The life and trials of a jewellery designer

Questions questions...

2010-10-24T03:35:00.000-07:00

If you want to start up on your own (so to speak) who can you ask or where can you go to find out if you need any certificates such as health and safety and/or insurances?
I mean it's easy enough to just go along with an idea but then you don't want to be buggered because you find out you needed something that you didn't have.
I Know that if I do start my own business idea I need to register and I need public liability but other then that I don't have a clue.
How do I find out?

Christmas Craft Fair

2010-10-02T06:01:00.000-07:00

I've just created a Facebook page for the Christmas fair I'm arranging on the 27th of November. It's the first event page I've ever done so still getting the hang of it! If you are interested in seeing what will be for sale etc please check it out and tell your friends too :-)

Christmas Craft Fair

27th of November 2010
All items handmade.
Coffee and cakes for sale.
Come in from the cold and support local artists whilst buying Christmas presents!
Above RISC and the Global Café in Reading

Today is a day of....

2010-09-15T01:38:00.000-07:00

Jewellery work, craft work and art work!

I'd taken today off work to go for a meeting with the Berkshire Designer Jewellers but annoyingly it got cancelled last minute! The most annoying thing was the fact that since I've taken the day off this week to attend I can't then take another day off in a week or two for when they reschedule it, and it was too late to cancel the holiday. But except for the fact that I will now miss the other meeting it's not that bad. I had already planned to do some work for the craft event I'm planning after the meeting so now I've just decided I will spend the whole day working on that instead.

So today I am planning on making posters to see if I can find more people to take part, and then work on the design for the flyer's using the pictures I got from the people saying yes so far (come on people, more pictures!).
So far I got some brilliant Jewellers (me included), one that's confirmed she's taking part is the lovely Monika who does both paintings and jewellery. Also the wonderful Angela (who sadly doesn't have a web page).
And then it's the amazing Soobird who sells handmade hats (me wants) and fascinators.
I also have another 2 jewellers and a painter who are still making up their minds.
I believe this means my quota of Jewellery designers are well and truly filled!
I would really like to get someone that does knitting involved because I believe they would do well at a Christmas craft fair, if my sister Karin didn't live so far away (Sweden) I would ask her.

But I was given a great idea by Soobird on how to find some amazing artists and crafters in Reading so I will start with that today and see if I can find someone how knits and I'd also really like someone who sows (like little dolls and/or bags etc). Someone making cards and prints would also be good...

On a different note I now have a working torch! Yeah! Still getting used to it though since I've had mine for years so suddenly feeling very cranky about having to use a new one, and I appear incapable of figuring out the heat settings ("well mine didn't work like that" etc). Thou I did use it to make a really nice Lapis Lazuli bracelet at the weekend :-) At the moment I am trying to make up a load of stock so I can send it off to get hallmarked and back in time for the craft fair.

Anyways time to get to work!

Christmas Craft Fair

2010-09-12T00:28:00.000-07:00

Christmas Craft Fair!

Applications being taken!
Artist and crafters needed for a Christmas fair above the Global Café in Reading on the 27th Of November.
If you are interested please email Lina at:lina@linaj.co.uk
Price £20 for a full table with the possibility (depending on interest) for half a table for £10.

Only rule is that what you want to sell have to be made by you!

The weekend is here :-)...

2010-09-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

...But I still don't have a working torch :-(

Bloody annoying!

2010-08-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

Last week my soldering torch gave up the ghost and I had to buy a new one.
When I went to the shop they were sold out of the one I already had but sold a smaller one. This one according to the box have the same heat etc and is therefore suitable for soldering.
Well OK it does probably have the same heat but the flame is so fine I can only heat up very small items so not very good :-(
So now I will have to wait until next weekend to go see if I can buy another torch with a bigger flame.
Also that means I will spend even more money! Not good :-(

Anyways I decided to not be negative and just do a ring since the size means I should be able to solder it. Then when I've polished it ready for soldering and got it all heated up...the gas ran out!!

OK I know I'm probably being more annoyed then I should be but argh!!!

I wonder if I have bitten of more then I can chew?

2010-08-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking for a long time about arranging a place for people to sell there art objects (and mine) but I’ve always chickened out. I mean you have to hire somewhere and get posters and flyers done. Then you have to find people to take part so you pay for the cost of renting somewhere then you have to make sure you get people to come (because can you imagine how horrible it would be if no one showed up?).
And I guess that I’m mainly worried I would screw it up.

Now I am the most organised person that I know (especially when I put my mind to it) and I believe I know a lot of people in Reading, but it’s still scary.But then what’s the point if I don’t do it? I mean isn’t that at least ten times worse then if I do it and it goes badly, because otherwise I will always be thinking what if…

So I’ve looked into it and even reserved somewhere and on Tuesday I have to give a definite answer and sign myself up (or not).

So if I do and whoever reads this lives in or around Reading, you better come along and have a look or I will be miffed! :-P

As it stands the plan is:

Place: Above the Global Café in Reading
Date: 27 November (which just happens to be my birthday too).
For sale: All things handmade!

If you make stuff and think you might want to take part let me know and I’ll send you details.

I just hope I am making the right decision!

Do you make stuff? Then look here!!!!

2010-08-21T16:29:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I am trying to sort out a handmade event for the beginning of December.
So if you are interested in renting a table at this event in Reading please let me know. I doesn't matter what you make, the only rule is that it has to be handmade.

At the moment things are still quite sketchy. I do have a venue in mind but need to see if I can get enough people interested to be able to meet the costs.
The cost looks to roughly be £20 per person but depends on how many people I can get interested in the idea. This fee will pay for the venue (and a table if you need it) as well as flyer's and posters.

If you are a painter I also have a lot of wall space so am considering renting out the wall space too (if you aren't interested in a table) If you are an artist that want wall space as well as having a table there let me know.

So if you might be interested and want me to keep you in the loop please send an email to: lina@linaj.co.uk

Look what I made!

2010-08-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

My torch died! It's now as dead as a dodo. Which is obviously causing problems on the jewellery making side of things. At the moment I am completely broke but I can't manage without a torch so will need to buy one at the weekend (or order one if nowhere around here sells them).
But in the absence of jewellery making torch I've done a new tiara instead as well as used shrink plastic for the first time.
And if you want to see the outcome, here is the Tiara:

Ans here is the shrink plastic (it's a broach)

Sorry about the crappy pictures but it's like ten at night and I'm sitting by my computer desk.

On all other fronts life is slowly ticking along and quite nicely at that. I got a couple of ideas but don't know if they will bear fruit yet. Might share when I'm not so tired.

Etsy sellers

2010-06-07T14:05:00.000-07:00

Etsy is an American website that sells handmade or vintage items. There is so many stunning things on there at all times and I do encourage you to have a look. It doesn't matter if you aren't American since it's now spread all over the world.

When I was in Seattle I meet one of the sellers on Etsy and she even gave me a purse she'd made (it's both pretty and nifty), and today I noticed these...

...absolutely gorgeous brooches that she has posted on there so just had to do a link on my blog:
Ziggybaby On Etsy

Webpage

2010-03-26T01:07:00.000-07:00

I am planning on updating my jewellery webpage.
I would appreciate some volunters that could check it afterwards and give me their honest opinion on things such as layout, easy or hard to navigate and quality of pictures (not clear enough, to much coulour in the background etc).
Anybody feel up to it?

Tiara!

2010-03-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at a tiara.

It's quite pretty looking but definitely need improvement.
Also I'm sorry pics are a bit crap but I only took them real quickly.

I think next time there should be more beads.
The ones I used on this one are only cheap plastic beads, thou I am planning on buying some Czech crystal beads. I just don't want to waste them on my practice tiaras.

I think I know how to improve it thou so the next one should be better.

Also I have this actually design idea in my head for a proper silver crown. I'm not sure if the time and money it would take for me to make it, makes it worth me doing it in the first place. Then again seeing the ridiculous retail price on Tiaras I guess it really wouldn't seem that expensive when comparing.

