Precious-Elements Blog

It’s been ages since I’ve blogged (slaps wrist) . I’ve been very busy sketching new designs for Spring and Summer 2010.

I have decided to give the whole business a Spring Clean and have new ideas about the design, logo etc.

Today though I’ve been busy creating a new Brand Logo for Precious-Elements. We found some great graphics brushes online, so I’ve been busy playing about designing a  new banner, business cards, etc . I’ve had great fun and have gone for a new fresh look.

I also have just bought  a new light tent for taking the photo’s. I’ve had a play already but have changed my mind  about some of the props I’ve used, so I’ll get started on retaking the pics tomorrow. The theme of the pics will be like the new logo- fresh ,simple and clean lines.

Also I’m going to go through and re- do all descriptions etc as well.

Hopefully the Website and shop should have the new look and be updated at the weekend- I’m going to use my female persuasion[grin].

Anyway I’ve added a pic of the new logo design. This is a Thank You for your purchase slip.

As mentioned in  my earler post I’ve decided to expand on the wire-wrapped flowers I’ve made and already sold.

Here is the first of the new collection - I love this bracelet so much I’ve actually used it in my new Business Logo.

Its called the Elethia Bracelet

With the new season of Autumn upon us I’ve been busy designing not only jewellery but a new look website. I wanted to ‘brand’ it more and have finally come up with a new look.

It will include the website,shops on craft pages,  packaging , business cards and all advertising- so it all more combined.

With all being well  it should all be up and running by the end of next week.

As well as the ‘branding’ keeping me busy- I’ve been busy at my sketchbook coming up with loads of new jewellery designs.

I’ve already made a few up which I’m really pleased with.

I’m going to make a new ‘Flower’ Collection using the wire wrapped flowers - the one’s I have made have sold really quickly -so I think the collection will do well. It will be a collection of Necklaces, Chokers, Bracelets and Earrings .

Statement Necklaces are very ‘hot’ still during Autumn and Winter  - I’ve been sketching quite a few of these and have already made a couple up 1 for my Precious Collection and 1 in the Elements Collection. The Audra Necklace is my favourite, and in my opinion would look great teamed with a elegant black suit and cami for the Winter Going Out season. It’s verstaile enough though that it would look great styled down with casual day clothes though as well.

One of the most recent design’s I’ve been working on is this.

I named it Abrielle , Abrielle means mother of many nations in Italian, Chalcedony stimulates maternal and creative feelings in the wearer.It brings love and comfort and balances mind,body and spirit.
The Abrielle Necklace is handmade using a 2.5cm Chalcedony faceted Drop, sitting nestled against this is a Hill Tribe Silver Rose Pendant and a small cluster containing Moonstone, Aquamarine and Ivory Freshwater Potato Pearls, which have all been individually selected and hand wrapped onto sterling Silver Trace Chain. Along the length of the chain Hill Tribe Silver Bamboo Nuggets are hand wrapped intermittently.

The Abrielle Necklace measures 27cm in length and is finished with a Sterling Silver Bolt Ring Clasp.

I think the name and meaning of the stones, makes it an Ideal present for anyones Mother on Mother’s Day.

I’m sure there isn’t anyone in the craft world that has’nt heard of Etsy, well, the Uk is now bringing their own Handmade/Craft Sites to the fore with lots of new ones starting up.

There’s Folksy- which has been going since last Summer , I’m doing really well on there, with a good few sales. It’s growing bigger all the time, and at the end of the month will be going International.

http://www.folksy.com/shops/preciouselements

I honestly think this could be as big as Etsy is, if the right effort’s put into it.

Then we havc MISI (make it sell it), another newish craft site, I have a few items on here but it does’nt seem to be growing at the same rate as Folksy, although it has’nt been going as long.

The latest one I’ve found is Coriandr- I actually opened my shop yesterday and last evening I had my first sale- I like the look of this site , and I hope it becomes as good as Etsy too.

http://www.coriandr.com/shop?seller_id=365

Apparently, the media is saying the Uk is starting a Uk Craft?handmade Revolution- I hope they are right- I personally love giving people Handmade present’s, whether it be my own designs or some one else’s. Whoever has made it has put alot of time and effort into the item, and the majority of items are unique, which makes them extra special.

