AM Jewellery

Nice new website

2011-11-03T11:50:00.000Z

After 6 years of hardly being touched my poor old website was looking a bit tired and in need of a facelift. With the design genius of Cathal Tunney I now have a lovely new website with lots more examples of my work.

Have a look at www.amjewellery.co.uk

Bye for now
Avril

Customer comments

2011-09-04T20:17:00.002+01:00

I always tell people that the reaction of my customers is the best part of the whole jewellery making process.

I keep all the thank you cards and emails I receive in a folder and earlier this week I was having a flick through. It really was the best ego-boost ever!!

One really stuck in my mind. It was a brooch I made for a lady's 80th birthday and was commissioned by her granddaughter. She approached me on a Friday and needed delivery of the jewellery the Tuesday of the next week. My usual turnaround is 3-4 weeks so this was really pushing it!

But I hate to let people down and so I agreed. I burned the midnight oil over the weekend and got the brooch on the post on Monday. Receiving the thank you card from Caroline just made it worthwhile:

"We can’t thank you enough for taking on our completely unreasonable request and for succeeding so brilliantly. The brooch is just so beautiful and the children’s Grandma was moved to tears."

I was moved to tears myself...so a big thank you for all the "thank yous"!

Holywood Jewellery Exhibition

2011-08-15T19:50:00.002+01:00

On Friday evening I was invited to a jewellery exhibition at the premises of Holywood based designer Eddie J Doherty.

Eddie has a fantastic jewellery studio on the ground floor with exhibition space upstairs. Really nice studio...must be a pleasure to work there!

As well as examples of Eddies fantastic designs, he also showcased some other Northern Irish jewellery making talent.

It was brilliant to see so much talent - a great night for jewellery makers in Northern Ireland!

New photographs

2011-08-09T16:16:00.002+01:00

After many months of work, I have finally finished making new samples of my work. These pieces are currently being photographed.

People often ask me if there are any new images of my work, but I am usually so busy making the pieces and getting them back to the customer, I unfortunately don't have time to capture the designs.

This is very exciting as a new website design and brochure are set to follow soon....watch this space!

Final countdown

2011-01-19T10:28:00.002Z

It's just as well I am a much better jewellery maker than I am a blogger!

I have some good excuses though:

I am expecting a new arrival at the start of March so am on my final countdown to taking a few weeks maternity leave!
January is one of my busiest times. Second to Christmas, January can be one of the busiest time of the year. People who received my jewellery for Christmas tend to show all their friends who then might decide to order something for themselves!

So apologies yet again for the lack of updates, and I will keep you posted on any new developments.

Hiccups!

2010-06-11T18:57:00.002+01:00

I am busy finishing off my orders for Father's Day. These are mostly cufflinks that require really intricate work on them.

Unfortunately, in the middle my last studio session I took a bout of the hiccups. I had to stop work as every time I hiccuped my hand shook and I couldn't engrave the design!

I tried holding my breath, and drinking water out of the wrong side of a cup but to no avail and I had to pack up for the day.

Fingers crossed they have now disappeared until I get my last few orders in the post.

Any remedies for future bouts would be gratefully received!!

A belated Happy New Year!

2010-01-29T19:19:00.003Z

Phew...where has the time gone. One minute I was getting ready for Christmas and the next it's nearly February!

Unlike many jewellery makers, January is always a busy month for me. Friends and family of people who receive my jewellery as a Christmas present often contact me in January with design ideas.

Added to that the yearly chore of filing my tax returns (why do I leave it so late!!), and the month just flies in.

So a belated Happy New Year to you all and best wishes for 2010.

Almost finished my Christmas shopping!

2009-11-25T14:16:00.002Z

Don't shoot me, but if I get a spare few minutes this weekend I am going to start wrapping my Christmas presents. Apart from a couple of last minute gifts, I have finished...phew!!

I'm not one of those people who is super organised and get all their presents in the January sales (oh to so self-disciplined!!) but it's just that I am so busy this time of year with making jewellery I just have to be prepared.

My last date for hallmarked jewellery is Friday 4th December. I always squeeze in a few more orders closer to the big day, but please do contact me ASAP if you are thinking of buying something for Christmas.

Happy shopping!

Christmas is coming...

