tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29018881285277129392024-03-12T19:21:00.201-07:00RebejooJewellery from reused materials - recycled and bijou!davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-88452892399128526862015-12-07T05:10:00.003-08:002015-12-07T05:10:51.978-08:00All change!My jewellery can now be found alongside my art and writing on <a href="https://davehubble.wordpress.com/">a new site</a>. Please feel free to pop over and have a look.davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-61576948840274670272013-11-25T01:49:00.003-08:002013-11-25T01:49:40.979-08:00Creative Dave absorption timeJust a quick post to let you know that this Rebejoo blog is being absorbed into my broader <a href="http://hubarthub.blogspot.co.uk/">art and craft page</a>, especially as they've started to overlap in terms of styles and inspiration. This blog will remain as a static resource, and you can still find my jewellery for sale in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rebejoo">Rebejoo facebook shop</a>. Enjoy!davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-27793013282211178102013-08-21T05:22:00.002-07:002013-08-21T05:22:52.227-07:00Rebejoo is popping up all overI've wanted to try running a pop-up shop for a while now - that is, a temporary shop in otherwise empty premises, or spare space in existing premises - so was dead chuffed when the opportunity arose to use part of the <a href="http://www.thearthousesouthampton.co.uk/">Art House</a> cafe/gallery in Southampton last weekend. The venue has handy window-bays - small spaces, but enough to display my jewellery in a more shop-like setting than a stall at a fair.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRiGDfszfdOS0Phmbn1mwRnFEwttd9tk3QUEOxdeRAIJqBrwBPNUZlkUvGPw2nzANA-BnUkOJeNUup_-RTRlithltJZNQezHacEU0qQ6lNND8HQi_pFYwgnHHUK5qGIP6f98R34885HBn/s1600/ah+popup2a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRiGDfszfdOS0Phmbn1mwRnFEwttd9tk3QUEOxdeRAIJqBrwBPNUZlkUvGPw2nzANA-BnUkOJeNUup_-RTRlithltJZNQezHacEU0qQ6lNND8HQi_pFYwgnHHUK5qGIP6f98R34885HBn/s400/ah+popup2a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebejoo pop-up shop - open for business!</td></tr>
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I was there Friday evening and Sat/Sun afternoons which gave an interesting insight into the effort involved in running even a small temporary shop, and produced some thoughts about what worked more or less well - especially as this was a trial run for both me and the venue. Overall, it was worth doing, both financially (sales, yay - plus a couple of commissions) and as a developing crafter. It showed that the evenings might not be so good as afternoons and lunchtimes with people becoming more interested in entertainment and less in shopping. It's hard to draw firm conclusions from one attempt but that was the feel this time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoK2K9gc4EdUa6ZIbSGhaztourjhFYvCQk9VxkMiWsw6RT6UM2CFKAemBSkZMAxARvjRNM-uxBSjrpHap_9XayjhbDGjedOM5aJ0-oz5cILYrTzX5JO8mW_4-QeW1ANChuKnSmnjRywYN/s1600/ah+popup2c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoK2K9gc4EdUa6ZIbSGhaztourjhFYvCQk9VxkMiWsw6RT6UM2CFKAemBSkZMAxARvjRNM-uxBSjrpHap_9XayjhbDGjedOM5aJ0-oz5cILYrTzX5JO8mW_4-QeW1ANChuKnSmnjRywYN/s400/ah+popup2c.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wares on display</td></tr>
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Also, profile-raising is key - having not tried running a shop before, I have no shop window display and hence it was difficult for passers-by to see I was there. This will be amended during future attempts, even if it involves a sandwich board and fliers! Also, the venue attracts many arts-and-crafts people, so not everyone realised I was selling (!) until I went round the cafe with fliers. That I didn't expect, but it's all good experience and once potential customers found their way to my shop, a fair percentage bought something - more yay.<br />
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So, will I do it again? Yes, definitely. Will I change how I do it? Again, definitely - fewer but more targeted hours, better advertising/profile-raising, but otherwise much the same approach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsnKNrfXNVmducVuT9GNXNBVg9_wHB2nl-NzRCFZoAh2t2EIcp4FhXWWi1chmfeSAEgdi3391LMCXYZcNQ8vXwZ92Y9bc3-HM3yufwIvCT5kHFsc_CQFR6lg4DdcbM9u5CiwHt7zkBd7c/s1600/ah+popup2b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsnKNrfXNVmducVuT9GNXNBVg9_wHB2nl-NzRCFZoAh2t2EIcp4FhXWWi1chmfeSAEgdi3391LMCXYZcNQ8vXwZ92Y9bc3-HM3yufwIvCT5kHFsc_CQFR6lg4DdcbM9u5CiwHt7zkBd7c/s400/ah+popup2b.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sombrero of shiny bargains - please feel free to rummage and haggle...</td></tr>
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davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-67733637292855508972013-07-19T09:00:00.001-07:002013-07-19T09:00:10.311-07:00All the fun (and work) of the craft fairI like craft fairs. I enjoy chatting with people about the things I make, and with other stallholders, plus of course I like selling my jewellery. That doesn't mean it's easy (best not try to calculate an hourly rate...), what with the various bits of admin, set-up, clear-up, transport and so on that are all part of it. When it's hot (really hot), it's even harder - as it was at the most recent event organised by <a href="http://www.craftandale.com/">Queenie's Craft Emporium</a> and <a href="http://www.hognhops.co.uk/">Hog 'n' Hops</a> last weekend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyQTCNElshfiSaYgOckx35EUCuNdVbWkJvckiaC9Ahe0akUWpZPDi79bD7pghIZG4lM_qf8LB7yyBxDJPjgSznspPmuG2otfrFGRv2fuTuRwmYyCA5Br-U_nf5PlVvr5-6ClgpI5o1YzL/s1600/stall130713_1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyQTCNElshfiSaYgOckx35EUCuNdVbWkJvckiaC9Ahe0akUWpZPDi79bD7pghIZG4lM_qf8LB7yyBxDJPjgSznspPmuG2otfrFGRv2fuTuRwmYyCA5Br-U_nf5PlVvr5-6ClgpI5o1YzL/s400/stall130713_1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rebejoo stall just about ready to go.</td></tr>
