Birthday Treats equals Jewellery Hiatus

I turned the grand old age of 22 on Saturday--I fear it's all downhill from here :(

My birthday weekend was very enjoyable as I spoilt myself and took the Friday off work so I could have a lovely long weekend

Friday-- Me and Matt (the boyfriend) went to Applewood Farm and enjoyed some amazing cake. I had the Mars Attackz, which was an indulgent chocolate caramel masterpiece, whilst Matt had a lovely creamy banoffee cheesecake.

The Cake and Ice Cream Counter at Applewood Farm

My actually birthday was quiet but really great, it mainly consisted of eating and drinking with Matt, kept it nice and simple as I didn't want a fuss.

At Annie's Bar in Manchester

I also got some amazing Catwoman Converse for my birthday off Matt, which I am in love with!!! I wore them on Saturday but they are now safely back in the box where I can just admire the prettiness from afar.

Catwoman Converse

Since this is really suppose to be a blog about jewellery, it's time to focus.

Even though I do intend to write about the jewellery I make for my own brand Kat's Adorable Treasures, I also want to write about other people's amazing work.

There is so much jewellery out there and it's waiting to be discovered, so hopefully I can help you on the way.

Kat

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Polymer Clay Jewellery: Tools Pt1

Thought it would be nice if I wrote a series of posts about the different styles of jewellery I make. Starting with my favourite, Polymer Clay, this would probably require more than one post on the subject as I have so much to say.

Polymer Clay

This post will cover; the clay I use, tools and places to buy these things. Thought it was best to get the essential but a little bit boring tool post out of the way first.

I got obsessed with the idea of making things out of polymer clay last year, when I first started making jewellery. I found these polymer clay fruit beads on eBay and it got me wondering about how they were made. Thus ensued a lengthy YouTube and google search.

Most people have different opinions on which clay to use, but it's best to try a few different ones out first to see which works best for you. Personally, I like to use Premo, but I do have some Sculpey and Fimo clay as well. Fimo do some great pastel colours which are super cute when making sweets especially flumps.

Once you have bought your clay, the best idea is to find a suitable place to stall it. I keep mine in left over chocolate tins from Christmas in grip seal bags. The grip seal bags are great as they keep the air away from your clay and stops it from drying it out. You can pick these bags up from a pound shop, I think mine are labelled as lunch bags.

Sorry about the poor quality of the picture, not so great at the ole photography.

When it comes to creating your polymer jewellery you will need a good clean work surface. I use a spare bathroom tile which allows the clay to stay smooth and does not stick to the surface either. I also use a plastic table mat which I picked up from Morrisons for 99p and has dolly mixture all over it :)

Tile and Mat

Baby wipes, kitchen roll and tin foil are also other unlikely items that come in handy. The baby wipes and kitchen roll help you to not contaminate the different colours of clay by keeping your hands and work surface clean and dry. Tin foil is used to add effects to the clay such as a bumpy te true ideal for cookies.

Baby Wipes, Kitchen Roll, Tin Foil

Even though this post was solely going to be about the tools I use when making polymer clay jewellery, I feel I may need to do a second post. This post has just been a simple introduction to the world of polymer clay, i fear.

Next post I shall cover more in depth on tools used to actually sculpt the clay and also helpful link and books to help you on your way.

Kat x

 

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Social Media

Right, so to get serious about my actual business Kat's Adorable Treasures, as i mentioned in my previous post it's a whole one year old  and I need to get things actually moving.

Recently on the 21st July I held a stall at Smithills Dog Show and Garden Party, and it was so much fun!! I loved it and this has made me get my bum into gear.

 Not the best picture of me, yet i actually really love it. I look very awkward but I am very proud of my first stall. On reflection I feel that it does look a bit bare, but hey it was my first attempt and I am sure I will get better at display

These two pictures are courtesy of Bolton Museum, who were the lovely organisers of the Smithills Hall Dog Show and Garden Party.

During the day I was placed next to the fabulous Bluebird and Bobbin, which is created by a wondrous woman Debbie Raftery. She has been very kind in allowing me into her secrets of possible places to hold my next stall, and jolly I have another one :)

Again, it's based in Bolton at Bromley Cross on August 31st and I am really excited. My aim is to improve my display and figure out my target market.

Exciting times ahead.

One Year

It's been just over one year since I decided to start making jewellery and create Kat's Adorable Treasures, so I thought it was high time that I attempted to write a blog again.

Blogging for me seems to become a chore after just a few posts, and I can never seem to stick to it. Lets hope this changes, as I think it's a great way to chronicle your life journey but in a more public way.

Kate's Adorable Treasures dabbles mainly in handmade polymer clay jewellery but also quite a lot of bits and bobs, such as beaded bracelets. My aim one day is to become a famous jewellery designer and own a fabulous brand such as the gorgeous Tatty Devine. One can dream :)

Business has been great lately and after passing my driving theory just this last week, all my energy has been devoted to jewellery. 

This blog will capture the jewellery I'm making, write about things that have nspired me and also just general rumblings that I do.

Hopefully people will enjoy what I write and put up, but if all else fails least I am attempting to blog again :)