Grown up

Hello all.

Fear not, I have not fallen from the face of the planet, I have just been very busy this past month. I have been doing very grown up things that are in fact very dull so I won't bore you with details. I did realise the other day that it was more than past time that I check in here again and make an effort. I apologise for being so lazy by way of posting for the last little while. I will do better from now on, I promise.

Anyway, I'm taking part in an exhibition that opens soon so I have to deliver my work to the gallery on Monday. I am highly unprepared so we will move on quickly from this fact. I also have work on a website that is going live pretty soon, so more on that once it's up and running. How very exciting!

As for next week I have more grown up boring things to do so that's an awful sad thought! BUT... I'm finally getting into my shared workshop so expect new things soon and a lot more effort on this page and a lot of change in my store. While I've had a fairly lazy summer I realise it's now time to crack on.

Here we go!

P.S The pictures above and below are from one of my days this summer wasting time on beaches around fife when I really should have been working hard.

Productive week

Finally.

This week I have spoken to:

1) A gallery about possibly showing work,
2) Two speciality stores in Dundee about socking pieces.

This is resulting in me being productive once more after a month of bumming around. It really was getting boring but you know it's tough once you get in a rut.

So expect posting to return to normal some time in the next week as I come up with new things...finally. Which in turn should result in a makeover for my online store with new work. Hoorah.

On an entirely unrelated topic, for some reason my flat smells of roast chicken dinner. I'm sure you all agree it's one of the best smells known to man but I'm not aware of one ever being cooked here... maybe it's the neighbours?

{UPDATE}

I have been invited to take part in another Exhibition, this time in Crieff. Also, the flat no longer smells of chicken.

Deliveries result in tales of my general existance.

I am waiting for a delivery today, one of those "it'll be there between 8am and 6pm" affairs. So I have been up since the crack of dawn just incase. No doubt it won't arrive until about 5.45 at best. This means you can expect regular updates and wittering today on my part as the boredom really begins to set in.

I have to admit though that I have been very productive already, for I did battle with a mighty foe.

When I went to bed last night there was a monstrously huge daddy long legs kicking about in the living room, I went to bed and hoped against hope it would find its way to and out of the window overnight. No luck! So for the first 10 minutes I tried ignoring it but all the while having one eye firmly on it incase it sprang into action and attacked. Just because it has never happened before doesn't mean it can't happen now. After I had wound myself up to being near convinced I could see the beasts blood dripping fangs I decided action must be taken. It was cunning and had chosen a spot up at the ceiling, which is very high up in these old flats so out came the broom...to no great effect. Note to self : soft bristle brooms do nothing but upset them. This resulted in much flapping about on my and my visitors part so the broom went away and out came the hoover.

Don't get me wrong, I don't freak out over any old bug. Mostly I am completely indifferent to them. These things on the other hand put the fear of god in me.

So out was the hoover and to be honest I wasn't hoping for the best because it really was struggling to reach and the suction is not amazing. So I did try, and as predicted it only upset the poor thing. I'm guessing by this point it no more appreciated me than I appreciated it. So it was wise and off out the window it finally went. A non exciting finish to this gripping tale but I must say and satisfactory end non the less.

Until later, once I have exhausted the Sunday supplements I expect, enjoy your day and wish me luck.

Update 1 : Is anyone else scared to do anything beyond sitting and breathing just incase you miss the door bell going while you are waiting on something arriving? Plus the longer you wait the less likely you are to move because said delivery is ever more imminent and you down right refuse to have to miss it.

In working order once more

For some reason, unknown to me, the Internet in my new flat suddenly decided to work today. Probably just to make me look bad. One of my good friends came up to see if he could get it working and as soon as he turned the computer on all was working fine, I promise it has never once worked since I moved here and I have witnesses to prove it if I need to. Anyway, hopefully it will decide to stay this way, it really was like losing a limb.

I see in my absence my blog counter has passed the 1000 views mark, so HOORAH! in a rather belated manner.

I don't think I really have much to tell, I've just had a little break from jewellery since I got back from London and taken the time to settle into my new part time job which I'm enjoying a lot. Aside from that I've just been considering my options and what I want to do. However, I was also becoming pretty lethargic and was in danger of not doing anything any time soon but a well timed letter from a gallery has once more spurred me into action... but more on that later.

