Thats it for another Year

Not posted in a while its been a very very busy December As we now fast approach 2010, to which I am looking forwards to greatly, see's the new decade and on that note see additional mediums to now being worked with. i have worked with gold,Silver and Platinum exclusively since the mid 90's. For the past 3 months i have been experimenting wih glass work, lampworking with soft and borosilicate glass. so the aim for 2010 in conjunction with a couple of superb glass artisans lampworking and glass flame work is now being taught in addition to the silver and gold smithing workshops.

For me 2010 will see an increase in glass being used in many pieces and taking a more sculptural track. Of course I'm still available to not only teach but also create fine jewellery in gold silver and platinum. With the new year approaching a full clendar of workshops are now published via the website . So check in and come along for a visit.

First open day for 2010 will be the 16th January starting at 10.30 am.

Regards to all.

"As Individual As You"

For the first time in nearly a decade my jewellery will be on sale to the general public from 18th December 2009 from my studio. A range of some 20 styles and designs, all handcrafted to the highest of standards will be available directly from the studio. I have only worked to commission for the past 13 yrs but because I now have all the time in the world to devote to my long term passion I have had the time to develope a range to suit all prospective buyers. The studio preview date is the 18th December. These items will also be listed on the website in the shop category from 1st January 2010.

I am also working on designs for the second range which in my estimation will be launched at the end of March 2010.

Come along and bring your friends. Light refreshments will be available. doors open at 3.00pm till 8.00pm

2010 is looming on the horizon.

December already, I was sat down thinking today how this year has flown by, I really really do not know where it has gone.
I have now had over a dozen students pass through my workshop.They all looked a little nervous to start with but I have to say 4 have re-booked and 2 re-booked again to come back, So by my estimation I must have done something right.Last week I have to be honest, was the first full week I have had, I ran a workshop on Monday, and Tuesday for 4 people and on Wednesday,Thursday and Friday it was a bespoke course for one person who desperately wanted to learn how to set stones. It really was a fantastic week.

The weekend has seen me up the advertising.

I have also promised myself at this stage to devote April and May to designing a complete new range, this wil be for sale both from the studio and website. I have never sold a designed collection before as my work to date has been for direct commissions.It's very exciting and I'm truly looking forward to it. All I know at this stage is it will be a themed collection and will incorporate various mediums including precious metal and glass.

Talking of glass, there will be some exclusive glass courses being run from January those being lampworking and fused dichroic glass.Take a look a the website , www.carlmartinjewellery.co.uk , to find out the new course dates.

I've been practising the lampworking side of things and although by no means a master I have got the hang of stringers and twisties and making critters and various sized and shaped beads. It is early days but having researched at great length I really like what "Boro" has to offer and can see me dissappearing down that path in the not to distant future.

I've now got a free few days to catch up on some lovelly pieces for christmas.

Bye for now.

Only the Positive Need apply

Well how are you all doing ? November drawing to a close with December on the horizon
been a very very busy Month. Still trying to get the workshop straight but as the old saying goes we are getting there.
Had a great day on saturday the "Frit Happens" forum members came down for the day for another open day free event. Had a whole day of excellent demonstrations From Kay and Jo. Well attended and I think went down very well.

I actually looking towards The new year and that it may offer. I hope in 2010 I keep going from strength to strength.

Got some great offers on for january on some course fee reductions for thos that want to come and learn the art of silversmithing.

If you wonderful "crafty" people out there want to get listed a s alink on my website then please go and visit and fill in the form only takes 20 seconds.

www.carlmartinjewellery.co.uk

Bye for now

A whole new line up.

Well thinking ahead I have now got the old sales and marketing head on as despite what anybody else thinks I have had enough of the reccession and I've now decided I'm coming out of it.

The new calendar of workshops, courses and events is now published on my website.

The other fantastic news is that from January 2010 I have two skilled glass artisans teaching thier superb skills from my studio.

Denise is an accomplished artist with a Ba in Three Dimensional Design and specialises in fused dichroic glass.

Kay is an extremely experienced lampworker with some incredible skills and knowledge in this filed, she is also a pretty good silversmith.

Way to Go !!!!!!

I'm still moving in the right direction and looking forwards to what the next few weeks has in store in the run up to the holiday season. I have 7 commissions to finish by next Tuesday so I think it may mean a few late nights. Never the less I never seem to tire of making beautiful jewellery and precious metal art . Another thing that's good is the diversity, I never actually know who is going to walk through the door and what they are going to request.