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When the temptation to go to the pub, beach, pool, river etc is strong, fewer people come through the door (thanks to those who did!), and less buying happens - lots of very warm brains liking but not deciding/buying (to be honest, I'd probably be the same) and I was just glad I was indoors rather than having a stall in the field next door (owch, roasting). Still, it was a good test of my still-developing selling skills, and, to be fair, it went OK - definitely worthwhile, and I'll be back for more (even better when there's evening entertainment too - keeps the buzz going!) Plus, people who are interested-but-undecided still take away business cards and there have been a few new 'likers' on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rebejoo">facebook shop</a> with a couple of pieces put to one side - and, selling a few things tends to spur me into making more, which is exactly what has happened this week. So, thanks to Queenie and her helpers - another fine event!davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-48567410951161450142013-05-21T07:38:00.002-07:002013-05-21T07:38:28.132-07:00More gallery goodnessThe latest batch of Rebejoo shinies, all recycled/handmade, are back from being displayed at the Hansard gallery in Southampton, but just down the road there's another option to see them as they are now in the splendid <a href="http://www.thearthousesouthampton.co.uk/contact.htm">Art House</a> just up the road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibY39RgepvxFk0_0Xv0thsCAVpJw0fcciZSHBGWrI3nWdDkLq3yRNY_3imOtcnuFiU45-e3M81I_6mIEgE23zVA3wIgF8821fFy7vUAL6XQDygxD3CzObJJg8kHWzGkd6AE-pSRhTl_IFE/s1600/ahsell1c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibY39RgepvxFk0_0Xv0thsCAVpJw0fcciZSHBGWrI3nWdDkLq3yRNY_3imOtcnuFiU45-e3M81I_6mIEgE23zVA3wIgF8821fFy7vUAL6XQDygxD3CzObJJg8kHWzGkd6AE-pSRhTl_IFE/s400/ahsell1c.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Rebejoo items for sale in the Art House</td></tr>
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I have to say a big thanks to Ruth for (a) agreeing to stock my pieces and (b) making the selection process an enjoyable one, and to Nina for organising the marvellous display. As Rebejoo is still quite a new enterprise, I'm still learning about things such as how to present and package my jewellery, so it was great to meet with someone who does this regularly. This might not seem like work to everyone, but travelling to and from the ArtHouse, sorting through my stock, and doing the admin took half a day. A very pleasant half-day, but significant time and effort nonetheless - the shift from hobbyist to 'pro' has definitely happened even if it is small-scale - something Jani at the ArtHouse has written about most eloquently e.g. <a href="http://janijellybean.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/how-i-changed-my-passion-into-my.html">here</a>.<br />
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Now, with that all done, it's great to see them arranged so well (yup, those are the reels from old VHS cassettes being used as plinths...) - hopefully people will give in to their want-titis and buy them :) So, if you are in the <a href="http://www.thearthousesouthampton.co.uk/contact.htm">Art House</a>, please do have a look (over some tea, cake, burritos etc); a third of the sale price goes to support their fine not-for-profit venue. If you aren't near Southampton, don't worry, all Rebejoo items are on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rebejoo">facebook page</a>, complete with photos, descriptions, sizes and prices. Soon, back to the shed for more making...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-WnW_Ja56zDvrbpGJmQHAx3yFltXa1wtPYovu7WSVe0G5BGl27Ey0N6I4IhzfJQsWV8xp8FSdETGFHVeKwTPwjubONO7-47BggjlpnR2KeIKiS3FbhyVIPa_H6Lv0TW7ytqH4fc5NzGZ/s1600/ahsell1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-WnW_Ja56zDvrbpGJmQHAx3yFltXa1wtPYovu7WSVe0G5BGl27Ey0N6I4IhzfJQsWV8xp8FSdETGFHVeKwTPwjubONO7-47BggjlpnR2KeIKiS3FbhyVIPa_H6Lv0TW7ytqH4fc5NzGZ/s400/ahsell1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth gets down to the important business of boxing up Rebejoo goodies prior to display.</td></tr>
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davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-60478494679738543962013-03-28T08:47:00.000-07:002013-03-28T08:47:32.528-07:00Crossing the ThresholdI've written before about <a href="http://rebejoo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/craft-fair-number-one.html">my first craft fair</a> and <a href="http://rebejoo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/a-touch-of-rebejoo.html">the first shop</a> to take some of my jewellery to sell - both important milestones as Rebejoo is still a very new enterprise. So, I was similarly excited to finally get some of my work into a gallery, namely the <a href="http://www.hansardgallery.org.uk/event-detail/29-juneau-projects-i-am-the-warrior/">John Hansard gallery's 'I am the Warrior' exhibition</a> in Southampton.<br />
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It's an open-access exhibition - anything you've made yourself and wish to bring (or perform) - but it still meant stepping into gallery space, signing the piece away for a time and so on. Kind of informally formal if you like, and definitely another milestone as I've been looking at getting pieces into galleries and it isn't easy - from my POV, definitely exciting!<br />
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So, here's what I put in the exhibition - a 'Rebejoo Selection' which has since been out on the wall I believe - and it's in good company with the likes of the Trashcan Samurai, Blue log-drum fish, matchstick galleon and milk-bottle polar bear!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidybznYBT08CwPMtZRk5kdukybnIH1-yFfzzk96udGsSUYaqOoq8yi39MXB_OiyAiawIc4wf0vSovzXCK5CI7MjQslLqJSNRaXeni1mXiWfBsF_f05A1lt53Ed6ZPm6_gV5sVywUSjUbHh/s1600/hansardboard2a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidybznYBT08CwPMtZRk5kdukybnIH1-yFfzzk96udGsSUYaqOoq8yi39MXB_OiyAiawIc4wf0vSovzXCK5CI7MjQslLqJSNRaXeni1mXiWfBsF_f05A1lt53Ed6ZPm6_gV5sVywUSjUbHh/s400/hansardboard2a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Rebejoo Selection' next to the knitted (edible-looking) doughnuts and the purple lion</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTFmPlzLObq-OGqfnB8vTeWrqO6UQDpxNR5pGYu-4meb3bS4RjLGgPCjZRZzws8_RNaA0mHcRS6kSU-X_VxcH_ib6SYpM-NL2jau3mzdabp-CZzSP3-091SO94GitsL5AZbaFTpQdDs2k/s1600/hansard+juneau6b1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTFmPlzLObq-OGqfnB8vTeWrqO6UQDpxNR5pGYu-4meb3bS4RjLGgPCjZRZzws8_RNaA0mHcRS6kSU-X_VxcH_ib6SYpM-NL2jau3mzdabp-CZzSP3-091SO94GitsL5AZbaFTpQdDs2k/s400/hansard+juneau6b1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astonishingly detailed matchstick ship on a matchstick table. Woah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0MeCrXtwNZqXVxj6QKl9x8Wx2tbIpJ0ICPRBRMDMUml-I-k6IoAzRnF58BznerVY9Tg5kpcLj16U3uEq9E8Vxguto2THJOEzkHEyNBfIguYIX8Bl2B7lh_uPoZIFmiFaZqm17QTu6lo3/s1600/hansard+juneau5a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0MeCrXtwNZqXVxj6QKl9x8Wx2tbIpJ0ICPRBRMDMUml-I-k6IoAzRnF58BznerVY9Tg5kpcLj16U3uEq9E8Vxguto2THJOEzkHEyNBfIguYIX8Bl2B7lh_uPoZIFmiFaZqm17QTu6lo3/s400/hansard+juneau5a.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trashcan Samurai!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKniWURrjllHj-WXHhlUrSv_J69ULoIO3Z5V5il44Qh4c8sdnEYLKxZSLayGAtkJAGEbHmtuuHQ9T04jkTSFVWZKmnxh8ciKrnFyGJ_ipF8199Lcn3udEtconx0F2CrNvtt0BZ9sRldoh3/s1600/hansard+juneau3a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKniWURrjllHj-WXHhlUrSv_J69ULoIO3Z5V5il44Qh4c8sdnEYLKxZSLayGAtkJAGEbHmtuuHQ9T04jkTSFVWZKmnxh8ciKrnFyGJ_ipF8199Lcn3udEtconx0F2CrNvtt0BZ9sRldoh3/s400/hansard+juneau3a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drum that blue log fish...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGl95RsEiGEyhluHl4ZwN0209u9D8iTn2tHXYb-w8dSKHRkTwrl_4HuSd0mkOv1q7DHMRbf0OkEWnqHReEQH9Jg8GG8qSYenh5ePQ-JO9msdb19LmMFFVQXOPTy8GBytXm5NjywF936Srk/s1600/hansard+juneau1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGl95RsEiGEyhluHl4ZwN0209u9D8iTn2tHXYb-w8dSKHRkTwrl_4HuSd0mkOv1q7DHMRbf0OkEWnqHReEQH9Jg8GG8qSYenh5ePQ-JO9msdb19LmMFFVQXOPTy8GBytXm5NjywF936Srk/s400/hansard+juneau1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello milk-bottle polar bear</td></tr>