Hope you've all been well this last month and can anyone believe it's August already??

Speak to you all soon x

Home again

I have returned from London, and thankfully in one piece. I do love it down there but it's not as much fun as it could be when you have few pennies to your name.

New Designers went well for all, everyone gaining interest and details being taken for people to get back in touch. Hello to all of the 3rd years who made the trip down to say hello and have a look around. My only great problem while I was there was restraining myself from buying work from anyone else. Standing on a stall for 4 days solid can get pretty boring at times and I did wander off occasionally to have a look around. I did manage to hold of a spending spree knowing full well that the bank manager would be unimpressed with any purchases I would have liked to have made. "But sir, what do you mean a ceramic rabbits face mounted on my bedroom wall isn't a necessity in life?" You see my problem?

Anyhoo, having only arrived back last night I haven't managed to coax my laptop into playing nice with the internet connection in my new flat yet. I have two choices in what I can do about this, either take it someplace to see if it's broken and pay for it to be fixed or sweet talk a friend or two and let them loose with it. Unfortunately one of the people who I was counting on fixing it is off on his travels at the moment, but as soon as he's back I'll be waiting at his door with cake to try and persuade him that he really does want to help me out.

So as you could have guessed I had to go on the hunt for public access to the internet again, finding that the Overgate Center has a Dundee College Learning Center on the top floor was the answer to my predicament. I may become a regular face here for the next week or so until I get everything working at home. So if any of you try to get in touch and I take a couple of days to reply it isn't that I'm ignoring you I just haven't got the message yet but I'll reply as soon as I can.

Hope you're all well and having a good start to your week, hear from you soon x

London

Hey all, it's been an age since I last posted, or so it seems. I moved into my new flat and am having issues with the internet :(

At the moment I'm in an internet cafe in London updating my store so I thought I'd add a quick note here too. The jewellery bunch are down here to show at New Designers in Islington at the Business Design Center so if you're able swing by and say hello, and if you can't at least wish me luck.

I best trot off, the minutes I've paid for are quickly slipping away and there is much to do, hope you're all well and that the weather is as excellent for you as it is here. x

Strawberries and Cream.

Graduation was yesterday as you can see from the get-up in the picture above. We managed to gather together about half of the class in one go, it was so busy at the garden party after the ceremony that I think some people missed the call. However, we are all off to London in a weeks time so plenty time for a full group photo shoot. Anyway, just a quick one today to let you know I'm still kicking around and to say congratulations to everyone graduating this week and hope you all have an excellent time like we did yesterday. x

Jump and shout

Not been up to much today really, hung about and waited on some business cards to be delivered. Please be at home between the hours of 9am and 6pm to receive your delivery. Sound familiar? I'm sure everyone has had to put up with that at one time or another. Rather irritating but luckily they were delivered about 11am so I had the rest of the day to kill. By the way everyone www.studentartcards.com are excellent. Very good quality and so fast to be made and sent out. I ordered them online and 3 days later here they are. Also a very good price, I'll be using them again for sure.

So after they arrived and I had the rest of my day to fill I went for a little wander with Eleanor, you can see her up there jumping for joy at the delightful weather. Unfortunately the weather is turning a bit grey now but hopefully the rain won't come to much. Anyhoos, just a quick note today to say I hope you're all having fun in your respective weather conditions and I hope to hear from you soon.

Cheerio x

The Back of Beyond

A day trip to Dunkeld is in order, have you ever been? I've not, neither has Andy. No doubt we'll get lost. I have to drop of a piece I sold at the degree show, sometime on Tuesday I think. Random tours of Scotland A-hoy.

I'm feeling quite guilty, I haven't been in the workshop for about 3 weeks now...maybe more, time seems to be flying these days. So tomorrow I am going and I am making. Not really sure what at the moment, I'm thinking maybe some rings. It's strange now to think I can make what I like when I like and not a brief or a deadline in sight, unless you're counting commissions of course. It's a hard change to get to grips with, so easy to just do nothing. Lots of self motivation is needed so I shall pop off and practise talking myself into working hard before tomorrow rolls on in.

