tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299653952723732122024-03-05T23:59:23.583+00:00Shark Alleythe shark alley blogUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1729965395272373212.post-51696515278282290822018-05-30T06:00:00.000+01:002018-06-22T15:13:23.715+01:00Shark Alley Desktop Calendar Screensaver - June 2018<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "cardo"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">I'm posting this on IOSF World Otter Day so, to celebrate, the desktop calendar for June is an otter. I'm really fond of this image - I already have it on my laptop and it looks great as a screensaver.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "cardo"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">To get your calendar, click on the image below to enlarge, drag onto the desktop then select the image as your wallpaper.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDZJnRjBhwfum3VE6d3uSll1G8_8-FveO0bAS0hzNY6H15A7Pc_nmQWHgvMn8ASeYP5cKqjK4C5HEZUPC71YJBwxyGNCZigWt-Sgh01jrObD_U5is9TPBTUkDX_B3LkQa7B65ed9BR1Kl/s1600/Shark+Alley+June+2018+Desktop+Calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDZJnRjBhwfum3VE6d3uSll1G8_8-FveO0bAS0hzNY6H15A7Pc_nmQWHgvMn8ASeYP5cKqjK4C5HEZUPC71YJBwxyGNCZigWt-Sgh01jrObD_U5is9TPBTUkDX_B3LkQa7B65ed9BR1Kl/s640/Shark+Alley+June+2018+Desktop+Calendar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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have been really enjoying the challenge of creating images for these
screensavers, so much so that there are two to choose from this month!
This leaping hare and a cheeky squirrel (see post below). Hmm, which one will
you pick? <br />
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To get your screensaver, click on the image below to enlarge, drag onto the desktop then select the image as your wallpaper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHU4QbfeQ-12Ehc6ZhdLK19iKfDZq26l396dsRptKkOniAyD7Fde3hB7GtRNj5TOc6QSptq6ZstrylqWb7CUEJ6ldcW8MigUK1fAInCM03EGA91FxXqEUD1Rb-P4PFF9X78mFgldf1nCY/s1600/Shark+Alley+Free+Hare+Desktop+Calendar+May+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHU4QbfeQ-12Ehc6ZhdLK19iKfDZq26l396dsRptKkOniAyD7Fde3hB7GtRNj5TOc6QSptq6ZstrylqWb7CUEJ6ldcW8MigUK1fAInCM03EGA91FxXqEUD1Rb-P4PFF9X78mFgldf1nCY/s640/Shark+Alley+Free+Hare+Desktop+Calendar+May+2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To get your screensaver, click on the image below to enlarge, drag onto the desktop then select the image as your wallpaper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcx8FNeR_a_a7rkIe3895motKmSfeEtlyXnSFesYZEN1cQAnvThf0EWvq48ny2SwT8w66e6SjdPmSWM4RdlTikd8tHHK73pPCD6B4MNQu82Wk4dFt7pXGOGAX2jorH3-NppnA-gHvf6sF/s1600/Shark%252BAlley%252BMay%252BCalendar%252BScreensaver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcx8FNeR_a_a7rkIe3895motKmSfeEtlyXnSFesYZEN1cQAnvThf0EWvq48ny2SwT8w66e6SjdPmSWM4RdlTikd8tHHK73pPCD6B4MNQu82Wk4dFt7pXGOGAX2jorH3-NppnA-gHvf6sF/s640/Shark%252BAlley%252BMay%252BCalendar%252BScreensaver.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm so embarrassed to see that my last post was well over a year ago. Excuses? Busy. Life. Instagram. Anyway, I'm back - I've updated my look and I'm here to beta-test a new idea - a Shark Alley desktop calendar. I'll be doing a different one every month or two months so do come back to get your new one when this one runs out.<br />
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Click on the image below to enlarge, drag onto the desktop then select the image as your wallpaper.<br />
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Hope it works!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbWhpv7bfaDL-hlzPPXmRAaZ8A6uaKtv-q7HSxUhK5U9-RamJ3daoCDrVL9g1cCK5PIR2f5mvBaGIGkpX8h5uaNtDXJ05SOXVoepZKjk0V_9ztQU09DBGJXtueoiWcEY6Ac1xySfuLfVm/s1600/March+April.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbWhpv7bfaDL-hlzPPXmRAaZ8A6uaKtv-q7HSxUhK5U9-RamJ3daoCDrVL9g1cCK5PIR2f5mvBaGIGkpX8h5uaNtDXJ05SOXVoepZKjk0V_9ztQU09DBGJXtueoiWcEY6Ac1xySfuLfVm/s640/March+April.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I sort of mean Christmas. <br />
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I'm sorry.<br />
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I am definitely one of those people who LOATHES the fact that, for some retailers, Christmas starts in September and by November it's no-holds-barred TV ads, window displays, decorations and endless boxes of stollen and well, general irritating consumer bombardment.<br />
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However, as a kind of retailer myself, and one who has really tried to be a bit more organised this year, Christmas started in August.<br />
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AAAAAAAAAAAARRRGH!<br />
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So now all the prep and behind the scenes stuff is coming to fruition and I just have a couple of things to share.<br />
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<b><u>FEATURE</u></b><br />
I am thrilled to be featured in the Christmas Gift Guide section in the December issue of Country Living magazine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9xTckPEZow8SP2oJiEhYBMP590F1qMjPAlZhl5BSFicbAxSyQ71rjb1I9tg3jiHujF_JyUBN7utIHtmBvnQA9XQ2NGV50J3ozyvU_10sVmtZ-43cIOE_cYrlYcUzOU25UwyoOzRdU3x7/s1600/Emporium_pdf_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9xTckPEZow8SP2oJiEhYBMP590F1qMjPAlZhl5BSFicbAxSyQ71rjb1I9tg3jiHujF_JyUBN7utIHtmBvnQA9XQ2NGV50J3ozyvU_10sVmtZ-43cIOE_cYrlYcUzOU25UwyoOzRdU3x7/s640/Emporium_pdf_1.jpg" width="466" /></a></div>
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I'm loving the position right at the top of the page - not so sure about that massive chartreuse dress right next to the dove!<br />
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<b><u>EXHIBITIONS</u></b><br />
Shark Alley is currently stocked in no less that five galleries right now and two of them are featuring my jewellery in Winter-themed exhibitions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiaeadOzccjA5TPWpMI8W4T17XxEVh8oA64gkxNagCW-Dn06thb_Y7NxW9DJbCznKgL1evBZlsHjYr50X3PLZuAr3orRtQdY1uCXmtO_34SBeqZhjlUDud9WXM_0MBeXC4-BzESspTHzD/s1600/Screen+shot+2016-10-23+at+20.47.20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiaeadOzccjA5TPWpMI8W4T17XxEVh8oA64gkxNagCW-Dn06thb_Y7NxW9DJbCznKgL1evBZlsHjYr50X3PLZuAr3orRtQdY1uCXmtO_34SBeqZhjlUDud9WXM_0MBeXC4-BzESspTHzD/s640/Screen+shot+2016-10-23+at+20.47.20.png" width="632" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Whitehouse Gallery</span></b> in Kirkudbright is mounting a fabulous show entitled 'The Beauty Of Winter' featuring a gorgeous mixture of fine art and craft.<br />
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The gallery looks beautiful and is in a fantastic location too. The show runs from today - 5th November - until 31st December. The Preview Opening is today and they are offering a glass of bubbly and handmade chocolates to customers as they take in the amazing work on display.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGoKy9h7ukBDrH62pLR5DJKk0Y3SciGKgGHot0Rd9nhwfTKYU8-UvOy4QlTqZYOnRZumphcSPnbCIynpUJeQ_RvPg070ZHA9eZzp9lxAMo92rIgNaHNpLwi66uInbDTy5AGxoqsphwSlb/s1600/shop-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGoKy9h7ukBDrH62pLR5DJKk0Y3SciGKgGHot0Rd9nhwfTKYU8-UvOy4QlTqZYOnRZumphcSPnbCIynpUJeQ_RvPg070ZHA9eZzp9lxAMo92rIgNaHNpLwi66uInbDTy5AGxoqsphwSlb/s640/shop-front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Find more information on their website <b><a href="http://www.whitehousegallery.co.uk/events-and-exhibitions/the-beauty-of-winter/" target="_blank">HERE</a></b><br />