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davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-397659855236519682013-01-17T04:58:00.000-08:002013-01-17T04:58:03.427-08:00Finding my wayA few months ago when I started Rebejoo (yup, it really is that young) I was advised by <a href="http://janijellybean.blogspot.co.uk/">this splendid person </a>to stick to my own style/designs and not get side-tracked into changing to try to be more 'saleable' but not-what-I-am. At the time I blithely said 'yeahhhhh, no problem' but in reality it's a bit trickier than that. If I didn't want to sell anything, then it wouldn't be an issue, but as I am going pro, at least as a sideline (who knows beyond that) there is a temptation to try to follow what sells. This is to be resisted. I have an ethos and shall follow it, and to be honest there's little point (either creatively or financially) in trying to compete with mass-produced imported tat. Instead, I'm sticking to the use of re-used/recycled materials (apart from parts such as ear-ring hooks that have to be clean and new) and only ever making one-offs...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQfRdRUy_2PwxfZOW_hbHkNavNzbEguK_u2of34hK77PnDEP1OMAp5xM7JTdHUxf5b7h0hFlcBimsS0i8MIS0laRz_R08XaxoRc8fMM2zwSMIZnZzunv7p6eydi0S1-ofp_sLmi3UVyJZ/s1600/pendant23a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQfRdRUy_2PwxfZOW_hbHkNavNzbEguK_u2of34hK77PnDEP1OMAp5xM7JTdHUxf5b7h0hFlcBimsS0i8MIS0laRz_R08XaxoRc8fMM2zwSMIZnZzunv7p6eydi0S1-ofp_sLmi3UVyJZ/s400/pendant23a.JPG" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my 'knot' pendants.</td></tr>
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...and that's where one of the temptations comes in. If a piece is popular, I <i>could</i> make several and they might well sell, but that's not my ethos. It would also weaken one of my key selling-points i.e. that every item is unique. Instead (and this goes back to that sage advice I mentioned), I stick to what I like making (if I like it, so will others) and let the designs come naturally. If I try to force it, guess what, it doesn't work - I just end up with a bit of heated and hammered metal (not unlike what happens if I try to paint when not in the mood - splodge). So far, this has developed into three main styles - 'knots' like the one above (maybe it's a key to an undiscovered door...), 'twinklies' like the ear-rings below and the 'others' below that which are the more industrial and steampunky items at the more complex end of what I make. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr18PH-dJgTkVVC1hI_HvICxlkhfRrPB5srZTTMyPMWk0YzXDm1I6xoeQu4dVVhu1f800TybHzgcwTPWlun6nVY1IK5-WzNAzhnlsfz5PmTDRP-CMJzW7N2pjtMF1ipkWZ4Kn-XQyvsdJz/s1600/er22a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr18PH-dJgTkVVC1hI_HvICxlkhfRrPB5srZTTMyPMWk0YzXDm1I6xoeQu4dVVhu1f800TybHzgcwTPWlun6nVY1IK5-WzNAzhnlsfz5PmTDRP-CMJzW7N2pjtMF1ipkWZ4Kn-XQyvsdJz/s400/er22a.JPG" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twinkly crystal ear-rings!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymLuEw5TlskeKE1k9kq3QifgqFHevPDmBbRKWrOKgVrQAD07RqhqNMb_-vCS3mzyiXWKoVazMuwwSnRvw0cmixlZwIjKt2IAi-bVPYAClh2wjKJz0rZuwn_hWl0b9FVlVTVIEIvC9zDCl/s1600/pendant117a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymLuEw5TlskeKE1k9kq3QifgqFHevPDmBbRKWrOKgVrQAD07RqhqNMb_-vCS3mzyiXWKoVazMuwwSnRvw0cmixlZwIjKt2IAi-bVPYAClh2wjKJz0rZuwn_hWl0b9FVlVTVIEIvC9zDCl/s400/pendant117a.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glorious steampunk pendant-ness.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNy3Q-GY78kqyQD6J0OSk5sjo7D_W2K_tjblpru_93XFJOGrjzpKCAOfaRA4MYmWfWEqU-LfnRNCrSqkjSIo86lbFAtF8qnRUCEhB130kxVTkXJcoY51Sx1-KafTG3cfZv25E2fA3ezwmy/s1600/pendant61a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNy3Q-GY78kqyQD6J0OSk5sjo7D_W2K_tjblpru_93XFJOGrjzpKCAOfaRA4MYmWfWEqU-LfnRNCrSqkjSIo86lbFAtF8qnRUCEhB130kxVTkXJcoY51Sx1-KafTG3cfZv25E2fA3ezwmy/s400/pendant61a.JPG" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a heart, but not as you know it!</td></tr>
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davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-81205181330231496202012-12-19T10:40:00.000-08:002012-12-19T10:40:08.147-08:00Box of Mysterious Metal GoodnessThose that know me are well aware that I welcome donations of usable bits and pieces, especially metals, and especially things such as small cogs and gears - and that those who provide me with materials will at some point karmically receive a piece of Rebejoo shininess in return. So, when I was given a mysterious box (with a 'Do Not Open' label no less), what could I do but look inside?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ01HkEJNGh58fe_cSGcceuWagdwl1nipXSG3ucAuDcdY2DpHHvoTM1xguYqFZqzltdtEBDPJv6wh1mcOGuUlGWt5YN_tPxIWJPtOUFz_16t39_QJYviBMwQ3q_oXImTqFMmEuQBUY-WrL/s1600/z1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ01HkEJNGh58fe_cSGcceuWagdwl1nipXSG3ucAuDcdY2DpHHvoTM1xguYqFZqzltdtEBDPJv6wh1mcOGuUlGWt5YN_tPxIWJPtOUFz_16t39_QJYviBMwQ3q_oXImTqFMmEuQBUY-WrL/s320/z1a.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pyB7t3mv6Ely8eM57WWucMk3RHWJKLKmomJoxBVrE4ONIUwl8dtStalYc1-gA4G4MJBaZKQeoEihZ2k7WUl7yQKOR2ktQQrj3SgUHd38pY4Aj1kE_JqCu6FrPO5AnpkOzdBdOm1Nq99_/s1600/z2a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pyB7t3mv6Ely8eM57WWucMk3RHWJKLKmomJoxBVrE4ONIUwl8dtStalYc1-gA4G4MJBaZKQeoEihZ2k7WUl7yQKOR2ktQQrj3SgUHd38pY4Aj1kE_JqCu6FrPO5AnpkOzdBdOm1Nq99_/s320/z2a.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooh, look, a thing - let's get it out of the box.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Y1yHi7DpdP0hc6G40pcFZLLjO88YZRXHLmFQB2RHJpmYWAOjobLpte5ys-j2YFch4RJfKW_sV6Ak_zODYmoFGv87xnwHhMM0Xr_BTCZJS7-URW1_rlnWskPXjnKXdxLR3FSXXCFZwo_5/s1600/z3a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Y1yHi7DpdP0hc6G40pcFZLLjO88YZRXHLmFQB2RHJpmYWAOjobLpte5ys-j2YFch4RJfKW_sV6Ak_zODYmoFGv87xnwHhMM0Xr_BTCZJS7-URW1_rlnWskPXjnKXdxLR3FSXXCFZwo_5/s320/z3a.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup, definitely a thing - it's got a dial and a plunger bit and it's most certainly broken. I like it. What is it?</td></tr>