2009-10-26T15:56:00.003Z

My nephew has had his Halloween decorations up for over a week and the pumpkin he had me carve is already looking a bit floppy! Every year the preparations for celebrations seem to come ever earlier (please don't tell me you have spotted the first Creme Egg!!)

But for me Christmas really does come early as my last date for orders this year is Friday 4th December...weeks before my other half will even think of hitting the shops.

I have already completed many Christmas orders that I hope will bring a smile to faces when the big day arrives. For a lovely story of a happy dad who received my work see:
http://www.littlestuff.co.uk/reviews/am-jewellery-product-review.php

So if you are thinking of placing an order please let me know as soon as you can so I can make sure I get to put my feet up for half an hour on Christmas Eve :-) before I start peeling the sprouts!

Back at last!

2009-09-25T18:47:00.002+01:00

Wow - hasn't time flown!

Along with juggling my new arrival with making jewellery, I have also relocated back home to Northern Ireland.

It's all business as usual and I promise to write more regularly!!

New arrival

2009-03-27T14:13:00.002Z

Well I am finally back on my feet and pleased to announce the arrival of baby Jack.

He was born on 20th February weighing 7lb 1oz. We are both doing really well and he is a brilliantly well behaved baby.

I was back making jewellery just the week after he arrived and am managing to fit it in around feeds and sleeps.

It will be a while before my little artist produces any drawings, but I might make a piece of jewellery with his hand or footprints...if I ever get a minute!!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-22T21:54:00.002Z

Well I have finally finished and posted the last of my Christmas jewellery orders and looking forward to a nice break over the festive season.

My bump is getting bigger by the day so it will be great to put my feet up for a couple of weeks.

Merry Christmas to you all and very best wishes for 2009 x

Congratulations

2008-11-06T19:36:00.003Z

Many congratulations to the three winners in my children's summer drawing competition. They are:

Alana Middleton (0-3yrs)
Aliyah Fyfe (4-6 yrs)
Amy Langer (7-9yrs)

The judges were overwhelmed with the volume and quality of entries received. They had an extremely difficult (but enjoyable) job - from the squiggles and splodges of the younger entrants to the detailed work in the older categories.

All winners have decided to have their artwork turned into a pendant so watch this space for pictures of the finished pieces.

Exciting announcement

2008-10-11T21:01:00.002+01:00

Hello everyone. Sorry I haven't written for such a long time but I have some very exciting news...I'm expecting a new arrival in February!

It's great news but has left me feeling a bit below par for the past few months. But now I am blooming and in great fettle for my busy pre-Christmas time. My final date for Christmas orders is Friday 28th November so do get in touch in plenty of time if you have an idea for a piece of jewellery.

Simply brilliante!

2008-07-17T19:22:00.001+01:00

I have started to experiment with using a new type of silver in my work. It is called Brilliante and is less prone to tarnishing so keeps it's shine for longer.

Silver tarnishes naturally over time as elements within it react to the atmosphere and body sweat.

To help prevent tarnishing, store your silver jewellery in air tight plastic bags in a cool dry place. Some jewellery boxes are lined with anti-tarnish fabric, or you can buy anti tarnish strips from Lakeland Limited. You can clean off tarnish using a special anti-tarnish cloth available from most jewellers.

It seems to be working out well and should mean less cleaning for my customers!

Not on the High Street

2008-06-07T14:50:00.001+01:00

My jewellery has been chosen for a new website - http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/

Apparently they have to turn away 95% of businesses who want to sell on their site so I am flattered that I was 'head hunted'!

I think this website is a really great for small businesses to attract the type of customers who are interested in quirky, handmade gifts and treats. I can imagine it will be really popular in the run up to Christmas for people looking something a bit different to give as a special present.

I will of course comtinue to post examples of my work on my own website - http://www.amjewellery.co.uk/ so do continue to check this!

The price of silver

2008-05-30T18:55:00.001+01:00

Like everything else these days, the price of silver is on the up. I hadn't realised how much it had risen until I had a look at this graph courtesy of www.cooksongold.com

I started making silver jewellery in about 2000, and you can see from this chart that the price of silver has trebled since 2003. I am no economist, but a Google search will give you lots more reasons on why this is happening and why many investors are turning to gold and silver in these rocky times.

