Anyone got a fairy???

I could really do with a fairy to come in and blitz my job list!! So if any of you can lend me your job fairy that'd be great!!

This weekend I will sort out my webpage listing for the PMC Starter Kits - yes this has been an ongoing saga, but they're finally ready.  I'll be offering a couple of different level of kits, with basic tool kits starting at £25.  I wanted to include the best quality tools so that you don't waste money on cheaper versions which then need to be replaced.

Also top of my job list now is to re-write the PMC Certification pages on my website.  I put the exisiting pages up as a temporary measure so that everyone could see what the modules covered.  I'm trying to get sample pieces made up so that there will be at least one photo example against every project.  But at 20 projects in total that isn't going to happen overnight!!

Hopefully I'll have a couple of pictures for you over the weekend if I get to finish some of the sample pieces.

exciting new stock

I'm still furiously working on new products for the website.  I want the webshop to contain a really good selection of products, but I don't want to stock products just for the sake of it!  So, all the products I stock are things I use myself.

I've got a whole new range of cutters on the way which is really exciting.  The reason I haven't stocked them in the past was because I couldn't find a range that I was happy with - I hate cutters with big seams because then you have to sand/repair.

The cutters that are on the way are beautifully made - in the UK, yay!

Easter Break

Happy Easter everyone.  Hope you've all eaten too much chocolate!!

I've been taking a well earned break from the computer!  The last month or so has seen me working constantly on my website design, ebay or etsy listings and I was getting to burnout with it all!

So what have I been doing?  Obviously spending time with my family, and trying to get back on track with my creative side which has been very neglected lately.  I've started making up some sample pieces for the PMC Certification Modules.  So far, I've been leaf painting, ring making and mould making!  I'd forgotten just how therapeutic I find leaf painting!

I've also been having a first play with Art Clay Copper - just made some really simple pieces as tests.  They all need to be fired now. I even let my 4 year old loose with the copper!  She's made 2 pendants herself, and seems to be a natural!!

PMC Certification Classes

Another bit of exciting news is that I have become one of The PMC Studio's Area Training Centres.  This means that I am now able to offer PMC Certification classes at my studio.

This is really exciting.  In the past I had looked into offering Art Clay certification classes, but after doing Art Clay Level 1 certification I changed my mind and decided for various reasons it wasn't for me.  So I stuck to my guns and carried on teaching as I always had, because I believe in doing something that you believe in.

When the chance arose for me to teach PMC Certification, I knew it was right for me.  The new modules are great and cover a really good range of techniques.  I believe they really set you up with good quality training and knowledge.

My website now has details of the projects covered, and also a calendar of classes available for the rest of 2010.  I can't wait to get started!

Remeber Me??!!

I know, I know I've been hopeless at blogging recently but that'll change now I promise!

There has been a lot going on here at Fired Silver HQ!  Probably too much to write about in one post, and certainly at this time of night, but I will update you fully over the next few days - promise!

News Item No 1 - A number of weeks ago, I took over all the stock from a company called Craftgemz.  I have been a customer of their's for a number of years and they stocked the most gorgeous range of fireproof gems to use in PMC and Art Clay.  When I found out they were closing, the opportunity to buy all of their stock was just too fabulous to turn down!!

So a number of weeks later and I've finally finished sorting and bagging the stones - over 40,000 of them!  I've got most of them uploaded on the website now and you can see them on the Gemstones page of my website.  I hope to get the rest of the stock uploaded over the next few days.

More news to follow............................

Coming out the other side

I think we are finally starting to get over the horrid bug we've had here. Don't get me wrong, I still feel like death warmed up! But I'm getting to the stage now where in my head, I feel like doing things, even though my body isn't quite there yet!

