New Studio for Silversmithing, Jewellery Making, Enamelling, Silver Clay , Lampworking and Fused Glass all in Hampshire.

Well boy have I been busy over the last few weeks. Early February saw me move into the new studio. Still got loads to do to get it how I want it but the important thing is that it is warm comfortable and in a much more high profile position.

The new Studio is now home to a great many courses. Silver Jewellery, Silver Clay. Enamelling, Lampworking and Fused Dichroic Glass.

Since the review in the Daily Telegraph I have now got advanced bookings till the end of the year and things are really beginning to gain some real momentum.

I'm also now a supplier of Lauscha glass, Reichenbach glass, Sievert torches, National torches and I have at long last produced a range of brass lampworking tools for the lampworking artisans. I will have a range of brass marvers by the end of the month too.

So do look in

Look at the updated websites at :

www.carlmartinjewellery.co.uk
and
www.wibblywobblyglass.com

Carl

Are the trends changing at last... ?

After 14 yrs of working with precious metals and dedicating time and effort into producing truly handcrafted items in Silver and Gold I think peoples mind set are beginning to change. The courses and workshops held are becoming recognised more and more as times go by. I'm hoping that the general public are beginning to actualy look at what they are buying. For a long time people, not everyone, have purchased items especially from jewellery outlets that are little more than massed produced items that in the main look the part but can hardly be classed as precious. That's one of the reasons , since the late 90's infact, that I have always described the pieces I produce to be "As Individual As You".

I was fortunate this weekend to be included in The Weekend Supplement of the Daily Telegraph - they ran a feature on top UK weekend courses, I was honoured to be included in this article, I was even more pleased when reading this over breakfast this morning to discover I was the only Silversmith and Jeweller to be featured in this article. The opening paragraphs on the front page predict that courses are certainly the way to go and that winter holidays and the like are a thing of the past as is buying products when there are some skills out in the big wide world that in we are not careful are going to be lost, so it was suggested that to actually "go on a course and make your own " is a fast rising favourite. Who can argue with that.

To view this article please look at :-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/7093829/Top-weekend-courses-for-the-arty-crafty.html

Some of the people who have attended my courses and workshops, 6 have now been with me for the past 6 months, are producing some really fine and elegant pieces of jewellery.It makes me very proud of them as they put their heart and soul into making items that they are so proud of and when finished it almost brings a lump to your throat.

Next week see's the move to the new studio. I'm pretty excited about that may even figure out one day how to post some pictures up of the new studio, some students at work and the items they produce.

Thanks for Reading..

Carl

CMJ Goes All GLASSY

Not been around for a while as the start to the year has been incredibly good.
Many new changes for the coming months I think the two biggest are the fact that with Lampworking running a very close second to Silversmithing and Silver Jewellery.

With the atrocious weather for the first part of January putting travel arrangements in total turmoil it gave me a chance to get some much needed work done behind the scenes.

As you will be aware Lampworking and all things glass is my second passion in life and with that in mind set about seperating the Silver and the Glass as they are completely different beasts and much easier for me to manage if they both had their own domain.

On the 11th January 2010 Wibbly Wobbly Glass was born to cater not only for my need but also the growing interest in flame worked glass.
So please check out www.wibblywobblyglass.com
You will find not only the hottest place in the south for this but also a good comprehensive range of tools and equipment.

16th January 2010 saw the 5th studion open day - this was the first time it had been advertised outside of the lampworking forum - Frit Happens. The attendance was nothing short of staggering. a total of 35 came through the doors , most stayed for the day to watch some of the best lampworking demo's available. We even had a a real nice guy from Australia who was visiting his son oon holiday pop by and give us a demonstration of his bead making.
In addiiton i also took 7 course bookings in both silver and lampworking for the coming month.

The end of January will see us moving premises, same business park , different number. So from the beginning of Feb we are moving to number 4 Brambles Enterprise Centre.

With this in mind February will see the official opening with a 2 day event on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th February 2010. Come along have a go and see what your missing.

On

The First Day of a New Decade - Shop Now Open

Well - a new decade a new dawning - the 1/1/10. I'd promised some time ago after many many requests for an online shop presence that i'd get one done for the 1/1/10. It's done , It's now open - and I'm pretty pleased with the way in which it has come out.
Go and check it out www.carlmartinjewellery.co.uk

Now looking forwards to the 4th of Jan when I can welcome back my students after the christmas break. Here to a fantastic 2010 to one and all.

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.