The Whitehouse Gallery, 47 St Mary Street, Kirkudbright DG6 4DU.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Obsidian Art</span> </b>is a gallery based in Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire and they are running two themed shows between now and the end of December - 'Alice In Wonderland' and 'Winter Fairytales'.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cKmF0Dp9C6SoZoFIoeLYr9Or6jKrbYlP_dH2W_9GM6-VJjjjBombor7-ilGkF0zPu6En-Zn0KGMg_WtHVutU-FKPmWF9cENyRG51qzeLnO3jLKJFQoBC5hJuHkn1fExzhTKMpwfc_K8z/s1600/Obsidian_Art_Logo_New_2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cKmF0Dp9C6SoZoFIoeLYr9Or6jKrbYlP_dH2W_9GM6-VJjjjBombor7-ilGkF0zPu6En-Zn0KGMg_WtHVutU-FKPmWF9cENyRG51qzeLnO3jLKJFQoBC5hJuHkn1fExzhTKMpwfc_K8z/s640/Obsidian_Art_Logo_New_2009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have recently been experimenting with unusual recycled papers to create brooches (more on this in a future post) and thought that these hare brooches decorated in old playing cards might be just he thing for the Alice In Wonderland theme.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfh7j44f8X7DYif_lPumsE_3ptEgCEWqMcGiz_KlFDQxmiscgew5IkeJZj7DE85poJ-6lXJwIAQ6DQXnrApveZbhWiYc_19yX3zfeyp6NU8YRcxKsJwwGhlIO5aAP5fvcd2aaTsH-uapj/s1600/Screen+shot+2016-11-05+at+09.03.24.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfh7j44f8X7DYif_lPumsE_3ptEgCEWqMcGiz_KlFDQxmiscgew5IkeJZj7DE85poJ-6lXJwIAQ6DQXnrApveZbhWiYc_19yX3zfeyp6NU8YRcxKsJwwGhlIO5aAP5fvcd2aaTsH-uapj/s640/Screen+shot+2016-11-05+at+09.03.24.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Find more details about the gallery <b><a href="http://www.obsidianart.co.uk/" target="_blank">HERE</a></b><br />
Obsidian Art, Layby Farm, Old Risborough Road, Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5XJ.<br />
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And sorry again for mentioning the C word.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button">Tweet</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1729965395272373212.post-32405987060778537732016-10-27T09:36:00.000+01:002016-10-27T09:43:40.186+01:00Wooden AnimalsPeople like cats, right?<br />
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I like cats too - I love their curvy sinuous shapes and their expressive tails, but it's these naughty tails that pose a problem to designing a brooch. I'm always loathe to make anything that has long and thin elements, as I am afraid they will catch and break off. So I started thinking about some designs I saw on Pinterest a couple of years ago which played with the idea of negative space - suggesting a shape by cutting it out of another, like these.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozWPTJ6pUjGm4t4QSH20ZZdYUDlHp5_Ud7eT0PzGe-MmYiuOzjXO2rE9huR8vvhw0MJtRAJnK4oHadNDNVlH-3QC_WOqtbbpjGtQiIVk0ibLTNRYn1ouZRngxDY4gdRmhc0LEFjR4hSYf/s1600/negative+space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozWPTJ6pUjGm4t4QSH20ZZdYUDlHp5_Ud7eT0PzGe-MmYiuOzjXO2rE9huR8vvhw0MJtRAJnK4oHadNDNVlH-3QC_WOqtbbpjGtQiIVk0ibLTNRYn1ouZRngxDY4gdRmhc0LEFjR4hSYf/s640/negative+space.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And I though this would be the perfect way to suggest a cat's tail.</div>
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So then I did a LOT of drawing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynRNojaDapz-03RAgko81Y-0uzwKUEUFOVqMgW235gkylXjFg2_w11nAAZFdA8HP2SmiHpVtQsZYWobArKuVhrUHPQ9DkjRNLz1zrsEy54UPuhKIJSSDCvjqnk9gwy9QpK74azzHt196_/s1600/cat+sketches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynRNojaDapz-03RAgko81Y-0uzwKUEUFOVqMgW235gkylXjFg2_w11nAAZFdA8HP2SmiHpVtQsZYWobArKuVhrUHPQ9DkjRNLz1zrsEy54UPuhKIJSSDCvjqnk9gwy9QpK74azzHt196_/s640/cat+sketches.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
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Then I worked the most successful designs up on the computer to smooth out the lines and make sure all the patterned elements were nicely placed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietCumtbDiLfV3wghpu1Otb0qrdW619tYo77miuM7vOSTPJ_ui16MLI7D6o8TgBP8rPGu7X_QKo37jePNdUeF5y1-kOEjFe95xdfDlrIY7p6ynIgxqBDOJf2lfBb6qm7BUEtgg9cugTPPb/s1600/Screen+shot+2016-08-23+at+15.19.28.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietCumtbDiLfV3wghpu1Otb0qrdW619tYo77miuM7vOSTPJ_ui16MLI7D6o8TgBP8rPGu7X_QKo37jePNdUeF5y1-kOEjFe95xdfDlrIY7p6ynIgxqBDOJf2lfBb6qm7BUEtgg9cugTPPb/s640/Screen+shot+2016-08-23+at+15.19.28.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am still trying to overcome my issues with laser cut jewellery in that I really don't want to produce pieces that look like everyone else's (I rant freely on the subject <a href="http://sharkalleyjewellery.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/acrylic-jungle.html" target="_blank">here</a>) and I haven't seen any pieces quite like these so far, which is good. I am SO FOND of the cherry wood that the shapes are cut out of. It has a really rich warm tone and looks particularly lovely against blacks and greys.<br />
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Anyway, I produced two cat designs - an Art Deco-esque one and a plumper, curled up one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoS-OCY45xw4JXbSFxeVgSUEd8qQZNXuB1R5xEoUnecPqRNYDvBaoiomAWFURvtle_gZCyHs8Tmz5eKcVgOsRzv19AHnZ9F5qUOdEFjwHpdfhJQThF0AqTMvjVYJAORQorRCGzGG-c2bj/s1600/cats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoS-OCY45xw4JXbSFxeVgSUEd8qQZNXuB1R5xEoUnecPqRNYDvBaoiomAWFURvtle_gZCyHs8Tmz5eKcVgOsRzv19AHnZ9F5qUOdEFjwHpdfhJQThF0AqTMvjVYJAORQorRCGzGG-c2bj/s640/cats.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjG9pn8rMz6HArt18XM5fl7pzcsPkQh4Ki3qK8cwcHWqfUs6W_oGtCjHRrRaax_V4dxJT_TckfJeP6_hz5tmS3eUjLWAO9QySzTRIex8STD9eGBNYtrAKPl9YA9ukZrR-Obq7avYsNl_z/s1600/cats+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjG9pn8rMz6HArt18XM5fl7pzcsPkQh4Ki3qK8cwcHWqfUs6W_oGtCjHRrRaax_V4dxJT_TckfJeP6_hz5tmS3eUjLWAO9QySzTRIex8STD9eGBNYtrAKPl9YA9ukZrR-Obq7avYsNl_z/s640/cats+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was also sketching some new hare designs for another project idea and thought these might translate well to the same style. Again, these come in two sizes - I love the larger one so much.<br />
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I have another one too, but will share that with you later, as it's a bit Christmassy and you don't need to think about that right now.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button">Tweet</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1729965395272373212.post-27761474649988850422016-09-04T22:15:00.000+01:002018-03-07T11:59:03.138+00:00Why Does Handmade Cost More?I've just spent the last hour or so costing and pricing some new pieces and after devising a formula the process is much more accurate and much less of a random number plucked out of thin air (thanks to Dan Maier from one of <a href="http://craftcentral.org.uk/" target="_blank">Craft Central's</a> fantastic workshops).<br />
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There are so many things to factor in when pricing and I do wonder whether some customers really do understand exactly what they are paying for when they buy handmade pieces.<br />
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I doubt very much whether any designer-maker chose this career to make a fortune, but naturally we do need to eat, pay mortgages/rents, bills and have the occasional treat like other people!<br />
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I dread pricing, but as I was costing these brooches, I got to really thinking about all the things that have to be taken into account. So, desperately hoping that I don't sound too preachy, here are some of them.<br />
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<u><b>COST OF MATERIALS</b></u><br />
The most obvious and immediate cost for the designer-maker, but there are additional costs for collection or postage of the materials. My resin legally has to be sent by courier, which is more expensive than Royal Mail. I have to travel to a neighbouring town to pick up my wood shapes and my Japanese chiyogami paper comes from a shop in London.<br />
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<b><u>TOOLS</u></b><br />
A basic kit to make each piece gets put together quite quickly, but the cost of tools doesn't end there. Things break or need upgrading and even a good supply of pens and paper for the designing part all cost and all need to be factored in.<br />
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<b><u>LABOUR</u></b><br />
