The Story Of Two Hares

Discovering resin in 2012 was frankly quite life changing
 
I did a two-day course in London and clearly remember being so excited after the first day that I couldn't sleep because I had so many ideas.  You can read more about it here if you care to.

I love the effects that it can give and the fact that every piece is different and a complete one-off. I couldn't duplicate them even if I tried.  I must confess that I do often think about laser-cut acrylic and how much easier it would be to produce jewellery like that, but I just can't do it.  Why do I need to make everything so time-consuming?  I don't know.  But I find the results beautiful and fascinating, and when you buy a Shark Alley piece of resin jewellery, you will own something individual that has had a lot of work and time and love put into it.

So come on, let me tell you the story of two hares . . .


Step 1:  They start life as this uninspiring shot glass of thick, clear liquid.

Step 2:  The resin liquid is coloured using various pastes and powders and either poured or applied carefully into the moulds, depending on the effect required.  Here I'm going for a lapis lazuli effect, and 'painting' small swirls of white and gold into a base of clear resin.

Step 3:  Blue resin is poured in over the top until the mould is full.  All I can see now is what will end up being the underside of each piece - I have absolutely no idea what the front will look like and how the different colours have blended.

Step 4:  After 24 hours, the pieces can be popped out of the moulds and I finally get to see how they've turned out.  These look OK!  Now for my least favourite part - the sanding.

Step 5:  The hares have come out of the mould looking quite matte on the top and rough on the bottom.  To get them smooth and shiny, they need wet sanding with 6-7 grades of sandpaper.  These start off coarse, and get finer and finer.  This takes ages, and is hard on the hands.  Have I mentioned how much I hate this part?

Step 6:  Hurrah! The hares (and their friends) are all sanded and are having a final rinse.

Step 7:  All dried off and ready for polishing. Sanding has removed some of the top layers of colour and left behind this lovely natural marbled effect.  They look quite different to how they did in Step 4.

Step 8:  Now it's time for the fabulous and multi-tasking Dremel tool to get buffing.  I have about three different buffing bits that I like to use.  This flat one is good for getting into little spaces and doing a good surface polish.

Step 9:  After the buffing, the hares are given an extra polish with a special magic ingredient  recommended by my friend Moira.  You can clearly see the difference it makes - the pieces look like glass.

Step 10:  The Dremel is put to use again for drilling shallow holes for the eyes to sit in.  If one of the pieces going to become a necklace,  I use a smaller bit to drill through the nose and tip of the tail.

Step 11:  Vintage diamanté eyes are chosen and glued in.

Step 12:  A brooch back is glued onto one hare and the other is put together with a star on sterling silver chain to make the Leaping Hare And Star Necklace.

Step 13:  FINISHED!  These hares have gone up to Crown Studio Gallery in Northumberland.

Spring Cleaning

I've been making jewellery for four years now - I can't believe it!

I seem to have accumulated a lot of pieces along the way and so have finally decided to do a bit of stock Spring Cleaning in the form of a sale.

This has been on my mind for a while, but I have been greatly inspired to get going by a couple of small business-orientated Facebook pages I've been interacting with lately - I Run A Small Business and Hike Those Likes Market Place.  They're very community based and offer lots of fun opportunities for sharing what you make as well as offering advice.

Bizarrely, I realised only recently that I Run a Small Business is the brainchild of my step-sister-in-law, Caroline.  Small world!

I particularly like the idea of having the sale on my own business Facebook page at a particular time to concentrate the attention, although I've already started the album of product photos and I will continue to add to this over the next few days before the sale starts.

If you're reading this before 11th March 2014 and fancy taking part, pop across and take a look at what's up there already by clicking this link.

Here's a little taster:

SHARK ALLEY SPRING CLEAN SALE
Jewellery / Purses / Keyrings
Starts HERE 8pm GMT Tuesday 11th March 2014
Prices from £5.00

Packaging

Lately I've been pondering on ideas to give the Shark Alley experience a little extra je ne sais quois.

I've always thought I should do a bit more in the packaging arena. Personally, I find that I really do notice and appreciate a bit of care in this department when I receive things I've ordered online.  It makes the purchase seem more special and treat-like, maybe even better value for money.  What do you think?

The basics - from Dear Handmade Life

To this end, I've been trawling Pinterest for some inspiration.  I'm leaning towards simple, recycled ideas, with some natural elements. You can see the full board on my Pinterest page, but here are a few of my favourite ideas.

