Too busy to blog ???

Well no.. Not to busy to blog but it seems too busy to take photos to show what I've been busy with. To be perfectly honest I was waiting till I got some photos but it seems that facebook isn't working this lunch time so I've popped over to blog instead.

It's been a busy couple of weeks with lots of prep for a couple of events coming up. There's a wee craft sale on this Saturday at Airlie Village Hall from 10am till 2pm with soup and rolls for lunch and teas, coffees and cakes for anytime at all. I've been getting some new jewellery together for the day and since Airlie is just 10 minutes along the road I'm hoping to meet lots of future Buy Design customers and introduce them to the wonders of my little shop.

Then it's just a few weeks till the start of perthshire open studios and I'm busily trying to stock up and freshen the look of the shop for a busy week. Did a major turn around in the window this morning and have been getting lots of great compliments already. I'll tell you more about the open studios in the next week or so.

And as if that wasn't enough to be going on with I have just signed up to start and Open University course starting in October. I'm really excited, and just a little bit nervous about returning to study but life is all about new challenges and this will certainly be a new challenge.

Oh, and my husband has just graduated, having studied for a BSc with the OU over the last four years. We've had a couple of celebrations for him. One with the kids then one on our own. We went off for a sleepover in Blairgowrie. Yes Blairgowrie is only five miles away but it was lovely to go out for dinner and not have to come home till the next day. We had a very relaxing evening at the Altamount House Hotel. Dinner was delicious, our room was very pretty, we had a lovely walk in the grounds after dinner and breakfast was fab. 

The challenge has now been set and my man keeps telling me that I'm going to get the study bug myself. Meanwhile I keep saying that I'm only doing one course and that doesn't mean that I'm going to be studying for a degree. Mmmm we'll see. Obviously, if he can do it whilst working full time then so can I. But I'm definately not committing myself just yet.

To match or not to match.....

I thought it was time to get back into some jewellery making today and played with some dinky little charms that I  found in my favourite bead shop. Now a normal person would have used two matching charms but that would be predictable wouldn't it ? Instead I thought it would be nice to combine two of my favourite things.... tea and cake.

I did carry on and make several other pairs of earings which actually match but for some quirky reason these are my favourites of the day.

There is an Exhibition and Sale of Work on this Saturday at Airlie Village Hall from 10am till 2pm which I have been invited to. I'm trying to decide what to take with me and am currently thinking that a combination of jewellery and hats and scarfs would work well. Woolies and Jewellies...

I got these cute little dice beads a couple of weeks ago and couldn't decide what to do with them until this afternoon when they seemed to calling out to be made into little girls bracelets.

I've finished up with a dozen different colour combinations and sizes.

I even sold one in the shop this afternoon to a lady with little wrists who said they were far too nice for kids and wanted one for herself. It is very satisfying when that happens and kind of confirms that I'm on the right track.

I rather like the lilac and purple one myself and I do have skinny little wrists..

Scrap Happy Theatre Company

I've been working today !!!

Not a life shattering event for most people but I don't normally have to work on a Saturday. I realise that having Saturdays off is a  luxury that most shop owners only dream of. This is when I appreciate having nearly grown up kids, who are willing to work in mummy's shop for a minimum wage, so that mum and dad get to go out to play for the day.

However, today I had a craft fair in Blairgowrie organised by Scrap Happy Theatre Company. This is a local youth theatre group and the kids performed on stage throughout the afternoon which was great to see. What a lot of talented young people live in our small rural community. So, it really didn't feel too much like working to be honest... sell a bit.. chat a bit... watch a performance... chat a bit more. Not bad for a rainy Saturday afternoon.

My neighbour was a lady called Clara, who I have met a few times now. She uses precious metal clay, (PMC)  and makes some lovely jewellery. I found out today that she has started blogging but is still finding her way around Blogger. So if you fancy a look at something a bit different, please pop over for a visit to clarasmithjewellery 

Neighbours....everybody needs good neighbours..

I thought I would shame my photographic skills and tell you about my neighbour at Abernethy craft fair last Saturday. Her name was Jo Cound and she is an amazing photographer. No digital cameras for Jo. She is a proper photographer with proper cameras, real film, negatives and her own dark room where she develops and prints all her own work. I have seen her work before at other fairs but we have never been neighbours and so this was the first time I got to chat with her and to hear more about her work. She is soo enthusiastic about her work and can tell the story of every photo she has taken. Her work mostly features landscapes and nature and every one is a work of art. If you fancy a look click HERE and visit Jo's website.

 I felt a wee bit inspired to try some nature photography myself and took my camera (digital of course) with me and Angel on our walk yesterday.