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According to James who donated the spiffy item, it's a 'Z-axis setter' i.e. a gauge for setting up a lathe/mill and it had lost an argument with a large drillbit. From my POV, if it's got a dial, it'll have gears and the like, so time to break out the tools and dissect it...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFnnfXhcwVAj00qYq-cDfVMGlzbpRB6DoN9KA1_sCOczEJxfINL9Msw12-NJ7w0kRvzdVl1cID5l1LCxCEJ489BcMIb27Za2tvUar5xKXwZU3Y5U-ySwlNCZm9wGrwP6hyphenhyphenRcAxkv29vsu/s1600/z4a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFnnfXhcwVAj00qYq-cDfVMGlzbpRB6DoN9KA1_sCOczEJxfINL9Msw12-NJ7w0kRvzdVl1cID5l1LCxCEJ489BcMIb27Za2tvUar5xKXwZU3Y5U-ySwlNCZm9wGrwP6hyphenhyphenRcAxkv29vsu/s320/z4a.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The insides of the thing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, that was fun - I now have some little brassy cogs, a spring, various tiny bits of indeterminate function, some dial-faces and some rather nicely machined bits of steel. Hmmm.... what to make with them? Well, I'm looking at working towards brooches etc with moving parts (i.e. cogs you can turn, that kind of thing) and eventually automata (yup, I'm feeling ambitious). However, before I do that, I did promise to make something for James - well actually his girlfriend Charlotte as he doesn't wear jewellery...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHWavBPoFTTd3Rx9wiDEJtkCL6fxF2Q72CH7AbT8XiFtGKyHPsy2Vy4kynDu8DJgHoEYEtn6vxCfqdc0BvM_E9XX7MA0nLvcAfWWLNxVC2o36O2pREJFrnKG1iWGFvvTizkW_n7cipMf5/s1600/pendantx1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHWavBPoFTTd3Rx9wiDEJtkCL6fxF2Q72CH7AbT8XiFtGKyHPsy2Vy4kynDu8DJgHoEYEtn6vxCfqdc0BvM_E9XX7MA0nLvcAfWWLNxVC2o36O2pREJFrnKG1iWGFvvTizkW_n7cipMf5/s400/pendantx1a.JPG" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pendant made out of some of my exisiting jewellery parts plus some bits of the thing.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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It's quite dainty and shiny (I did enquire and chunky jewellery is a no-go) so hopefully it'll be luvved and worn. That did leave me with some other bits and a twitchy hammer-arm...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitGOstcao2tRiJq3pKx5u3-NoZF2t-FeiK2qSye7iEAUe5DxYwdleVmv1Fp22tfxOHsbZDvl9Lyp6PNtJaMJ1TTg3nccUQMRvmYc4f15_gJXtwjfsZetCCAXNA_rn6-fL7tsVMmKg3GUb/s1600/pendantx2a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitGOstcao2tRiJq3pKx5u3-NoZF2t-FeiK2qSye7iEAUe5DxYwdleVmv1Fp22tfxOHsbZDvl9Lyp6PNtJaMJ1TTg3nccUQMRvmYc4f15_gJXtwjfsZetCCAXNA_rn6-fL7tsVMmKg3GUb/s400/pendantx2a.JPG" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steampunky pendant goodness!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yup, back in the steampunk zone for this one - and the first step towards the moving jewellery I mentioned. Although you can't tell from the photo, the pendant has pivot-points hidden behind the cogs so it can be compressed or extended, while the springs bring it back to shape when released. Oh yes. I hope to work on more of these - this one is however staying with me and my steampunk outfit :) More soon...davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-22334193176609974832012-12-11T05:53:00.001-08:002012-12-11T05:53:56.810-08:00A Touch of RebejooThere are lots of us making arts and crafts out there - and lots of opportunities to meet and chat about materials, techniques and creative ideas (at least that's how it feels to me), but less about the thornier topic of 'going pro' - making money from what we do. There are some excellent bits of advice if you look for them (<a href="http://janijellybean.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/the-art-house-going-pro-tips-for.html">like here</a>) which I have found mooooost useful, along with hints and tips from fellow makers. So, with this in mind, I thought I'd share a few musings as I add 'selling via shops' to sales online and face-to-face (stalls etc).<br />
<br />
Bishopstoke is a village-in-a-town and after <a href="http://rebejoo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/craft-fair-number-one.html">having a stall</a> at this <a href="http://www.craftandale.com/">excellent craft fair</a> featuring local makers and organisers, it seemed right to try to sell through a local business. The question was 'where?' However, Rachel (one of the landladies in <a href="http://www.the-anglers.co.uk/">my local pub</a>) had a fine suggestion - a nearby beauty salon had a large gift shop and might be interested in selling my shiny wares. As manicures, spa treatments and so on do not form a large part of my life, I hadn't even registered that the premises existed. So, newly informed, I took some items along to '<a href="http://www.touchhealthandbeauty.co.uk/">Touch</a>' in Bishopstoke and after a natter or three with the owner, Abbie, I now have a small selection of Rebejoo goodies on sale.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DjQQeJToYafahdaZr1JJkrK4QU-DpALoiBeKgq_0sPiDrWT3bU4L4rubqz5jeWr-JnJetW0EAGc-CWzFB6sU8y9vdOfBF3wojxZZfnoiCYvHN9qFqFg_ipP3UpKnULgUb-MeD_jzCuXz/s1600/touch1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DjQQeJToYafahdaZr1JJkrK4QU-DpALoiBeKgq_0sPiDrWT3bU4L4rubqz5jeWr-JnJetW0EAGc-CWzFB6sU8y9vdOfBF3wojxZZfnoiCYvHN9qFqFg_ipP3UpKnULgUb-MeD_jzCuXz/s400/touch1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebejoo shinies on sale in '<a href="http://www.touchhealthandbeauty.co.uk/">Touch</a>'</td></tr>
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So, why am I writing about this, apart from proclaiming 'yay!' at getting my first batch of pieces into a shop? Well, as this was being discussed, all sorts of little things popped up that I hadn't thought of before, mainly from Abbie who (unlike me) is a full-time retailer:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>How much do I want to earn from each piece? This isn't the same as the list price as the shop will obviously need some income too. So, there needs to be some careful admin - numbered items and a list to the shop-owner including my required earnings plus an 'RRP'. I'm perfectly happy with sale-or-return so no problem there.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>How should they be displayed? I really hadn't thought about this (despite having done so for <a href="http://rebejoo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/craft-fair-number-one.html">my craft stall</a>) and had to quickly come up with something - reworked tags (so the shop could add price labels to them, each numbered to keep track of sales), neater ear-ring cards, pendants all pre-strung, a new facebook album for items being sold elsewhere, and a sign explaining what I make, my locally handmade and recycled/reused ethos etc.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>How to compete against cheap mass-produced-and-imported tat from Primark etc. This can be difficult - Abbie is interested in encouraging more local makers and hand-made goods, but has trouble selling items that are seen as 'expensive'. So, pieces were selected that were a little bit different but still within her customers' stylistic comfort zone - though there has already been one enquiry about more 'gothy' items as gifts for teenagers, so this could change. Much is made of the fact that each piece is unique - a one-off, so no chance of bumping into anyone else wearing it! And lastly, for now, I selected from the more affordable end of my range - as the more expensive pieces are also the more unusual and elaborate, this was pretty straightforward.</li>