From Do It Yourself Gift Ideas

From Flickr

From La Casita de Calista

From Naughty Shorts

From BellesArticlesElegant on Etsy

The International Otter Survival Fund

Since starting to sew otters in 2011, I have donated 10% of sales to an otter sanctuary or charity every year.  To be honest, I don't make much money on these as they are incredibly labour-intensive (the larger ones take about three hours to sew) so this is a big deal to me.

The recent unprecedented storms and flooding in the UK have actually had a huge negative impact on the otter population, contrary to what you might think.  Holts will have been flooded out and families separated.  Adult otters will have had to find alternative ways around their territory as culverts and spaces under bridges vanish under the flood waters. This usually means crossing roads which can result in the otters being run over, leaving their cubs orphaned.  The quality of the flood water is very poor as it gets mixed in with sewage, which leads to infections, so any rescued cubs being brought into animal shelters can be in a very bad way and often don't survive.

Cub rescued from the River Cam - picture Cambridge News

This year, the money will go to the International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF).

Conrad the rescued otter cub - picture by the IOSF

Based on the Isle Of Skye, the IOSF was set up by Paul and Grace Yoxon to safeguard otter populations around the world.  They raise awareness of otters, help improve local environments to enable otter survival and fight against the trading of otter fur, as well continuing international research into otter behaviour and populations to ensure that each of the 13 different species continue to survive and flourish.

On Skye, they take in and rehabilitate abandoned or sick otters - mostly cubs who have lost their parents.  All healthy otters are released back into the wild if they can be. This is why the centre is not open to the public, as they need to keep human interaction to the minimum so that the otters remain as wild as possible.

Rescued cubs Jasper and Mangal cuddle up - picture by the IOSF

Their work has won them two awards in the last couple of years - the IFAW Animal Action Award in 2012 and the British Animal Honour's Wildlife Conservation Award in 2013.

Shark Alley's otters are also on sale in the IOSF online shop, where a massive 30% of the price goes towards supporting their work.

So every Shark Alley otter you buy goes to help the real thing! Shop with a good conscience and wear your halo of goodness ALL DAY.  Then you can send me pictures of your otter doing funny things and I can put it on the Fuzzy Otter blog.  Take a look - it's quite fun!

Tarquin, Mungo & Splash - picture by their keeper, Bosun Smee.

International Otter Survival Fund
7, Black Park
Broadford
Isle of Skye
IV49 9DE
Scotland

Go Pro

Product shots. They are the bane of my life.

I have limited time to attend to all my Shark Alley duties, and product photography and the ensuing editing and uploading take up an entire day.  I don't have a professional studio and just setting up the table with backdrops, camera, tripod and a light and reflector (usually a mirror or a piece of white paper - so pro!) takes a fair while.

When selling online, photographs are the ONLY thing a customer has to go on, and so getting them right is incredibly important.

PROFESSIONALS DON'T HAVE TO WORK THIS WAY!

In particular I was struggling with photographing the resin pieces on a white background, as the necklaces have white elements in them. These were just very hard to make work and required lots of patient effort in Photoshop afterwards.

Leaping Fox & Star Necklace

Unfortunately, I don't have oodles of cash to spare either, so making the decision to get a professional to take my shots felt quite huge.  I had three options and umm-ed and aah-ed over them for ages.  Eventually I decided to go with Brighton-based photographer Rory Townsend Seddon and his studio Capture Factory, mostly because it was on the doorstep and Rory was very good at staying in contact, then eventually enticed me with a good deal for the shots.

Flamingo Pendant

The joy of having 40 shots on a pure white background arrive in Dropbox last week was indescribable.  No Photoshop editing! All I needed to do was upload onto my website.  I'm really happy with them.  Rory was very receptive to all my comments and needs after the test shots had been taken, and the way he has arranged the chains on the necklaces look brilliant.

I need to save my pennies to get ALL my shots done this way.  And getting professional model shots would be a dream come true . . .

Leaping Hare & Star Necklace

Otter Brooch - detail

All jewellery shots by Rory Townsend Seddon at Capture Factory
Unit 4, Beaconsfield Studios, 25 Ditchling Rise, Brighton, BN1 4QL
http://www.capturefactory.co.uk/

I Heart Recycling

Shark Alley recycled labels

ORIGINS

Like most people of her generation born during WWII, my Mum learned to make do and mend rather than buy new things.

Yaaay

Growing up, we reused lots of things. My drawing paper was a long continuous sheet of computer print-out from Dad's work (how I longed for proper cartridge paper), we had a big craft box filled with things like toilet roll tubes, toothpaste boxes and milk bottle tops for when I wanted to get busy with making, and old bedspreads and t-shirts were used as picnic blankets and dusters respectively.

