These beautiful red Swarovski hearts are embraced within a silver wire (non-tarnish silver plated) frame that has been hand-formed.  Each heart is individual and unique the only similarity being the swirls that finish of the loose ends.  Both necklaces will be attached to a faux suede 18 inch cord.

I’ll be taking the last couple of sets from my Wearable Art Jewellery.  These have been an absolute hit with new and returning customers.  

Here are some of the last pieces left from this collection.  If you would like to buy any of them then please contact me via the contact form or if you’re in the Uppermill/Saddleworth area pop in and see me at the farmers market.

Last Friday (2/12) was my annual trip to the craft fair at the Rams Head pub in Disley.  The fair coincides very nicely with the Christmas light switch on and is a fantastic evening with all the locals and visitors popping in for mulled wine.  This is also the only time that myself, Anna and Lisa meet up – although we are going to try and rectify that in the new year by meeting up for lunch and have a proper catch up.  We were also joined this year by Shoples Handmade Soaps,  Lucy Liz and a couple of other stall holders. 

Here are a couple of pictures from the craft fair.

We now have another 12 months until the next fair at the Rams Head pub.

If you follow me on twitter or facebook you will already have seen the pieces made up into a bracelet.  If you don’t follow me then here it is all made up and ready to be sent to a new home.

I’ve had some amazing feedback from people about the bracelet.  At a recent Christmas Market held at a ladies networking group I had the bracelet on display and everyone the ladies who showed interest held out their wrists to try it on. Normally I would have to ask if they wanted to try the item on – but not with this bracelet.

My sample piece was made up in lime green and this seems to be a very popular even though I offer to make the bracelet in the customers choice of colour.

Below are a few pictures of the sample bracelet.

Today I am writing about a networking event that I run along with Shilpa Mistry – and before you ask no we are not related it’s a question we get asked quite often when we go to the same events .

The idea came about after I returned to work in Tameside after a year of working from a studio in Reddish.  In my 12 months working in the Stockport/Cheshire area I found that Stockport council had a thriving Creative Industry and were actively promoting “creatives” in the area and as I had a studio there I was invited to attend their monthly events which I found really useful and got to meet and work with other like minded individuals.

However, moving back to Tameside I found that there was no support/meeting in the area (other than the established BNI’s B4Bs etc) and found myself to be really isolated working from home and not having as much contact with the outside world other than online via twitter, facebook etc.  I tried to find help and funding from the local council but unfortunately they were going through cuts etc.  So having come to a bit of a dead end Shilpa and I decided that we would do something ourselves and in our own time.  

So with my list of  ”creatives” database and Shilpa’s expertise in finding a venue we launched Tameside Creatives Network in May 2011 at Costa Coffee.  We didn’t really know if anyone would be interested in coming along as it was mainly aimed at creatives (although everyone is welcome).    I am pleased to say that we have gone from strength to strength in the last 7 months that we have been running the event and we have members who have been coming from day 1 – so we must be doing something right.

We get people from all types of businesses – photographers, cake designers, graphic artists, web designers, solicitors,  a member of staff from Tameside College the list goes on.

The photographs below were taken at todays networking and as you can see the event is relaxed and inviting and there is no pressure to hard sell it’s very informal – which is exactly what we envisioned and we couldn’t have done it without the support of the people who attend our meetings so from both me & Shilpa I would like to say a very big THANK YOU to everyone who has come along and supported us and hopefully we will get to meet many more new businesses at our future events.  If you would like more information or would like to come to one of our meetings please have a look at the Tameside Creatives Network website or alternatively you can contact me here via the contact form. 

Thank you for reading my rambles and if you have any thoughts please do leave them in the comments box.

Tameside Creatives Networking Meeting 2.11.2011

First we have A Trio of Trees - These cards are made using a background rubber stamp. Which have then been cut and made into tree shapes. I’ve added some gossy accents to the coloured dots to give them a raised effect.  As the trees are all cut out individually by hand the patterns and placing of the coloured dots will be different on each card.  Card size = approx 10.5cms x 14.5cms comes with white envelope. 