In addition to the physical making time, there is also the time it takes to design the piece. Obviously this only needs to be done once before the actual making starts, but it can take me several hours of research, sketching and refining on the computer to get a design absolutely right. <br />
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There is lots of necessary behind-the-scenes work spent on the business. Photographing pieces to a respectable standard and uploading them all onto the site (as well as writing the blurb to accompany them) is a major one and takes LOTS of time as I take 5-6 photos of each product from various angles to really show them off to the customer. If I was lucky enough to be able to afford to pay someone to do this for me (or anything else to help the business) then that would cost too. My nearest professional photography studio charges £100 an hour + VAT. Time is also spent on general admin and social media promotion, writing newsletters and blog posts, preparing and packing orders, ordering materials, designing promotional artwork and labelling and pricing stock for galleries.<br />
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<u><b>STUDIO</b></u></div>
I work from a studio so there is rent, bills and insurance to pay for my space. <br />
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<u><b>SALES POINT</b></u><br />
Whether sales are made from a personal website, a big online one like Etsy or Not On The High Street, a craft fair or a bricks-and-mortar shop or gallery, all have charges that need factoring in.<br />
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Personal websites may need to be professionally designed, which isn't cheap. There are also hosting charges. My web hosting and online shop platform cost me around £38 per month. Fortunately I can design and update it myself, so I only had to pay a web designer a small fee to do a bit of technical tweaking.<br />
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Not On The High Street charges a £200+ fee to join and takes commission on sales. Etsy charges 20 cents to list each item and also takes a percentage of sales. Any site which uses Paypal incurs additional charges on every transaction, so I never get the full price for each sale, even from my own website.<br />
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A small space - say 1m x 2m - at a craft fair can cost anything from £50 to in excess of £1,000. There may be additional charges for a table, electricity, lighting and shell scheme (display boards and dividers to section off your space). There is also travel to factor in, possibly overnight stays if the fair is a long way from home plus food and drinks to keep the energy going!<br />
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Shops and galleries take up to 50% commission on sales. It is EXTREMELY frowned upon to put up prices for galleries whilst continuing to sell the same item cheaper elsewhere, so the retail price of a handmade piece needs to be worked out so that all costs are covered by half that amount.<br />
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<b><u>PROMOTIONAL COSTS</u></b><br />
Wherever I advertise (with the exception of some social media platforms) costs money. It is essential to let people know who I am, where I am and what I do or I can't make sales. Facebook, once my favourite, will now only show a post to a miniscule number of likers unless I pay money to 'boost' the post so that more people see it. Thus if I have something important to say, it can cost upwards of £3 per post to give it a decent exposure.<br />
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Magazine advertising or advertorials start at over £100 for one month depending on the publication.<br />
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Business cards and other promotional materials such as banners also cost to get printed (nearly always leading to gritted teeth time when children scoop up handfuls at fairs because they are 'free').<br />
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<u><b>PRESENTATION & DELIVERY COSTS</b></u><br />
So a lovely customer has bought a piece. Is it labelled and nicely packaged and popped into a box or padded bag? Has it got a card or business card in with it? Or even a little freebie, like a postcard or a sweet? Yup, you guessed it - more costs.<br />
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And finally . . .<br />
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<b><u>EXPERIENCE</u></b><br />
Consider how <i>reeeeeeeeally</i> long it has taken the designer-maker to make that piece. All the years of practising and all the time spent trying out ideas that didn't work to get to the ones that did, as well as attending classes and workshops to learn new skills and techniques.<br />
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In his later years, the artist Pablo Picasso was being interviewed and was asked if he would mind doing a quick drawing. Picasso scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to the interviewer, who then asked him if he didn't feel slightly guilty that a scribble that took seconds could potentially sell for thousands. <br />
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'Seconds?' retorted Picasso 'That took me eighty years to do!'<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button">Tweet</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1729965395272373212.post-62112533580031751462016-08-07T15:41:00.002+01:002016-08-07T15:44:19.878+01:00A Day Out To Bentley Wildfowl & Motor MuseumLet's face it, August hasn't exactly got off to a flying start weather-wise here in the UK, so when the forecast looked peachy for the first half of this weekend it would have been madness to waste it on being indoors (even though I have lots of work to do, as usual).<br />
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Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum is down the road from Brighton, just beyond Lewes, and in combining cars and birds manages to please BOTH members of the visiting party.<br />
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After a quickish scoot round the car bit (enjoying the rogue Peter Rabbit sat in a small car) and a light snack outside in the perfect sunshine, we launched ourselves into the wildfowl area.<br />
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Having recently got a new camera, I was keen to get to see what it could do (of course, I've not read the instructions yet, preferring to just 'get in there') and it was fantastic - with a great zoom. <br />
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I love birds so much - they're a real inspiration for my designs - and there were plenty of beauties wandering about here, although they were mostly sleeping and not really interested in the corn I'd bought to feed them with, unlike the geese at the Wildfowl Trust in Arundel, who are NEVER backward in coming forward.<br />
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We had such a lovely time, the birds were great, the weather just perfect and a stop off for cider-tasting at Middle Farm and a little wander round the fields at Berwick finished the day off beautifully.<br />
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Of course, it's grey and cloudy again today.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button">Tweet</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1729965395272373212.post-39156906769649298872016-05-15T21:27:00.003+01:002016-05-15T21:28:12.783+01:00Thank You For SharingDo you have a piece of Shark Alley jewellery?<br />
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I'd really love to see how you wear it.<br />
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Post a picture on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tag Shark Alley and I'll send you three fabulous foxy postcards as a thank you.<br />