Tiaras

2010-02-21T05:02:00.000-08:00

I am having a thing for tiaras at the moment. I don’t know why but I really want to make some.

The emperors new clothes

2010-02-15T12:36:00.000-08:00

Do you ever get this feeling that you are stuck in a new adaptation of the emperors new clothes? I do!
Sometimes I look at modern art, such as 2 pieces of plastic melted together to create a brooch and I just don’t get it. It seems the stranger and out there art is the more raving reviews it will get from the critics, winning more prices and being rewarded with more exhibition space, with everyone quickly agreeing as if they are afraid to say “but It’s just 2 pieces of plastic melted together, what’s the beauty in that?

Now I know taste is a very individual thing and maybe it is just a taste thing and I am being unnecessarily harsh but to me it just seems like people are afraid that other “art lovers” will think they aren’t “with it” because they can’t see the “hidden msg” or “soul” of the item being reviewed. So like the emperor and all the people around him they pretend to see the clothes and the splendour of them rather then stop and say “but I don’t get it? Why is that beautiful and what is it supposed to mean?

Well I don’t have an issue doing that since I don’t really give a damn if everyone thinks I don’t get it.
Because do you know what? I really DON’T get it!

Recyclable Jewellery

2010-02-12T11:25:00.000-08:00

Usually I'm not very fond of jewellery and clothes made from recycled material. Mainly because it looks like it's made from recyclable material which to me defeats the point of showing how great it is to reuse.

But when I saw Val Hunt's jewellery and clothing made out of bags, ring pulls and cans I was seriously impressed.

I mean just look at that necklace made out of cans....

Oakford Social Club Art Market

2010-02-11T04:29:00.000-08:00

The art market at The Oakford went really well this week. I only sold 2 pices but 1 was my most expensive piece that I didn't think would sell there. The other piece was my lates design bracelet.

I am starting a new job tomorrow and moving on saturday. Moving means I will be able to start making jewellery again since I haven't had any space since I got back to work in. And getting a job should mean some more money. Also I still have weekends off so will be able to keep doing the art market on Sundays.

Oakford Social Club 07/02/2010 Art Market

2010-02-05T08:19:00.000-08:00

I will be at the Oakford Social Club this Sunday selling my jewellery if anyone is interested.
Since I only just got back I haven't got that man new items, but luckily I still had some pieces left from before I went.

I also realised when adding pics that I have loads of pieces that it seems I never have taken any pic of, I will need to correct that soon.

Art market starts at noon.
Location: The Oakford Social Club, 53 Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1PZ‎ - 0118 959 4267‎ (opposite the Reading bus/train station)

Also to anyone that makes any kind of art, if you live close to Reading you should come around some Sunday and set up a stall.

Still alive!

2010-01-16T05:29:00.000-08:00

Just to let the poor people that might still be checking for updates on my blog know that I am indeed still alive and well!
Also I will soon be back to normal life and will then update my jewellery blog again.

Infact I have been getting some brilliant jewellery ideas on this trip and can´t wait to turn them into jewellery pieces and show them to you all.

As for my site I´ve checked it and notice loads of companys try to get cheap commercial by posting comments on my blog posts. Anyways I think thats appalling! I would never do that to an individual. Also I was wondering if fellow bloggers out there have had the same problem?

Other then that everything is better then well, and I wish I could keep travelling. Sadly I need to make some more money first, thou I do miss making jewellery so am looking forward to that part of coming ¨home¨.

Also I have not been able to keep up to date with my blog reading either so sorry if I havent commeted in awhile. Soon everything will be back to normal :-)

Tired

2009-09-10T13:43:00.000-07:00

Feel shattered & want to go to bed but today I sold 1 necklace:

And had 3 bracelets ordered:

So instead I need to get working!

Tomorrow I have a meeting with BDJ in the morning and then work afterwards & I'm delivering the necklace nicely polished and boxed up to it's new owner.
I might also sell some earrings and a ring tomorrow, bringing samples to be looked at.

But right now I have problems looking passed the fact that I want to sleep!

On the west front...

2009-09-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

Not making as much jewellery as I would like at the moment but that's because I'm just to busy getting ready for my once in a lifetime trip :-)
But when I have had the time I've been making brooches. Took some pics of the once I have at the moment...

I am trying to get as much of my jewellery as possible sold before I go so if you're interested let me know.
The brooches are £8 ($13) and £1.5 postage in the UK. If you live abroad let me know and I will check how much postage would be. I take paypal or cheques.

I've got a couple of shops I want to go to and see if they would be interested in displaying some of my brooches before I go, but need to print a catalogue of the brooches off first and I accidentally kicked the printer over last week and now it generally just coughs at me!

One of the shop I want to try is Moondogs who already display some of my silver jewellery.

Otherwise I am being very busy! Someone at my job is interested in buying 4 ring for her friends. So if she orders I only have until the 18th to make them since I'm moving out on the 19th and inbetween working over 40 hours a week, packing for trip, packing to move etc I am starting to run myself very thin indeed :-)

Sketches

2009-07-26T09:17:00.000-07:00

So here are some sketches from my sketch pad. Sadly my artistic side is limited to jewellery, my handwriting is atrocious and my sketches aren't much better!

This pendant is supposed to be similar to one I've already made but with more gold on the front.

AKA this one.

This is also a square pendant but I've been playing with the idea of making a silver pendant with some resin "flowing" thru it as well as some set gemstones.

This idea I like the best but will also be the hardest. Its a silver ring (considering making it in gold) made out of loads of thin pieces shaped in different ways and then adding small gemstones. The sketch is of the ring before shaping it into an actual ring.

This is obviously a heart (one of my few sketched were you can see what I actually intended to make :-)) and the lines running thru it is supposed to be melted gold.

2009-07-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

Travel blogg: http://lina-johansson.blogspot.com/

Bespokes jewellery

2009-07-21T04:14:00.000-07:00

I haven't made jewellery for what feels like ages (and that's not counting the small beading project's I made at home because that's not really making jewellery now is it), but I just don't have the time with me working as many hours as possible & getting ready for my trip.

Adding in the normal hassles of live (cooking ,cleaning, sorting out bills) I just don't have the time!

And I'm starting to miss it something terrible, it appears I really can't go that long without making jewellery so I will just have to figure something out to be able to squeeze it in. Especially now when I need to make some extra money so anything I have time to make and sell would definitely help.

And working as much as I am is slowly melting my brain into this big pile of guu!

But on a happier note!
I have received a bespoke order on a ring! Will order stone today the when receiving it will work out material cost. That's because the customer in question is interested in having it in gold and I generally don't work in gold. This is for 2 reasons.
1: I prefer silver.
2: Gold is more expensive.

But if someone wants gold I will definitely look into it (because I can work in gold, that's not an issue).

Anyways once I've made it I will probably post some pictures. The customer made up the design herself so I hope it will turn out OK. :-)
Hopefully this will be start of me getting more time to make jewellery!

Monday

2009-06-22T05:16:00.000-07:00

So now there is yet another monday and yet another week at work!
Weekends always feel to short, miss having summer holiday like you did in school. Worked a bit on my jewellery during the weekend. Going home next week. Can't take that much stuff with me hope but will try and sort some kind of beading project out to keep me amused also will bring scetch pad and camera so will hopefully get inspired. If I wasn't so rubbish at scetching I would share some with you, as it stand I might show some photos instead when I get back :-)

New blog

2009-06-09T04:45:00.001-07:00

Have new blog now : Rants of a mad woman

Resin brooches!

2009-05-31T14:48:00.000-07:00

Here are some resin brooches I've done that I could finally take pictures off since I bought both new batteries and a memory card.
Also if anyone knows how to change the white balance on an Olympus camera please let me know!

