Kate Selene

Great end to the day

Over the last week I have made a real move to make stock and I have really embraced my love of repetition. This work echos the work I made during my MA, working with repeating open shapes, building volume without the weight.

I always admire complex work of other jewellers but at heart I know I love simple, understated jewellery. Its the type of jewellery I always wear so I felt it about time to update my jewellery collection.

I really remembered why I enjoy this type of work, after a busy day I can settle into a soothing routine.

A great end to the day and Im thoroughly grateful for late night workshops at college.

Initial necklaces

Today I grabbed some time in the workshop at College, in between group crits that we were doing with our second years. Im used to having very little time to make so when I get into the workshop I have everything ready, I have spent the time working out what to make, thinking about how it fits into my collection and what order I need to make things in. So, once I got my pinny on I was straight to work!

I have been thinking about expanding my range of work into more personalised pieces, and although obvious, I have resisted the urge to make initial jewellery purely in silver. Im not quite sure why, maybe its that theres a lot already out there on the market, but that not a reason to not make them, as they fit in really well with my bespoke wedding work.

These were made with bridesmaids in mind, and having looked at what my customers buy, I wanted to add more options to their shopping experience when buying gifts for the bridal party.

A huge portion of my work is cufflinks, which are made from the brides dress, but I also wanted to include other items that could be bought that didn't involve fabric, as this was limiting my appeal.

The first one I made was of mine and Jons initials. I have made a lovely batch of heart earrings over christmas and I wanted to bring this into the necklaces too.

I of course have a real thing about the beaded wire and oxidising metal, so this also gave me the opportunity to work with these types of qualities alongside my encapsulating range.

So here are some pics of the work completed today, they will be in my shop by the end of tomorrow no doubt. I have single, double and with a heart, and of course the oxidised metal which I have contrasted with a polished chain.

I also thought Id photograph this piece too. I made it ages ago as I really wanted to have a piece of jewellery that I could hold without taking it off. This is on a really long chain and has HOME stamped on it. Makes me feel safe.

I sometimes wonder who reads this blog, as in my mind I'm talking to myself creating a visual diary of my crafting life, which on days where I have no energy I find inspiration in my posts, looking at whats achievable when you can steal a bit of time away. But I wonder if anyone else feels a bit like this, like your talking to pages in a book.

So if your out there stealing some time to craft, or indeed reading or getting inspired, have a lovely evening. Im going to be getting my sketchbook out I think!

Cosy things

It has been a week of getting sorted, I have packed and shipped off quite a few bits this week, including a tea cosy a bundle of earrings and two sets of hair pins. It feels really good to be getting things moving.

It has been bitterly cold this week too, it was starting to snow again this morning, which i couldn't believe, so I have been really working on staying warm. I guess this has spread to my things, I have made some zip bags for my stuff out of some crochet samples I had in my stash. They turned out really well and to be honest im surprised how much I love these cosy editions to my life, it brings the crochet into other aspects of my life. I have decided that one of the new bags can keep my slipper project tidy, I have already made one pair of slippers but im working on a new pattern.

This blue pompom number is being used to keep my books all tidy at work, keeping my ipad and note books together has made a huge difference when going from office to office as I tend to travel with lip balms and pens and I always leave something somewhere!

So, thats what I have been upto this week. Im hoping to have a bit of downtime this weekend, going to visit my parents and finish those slippers off. Just find time to breath!!

Toodle pip!