I thought I'd cheer myself up a bit today, so I've had a bit of a lazy morning, followed by some housework!  Now I know that doesn't sound like something to cheer yourself up, but the state of the house, having been inhabited by 3 poorly people was starting to get to me LOL!!  So now I'm feeling a bit happier, I'm going to move onto the thing that'll really cheer me up - PMC!!  I probably won't get any clay out today, but I do need to get on with creating some templates that I need and creating a pattern for a photopolymer plate.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

New Additions to the Shop

This has been a job on my list FOREVER! As well as supplying a range of clay, I've wanted to stock my shop with a range of good quality tools at the best possible prices. So I've been trawling the web, dealing with manufacturers, and I feel like I'm finally getting somewhere!  There's a long way to go with some of the things I want to source and it seems to take forever for some of the companies to come back to me, which is totally infuriating.

This clay shaping tool is one of my most used tools, I love 2 tools in one, because you never have enough hands!!

I've managed to reduce the price of this tool by £1.00

Another double ended tool, this one is SHARP! I use mine to cut out freehand shapes from wet clay and also to scrape away at unwanted dry clay.  This one has been reduced by £1.70

I'm on a mission to find the best value tools I can now! Its becoming quite addicitive LOL!

These tools are up on the website now HERE

Masters Registry

So with the "no selling in 2009" decision a few weeks behind me, how do I feel now about it?  I still feel that I've made the right decision for me. Phew!!

Back to the subject in hand - Masters Registry

I am making a serious start on the Masters Registry and to say that it's challenging is an understatement!  I am in no rush to get through all the levels.  I've had a good think about what I want to get out of this - and its to build a collection of work that I am proud of. So if it takes me the next 10 years of my life then so be it LOL!!  Although I hope it doesn't take that long!

I regsitered for the Masters Registry back in April 2009 and have just had no time to really devote to it.  That has been one of the major influences in how I structure 2010 - I really want to progress and challenge myself, the MR will certainly do that!

So, full steam ahead with the MR!!

New website live

As usual impatience gets the better of me!!  I decided to just upload the new look website and add to it from there!

So I hope you like the new look - Fired Silver

It needs lots of pictures and a new banner but i'm sooo much happier with the focus on this site now.

The new look webshop is active too, although I've only put the Art Clay products up for sale at the moment - Fired Silver Online Shop

So I have a LOT of work to do!!  I've just sat and gone through each page and written a list of the jobs that need doing - lets just say its a pretty long list LOL!

Changes for 2010

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, and I'm sure many of you out there are looking to 2010 now and planning your resolutions.

I don't make resolutions, but I do try to write down achievements that I want to strive for during the year.

In order to get one of my achievements, I'm having a re-hash of my website Fired Silver The site will now be for Tuition, Supplies and Tutorials only.  All of my jewellery will be for sale on a separate website, which I'll be developing this year.

Here's a sneak peak of the home page so far - New Home Page I still need to add a banner, and some piccies, but the essence of what the site is for is there.

I'm already working on my first tutorial. It is my plan that some of the tutorials will be free and some will be paid for, and I will also be building up the Resources page with lots of information.

There are also lots of new class dates listed on the site HERE 

Finally, thank you all for stopping by and supporting me during 2009, and I wish all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2010.

Tiny Charms

I haven't been very good at blogging lately have I - I really must try harder!

Things are really busy here at the moment - I'm hopefully creating a new business that will continue to grow and generate a regular income for me.  That business is Tiny Charms, I have been creating keepsake jewellery for friends and family for a few years now, but have never made it a proper business.  As news was spreading around friends of friends, the inevitable question of "have you got a website?" kept coming up, and so I decided it really was time to do something about it!!

It has been a lot of work to get it to the stage its currently at, and its nowhere near finished!  I hope to have the full fingerprint range up this week.  Then I'll move on to the art ranges and hand/foot print ranges.

Of course, me being the way I am, having just the basic ranges isn't enough for me!  I will be adding a designer collection as well.  I have lots of ideas bubbling around for designs, but they'll just have to wait!

I knew that when I launched this site, I'd want to work with some charities, so I will be donating a percentrage of my profits to FSID and Tommy's.  Both charities fit in really well with Tiny Charms, and the FSID in particular is important to me personally, so I'm really happy to be able to give something to them.

I have set up a Tiny Charms Blog and I could really do with some followers!  Please if you think this may be of interest to you, or people that you know, pass the link on.  The more business I can generate, the more money goes to the charities.