This one has paper flowers in it. It looks really nice but is really hard to take a decent picture off, no matter how I try it wont show the leaves properly on the picture but it does loo really goo in real life.

A glitter flower and a glitter butterfly

This Butterfly I tried adding colour to and then make it in certain areas so it looked like the colours on an actual butterfly. It went quite well but isn't perfect. I like the paleness of the colours. Also if you turn it around and look at the back the colours are for some reason really vivd there.

And this one is my favorite. I used some bead flowers that I'd bought once becuase they looked pretty, but had no idea what to use them for. The look great inside resin.

2009-05-18T05:47:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't been posted lately. That's because I've been so busy, mainly working. My jewellery making is suffering too.
Feed up now thou.
It's one thing working for the money but it's so frustrating when you give it your all and completely knacked yourself but get nothing in return.
I've probably said this before but I really miss my old job. At least there I got the feeling people would notice if I suddenly disappeared.
Don't get me wrong, people here are nice and all just not as close as in my old place. And the work and un-appreciation is driving me nuts!
Not that it will matter for that long I guess. Since probably not here in a couple of months. Still will need to cut down on my hours and spend more time doing what makes me happy!

2009-05-03T12:27:00.000-07:00

Wanted to take jewellery pics for my webpage so I can update it, but Jeff lost the memory card so I can't...
Really pissing me off!

Another blog?!

2009-05-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

I am planning on creating another blog to run beside this one. One where I can be a bit more random and post whatever I feel like. Thought about doing both on this one but I think this one is best suited for my jewellery rambles.
I do have a super secret blog too (which I have had for far longer then this one, infact even longer then my sister the blog master have been blogging) but it would be nice to have a more open blog with general rambles. Can't decide what to call it thou...

Family tree

2009-04-23T05:35:00.000-07:00

I was looking around my sisters blog, and it kind of hit me how detached I am from my relatives. I know I have relaitives but if you ask me to give you some name I would more then likely just stare blankely into space.
I'm just not the family type.
Now I'm not some strange kind of recluse, I send Xmas cards to my direct family and go home approx once a year. But I don't see everyone when I do go home and most of them don't keep in touch with me. My sister talks about our cousins and stuff but I've probebly meet them all less then five times in my whole life. And it's not like I get invited to weddings or funerals.
I'm not complaining, I just find it a bit odd.

Hugh Jackman on Twitter

2009-04-18T01:58:00.000-07:00

So far I haven't succumbed to the pressure of joining Twitter, but when I found out Hugh Jackman uses it I no longer had a choice.
And see he's even charitable!
What a man :-)
Hmm...I wonder it Angelina Jolie might be on there to...

Amazon shame on you!

2009-04-13T04:49:00.000-07:00

Apparently Amazon has decided to drop books of there search lists as well as the best selling lists just because they have "adult" material in them. Such as any kind of homosexuality.
That's just wrong, so I've joined the google bombing: Amazon Rank

Pieces I made, post 1.

2009-04-11T07:11:00.000-07:00

OK this is me having a stab at my idea about writing about designs I've made.

This is one of my favorite rings. I think the Amber goes really well with the thick twisted band.

I came up with the design a couple of years ago. It actually came about as a bit of an accident. I'd already made the setting for the stone and was planning on adding it onto the setting of a large square piece of Malachite, but then the malachite feel in the floor and broke into loads of small pieces.

So I had the setting but didn't know what to do with it and then I saw one of my silver rings.

Like this one

And thought that might look good with a stone setting. So far I had only ever made this ring plain.

Most of my jewellery is based in fairytales and memories of the forests where I grew up. I'm sure that sounds strange to many people but that's what my jewellery makes me think off. I think the chunky band and setting seems earthly somehow and Amber is after all a piece of nature in itself. I have a vivid imagination and lived in an imaginary world growing up. Probably just lucky that I never got locked up for being a nut job. In fact when I don't make jewellery I write stories, but it's not my strong point.

It's hard to explain but when I make a new piece of jewellery I also see a completely made up person with a made up life that goes with the pieces. Sometimes it's something extraordinary such as a goddess but other times it's someone more likely to walk in and one day buy the piece. If I could draw I would make a drawing of the woman i think off when I look at this ring.

This is probably why I like making small custom jobs. It gives me another perspective when I already know what the person that will wear it looks like and what they are like.

One day I will make the Malachite pendant that I was originally planning to make with an Amber set on it. I think my imaginary person would like both together :-)

2009-04-08T05:54:00.000-07:00

Neeeeed Internet!

Been thinking I'm going to write about pieces I made, like what I was thinking when making them, how hard they were to make and what I like about them etc. Just small little posts nothing mayor. Would be easier if I had Internet at home. Running out of things to do in the evening (except making jewellery of course). So need to get it sorted ASAP.
If I don't come back on the net until after i hope anyone reading this have a nice Easter! :-)

Today has been OK

2009-04-07T05:44:00.000-07:00

I am tired but content, it has been one very busy week.
Saturday went so so I made enough to cover my cost but someone nicked a pendant so I made no profit :-(
Worst thing is I think I know who nicked it, it was these two old ladies. I don't know why but that makes me sad.
Yesterday was busy and long and things kept going wrong but when i finalyl got into bed I still feelt I'd achived something.
Right now I am looking forward to the private vieuing on Thursday and then a long weekend off. Hopefully i will get to take some pictures and make some jewellery!

On another note, if I don't get internet soon I will go berserk and start killing people!

Peaceful!

2009-04-03T04:50:00.000-07:00

Things are quite messy and stressful at the moment. I'm busy with my jewellery and working. Also still settling in where I live, and getting used to living on my own again. Not to mention me and my landlady don't get along and I will need to start looking for another job soon (as well as planning on getting a evening job too). So things are a bit crazy.

But the thing is I'm actually feeling really Zen about the whole thing.
I'm trying not to get stressed out and to focus on whats important, and that's exactly what I'm doing! Im enjoying being busy with my jewellery even thou it means I'm not getting much sleep lately and it's nice to only be in charge of my own mess for once.

Even thou life is unsettling and confusing I am neither. At least not at the moment,I do hope It stays that way. :-)

Busy bee

2009-04-02T04:56:00.000-07:00

This Saturday I have a jewellery stall at The Oxford literary festival :-)
I'm hopeing for the best and then on Monday i am going to Norden farm to set up for BDJ's Exhibition there.
So busy busy busy.

And no I still haven't got internet :-)

Just to let you know...

2009-03-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

I wont have an Internet connection for a wk or so, so wont be around much (not that I am anyway) I can still check my blog at work (but not my email) so shouldn't die from withdrawal symptoms :-)

BDJ Exhibition!

2009-03-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

I am doing an exhibition with the Berkshire Designer Jewellers in April. If you live close, do come by and have a look.
Also if you are interested let me know and I will send an invite for the private viewing on the 9th of April between 18.00-20.00. :-)

2009-03-10T14:05:00.000-07:00

Having a shit day!
To many bad news in to short period of time!
Think I will go and pull the duvet over my head, hoping tomorrow will be better.

Anita Blake and Carpathian's!

2009-03-08T04:45:00.000-07:00

If someone reading this lives in the UK and want to by some cheap Anita Blake books in perfect condition or some books from Christine Feehan's Carpathian novels (also in perfect condition). Let me know because I have a bunch I want to get rid off before moving.

Moving

2009-03-07T15:24:00.001-08:00

On the 25th of march I need to be out of my house. So far I have done no packing whatsoever.
But most importantly I have no idea where I will be moving to!
Great!
:-P

St George's Church Surrey

2009-03-05T23:21:00.000-08:00

Since my last post about made it sound like I was becoming a nun I thought I should elaborate a bit. Also I added some pictures of the church that I found on the net.

The church was built around 1540 and it's looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust and supported locally by the Friends of St. George’s Church.

I don't know how long they have been doing it for but during the summer months they use the church as as workshop for artist, they also do open days with the artists and the public doing art together.