Like a proper artist ( ha ha) I thought I should name my shots.

Come back Angel, I want to take your picture.

COME BACK ANGEL.. oh never mind.

Forget Angel.

It's beginning to look a lot like autumn.

Mmm... nice wellies.

Rooting around. Is that a mini waterfall ?

I may as well admit that I will never be a photographer, but I did enjoy looking around a bit more than usual. It's so easy to take for granted that I live in a beautiful part of the country and sometimes it's good to remind myself how lucky I am.

Fiona

Busy Monday

Today I decided to do something that I haven't done for a very long time.

A bit of card making

I have a craft fair on Saturday at the Museum of Abernethy, which is a really nice setting for a spot of Christmas shopping or for just treating yourself to some handmade goodies.

I haven't done many shows this year and fancied trying something a bit different for my first outing of the season. It's nice to feel that you have something new to show and that customers won't be looking at your stall thinking it's just the same as last year.

Soo.. a bit of something different.

I have a natty little template for a hand-shaped card which is perfect displaying bracelets. There are times when you want to give a wee present to someone who is going to say "aww you shouldn't have!"

Jewellery cards are the perfect solution.

Managed to finish off a dozen of these cards today. Lots of different colours and with simple crocheted wire and bead bracelets.

Along with some necklace cards and ear ring cards these will be on my table top card stand on Saturday.

I'm going to have to think out just how this will fit in with the rest of my display but it will certainly be a new look from last year.

Fiona x



My Creative Space

It's Thursday again, and time to share at kootoyoo .

On Saturday 22nd May I will be taking part in a craft fair in Blairgowrie Town Hall, Perthshire. Of course, everyone is invited, but first I need to restock on a few essentials. Sooo.. today I put away my 4mm crochet hook and  wool and brought out this instead.

Crochet bracelets were at the top of todays To Do list.

Red and silver wire with seed beads in a little shell pattern.

Same wire and beads here but just a simple double crochet.

Soon these little fasteners will be stitched in to place and the bracelet will close with a little magnetic catch.

In true 'Blue Peter' style.... Here's one I made earlier.

And finally... I'm not sure what I'm going to do with this yet. Could I do several wire and bead granny squares and turn them into a bracelet..? There's no weight to this at all so it's no use as a pendant...

Ah ha. Maybe a brooch....?

I'll let you know if anything worthy develops from this one.

New Crafter coming soon.

Surprise, Surprise. I remembered to take photos at my craft fair at the weekend. A major achievement for me.

Sadly no photos of the crowds of customers as they were a bit thin on the ground. To be fair this is still a bit early in the year for craft fairs which really get started after the Easter Weekend.

I did have some lovely customers though and hopefully they will be coming for a visit to Alyth and Buy Design in the future. One lady in particular was very interested in the opportunity to have jewellery made to match her outfit for a Spring wedding. That will be a fun project

.

I also had the chance to chat with Margaret Flemming who paints wonderful ceramics for indoors and out. She will be stocking Buy Design very soon and I am really looking forward to seeing her colourful display in the shop. Here is a look at what she had with her on Saturday.

 Perfect time to sign out now. Time for lunch. x

Saturday's Fair

I've been busy today organising stock to take with me to The Dundee and District Woodturners craft fair tomorrow. This is my first fair this year and I think I might be out of practice. What a pickle trying to decide what to take and what to leave in the shop !! And of course both places need to be fully stocked so it's been a busy couple of weeks getting it all ready.

Completely new this time round is my new range of crocheted bracelets. All that crochet practice seems to have paid off and I am really pleased with the results.Here's a sneak preview.

Spot the difference !!! Can you tell which is the hand of a hard working 46 year old mother of three and which is the hand of her daughter.

Here you can see the fastening which is a small magnetic catch. These are a big favourite of mine as it makes it soo easy to put your own bracelet on by yourself. Sound silly but I do hate fiddling about with normal clasps on bracelets.

Hopefully I will remember to take some photos of my stall tomorrow and will show you what it looks like. I have a bad habit of forgetting until I am on my way home.

Date for your diary

It's been a bit of a quiet week since I last posted any news. Think I lost my get-up-and-go for a couple of days but it's coming back now.
I've just confirmed my first craft fair of the year which will be on Saturday 6th March at St Andrews church hall in Dundee. That's the one just beyond the Wellgate Centre. It's being organised by the Dundee and District Woodturners and there will be a whole variety of crafters taking part.
They held a fair at the same venue last year which was excellent. Good stalls, good company and we got to watch a wedding party arriving in the afternoon at the church next door.
Just got to get stocked up now and off we go.

