New outlets for Elizabeth Scott Jewellery

Well I have been making the most of a productive spell, and approaching new galleries to take in my work.

I have an outlet now in Aberdour in Fife - Shoreline Studio. I delivered my first, small collection of work to the proprietor Ian McCrorie earlier on this week, so I have my fingers crossed for some sales! I have supplied this gallery with a selection of chunky gemstone jewellery, pearls, and coral designs. Shoreline Studio, 2 Shore Road, Aberdour, KY3 0TR, http://www.shoreline.sco.fm/1317/frames.php

I have also made my way South of the border to Church House Designs in Congresbury, North Somerset. They have been kind enough to take a small collection of my work into their gallery, so all the new jewellery for them was posted off today. They have a broad selection of all my work - pearl, coral, and gemstone designs, and also my lariat necklaces. I'm excited to see how my jewellery will be received in a different area. People from different towns and counties have different tastes, and different ideas to draw inspiration from, so we will see how Congresbury likes a bit of Fife design!
http://www.churchhousedesigns.co.uk/

I will shortly have a large collection of work appearing in a boutique in Monaco, but I'll give you details once it's signed, sealed and delivered - I don't want to curse it! I was hoping of course, that they would ask me to hand deliver the work myself, and pay my travel over there, but alas, it was not to be.

Any new outlets, and I'll keep you posted.

Made-to-order jewellery

Hand-made jewellery is great, because you know you are always going to get something unique and original, but to get something totally unique to you, you can get something made-to-order.

I have just made two pairs of earrings for a customer, which were made to her specifications. She wanted very long earrings - about 7cm long, with a piece of turquoise as it is her favourite stone, and she also wanted the biggest, heaviest piece of the earring to be at the bottom, so they were really swingy, and swooshy (is that a word?). These were the only specifications she made, so I had a pretty free hand in what I designed, but making something that a customer hasn't seen before is a bit terrifying! How an idea looks in somebody's vision of it can be totally different from the reality. The great thing about making something to order is that you are working from someone elses idea - so it can really open you up to new design ideas, and have you making things you had never thought of before.

The hand-knotted earrings are something I would never have made - but my customer was looking for a pair of turquoise earrings to go with a hand-knotted lariat I had made for her, so going on her specifications, I though I'd try the lariat-style knot work for them. I was a bit concerned before I made them, but now I've managed it, I think I will probably make more pairs now - to match lariats that I've made. The other turquoise earrings on the silver chain are quite different to what I generally make. They are very simple - which for those who know me, know that's not my style (why be simple when you can complicate everything?!!) but I love the movement of them. As they are on such long chains they are really 'swooshy' and just skim the shoulders.

So this has been a learning curve for me, and one that I would be glad to repeat, as it has pushed me to learn something new, and opened my eyes to new designs. If you ever want anything made to order, you can contact me via my email, and arrange a consultation.
debraelizabeth@live.com

Lariats are the new 'It' necklace!

I have had a bit of a push to make some of my Lariat style necklaces, and managed to get all of two made last night!
They take a long time to make as they are so detailed, and have so many stones and beads on them - which is why I have been putting off making some for ages (naughty me). I have also discovered that making these little devils in the summer is a nightmare! Sweaty fingers + tiny beads = headache.
However - despite the fact that I was cursing every tiny crystal last night, I did remember why I love them after I had finished. I love the fact that they look like a little mix-bag of jewels and stones - just delicious!

I read in Make Jewellery magazine recently that they are the new 'It' piece of jewellery, so have been telling everyone this - blowing my trumpet that I'm obviously fashion-forward (which in all honesty, is not how I could be described). But it was great to see that this style of necklace is grabbing the attention of the general public now. I think people are always worried that they will fall off, but as they are being seen more frequently, people are putting their faith in them. When you wear them, just knot it around the neck like a scarf - the way the beads and stones are knotted on to them acts as a lock, and holds them on, so they are perfectly secure - and no fiddly clasps! Just don't leave them lying around if you have pets (my cat decorated himself and the living room floor with one recently - no tuna for him for a while!).

The one pictured above is called 'Indian Summer' and is made from turquoise, glass crystals, mother of pearl chips, and nuggets of shimmering shell. It's a nice weighty piece that just looks like hot, balmy evenings to me.