I've applied for this year, 3 months with my own workshop and doing regular open days for the public!

It would be great fun if I got it, thou there is a couple of things I need to see if I can get past first. For example I don't know if they offer any living arrangements or if they could help me find some.

Also most importantly I don't know if they will pick me, I thought I would know by now but so far nothing. If I haven't heard anything by Wednesday next week I will just assume I wasn't picked. Thou I would be quite miffed if they don't at least send me an email telling me I wasn't picked.

I found out about the residency thru Benchpeg

Also the church has a website

Nooooooo......

2009-03-03T04:44:00.000-08:00

My computer has a virus!
A big evil wont let me do anything kind of virus. Stayed up late last night trying to get rid of it and I definitely seem to have done something but it's still there, lurking...
I can tell by the fact that something still don't work, thou other bits that wasn't working now are.
Hopefully another bot of virus detection programs tonight will fix it, but I really hope it hasn't got as bad as it was yesterday because it was trying to block all my virus programs from running and wouldn't let me download any.
I have sooo much to do but can't do anything until virus is gone. If I don't fix the computer tonight I will call some of my computer geek friends and beg for help, because not being able to check my email is murder! And the only reason I can do this blog is because I am posting on my lunch break. Sadly work computer wont let me check my mail thou.

And my big thing was...

2009-03-01T06:42:00.000-08:00

I have applied for a 3 month residency as St George's Church in Surrey.
I have no idea if I will get it, but thought I should share anyway.
I do hope I get it because it would be fun if I did. Fun, exciting and useful. 3 months just working on my jewellery! What could be better :-)

And if I don't get it that's fine to, because atleast I tried.

Anything you can do I can do better...

2009-03-01T05:37:00.000-08:00

I can do anything better then you!

When I grew up I was a typical girl. Scared of spiders and the dark and wouldn't touch anything slimy. As time when I grew up realising being feeble didn't suit me and that I hated the idea of not being able to do everything a guy could. So now at the tender age of 28 I'm reflecting on the last 15 years or so, realising I did well!
I can fix things that break, I know what the off side rule is even thou I hate football, I can change beer barrels and anything a guy can manege to carry I can carry, I can change the tyre on a car even thou I can't drive and if someone tries starting a fight I wont back down.
So I actually did what I set out to do! And I am really happy about this, being able to match any guy is a great feeling.
Only thing is I suddenly realised, me trying to be capable in everything a guy can do meant it left some holes on the female front.
For example I can't suffer a pair of uncomfortable shoes for very long even if they are really pretty, I can't iron to save my life and don't even get me started on sowing.

Oh, and I hate shopping for clothes...yeah I know, I am a disgrace to female kind everywhere ;-)

A rant in Swedish about a news article!

2009-02-22T03:14:00.000-08:00

Vem får jobbet?
Skitsnack! Om någon är korkade nog att anställa folk efter hur dom ser ut så inte är det ett företag jag skulle vilja jobba för!
Dom sendaste 6 åren har jag haft 2 jobb och eftersom jag gick genom en agency båda gångerna så hade ingen på företagen ens sett mig innan jag började, och inte ville dom ha kvar mig för att jag ser bra ut i kort kjol, nejdå. Dom vill ha kvar mig för att jag är duktig!
Att vara ren och välklädd är en sak men att man måste vara "vacker" tycker jag är skitsnack.
Och nog tycker jag Sverige är värre på detta än England. Varje gång jag kommer hem så stör det mig hur mycket svenskar bry sig om sitt utseened. Dom flesta är så besatta med att se bra ut att det verkar som om dom inte har tid att var glada över att dom lever!
Om en karl inte vill gå ut med mig eller ett företag inte vill anställa mig eftersom jag inte är en storlek 6 så är det inte en karl som jag vill gå ut med eller ett företag jag vill jobba för.
Det är självklart inget fel med att vara vacker, men om någon är så korkad att allt dom ser är mitt yttre och inte hur smart eller rolig jag är, varför skulle det vara några som jag skulle vilja vara sammankopplade med?

Wish me luck!

2009-02-21T08:35:00.001-08:00

I'll tell you all why next week :-)

2009-02-14T05:04:00.001-08:00

Valentine's day suck!
Just thought I'd share :-)

Patience is a virtue...

2009-02-08T03:37:00.000-08:00

I wish I had more patience when making jewellery. I'll start making something and then I get frustrated when it doesn't turn out the way I want.
If I don't learn how to be patient I will never be able to make really tiny, delicate and time consuming pieces.
I'm good at making bigger bolder things but would like to make some small delicate pieces too.

Also I've been thinking about doing a college course in sketching. My jewellery design sketches are absolutely awful because I really can't sketch! And I think this is something I will need in the future. maybe there is a book I can buy...

Like I promised...

2009-02-07T05:47:00.000-08:00

Took some pictures of some of my jewellery today. Some pieces I've posted pictures off on here before but they where really blurry so hopefully these are a bit better. They aren't perfect thou because I couldn't get any good light, I prefer natural light but it's all grey and dull outside.

This is just a silver pendant, but one of my personal favorites.

Butterfly resin necklace with blue and pink glitter. Really girly! I wore it to work one day to see if anyone noticed and the pretty girly girl at my job made a comment about it straight away :-)

Pink and pearl coloured pearl bracelet.

And this is an older version with hematite as well

A red flower resin brooch.

A silver pendant set with four different gemstones.

Pics!

2009-02-03T05:46:00.000-08:00

Will post jewellery pics soon! I mean I really should, this being my jewellery blog and all.

Music!

2009-01-28T12:23:00.000-08:00

I consider myself an artist. I might not paint or be a photographer but I believe jewellery is an art form.

I was thinking about it thou and I feel that the most amazing art form of all is...music!
Music makes me feel sad when I am...well...sad (and just feel like wallowing in it a bit).
It makes be carry on when things are unbearable.
And it makes me smile when I'm sad (and don't want to wallow in it no more).

Most importantly it make me Happy!
Happy in a way nothing else can. If feel lonely and miserable, music just helps somehow. To be able to create something that can make people feel like that is just extraordinary.

Everything is unstable in life. People we love die or just leave us but all thru history we seem to have been making music. It's constant, and ever changing and reliable. Everything that's contradicting rolled into one.

I've often wondered what would be worst, to go mute so I could never sign again (I always sing along to what I'm listening to, albeit badly) or to go deaf and never be able to hear another tune again.

I think that if I went mute so I would be able to listen to the music and would have to feel that overwhelming desire to sing along but not be able to, that would probably drive me insane eventually. But if I could never hear another song again. Well that might actually kill me!

HM Revenue...

2009-01-26T23:20:00.000-08:00

The inland revenue is driving me nuts! How can something so unorganised be in charge of how much taxes I pay?!
They wont help you no matter how much you keep calling and writing, in fact they just ignore you.

When you have a revenue question and the only way you can get the anwer is by putting the question on Google so you get normal people answering it, well that just seems a bit wrong to me.

Tired!

2009-01-25T09:20:00.000-08:00

To tired today! Has been a busy wknd.
Which reminds me I need to take of my brightly coloured nailvarnish before going to work tomorrow....
Tried doing some work today but feel to tired. I have done a little bit of jewellery stuff thou. Mainly finishing touched on a couple of pieces and I also started a new project.
Yesterday I was in town and ended up buying some jewellery books that I've want to look thru properly.
But since I was busy all day yesterday and went out in the evening I feel todays efforts wont come to much! Was going to update my website a bit but can't log into it for some reason to change anything.
Oh well atleast the thought where there.
Hope everyone is having a nice wknd!

Webpage

2009-01-24T01:53:00.000-08:00

I really really need to do some work on my poor neglecter webpage! I just don't know how to get the time! Wont be today thou...

I wonder...