Speak to you all soon.

Midas Touch

This is my new toy, or it will be once it's delivered. As you may have noticed a lot of my work involves gold plating, and seeing as I have now graduated I felt I needed to find a way to still get this done. So it was either find a company to do it for me or get some equipment of my own. Guess which choice won. This little thingy isn't like any plater I've used before though, so I will need some time to work it out but hopefully it'll go well.

The plating machine in the university is like a bath, the whole piece gets submerged in the solution, and because I only wanted to plate specific areas this meant I had to play around a lot with lacquer to block out the areas I wanted to keep silver. This nifty little thing though, is a pen plater (ooooh, aaaah) which, theoretically, you turn on (its attached to a power supply as you may have noticed) dunk in some solution and draw the plating on where you want it. If that doesn't sound like fun I don't know what does! So hopefully that will work and all will be well.

I never did make a decision about the packaging logo that I mentioned yesterday so that job has been pushed back, I don't think there is a big rush at the moment so I think I will take my time to decide. I did however sort out everything to do with my hallmark so the final order form gets sent off tomorrow then I'm all set as far as that is concerned. I also did the most boring job on my list and cleared out my room of all the random junk I have so I can move over the next couple of weeks to my new flat. I couldn't believe how much stuff I have managed to accumulate over the past year. I've decided to give most of it to the charity shop around the corner from the flat I'm in now and then the rest to the recycling bank and the last dribs and drabs in the bin.

Making a list of jobs is definitely the way forward, I've never been a big fan of lists but with so many things to do just now it's helping me keep on track. So I shall be off for now to write yet another list.

Hope you're all setting up for a good weekend. x

Busy Bee

Well another productive week under way, as soon as I think I have everything done I remember something else. Mostly it seems to involve me phone some company or other so I never have much to show at the end of the day, and by the next day there is yet another list of calls to be made. Today I tried to sort out ordering my hallmark punch, I've managed to order the mark I want, I just need the punch made. However, the lady I was speaking to wasn't too sure which size I should go for (punch sizes range from 0.5mm - 6mm) because my work is jewellery and silverware. She thinks I could maybe end up needing 2 separate ones made, the same mark but different sizes. To cut a long boring story short I'm expecting a phone call tomorrow from a man who knows what to do. More time for me to have my phone attached to my head. I should maybe get one of these...

I could definitely rock that look.

My job for tomorrow is sending off the image at the top of the page to a company you can order packaging from, they emboss logos or whatever you like onto said packaging. I haven't really decided if I like it or not, tonight job is to make a final decision as well as general cleaning of my flat. I also have to go through my copious amounts of junk and decide what I will take with me to my new flat, what can go to charity and what is total rubbish. Exciting times I'm sure you'll agree.


Finally, I have managed to sort out a bench share here in Dundee, for the time being I will keep using the university workshop but come September, when term starts, I will move out and to a new space. Now those are exciting times.


Hope you're all enjoying the fab weather, see you soon.

The life and times of a soap merchant

Greetings all, I hope I find you well.

This week has indeed been a busy one, as previously predicted. Yesterday I started my new job in Lush (the soap shop) and so far am enjoying it, however, my head is full of mince about what everything is and whats in them and such but that's to be expected. Yesterday was general shop chat, safety, filling in forms etc, today was about the products. I was taken around about half of the stuff and told everything about them then had to go back and say what I could remember, which was more than I expected. Of course though, because I am now trying to remember I don't have a clue about any of it. So tonight I am sitting here with the Lush Times and trying my best to recall what I was told so I can know something by my next shift. I'm sure I'll work something out.

I also made a decision about the business cards and settled on Moo cards, I'm sure Jen will be pleased. They have now been ordered, I decided on about 8 images and got 2 packs because I still have some postcards left over to go with them. On that note, does anyone want a postcard? Let me know, I'll post one off to you no trouble, just in case you'd like one and weren't able to swing by the degree show to pick one up yourself. Don't ever claim I'm not good to you guys :)

On top of this waffling, this week I have also sorted out my hallmark, sent of my silver scrap, visited friends I haven't seen in a long time, visited 2 other cities, signed the lease on my new flat, met up with my mum, met up with my grandad and generally been very social and busy at all times. However, because I'm not used to being this useful my poor left foot has given up and is very sore so for the next couple of days all I can do is sit and let it mend itself. Today I didn't so much walk as hobble everywhere I had to go. I did have other jobs I meant to do but forgot about so they will now be pushed back till next week I think, still though, everything is safely on track. It's a nice feeling. One I must admit I'm not really used to.