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What could be simpler?!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEm2V5qpzqNttGcjn58RMBUCWhg5FOBHCm-rPisfMl4ZPb06e4zlYom-2oI8Rz7pBtGggn6598K45HiVtHuhj6qzvnYKF_kd-eWkSFIph9uqKYmTEmLs_HcT0Jc0sYEIIoMIqXoUmiTh7_/s1600/Screen+shot+2016-05-15+at+20.53.07.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="623" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEm2V5qpzqNttGcjn58RMBUCWhg5FOBHCm-rPisfMl4ZPb06e4zlYom-2oI8Rz7pBtGggn6598K45HiVtHuhj6qzvnYKF_kd-eWkSFIph9uqKYmTEmLs_HcT0Jc0sYEIIoMIqXoUmiTh7_/s640/Screen+shot+2016-05-15+at+20.53.07.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button">Tweet</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1729965395272373212.post-15923041297719187162016-04-04T22:49:00.000+01:002016-04-04T22:58:01.898+01:00Mosaics Revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Back in the late 90s I got my crafting freak on by making mosaics rather than jewellery. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2Nmx23bBsbkCHtNYYq7QuiYFCDlZf0yJgfXgsmJuitYZheekckFHkYob7LmBpXZN_HzV_U5yBXwe5r7fwilOzVFFYM8M-iMZFY0SmpxHKonPG10626IGrB4d8sf0no8kOBxrPVTx-4FK/s1600/10403381_10153588714879097_3276737346993065559_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2Nmx23bBsbkCHtNYYq7QuiYFCDlZf0yJgfXgsmJuitYZheekckFHkYob7LmBpXZN_HzV_U5yBXwe5r7fwilOzVFFYM8M-iMZFY0SmpxHKonPG10626IGrB4d8sf0no8kOBxrPVTx-4FK/s400/10403381_10153588714879097_3276737346993065559_n.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found objects mosaic bust, 2003</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_qZWhWUU_3oMYGuOCBB9vax7m1tLpJJwtSiwHgxeE50mhtytXr10xYJON0x7hLtWzsU_VRHXgocBAzP8aTDekGGdQg_giehue8npPhABt-dfchm5R57HO_oayXeAhjyAmfnotHnp_i4o/s1600/10943757_10153588715214097_6332787301660316715_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_qZWhWUU_3oMYGuOCBB9vax7m1tLpJJwtSiwHgxeE50mhtytXr10xYJON0x7hLtWzsU_VRHXgocBAzP8aTDekGGdQg_giehue8npPhABt-dfchm5R57HO_oayXeAhjyAmfnotHnp_i4o/s400/10943757_10153588715214097_6332787301660316715_o.jpg" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swan planter (for/with Kaffe Fassett), Chelsea Flower Show, 1999</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I loved it very much but it wrecked my arm (RSI in my right wrist) and left me with a LOT of mosaic-y things to accommodate in a small flat. So I stopped. I like making jewellery more, but some of the aspects are similar - making a whole out of many parts, recycling and playing with pattern and colour.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So when my friend <a href="http://lizpichon.com/" target="_blank">Liz Pichon</a> (author </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;">extraordinaire and mother of Shark Alley model, Ella) asked me to make some commemorative mosaic pieces from her late mother's blue and white china collection, I wasn't sure whether I actually could.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Extreme laziness had meant I hadn't actually got rid of my mosaic tools, so that was all OK and hopefully my wrist could take a small burst of mosaic-making activity before having a melt-down. Liz and I had a very business-like </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(prosecco-free)</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">meeting and she showed me this great piece which incorporated cups as plant holders. Very inspirational! I was totally on board.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhJFO_qpHdYLHnp8_nCWsi1kOQTZcPqG2Tnox16-gY19q29OZOeKDFGURKQWyqP4UlxIHH7POT5cR2xt9LgJko1X3s1Po9KTajEuQVSYgTFUigCZnGt09YQoI1V1cttJapqUtDWkXu4Ne/s1600/1483a7b1054f71dec8e733715e6ce934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhJFO_qpHdYLHnp8_nCWsi1kOQTZcPqG2Tnox16-gY19q29OZOeKDFGURKQWyqP4UlxIHH7POT5cR2xt9LgJko1X3s1Po9KTajEuQVSYgTFUigCZnGt09YQoI1V1cttJapqUtDWkXu4Ne/s640/1483a7b1054f71dec8e733715e6ce934.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sadly I can't find any accreditation for this piece</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Liz's Mum had collected lots of cups and mugs, as well as jugs and sugar bowls, so providing I could snap them in half fairly cleanly, there was plenty of scope to make four of these using three 'containers' each.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As is usual in these sorts of projects, it was all about the prep and the prep took aaaaaaaages. Then there was the breaking of the cups. Three just disintegrated, so I had to try and work out a good method of snapping them. I found that taping up the 'good' side all the way round and then carefully snipping with the mosaic nippers was slightly more successful. Any breakages were repaired with Araldite.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All in all, they worked out better than I thought and they definitely improved as I went along and got my mosaic mojo back. I'm quite tempted to make more!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here are some pics!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwN7hednfQNmGAkv1S0-F1kEslchcdV8CpLbdCbMqlYRCzA_nOtOdAGj0pzmWpWluWwjIfkDW-qNIuNlf6YLWALY11l-Ngilg520OvoFavE0OJAqkey_crR5qqnCZFTFgGg7Ed9uYbDRS/s1600/DSC01248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwN7hednfQNmGAkv1S0-F1kEslchcdV8CpLbdCbMqlYRCzA_nOtOdAGj0pzmWpWluWwjIfkDW-qNIuNlf6YLWALY11l-Ngilg520OvoFavE0OJAqkey_crR5qqnCZFTFgGg7Ed9uYbDRS/s640/DSC01248.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior surfaces prepped with gloss paint to protect them. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Also for aesthetic purposes!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdwZMqJ9Mz1N1fnSgiJgTlD1BUh2IV_EEvQKxpaXq_428OlHKxo9bhX-k7r0rnEAeWhQon9oCF8zJ7rmywJa3BXSlzDoph8tNqIudPlsmHGarE1csuzWHkNZUhLGnamUfMvDLQ34glHPe/s1600/DSC01304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdwZMqJ9Mz1N1fnSgiJgTlD1BUh2IV_EEvQKxpaXq_428OlHKxo9bhX-k7r0rnEAeWhQon9oCF8zJ7rmywJa3BXSlzDoph8tNqIudPlsmHGarE1csuzWHkNZUhLGnamUfMvDLQ34glHPe/s640/DSC01304.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirror plates to attach the piece to a wall have to be screwed on before the mosaic part begins.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAf_qt_ZDprJ_elAIdu3lWVQalxftNwseWKZ2QMVD_rPC5lyNoMTSpP_38p2C0lmIUWNXDu_RdwRpThdi4-3aeyxbzx12Kb0Hi_yPR_43O8ZrbozBdlgnYP8VBxM05WSHMIxWEOdeVOya8/s1600/20160308_154305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAf_qt_ZDprJ_elAIdu3lWVQalxftNwseWKZ2QMVD_rPC5lyNoMTSpP_38p2C0lmIUWNXDu_RdwRpThdi4-3aeyxbzx12Kb0Hi_yPR_43O8ZrbozBdlgnYP8VBxM05WSHMIxWEOdeVOya8/s640/20160308_154305.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Oops. Hurrah for Araldite!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsXOI0UbvKHEHxnZ19KzSadGPwOiPWPKTfKerZPoplWi5Hl8NWyOk0M4IOpmG3xafXTLOrZ5RUEVvE-xgVipNbf1YQKnsc9tN5yo4Y9c3yg1ruCzQMy5-HcUQf5PnxgvY4Hcyy4eIZT2Q/s1600/20160308_161534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsXOI0UbvKHEHxnZ19KzSadGPwOiPWPKTfKerZPoplWi5Hl8NWyOk0M4IOpmG3xafXTLOrZ5RUEVvE-xgVipNbf1YQKnsc9tN5yo4Y9c3yg1ruCzQMy5-HcUQf5PnxgvY4Hcyy4eIZT2Q/s640/20160308_161534.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying out the cups.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DBzCgDvikclyo15CNWb1LvOJeMJ_JZi_NHNjkDvqJQnTT-ZzBZsCWpZjefBdVST5eqlQE5dEpmbDNy_qrWo58jkopX3ejR0ss24c6_XtMcqsshtoCctAGqTxSPEQzxtpEYxPQrxX3d79/s1600/20160309_121514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DBzCgDvikclyo15CNWb1LvOJeMJ_JZi_NHNjkDvqJQnTT-ZzBZsCWpZjefBdVST5eqlQE5dEpmbDNy_qrWo58jkopX3ejR0ss24c6_XtMcqsshtoCctAGqTxSPEQzxtpEYxPQrxX3d79/s640/20160309_121514.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More gloss paint goes under the cups in case I can't tile inside them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeu7vCjzdGL-kKwynamOgoeT09g3ygdqTVo1f0xj-wlAPp2cvcONkP5OspU0LUtmjDQZV3X89eaqpLfoxw2Rj_vBYsJOBJhRYIwDi8mhL4zMMiWjZbyiyAKo_jzdRg_Ls4ypketUBR_mO/s1600/20160308_164055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeu7vCjzdGL-kKwynamOgoeT09g3ygdqTVo1f0xj-wlAPp2cvcONkP5OspU0LUtmjDQZV3X89eaqpLfoxw2Rj_vBYsJOBJhRYIwDi8mhL4zMMiWjZbyiyAKo_jzdRg_Ls4ypketUBR_mO/s640/20160308_164055.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breaking up the china.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3AM5A3iAwxszeKUtU6L6fO3rddSmaipoDz8643QmGukvuiiTxMLnR4Qo4gCaXzYOb6lgZdxEPvgWKJ4R0J5d6rYJbPd365XKtr0-huBO60bXUWO_jWTu6Co5dKkdt4E9re-ii4JT0NR-/s1600/20160308_171002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3AM5A3iAwxszeKUtU6L6fO3rddSmaipoDz8643QmGukvuiiTxMLnR4Qo4gCaXzYOb6lgZdxEPvgWKJ4R0J5d6rYJbPd365XKtr0-huBO60bXUWO_jWTu6Co5dKkdt4E9re-ii4JT0NR-/s640/20160308_171002.