2009-01-22T12:33:00.000-08:00

If you know you're insane, does that mean that you're not?
And in that case, does the same thing apply to if you're doing something insane whilst being aware that what you're doing is insane?

More resin...

2009-01-19T11:58:00.000-08:00

Just felt I should post a picture of some resin pieces that turned out the way they should, just so you don't all think that it all goes in the bin ;-)

ofcourse these aren't finished pieces, I still have to file them into shape and make them in to actual jewellery pieces. But atleast they are halfway there!

Oh buggery!

2009-01-18T12:54:00.000-08:00

Been working all week, when you work and you get home all tired and you still have to do the cooking etc it's hard to keep up with making jewellery. So try to have small jobs that I can either do quickly or easily. This week I've manily been doing resin peices. Been trying mostly to make brooches and it all looked well until I took them out of the moulds. For some reason the bottom layer (which is the front of most pieces) have ended up cloudy on a whole set of pieces.

So nothing to do but throw them away...

If you look closely at the pic you can see the cloudyness I'm on about, especially in the flower and the butterfly!

Luckily not all the pieces I made had to go into the bin, just the once above. I'm still trying to figure out what did it.

I think I either didn't mix the resin properly or mixed up the amounts (I do always seem to use to much hardner). Or it might be the vaselin I put in the mould to stop it from sticking (you are supposed to, I didn't just put some in for the fun of it ;-)).

But I'm already trying again!

I've also bought more glitter today so that all my pieces don't end just looking purple & gold. Also the reason they have so much glitter in them is beacuse I was making brooches and didn't want the brooch pin to be visible thru the pieces.

Oh and just for randomness I added a picture of where I sit at the dinning table making Resin, it's the best ventilated room in the house so it's better to use then when I normally sit. I try to not take up to much space. Oh and yes I am using the hammer that you can see in the background. I'll let you guess what it's for thou.

Yeah!!

2009-01-18T12:23:00.000-08:00

Look what I finally bought for myself :-)

My own Ipod nano!

Now I just need to buy a speaker system for it and a iphone and a laptop and I will be all gadgety and happy.

But for now I am content sticking with my old Nokia mobile and my shiny new ipod!

I do love my music so the ipod will be well used :-)

Today..

2009-01-13T12:06:00.000-08:00

Got home around 18.00. Now it's 20.00 and I have had my dinner, done the dishes, and a load of wash.
wooho! How exiting ;-)
But aside from that I've also been making resin jewellery. I'm really getting into using resin. It's such a fun media to work in and you can make such a vide range of things, or just make things look really different.
Today I was making pieces using glitter. They aren't finished yet since I need to add atleast one more resin layer before it's finished, but now I need to wait for it to dry.

Oh how silly of me! For people reading this thinking what the hell is Resin? Well it looks like plastic and you make it yourself. And you can put stuff in it or colour it etc.
I'm still quite new with resin and is mainly just enjoying finding out what I can and what I can't put in it. Also trying to figure out why sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
Made some really cool necklaces and brooches with it thou.
Hmm will need to take more pics...

Awards

2009-01-12T22:58:00.001-08:00

I have been given two awardes from other bloggers but as usual I am being a bit slow sorting it out, but here comes the first one:

I was given the this award by Cherridwen on her blog : http://cherridwen1979.spaces.live.com/

Do check it out. Her blog is far more personal then mine, probebly making it way more fun to read. :-)

The rules of the award is you make a link to the person that nominated you (look above), add a pic of the award (also above), and then nominate 7 more people, make links to there pages and inform them you gave them an award.

Now I don't like annoying people so if you're nominated don't feel you have to do this. Especially if you're on of these people that are so funny that you get nominated all the time anyways.

Hang-on: A site for artist especially living in the Berkshire area: http://hang-on-artists.blogspot.com/
Carrie harris (ninjas and batman eyebrows): http://carrieharrisbooks.blogspot.com/

Karin (my sister's site all about her life)http://svenssonliv.blogspot.com/

The poisoned apple: http://fright-fest.blogspot.com/2009/01/years-best.htm

And that's all I could be bothered doing. Atleast for now. :-)

Home sweet home!

2009-01-12T05:54:00.000-08:00

Back in England again! Came back yesterday evening, to a very dirty and messy house which seems strange since I cleaned before I left (will strangle "step"-daugter at the wknd).

Back at work today which is a pity but it's still quite nice to be back home I guess (though if I'm completely honest I would't have minded staying in Sweden a bit longer).

Jewellery thing on sat went rubbish! Almost everyone called my sister and cancelled (including my sister) so in the end I only ended up with 3 people. But the 3 people that came where lovely and great fun. But moneyvise I went with a loss since I had arranged sets for 8 people to make jewellery (and only used 3 of those sets) and was hoping to sell some jewellery. But what can you do!

Oh look it's a new year! How did that happen?

2009-01-08T10:30:00.000-08:00

So 2009 is here! I'm kind of exited because I have loads of plans for this year but also worried because you know what they said about the best laid plans.
Things always go wrong! Also time keeps ticking on and I'm not keeping up! But except for this slight hysteria, I am feeling cyked! There is so much to do and look forward to and I just can't wait. Being on holiday and not being able to actually do anything has given me loads of time to plan and work myself up about things I need to do when I get back home.
Anyways just thought I should share...

The Graveyard book

2008-12-30T02:20:00.000-08:00

Due to being in the middle of nowhere and far away from my tools and the possibility to make jewellery (except for some small beading pieces that I brought to keep the insanity away) I am finally catching up on my reading. Yesterday I started the Graveyard book by Neil Gaiman. So far so good and I have been dying to read it for months! It's nice to finally have time to read.

etc etc...

2008-12-30T01:41:00.000-08:00

So Xmas is finally over and done with :-) Had a nice quit Xmas out here in the middle of nowhere (also known as Äppelbo). A proper Xmas with snow!!
I was right about the Ipod though. Must admit I'm a bit miffed that noone bothered getting me one but I've decided to spend some of my hard earned money and buy one for myself when I get back (or buy on here if it's cheaper). I have this annoying thing that I always feel guilty when spending money (MY money I might add) on buying stuff for myself. I spend money paying for everybody and everything but myself and I am adding this to my newyears resolution as something to change.
What's my resolution you ask? Well mind you're own business! Because it's a secret, and no it's nothing lame like I'm going to loose weight or something.
But anyways I'm really enjoying being on holiday and relaxing. Going out in as minute to do a photo shot of my jewellery but I forgot my camera in England so have to use dad's so don't know how that will pan out. Got loads of new ideas for pieces to make but will have to wait until I get back home!
My sister has been givin me tips on how to make people find my blog more, and I do know there is loads I could and should do but I never have the time or energy. Plus I just think it will come with time if anyone is interested and if noone is, I still enjoy writing down whatever I feel like.
Next year is looking promising so far where my jewellery is concerned so I guess things are OK all around.
Oh and I hope everyone that happens to read this has a happy newyears eve! Personally I am going for a quit newyears out here in the sticks! Think I might be getting old... :-)

All I want for xmas...

2008-12-20T02:35:00.000-08:00

I want an ipod nano for Christmas! Only way I can see me getting one is if I buy it for myself!
I wonder who got presents for the fairy godmother?
And no I'm not implying that I'm the fairy godmother. Maybe the fairy godmother in training... ;-)

2008-12-18T05:48:00.001-08:00

Going to Sweden next week and my sister has arranged a little jewellery display/selling thing for me. Apparently I'm giving jewellery lessons too, so now I'm thinking wait a minute! What have I signed myself up for? Scary!
But hopefully it will be OK. After all I don't know if anybody will be interested yet, I'll have to call her and find out and then go shop for supplies on Saturday.

As for Xmas I still got some presents left to get but not many. Plus I'm making some bits. Would love to make something for my best friend but we don't really like the same sort of jewellery. I know I make a ring she would like but i don't know her ring size.