Hope you all have a nice weekend. x

Going, Going... Gone

Well the degree show closed yesterday, I hope you had a chance to pop by and have a look. There were plenty of funky things to be seen. So it's the end of a busy week, next week will be busy aswell though. Tomorrow we have a talk from one of the tutors about setting up a business, Tuesday, I know I have something on, but right now I don't remember what... must think! Wednesday I'm off to Edinburgh to visit my good friend William. Thursday and Friday are my first 2 days in my new job. I still don't miss Asda...funny that ;p

In between all this I need to get business cards printed so I'm set for London. I went through so many postcards at the Degree show I'm scared I'll run out during the week of New Designers which we will be showing at in the first week of July. Now I need to decide between Moo cards and traditional business cards from one of the many print places on the Perth Road. I'll also be trying to sort out my workshop situation and making start making new pieces for London. Mostly because I need something to do and I'm a bit fed up of staring at the same pieces all the time, so I'll keep you updated on that.

Hopefully, my website will be on the go sometime this week, Iain has been fixing the sub-domains and such (yeah, that means nothing to me either). Anyway, I think that's a good thing. He wouldn't tell me if it wasn't.

So lots to keep you updated on and a busy week once more. Shall see you all soon x

Hallmarking

Now that the degree show is fully under way there are still plenty of other jobs to be keeping me busy. Today I tidied up my desk and bench and collected all my stuff into bags for moving to their new home, which in turn will be my new home too. However, I have a LOT more stuff than I realised so tomorrows job is to go through all my stuff again and be brutal about what I should keep and what can go. Sadly, my new flat will be smaller than the one I'm in at the moment so I will have to be harsh with my junk and cut back on my hoarding habits, however, it is a much nicer flat, so it's all good.

Another job in my to do list is to apply for a hallmark before I graduate. Taking full advantage of the student discount while I can. Unfortunately though, I don't understand the form. We were given application packs a few months ago by Roger and I filled mine out but realised it was an application for the London Assay Office, but I think it would be nicer to have my stuff hallmarked in Scotland.

I realise this won't make much sense to you non-jewellers out there but basically there are four Assay Offices in Britain where you can register a makers mark and they in turn hallmark your work. One in London, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Sheffield. Obviously, with there only being one office in Scotland it would be nice to have my work marked there plus I can take my work there myself rather than sending everything by post like I would with London. However, while the application form for London was so simple, the Edinburgh one, not so much. I don't even know if I've managed to find the right form on their website. I think I may give the office a call tomorrow and make sure I'm filling out the right thing. Nice to know though, that if I get this all sorted out it will be the lovely little building above that is stamped into my work along with my makers mark and the date stamps and such.

Another busy day tomorrow and possibly some exciting news... but more on that when everything is confirmed. Until then, you can all keep guessing.

Till later x

{Update} I gave the Assay Office a call today and did indeed have the right forms which have now been filled in and ready to post tomorrow. The lady I spoke to was also very nice and full of advice about what shapes to pick for your mark and the like. Again, another productive day. Hoorah.

On my travels

Just to let you all know I set up an online shop last night. Only has a few pieces in it so far but I will keep updating it and adding to it as I make new pieces. There is a link on the right hand side of this blog so feel free to have a wee look if you feel like keeping me fed, watered and clothed for a little while longer *giggle*

Also, I've found a new flat to move into so I shall be on my travels soon. I may have to let this slip for a little while so I can get other things in order but I will be sure to keep you updated and be back in full working order as soon as possible. Not moving for a few weeks yet though so fear not, just a little advanced warning for you :)

Have a good week x

Swing by.

Sunny Afternoons.

Beautiful weather once more. Hoorah! Makes me want to go do anything that is non productive, like reading in the park.