I also have the task of re-stocking the studio with items to sell. In all honesty I have almost sold out, which in it's self is not a bad thing but I don't think my studio has ever been so empty of my creations.

Today has been spent teaching and some wonderful pieces were made by both Liz and Carolyn.

One of the best moves forward is my collaboration with a very skilled glass artisan who is coming to work with me in January 2010. She is not only going to teach on a regular basis from my studio but were are going to work together on some fantastic designs.

I have added an extra page to my website, which includes pictures of some fine fused dichroic glasss work.

Go check out the website.

www.carlmartinjewellery.co.uk

Moving Forwards

I have a had a busy few days, mostly on the computer designing the new site. I've also changed my email address so for those that haven't been informed, I can now be found at carl@carlmartinjewellery.co.uk .

Bye for now .

Websites !

Yesterday I spent most of the day trying to revamp my website as folk had said it was not very appealing. So having spent the best part of 9 hours trying to tweek it I then set about getting some feedback so placed a request on one of my favourite forums to get just that.What I didn't expect was the response. Now I am not nor do I proffess to be a website guru, infact computers and me don't come to naturally, However, having started from scratch it was my first effort to have some sort of web presence since 2001. The feedback was very to the point and no one liked the colours, content was ok but colours did not go down well.

I'm a terrible insomniac and if I'd tried to go to bed a 12.30 am I would never had slept so at 0100 this morning I decided I'd better have another attempt. At 3.45 this morning It was pretty much done and totally different having taken on board the comments that in reality were just what I needed.

Now at 11.00 am, been working on it again since 8.00 am I think I've got it about right. If any of my followers would take the time to go have a look at the new website I'd be very very grateful. www.carlmartinjewellery.co.uk

Regards

Fantastic Day

I think I have had one of the best weeks so far. I have organised a free social get together type demo day for those that are interested in making jewellery and fellow artisans that are interested in a different aspect to their normal activities. This weeks was simply superb we kicked off at around midday on Friday and two well known lampworkers turned up to give a fantastic demonstration of their art and skills. I have to say I have been interested in Lampworking for some considerable time and what transpired was litterally woth its weight in gold. Two very skilled and known lampworkers came along, complete with full oxycon setup, glass and a whole array of different tools. They demonstrated their skills for over 6 hours almost without a break. The work they produced was simply stunning. I think the 15 or so people that attended got invaluable tuition in varying aspects of this delicate glass work medium. I for one made two beads and to be honest I'm now hooked. So watch this for some up and coming updates of how I am getting on.
In addition to the day I gave a few demonstrations on silversmithing which also went down very well.

Anyhow I'll update next week as I have 6 booked in throughout the week for some full day Workshops.

Best regards

Phew ...What a week.

I have to start off by saying that the more I do this the more I am enjoying it. Well i have had another fairly busy week, not as perhaps as productive as I'd like to have been in terms of designing and making but none the less i still making good headway. The workshop and studio has been open a whole 5 weeks, seems like 2 minutes to be honest, anyhow, This week I have been sourcing materials and supplies as my website is now starting to sell tools and accessories. It's very early days and I'm learning as I go. I have added a range of Lampwork and glass bead mandrels. I have been fortunate enought to find a good supplier and therefore offer some pretty good prices. I'm adding Jewellery tools to the website when I get chance so be sure to pop along the website and have a look, http://carlmartinjewellery.co.uk .
Tomorrow see's the second in a long run of open days and events. I held one last Saturday and saw a good selection of people turn up, I was really pleased with the attendance. Tomorrow is specifically for a great group of lampworkers and dichroic glass Artists. We have a number of lampworkers doing some demos as well as yours truly on hand for some Silversmithing.
I'll Keep you all posted as to how it goes and maybe get some pictures too.