As for selling January is looking busier and busier. Found a place in Nottinghill that probably will display my jewellery so will need to make some stock up when I come back from Sweden. And I'm part of an exhibition in April (or was it May?). Will look for more places to display my jewellery in January too.

Need to get through Xmas first thou. I'm looking forward to having a bit of an holiday with plenty of rest to recharge my batteries! But first I need to get through this busy week...

Xmas fairs!

2008-12-15T05:37:00.000-08:00

Did a Xmas fair last week (7th) and one this weekend (13th). The one on the 7th went quite well and was pleasant enough. It was only on for 3 hours but I made a nice little profit. The one this weekend was nice enough to do (lovely people) and it was on all day (10.30 - 16.30) but I made nothing!
I was in charge of the mulled wine. And since I would do the wine I didn't have to pay for the table but only pay 20% of the sales otherwise it would have been 20% plus £10. The weather was awful and the place is a bit out of the way which is probably why it wasn't very busy, also since I couldn't watch my own stall people had no one to ask and I did pop in from time to time noticing that the other stall holders thought my table was great to stand in front and chat since I wasn't sitting there (so they where in no ones way) but that also meant no customers could get to it. So it was probably a mix of weather and me not being at the stall that made it so rubbish. But the atmosphere was nice and I wasn't the only one that did really rubbish so will definitely try it again.
And like I said the week before went well. Especially since it was the first time they did it and it's even further out of the way. So that was a nice surprise :-)
Taking my jewellery to Sweden over Xmas to sell so hopefully I will do well then and I already got an exhibition booked for next year (plus I'm deciding on some more at the mom). So I'm being optimistic about my jewellery in the new year :-)

Etsy!

2008-12-01T11:43:00.000-08:00

Trying to be productive so I've posted some jewellery on Etsy!
Sold jewellery on EBay before but it's hard to make any money on handmade stuff on EBay because it really is a site for buying cheap mass produced stuff.
Etsy is a lovely website with some absolutely gorgeous handmade stuff.
The only problem is there is sooo MANY people selling handmade stuff on Etsy. So the chance of people seeing just your stuff is a bit like a needle in a haystack, but at least I'm trying. I think if i can get people to see it I will get people to buy cause I think me prices are reasonable enough.
That's my biggest hate when making jewellery by the way, setting prices! I just detest it! it's so hard, but sadly a necessity.
Well lets hope I do OK anyway and that I find a way of making people see my jewellery.

Oh did I say that I bocked tickets home? Well I have. Flying out on the 22nd :-)

Oops! Someone asked how to find my Etsy stuff (Hi Carrie :-)) and I realised It would have been a smart idea to add a link. So doing it now instead!

http://cqjewellery.etsy.com

Pics

2008-11-30T08:06:00.000-08:00

Decided to post some pics of recent creations! Since Xmas is coming I am putting more stuff up on Etsy plus getting stuff ready for Xmas fair.

This is just a bracelet using fresh water pearls, pink and cream. Nothing complicated but very pretty (at least I think so)

This is another bracelet but with blue Sandstone or Goldstone depending on what name you use. It's a lab created gemstone and thou you can't see it in this picture the stones glisten with little sparkles inside.

I really like this one but the pic came out rubbish! It's a silver pendant. I've textured the silver and added bits of gold then done a setting with a Lapis Lazuli.

And I really like this one, plus the pic came out better. It's completely unique because you can't really make exact copies of this. It's a silver pendant base (that I of course made myself) and then lots of pieces of silver melted on top and into the silver base. I guess it's very much a "depending on you're kind of taste" item but it's definitely to my taste (which I assume makes sense since I made it).

Blah!

2008-11-30T07:52:00.000-08:00

Have had a rubbish weekend! Was my B-day on Thursday and I was supposed to celebrate this weekend but instead I've been in bed since Friday with some evil stomach bug. Got a xmas fair next Sunday so have loads to do but instead I've been spending the weekend throwing up! Sorry if that gives u any bad imagery but trust me the reality of it is way worse.
Tomorrow is back to my temp job, which I am starting to Hate, capital H very much intended! If they ask me to come back next year I am saying no. I don't care about credit crunch and paying bills. That place will be the death of me. I am being trained to be on the phone calling people all the day. I used the word trained loosely since the girl training me for some reason hates me! Now I couldn't care less that she hates me but it doesn't do much for my training when I can't ask questions and keeps getting told of for saying things I apparently not allowed to. I work for a accident claims company so have to call up people that's been in accidents all day and ask questions about said accident. Due to legal reasons I need to be careful with what I say but they don't seem to have a handbook and the girl that hates me wont tell me what I cant say until I actually say it and then tell me off (whilst making sure everyone gets told that I screwed up!). I am trying very very hard to not lose my temper and tell her to go to hell, because after all I'm not planning or staying or anything and to start an argument just seems silly. The thing is everybody else is lovely! But what can you do, will just have to keep telling myself that she's just cranky for working on minimal wage! But she's definitely being a cow! And I have been known to lose my temper with people like that so will have to see how it goes. At least I don't have to worry about being fired ;-) She's not the only reason I wouldn't stay thou. Minimal wage really isen't my thing at this age and I hate being on the phone all day. To me that just isn't a job. So this job is a mayor no no. Hope I find something good at the start of the new year.

All work and no play makes Lina a busy girl!

2008-11-17T14:10:00.000-08:00

I'm at work for yet another week! Turns out I'm so good that they created a non existing job for me. Yay!

But I still hate it...

Well Hate is probably to strong a work, generally dislike sound better. I mean the hours are OK and the people too but the actually stuff I get to do is so boring that I feel like standing up and screaming.
I am so just doing this job for the money (the not very good money but oh well). I know that might sound crass but that's a good enough reason for me at least for the time being.
Not that I will be able to stay there very long unless things get slighly more exciting, money can only cover so much.

On the jewellery front I have just succeeded in getting a booking for a Xmas fair in the beginning of next month. So I'm busy making stock. Have a couple of other things up my sleeve to so will see how they go to. But I will report back!

At the moment I am trying to decide about Xmas. Should I spend it here or in Sweden. It would be cheaper to stay here but would be nice to be somewhere Christmasy for Xmas, and it has been a couple of years since I spent Xmas at home. So will have to see...

Now I should really go to bed but busy with jewellery (and yes with writing blog).

So over and out!

Picture of my most favorite house in the hole world! This house was built by my granddad and that's where I stay when I go home. Unless one of my siblings have already stolen it in which case I sleep in the main house (my parents house). But I much rather stay in granddads house. Especially since I don't even have my own room anymore in the big house (they knocked down the wall to my bedroom). Isn't it pretty thought!

Work!

2008-11-06T11:18:00.001-08:00

Oh yay I have work tomorrow and all of next week!
I am bit disappointed in how they called me just before 6pm to see if I could start work tomorrow at 9am. I mean a bit more waning would have been nice! If someone had gone sick I could see it but it's actually a holiday coverage.
Both looking forward to it and not, like I said more notice would have been appreciated, so I could get used to the idea, after all I am really enjoying this whole not working thing.
Plus since i haven't gone to bed before 4 in the morning all week I don't think I'll get much sleep tonight.
Oh well, wish me luck for tomorrow!

Lazy lazy lazy

2008-11-06T04:30:00.000-08:00

I think I am enjoying this being out of a job just a little bit to much. The last couple of days I've been up til 4 in the morning because... well because I can!
Not that I've been terribly lazy in the morning I've still been getting up at 10 which is about as late as I will get up.
I've been to a couple of agencies and I'm not to fussed about what they find me but it's not so many jobs out there so we'll see. Also I've been looking for jobs on the web but haven't really found anything interesting. I'm not worried or anything it's not like I can't afford to be off for awhile I just feel slightly guilty about being lazy!
But all things aside I'm not being that lazy! I've been seeing people that I haven't seen for ages, making jewellery and even been to some meetings that's led to me having some exhibitions next year. In fact I made a pendant I really like the other day. I need to take pics of the stuff I made but it's too gray outside...

