Jewellery By Shalini

Swirls and Spirals

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:32:00 +0000

Round and Round and Round it goes

Some of my jewellery has a fair amount of swirls in it, its a good way to wrap wire and finish off rough ends. But looking at the last 5-6 pieces I have made everything is going round and round!

A bit like me then! I have days when I just keep thinking things over in my head again and again and again but don't actually do anything about it!
Do you have days like this?

Or am I just being cool and trendy ;-) See comments on a photo I posted on my Facebook page.

Hello?

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:43:00 +0000

Just received a call:

Him: "Good Afternoon this is (didn't catch the name he mumbled it) from FB (or maybe it was FP). Can I speak to accounts?"

Me "Could you please tell me what FB (or FP) is and what this call is about?"

Him: "I am sorry I cannot tell you, I would like to speak to accounts"

Me: "I am sorry there is no one called Accounts in this office, Good Bye"

IDIOT! Where do these people learn how to make business calls? I don't need to know your life history or your NI Number but the least you can do is tell me your name clearly & the name of the company you are calling from if you want to try and sell me whatever it is that I am not interested in buying!

Too many calls like this these days and I am really getting sick of it! BAH!

New Wire Jewellery

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:28:00 +0000

Those of you who like my facebook page would have seen lots of new updates in the last couple of days. My online shop & website is set up to automatically share new posts or products on the Jewellery By Shalini FB page.

So basically in my long winded round about way of saying things I am telling you that new pieces are being added to my shop at the moment. In the last couple of days I have added a few and there are many more to come. I need to look through the photos, and select the best ones and also measure each piece and it will take a few days!

So keep checking back and you might find something you like... or even something your evil stepmother or ugly sisters might like to get you into the good books ;-)

And don't' forget... The 15% Off Sale is on until 31st January on everything including New listings!

Sale Extended till 31 January 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:59:00 +0000

I have extended the Sale in my on-line showroom. The 15% Discount on all jewellery and wire sculpture trees will be now be offered until 31 January 2012.

The Discount will apply to any new items added to the showroom as well.

InsideOut: Open Letter to Shri Anna Hazare

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:15:00 +0000

By my friend Raja Swaminathan

InsideOut: Open Letter to Shri Anna Hazare:

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Sale Now On!

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:53:00 +0000

Shop from the comfort of your own home and pick up a unique Jewellery By Shalini creation! Go On! Treat yourself! You know you want to! :-)

It's sale season everywhere! And this year I have joined in as well! No not in the the getting squashed in heaving shops or getting stuck in traffic jams or queuing to park bit! I have joined in offering a 15% Discount on all jewellery and wire sculptures in my on-line showroom!

All Items Locally Hand-Made In Stamford, Lincolnshire

No pressure, no queues, no hassled sales assistants trying to maintain calm amidst chaos. Just you, hand-made jewellery in my on-line showroom and easy checkout via paypal.

Credit / Debit Card payments are processed in a secure manner via paypal (and you can use this method even if you don't have a paypal account!)

And if you have any questions you can always email me via the contact us page on the website or talk to me on my Facebook / Twitter page!

Two Christmas Fairs!

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:48:00 +0000

Two fantastic days!

And its not just about the sales. Yes, as my previous post says, it is my business! And I did make good sales at both events. But it is also about working in harmony with like minded people and getting nice comments from people who visit my stall.

At both the Stamford Handmade Christmas Market and the Late Night Shopping event at Oakham Castle I met some really lovely people and got so many positive comments, even from folk who were not actually buying but had just come for a "wander around" at their local event.

I don't expect everyone who comes to a fair to buy something but a little respect for the artisans displaying their creations goes a long long way. And while people like the ones mentioned in my previous post do their best to spoil things there are the good guys who always make it worthwhile! And give me and others like me the encouragement to carry on crafting and making.

It's not just a hobby!

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:16:00 +0000

It is our Livelihood, it is our Business, it is what helps to pay the bills!

Yes, this one's going to be a bit of a rant!

