Jet Designs

I have just started a new blog on blogger - this blog will still be available to view but will have not posts on it -

Please visit http://jetbeadsandcraft.blogspot.com

How to settle in to Working from Home

It has been a while since I last posted on my blog.  It has been a massive couple of months for my whole family.  We have left our retail space to pursue my ultimate dream of working from home.  I am lucky enough to have a wonderful family that has helped me set up a new studio on the front of our residence from which I can sell my supplies and hold my classes.

I am now in my second week of working from home and I have yet to fall into a groove with it all.  The concept seems simple enough but the reality is very different to how I expected.  I have never been at home before (only public holidays and the odd annual leave).  Since I left school and went to Uni I have always worked full time.  The only real time I had off was when Ella was born and I had 6 months at home to care for her before returning to work.

There is so much to be done around my home that I would love to do, but I am also aware that I need to concentrate on my business and develop my ecommerce and classes to a higher level.  I also want to interact more with Ella since I have only been around on the weekends.

I am sure I will fall into the groove soon, it is just a weird concept being here.  Is it the female guilt of making sure the house is tidy before I go off and do my work?  I never thought that would concern me, but it is (big time).

Today I went down to my glass studio and starting work on some beads and then I got the phone call from the school saying that Ella is not well, can you come and pick her up.  Well, this is a first also, she is never sick, and if I had been at the old shop I am not sure of what we would of organised for her.  But I turned off my glassing torch and headed off to school without have to put a sign up anywhere to say "sorry shop closed due to family emergency".

I really think I need a fairly strict routine for housework, family and business.  If you are a work at home Mum let me know how you coped to start with I would appreciate any tips.

This is the outlook from my new studio set up - we look onto the golf course,

New Card Range

I have just created a new greeting card range to my line - will be available in store and at any markets we attend. - Single cards $2.95 each - 4 Card packs with cards and matching tags $11.95 per set

Here are a few photos from the range

 

 

New Doors keep Opening

This week already has provided me with the most amazing opportunities.  I have booked in for two new markets that are being held in the Ipswich & Scenic Rim area.  This weekend I am off to Boonah - about 45min drive from Ipswich.  The Rotary club and  Boonah Show Society are starting a "Make it , Bake it, Take it" type farmers market which will be held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at the Boonah showground.

I have just bought a new market tent as my old one was on the verge of collapse.  I have also invested in some professional signage with my new logo and some wonderful colour picture of my custom lampwork designs.  Can't wait to take photos and share with you all.

I am also booked in to go to the newly formed Ipswich Indoor Baazar - which will be held on the last Sunday of the Month at the Ipswich High School Hall - 1 Hunter Street Brassall.  These guys were running the Karalee Sunday Markets but it seem like time for them to move and expand.  The have a blog if you are interested.

I also had a visit today from the creators of The Swich Contemporary Art Space I am going to have some custom lampwork creations in thier gallery space for sale.

It just keeps coming this week - I have aldo had an expression of interest from a retirement village to run a couple of classes to show some of the ladies how to bead.

So I have been a very busy girl and have been down making beads nearly every night - I have been going back to basics and relearning some technqiue so that when I get to the more complex beads that I have been really wanting to try that I will have some of the other stuff down pat.

Gee that was a big post for me!

Beady Goodness & Off to School

I have been down on the torch for the past couple of nights - since I have moved out of the laundry into the double garage it has made me more productive.  Bigger space = Bigger Mess.

These are few creations that I have produced and listed on etsy over the last week.

 

 

 

This week has also seen my little Ella go to Prep - she has loved every day of it!

Giveaway - Ceramic and Glass Ring

I am currently following this blog Lean Dog Pottery - they are holding a giveaway at the moment for an awesome Ceramic and Glass Ring - get over their and be in the draw!

Spoons out of the Kiln

Here is the big reveal - it worked

So I made a bead directly onto the spoon - permanently fixed there to admire.  Some of the silver plating on the spoon burnt off in little sections but I think it truly adds to the feel of the whole design.  I will now be making more and trying to perfect the production skills.

While I was impatiently waiting for the kiln to slowly ramp down in temperature I had a play with some more copper and came up the the bracelet below - I am going to keep this one and see how it wears.

Op Shopping

Took the family op shopping today - I sure it was not their cup of tea but they followed me around and helped me look for stuff.  We went into Paddington, Rosalie, and Red Hill - finding places were easy as this is where Jim grew up and went to school - alot has changed over the last 40 years but the op shops seem to stay in the same places.

Was on the look out for items to incorporate in my jewellery designs and stumbled upon some lovely little spoons.  Many creations are filling my brain cells at the moment and I have already tried one designs but just waiting for the kiln to cool down to see if my idea works, so you will have to stay tuned to see the photographic evidence of the attempt!

I bought an old patty cake tray to display my handmade beads in at my shop

Craft Hope for Haiti - Necklace Finished

Here are a couple of photos of the finished necklace that I will be donating to the Craft Hope for Haiti fund raising effort.

When I was making this necklace the ideas where just flowing and it came together really quickly - it has an amazing energy around it while it was being created. You know those moments when things just come together effortlessly.

We are heading to the Sunshine Coast this morning to take Ella to the beach - she starts Prep on Wednesday so a little family outing will be nice.

See you all later and have a good Australia Day Long Weekend!

Donation to Craft Hope for Haiti

I made some lampwork beads last night that I am going to donate to Craft Hope for Haiti to sell on etsy.

This fabulous group of people from Craft Hope have got together and formed a shop on etsy - all the proceeds from the sale of the donated items goes to Doctors without Borders.  Donations are opening again soon so I would recommend you visiting - this is a great way to donate and send a little love world wide.

Here are the beads that I made last night - I may make them into a necklace before I submit my donation.

 

I also made a few more beads to make into items for the store