Interview with Careford Creations!

I've just done an interview swap with Vic aka Careford Creations  who takes stunning photos. Go and check out the landscape gallery on her website - just gorgeous!!

Anyway, you can see the interview I did for Vic on her blog.

And so....on with the interview..

1) First of all a bit about Vic,

My name’s Victoria White, but Vic is just fine. I’m married with a two-year-old son and another baby due in April. From north London originally, I live in Hertfordshire now. I had loads of jobs before becoming a primary school teacher. I was teaching part-time until the summer, when I gave up work completely. Well, I still work at home... I do some private tutoring and of course, working on my little photography and craft business.

2) How long have you been into photography? How did it all begin?

I got my first camera for my 9th birthday and used up a whole roll of film on the short journey taking my friend home from my party! I haven’t really stopped taking photos since. I’m on my 4th camera now but only went digital at the beginning of this year.

3) What's your greatest (crafting) achievement?

I love the water droplet shots. These were some of the very first photos I took with my macro lens. I also like what I call my ‘glass painted’ photos, like this one of Stanley Sheep. I don’t know anyone else who takes photos like these, so it’s kind of like my little invention and they turn out pretty well too. Basically, they’re macro photographs of a tiny image that I’ve drawn and glass painted. I always get lots of positive comments about these photos. Lastly, they’re not for sale in my Folksy shop, but I must mention two postcards of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament I had printed a few years ago. They’re for sale in central London in any decent tourist shop!

4) Do your photos tend to be spur of the moment, or planned?

That’s an interesting question. Nowadays, they tend to be more planned. I think pre-children I just had more time to go out and about with my camera and see what inspiration struck me, whereas now I need to make the most of the little free time I have, so tend to plan more.

5) Where does your inspiration come from?

Probably travel more than anything. I travelled a fair bit in my twenties and always seemed to make big life decisions while I was away! Travelling does something for my creative side as well; I love to capture new colours, styles, the whole atmosphere. Even when I’m back home I use those memories to create other things.


6) What do you get up to when you're not doing arty and crafty things?

My first passion in life was writing and I still do that. I’ve been writing a children’s book for the past couple of years and I’d love to get it finished. I also wrote a few articles for young people’s magazines and newspapers when I was a teenager and freelance writing’s something I’m just getting back into. I also like the fact I’m still able to keep in touch with my ‘proper’ job as a teacher by doing a little tuition. The rest of my time is spent being a mum and housewife. I hate saying ‘housewife’ but I love making our house all homely. Oh, I like cooking as well. Not that I’m particularly good at it!

7) What are you hoping to get in your christmas stocking this year?

A new camera bag and an infrared filter.

8) Finally, what's next for 2010 for you and Careford Creations?

I want to get creating all those other things that are in my head. I’ve got so many ideas planned for my photos and I’m hoping to get more Fimo things made too. Other than that, it’s just a matter of promoting myself, my work and my website.

And I know you're all dying to know....Vic sits with me on the fence and neither loves nor hates marmite!

Thanks Vic, love your work! Here's my fave on the Folksy shop!

Two weeks to go....

Well I'm just about managing to wade through the usual tide of Christmas to-dos, but on top of all the seasonal nonsense, work is getting particularly crazy. It always gets manic around Christmas as projects need to be finished, and presentations squeezed in before everyone dissappears for the last half of December. The difference this year is that I won't be going back after Christmas. (yay)

My 3 months notice is finally nearing the end, and I'll be officially self employed as of December 19th!

The idea is to spend lots more time with the girls while they're still little, as well as hopefully getting a chance to step up the jewellery a bit. I'm so incredibly, ridiculously excited. I'm feeling like a real home bird at the moment.

It's going to be a big adjustment, (am naively thinking I'll be doing less rushing around...hmmm) but it's not necessarily forever; I'm on a "career break" which means I might go back in a few years - we'll see how it goes, (and how much I miss people actually listening to what I say!) Can't imagine I'll miss the stress and long days away from the kids too much though!

Wish me luck! and hopefully I'll be getting around to blogging a bit more in the not too distant future.

Christmas spirit....

I'm just about to start on my Christmas shopping, soooooo, to get into the spirit of the season, I'm offering a very handy 10% off all of my jewellery but only until the end of November. This one is for the smug organised types that I'm striving to be like!

Just quote XMAS10 in the paypal comment and I'll refund it straight back to you. 

Remember it's always free shipping, and all items are gift packaged ready to give. Get organised early for Christmas and feel smug! 

Plus, if you fancy a little pressie for you, here's the latest upload.... a touch of 50s glam for the party season.

Link to this on Folksy

How did you get here...?

I thought it was about time to find out how people found me. Well what a revelation. There were some that I would have expected but....
"michael miller christmas yard bundle" .....eh?..who?
Ballet flats pattern? If you find some, tell me that sounds useful
Baby shower giraffe invitations? I'm sorry you must have me confused with someone who doesn't make jewellery.
But the strangest has to be "black hat society salem".

What a lovely trip up to town at the weekend.

Here are some London inspired Folksy finds to remind me....

London Bird
Soldiers Castle
Key
Bus

Quietness

Been a bit poorly for the last week or so, and evenings have been spent asleep rather than doing anything bloggy or jewellery related. So, sorry it's been a bit quiet.

It'll be quiet over the weekend too as I'm going to the big smoke. To eat, drink, be merry and hopefully have a good nights sleep (away from the kids). Can't wait - just hope I can stay up past 9pm to enjoy it. 


Will be back in full flow next week....


 

Are you reddy? (sorry!)

Red is the best colour there is. It's true. Everyone says so.

I've been seeking out some bright and beautiful red finds on Folksy this week.

And here they are......