</ul>
Overall, nothing especially challenging, but lots of little things that needed to be considered, and a chunk of extra time to be put aside. However it is also another nugget of experience in going pro, and well worth it - it's currently a small selection in one shop but still most satisfying and a very pleasing starting point. Now, I do believe there's a tattoo & piercing shop in Eastleigh...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArEOhGmcAx8N-L6ccorwHr8QK4PkVco4srNNmYB8RotMHdKbuwCBnfKeHtOTEWHybs6HrmSZOgcPkt-_kKvxNJvg_Q9Fsmuj79SxVHW5e_GCdWsohOMXqUxH4mfDHSOakuIUYdtHi1tzf/s1600/touch2a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArEOhGmcAx8N-L6ccorwHr8QK4PkVco4srNNmYB8RotMHdKbuwCBnfKeHtOTEWHybs6HrmSZOgcPkt-_kKvxNJvg_Q9Fsmuj79SxVHW5e_GCdWsohOMXqUxH4mfDHSOakuIUYdtHi1tzf/s400/touch2a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here it is - '<a href="http://www.touchhealthandbeauty.co.uk/">Touch</a>' Health & Beauty where my jewellery awaits...</td></tr>
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davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-88926069520547347252012-12-02T05:59:00.002-08:002012-12-02T06:03:08.768-08:00Craft Fair Number OneRebejoo may still be young, but Christmas is coming (it's December so I'm now ready to acknowledge it) and yesterday - after a bit of umming-and-ahing on my part - was my first ever craft fair as a seller. It was also the first organised by local maker 'Queenie', along with a 'pop-up pub' courtesy of the Hampshire-based <a href="http://www.hognhops.co.uk/">Hog 'n' Hops</a> (which includes a brewer from the rightly famous <a href="http://www.flowerpots.f2s.com/">Flowerpots</a>), making it the wonderfully tempting '<a href="http://www.craftandale.com/">Christmas Craft & Ale Fair</a>'. I really had to go - and it was all of about a minute's walk from my house - it doesn't get much more local than that...<br />
<br />
It being new an' all, I really didn't have much of an idea bout how popular it would be - would people turn up? If so, would they buy things? Much excitement, some trepidation. However, it didn't take long for punters to start appearing - and buying - and I think this was in large part due to some seriously good advertising by Queenie and her many festive elves - banners around the area, posters in pubs and shops, well-designed (by <a href="http://wellingtondrawe.blogspot.co.uk/">Duncan Wilson</a>) cards through doors rather than badly photocopied fliers, plus some major social networking effort. Also, it was great to see a fair populated by genuine local craftspeople - as well as jewellery, there was <a href="http://wellingtondrawe.blogspot.co.uk/">graphic design</a> (cards and posters), fabrics and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/serenaschollar?ref=stream">cakes</a>, among other things, but no tat shipped around the world to be resold, and all the stallholders live nearby. Bishopstoke may have been engulfed by Eastleigh in many ways, but it's still got a lot of village in it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvitgu6WvFT773XH_0wBAjcj-OM7Bkuzx7PlskoGvFKCDlTafm9SOHlsLhXci63pzVvkTxu0x-GK81IGGtTZeXLnpAEFHCozCKE9B2x_QZ9H3Xr4qCOg_Y70fWpmuJwIQM3A9LSl1qUs3/s1600/stall1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvitgu6WvFT773XH_0wBAjcj-OM7Bkuzx7PlskoGvFKCDlTafm9SOHlsLhXci63pzVvkTxu0x-GK81IGGtTZeXLnpAEFHCozCKE9B2x_QZ9H3Xr4qCOg_Y70fWpmuJwIQM3A9LSl1qUs3/s400/stall1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first craft fair stall, ready to go! Includes honey made by Paul who lives just round the corner and kindly lent me the table. All the honey went...</td></tr>
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Once things got going, it was fascinating to see which items people liked - I've recently started making <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.382637725154642.90994.351906998227715&type=1&notif_t=like">ear-rings</a> and these were very popular. That wasn't too surprising - I think they are pretty (OK, I know, I'm biased) and they make small, affordable gifts - plus I can make them at the stall. What I found more surprising was the popularity of stick-pins - I'd been making them to see how they came out, and was pleased with them, but I hadn't thought many people still wore them. Apparently I was wrong! I did think the cloth gift-bags would be really popular - a few went, but not so many, though my dad has now got the checked one in the photo - as a replacement bag for Scrabble tiles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxczqm-S3Z_cOq6s8I1i6SwddLPo3DRTIAeRHW9tQqyqBKxp81ejQQl4xIq3_tEZCx_RTLJEm5ySfhumwpBjLsK1bm0XYrxBfgwUJCazuuSdtlGAE-jxvGW5MVyIh5si6ZRefJ7d5WDlR/s1600/pinstand1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxczqm-S3Z_cOq6s8I1i6SwddLPo3DRTIAeRHW9tQqyqBKxp81ejQQl4xIq3_tEZCx_RTLJEm5ySfhumwpBjLsK1bm0XYrxBfgwUJCazuuSdtlGAE-jxvGW5MVyIh5si6ZRefJ7d5WDlR/s400/pinstand1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stick-pins on their stand (which used to be a VHS cassette reel)</td></tr>
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The steampunk pendants and brooches got a lot of attention (and some are off to new homes), and although the style is not what everyone might want to wear, it's something I'm going to keep on making - when the right people come along, they do seem to love them, and they keep challenging my creativity and metal-working skills, which has got to be good.<br />
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So, a great day - not just in terms of selling my shiny wares (more than I bought from other stalls, hurrah), but also socially. I bumped into an old school friend I haven't seen in a decade who it turns out lives mere minutes away, met some excellent local crafters (lots of mutual facebook liking followed!) and had a great celebratory (beer, rum, hic) time at the pop-up pub that the fair was transformed into for the evening, complete with the band Scallywag who were splendidly entertaining and re-formed for the event from what I gather. It went well from Queenie's POV too, so I hope that it's just the first of many - I fully intend to be there...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNXz1tCFd9TTFlGZNndewDucvg6BCQVMFhlu0L7T4syIXGojFzh880JyVXcWM6Fi8KhKlFc_iAeaw6cz2dieV6gr7063Szqem03h-GNk3KD6XS0C5YexuJLdGDpnzna_DisaK-G4ooNie/s1600/stall1b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNXz1tCFd9TTFlGZNndewDucvg6BCQVMFhlu0L7T4syIXGojFzh880JyVXcWM6Fi8KhKlFc_iAeaw6cz2dieV6gr7063Szqem03h-GNk3KD6XS0C5YexuJLdGDpnzna_DisaK-G4ooNie/s400/stall1b.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of the stall - I'm gonna need a bigger board...</td></tr>