The lariat on the right is called 'Pretty in Pink', and is made from amazonite, mother of pearl chips, mother of pearl discs, Swarovski crystals, blister pearls, and potato pearls. It's a really flirty number and just made me think of that movie 'Pretty in Pink' as soon as I had completed it.

If you fancy being ahead of the fashion pack, you can get either of these lariat necklaces from Artery Gallery in St Andrews. Their number is 01334 478221, or find them online at www.arteryuk.com

And the nominees are.....

So, I have been nominated for the Craft and Design, Craftsman Magazine Selected Awards. How exciting is that?!! I only wish they did it 'Oscars' style, so I could get all gammed up for it.
I wonder if actors practice their 'gracious loser' faces before the Oscars? (should I start practising mine?)
Anyway, if you like my jewellery and like my blog - please tale a look at Craftsman magazine where you can place a vote for me if you think I'm worthy of a prize :)

http://www.craftanddesign.net/awards/

Or you can click on the Craft and Design button at the top right of my page.

I have to confess, I have been indulging in a little self-promotion recently, and had a PR piece in my local paper. This is the first time I've had anything like this, and I was shamefully excited about it before it came out! I'm sure that established artists and designers are all very calm and uninterested in this sort of thing, but I haven't quite developed a cool and aloof nature yet. I doubt it will ever happen.
I loved opening up my paper and reading about myself!! I could achieve this effect by going out and getting myself arrested every weekend, but I'm sure I'd prefer famous to infamous! As the the of crime doesn't appeal, I think I'll just keep working on my PR. Any hint of fame and I'll keep you posted......

Pearl jewellery (with a twist)

I have found a new favourite supplier of pearls (a bit like when I've had a few sherries and I make New Best Friends, but better), and have gone a little 'pearl crazy' I think!

These pearls just inspired me as soon as I got them - I usually have to sit and have a bit of a think about what I'm going to make, but these are so stunning, I knew exactly what I wanted to do as soon as I picked them up.
The beautiful sunny gold colour of the Biwa (or 'stick') pearls made me think of places like Egypt - which then made me think of the beautiful fan style collars of Cleopatra, and so this design was born!
I've teamed the golden Biwa pearls with little peach rice pearls, and put tiny gold glass beads inbetween the gold Biwa pearls, so they lie in a fan shape. It looks great on tanned skin, and I can say for once I actually look like I've seen the sun, so I have been able to test this against my (very lightly) tanned skin.
I've also included a good close up of these so you can see the beautiful lustre they have. I think the Biwa pearls give a simple string of pearls a great twist.

I've also put together a string of my favourite colours of pearls - deep pastels - peaches, champagne, lavender, pink, cream and white. They look gorgeous together, and seem to flatter any skin tone (again I can vouch for this, as without baking in the sun, I am normally a corned-beef mottled pink, and the pearls even look nice against that!!). I've used potato pearls for a change - I usually use rice pearls, but loved the slightly off-round shape of these. I sneaked in a little clear, irridescent crystal every now and again to give a subtle sparkle.
I think at first glance this looks quite wedding-y, but I made myself a string (oops) and wear it all the time.

I think I need to learn some self control when it comes to buying pearls, I seem to be seriously lacking in it!!

Both of these necklaces are available at Artery Gallery, St Andrews - for £60 each.
http://www.arteryuk.com/artists/Scott,Elizabeth/

Wedding Fever!

With a few weddings coming up this summer (after June, I am the last man standing, the only remaining 'unmarried' among my friends - I feel like that girl at the end of 'Invasion of the Bodysnatchers) I have been inspired to broaden my selection of wedding jewellery. I have made some wedding jewellery in the past, sticking to the classical and traditional, but having had a look around at lots of wedding jewellery, it really seems there is a lack of choice for brides.

I have found that there are super-traditional styles of bridal jewellery - single string of pearls sort of thing, or really expensive, classic diamond solitaire on a gold chain sort of style, or these uber-modern, proper trendy, 'I spent 10 grand just on the dress' sort of styles. What if you just want something thats looks pretty, wont kill your budget, and is unique?

With this in mind, I've tried to do a couple of different styles of wedding jewellery that wont melt your credit card.