The last 4 years have been a long haul but I guess that's not going to change any time soon. A few days to relax will be very welcome though. In other words that's us all done now and gearing up for opening the degree show on Friday. As of yet I still have nothing I have to wear, tomorrows job I think. Then it's the big push onto New Designers, I plan to try and make a few new pieces before then and try and set up an online store in the next few days. I'll keep you all posted of course and hopefully see some of you on Friday or during the week. Pop over and say hi if you see me lurking around DoJ.

Enjoy the early start to summer while it's here. x

Tomorrow

IS RESULTS DAY

in other news, today our external assessor (Jack Cunningham) was in and 6 of us were chosen at random to speak to him about our work. I was one of them. I'm not really sure about the purpose of us talking to him, it was just a general chat, about your work, things you liked things you would have changed, what else you would have liked to have done, plans for next year, plans for the future. Just general banter really. He was very nice though, a lovely man. He could have very easily have scared us all but he was so positive about everyones work and he seemed to really like the little bowls I've shown above. Wish me luck for tomorrow!

Hope you're having a nice week so far. x

Last days

We are with Degree Show 2008 guys!

Today was our last ever day of working, strangely enough, it didn't feel any different from any other day and there wasn't much frantic panicking to be seen. So assessments start tomorrow morning and by this time next week I will have my results...and therefore a degree... and will have to be a grown up... maybe...but unlikely! So wish me luck and jump for joy as Ms Jen Ker is demonstrating above.

Laters x

Decisions

I'm in two minds at this exact moment, I had just typed up a post saying I wasn't going to put up any more images of work until the degree show, I don't want to spoil the surprise, but then I suppose there are maybe people reading this who won't be able to come and I'll be putting the work up anyway so why wait. So while I decide I thought I would compromise and put up this picture because it's a piece I've shown before, but this time it's modeled by Miss Jen Ker who I accosted during our lunch break last week while we were chatting. She kindly agreed to be photographed wearing all my brooches, I thought it was important for them to be shown in some sort of context so that you can see how big the piece really is. As you can see this one is fairly small and delicate. The one thing I had to promise was her face isn't in any of the photos so the images are pretty cropped, so while still difficult to tell the scale, its easier than if they were on a plain white background. So for now, this image will have to do while I decide about showing the rest now or waiting until after the 16th of May.

Also, I will be opening up my online store soon I think. Probably during the degree show or the week after. Just some advanced warning so you can all start saving up your pennies :p

And finally, it's the 2nd year assessments in the department tomorrow and the 3rd year by the end of the week, so good luck to them all, I'm sure none of them need it though.

I hope you've all had a good start to your week and that you're enjoying the same lovely weather we were treated to today here in Dundee. x

Mounting

Mounting has definitely been the name of the game today. Right after taking photos of all my work, fiddling with them on the computer then getting them printed off. All of this to put them in my folio. So one more job crossed off of the list of things to do for assessments. Tomorrows job is to finish my sketchbooks and build little card models of bird houses seeing as I can't find any decent ones to just buy.

The piece above is [obviously] a brooch which looks very simple on the front but has a little secret on the back. Nothing entirely exciting mind you, just an etching of one of my drawings, but a nice little touch I think.

Have a good weekend. x

Thoughts

Only two thoughts for the day, it's too late and I'm too tired for anything else at the moment.

1 : It's slightly depressing that a years work can fit happily into a 1 foot by 1 1/2 foot space.

2 : Who'd have thought it would be hard to buy a plain little bird house, some I've seen are fancier than my flat.

See you soon x

Countdown

Only two weeks to go now guys, but I think I'm ready for it to be done and for summer to be here. Lovely weather the past few days, still a little chill in the wind but I'm sure it will only take a couple more weeks and that will be gone.