Almost ready for Beads up North

I thought I'd take a break from my preparations to remind you all, that it's Beads up North tomorrow!



I'm about to head back out to the studio to get the last lot of bronze work out of the kiln. I'll then be spending the rest of the night bagging and displaying everything.



After the fair, next week I'll be concentrating on photograpy for my Etsy store. I have really expanded the range of headpins I sell and so need to get those listed. As well as silver, I'll now have a range of bronze and copper.

Once the Etsy shop is re-stocked I'll then be concentrating on expanding my range of components. I'm quite looking forward to next week - being creative, but without the pressure of a show.

Inspiration - Textures

I am always on the hunt for textures! Any of you metal clay artists out there will totally get this obsession I seem to have! While there are a lot of lovely texture mats readily available to buy, if you want to create something more unique and unseen then making your own textures is the only way to go.

I seem to have lost my way a bit on this recently and have reverted to using a lot of the purchased texture mats. I always try to make them look different though - maybe by using a section of the texture that doesn't make it instantly recognisable, or by changing the look by adding enamels.

I have just finished this test bead made from bronze clay. I used a commercial mat, but have inlaid it with silver (that was the test part!). I'm really pleased with the results. And the bead has something different about it even though I've seen the texture used a lot elsewhere.

Part of my pledge to myself is to make much more use of my own designs in the future. I will still use the commercial mats, but I tend to use the more subtle ones for backgrounds or the reverse of pieces and I'll probably still carry on doing that.

So, the big question - where does my inspiration come from? I think my answer is probably the same as most people's answer and that's everywhere and anywhere! The fantastic thing about working with clay is that you can impress anything to make texture. Lace is fantastic (it helps that my auntie used to work in a knicker factory!!), everyday objects like bits of crumpled foil, sandpaper, bits of wire, toothpaste lids the list is endless.

I also sketch designs and turn those into texture mats, I love looking through source books for designs from around the world - I have a couple of books which I scan very regularly when I'm looking for a particular project.

I thought it'd be fun to show you some designs which I've found online that are copyright free images. I'm not sure how well they'll turn out as textures as you do need to have quite definite lines - but that's half the fun!!

So, keep checking back. As I progress through the different stages of turning these pictures into jewellery I'll update you on the progress.

A couple of piccies

I've managed a couple of hours here at the studio today. I didn't want to waste the time taking lots of pictures, so I've just taken a couple of quick pics for now.

This bead is made from Bronze clay. It is a solid bead so is lovely and weighty. I decorated it by rippling the surface - sort of like fondant icing!!

I think I'll polish it a bit more so that the high spots are really shiny.

This silver pendant has a hidden bail at the back and is domed. I've in-filled the flower with a gorgeous lilac enamel. This colours fires really well and I love the colour.

There are more of these waiting to be fired and they will definitely become part of my standard range of components.


I've been looking a lot at the Karen Hill Tribe ranges and they seem to stock pendants that designers are then adding their own touch to. This design lends itself really well to being strung in some way. My component range will definitely need to compete with the KHT Silver, so am keeping that in mind both in terms of how the pieces I design will be used, and also cost.

Any feedback on this pendant in particular would be appreicated!

That's it for now, off to make more jewellery.

Back at work....

....and it's great! I was at the studio yesterday with my weekly group. We've had a fab 6 weeks and they've produced some fantastic work. I'm really pleased with how well they've done.

A few are coming back next week for an extra week, so I must remember to take the camera and get some photos of their work to show you all.

I'm having a re-vamp of my website too. It was put together quite quickly as I didn't want to have nothing up! There are a lot of things I want to add to the site, including tutorials so that will be one of the things I will be working hard on for the next couple of months.

I have started to map out my class dates now for the rest of the year, so will be able to announce those shortly, I'll be adding some new topics including a Bronze and Copper Clay workshop. I am loving these new clays!!