Chrismas Parcel  - This card has been made using the same rubber stamp as the tree cards.  
As with the tree cards all the parcels are cut out individually by hand therefore the patterns and placing of the coloured dots will be different on each card.  Each card can be personalised and the colour of the background and ribbon can be suited to the person who you are sending the card to.
Card size = approx 10.5cms x 14.5cms comes with white envelope.

Christmas Head to Toe - I love this card with the cheeky little spotty dog and the charismatic character. I’ve added a sprinkling of sparkle to the hat, dress and bag – after all it wouldn’t be Christmas without a dusting of glitter.   The images can be in any colour you like as they are all handpainted.  Personalise the card with the recipients name for no extra cost.  This is a tall DL card measuring approx 21cm x10.5cms

Traditional Santa - Prefer something a little bit more traditional? Then this is the card for you. This is a very popular card which is requested by returning customers each year.  As the image is handpainted each card will look slightly different. I’ve also given Santa a bit of sparkle to add to the festive season.   The base card is a light cream with a festive red ribbon along the edge with Merry Christmas in gold writing.  This is a square card measuring approx 14cm x 14 cm – comes with a cream envelope.  Again the card can be personalised with name,date etc.

And last but by no means least – A Trio of Penguins - These guys are so cute. This is another favourite with returning customers. A Trio of Penguins in festive hats with a sprinkling of glitter. Can’t you just hear them singing the lovely Christmas Carols?  This is a square card measuring approx 14cm x 14 cm – comes with a white envelope.  The card can be personalised with name, date etc.

All cards can be ordered by phone or email – details here   

Each card can be personalised at no extra cost. 
Individual cards are £3.50 each. Postage at £1.00
5 cards for £15.00 (£3 each). Mix & Match any card. Postage £1.50
Buy 10 or more cards and get them for only £2.75 each Free postage

When I started my business I had no idea the amount of support and networking events that are out there.  Some are specifically catered to women,  others are more corporate businesses, business clubs etc.  There are too many to name.  

In my first few weeks of setting up I received a lot of help and advice from The Tameside Business Family run by the local council in Tameside.  This was great in getting to know the practical side of things like tax, book-keeping etc but didn’t really help with connecting to other people in business.

Whilst attending one of the Tameside Business Family events I met Sue Willett.  Sue introduced me to a lovely group of ladies who meet once a month in Uppermill, Saddleworth at The Riverside B & B .  The group has been meeting now for nearly 2 years and I have been lucky enough to be a member.   We all come from different sectors of business from tax, insurance, solicitors, marketing, holisitic therapy etc.  We meet once a month to discuss, plan and see what we have all been up to what we can do to help each other.  It’s a very relaxed and informal meeting and there is never any pressure to bring business to the table as is the case in some networking groups and that is one of the main reasons I like going to the meetings.

Yesterday afternoon we held a open evening and invited other women in business to join us for an informal meeting.  It was a great success as we had over 40 women come along.  Below are some of the photographs of the ladies who attended and a group photograph (not all members present) taken by Tiger Photography.

L-R: Shilp Mistry,  Deborah Davies, Me, Julia Sheard (our leader),

Claire Holland,  Tracy Barlow, Amanda Longden, Christina Aspinall,

Dot Birchfield, Rebecca O’Donnell.

As you can see from the photographs the event was a huge success.  

For my cards I’ve used a rubber stamp with a henna design on it (I don’t remember which company its from as I’ve taken the stamp of the wooden block).  I think the shape of the design lends itself as a flame.  The base and wording were made digitally using a graphics software.  The tiny gems adds a touch of sparkle to the end result. 

If you enjoy looking at or even making different types of crafts why not pop on over to Wendy’s and take a look at what other crafter’s have been up to.

 WE HAVE A WINNER

***ELS***

 Congratulations

The winner was picked at random by my friend

  The comment was left on my blogger blog

Here is what she said

“Nita, you always make the prettiest sparklies! And as an old crow, I do lub dem sparklies…”

July Giveaway

Leave a comment and you could be the proud owner of these gorgeous Swarovski Pearl Earrings

(click on “comment” see top right of this post)

Winner will be picked at random on Friday 15th July 2011

GOOD LUCK!!