Above are two new pieces I've just finished. Hours of blood, sweat and tears went into these, more so than the rest. All because I decided it was a good idea to make the chain by hand. OK, so I'm pleased with the results but oh the misery that comes with it. These haven't even been cleaned up yet, so that the job for Monday, then that way, all my pieces for the degree show will be done. I would start another, I have the time, but I don't want to tempt fate. Plus it would make more sense to use this time to do display work, and the very, very, very neglected sketchbooks. Two weeks seems a long time but there is no point in cramming too much in and ending up with a lot of half done jobs rather than a few well done ones, I'm sure you'll agree. Anyway, the top piece is a bit of a monster, it's not exactly the most practical of things in the world, but that's not really what the art school is all about is it. It's a two meter long chain with a hut hanging on each end, you basically wrap it round your neck as you like then hook the little hut onto the chain if you want, or just have them both hanging. When its not on it looks like some sort of not quite right skipping rope. I've no ideas on how to display it at the moment, I'm not really wanting to use mannequins but it might come down to it with this one. The second piece is a bit more practical but was a nightmare to make, the links were so fine and small it was hit and miss but I think in the end I only messed up two of them, and therefore only had two to replace, so it went very well all things considered.

Postcards also arrived this week, Tenna was right, you're never pleased with what you get. It's not that the print isn't good, the quality is excellent. It's just by the time they arrive you've moved on and have something else you would have preferred to have used as your image. Always a next time though ;) Saying that, I'm never pleased with anything I make, no matter what it's never quite right or how I wanted, I guess that's just how things are though. If everything was perfect or as it's meant to be then I could put down my tools now and go home, no need to be making anything else. I could just happily bake cakes and knit till the cows come home. But we know that won't happen so it means my friends still have to hear my endless moan of "I don't like it". Oh well, I'm sure they don't mind much as long as I keep feeding them cake :)

Have a nice weekend x

Limbo

Everything is up in the air at the moment, that strange way when lots is going on but nothing is quite done. There is still lots more to do and not enough time to do it in. Funnily enough, panic still doesn't seem to have set in so I can still function as a normal human being, or as close to one as I'll ever get. Sure enough though, that horrible queasy feeling sometimes creeps in at night and you know it's from the thought of everything that still has to be done. No doubt it won't be long until the queasy feeling is all day every day until everything is over.

As I mentioned before my good friend Iain is setting up a website for me. If he is to be believed, things will be up and running soon. He is however, a very busy man these days, organising moving to London and all the hustle and bustle that it involves so if the site takes a little longer I'm sure I can forgive him.

Hope you all had a good weekend.

golden birds

Well well, today was highly productive. I got three pieces finished, another three started. Hoorah! Above are two of the finished pieces, both are gold plated and oxidised silver with etching details and hanging gold birds.

The top two images are [obviously] a small decorative bowl (about 5 or 6cm diameter) and the last picture is of a pin brooch *note to self : start coming up with titles for things*. I do like when things come along at a decent pace, less worry all round about the apparent lack of productivity. I have come to the conclusion that no matter what I do, I work in spurts. Despite working away for a few weeks and not much seeming to happen, suddenly I find myself with a few things all coming together at once. Ah well, whatever works, shouldn't complain as long as I have work at the end of the day :)

Also, Emily and I swapped our cake day duties, she's having some issues with her kitchen so I offered to go this week to give her some more time to sort stuff out. All went well and thanks to Iain for helping with the making. I do apologise for so many things going wrong, it's not normally that bad, I promise. Anyhoo, on the menu today we found the chocolate ganache cup cakes I wrote about a few posts ago and a banana, pecan and toffee loaf. It was all gone in 20 minutes flat. Cakes never last when there are 19 hungry and stressed jewellers on the prowl. As long as it was all enjoyed thats all that counts.

Hope you all have a nice weekend and speak to you soon. x

Getting there

Hello all,

I hope I find you all well this evening. Above are some pictures of work in progress in the workshop. The top picture is a pin brooch that hangs on the wearers top and has a small gold bird hanging inside, I'm quite pleased with this piece I have to admit :) Nice little thing. The lower picture is a pendant in the same style and the big purple blob is a pin brooch that is getting ready for plating. The purple stuff is stop out that stops the plating from taking hold on those areas. You can get some nice decorative things going on if you have the patience to paint it all on. It's about the consistency of nail varnish so its not the easiest job in the world!

Today we were building plinths for the degree show, after being assured it would be a one hour job, 5 hours later we were done. We built 1 each in that time, such a waste of a day. I had so many plans! But needs must and all that jazz so chin up and get on.