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue border goes on first.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR7RjU4_d73-kbBDP1gKrt_ILTUGnDV2cEHfzdO4zdXFGPwatFfSicN0op0H4LCuLrxw27tEdiqhqLk2YiBu-2WuZcl2iPNS3tFmDOdovB816SRaFqU0mf8p4P8cr0SQAbPKzT0HyrVNZ/s1600/20160316_141337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR7RjU4_d73-kbBDP1gKrt_ILTUGnDV2cEHfzdO4zdXFGPwatFfSicN0op0H4LCuLrxw27tEdiqhqLk2YiBu-2WuZcl2iPNS3tFmDOdovB816SRaFqU0mf8p4P8cr0SQAbPKzT0HyrVNZ/s640/20160316_141337.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then the cups are stuck on and decorative elements applied.</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEiQWtDTsC7eSm9-T0FdMo6adH-ANSZcbJf8fBZvJFCkvbP7hy6ypz0QAl35bKffnmlU3ivlVqfLDQCuP6KS3rzu9fsJSylRcUj1mImXwCXxa4gOKyKU9d58I9NNFTnT9VAYtay72X9xW21v/s1600/20160316_145500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWtDTsC7eSm9-T0FdMo6adH-ANSZcbJf8fBZvJFCkvbP7hy6ypz0QAl35bKffnmlU3ivlVqfLDQCuP6KS3rzu9fsJSylRcUj1mImXwCXxa4gOKyKU9d58I9NNFTnT9VAYtay72X9xW21v/s640/20160316_145500.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The white background is filled in 'pique assiette' style.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgLIKDyIgKpI_w5kHpQfqQYIfM9GZgBAMTDAmJdczFZZYGVu16CZ_gUtRxQh0I2QHNe_zLz8zslLWy10nRU-_Qq0ijeWyILHLoiSHJM6ueEhNp4FKx5bsLpdTGaeOjN6c_raFT-136sE5Am/s1600/20160310_204804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIKDyIgKpI_w5kHpQfqQYIfM9GZgBAMTDAmJdczFZZYGVu16CZ_gUtRxQh0I2QHNe_zLz8zslLWy10nRU-_Qq0ijeWyILHLoiSHJM6ueEhNp4FKx5bsLpdTGaeOjN6c_raFT-136sE5Am/s640/20160310_204804.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The surface area is all filled and waiting for grout.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEiizyfBIxq-E9uP02IrTUrlpn2xxSePHovr9iCrnlJmJs76NTt9aqgK4N5NwO9zhfBKw_ml9-PDNOIuHoqie2pXS-_PqEpXyqrLs5IREddet3t-1GVyrLIt4I1tEJ2W1T8J3ckMRDF1ETUi/s1600/20160323_114112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizyfBIxq-E9uP02IrTUrlpn2xxSePHovr9iCrnlJmJs76NTt9aqgK4N5NwO9zhfBKw_ml9-PDNOIuHoqie2pXS-_PqEpXyqrLs5IREddet3t-1GVyrLIt4I1tEJ2W1T8J3ckMRDF1ETUi/s640/20160323_114112.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love a rubber potter's kidney for applying the grout.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhV3Ti4ntnHjz5lmp_9T75QNwRyk-CWPZLRPEZmOidjNCxgcgs8-XHtnphNKRHbDVGdW79jaXfeZgs0vJzjkOW0OKIB1BXhfx7NlX1x4sBW0YptFSPuRlTjdm1qYxDL4fGMaEpCIiNNHDk_/s1600/20160323_161607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3Ti4ntnHjz5lmp_9T75QNwRyk-CWPZLRPEZmOidjNCxgcgs8-XHtnphNKRHbDVGdW79jaXfeZgs0vJzjkOW0OKIB1BXhfx7NlX1x4sBW0YptFSPuRlTjdm1qYxDL4fGMaEpCIiNNHDk_/s640/20160323_161607.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All done! This is my favourite </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEjVmz_A1tco-sOT2YBmDKvZTimbmyYpW3OX1_14t1HjeEJcLmUl9jOBZVWK9SCsJXPRDni_m-H26KsjObMG8NCq7g1mZVMHrMEfUb8JNtLANbcJ_txwGXSfeogUrqpG6yBJpLg_DBCVrodE/s1600/20160323_161735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmz_A1tco-sOT2YBmDKvZTimbmyYpW3OX1_14t1HjeEJcLmUl9jOBZVWK9SCsJXPRDni_m-H26KsjObMG8NCq7g1mZVMHrMEfUb8JNtLANbcJ_txwGXSfeogUrqpG6yBJpLg_DBCVrodE/s640/20160323_161735.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grouting process is so important in tying the whole thing together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEg_JzqIuIa4-iWgHVEYywldYCaixyPjN_EcmBBz6QL37kbWA2W5PMIBcWsvYRrqqYasl11ZsA-FZrIlpU159sCJEci-uSnoKVVuS_Cpcr8rcXuQU5oeJmwPXE-B7iROga9q8MlTQmPcOXDR/s1600/20160323_161938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JzqIuIa4-iWgHVEYywldYCaixyPjN_EcmBBz6QL37kbWA2W5PMIBcWsvYRrqqYasl11ZsA-FZrIlpU159sCJEci-uSnoKVVuS_Cpcr8rcXuQU5oeJmwPXE-B7iROga9q8MlTQmPcOXDR/s640/20160323_161938.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirror pieces are added in case candles are going into the cups instead of plants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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/AVvXsEiGmEE2LvZyWu3BEee_R0ETE1pGnKDgANzra310rbrt31n11rFCtzwMo-Z9D1qVRjg3k5f-QeyT8thRjEP531TVito6MndMJAPcOr0KROedkUhVfR66lqOBQXwf6-2QgN7Pj3IbQpmpGaOI/s1600/20160323_162128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmEE2LvZyWu3BEee_R0ETE1pGnKDgANzra310rbrt31n11rFCtzwMo-Z9D1qVRjg3k5f-QeyT8thRjEP531TVito6MndMJAPcOr0KROedkUhVfR66lqOBQXwf6-2QgN7Pj3IbQpmpGaOI/s640/20160323_162128.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bottoms of saucers with 'England' logos look like little stamps or maker's marks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button">Tweet</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1729965395272373212.post-40931912575128083762016-03-28T20:55:00.000+01:002016-03-28T20:56:30.504+01:00New CollectionsAfter a slight work-based diversion to mosaics (more on this later) I couldn't wait to get back into the studio to use that fab paper I got last month in New York.<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/AVvXsEipgHJTQwrOTsQ95yWjg-uVnZuJnp9z5uTMEQo7uxCvOhi5Y1kUO49AtboiFULx8G3i8VOJSNf0FSw46V3c4cfI-Yj0l5e3bUjrjuwJKoG4D-Cf0EwywUA8j-QHegM6HfVn92M2avQgNDK4/s1600/12920352_10154077470464549_7442177597259922483_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgHJTQwrOTsQ95yWjg-uVnZuJnp9z5uTMEQo7uxCvOhi5Y1kUO49AtboiFULx8G3i8VOJSNf0FSw46V3c4cfI-Yj0l5e3bUjrjuwJKoG4D-Cf0EwywUA8j-QHegM6HfVn92M2avQgNDK4/s640/12920352_10154077470464549_7442177597259922483_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One paper - many options</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rather stupidly this involved working on Good Friday, which turned out to be a beautiful sunny day and so should have been spent lounging on the beach drinking coffee and getting sunburnt. But never mind - the muse must be appeased.<br />
<br />
As is so often the case, some patterns work better than others, and some of the ones that did were a surprise! This gold on cloudy blue looks unexpectedly stunning and the complexity of the design means that there are lots of options. I shall definitely be making more of these.<br />
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I have also decided to change the way I design and sell online too. <br />
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Pieces, particularly the brooches, will form part of twice-yearly collections - Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter - and the online stock will change accordingly in March and September (though it will be the end of April for S/S this year). I'll certainly be using some of these new papers for the new S/S16 range!<br />
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As a result, I'm clearing some old stock, and have created a special 'Last Chance To Buy' section in the shop. Click <b><a href="http://www.sharkalley.co.uk/collections/last-chance-to-buy" target="_blank">HERE</a></b> to take a look - they're available until 30th April 2016. Prices are reduced as well.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button">Tweet</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1729965395272373212.post-42500597060492525942016-02-24T19:13:00.001+00:002016-02-24T19:14:02.287+00:00Paper! Paper! I Need Some Paper!I can't deny it - I'm still feeling incredibly stimulated by a recent trip to New York!<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/AVvXsEhhSrF5j_y6PSOUnLiFyfLd6rhBTTwOGrzn0YZ07WQ8_kZ-bNfbf-Hj2qD5AKkNCZKGvSJfZc8w1rHA3qIhfF9FRl6sgndxJGYpMgkc015NXFVrYElQlZdC-qahecpn1wTwRBHsPNx10BpY/s1600/12728987_10154590643809097_6948327823224382749_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSrF5j_y6PSOUnLiFyfLd6rhBTTwOGrzn0YZ07WQ8_kZ-bNfbf-Hj2qD5AKkNCZKGvSJfZc8w1rHA3qIhfF9FRl6sgndxJGYpMgkc015NXFVrYElQlZdC-qahecpn1wTwRBHsPNx10BpY/s640/12728987_10154590643809097_6948327823224382749_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look how happy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It's such a visually exciting place - and the visitor's default setting must almost certainly be head up and mouth hanging open. Art, architecture, atmosphere - it has it all in spades.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJIYn59JAgdTLkRuMhkFM36uy6CPxukP-Y9eft_wdRvKHB4UiFEclXfgwRHzp4N50lEPFuKuRpEmv7QHJ7HLtGoAdCNWooT4zjOS7IZzbWanZ1MCt8OcC3RESe626T46pY8_u068Uo-lr/s1600/12742851_10154587722204097_5424382377862567440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJIYn59JAgdTLkRuMhkFM36uy6CPxukP-Y9eft_wdRvKHB4UiFEclXfgwRHzp4N50lEPFuKuRpEmv7QHJ7HLtGoAdCNWooT4zjOS7IZzbWanZ1MCt8OcC3RESe626T46pY8_u068Uo-lr/s640/12742851_10154587722204097_5424382377862567440_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favourite paintings - Madame X by John Singer Sargent at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. <br />
