Tuesday, 7 February, 2012

What has my day been like?  It started with Dave coming to complete installing a radiator which he had begun on Saturday but couldn't finish until he got certain parts to finish the job.  Meanwhile I spent most of the morning on my laptop answering emails as well as browsing on Facebook among other things.  I waited for the postman (who I now know really well) as he brings me parcels most days.  My sterling silver cufflink chain arrived and so I could then post the hammered copper cufflinks that I am currently working on.  These have been sent to the Edinburgh Assay Office to be stamped with my personal maker's mark (SK) as well as the 925 sterling silver and the castle for Edinburgh too.  These will not be returned to me until about Thursday.  After that I need to solder the chain to each cufflink part and then pickle to remove oxide.  I will then polish and finish them before delivering to my customer.  These are a special gift from a wife to her husband for his birthday and she had a say in the design - a rhomboid shape with hammered markings to catch the light. After the radiator was installed I had to hoover and clean away the resulting dust - although Dave is very tidy.

Tomorrow will need to be a 'making' day where I can work on all my orders which are many.  However, I enjoyed today as it gave me the chance to catch up with the paperwork which is a necessary evil of running your own business.

Sheila Kerr Jewellery's Studio in Irvine

This is my studio at the Courtyard Studios, Harbour Street, Irvine.  I just love working there and I have all my designs on display for anyone to browse.  I also have an area where I can hold small group jewellery making workshops.

The view from my workbench looks out to the sea and the island of Arran in the distance.  No two days are the same but always the sun sets behind Arran (if it's not raining you can see the fantastic outline of this well known landmark).

I'm so looking forward to the spring as I moved into my studio last September and then the weather deteriorated.  I have seen all kinds of weather as I work at my bench - from fabulous winter sunsets to hailstones battering on the dormer windows of my upstairs studio.  No matter the weather I just love working there!

Prom/bridesmaid Collection

Diamonte Shell Comb                                                                                   £20

New Prom/Bridesmaid Accessories

Dragonfly Headband

This is one of my new designs from my Prom/Bridesmaid collection.  Created with crystals and diamonte this really sparkles!

Available to order at price of £25

Sunset from Carrick Hills

SNV35123, a photo by sheilakerr on Flickr.

I took this with my samsung camera a few years ago

Jewellery Making Workshops

Had a great morning running my first 'Make your own tree decorations using jewellery making techniques'.  Everyone enjoyed it and liked the idea of taking them home and putting them on the tree.  I overheard someone say 'it'll make a change for Mum to bring something home to show'!

I had put up the Xmas tree in my studio to create an atmosphere despite it being a bit too early.  However, it did create a festive mood.  The teabreak is highly popular as I provide handmade cupcakes (I didn't make them) and I think all enjoy their 'naughty indulgence' after a hard week at work.

This workshop is running on the 10 December and 17 December - a few spaces available if you fancy some festive fun, creating some handmade decorations, a delicious cupcake all in the comfort of my studio - just get in touch.  Sheila

Pearl Necklace

This image is part of my photoshoot for my new website.  Model is wearing handmade mixed pearl necklace with Swarovski elements crystal earrings.  All handmade by Sheila Kerr in her harbourside studio in Irvine, Scotland - Sheila Kerr Jewellery.