More pictures soon of things coming out of and going on in our workshop. Hope you're all well.

x

Time flies when you're having fun

A little reminder to all in the UK that the clocks go forward an hour on Sunday. One less hour in bed for us all...

or if you're like me, one less hour being up and about during the day. Nothing gets between me and my sleep I tell thee!

Hope you're all having a nice weekend

Double dip...

So everyone knows that double dipping a chip (crisps in English) is a cardinal sin at a party BUT double dipping a cup cake... there is a genius thought!

This is how I spent my evening, making these lovely little chocolate cup cakes. A little time doing anything that isn't jewellery related is what keeps me sane these days. Made with a chocolate ganache topping rather than icing they are a little bite of heaven. To get the thickness just right the recipe suggests you dip the cakes into the topping rather than spooning it on then dipping it again once the first layer has semi set. This gives you a lovely perfectly smooth glossy topping and at just the right thickness. There is nothing worse than over icing a cake. Then a little sprinkling of hundreds and thousands finishes them off nicely.

I've promised a couple of the girls I will take these in for our daily 3.30 coffee break and it gives them a little trial run before my turn at cake day which is 2 weeks on Friday. I've never made these before but they came out perfectly and are very simple, I'm sure this will become a favourite recipe of mine. I really believe in trying any new recipe out before it makes it's first big outing in case it all goes horribly wrong... plus it's another excuse for cake... like I really need one!

Also, before I forget, we are always offering Roger (the head of department) a cake on Fridays and as far as I know he has never taken one. Today however, in he came to the studio and presented us with his baking. He got up early just to make flap jacks and some other sort of bake to bring in for us because we are always trying to include him. I missed out because I turned up a little late today (10.30am, shock-horror!) and headed straight for the computers to get my postcard just right before the files get sent of for printing, but from what I hear his offerings were excellent. Lets hope he brings in more soon :)

Happy baking everyone x

Easter Greetings

After my last post commenting on how Spring was almost upon us, I feel I have to retract said comment. Only yesterday we had wind, rain and snow... not Spring like weather in any ones opinion I think you will agree.

This weather is probably for the best though, when it is nice outside I don't want to be locked up inside all day so I often wander off, and this is no way to get any work done. With only 5 weeks left I need to be in the workshop as much as possible!

Unfortunately, the department has run out of photo-etching film and all of my work has to be etched before I can do anything else. This in turn means there is a definite limit to what I can do to fill in the time until the delivery arrives. So rather than working this weekend I have decided to take the weekend off and then power on when the new week arrives. Jobs at hand will most likely be preparing metal and findings until I can etch then assemble pieces and trying to get on with more sketchbook work. The delivery is due around the end of the week at best so quite a few people who are relying on it are a tad worried about the loss of so much time, but as always I'm sure we will find a way though and everything will work out well in the end. There is no point in worrying over unfortunate events, it is best to just work with what you have :)

In the week coming we will also be sending off files to the company we use to print our post cards for the Degree Show and New Designers. The image above is the one I have chosen to use, simple yet effective. I think I will be pleased with the results.

On a more Easter like note : I found this website after reading an article written about this gentleman's company in one of the newspapers during the week. His creations sound highly yummy and I think a visit will be in order during New Designers. Luckily, his store is in the genral area of the center where the show is. Not so luckily, I might spend an awful lot of money there on gifts and treats for friends and family and as greatful as they will be, my purse is not likely to be so greatful.

I hope you all have a lovely Easter weekend and shall hear from you soon no doubt x

Spring

It looks like Spring is not far off these days, but there is still a cold chill to the wind at times that suggests that Winter will be here a little while longer. Anyhoo, the little bit of Winter we have left gives us time to consider what will be needing done at the allotment and planning for the year ahead. Last year was not very successful, with it being so wet and often having cold snaps a lot of veg was lost and because it was our first full year there the ground is still in a fairly poor condition. These things take time, and if we only have one thing, time is it. I'm sure there will be many posts and photos in the summer time with the allotment as the centre piece.