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davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-42692135878510222842012-11-06T02:18:00.001-08:002012-11-06T02:22:24.156-08:00Ideas and spin-offsIt's almost a month since my last post - making jewellery, keeping up with <a href="http://www.field-studies-council.org/publications/pubs/seed-and-leaf-beetles.aspx">the day job</a> etc etc do get in the way sometimes, and the Rebejoo <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rebejoo">facebook page</a> (where stock is displayed and ordered) has needed work too. Oh, and sometimes I get distracted by <a href="http://ellipsiad.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-joy-of-broken-clocks.html">the urge to write verse</a>. Still, there has been time to try out a few ideas - steampunk bits and pieces (top hat, cane and a little Terminator/Victoriana crossover), plus expanding the range (currently mainly pendants) to include stick-pins and gift-bags, though the latter requires my needle-and-thread skills rather than the hammer-and-anvil. Anyhow, here's a little gallery of recent objects - enjoy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0Bu_J_rSCF0nPFjIuXjs2TUT_P1Ca42jBGT_Lvw5B14eFcHJGneCgSiXAF0VqU7fxAmsuVtd4HTe-Z1luVyUrl-QUjJZc21eHSdBACqywzK77DtwWug8X_8vXXxHOw_haWdisjZTDknE/s1600/bags1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0Bu_J_rSCF0nPFjIuXjs2TUT_P1Ca42jBGT_Lvw5B14eFcHJGneCgSiXAF0VqU7fxAmsuVtd4HTe-Z1luVyUrl-QUjJZc21eHSdBACqywzK77DtwWug8X_8vXXxHOw_haWdisjZTDknE/s400/bags1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice little woollen drawstring gift-bags, sewn by my own fair hand.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwkZhHqAftXds3xczVxNm_7FpNR5PHmxIeGgkzOsO9fEcEE2hATuldhjxqnsz-NsMHw0O1Cmgqsuc-KmBDyPpmfa4Jl3UGCQs_1BAVQd2So9_1ekZvbLKeiVjI8c1wozrkzOm9rSDGevO/s1600/cane1c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwkZhHqAftXds3xczVxNm_7FpNR5PHmxIeGgkzOsO9fEcEE2hATuldhjxqnsz-NsMHw0O1Cmgqsuc-KmBDyPpmfa4Jl3UGCQs_1BAVQd2So9_1ekZvbLKeiVjI8c1wozrkzOm9rSDGevO/s400/cane1c.JPG" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porcelain-topped cane for the steampunk gentleman-about-town.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wOksqGkn2HrICZgtUtPStMdSMKSSYRFmOHLmaFnySUrwdpNjlnmEd1gaAUKWcMT5sZqYv3VwdOfzAlODlZ5cEz9B6EZSKVxaV9j-eXap-NMBpH1tbNvE1lXnsk-epw-mu2QwVxJJCjQ-/s1600/leg2a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wOksqGkn2HrICZgtUtPStMdSMKSSYRFmOHLmaFnySUrwdpNjlnmEd1gaAUKWcMT5sZqYv3VwdOfzAlODlZ5cEz9B6EZSKVxaV9j-eXap-NMBpH1tbNvE1lXnsk-epw-mu2QwVxJJCjQ-/s400/leg2a.JPG" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of some steampunk robotics...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8GDCVj6nd4KOExIvzQKc3DMzggDgcgHtCkb07-W67yjgktXLdsDFt18hg4SRybBOrtXWS5RrvFqMbUh7TyJfimxE5SQujLgst1uMD4Ui7oMLHx3xLeHW7c9n7Kqmk5F5RuDnjPTpB4ZH/s1600/pin1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8GDCVj6nd4KOExIvzQKc3DMzggDgcgHtCkb07-W67yjgktXLdsDFt18hg4SRybBOrtXWS5RrvFqMbUh7TyJfimxE5SQujLgst1uMD4Ui7oMLHx3xLeHW7c9n7Kqmk5F5RuDnjPTpB4ZH/s400/pin1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stick-pin number 0001!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa4UbL_2cRLBCk4wP5P5_j4uDDH00ZLYkumA3KEBzUgr6g_ypvZK1F04Kw8hvD8gvVRlKq3EKwSSzA78Oamq3UFCC2zf8YIDFv4rLBKsaB_4SJ1sOfD_DO8HtoiLCdTmihyphenhyphen8S-SxvIvuw/s1600/steamhat1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa4UbL_2cRLBCk4wP5P5_j4uDDH00ZLYkumA3KEBzUgr6g_ypvZK1F04Kw8hvD8gvVRlKq3EKwSSzA78Oamq3UFCC2zf8YIDFv4rLBKsaB_4SJ1sOfD_DO8HtoiLCdTmihyphenhyphen8S-SxvIvuw/s400/steamhat1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goggles made of cogs = coggles?</td></tr>
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davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-80328628319134163992012-10-11T02:29:00.001-07:002012-10-11T02:30:31.384-07:00My ethos and the joy of clocksAs the name 'Rebejoo' comes from 'recycled and bijou', it's clear that at the heart of my jewellery-making is a recycling and re-use ethos - which means I have to be selective about what materials are utilised. There are a few areas where recycling isn't possible such as the gas needed to fuel a blow-torch - however, pretty much everything else can be sourced in such as way as to minimise the overall use of resources. This is important in our finite and limited world, and is all about being mindful. So, the metal I use all comes from items that would otherwise be thrown away, and as far as possible I use vintage tools which are often better quality anyway...<br />
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Some of the bits and pieces destined to become jewellery are things I already have (an excellent way to de-clutter!), some are 'found objects', and others are unwanted items given to me by kindly friends (who tend to get a pendant in return - more de-cluttering). The latter are great because sometimes, just sometimes, they include the holy grail of steampunk design - clocks! Broken and unwanted clocks are great - they are full of wonderful cogs and springs, and just the act of dismantling them is deeply satisfying - in fact almost every bit of an old (i.e. pre-plastic) clock is useful for something. And you can spin them like little brass tops - very therapeutic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rChucm1vEHeOh2deeKnAtfK9XbAjUL42FmSA56Mit_FPuOsOS34kXZYuQR8vqYwOTgM05ydZXcHeGiHeQbelVkJLCcvIknZKWcq45l5bJcPRgorziovWSbxcVLKRTlBvHRFDqBwgTbay/s1600/bits2b1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rChucm1vEHeOh2deeKnAtfK9XbAjUL42FmSA56Mit_FPuOsOS34kXZYuQR8vqYwOTgM05ydZXcHeGiHeQbelVkJLCcvIknZKWcq45l5bJcPRgorziovWSbxcVLKRTlBvHRFDqBwgTbay/s400/bits2b1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not everything will become jewellery - some of these spiffy bits and pieces will - eventually - be mobiles, or parts of sculptures, or maybe something else as my ideas for Rebejoo evolve. As these ideas are driven partly by what materials I have (because I'm not buying new metal) I never quite know what I'm going to make, and that's one of the joys of doing what I do, not to mention ensuring every piece is unique. So, the bits are sorted - watch this (or the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rebejoo">facebook</a>) space to see what they turn into...<br />
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<br />davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-17623400338283913552012-10-01T06:38:00.002-07:002012-10-01T06:47:12.100-07:00Building the businessIt's still early days for Rebejoo, but things are progressing. Sales are slowly but steadily coming in, I've got a maybe-commission on the horizon and new ideas keep popping into my head and out through my hammer. So, that's all looking good, but making shiny objects isn't all there is to it...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvNWtfEJaAUG9EhqYSKj6iJy84rvWf-5ekkw_4hblxA_5sec_yKpkPc0jtqedFvgAG0uKjZWZd7SjwiXoHcFfe16nUO-Y1VuUpcRiY4jZ83pLEe2tJZga-9UuGBub6WxMFksdENPelkBn/s1600/pendant75a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvNWtfEJaAUG9EhqYSKj6iJy84rvWf-5ekkw_4hblxA_5sec_yKpkPc0jtqedFvgAG0uKjZWZd7SjwiXoHcFfe16nUO-Y1VuUpcRiY4jZ83pLEe2tJZga-9UuGBub6WxMFksdENPelkBn/s320/pendant75a.JPG" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brass, copper & EPNS 'Tricolor' pendant - a recent creation.</td></tr>