Worth the entrance fee all by itself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I found myself doing less shopping this time (second time) around but couldn't resist the lure of tracking down some exotic new paper for work. I had researched and planned a visit to an art shop but found instead the wonderful Paper Source on Fifth Avenue and succumbed massively to the amazing choices on offer. <br />
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I can't wait to start making!<br />
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I'm having a huge clearance sale on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SharkAlley/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> on Wednesday 3rd February at 8.00pm GMT.</div>
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Product photos are being uploaded from now until the 3rd February, so you can choose your favourite pieces, all ready to start shopping at 8.00pm GMT.<br />
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The sale is a lot of fun as it's first come, first served, so get those fingers ready! Full details and photos can be found by clicking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153905925244549.1073741831.285705524548&type=3" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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Happy shopping.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button">Tweet</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1729965395272373212.post-28202711948678844052016-01-19T14:51:00.002+00:002016-01-19T14:51:41.809+00:00Tidy Studio!It's never going to appear in those lovely crafty lifestyle mags, but never mind.<br />
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Available in taupe or chocolate brown with a red or pink heart, they are custom sewn to your specifications and are available only until 14th February 2016, making them totally perfect for a Valentine's Day gift.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZ2bM-9cFTa-8mfBJb3AGVp9sej6SO5j6u0BkeDZmhDF-xZ90WLMDhvx5RdtRaOaL4OKyXAkPsjPnKYqD_1-MJI5Et8FVmBTe8ZrB_zhUhcQ0R5wQ_jGV7s3H6NxA-AP_0uMUmAvGdKiM/s1600/Limited+Edition+Valentine%2527s+Day+Otters.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZ2bM-9cFTa-8mfBJb3AGVp9sej6SO5j6u0BkeDZmhDF-xZ90WLMDhvx5RdtRaOaL4OKyXAkPsjPnKYqD_1-MJI5Et8FVmBTe8ZrB_zhUhcQ0R5wQ_jGV7s3H6NxA-AP_0uMUmAvGdKiM/s640/Limited+Edition+Valentine%2527s+Day+Otters.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR, by the way.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button">Tweet</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1729965395272373212.post-69888712175432590702015-11-23T21:46:00.000+00:002015-11-23T21:48:26.888+00:00Christmas Fairs November - December 2015Here's some info on Shark Alley's forthcoming fairs if you fancy them. I'll be doing some exclusive special prices and discounts at all events.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">DULWICH COLLEGE - SUNDAY 29th NOVEMBER</span></b><br />
Once again I'll be having a stall at the very popular <a href="http://www.friendsofdulwichcollege.co.uk/" target="_blank">Dulwich College Christmas Fair</a> in South London. Find me at LH13 in the Lower Hall from 11.30am to 4.00pm.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">CHELSEA CHRISTMAS GIFT FAIR - SATURDAY & SUNDAY 5th & 6th DECEMBER</span></b><br />
Held at the fabulous Chelsea Old Town Hall, the <a href="http://chelseachristmasgiftfair.com/" target="_blank">fair</a> takes place from 11am to 7.00pm on Saturday - giving you a full day's opportunity to shop - and then from 12.00 to 5.00pm on Sunday.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">THE HAVEN FESTIVE CRAFT FAIR - SUNDAY 13th DECEMBER</span></b><br />
Held in aid of <a href="https://www.thehaven.org.uk/Event/festivefair" target="_blank">The Haven Breast Cancer Charity</a>, this event takes place at The Bedford, Balham from 11.00am - 5.00pm. All of the organiser's proceeds go to support the charity.<br />
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<a href="http://www.landmarkartscentre.org/whats-on/other-events.html#f151120" target="_blank">Sparkle Contemporary Craft and Gourmet Food Fair</a> is my absolute favourite event ever - comfortable, beautiful, warm and well-organised with hordes of lovely punters, so I'm looking forward to it, although I get stressed and nervous before every event set-up.<br />
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It opens tonight (Friday 20th November) 6.00 - 8.30pm and then is open 10.00-5.00 for the rest of the weekend.<br />
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I have a few lovely new treasures that will be on sale this weekend - with many making their debut, including these Matrioshka-inspired Russian Folk Bear brooches.<br />
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I have also been making some smaller hare necklaces, as I know not everyone likes big statement jewellery like I do. Here's my favourite piece - the moon gazing hare pendant, complete with a freshwater pearl 'moon'.<br />
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Also there are some new bird brooches - ducks and penguins (how seasonal!).<br />
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And finally, some Christmas cards - foxes and hares.<br />
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I also have Dulwich College Christmas Fair next weekend (Sunday) then two more after that and I'll be posting details about these very soon.<br />
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Now I'm off for some deep breathing.<br />
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My only defence is that if I'm quiet online, it's because I've been hatching new ideas, and that's really far more important.<br />
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So I have two things to talk about and I'm kicking off with these brand new hare brooches which are made with something slightly less modern. Something from 1880 in fact.<br />
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Years ago, my Grandmother used to do a bit of light opera and had a couple of fans from a performance of The Mikado, which she gave to me. One was black with a landscape painted on it and has since been lost in the mists of time, but the other was a lush embroidered silk and was recently discovered in my Mum's loft after she had exhorted me to 'clear your crap out' (or words to that effect).<br />
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The fan had torn, but it was still so beautiful with its carved and painted base and the lovely delicate embroidered silk. The tears in the fabric actually revealed the newspaper lining - yellowing and French - and I was amazed to discover that it was dated 1880.<br />
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I'm sure I should have done something more respectful with this - but I just wanted to give it new life and make it into something wearable and beautiful, so I decided to use it to decorate some hare brooches. Both the fabric and the newspaper could be used, even though the newspaper was very flaky and only came off in strips, so it had to be collaged on in pieces. Fragments of the silk had stuck to it, so there are lovely red smudges on some parts.<br />