(Earwires are sterling silver)

Comments:

Angelita 04:12 AM on July 15, 2011

Ooh what do I say? Give me the earrings! Seriously, your jewellery is gorgeous Anita. would love to have some. Thank you.xx

Jenn 01:33 PM on July 11, 2011

These earrings are so delicate and gorgeous. I have always been a fan of pearls. They will be fabulous for my wedding next year! Thank you so much for this opportunity.

laura 06:28 AM on July 11, 2011

I usually don’t enter contests, but these are so beautiful – I just have to enter! I have a light blue sun dress that would look spectacular with these.

Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Sue Willett 10:40 AM on July 10, 2011

Hi Anita,

As always, some more lovely pieces of your work.

The items that you made for my daughter Sarah’s wedding and for her bridesmaids looked absolutely stunning on them all. Well done.

Sue

Katherine Brookes 06:01 AM on July 10, 2011

Thought I’d have a go……. Anita makes gorgeous jewellery and cards, so talented!!

Reply

georgie 05:41 AM on July 07, 2011

Hi Anita..;o)…this is such a lovely idea!!…so I’d like to say…”count me in please”..;o)x

itsamistry 02:48 PM on July 04, 2011

Lucy It was lovely to meet you to. I’m pleased that your friend liked the birthday card. I’ll be updating more as I make them.

Shiela It was a pleasure to chat with you on Saturday and it would be a pleasure to show you how to make the beaded beads pendant.

Anita

Lucy 06:09 AM on July 04, 2011

Hi – It was so very nice to meet you on Saturday at the Mossley Craft Market. Thanks for all of the tips

Hope you enjoyed it too. The Cupcake Card went down a strom with the birthday girl!!

Lucy , x

Kerys 04:34 PM on July 03, 2011

A 30th wedding anniversary is called the pearled wedding. Pearl represents purity, hidden deep beauty and understanding and of course a man could do no better than buy his wife such a lovely gift.

Kerys @nwweddingguide

Sheila 03:27 PM on July 03, 2011

Hi Anita. It was lovely to meet you at Mossley Craft Fair yesterday. The giveaway earings look lovely but so did the other items on your stall. I particularly liked the beaded bead pendant and I am looking forward to the time when I can make one myself. Perhaps I will be able to attend one of your workshops when Iam back in England again!

itsamistry 05:45 AM on July 03, 2011

@trashmaster46 all sorted

trashmaster46 09:11 PM on July 02, 2011

OMG – I’m so sorry for the multiple comments – my connection “burped” as I hit “post comment”.

Reply

trashmaster46 09:10 PM on July 02, 2011

I can already picture the outfit I’d wear these with

Maria Rogers 07:56 AM on July 02, 2011

Wonderful jewellery Anita and the earrings look absolutely gorgeous! The luck winner certainly won’t be disappointed!

Kind regards

Maria Rogers

Mia’s Creations

www.miascreations.co.uk

Kate Mortimer 04:45 PM on July 01, 2011

Love the giveaway earrings, Anita! They are so delicate and tasteful, as is all of your jewelry. I particularly like the hair ornaments you made for Sarah and Ian’s wedding. Beautiful! Makes me wish I had long hair again!

Kate Davis 10:22 AM on July 01, 2011

These earrings look wonderful – would have been so right my 16 year old daughter’s prom last night…… she had a rotten six months and her gran passed away yesterday ….. maybe i will treat her to some one day soon..

Kate

www.computacare.net

Deborah Davies 07:00 AM on July 01, 2011

Anita

As you already know I absolutely love your jewellery, it is not only beautiful to look at but made with precision and care so that it lasts forever. Having already purchased some of Anita’s work, and hopefully more in the future, I would like to say to anyone considering buying from Anita that will not be disappointed. The creativity and finish is fantastic and not only that can be made to your own requirements.

Best Wishes

Deborah Davies

Tiger Photography