Bad news to start us off on this blog I'm afraid - the gallery in Earl Shilton which used to stock my jewellery, and also where I used to volunteer, has had to close at the end of April as it was too costly to keep running it (Boo!).  It's not all bad news though as I am all lined up to put my work into another gallery (Hooray!).  I can't reveal much more than that though, as this gallery is currently undergoing a refit; as yet there is no confirmed date as to when it will be ready and there are only so many times I can harass them about it before they might change their mind about wanting me!  As always though, I will let you know when I know.

So, as you will be able to see from the website, the steampunk workshop went very well and there is now a shop page dedicated to this new section of work.  I'm feeling pretty chuffed with myself about this too as I debuted the collection at a Vintage Fayre last month and the feedback I got was amazing.  One guy said it was the best steampunk he'd seen!  Plus, I'm really, really pleased with how the shop page has turned out too.  My god I can be amazing when I try ;)

If you like my stuff and would like to see more, don't forget to check out my events section on the website to see where I'll be. There are only a few listed at the minute but this will be changing all the time as I'm still working on getting into more events this year.  I have been receiving lots of emails inviting me to have stalls as far a field as Cardiff so currently working out what I can/can't do along with what I do/don't want to do. 

Enjoy your May bank holiday everyone,

                                                Suzi x

Did you know that it's been 3 WHOLE MONTHS since my last blog!! I know, unbelievable!  Don't think I've just been sat back chilling all this time though, oh no.  I have actually been working; researching and planning to make this year even bigger and better than the previous ones.  This year Lillipop Jewellery aims to attend some of the longer and more reputable events.  We're already booked into a three day vintage fair at Greenacres (Great Central Railway North Leicester Station) and the two day Leicester Riverside Festival, and are awaiting confirmation for many more.

This year will also see me working more on learning new techniques to add to my work, starting with a Steampunk workshop this month, along with increasing my silversmithing skills.

I'm also keen to increase the home parties this year.  I offer hosts 10% commission on all sales at the parties and provide a bottle to help get the party started so please contact me if you're interested.

So far this year I've attended four events, all very different  from eachother; a market, a ladies belly dance night, a pamper evening and a cafe and craft fair.  I've already met some very talented people with their amazing work and look forward to meeting lots more in the future.  

There is also more lined up in terms of gallery displays in the coming months so watch this space for updates.
                                                   
                                                      Suzi x

Wow, what a year 2013 has been!  Lillipop Jewellery has attended 21 events; some fun and incredibly successful, some so badly organised I'm amazed they even happened, but all a learning experience.  I've endured the frustration of outdoor events; freezing*, with winds blowing stock everywhere, rain dripping and damaging my work, mixed with the pleasure of meeting and chatting** with customers, selling my work and gaining feedback.  Alongside this I've managed to completely revamp my website and get my work into 2 galleries.   Not a bad start to the my first really focussed year.

Having experienced all of this, there are now greater ambitions for Lillipop Jewellery next year, I'm already applying to get into bigger and better events in 2014, along with more shops and galleries, plus I've been invited to do a workshop in March too (so watch this space). 

So the last thing to say really is thank you - to everyone who supported the business (and me personally).  Here's to an even more successful 2014!

And yes, tonight I am going to party like it's 1999!  Happy New Year everyone.

*mum, I promise not to make you attend any freezing cold outdoor events next year - I'll force hubby to come instead ;)
**those that have met me at events will have probably spotted that I usually leave the talking to my mum or husband but I do try!

Sneaking my November blog in on the last day, cheeky I know.  Would have done it before but, as you can expect from this time of year, my time is being taken up with creating lots of new jewellery for my many events.  If you've been following the Lillipop Jewellery Facebook page you'll know that some of these events have been outside.  This is something I prepared myself for in advance - purchasing thermal leggings and socks, a nice thick body warmer and some fingerless gloves.  If I thought that was going to be sufficient though, I was sadly mistaken!  I'm fine apart from the fact that my feet are always freezing!  I even had another pair of socks under my bargain Primarni supposed thermal socks at my last event at Twycross Zoo and my feet were STILL cold.  I am therefore, very open to any suggestions on how to keep my poor feet warm and frostbite free.

Anyway, fantastic news in the form of promoting Lillipop Jewellery - a mention in the Leicester Mercury's 'Leicestershire Christmas Gift Guide'.  I've got a picture of one of my most popular bracelets and a little blurb about the business.  Thank you to Gemma Peplow for helping make this happen.

Future events for selling my wares in December are both outdoors again (my poor feet).  Come and see me at the Syston Speciality Market on Saturday 7th December and Melton Bloke's Shopping Day on Sunday 22nd December.  Mention that you've seen my blog when you buy something at either of these events and you'll receive a 20% discount.  Enjoy ;)

Wow, didn't realise I'd been away from my blog for so long!  I do have a genuine reason though; trying to make as much lovely stock as possible for the upcoming fairs as I've managed to bag myself quite a few over the next coming months.  In fact, I'm not sure what I've let myself in for this Saturday (26th October),  I've only gone and booked myself onto two events for this day - one in the day and one in the evening.  Really excited about both of them though as they're both different to what I've done before.  The first event of the day is called 'Change Your Look' and is a fashion swap party to raise money for Loros, the second one is an Arabian Night, ladies only with a saints and sinners theme.  Both should be really great fun and It'll make a change to get dressed up for the evening.  So come along to either event and check out my new range of stock whilst you're there, I've been a very busy bee so there's plenty to see!

