Just finished the weekend’s Artisan Christmas Market at the Collection in Lincoln and I’m delighted to say that it was very successful, not just in terms of selling, but more importantly affirming that people are interested in both what I make and my ethos and there is definitely a market out there for unique upcycled jewellery. I had become quite demoralised with the lack of sales online and in the two galleries that stock my work and this has been a real boost.
I sold so many pairs of earrings on the Saturday that I came home and made some more to take on the Sunday, including some studs based on some vintage self-cover buttons that I unearthed in time honoured fashion while looking for something else! I had flattened out some quite flimsy bead caps and thought that two layered over each other looked like a snowflake, so while I stood behind the stall on the Saturday I stitched them onto some scraps of ultramarine blue silk dupion.
When I got home I finished off the button parts, removed the loops and added sterling silver posts and butterflies.
As I have dozens of these bead caps and another four buttons, I decided to make another pair, this time layering green chiffon from a scrap of an old sari over a piece of red silk satin.
However, the third pair is still in the planning stage and it will be different. After having made two very similar pairs, boredom set in – I really do have the attention span of a goldfish!
I decided not to add the diamantes to the mandala pendant. I laced it over a circle of felt and a circle of pelmet vilene and made a plain version of the back. At the moment I’m wondering whether to give it a beaded edge (beaded blanket stitch or a fringed edge) or leave it plain.
However, I think the prevaricating about how to finish the edging is a bit of displacement activity to mask the real issue. As you can see against my hand, it’s quite a statement piece (translation: probably a bit too big) and I’m having serious doubt about whether anyone would actually want to wear it as a pendant. I was planning to make some bag charms/key rings and I was wondering whether it would be more commercial if I did something similar with this. At the moment I could see it with a chunky tassel hanging from a bureau key or a cupboard door knob more than I could a pendant. Any thoughts?
Under A Topaz Sky 
It’s great to hear the event was successful for you Alex.
Those earrings are beautiful and I personally I wouldn’t say that statement piece Mandala Pendant is too large to sell as long as it isn’t heavy. I’ve just placed one of my Rockpool pendants in the palm of my hand and they are bigger so there certainly is a market out there for that size.
Thanks, Karen – that’s a huge help!
I can certainly imagine the bureau key tassel idea working as well, though. As a brooch or pendant, I’m sure it would work as long as the brooch back or bail was well placed, both for balance and access.
But I can’t imagine you getting placement wrong!
Thank you! At the moment I feel like I’ve got too many options and they all look good!
Better than staring frantically, wondering what to do!
Well done on the fair sales!
Thank you! It’s been a massive confidence boost. :o)
The stall looks great, so pleased that it went well. So many lovely pieces to choose from.