I don't know whether it's that influence, or my tendency to hoard useless, pretty bits and pieces, or the fact that as an artist, I don't have endless amounts of cash to splash about on materials, but I LOVE to recycle in my work.

 PAPER

The Metro newspaper gets made into something far more exciting

The mixed media brooches are made from a papier mâché base of recycled newspaper. They may then be decorated with patterned paper bags and reused gift wrap. I've also been experimenting with pages from old books and maps.  Even an old 500 lire bank note got used very effectively.  Stupidly I forgot to take a picture of this, but here are some other ones.

Leopard print paper bag and a bead from a bracelet bought in Capri.

Pages from an unwanted book.

I think that some papers are so beautiful, it's a shame to just chuck them away.  Why not make them into something usable and wearable, where they can be seen, admired and celebrated?

FABRIC

I feel the same way about fabric.  Having used lots of scraps over the years to make a patchwork quilt (currently nearing completion - see blog post here) I still get the greedy urge to snap up offcuts and remnants and transform them into something AWESOME.

Through my part-time job at U-Handbag I have learned how to make purses and can now use these offcuts to create little coin purses, with animal designs incorporated into the original fabric pattern.

Scampi Moo the otter nestles in some swirly embroidery

Hare transferred onto a beautiful Free Spirit fabric

Basket of purses - some on remnant curtains and cushion covers

STAMPS

Another benefit of working at U-Handbag was the brief access to a truly beautiful set of bird stamps from Hong Kong, which used to adorn packages of metalware.  I couldn't bear the idea of these going into the bin, so I rescued them and waited for inspiration to strike.  Which it eventually did.

The stamps are layered with Japaneses chiyogami paper and resin and the pendants end up looking quite 3D.  I think the postmarks really add to the design, although on some of the stamps they had actually obliterated the birds' heads.

Sadly, as soon as I'd found a use for them, they stopped sending them.

PLASTIC BAGS

In another throwback to my childhood, I remember Mum making a Christmas wreath from Marks & Spencer and Laura Ashley bags (bright green and dark green respectively) cut up and knotted around a coat hanger.  This thing was indestructable and spent many Christmases adorning our front door.

Could I recreate this marvel?  Hmmmm. You betcha.

I used red foil sweet wrappers to make holly berries and pieces of ribbon to decorate the wreaths.

PRACTICAL RECYCLING

In the spirit of not wasting anything if I can possibly help it, Shark Alley otters are currently being stuffed with the insides of IKEA cushions which have seen better days.  This stuffing is excellent - really dense.

I also recycle packaging to send out orders, which means I don't have to charge customers for packing.

 

 BLOGS

Shark Alley gets a mention on a couple of recycling blogs.  Whoop whoop! 

Craft Central Recycles 

Recycle Crafts

Christmas Markets

Now Halloween is over and the Christmas ads are already appearing on TV, it might be OK for me to mention the word without you holding your head in your hands and moaning 'Noooooooooooooo'.  Although of course, you may want to do that anyway.

So, how do you fancy buying handmade this year?  You get to support independent and talented designer-makers as well as finding fantastic original gifts for your nearest and dearest.

The Shark Alley diary isn't quite as bulging as it was last year, but here are a few dates for yours if you would like to join in the fun. 

NOVEMBER

Christmas Open House
202 Ditchling Road, Brighton BN1 6JE.
Held over three weekends, this is a chance to do your shopping in the comfort of an artist's home.
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th November, Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th November, Saturday 30th & Sunday 1st December 11am - 5.30pm.

Sparkle Contemporary Craft & Gourmet Food Fair 
The Landmark Arts Centre, Ferry Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 9NN.
Over 70 designer-makers under one roof in a beautiful listed church.  Food & drink available.
Friday 22nd November  6pm - 8.30pm
Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th November 10am - 5.00pm
Click here for more details.

 














Craftaganza
Fabrica, Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AG.
The event will be held over two weekends, but come and find Shark Alley there on
Saturday 30th November 11am - 5pm

*EXCLUSIVE* 
Sign up to the Shark Alley newsletter before 12th November to receive up to £10 off Shark Alley goodies at forthcoming fairs (excluding Christmas Open House).



DECEMBER

Diggin' Design
The Garden Museum, 5 Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7LB.
This event features gifts and foods with an eco-friendly and sustainable theme.  Food & drink available plus animals in residence!  Sounds like a fab day out.
Saturday 1st December 10am - 5pm

Bright 'n' Crafty
Corner of Montague Place and St George's Road (big red brick building) Brighton, BN2 1JT.
A new market on the Brighton scene, this would perfect for those last minute purchases, and is Shark Alley's last event of 2013.
Saturday 14th December 10am - 5pm