I won't be stockpiling just yet, but what I love about working with silver is that every scrap can be recycled into something new. Have a look at my previous post for examples of what I do with my leftover scraps.

Win a piece of my jewellery

2008-05-22T21:04:00.005+01:00

As mentioned in my previous posting I am running a competition. Three children will have the chance to have their drawing turned into a piece of jewellery to give to one of their lucky relatives!

Entrants have to draw a picture that reminds them of summer.

Very young children have not been left out, and entrants in the age category 0-3 years can provide squiggles, splodges, handprints or footprints! The other age categories are 4 to 6 and 7 to 9.

Entries must me submitted on one of my entry postcards. These are available by emailing me (avril@amjewellery.co.uk) with your name, address and the number of postcards you require.

The closing date is 15th August - so lots of time to get pencils to paper!

Full terms and conditions of entry can be found at www.amjewellery.co.uk/competition.html

Promotion, promotion, promotion!

2008-05-02T19:39:00.003+01:00

I have been busy over the past few weeks spreading the word about my jewellery. Many thanks to all the nurseries, creches, and playgroups who have kindly agreed to distribute my new postcards.

I haven't had a minute to stop for a blog but should really make more time as it is nice to sit down and get my thoughts out - almost therapeutic!

I have also been preparing for a summer competition to win a piece of my jewellery...so watch this space for more details!

I'm back!

2008-03-12T18:10:00.004Z

Bit of a delay since my last post as I have been away on holiday - a week in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.

I had a fantastic time and the weather was perfect. I spent a full day snorkeling and even saw a little 'Nemo' fish amongst the beautiful coral reef.

I didn't miss the opportunity to sample the local jewellery. Turquoise is the main precious stone from the region. I love turquoise and was like a child in a sweet shop looking at the different types of stone and jewellery. I eventually settled on a bracelet made for me by the owner of the jewellery shop. The turquoise was mixed with stone and some 'fools gold' so the overall effect is very unusual. Each round stone was made by hand and so slightly different.

It was quite expensive so I will have to save up to go back for the matching necklace!

Zoo

2008-02-23T13:42:00.002Z

My nephew came to visit last weekend and on Saturday we went to Chester Zoo. He has been before and really enjoys looking at all the animals. His favourites were the Chimps and they were real characters eating lumps of ice they had broken off their pond outside!

The giraffes reminded me of a piece of jewellery I made quite a few years ago. It was a picture of a giraffe which I turned into a silver pendant on a leather thong. I hunted through my photos and managed to find a picture of this which I thought I would share with you...really cute!

I hope my nephew comes up with some Chimp drawings soon as I think they would look fantastic hanging from a silver chain :-)

Youngest Valentine's designer?!

2008-02-11T18:44:00.000Z

It is the season of Love as Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

I make jewellery from the drawings, squiggles and handprints of children from just a few weeks to a few decades. But the prize for the youngest Valentine's art must go to a little girl who was just under 2 years old when she did this squiggle. The random strokes made a very artistic heart that really brough a smile to my face.

Her mum has since commissioned me to turn it into silver earrings, a pendant and matching brooch for her (I am sure very proud) Grandmother!

Secret Service!

2008-02-05T17:45:00.000Z

I think if I am ever looking for a change of career I might have plenty of experience for the secret service.

I am forever thinking on my feet to ensure a special jewellery gift remains a secret from the recipient. For example:

pretending I have the wrong number when a husband (who is not supposed to know I am making his cufflinks) happens to be off work sick and unexpectedly answers the phone before his wife can get to it
sending jewellery in unmarked envelopes with vague return addresses to avoid arousing suspicion
sending an email with design ideas only after I have received a text to say that the "coast is clear"

It is all lots of fun really and well worth it to ensure the surprise on their face when they finally open the jewellery.

So if you ever hear my voice on the end of the phone pretending I actually meant to ring the Chinese takeaway and am terribly sorry to have disturbed you then watch out for a brown envelope winging it's way to your house :-)

Edinburgh

2008-01-28T21:04:00.000Z

I have just returned from a weekend break in Edinburgh and really loved this City. However I didn't much love the flight into Edinburgh Airport. It was really windy and our tiny plane was buffeted about leaving me feeling like I had just spent half an hour on a roller coaster!