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The silk was slightly harder to work with. I tried unsuccessfully to cover it with resin as usual, but it just killed it. It has worked in the past with cotton fabrics, but the silk was just too absorbent and all the subtleties were lost. So the finished pieces are only resin coated on the back so that the lovely delicate nature of the silk on the front can be shown off to its very best advantage.<br />
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Two of these limited edition brooches have just gone into the shop - click <span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="http://www.sharkalley.co.uk/collections/hare-mountain" target="_blank">here</a></b></span> to see.<br />
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I'll blog about the other new creations very soon.<br />
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Coming from a family of sporty people, with Mum and Dad both being keen tennis players, I grew up with it dominating our only TV (well, it was the 70s) and it grew into a much-loved summer tradition. With the start of the tournament coming around the time of Mum's birthday and usually ending around my brother's and mine, all in all it made for happy times! And Andy Murray gave me the happiest time in 2013 by winning the championship on my birthday - the best present ever.<br />
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Watching it and bonding with Dad (off work recuperating from a back op) in between sitting my O-Levels; the living room nearly always dark and heavily curtained so we could see the ball better; Mum's home made elderflower champagne (and the year it exploded); endless strawberries; chocolate birthday cake; absolutely LOATHING Ilie Nastase and John McEnroe and their tantrums; Mum refusing to answer a ringing phone during a tense match in which a lowly Brit was about to wipe out a seeded player (they didn't); endless salads as she couldn't bear to drag herself away from the TV to actually cook (to the constant childish whine of "Oh no, Mum! Not salad AGAIN") - all of these are happy summer memories. The summers seemed hot and endless then.<br />
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Even now I feel the pressing need to 'work from home' during Wimbledon fortnight and find the sounds of the ball being knocked back and forth very soothing . . . so soothing that it makes for the perfect afternoon nap soundtrack.<br />
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(I'm well aware that all of this makes me sound ANCIENT.)<br />
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Anyway, today I plan to devote myself to an afternoon of sheer viewing pleasure and have compiled a little collection of white pieces in tribute to the tradition of wearing white at Wimbledon.<br />
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The sale will finish on the <span style="color: blue;"><b>Tuesday 7th July 2015</b></span> (my birthday) and there have even been PRICE REDUCTIONS. Am I mad? I think I must be.<br />
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I've also added more items, so do take a look <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153370343214549.1073741830.285705524548&type=3" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a> in case there's something new you might like.<br />
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Shopping starts at <b>8pm BST on Wednesday 10th June 2015</b>, so there's time for some relaxing window shopping beforehand. Pieces for sale include jewellery, purses, tote bags, hand-sewn felt animals and sewing kits. Prices range from £1.00 - £25.00.<br />
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Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153370343214549.1073741830.285705524548&type=1" target="_blank">HERE</a> to start browsing!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_zvwzSkUX3zCatlZKL-Q5oUfYSHKWXpgJZHD3qA9gULwAIi9K_xoSRyTp22i5BhqkQp9DXcuToYGoDmUbZL6mdh90ct-6PJtnTPPZZZA92RYpqsZi3IBwlTt_tHQlLbdC3JuQ-lSzWFs/s1600/a672ec37701155d7ff499af778a85f1031ab0505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_zvwzSkUX3zCatlZKL-Q5oUfYSHKWXpgJZHD3qA9gULwAIi9K_xoSRyTp22i5BhqkQp9DXcuToYGoDmUbZL6mdh90ct-6PJtnTPPZZZA92RYpqsZi3IBwlTt_tHQlLbdC3JuQ-lSzWFs/s400/a672ec37701155d7ff499af778a85f1031ab0505.jpg" width="337" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican Embroidery - my favourite Tatty Devine design.</td></tr>
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But now suddenly, SO much laser cut stuff is about. And has the seductive nature of producing a beautifully clean-edged piece that looks so good on its own maybe overcome creativity and originality in some cases?<br />
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I have been resisting using it for just that reason. Resisting it until I can think of some original and personal way to use it, something that doesn't look like a lot of the other things around.<br />
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Back in the summer of 2014, I started hatching ideas for necklaces based on a variety of inspirations. One was a lot of richly coloured necklaces on sale in the V&A Shop a few years ago, which were strung together from fabrics, chains, tassels and lots of different sized beads. I loved their mix of elements and their asymmetry. I made quite a few designs, using beads, charms, recycled elements and old plastic animal toys found in a local street market, which I bling-ed up with fabric and little jewels.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ILbJniX439tZu5gTApYbYUFQ-XY5mw2otSNg4a0Jzn5WhCcAmHZltS0-TdMYt2Fk0xlkvjz7_hx_TK7hQZ6wYELOJQtuXW7NDQRGZu6OL5F8bH6NIYc4yKCaI5OPSQ61_-5rdoJJhjyi/s1600/shark+alley+panther+necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ILbJniX439tZu5gTApYbYUFQ-XY5mw2otSNg4a0Jzn5WhCcAmHZltS0-TdMYt2Fk0xlkvjz7_hx_TK7hQZ6wYELOJQtuXW7NDQRGZu6OL5F8bH6NIYc4yKCaI5OPSQ61_-5rdoJJhjyi/s640/shark+alley+panther+necklace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My favourite, and the one that looked most like what I was aiming for, featured a tiger and lots of floral beads and hanging glass leaves and was inspired by the naive and incredibly decorative jungle paintings of the 19th century artist, Henri Rousseau.<br />
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The necklace looked different and unusual, but I couldn't produce any more like it as I wasn't able to find any more leaves and tigers. Then the brain kicked into gear - could this be achieved using acrylic? The combination of other materials and semi-precious beads with acrylic pieces would definitely be a way of making the jewellery look different to anything else I've seen around.<br />
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I produced some sketches of the leaf and flower shapes that I wanted, using Rousseau's foliage as a very loose inspiration. The tigers were based on my original little plastic tiger. The ability to have shapes cut inside the shapes was also an exciting possibility - even the holes could be added in this way, saving having to drill them all individually. I wanted to choose loads of colours, but found that the cutting process was going to cost a lot more that I had expected, so had to rein in my greedy little magpie tendencies. I also wanted to produce necklaces in one-colour options too, in case people didn't fancy wearing bright multi-coloured ones.<br />
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Eventually, the shapes came back, still in their square sheets, and I spent ages popping them out and peeling off the plastic coating, then laying them out to form the complex jungle necklaces. This design process takes a long time, as the composition of each necklace is as vital to me as the composition of a painting or photograph. It's important that the colours, shapes and beads flow and balance. Pieces are swapped or removed and colours changed many times before they are finally attached. Even then, there are often still changes to be made as the necklace looks different hanging on and moving with the body.<br />
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I'm so happy with the finished pieces and also delighted to be able to make earrings too. I love earrings (I have dozens of pairs!) but have found it hard to make them in the other materials I use.<br />