One of my artisan friends recently mentioned her experience at a (fairly large) Christmas craft market where a lady spent a lot of time looking at her work and then said "Hmmm Nice Hobby" and walked off.

And then I saw this on facebook "Well you must have a lot of time - you obviously don't work!" on a page called Kirsty Elson Designs- another crafter.

Probably not spoken by the same person but it's this attitude from a lot of people that really gets to me sometimes! It's not just a hobby! In my case it is a part time business, but its a part time business that keeps my dogs fed and pays my monthly utility bills! And occasionally allows me to go to the pub and have a drink with my friends. I work hard for it and I earn it!... AND pay my taxes on what I earn!

For a lot of other crafts people I know Its a Full time job! This is what pays all their bills, the mortgage, buys the food and allows them to live independently and not clog up an already overstretched Job Centre because there aren't that many jobs out there anyway! Is that alright? Or would you prefer us to go on job seekers allowance and be unemployed?

It's called being self employed!

Perhaps this lady would have been happier if my friend had been working in a local factory making the same things at less than minimum wage? And then she would have happily bought it from a big name shop at twice the price my friend was selling it at? Would it then be a job and not a hobby? Would it then be classed as working for a living?

"working at a local factory..." Oh wait there aren't any!
"job..." Yes lots of them about and the streets are paved with gold and pigs have taken to flying!

And anyway we like being self employed, working for ourselves and earning a living from the talent we have. So don't patronise us with this hobby, no work blah blah blah clap trap!

We work hard, hand-make things and sell them so we can earn enough to feed ourselves and keep this economy going. How you ask! By spending that money we work hard to make just as the "Market Forces" demand that we should! Most of us are not rich and some of us fit into the "starving artist" category but you know what? We enjoy what we do!

OK so this post has now reached a stage being a rambling rant... and I have no idea where it will end up or for how long I will keep typing. So I am going to make some jewellery I can sell at my next craft fair!

And just to prove that not everyone is a total moron with the attitude mentioned above by two people, I had a message this morning from a prospective customer (Self employed and an artisan) which restores my faith in people and in my ability

"seriously the work that went into it, and you remembering I needed longer, please list it honest price and I shall buy it! I knew it was for me the second I saw it!"

And that is the reason why I am self employed and so are a lot of other artisans and this is why its not just a hobby!

Stamford Mercury - 18 November

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 09:54:00 +0000

How nice to see some coverage of the Oakham Castle Craft Fair in the Stamford Mercury on the day they did a front page feature titled "Shop locally this Christmas"

All of us at the Stamford Artisans Guild started the Shop Handmade - Shop Local campaign with our Bull Hotel Christmas Fair back in October. Hope people are still listening and supporting their local small businesses, local traders and craftsmen.

It would be fantastic to see the people of Stamford come out to support the Handmade Christmas Market at the Stamford Arts Centre and Newages Social Club on 4th December. All artisans work very hard to create new and unique items for our customers which would make fantastic Christmas presents.

Give us a chance to show you that 1) beautiful things don't always have to cost the earth and 2) Christmas presents don't all live on the shelves of Tesco, New Look et al! They can be found in little independent shops AND local Christmas fairs where talented people showcase their creations in a friendly atmosphere! You can actually talk to people who put in hours and hours of work to create each unique item for you!

In Stamford Mercury - 18 November:

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WEEKLY SPECIAL OFFERS!

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:09:00 +0000

As its my Happy Birthday soon :-) I thought I will offer some special discounts on selected goodies in my online showroom. There will be a minimum £5.00 Off selected jewellery and wire trees.

If you are looking for a unique Christmas present for yourself or someone special in your life have a browse and grab yourself a bargain!

WEEKLY SPECIAL OFFERS!

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Next Event ...

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:04:00 +0000

Handmade Christmas Market - 4 December in Stamford:

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Pictures From Oakham Castle

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:14:00 +0000

Pictures From Oakham Castle Christmas Craft Market on 12 November:

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Haycock Hotel Christmas Fair Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:06:00 +0000

Haycock Hotel Christmas Fair Pictures on Stamford Artisans Guild website:

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I love this place :-)

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:47:00 +0000

Having a lovely day at Oakham. It's been really busy and some lovely people have visited us today!