Tired

2008-11-04T02:30:00.001-08:00

I am sooo tired today. Didn't go 'til bed until after 4 in the morning and and I just got up (10am).
I always used to be a night person but work hasn't permited it lately, at the moment that doesn't matter so I can stay up late.
I like working while everyone else is asleep. But sadly I can't sleep the day away just because I went to bed late, got things to do, people to see etc etc
That coffee better hurry up!

People sometimes surprise me...

2008-10-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

I was going thru all my paperwork this weekend. That means boxes and boxes filled with pieces of paper since I'm the kind of person that doesn't throw things away (you never know when you might need it).

Anyways, I found a bunch of letters from people that had seen my pendant that was featured in the magazine Spirit and Destiny in 2003.

Some people just wrote the sweetest
things! It was because I got my pendant featured in that magazine and because of the response I got from people that I decided to start taking some jewellery courses.

It's amazing how much something that a complete stranger does for you can mean! I've decided to see if I have the email address from some of the sweetest people and if I do I will email them and ask them if they would like to receive a free present. Of course it would be great if they bought more stuff from me but that not why I'm doing it, mainly I just want to make someone else's day because they made mine all does years ago if that makes any sense.
I hope they will see it that way thou and don't think I'm just trying to be annoying because I hate spam email and people trying to sell me stuff, don't want them to think that's what I'm doing. It's just very rarely you get something for nothing these days.

Diamonds

2008-10-26T03:21:00.000-07:00

For being a person that makes jewellery and is as interested in gemstones as me I really don't have much interest in diamonds! I do find it amazing that something created by nature can be so beautiful but I just can't get exited about a stone that you can copy by using a piece of cut glass.
Nature makes the most amazing things and I just find other stones more beautiful. I do get the fact that it's amazing how they are created and that they are becoming so rare but I'm just not a diamond kind of girl. I prefer Tanzanite and Sapphire and Rubies and loads of other great stones!
If I ever get married I doubt my ring will be a diamond ring. Then again I can't see myself getting married anytime soon so that's all null and void anyways :-)

When I grow up...

2008-10-24T03:54:00.000-07:00

Right, it's time to start thinking about a job and I have decided I want to go for something I actually want. Problem is I don't know what that is, so I decided to go thru my mental list of every job I ever wanted and why I wanted it and see if that leads me anywhere.
And I have no idea why but I decided to do that on here! Not that I think it's all that interesting or anything but please just humour me.
When I was little all I wanted to be was a singer. I was dead intent on this until I was about 13 and my mother told me I was rubbish so I needed to come up with something else (my mother is not one to mince her words). Thing is I still sing, everyday all the time! And it says quite a lot about my now previous workmates that they never had me killed over this because I'm sure it's annoying as hell to listen to.
I did secretly keep dreaming about becoming a singer after my mothers harsh words but I did also come up with a plan B.
Plan B was that I wanted to be a journalist! And not just any kind but a war correspondent. The idea of reporting about a war somewhere whilst actually being there just strikes me as the perfect job. The thing is I grew up in Sweden and to get into journalist school I actually needed to have straight A's in every subject. Sad to say I didn't (nowhere close in fact).
So instead I went for travelling (which I've wanted to do since I was about 5) which is how I ended up here.
After doing some waitressing and stuff here, I started making jewellery and got a decent job as an admin clerk. I discovered that jewellery really was one of my passions in life and also that I was a natural at being an admin clerk.
One day I can hopefully live of being a jewellery designer but at the moment I can't so will need another job to. The thing is I think that even when I can be a jeweller full time I will need to do something else too because I enjoy being bossy and organized. So really what I want is a job where I get to tell people what to do and organise things.
Oh and I want to help. I mean I want to do something useful that actually helps someone so maybe so kind of charity work?
I'm thinking about moving again, maybe to another country this time and as I've already mentioned before I am thinking about travelling for awhile. It would be nice If I could afford to go around the world but it looks more like I might go for a couple of month and travel around America. Maybe I can just split it into parts and do America first?! Who knows!?
*Gah* this is not going anywhere! I don't know what I want to do! I want to make jewellery and travel and write and help people and organize paperwork and be the boss and oh so much stuff! Can't I just be leader of the world?! That would fill all criteria except for the jewellery one but I can do that in my spare time.
*sigh* there just isn't enough hours and years in a lifetime to get all the living I want done into it.

2008-10-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

Looks like I might be moving soon. Not sure what's going on with that yet thou. Can't really find somewhere before I get a job again because I doubt anyone will have me!
But I guess that could be interesting.
If I do move it will be a xmas. Which really isen't the nices time of year to be thinking of moving house but what can you do!
Will see what happens and update.

Bye bye work!

2008-10-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

Last day at work today! It felt really strange. After all I have been working there for the last 5 years!
I think it would have been less strange if the place wasn’t closing down and I was just leaving because I had another job or something, but seeing the place so empty and saying goodbye to everyone was just odd.
I kept altering between feeling sad and ridiculously happy. I mean I am getting some money for being made redundant so if I don’t spend it that will sure come in handy when planning the future!
I just realised that this is kind of the first time ever I’ve had a large sum of money that’s not meant for anything special…how strange!
Don’t worry I am not planning on going spending mad or anything, in fact I’m spending as little as possible until I have a new job.
Yeah yeah I know I should have started looking already but technically I am still employed for another 4 day (which just happens to be my roted days off) so I don’t have to get to stressed about it yet and I have signed up for an agency.
I just feel that this is my chance at getting a job that means something to me, or should I just get one for the money?
Wouldn’t it be great if I could find one that fills both criteria!
But I’m not thinking about that today! Today is a day for feeling a bit sad that I will never see so many people that I have seen almost everyday for the last 5 years and the knowledge that I will miss them…

Blah!

2008-10-16T15:56:00.000-07:00

I've been off for 3 days and I keep intending to post something but my mind is blank. I can't think of anything even remotly interesting to post about!
Maybe I should write about the dream I had last night because that was interesting and strange! Naa think I'll just go to bed instead.

World domination

2008-10-09T04:02:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get that feeling that if you got to rule the world things would be sooo much better? I do! I keep thinking that if everybody just did what I told them to do things would be so much better.
And yes I know thats bad because I'm all for democracy and so on, but really everything would just be better.

Not fair!!!

2008-10-08T06:45:00.000-07:00

Bad day today! Got a rejection from a gallery. Apparently my jewellery was to ethnic looking for them????
Anyway, feeling all sad and miserable now and just want to go to bed and pull the duvet over my head. Don't feel like doing anything! :-(
Going drumming tonight so hopefully that will cheer me up!
But for now I'm gone go and have a nap and hopefully dream of something pleasent.

Tiaras.

2008-10-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about making wedding tiaras but find it quite a daunting task for some reason.
I have made a couple of designs for a couple wedding crowns that I would like to make, you know daint little crowns like something out of a grimms fairytale.
I used to love fairytales when I was younger. I remember this relly sweet one about a prinscess with the most beautiful voice that got taken by the trolls. She was so cute in the picture of her with red dungerees and then this little crown on her head!
And once my swedish teacher told me of for saying cinderella went to the ball 3 nights in a row. Well if you read the actually fairytale she did!
And don't get me started on the little mermaid. That one made me cry, and not in a good way. Atleast the Cinderella one has a happy ending!
Anyways Tiaras. Will definitly work on that...

Going for a little trip!

2008-10-07T03:17:00.000-07:00

Just realised I have something big that I haven't mentioned. Depending on how things go in the next couple of months I have been planning to go on an around the world trip next year!!
I'm planning to use my redundancy money. If that's not enough then I might just make it an half way around the world trip!

Job hunting!