Back on terra firma I enjoyed exploring the hills and closes of Edinburgh. Old sits beside modern and the Scottish Parliament building is certainly very modern. The windows of the building have a sort of jungle theme and they inspired me to start making a piece of jewellery for myself.

I am a terrible advertisement for my jewellery making skills and often wear no jewellery or just some costume pieces. My friends are always telling me I should wear more of my work but I am always rushing around and never seem to have time to make or wear any. So I have decided to make myself a pendant based on the windows of the Parliament...watch this space!!!

Recycling

2008-01-22T20:10:00.000Z

Since it is January I am having a bit of a tidy up in my jewellery studio and it is amazing the amount of scrap silver I have accumulated over the past year.

I could send it away to be melted down and turned into sheet silver but I prefer my own type of recycling! I simply take various scraps of the silver and arrange them on my soldering block and then heat with my blowtorch.

The silver soon reaches melting point and the pieces melt nicely into each other forming unusual patterns. I then attach hoops or other findings (the name for attachments to jewellery like brooch backs or earring posts) before polishing the jewellery and sometimes adding detail using a sulphur solution.

They have a wonderful textured finish and people often say they look like ice or molten lava.

I don't normally sell these pieces (although maybe I should!!) and they make great gifts for my friends and family for birthdays and other occasions throughout the year. If you are interested in buying jewellery like this do drop me an email avril@amjewellery.co.uk

Hallmarking

2008-01-17T20:11:00.000Z

Today I had a parcel of jewellery arrive back from the Assay Office. I am registered with Birmingham Assay Office but there are are four in the UK - London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Sheffield.

Once I have made a piece of jewellery, but before adding the final detail and polishing, I send the piece to be hallmarked. The Assay Office take a small sample of the silver I used and test this to make sure it is of the correct quality before stamping it with the anchor hallmark and my own designer mark.

Many years ago when I started making jewellery I applied to the Assay and had my designer stamp made. It is of 2 circles with one of my initials (A & M) in each circle. This mark is registered and unique to me and I always joke than many years from now perhaps a piece of mine will turn up on the 'Antiques Roadshow' and be identified by this stamp!

Christmas shopping

2008-01-12T15:08:00.000Z

No your eyes are not deceiving you...today I went Christmas shopping!! Christmas past was just non-stop jewellery making and everything festive was just squeezed in when I got a spare hour or so.

As a result I was absolutely frazzled by the time Santa finally arrived and resolved that next year I would be much more organised.

So today I started my Christmas shopping in the hope that come next December when I am up to my eyes in cufflinks, pendants and brooches, I will not have to worry about hitting the shops in a bid to pick up a few more presents!

My inspiration!

2008-01-09T10:07:00.000Z

I had a phone call from my inspiration last night - otherwise known as my 6 year old nephew Cameron. He was phoning to tell me how happy he was that I have booked for him to fly from Belfast to visit me in February. He will be travelling by himself which added to his excitement.

His call reminded me of how I got the idea for my jewellery. When Cameron was just 3 he came over to visit for a few days. In between trips to Stockley Farm, Chester Zoo and the Blue Planet Aquarium he managed to draw me a phenomenal amount of pictures and scribbles.

After he left (and the dust settled!) I gathered up his artwork and wondered what to do with it. I couldn't display the whole lot (I could have wallpapered my spare room with the amount he produced!)

I had been making jewellery for many years and loved quirky, comical designs of people, animals and nature. Then like a bolt from the blue I thought about turning his artwork into jewellery.

So I got to work with his drawings and some belonging to my sister and I from many moons ago - my Mum is very sentimental and kept all our drawings which was a great help. It was great and from the moment I finished my first piece I knew this was what I wanted to do.

And now many hundreds of pieces of jewellery later it is nice to look back and reflect where it all began!!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-05T21:05:00.000Z

I have returned from a well earned Christmas break and straight into my new blog. I had the busiest Christmas yet with orders from Hong Kong, the US and even Sudan!

Thanks very much to all my customers who sent me Christmas and Thank-You cards...reading about the excited reactions of people who receive my jewellery is the best bit of my job!

I have a busy month lined up with quotes to write, boxes to order and the year ahead to plan. Please do check back regularly for an update on my work.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008.