All set for Oakham Castle tomorrow :-)

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:20:00 +0000

Really looking forward to it! The fair, a day spent in the company of some of the nicest crafty people in the world, and freshly made French pancakes from Crepe Monsieur.

Christmas Markets from Local Craft Group Stamford Artisans Guild Ltd. | Jewellery By Shalini

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:32:00 +0000

Local not-for-profit Craft Group Stamford Artisans Guild Ltd. is holding three locally hand-made Christmas Crafts Markets in the coming Weeks.

Christmas Shopping Event on 12 November at the Beautiful Oakham Castle.
Christmas Market on 13 November at The Haycock Hotel in Wansford.
Stamford’s Own Hand-made Christmas Market on 4 December at The Stamford Arts Centre and Newages Social Club.

Jewellery By Shalini

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:28:00 +0000

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My Friends at Greensleaves Florist, Stamford

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 09:19:00 +0000

More pictures

Some pictures from the Wedding Fayre at Haycock Hotel:

Mandy you are so clever! Love the bright colours in these arrangements :-)

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Fineshade Woods | Stamford Artisans Guild

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:10:00 +0000

Fineshade Woods | Stamford Artisans Guild:

Last Fineshade Craft Fair of the year for me this Sunday. Good times, lots of cake and even more laughs.

I am going to miss this...

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Week-end Of Christmas Crafts!

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:33:00 +0000

Christmas Craft Fairs From Stamford Artisans Guild:

Oakham Castle on 12 November and Haycock Hotel on 13 November!

I will be at both of them :-)

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12 December Christmas Shopping at Oakham Castle

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:13:00 +0000

12 December Christmas Shopping at Oakham Castle:

Looking forward to this Bonus Event! I LOVE Oakham Castle! :-)

This is a picture of my stall at the August Fair.
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ladies who lunch for charity

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:05:00 +0000

My friend Jane sent me information about her group which is supporting Arthritis Research UK. Click on the link below for more details:
ladies who lunch for charity:

They meet for lunch at the William Cecil Hotel in Stamford on the first Tuesday of every month. £10 of the luncheon charge will be donated to Arthritis Reasearch UK.

Coming up next:

8th Nov - Xmas Craft Fayre

Please contact Jane via the website if you would like to get involved as an exhibitor or supporter.

Sadly I am not able to attend this event as I have a hospital appointment that day (remember my dodgy eyes?) but I would really like to help promote this. Especially because of Arthritis Reasearch UK. Those of you who know me will know what I am talking about :-)

Please share with your friends in Stamford area. Thanks!

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This is where I am tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:32:00 +0000

Hope to see you there if you are in the area :-)

Stamford Artisans Guild Ltd’s Bull Hotel, Peterborough Craft Market

Hello Peterborough! Looking Forward To Your Support ...

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:31:00 +0000

We are really looking forward to your support at our first ever Peterborough event showcasing locally created arts and crafts. ...:

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Beautiful Hand-made Jewellery at the Bull Hotel on 22 October

noreply@blogger.com (Jewellery By Shalini) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:16:00 +0000

Lets do another Jewellery Makers Showcase :-)

My next Craft Fair is the Stamford Artisans Guild Peterborough event at the Bull Hotel. I know there are some other fabulous jewellery makers attending too!

Here's a brief look:

DL Designs of Rutland – Handmade macrame and braided jewellery, gifts and charms.	Emmanence – Distinctive jewellery designs in silver
Handmade By Helen – Chainmail jewellery and a few silver pendants. Also Carved leather items	Maz Rocks – Handcrafted real gemstone jewellery

And ME (Didn't know that did you? :-P)

Jewellery By Shalini – Handmade Wire & Gemstone Jewellery, Lapidary and Wire Sculpture Trees