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The necklaces and earrings are on sale during the month of May at one of the Brighton Artists Open Houses on the Fiveways trail (for details, click <a href="http://sharkalleyjewellery.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/brighton-festival-open-house-2015.html" target="_blank">here</a>) and most of the following necklaces are in the <a href="http://www.sharkalley.co.uk/collections/bay-of-fables" target="_blank">Shark Alley shop</a>.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button">Tweet</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1729965395272373212.post-10330273616731501302015-05-02T09:23:00.000+01:002015-05-02T09:25:38.316+01:00Brighton Festival Open House 2015Was it really JANUARY that I last blogged? How very remiss of me.<br />
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Suffice to say that when I'm quiet on here, it's because I've been busy elsewhere and in this case it's because I've been cooking up a whole new range. I'll devote another blog post to this very soon, but meanwhile you can see the fruits of all this effort exclusively at 202 Ditchling Road Brighton for the next four weekends.<br />
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I have many plans for new projects in 2015 and I look forward to sharing them with you as soon as they are hatched!<br />
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I hope you all had fun over the festive period and that great things are in store for you in the coming year.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button">Tweet</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1729965395272373212.post-60865984481946903982014-11-16T13:32:00.004+00:002014-11-16T13:38:53.018+00:00Christmas Event Dates 2014Here are the Christmas events that Shark Alley will be appearing at this year - two in Brighton and two in London. Pop them in your diary and I hope to meet you there!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">NOVEMBER 2014</span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>OPEN HOUSE AT 202 DITCHLING ROAD</b></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN-SM9_DPLeEtJ_PrdPImsZi1Y15gj4ZtwPKps5Opo6K9D0eEShyphenhyphenP5fpX-BTx4qLVbDgUv7z5_eGMtN7o3lNJBK-0PCPBqYq5emrhjnl3F16b5nhyphenhyphengpBljNUdl6mDwTQRrKhqs9udEWW0/s1600/-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN-SM9_DPLeEtJ_PrdPImsZi1Y15gj4ZtwPKps5Opo6K9D0eEShyphenhyphenP5fpX-BTx4qLVbDgUv7z5_eGMtN7o3lNJBK-0PCPBqYq5emrhjnl3F16b5nhyphenhyphengpBljNUdl6mDwTQRrKhqs9udEWW0/s1600/-4.jpg" height="308" width="640" /></a>Saturday 22nd/Sunday 23rd & Saturday 29th/Sunday 30th November</b></span><br />
Shark Alley is once again delighted to be invited to take part in artists Polly Raynes and Chris Brooks' long-running and much-loved Open House. It's not part of the official Brighton Christmas Open House trail, but is based in the Fiveways area, so if you've been making a day of it on the Fiveways trail on the weekend of 29th-30th, come in to browse a mix of art, textiles and jewellery with a complimentary glass of mulled wine.<br />
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House open 11am - 6pm.<br />
202 Ditchling Road, Brighton, BN1 6JE.<br />
Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OpenHouseAt202DitchlingRoadBrighton?fref=ts" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a> for more info. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> BRIGHTON CRAFTAGANZA</span></b></h2>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Vp_oWj5cLXkT0HufRaqYNnweMLCBiaQjbM5xaSy6-hvRD6W-cLiLhhb6TMuLym02KCTSbsd_O5NDo4L3WN62c99G-IX_mbh5sIm9kR3pG7qP5jvevUgCHrPMvrWTgpb0W4d2vEiqsM_p/s1600/-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Vp_oWj5cLXkT0HufRaqYNnweMLCBiaQjbM5xaSy6-hvRD6W-cLiLhhb6TMuLym02KCTSbsd_O5NDo4L3WN62c99G-IX_mbh5sIm9kR3pG7qP5jvevUgCHrPMvrWTgpb0W4d2vEiqsM_p/s1600/-1.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></a></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Saturday 29th November</b></span></div>
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Come and find Shark Alley at this popular Brighton craft event - I'll be there for one day only!</div>
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11am - 5pm</div>
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Fabrica Gallery, Duke Street, Brighton BN1 1AG.</div>
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Click <a href="http://brightoncraftaganza.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a> for more info.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">DULWICH COLLEGE CHRISTMAS FAIR</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8cQE9KR9jY3HagjPhorcbldvLXMmGPRii3UScHYkcrV6pL_Ncvb3LPmgaNY4-YeArpU87-6hfyhdmieBjnUEOwX3Iha4hOAkary3zsMfbHVUH09DdXvR9dnoTWDrcLNS1V28kqJ45gHV/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-11-16+at+11.53.21.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8cQE9KR9jY3HagjPhorcbldvLXMmGPRii3UScHYkcrV6pL_Ncvb3LPmgaNY4-YeArpU87-6hfyhdmieBjnUEOwX3Iha4hOAkary3zsMfbHVUH09DdXvR9dnoTWDrcLNS1V28kqJ45gHV/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-11-16+at+11.53.21.png" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday 30th November</span></b></div>
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Head to the <b>Boardroom</b> to find Shark Alley's stall at this hugely popular and MASSIVE shopping event at the historic Dulwich College in South London.</div>
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11.30am - 4pm</div>
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Dulwich College, Dulwich Common, London SE21 7LD.</div>
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Click <a href="http://www.friendsofdulwichcollege.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a> for more info.</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">DECEMBER 2014</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE ISLINGTON CHRISTMAS GIFT FAIR</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSpOewnLtQq0ID169Uqjm1JekK1iG1dyYrNnwg6cWgxjkoCfTHxj39Lt2en-iYJxmqWIsgXnA43vJM84Al4qhMYngMn1NvTPg3XCOLBEe5YyoK3wJrqNPjSXCKKXLxso8sJgabUt0opTs/s1600/VHScQXjVGRtHp_odhRXnxSAvdJXBt6enoJs54m1nBz-xv1FJiN1MNBYjyovUGlPWzLcrOPiSBx5Qtvs6BB151PbcDjHXmglRtjXlYPSyasL6lmSSGkqVkO-o2ZJTOSpgzNBQ3rf8FHzq4G95x9MFfHgJHSslt66w2KPhWqE=s0-d-e1-ft.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSpOewnLtQq0ID169Uqjm1JekK1iG1dyYrNnwg6cWgxjkoCfTHxj39Lt2en-iYJxmqWIsgXnA43vJM84Al4qhMYngMn1NvTPg3XCOLBEe5YyoK3wJrqNPjSXCKKXLxso8sJgabUt0opTs/s1600/VHScQXjVGRtHp_odhRXnxSAvdJXBt6enoJs54m1nBz-xv1FJiN1MNBYjyovUGlPWzLcrOPiSBx5Qtvs6BB151PbcDjHXmglRtjXlYPSyasL6lmSSGkqVkO-o2ZJTOSpgzNBQ3rf8FHzq4G95x9MFfHgJHSslt66w2KPhWqE=s0-d-e1-ft.png" height="182" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Friday 5th/Saturday 6th/Sunday 7th December</b></span></div>
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Come and mark Small Business Saturday at Shark Alley's debut at this three-day event! Late night shopping on Friday too.</div>
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Friday 5 December: 12noon - 8pm</div>
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Saturday 6 December: 10am - 6pm<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Sunday 7 December:
12noon - 5pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Entry ticket £3 (includes entry to the Free Prize Draw to win goods to the value of £700) </span></div>
Islington Assembly Rooms (next to the Town Hall) Upper Street N1 2UD. <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=N1+2UD&hl=en&sll=51.541211,-0.101624&sspn=0.676466,1.777039&hnear=London+N1+2UD,+United+Kingdom&t=m&z=16" target="_blank"><span class="style52"><br /></span></a><br />
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Click <a href="http://islingtonchristmasgiftfair.com/index.html" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a> for more info.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>I look forward to seeing you!</b></span><br />
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