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First of all, I need to make sure that people other than friends and family know about Rebejoo - hence this blog and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rebejoo">facebook page</a> (which is intended as the main selling portal until I decide to set up a website and/or go down the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> route). Paypal is now set up, the first mail order has been paid for and sent, and later today I'm going to design and print some business cards and other stationery. The facebook listings have been split into '<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.359079070843841.85233.351906998227715&type=3">£10 and under</a>', '<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.351923174892764.83131.351906998227715&type=3">£10-25</a>' and '<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.359083620843386.85235.351906998227715&type=3">£25 and over</a>' - plus those that have been <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.359369114148170.85335.351906998227715&type=3">sold</a> to loving new homes!<br />
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The next consideration is craft fairs - shall I do them, and if so how much should I be willing to pay for a pitch, how often (they are often on Saturdays when I'm busy elsewhere) and where? My current feeling is to focus on getting pendants into galleries like the Art House and Southampton City Gallery first, and then worry about fairs - however, if I want Christmas sales I need to sort this out soon as December fairs are booking. I normally don't acknowledge the existence of Christmas/Yule before Dec 1st, so this will be a bit of a departure... Still, I have my first display board built and laden with goodies - next I need to add a 'Rebejoo' header to it (made of recycled steel, naturally), plus a business card holder. Oh, and shall I focus solely on pendants or start working on other types of jewellery? Probably the latter, but maybe not just yet... 'tis very exciting!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMj4inaL7hr47e0COVTLH-ewhlhedUhX-hMIRtMGxC2irtIyMOJduFjSjuLinuLPt_7Uz3qjjagF_uuP82IjkyatLGIcOzg5DgIg7ABWrGmru_xMHxqyBiYL7jv3-rsDtPODm4Yi0txfc/s1600/board1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMj4inaL7hr47e0COVTLH-ewhlhedUhX-hMIRtMGxC2irtIyMOJduFjSjuLinuLPt_7Uz3qjjagF_uuP82IjkyatLGIcOzg5DgIg7ABWrGmru_xMHxqyBiYL7jv3-rsDtPODm4Yi0txfc/s400/board1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Display board laden with pretties.</td></tr>
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<br />davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-76674285308268509032012-09-12T10:29:00.001-07:002012-09-12T10:29:39.328-07:00From Rubbish to RaygunYou may have seen some of the items that I now have for sale on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rebejoo">Rebejoo's facebook page</a> - if so, you might be wondering how they are made... Some are pretty straightforward, others really not, but I thought I give a little insight into how recycled/reused bits of metal are turned into (I hope) interesting and wearable jewellery - first of all, materials...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyODV_gDGKhE2nvoWw6aqz8K1_IQToNESmOAuNIcxVZvdntPO2EdlgrOr-sGB_PhqRQMIW3MWuOyK-cW9sgrH-_hEqHJBbYiBNFu3R3kFcdka5YPqMwYoZg4MpPRuNzDeJrbtSQ2ZKmrm/s1600/make1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyODV_gDGKhE2nvoWw6aqz8K1_IQToNESmOAuNIcxVZvdntPO2EdlgrOr-sGB_PhqRQMIW3MWuOyK-cW9sgrH-_hEqHJBbYiBNFu3R3kFcdka5YPqMwYoZg4MpPRuNzDeJrbtSQ2ZKmrm/s400/make1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A selection of scrap metal to choose from.</td></tr>
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As you can see, there are all sorts of things here - springs, split-rings, odd-shaped bits & bobs, a dead hacksaw blade, thick wire - some will get used, some won't and there'as always more around. So, the first step once enough materials have been gathered is to get some ideas and begin assembly, and possibly cut and drill some pieces to fit (like the steel frame in the piece below). Then, when the basic design is in place, the fun starts as the blowtorch is applied!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiJ5f5sgUJR8VU0OpUflokUL_xrc1v-wRwl24ZUE0eCxtVxgK5lc-Yb1h4YiaixIgKM9DUSc1FDiW9QEH3_gOQsg_Ww07aqWzVrYsTvXNfhkk5sJCgZQNJ3WYBhMn7PJs51KWpACNUF3o/s1600/make1c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiJ5f5sgUJR8VU0OpUflokUL_xrc1v-wRwl24ZUE0eCxtVxgK5lc-Yb1h4YiaixIgKM9DUSc1FDiW9QEH3_gOQsg_Ww07aqWzVrYsTvXNfhkk5sJCgZQNJ3WYBhMn7PJs51KWpACNUF3o/s400/make1c.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heating the newly assembled piece.</td></tr>
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Now, it generally isn't as simple as heat-it-and-hit-it; if it was, everything would cost a fiver... It's rather tricker than this - for example, in this piece, the wire heats more easily than the frame, but the frame needs to be heated and worked without melting the wire or the brass tube you can also see in the middle. Tricky - and I'm going to leave you to wonder about that - it would be boring if their was no mystery, wouldn't it ;) Anyhow, every now and again, the piece needs to be cooled...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz_WfhtE-UsNCjjyi4MLtadBQIofJ5wLXnBNEYboqXNOtL8tjyrSUf3GbKNlceTslpPSB96K5v10X-D8m2Q9Y8XAyK5yTPAYGA6e9FjFYe3hRr4f3kKgpG-W2D5AdRiu59d1GQ8jwqJ5_/s1600/make1d.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz_WfhtE-UsNCjjyi4MLtadBQIofJ5wLXnBNEYboqXNOtL8tjyrSUf3GbKNlceTslpPSB96K5v10X-D8m2Q9Y8XAyK5yTPAYGA6e9FjFYe3hRr4f3kKgpG-W2D5AdRiu59d1GQ8jwqJ5_/s400/make1d.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A partly worked piece bathing in the quenching tank</td></tr>
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This aspect is easy - dunk it in some water and enjoy the hissling... You can see the wire has blackened (it's steel and this is blacksmithing albeit on a small scale), and the brass has darkened, plus the frame has been crimped to hold the wire. After this, there are more stages - generally this is when the fiddly secretive bits happen, after which there is some light polishing (no more than enough to bring out the contrast while keeping the handmade feel, hammer-blows an' all), and a ring is attached for the chain or cord. Then, ta-dahhh! the finished item, in this case, the '<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249668_352294421522306_2065167474_n.jpg">Raygun 2</a>' pendant, complete with spring and screw-head. Enjoy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz_37IcsLvEJjQPTfJAIyDDhtpxgGRzs5Wdi5p1L6BooDk9lPjDV8CfoeaANEeimhlyRtPcqvY_XDJ33td07jjO-i_hRN7V3govvwvvff3z6y8MyZsjDq1qUCrsNcwdEWsy_8AZRXXs_b/s1600/make1e1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz_37IcsLvEJjQPTfJAIyDDhtpxgGRzs5Wdi5p1L6BooDk9lPjDV8CfoeaANEeimhlyRtPcqvY_XDJ33td07jjO-i_hRN7V3govvwvvff3z6y8MyZsjDq1qUCrsNcwdEWsy_8AZRXXs_b/s400/make1e1.JPG" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raygun 2 pendant</td></tr>