Today was spent in the workshop, working on samples and sketchbooks, a few more designs were decided upon so will be placed into action over the coming days. On a positive note, everyone seems to have found their second wind. It seemed a lot of folk were becoming tired and were beginning to wear down but today felt optimistic and everyone was in good spirits, long may the good times and feelings last. It makes things much easier when you are in the right mood. Less melting of metal and loss of temper to be found in a high spirited workshop I think you would all agree :)

I hope you all had a good day and the week serves you well,

See you all soon x

Errol

Today was a very nice and easy Sunday thanks to Iain, Scott and Graeme.

Off we trotted to the car boot sale at Errol and oh the things we found! Two of my buys can be seen above, all six of these lovely coloured glass bowls cost me the grand total of £1, four pink and two purple, and these lovely little salt and pepper shakers were only £2 so I was very pleased with myself to say the least. There was no end to the amount of things I wanted to get but I was very good at restraining myself. I also bought some fabric for working with in the workshop and I'm sure the results will be up here for you to see in no time at all. The boys got themselves some nice little bits and pieces as well but Graeme really has to be commended for his haggling skills, I don't think he paid the asking price for a single thing :D !

I think I will have to sweet talk them into return visits soon... for I am not able to transport myself there other than by foot or bus and I have no idea if a bus even goes there to begin with. *note to self - must find out*

Iain (another one) is kindly helping me make a website... I say helping, he's doing everything, I haven't a clue what I'm doing at all. The address is www.holliefyffe.co.uk and www.holliefyffe.com both lead to the same place, which is currently this blog until the site is up and running. More about that as things come along but just a quick mention to say thank you to Iain for being so nice and for putting up with my total lack of knowledge on the computer front :)

And last, and indeed least, a farewell to Asda. As some of you may know I have worked there for 3 and a half years but I have been offered a job in another shop, a lovely one this time. As of May I will be working in Lush in the Overgate Centre in Dundee so I bid farewell to Asda for the last time on Saturday night and will take the next few weeks to finish my course and then start my new job... bills need to be paid somehow, I'm sure you're all aware of this yourselves. So a happy evening it was and I can safely say that while some of the people will be missed, the job and shop definitely will not be.

Hope you all had an excellent weekend too and see you all soon x

Workshop

It's all systems go just now, and for all the time I spend in the workshop not much seems to be happening... I'm sure it will all come together nicely soon. we're taking photographs for our post cards this week, not too sure how I want mine to look or even what piece I want in it yet. Best be off to get my thinking cap on.

Just a quick one to say hi tonight, hope you're all well :)

Randy Pausch Lecture : Really achieving your childhood dreams.

Inspiring.

Guten Tag

Well hello there,

I have returned from my travels with new found drive so I think things will be coming along swiftly in the workshop from now on. Hoorah! You can expect many pictures and posts soon of the work, the degree show is only weeks away now and postcard photos have to be taken soon.

Anyway, just a quick hello for now and to wish you all well.

Speak to you soon x

Up up, and AWAY!

Well folk, after tomorrow its goodbye to the workshop for a week and off to Germany... Don't miss me too much.

Keep well xxx

So much to do...

Hello all.

Hope you're all well, been awful busy recently so not said much on here for a while, and its probably going to be like that for a while to come too. However, here is a picture of some bits and pieces that are coming along well from the workshop. Off to Munich on Thursday so I'm sure to have plenty of tales for you all on my return :)

Anyhoo, just a quick note for today and to say I hope you're all having a good weekend.

Cheerio for now x

Bowls

Today was quite productive. I made my first ever bowl, it went quite well. It's fairly small, only about 10cm across, but I like it. I also quickly engraved a bird pattern I've been working with on the inside. I think my degree work will definitely be going down the "object" route. I also made a much smaller bowl in very thin metal just to see what it would look like that size, I think I'll be making some tiny ones in very thick silver in the near future.

Meeting with Roger and Teena tomorrow at 10am to discuss all of this, who knows what they will think. I think I just want to be happy so onward I go. No more jewellery for the time being I tell thee.

I also called the spinner about my other plans and he seems to be quite busy but I've to send him drawings of what I want and when for and so on and he'll see what he can do. So that's on track for now.

Hope everyone is well,

Have a good night x