Driftwood Mirrors

A couple of weeks ago at our fair in Perth Concert Hall a fellow stallholder came over and asked my husband and I if we were Rhona's mum and dad. Now Rhona is my youngest daughter and since she wasn't with us at the time we were a little bit confused. It turned out that we were talking to her art teacher at Blairgowrie High School, Mr Maxwell.

It was a lucky meeting for Buy Design as Mr Maxwell makes lovely Driftwood Mirrors and we now have a selection in the shop.

We currently have three sizes and each one is totally individual with lots of interesting little bits and pieces which have been washed up on beaches around Perthshire.

Perth Concert Hall Craft Fair

This Sunday we will be heading to Perth for a Craft Fair organised by the Angus Craft Association. I love the concert hall and of course the added bonus of an indoor event at this time of year is always good. Cathy Arnott and Jacquie Bell who have work in Buy Design will also be there which should make for an interesting day. If we are neighbours we talk all day and if not we have been known to text each other across a crowded room.
There are a lot of things going on in Perth on Sunday, leading up to the Switch on of the Christmas lights so it should be a good day all round.

Craft Fairs.

For the first time ever I remembered to take my camera out at a craft fair. Only briefly mind you but it's a start. Here is my friend Cathy Arnott who had her stall just opposite mine. She does etching on glass and has produced some lovely work this year. I have a selection in Buy Design which she changes regularly. I picked out a few pieces on Saturday which I would love for the shop. She still has a few more fairs this month then we will really stock up in the shop for Christmas.
This is my stall. My friend Mark Baker who makes wonderful stained glass made the display boards for me. I really like being able to set things up like a little shop with my counter in the middle. The next step will be to get some lighting for it. We had a mixed weekend,really good sales on Saturday but mostly browsers out for a country walk on Sunday. It's always nice catching up with fellow crafters and meeting new ones.

Next outing is at Perth Concert Hall on Sunday 22nd Nov. The Perth Christmas lights are being switched on and Radio Tay will be outside doing a live broadcast. Hopefully they will be encouraging people to visit the fair.

No Pictures!!

So for the last week I have been running around, doing lots but seemingly, getting nowhere. This weekend I am off to Forbes of Kingennie for a Christmas Craft Fair so I have been seriously busy getting all my stock ready. Why I didn't do this well in advance is a question that only a truely disorganised crafter can answer.
Anyway its all done now and I will definately get some pictures on here soon.
We have lots of lovely new stock in Buy Design and I promise to show it all soon. Mary has brought her Christmas collection of decorated pine cones, mini wreaths, walnuts, ribbons and all sorts.
Also added Nappy Cakes last week, thanks to a lucky meeting when I was out demonstrating. I just happened to meet the sister of the lady I had seen at a show over a year ago. They are gorgeous gifts for anyone with a new baby and I will take photos asap.

Keeping Busy

It's that time of year again when I seem to spend my time trying to catch up. I did a craft fair at Meigle, Perthshire on Saturday and got off to a very dodgy start. Luckily Meigle is only a couple of miles from home or it could have been a bit of a disaster. Firstly, the temperature really dropped overnight and my car needed to be de-iced before I could go anywhere. This must have thrown my packing routine because when I arrived at Meigle, having noted the temp as -1 degrees along the way, I discovered that I had left some of my display stands in the shop. Not a total disaster but I did have to fly home to collect them before setting up.
It was a lovely little fair and since it was only for the morning I was home by lunchtime and my husband cooked for me. Very nice.
I am now creating like mad for a two day fair next weekend 14th 15th November at Kingenny. I will be needing the sat nav for that as apart from being near Monifieth I really don't know where it is.
So between now and then I will be knitting lots of bracelets, making key rings and beaded angels. I think the rest of can take care of itself.
Will have to post some photos tomorrow of our latest arrival at Buy Design. It's too dark to take good photos tonight and I want to get it right.
Time for a cuppa I think.
Fiona

Wedding Request

I am pretty excited at the moment as I have been asked if I can do a full set of jewellery for a wedding next May. I have had commissions in the past for the mother of the bride, and the grannie of the bride, but this is my first for the main wedding group. Bride, bridesmaids, and flower girls. Today I was out choosing a selection of brown and cream pearls and will be putting together a few ideas this week. It's a lovely thought that my creations will be going to such a special event.
Of course this meant another trip to my favourite bead shop and I was so tempted by all the lovely new beads. I was reasonably sensible bearing in mind that Christmas is on the way, but really, you can never have too many beads.
The weekend was really busy. The craft fair at Abernethy was really good fun. Jacqui Bell was there with her bags and we had a good catch up and a giggle. My neighbour was a lovely girl called Catherine, who is a dressmaker and designer. She recycles and customises clothes and accessories. Very talented girl. Her website is still in the early stages but she hopes to launch in the near future at http://www.palefacemakes.co.uk/
And now, back to work.