This one above - 'Something Blue' necklace, is made from amazonite ovals, with white rice pearls and tiny little Swarovski crystals inbetween. I love this colour of blue - it looks really summery and fresh, and compliments a summer tan really well. It works on the idea of traditional, with the white pearls, but I think the amazonite make it just a little bit different. The crystals give it just a hint of a twinkle, so it looks glam, without looking too 'Studio 54'. This wont break the budget at £55, and if you want to go for an all matching set, there is also a bracelet and earrings to match. The full set would only cost £110, which I think isn't too bad for your wedding day, and they are made from genuine pearls and stones, rather than being costume jewellery. I think they are all pretty wearble pieces (I made myself a similar pearl and amazonite bracelet which I wear loads!) so at least they would be worn again after your wedding. This necklace and it's family are all available at Artery Gallery in St Andrews - see http://www.arteryuk.com/ .

I also wanted to make something that was really feminine and summery. I think if you get married in the summer, it gives you such a wide choice in terms of what you can do with your hair, jewellery and accessories. I was trying to think of what summer conjures up for me, and butterflies were one of the first things that popped into my head. Butterflies can look a bit full-on girly, so I kept it simple in just an outline of silver. This makes it look really modern, and then strung it onto white rice pearls. I've picked up the silver with little accents of silver interspersed the string of pearls. This necklace is for sale at £60, and as it's just plain silver and white pearls, it would be easy to match up to other silver jewellery. This one is also for sale in Artery Gallery just now.

I also will make jewellery to order, so if you had a particular idea for your wedding jewellery, I could always make it for you - I'm sure I could satisfy even the most demanding bride-zillas out there!

New materials, new ideas, same old me....

How many people go to the shops and get a £15 loaf of bread? Is that common....or is it just me? I think "I'll just pop down the shops for a loaf of bread and a pint of milk" and come back an hour later with olives, nice bar of chocolate, some fancy crisps (those super crunchy hand made ones, that feel like you're eating shrapnel) some dips, some super deluxe milk that comes from cows which are made of gold....and then I get home and think "fiddle....I forgot the fiddling bread!!" Is this a common thing? Or is it just me thay can't control my spending?

Anyway, this is what happened a couple of weeks ago when I was online looking for some nice pearls....and would you believe, I managed to find myself on a whole different website than the one I intended to be on. It had so many pretty things, and what was intended to be a quick purchase of a few strings of pearls, became and epic shopping spree on beads. It did dent my bank account a little. HOWEVER (I say this loudly,so you pay attention as I excuse my frivolous spending), I did find THE MOST BEAUTIFUL beads ever!! They are little flowers carved out of gemstones, and I have fallen in love with them.

I made my first piece using one of these flowers, which was intended to go into a gallery to be sold....I couldn't part with it though. I've pictured it at the top of this post - it is a little hand-carved flower made from Korean jade, and I love it!! It's a stunning lime green colour - really 'fizzy' looking. I've strung it onto oblong beads of olive coloured Korean jade, with little rounds of turquoise in-between. I just couldn't part with it. I've put a close up of the carved flower here, so you can fall in love with it too :)

I love discovering new materials, new stones, new anything really. It makes it all feel quite exciting, like I've discovered a secret. And it makes those costly shopping trips worthwhile!!

I've also tried for the first time, making jewellery from silver wire. I have tried to educate myself on this, making small pieces, such as earwires (successful!), jump rings (yep, managed it), eyepins (yeah, them too), but then, I think I got a bit sure of myself. Oh dear - chandelier earrings. Maybe a bit ambitious. They resembled a birds nest....maybe I can start a new fashion with 'birds nest' earrings. Or maybe not.

However - I have had some success with making links, and pendants, and I really love the effect they have on a piece of jewellery. They sort of 'fancy it up' a bit, make it look a bit more evening-y.

I made this necklace using pink nugget pearls, rose coloured Swarovski crystal, and moonstone rounds. It's such a feminine, pretty necklace, and once I added the rose quartz and silver wire pendant, I think it made it look just a little bit more special. I've put a close-up of the pendant, so you can see what I've done - and I can get everyones opinion then!

It has been a week of new ideas, and trying out different beads, different suppliers and different tools. I don't know if this has been inspired by the start of a new season, or if the longer days have made me more motivated. Regardless of what started this surge of life, I think I'll make the most of it just now. It's all very well having a boost like this, but I know me....before long I'll be back to my normal, slower paced self. I think I was built for comfort rather than speed.

Off to the shops now - I need to get some teabags.....better take my credit card......