Upwards and Onwards

To some i probably always sound positive, Well i'll let you into a little secret - It's because I am. I'm very much the sort of person who see's the positive in even the most adverse of situations, I can't help it, infact in many ways I see it as a bonus without being dillusional. The begining of the week kicked off with a full day workshop in silversmithing, Tuesday saw another morning of teaching, Wednesday was a catch up day, Thursday was spent running round trying to stock up on supplies, Friday was a very pleasant day designing a new range of jewellery and Saturday the doors opened for the first time as i had arranged a local meet at the workshop for a great group of lampworking and dichroic glass artists. i say artists as their pieces that they brought for "Show and Tell" were truly amazing. Not knowing a great deal about glasswork myself the conversation, which I have to say was 99% glass talk, went on to discuss Demo days so Next Friday the day was booked for another forum club social but this time with a nice kinda twist. The group that came along Saturday, some of which had travelled over an hour and half to visit, said that because most were relatively new would like further info and possibly instruction. So without further adoo Next Fridays meet will include , live demonstrations in Silversmithing care of yours truly, Lampworking by Kay and Dichroic Glass work by Denise. So far I have all ready got approximately 15 coming along but I have posted on 2 other forums to see exactly what interest is generated by this. I'll keep you posted. If you are a follower of my Blogg ( tell your freinds ) and you fancy a day out next Friday then please come along.

Getting There

First blogg update for over a week due to being incredibly busy with the new advertising campaign. In this the end of the first month the new website has attracted in excess of 1800 visitors, not bad considering it is the first website I have designed and also a bit of a steep learning curve when it comes to SEO.
Last week saw a re-arrangement of the workshop again, I'm pretty happy with the workshop area now but the front Gallery section is still needing a bit of work to make it ..well... a bit like a gallery would help!!
I saw an incredible in flux of new faces come through the door.I have to say that some were very inspirational, especially one artisit who is a very experienced lampworker, thank you Jo for taking the time to come and see me and look forwards to working with you in the future.
The courses are going well and I'm now occupied for November, I even have a booking for a party of 20 on the 2nd December, who are coming along to a taster evening with live demonstrations of silversmithing.
Thats all for now but come back soon.

Good Start to the Week

Well Monday morning came bright and early,having spent the weekend sorting out materials and supplies and also trying to design more of a collection I am working on. This morning saw another 2 enquiries for some silversmithing courses and the finishing of a rather striking hammered bangle. This afternoon I spent two hours with an advertising and marketing professional who I have to say on first meeting certainly knows what they are talking about. So why was I talking to this person , Well, I want to reach a specific target market and in order to do so need some help. I think that I probably learnt more about marketing my business that i ever imagined I would. What it has taught me is this person is probably worth their weight in gold in the long run (please excuse the pun). She explained how and why my simple efforts have not reached the people for which it was intended. In all honesty the advertising fees are incredibly reasonable for the exposure my business will receive. I'll keep you posted as to the success in the coming weeks.
This afternoon also so another commission request come in through the door. So all in all a good start to the week.

The End of Another Entertaining Week

Friday again...whoosh where do the days go.anyhow another busy week. I think this weeks word is be positive It sure has been six months of highs and lows but a bit like the UK economy I think I'm climbing out of it and can clearly see the top now, not sure whats on the other side but I can definately see the top.

This week I've placed 3 Newspaper ads to generate some interest, I've got some more advertising coming next week and the Exhibition / Demonstration nights are now booked till the 19th November. I've decided to do one night a week until christmas.

I got 3 more students starting classes next week and another 5 that are interested come payday.

Had a nice commission too, guy came into the studio this afternoon and asked if I could make a 20" triple rope chain. Very nice , Thank you James.

The end of the week saw a bit of re-arrangement of the workshop space to make it a) more appealing and b) easier for me to work.

Anyhow I'm in for the weekend to try and catch up on some back orders.

I'm now also on Twitter .. CMjewellery ..

Thanks for watching.

In the Beginning

Well First ever Blogg.... So better start somewhere near the beginning , without of course boring you to death. In the mid nineties I had formal training to be a jeweller and silversmith for 4 yrs and had continued despite a full time career doing something that I was not only considered good at but also madly passionate about. I had regular commissions and was always busy producing something out of Gold ,Silver or combination precious metals , my decision in the early years was that I never wanted to do it full time because then there is pressure to have to make it work as a full time business.I needn't have concerned myself as it's been the best 14 yrs of my life and continues to get better.

Having taught on a one to one basis for the last 8 years I decided due to the lack of anything around my location that offers the traditionally taught way of silversmithing and jewellery making to expand this and pass on some experience and knowledge in a very relaxed and informal way..

An opportunity in March 2009 saw me move into my now full time workshop and studio. 750 sq foot , a designers dream. I hold regular, infact becoming weekly, hosted party nights where not only an informal talk on jewellery and silversmithing takes place but also live demonstrations. to date its gone well I have a number of students and the enquiries are coming in thick and fast.....................