Busy busy....

Wow, time sure does fly. I can't believe that it was march that I last posted on my blog. So much has happend since then. I won the Treasure designer of the Year in London earlier this year which was a huge surprise but also a confirmation in a way for me that I was not just kidding myself about something that I was so passionate about. I was selected from seventy other very talented designer makers. I finally feel like I'm getting my bearings back in a country that still feels new for me.

Other exciting events I am looking forwards to is Origin in London, Lustre , Made and Handmade in Britain besides the many exhibitons which are also scheduled. I hope and pray that I will be ready with all my pieces in time for these events.

I am developing a few new exciting pieces which I look forwards to uploading soon. Here's a sneak peak.

I have also recently been shortlisted for the Shell Live wire Grand ideas Award... Please please vote for me. All you have to do is Click here Register and cast your Vote before the 31st of August.

Im keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for the moment.

Until next time !!xx

March Mania

Hi Y'all... Its seems to be a super exciting month for me. I recently got selected by Swarovski for the EnlightenedTM - Swarovski Elements Passion Topaz Jewellery Design Competition 2008/9. My designs were among the top 30 to be selected from 900 designs entered worlwide. My design titled Jewel of the sea is encrusted completed by topaz in various hues of red.

Jewel of the Sea

Besides this one of my designs entered for the Goldsmiths Art and Design Compettion for also selected for exhibiton at the Goldsmiths hall. The design selected was a men's cuffring in Platinum and Acrylic.

I also received a commendation by the judges of Lucca Precioza Young Awards for my acrylic jewellery.

I finally feel like my hard work in effort is finally be recognized in this country. Will keep you all informed about my latest collection which I am currently working on.

I will be exhibiting next weekend at the British Craft Trade Fair next week. Will be hard at work this whole week to complete my collection.

I have just been surfing the net and I just cant get over this beautiful thank you note http://www.craftstylish.com/item/9660/how-to-make-an-impression-extraordinary-thank-you-notes
I will try out something similar and post it soon!

SCHMUCK: 48 Weeks Later Postcard

I have finally completed redesigning the postcard for the 48 weeks later exhibiton in Munich and it has gone in for printing in Germany. I hope it turns out fine. Here's a sneak peak for all of you bloggers!

The years line up!

I am currently working on creating a special wedding necklace for my sister for her wedding. And besides that I have a lot of exciting exhibitions lined up for the year including Schmuck in Munich, The British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate and the RBSA Gallery in Birmingham. You will soon be seeing some of my new work so hold your breath!
:)

Jewellery Quarter

It has been a few months since I have been wandering around the jewellery quarter in Birmingham trying to source tools and material supplies. I must say every time I go to buy something, I end up buying more things than I had initially planned. I am not really a shopoholic, but I just like the idea of having more tools and discoverign new tchniques. Anyways, I have been thinking about this for a while and today I have decided to finally act upon t. I am planning to use my blog as a way to communicate to other jewellers about where you can get what and how the customer service in each place is.

Let me start by mentionaing by my favourite tool store, Walsh's http://www.hswalsh.com/default.aspx. I think they are the nicest and most helpful tools store in the jewellery quarter. Each time I have gone to the store, I have been welcomed with a warm greeting. The people behind the counter are always able to guide you on what the best tool would be to suit your requirement. It's just always a pleasure to work with them.

I am going to try and update this blog more frequently with my experience with supplier's and what can be found where!

Slowly but Surely

Its been a while, but hey lots has been going on so I've had my hands full. Flux, Frost and Structure and Function are the three places I am currently exhibiting at. So I guess you can well imagine how stressed I have been. It's been a lot of fun too. After completing my Masters, Design Space has been my safe haven. Have been working here with 18 other designer makers and have been enjoying every second of it. We have all finally managed to put up an exhibition thanks to Clare Pardoe's relentless effort. The exhibition is currently on at the St Paul's Gallery and will shorly move to the Artfull expressions which is also in the Jewellery Quarter.

I was on air on BBC a few days back which was fun... Have been on TV before but this was my first experience at a radio recording studio. I really enjoyed it especially because the RJ Satnam Rana made me feel so comfortable. I almost felt like I was having a chat with her.

There was a tiny article in the Birmingham Mail today about my work and I surprised at how wrong they got everything... I did'nt come to the UK because of the School of Jewellery, I came here because of my dearest hubby ... anyways... I have learnt not to get wound up about what journalists write because the last time they made me the chief of design at Tanishq, thankfully Elizabeth was'nt offended :)

Some of my designs have also been selected by Swarovski and I am really excited to see the publication.

Anyways back to my work. I have developed a small rage of pieces using my technique to create pieces which are of a smaller scale... I think I have managed to keep the aesthetics intact which I am pleased about. The other thing I have tried to work towards is to use off cuts from acrylic vendors to create a range of jewellery. I like the idea of recycling plastic and the cufflinks I have designed and made are a result of this.

My website is also coming along quite well. Michael is to be thanked for doing such a wonderful job with it and keeping it updated. I still want a few changes to be made which should hopefully come about soon.

I am looking forwards to the new year which I start off with some skiing in the US which is then followed by a few interesting projects which I am currently trying to line up.

I think I am slowly finding a niche for myself in the UK finally . Its slow but thats what keeps me going. :)