow will be more interesting and about beads and jewellery and not me! I am having a selfish moment.

I am having some problems with my hormones! Back in August and September I got really low! I have stuggled for a few years now with "depressive" symptoms frankly sometimes I think I am purely and simply miserable; other times I think maybe there is something wrong with me! I came off my anti depressants in February and went back on them in September because my PMT was getting quite severe. Ashamed as I am to admit it but my 2 girls began to be my focus for my increasing anger and my fear of what I might do if I did nothing is what sent me to the GP in the end. Since Sept instead of being low all the time and sinking I feel more up and down. I have really good days where I feel fine but days like today I just sob and get really angry alternately! Seriously what is wrong with me!

Ho hum what can I do? Honestly I just don't know!

Later.....OMG I have just seen that Oliver Postgate has died. That is very sad I watched all of his TV shows I especially loved "The Clangers" and "Bagpuss" but "Noggin the Nog" has a special place in my heart as well! So sad Rest In Peace Oliver Postgate.

So here it is in its final glory! I made this for my dad to give to my mum and I am so pleased with it! The earrings did not survive sadly they were much to big but the pendant is just right. When I showed it to my dad he saw the jewellery in the other picture and bought that for my mum as well! I have learned so much making this rose / flower and I don't think it will be the last but this is the only one like this for my mum!!! Blimey I hope she likes it!

TTFNx

Silence is golden..

...for my family but not for me!!! I love to talk and enforced silence is like a form of Chinese torture :-) The voice is well and truly gone so I really have to rest it so ensure it comes back soon! I am pretty convinced it is purely a viral laryngitis but I have never lost my voice completely before. On top of that I have the hugest cold sore on my bottom lip so well and truly run down I think!

Enough medical information what other news!

My party went well last night. I made a goodly sum of money which will get loughed back into stock pretty fast! My friend Kirsty came along as well and sold a few bits that she made hopefully she found that a real confidence boost her stuff is lovely. It was fab when she bought it round for me to look at the other day but the improvement since then is fab. It is so hard to say that without sounding patronising but encouragement is so important and the best compliment is someone buying your stuff. Thats why I enouraged her to do it boost confidence an all that!

My koil kutter is on order and I am seriously researching aspect ratio etc for my chain maille so watch this space more chain maille coming I think. If I can get jens pind cracked then I want to use it as the bracelet for my Belita Beads which I want to re launch after Christmas cos they have gone quiet to be able to provide the bracelet system has got to figure highly in this so that is my aim for the new year. Another aim is to crack encasing for my beads I am loving my lampworking at the moment there is no real pressure attached to it and I am having fun. Gonna load my Folksy shop and my website over the next few days so have a look.

Final news I have got a "Credit Crunch" range watch this space and I will let you know, very simple affordable beautiful jewellery coming soon!

What no voice....

...it's gone, no voice I am rendered mute (ish!!!) I woke up fine but by lunchtime going going and by 3pm gone.....OMG how am I supposed to do a party tomorrow with no bloody voice!!! Argh! Still good thing is that I don't feel unwell not coldy or anything just got sexy husky voice. Mind you the pain is pretty grim!

Good News: I have a tumbler!!! Tony has bought it for me for Christmas and I have just used it. Wow what a result the silver is beautiful slight problem with the flower I have made my mum but I am doing some investigating to sort it out. Worry not guys it is not ruined or damaged but not quite how I want it!

Anyway the party tomorrow is all set up and priced and I am quite impressed really; there are 16 pairs of earrings and a nice selection of necklaces and a nice selection of prices hopefully I can cater for most pockets! Got the wine; got the nibbles I am all ready! Please can I have my voice back!!! :-)

I am off, a few last minute things to make and I'm A Celebrity to watch...

TTFNx

Where does the time go?

Wow...where does the time go? Nearly one week since my last blog entry. I have been a little under the weather of late. Like I have said previously there are so many bugs around at the moment. Anyway I think I am nearly over it, headache is finally settling and the earache is settling as well.

What news for you all then? Well only 2 days to go till my party. This is only the 3rd party that I have done. Both of the other 2 went really well so I am not worried about that this time. I am a bit worried that I have not got enough stock!!!I am making stuff each evening and have some sets of beads that are not made into jewellery that people can look at and ask me to make into jewellery for them. But how much is enough?

This is quite an odd feeling really...I don't do this to make a huge profit but obviously I want to make some money but that said I cannot undercharge for my work as there are other who are making a business out of this that do not need people selling jewellery cheap! Some of you might say I should not be worrying about what others sell their goods for just sell mine but this pricing thing is a complete minefield. I can't remember if have discussed this before so I will collect my thoughts and check old posts before launching into a blog entry about pricing! I do need to emphasize though that I pretty much exclusively use sterling silver for my jewellery which definitely impacts on my prices. When I started this business there was so much I just didn't think of cos I simply didn't know. Don't get me wrong though I am loving running my own business and I can make little mistakes cos at the moment it is not my bread and butter but one day who knows.......I have a dream! :-)