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davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-55857875984207541972012-09-03T04:21:00.002-07:002012-09-03T04:21:40.025-07:00A taste of steampunkSteampunk is currently pretty popular (think Victorian tech writ large with a vintage/goth feel to it) and I must confess I do like it. So, aside from plotting and planning some new and splendid garments - a trip to Camden maybe, plus some DIY - I thought I'd try a couple of pendants. They involve a lot of components, so were pretty difficult to make. Hope you like!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxqU8rcTjWCrirmrHVtkj8d7UlEa4Vmb1ZWCarJmiS57N6nE5O5Avaeqn5fH29u1uq5xN2r45mubAZ8yZPcIIYkbHid633mEPXnOJwghjqdDN8KTXtd8TR-W0ePLUol1YFmWqpvdsuk-e/s1600/pendant10a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxqU8rcTjWCrirmrHVtkj8d7UlEa4Vmb1ZWCarJmiS57N6nE5O5Avaeqn5fH29u1uq5xN2r45mubAZ8yZPcIIYkbHid633mEPXnOJwghjqdDN8KTXtd8TR-W0ePLUol1YFmWqpvdsuk-e/s320/pendant10a.JPG" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steel and brass with a bit of clock in there for good steampunk measure. The whole thing's about 30mm high. Fiddly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOPyKW-UvzbzwhRQZWednuHHw-cJB98aQa1c7cYkLF3SjwGVIJtL02XWuNxyAqJIOecTS1bRhlKsRKIimb3bxXc9H54zyGyNivildNVWSFYDEXLnS9AM3HQyNRpIImaY-xGSJDNMMLj09/s1600/pendant11a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOPyKW-UvzbzwhRQZWednuHHw-cJB98aQa1c7cYkLF3SjwGVIJtL02XWuNxyAqJIOecTS1bRhlKsRKIimb3bxXc9H54zyGyNivildNVWSFYDEXLnS9AM3HQyNRpIImaY-xGSJDNMMLj09/s320/pendant11a.JPG" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A more overtly mechanical approach - as much a tiny sculpture as a piece of jewellery - hurrah for cogs & springs! Hopefully later versions will have moving parts...</td></tr>
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davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-4390784203804686852012-08-28T04:54:00.003-07:002012-08-28T04:54:54.463-07:00Hooks, wires and chainsAfter a burst of creativity over the weekend, a few new pendants have appeared...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVtUgXXBWOPe5uhnoq9-RdJI37NIlgf_EFStfIrgNR4tkLRVTK_n57STFq4gRq6z7SDsDJJfUnNUiPnbiN00qQjER8e-YWeNCVPeDVKOl9qoR6Xj7N5Vq4Rnwghl-gnLjHKhpOswN2SCF/s1600/pendant6a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVtUgXXBWOPe5uhnoq9-RdJI37NIlgf_EFStfIrgNR4tkLRVTK_n57STFq4gRq6z7SDsDJJfUnNUiPnbiN00qQjER8e-YWeNCVPeDVKOl9qoR6Xj7N5Vq4Rnwghl-gnLjHKhpOswN2SCF/s320/pendant6a.JPG" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steel and shiny alloy wires</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9L-4SgRl5s3DppApG1QAGM3oLdUqlbKIoYvZuTAPX9e6-gD-EZ7gIOsCmhH8PUWjZ8xpNEN_QmmFjrNX4o8p5G-Smql21Z-Oa-aHR_4-UZotPToUZfzPJ68txZtwL5dRqeDDDEiT7icl/s1600/pendant7a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9L-4SgRl5s3DppApG1QAGM3oLdUqlbKIoYvZuTAPX9e6-gD-EZ7gIOsCmhH8PUWjZ8xpNEN_QmmFjrNX4o8p5G-Smql21Z-Oa-aHR_4-UZotPToUZfzPJ68txZtwL5dRqeDDDEiT7icl/s320/pendant7a.JPG" width="164" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A robust spiralled steel hook and chain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7I-htbJDMTZMwdWkHXz4GrwIVVBUx73kwRYgZQCPNmke8c3x8kZR4j-5p3YsJwuRUP0MTr7K1Sa8myTd7OYmCD9-bORAGRABjOA0JmPiHCWnW0iNDw0JHLRS7zyVG2xiH_vLF19GzcDD/s1600/pendants8a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7I-htbJDMTZMwdWkHXz4GrwIVVBUx73kwRYgZQCPNmke8c3x8kZR4j-5p3YsJwuRUP0MTr7K1Sa8myTd7OYmCD9-bORAGRABjOA0JmPiHCWnW0iNDw0JHLRS7zyVG2xiH_vLF19GzcDD/s400/pendants8a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two more industrial/cyber pieces - on the left steel with spring and wire (looks to me like a steampunk USB memory stick!); on the right, definitely a punk influence - steel with a spring and chain, and dimples echoing studded leather.</td></tr>
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<br />Enjoy!<br />
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<br />davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-63401314321392560372012-08-24T03:45:00.000-07:002012-08-24T03:45:03.531-07:00Springs & thingsYesterday I posted <a href="http://rebejoo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/curly-swirly-twirly.html">some of my 'curly' pendants</a> which are one of my two current design styles. The other is more industrial, with maybe a bit of a cyberpunk/cybergoth feel, and I might throw in a bit of steampunk for good measure, plus a dash of asymmetry... Anyhow, here are a few of the pendants made so far in this style - hope you like them:<br />
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Top left: Steel with a small 'sub-pendant' on a silver ring.<br />
Top right & bottom left: Steel with a spring.<br />
Bottom right: Steel with a snake of drill holes - and the heaviest of them so far. Rock! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiC5mKzMDlTd7KBKz5vsX2Xx3aK9dq9rt13jo7qt8q9jo4c5ojt3f2oz-6V1PeJR5OY8BuWTq6od2sIxKhKxkpjvhR2RlkZBeSrJrbNeY1vU5pktB8E9luTKXsfa6eO1X4iRS-Qjq52q0w/s1600/pendants5a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiC5mKzMDlTd7KBKz5vsX2Xx3aK9dq9rt13jo7qt8q9jo4c5ojt3f2oz-6V1PeJR5OY8BuWTq6od2sIxKhKxkpjvhR2RlkZBeSrJrbNeY1vU5pktB8E9luTKXsfa6eO1X4iRS-Qjq52q0w/s320/pendants5a.JPG" width="310" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPE3utMy_OTNLNV760aypQG3lhAq-hFpzq256qrcQa6f71CniQ7NezPIlBXF_fQQJiNGk2yQwAF0zhRmLbgKYMuH82B1IsWig7DpIrzciU56RzBn7BUb3p__FtladpAQl4_FMyWy9lbDI/s1600/pendants7a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPE3utMy_OTNLNV760aypQG3lhAq-hFpzq256qrcQa6f71CniQ7NezPIlBXF_fQQJiNGk2yQwAF0zhRmLbgKYMuH82B1IsWig7DpIrzciU56RzBn7BUb3p__FtladpAQl4_FMyWy9lbDI/s320/pendants7a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901888128527712939.post-70706106717809363762012-08-23T05:32:00.003-07:002012-08-23T05:32:32.882-07:00Curly, swirly & twirly<br />
The first batches of pendants are now ready. These are all made from reused scrap metal and I think have come out quite well. All designs are one-offs; descriptions are from top-left to bottom-right - hope you like them! <br />
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1. Curly horn (steel)<br />
2. Large knot (steel with a dark green glass bead)<br />
3. Small knot (steel)<br />
4. Mystery key (steel & brass)<br />
5. Medium knot (steel)<br />
6. Art nouveau hook (steel)<br />
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<br />davesbrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12333444438002021007noreply@blogger.com0