2008-10-07T02:43:00.001-07:00

Should go and hunt for work today since I finish at my old job at the end of this month. I just really don't want to! I guess part of me is hoping for a small miracle meaning I wont have to and can just start doing my jewellery fulltime.
But not yet. Problem is finding a job where I don't just get saturday& sunday off. Maybe a part time job. But right now things are a bit of a mess (not my jewellery, other stuff) so I should problebly go for a fulltime job until I know for sure what's going on.
Sadly this means I have to job hunt...
This shouldn't be so hard because (and yes I know I sound full of myself) I'm damn good at what I do! Now I'm the first to admit being a clerk isn't hard work but there is still different levels of getting by on a job and I am Good! Very good infact! Then again I guess a possible future employer wont know that from just meeting me.
And yes I know that sometimes my spelling leaves more to desire but that's whats Word for ;-)
Plus to be honest I don't check my speeling as much as I should when posting blogs.
I slept late today, got up at 10 when i should have gotten up at 8.30. I feel dead guilty about thart now :-( But I was up late fixing with my new work room. I'm probebly moving soon so it might seem like a bit of a waste doing it now but I really need a workroom and I need it now. Can't wait for it to be finished! So exited!
But yeah, job hunting is next on list *sigh*

Poem

2008-10-06T04:02:00.000-07:00

Everything is so fragile.
There's so much conflict, so much pain...
you keep waiting for the dust to settle
and then you realise
This is it!
The dust is your life going on.
If happy comes along, that weird underable delight that's actual happy
I think you have to grap it while you can.
You take what you can get, 'cause it's here and then...
Gone

Work studio.

2008-10-04T06:14:00.000-07:00

Turning one of the bedrooms in my house into a work studio. It's far from ideal but will have to do for now. Esapecially since rent everywhere is so expensive and I can't afford to pay both the rent and pay for somewhere to do my jewellery. Want to move somewhere cheaper but that is also easier said then done. Only problem is that I rent so have to be careful so I don't burn or melt something. Almost makes me want to move home and live in my granddads house because I could soo turn his workshop into a jewellery studio and I would love to work there!
But sadly that means living close to my parents (like on the same yard close) in the village where I grew up and since I have no friends there and could see my self slowly going mad I don't think that's the answer either.

Feel wonky!

2008-10-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

Having brain meltdown and suffering from a cold. Bad combination!

2008-09-29T03:49:00.000-07:00

Really really cute guy was hitting on me on saturday. Even thou he knows I have a boyfriend (infact boyfriend was there but so drunk he probebly wouldn't have noticed it I started pole dancing), is it wrong of me to me flattered...
Naaa I'm flattered and he his damn cute! But no I didn't do anything I shouldn't.

Nemi!

2008-09-29T03:07:00.000-07:00

Artist meeting

2008-09-29T02:59:00.001-07:00

Forgot to say about the "meeting" I went to Friday with some other artist. I was worried they would be a bit snobby and say jewellers don't count as artists, especially since I went to a meeting with a group of jewellers that looked as me like I was a leper when I told them I had a job as well "so your not a REAL jewellery designer then" "just a hobby is it".
Talk about snobby! Just because most of them where well of enough due to having husbands that supported them. I mean seriously!!
Oh and some worked as teacher, teaching jewellery designing which also was classed as OK. So I can't get a job as a jewellery teacher, well sooorrry!
As you can tell I wasn't to happy with the outcome! ;-P

Anyways I went to meet this group on Friday and they where...Great! They where really friendly and helpful and I am looking forward to next time. And there I was loosing my hope in artists, well it's all renewed now :-)

2008-09-29T02:52:00.000-07:00

I wonder what the weather is like in Sweden right now! I love Autumn back home. Especially warm Autumn days when it's windy with an array of coloured leaves on the ground. Winter on the other hand never was my thing even thou I do like the occasional winter landscape.

Planning on going shopping today but don't have any money...hm I can see that being a bit of a problem ;-)

Plus I am still soo tired all i want to do is go back to bed but I've been really neglective of my friends lately so I really can't cancel on one of them again.
Tomorrow I was supposed to go to Eton but I am giving myself a sleep- in so will have to go next week instead.

Rambles...

2008-09-28T05:09:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wonder if I ever was in an age where I didn't always try to do the right thing?! I mean I was a loud and moody teenager, I had more crap happening to me when I grew up then I'd like to remember but I still always behaved. I didn't sneak out and get drunk when I was 15 and I didn't smoke fags behind the shed thinking it was cool. I'll always been a "take responsibility for your own actions" kind of person. Now this doesn't mean that I haven't made some horrendously bad decisions in my life time because I have (but more about that some other time) but I was always ready to take responsibility for them.

It's amazing how differently people turn out. Some people find me annoying because I am very much a person that practice what I preach while I notice most people are mostly do as I say don't do as I do.

God I'm making myself sound really awful and strict don't I?! Well I'm not strict on other people mostly myself. I just don't understand other people. I don't get how so many people can throw there lives away over crap! And all these people lately (mainly dads for some reason) that kill themselves AND their kids and sometimes even there wife's. How can you get that twisted?

Sorry just felt like rambling a bit. Sometimes I just don't understand people, I do have a tendency to go a bit Hermite like at times. Pay no attention to the mad woman in the corner!

Will make some jewellery now, that usually cheers me up and makes me more friendly towards mankind (or more capabel of pretending). ;-P

2008-09-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow I am going to a cafe to meet a group of artists (after work) and I must admit I'm a bit nervous. I really hope they are nicer then the group of jewellers that i went to meet the other week.
Well guess I will just have to wait and see!
Worst think that happens is that they are horrible! Truthfully i deal really well with awful people I get into a whole "and why should I care what YOU think" mode. It's worse when you don't know what people are actually thinking.
Anyways time for bed, new day tomorrow :-)

Butterfly necklace

2008-09-23T00:50:00.001-07:00

Finished the resin necklace and got a decent pic of it to so decided to post it :-)

2008-09-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

One day my sarcasm will land me in some serious trouble! But then again I very much doubt that will stop me.

2008-09-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was good fun but the band got cancelled because the electrics blew so they couldn't play:-(
And today I feel a bit worn because I only got 4 hours sleep. But since it's self inflicted I expect no sympathy.

Oh and I wanted to show a picture of this Resin butterfly I've made. I took some pictures because I'm going to drill some holes in it to make it a necklace and I'm worried it will get ruined so thought I better take some pictures first.The pics didn't come out that well. One side I got good pics of but the other side reflects to much when I try to take a pic of it.it was made in a mould and I used clear resin and then mixed some red into it so it became quite a nice effect.

I only got good pictures of what's supposed to be the front but I think I like the other side more. Sadly since I have no good pic u can't see why, but it's got to do with the colour looking better from the back because it sank to the bottom (which is the front of the butterfly) making it clearer from the back.

And now that I have bored you with pics I will go and get ready because I am going out for dinner tonight.
Tomorrow I am going to London to check if some Galleries might be interested in my stuff so please wish me luck! :-)

Random

2008-09-20T03:52:00.000-07:00

Going out tonight to watch some live music. There are 4 gigs that I know about in town tonight. Most likely I'll go to A.Human because some people from work are going there. Never heard of them before but listened to them on Myspace and they sound good :-).
Only thing is someone is redoing out tiles in our bathroom this wknd so I can see me having an issue with geting a shower before going out :-( How can I doll myself up in such conditions ;-P.

Oh and I missed International talk like a pirate day! What a bummer, I completely forgot about it.

On monday I'm going to London which reminds me, I need to email my cousin and see if she wants to meet up. Gone look at some galleries.

Also work have asked me to stay an extra month at work. I said OK but only if they keep me on the same rota so I still have the time to focus on my jewellery.

Went looking for Brass and Coppar wire today but nowhere seems to sell it! Don't know where to get some.

Oh and now I'm gone go play wth some stuff I made out of resin. Want to see if I can make Jewellery with the stuff!