Quick reminder now, don't forget that you get a FREE pair of Halloween earrings with all orders online this month.  I've extended it right up until 31st October so you now have a few more days to take advantage of this great offer.  I know, I'm too kind :)

Is it just me or does it feel like summer is over?  My body seems to have gone into shock over the past couple of days with the colder weather.  Brrrrrr!  It would appear that it's not all bad news though; the sudden drop in temperature seems to have tricked my brain into thinking about autumn and all that comes with it, in particular, one of my favourite times of year - HALLOWEEN!.  So, seeing as though I'm now in a good mood brainstorming cute but scary costumes for my kids and getting ideas on what I can get my hubby to whip up with his costume making skills (I love you Andy xx), I thought "what about sharing this feeling and treating all my fabulous customers?"  So, from now until the 28th October* I am giving away a free pair of skull earrings with every online order.

The skull earrings are available in 6 different colours - ghostly white, bloodcurdling blue, petrifying purple, ghoulish green, perilous pink and 'orrible orange.   All you have to do is specify which colour you'd prefer in the instructions to seller box when checking out, alternatively, if you'd like the colour to be a surprise then leave the box blank.  Please note that during this period I will be updating my shop on a weekly basis with new stock.  Happy shopping xx




*to allow orders to get through the post by 31st October

Ok, I admit it, I forgot to put up my ring photos!  Sorry guys, In the excitement of making the ring, hastily ordering new tools and some silver to make more, plus going through lots of ideas in my head of what I could do, the pictures kind of got forgotten.  Here they are though as promised, better late than never eh?
And, If it's any consolation, in the aforementioned haste of placing my order for silver I seem to have selected it in millimetres and not centimetres as required.  I can therefore make tiny silver rings for dolls or beads for necklaces and bracelets.  I have chosen to opt for the latter.  Needless to say I had someone watch over me whilst placing my second order!

So, last week was full of firsts for the Art in Earl Shilton Gallery - not only was it the first open evening of the year but it was also the first craft fayre.  The open evening went amazingly well and there are now more crafters and artists joining the gallery meaning an even bigger selection of fabulous items to buy.  Perfect timing as well seeing as though it's nearly time to start thinking about buying gifts for Christmas (there, I said it), what could be nicer than a gift that's hand crafted and unique?  I'm getting good at this plugging malarkey!  Seriously though, if you haven't been to the gallery for a while or you've never been, it's well worth popping over as its looking great and there's a real mix of goodies to check out.

The fayre went well too considering the weather and lack of people around, all stallholders got some sales and even more awareness of the gallery was created.

No stopping for me now this week, I've got my silver ring course tomorrow (pics to follow as promised) and then busy making for the next coming months in the build up to Christmas (there, I said it again)!  Not sure the reality of how much work will be involved has hit me yet but I'm looking forward to being so busy. 

Well last weekend was hectic!  Really enjoyable day Saturday at the Market Harborough Craft Fair where over £800 was raised for Wishes 4 Kids, followed by the fun day at Gorse Hill farm where they raised half the amount needed to fund their purchase of a milking cow exhibit.  Unfortunately, the rain on Sunday meant most stallholders packed up early but armed with my brand new gazebo I was hardcore and one of the last to leave at 3pm.  Also on its debut Sunday was my 'Lillipop' bunting which still looked fabulous even when it was soaked.
So what's happening next?  An open evening at the Earl Shilton Galley on Thursday 15th August and then a craft fair (also organised by the gallery) on Saturday 17th August which means plenty of crafting for me. 

Can't wait until later this month too as I'm booked on a silver ring course, something I've been wanting to do for a very long time.  I will of course show photos of the end results however good or bad so keep your eyes peeled..

Oops, sorry it's been a while since my last blog.  In all honesty I've been a bit lazy; too busy enjoying the sun and entertaining the kids on their school holidays!  Need to buckle down now though and get busy making as I've managed to bag myself FIVE events for August!   First up, (and in the first week), I have a craft fair in Market Harborough in aid of the Wishes for Kids charity, followed by a Fun Day at Gorse Hill Farm the next day.  I then have one week of manic making to get extra stock for the Art in Earl Shilton Gallery open evening,  that weekend then involves another craft fair (also being organised by the gallery) and then a Health & Beauty afternoon in Leicester City centre.  Phew!
Don't think I've not been doing anything though, summer has proven to be somewhat an inspiration to me and has led to the creation of some really pretty pieces (even if I do say so myself).  I'll let you be the judge too though, here's a sneak peek.....