In the current financial climate, it is something we should all think of doing- helping the little men more.

I think , like myself a lot of crafters are opening shops on them all, and seeing which ones suit them best. At the moment I have a mix of both the Precious Collection and Elemental Collection on them, I’ve haven’t put them all my designs on there , but eventually I will see what sells best and perhaps make ’special’ items for these shops alone.

My word, I cannot believe I’ve not posted anything in 2 whole months!!

I’ve been a bit neglectful of my blog(naughty me), but  what with Xmas, New Year , then illness’s raining down on the Precious-Elements household,  not to mention I’ve been as busy as a bee designing and creating things. I can wholeheartedly promise from now on poor Blog here won’t be so neglected.

So, to make up for lost time I’ll post a few pics of items I’ve made .

Peony Flower Bracelet

I’m really pleased with this, it’s the first one I’ve made, and can’t believe it turned out so well.

It’s made from Silver Plated Wire, with glass Ivory Pearls and Czech Crystal Faceted rounds.And to finish it off a lovely Silver Plated Toggle clasp.

I put it on my Folksy Shop, which I’ll post more about later, and it was snapped up the next day.

I will be making some more, as I love them , and that’s how I design my jewellery, but making what I know i like.

As the Mamma Mia Style Necklaces have been so popular , and with Christmas fast approaching I have added a new design to my Mamma Mia Inspired Range -The Mamma Mia Style Bracelet.

Designed and Handmade in Sterling Silver, the Mamma Mia Bracelet is designed to match the Mamma Mia Style Necklace, with 3 Sterling Stars sitting on Sterling Chain.

A beautifully Elegant and Stylish set.

Available to order as a set, or as single items.

Another Occasionwear necklace .

Aina means forever, I chose this name because I thought it sounded perfect, especially with the Sterling Floating Heart on the necklace. The Heart sits on Sterling Chain, which it ‘floats’ along, individually wire-wrapped along the chain sit Ivory freshwater Pearls and Crystal AB Swarovski Crystals.

The Pearls also tie in with the forever theme :-

Giving a loved one a gift of natural pearls is one of the nicest gifts one can give. It allows the wearer to see the love of the person who gave them the pearls.As an emblem of modesty, chastity and purity, the Pearl symbolizes love, success, and happiness. They often symbolize a happy marriage and in many countries are used as a wedding gift.
Pearls were once thought to be the tears of God. Pearl is often referred to as the “Queen of Gems”. The ancient Greeks believed that wearing pearls would promote marital bliss and prevent newlywed women from crying.

This would make a wonderful piece of jewellery for a Brides Wedding Day.

It’s been a while since I last posted, but I’ve been busy designing and starting to create a new range for my website, an Occasions Range.

It will feature jewellery thatis suitable for weddings, be it  for the Bride, Bridesmaid,Weddding Party, Prom Nights, or just something that bit extra special for a special occasion of your choice.

The first design thats been created into actual jewellery is Evanthe. Evanthe means flower and the design is made using 3 Sterling Silver Flowers wired onto Sterling Silver Chain. Alternately along the chain sit Ivory Freshwater Potato Pearls, which give the chain an added warmth.

This is a very versatile piece as it is perfect for a bride, Bridesmaids or as an everyday piece of jewellery. The versatility is also in the fact that Pearls, Swarovski Crystals or Semi Precious Stones  in colours of the customers choice can be included in the design.

Its a very simple yet elegant piece .

‘Mamma’  Star Necklace

I’ve just finished a commission for a soon-to-be-mum, who’s a fellow member of my favourite forum ‘Mumsnet’.

She had seen the film ‘Mamma Mia’ at the cinema, and had fallen in love with necklace Amanda Seyfried wore throughout the film .Like many who had seen the film,she wondered if anyone knew where you could buy this necklace.

I offered to make one for her.

So here it is, it’s 18″ long,  has 5 stars, and is all in Sterling Silver.

A very dainty , yet elegant necklace .