Missing in action

I have just realised how long it is since my last blog. I feel a confessional coming on. My only excuse is that I have been awful busy lately and keep forgetting to log on till I'm too tired to bother. I did a mini craft fair up at Glen Isla at the weekend which was lovely. Sun was shining and we all enjoyed a little bit of summer.
We are about to launch a new range of gifts for babies in October, so I have been busy with knitting needles and if I didn't know better I would be feeling broody by now. It's hard to imagine that my strapping 19 year old son once fitted into tiny little booties and mittens. They are so cute.
There will also be some tiny baby bangles which I am working on at the moment.
Look out for photos soon. Just need to finish polishing then they will be ready.
I'm having dinner cooked by my daughter tonight and I think it is about ready so bye for now.

Nearly There

I have been busy preparing today. Not something I do very often but I think I should do it more often. Between the last weekend in October and the end of November I have five craft fairs to attend. This is great and I am really looking forward to them. A chance to see people you only see once a year and chance to tell everyone about my lovely shop. And hopefully a chance to sell enough jewellery to hibernate in January. Last year the big problem was underestimating the amount of stock needed to keep the shop looking good and to fill a craft stall as well. Not going to do that again!!! Well I might but it won't be for lack of planning.
Ah the sun has just come out. Time to close up shop and head to the garden and see if the sun is still there.

Well it's been all go and it shows no sign of slowing down any time soon. I have just come home from a wonderful holiday with my wonderful husband. It was our 20th wedding anniversary on 1st July and he took me all the way to Boston (yes the one in America !!!!) for a whole week. Just the two of us. No children. No dog. No work. No worries. I am now sleeping for Scotland after walking the length and breadth of a truly wonderful town. I did manage to find a few jewellery and craft shops in Boston. I like to call it market research rather than shopping, but whatever you call it, it still involves money and sore feet. Yet again I am pleased that my shop is attatched to my house so there won't be much walking happening again any time soon.
On another subject all together, I am proud to say that I am now a member of the Angus Association of Craftworkers. I was invited to a vetting meeting this evening in Friockheim (even I don't know how to pronounce it) . It's a pretty little village near Forfar, so armed with my new Sat-Nav, I set off confidently, putting my trust in technology. What a wonderful invention! Driving is a lot more fun when you don't have to worry about getting lost.
Anyway, I met some lovely people who like my work and am now a member of the association. Basically, I get access to more craftfairs, meet more craftworkers, and will be able to promote Buy Design in new areas. As soon I get the details I will add links to the association web site.

Another Manic Monday

My Mondays aren't really that manic at all but once I get a song in my head it stays there at lot longer than necessary. It was quite a busy weekend though. On Saturday I drove down to Linwood, Renfrewshire, to take part in my sister Jackie's church fete. I'm not much of a motor-way driver and I spend most of the journey thinking I will miss a junction and end up going in the wrong direction. When we lived in Kent I tried to go from Dartford to Bexleyheath on the A2 once. It should have taken about ten minutes but somehow I got in the wrong lane at a roundabout, got on to the M25, and had no idea how to get off. Thankfully there was a full tank of petrol and the sun was shining. Still not sure exactly where we went that day but I remain cautious of motor-ways even now. No such drama on Saturday though. My youngest daughter Rhona came with me and we had a lovely day. We met some very nice people who liked my work and I have been asked to do a craft fair around Christmas time in the same area.
The afternoon was finished off with a family meal out before heading back home on the motor-way. I think I am getting the hang of it now. Roll on the next big adventure.
Mark Baker came in the shop this afternoon with some more of his lovely stained glass. We had a bit of a move around with cabinets and shelving last week and so I was able to find a nice place to display his work today. It's all looking really good just now.

Technical Hitch

I really need to work on my I.T. skills. Today I took photos of some new jewellery that I had been working on yesterday. I was really quite pleased with myself, but sadly when I plugged the camera into the computer I couldn't find them. Think I might need to consult one of my teenagers for advice, and to find out where the photos are hiding.
On a more positive note, I have been busy getting stock ready for my craft stall for next weekend. I am taking a table at my sister Jackie's church fete in Linwood. You never quite know how these things will go so I like to have a good range whenever I go off for the day. I have finished a really fun range of button necklaces and am tempted to keep a few for myself. Tomorrow I will be on to the knitted bracelets, which always seem to go down well, probably because people are so surprised by the idea of jewellery made in such an unusual way.
Hopefully I will be able to show some photos soon.