Squirly whirly wire curls

Made a necklace recently with lots of different sized pearls, secured with curly wire wraps. All fastened to a chunky silver chain. I'd be really interested to hear what people think, as I don't usually use these squirly wire thingimabobs...

I've made sure that all the wire is tucked in, so it's not scratchy, and won't snag. I think it adds a really different textured look. I reckon with a LBD this would be gorgeous. But am dying to hear what others think........please let me know

Lovely package

Sooooo, after much deliberation about how to glam up my slightly sad looking jewellery boxes I've decided to just go for it, try out a few ideas, and not worry to much about coming up with the final best ever solution all at once.

The first version is here....

Nice and simple I think! I might make it a bit more festive with ribbon at the Christmas fairs. 

BUT more importantly...what do you think. Have I overdone the "simple"? Would you like to receive this?

It has been a hectic week, I've had some big projects on at work which meant I had to bring work home for evenings and my days off (that precious 45 mins when little Eve had quiet time), which is all a bit gutting as I'd much rather have been doing something with the new beads I bought at the Big Bead Show in Esher on Saturday.

There was some lovely stuff, and some unlovely stuff. And incidentally not that many big beads, they all seemed normal sized to me. Hey ho, anyway I bought these beauties from Josephine Wadman....

...who does amazing lampwork designs.

I'm not sure the picture does them justice, but they are the most beautiful brightest blue I've ever seen. I bought them with my friend Rache in mind, who told me I needed "to do more stuff in blue". But to be honest I'm a bit scared to use them. I know need to do something really special with them, but just no idea what. Plus they weren't cheap dammit so it needs to be right.

Hmmmmmm..... any inspiration out there?

Indian Summer

What fantastic weather we're having at the moment. A proper Indian Summer, who'd have thought we'd be in jackets in July and t-shirts in October. 

I took the girls up onto the hill near our house after school....

We all love it up there, and yes there is a car park at the top.!

 

Take a look at Kristen's blog for a brilliant giveaway. She makes such beautiful delicate stuff, I'd love to get my hands on these colourful little earrings. And all her stuff is so beautifully made....I might have to get the tutorial too!

http://ksjewellerydesigns.blogspot.com/2009/10/time-for-blog-giveaway-littles-earrings.html

Chocolate Fairy

It was our wedding anniversary recently - 6 wonderful years! Eek how time flies. 

The traditional UK anniversary gift for 6 years is sugar, which I must admit was a bit disappointing from a buyers perspective. Particularly as he doesn't really eat chocolate. 

After some deliberation (and you may think, little imagination) I bought him a big bag of gourmet jellybeans and a shockingly poor card bought at the last minute. Perfect! No it was. Really.

Anyway I got a very posh box of chocolates and this.....

...isn't he clever? He found it in Liberty's and it has to be one of the best cards I've ever had. I just can't help but grin every time I look at it. Definitely a keeper.

It was drawn by Andrea Kett who has a lovely shop full of superior smut. Go take a look. Her web address is www.andreakett.co.uk

Autumn IS the best of the seasons.

Autumn IS the best of the seasons. What's not to love?

Definitely my favourite time of year….

1) I get to wear and maybe buy lovely tights, boots, winter coats, scarves, hats,…..etc

2) Warm days, chilly nights to stay in cosy by the woodburner

3) New projects - just that back to school feeling which has stuck with me ever since (not saying how long ago I was at school). Redbird was started properly in Sept.

4) Looking ahead to Christmas - AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah the excitement.

5) The colours. The beautiful, beautiful colours. Maybe it's because I'm a red head. Just feels like it's my time.

Anyway, to celebrate Autumn I've made a few new pieces for the shop.

Pebble stacking

I saw some great pebble stacks when we last went to the seaside (down Brighton way).

I completely forgot my camera, as per usual, but found some brilliant pics on flickr - can you believe there is a pebble balancing group on there!?!? Fanstastic.

This one is by "so unhappily satisfied" you can find her photos here. 

Anyway,  I really like the balance of these simple stacks, so I decided to make a few pairs of earrings....

 

I've done a few with different stones, and they're up on the etsy and folksy stores. I have to say I love them. I chose to make an almond shaped ear wire with these, to keep the clean, simple look. 

Hmmm... some may say they're too simple. So, ok they're weren't hugely complicated to make, but do they have to be? I love them, just as they are. 

Let me know what you think..... 

(Almost) Worldless Wednesday,,,,

Latest offerings in the etsy shop....(finally and in poor light...)

SHOP OPEN!!!

Okay, so it's only got one item in it so far, but at least it's open!

My first item is a lovely chain maille necklace. I love that chain maille can be so damn girlie.

Here it is.....


I'm really hoping that I'll get a bit speedier at loading the items up, or there could be limited stock in there for a while!

Go and have a look..... www.redbirdjewellery.etsy.com and please heart me while you're there. I could use some etsy love!

My shiny new blog!

Aah thank you v much for actually coming along and reading my shiny new blog. If you are reading this no doubt you are someone I know I have hassled to pop by. I know there's not much to see here (yet?) but it would be much to weird to write in the knowledge that no-one in the world would be reading.


Ours is the big one middle right.... .

Coming back from our lovely holiday in a little seaside town in (not very) sunny France last week, I decided to get started on a little plan I'd been mulling over for a while - selling my home made jewellery. This blog will therefore follow Red Bird Jewellery from inception to global domination (in erm... a handmade jewellery kind of way).

So this blog will include pics of what I'm making, special discounts, and some waffle. Enjoy!

I've been working VERY hard all week to get the shop up and running and whilst it's not quite ready yet it is coming soon to computer screen near you at www.redbirdjewellery.etsy.com. So keep 'em pealed and you could be around for the grand opening! (wahoo!)