Back from Beads up North

I finally got around to exhibiting at a Bead Fair, and I think I'm now hooked! As many of you know, I was panicking a bit, but that's just my nature. I really enjoyed myself, saw some familiar friends and met some friends who I've not met in real life before!

I particularly want to mention, Claire Morris of Rowanberry Glass Art we chat a lot online, but this was the first time we've met in person and it was fab!! She is a super talented lampworker.

I also met Min of Apple Green Machine another talented lampworker and lovely person. I accidentally bought two of her beads - oops! And last but not least, Jane Hamill, another lovely person and talented lampworker. See, I'm not as daft as I look - I've surrounded myself with talented lampwork artists!!

Anyway, here's a picture of my table, a bit sparse looking I know!! I made quite a few sales which I'm really pleased about, and also had lots of enquiries (and a couple of bookings) for classes.

So all in all, a fabulous day!

I'm completely shattered today so have had a quiet day. I've been taking photographs of new stock to add to my shop, so may do some listings later.

What a day!

I've had a lovely day today, teaching an introduction to metal clay class. I had four ladies who were really nice and they made some super pieces. I've got some of them going around in the tumbler now, so maybe I can sneak a piccie on here without them knowing! I am shattered, I always am after teaching, but I've got a lot to get done tonight.

I've brought some materials home from the studio, so that I can make things tonight. I'm going to concentrate on repairing my bronze work, and then making silver.

Unfortunately, I have to go to work now for the rest of the week, but am contemplating booking the day off on Friday! Will hopefully have some pics either later or tomorrow.

Still working with Bronze

I am still working with Bronze clay! I've got a bit carried away today and made a large oval focal bead. I've just weighed it and it's 24g! I'm hoping once its fired it'll be a bit lighter, but it's definitely a major focal bead!!

I've cut out lots of spacer beads as well, I just hope they don't need to much sanding cos that will be really boring!



My little girl finally goes back to school tomorrow, so I'll be spending the whole day at the studio and I've got to just focus on stock for the show. I haven't been sleeping too well becase my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is back, so fingers crossed I have a decent night tonight and my wrist isn't too sore tomorrow.

Gosh, aren't my posts sporadic at the moment!! There is such a lot to get done, time isn't on my side!!

I spent Tuesday running a private tuition day at the studio. I had two lovely ladies who made some great work, and hopefully they learnt lots too! I really enjoy private tuition - the people who book usually have previous metal clay experience and want to expand their knowledge in certain areas. Group classes don't always fit in for everyone, so its great to be able to offer this service on a more regular basis now that I'm in the studio.

The rest of my week has been taken up with day-job work, and trying to get my head around my marketing leaflets etc. I've designed a leaflet which I'll be dropping through letterboxes local to the studio (have to put my trainers on I think!), I made it a 3-fold leaflet so that I could maximise the information on there, but now I have to sit and fold them all up!

Tomorrow is going to be a lovely day at the studio. One of the ladies that came on my first ever class up here in Cheshire is coming to my studio. She's been on lots of classes, and we've become good friends, so we're just having a play-day tomorrow. I can't wait - it'll do us both the power of good. Bronzclay is definitely on the agenda tomorrow. Although I've played with Bronze, I haven't fired and finished anything yet, but that'll change tomorrow so watch out for some bronze pieces soon.

Where has the week gone and where have I been all week? I spent Tuesday and Wednesday at work - boo. I had Thursday and Friday at the studio - hooray.

It's taking me a while to get used to my new way of making. I seem to spend the first hour or so just wandering around the studio, faffing with things and feeling a bit lost! Like I said before, I've never spent whole days making jewellery before, so it is definitely taking some time to get used to having my own space. I remembered to take milk with me on Friday, so for the first time was able to make myself a coffee! I've had in my head for ages about making buttons, but because of the cost of silver, wondered whether anyone would actually want fine silver buttons. I should've know just to ask my friends on Bead Buddies They all suggested using them as clasps for their jewellery and also bag makers may like them as clasps. So, having found a use for them, I made these

They are fresh out of the kiln so haven't been polished, but I'm really happy with them, and can see these being a regular feature in my online shops. Next to try will be bronze buttons!