Friday 23 October 2009
Monday 5 October 2009
Getting ready for christmas
Getting ready to go off to the studio, where i hope to finish my first batch of Christmas Tree Decorations today, I'm still working on one or two shapes (even wondering if i need them), being a snowman and a Christmas cracker, I think i need to look at how many I've made and decide how many will be in a set, I'm hoping to have about 4 different sets, with only one or two repeats in each set, and i still haven't decided how many in a set or what price to sell them at.
I've been up since about 5am, scribbling out designs for a new project, one that is slightly frighting for me, you see, i have decided to enter two open competition, one in Leicester and one in Nottingham, how hard it's going to be to make three items for Leicester and 6 For Nottingham, and what to make, the first one has to be ready by November 1st, i would love to know what the prizes are for Leicester, but it Doesn't list them, the Nottingham open has a first prize of £1500, and 4 x £250 and several exhibition prizes. Now I have never entered a competition without wanting to win, But this is something totally different.....how do you train for this, how can you beat the opposition when you don't know who they are, oh well, I'll just have to make perfection and hope the judges see clearly.
I've been up since about 5am, scribbling out designs for a new project, one that is slightly frighting for me, you see, i have decided to enter two open competition, one in Leicester and one in Nottingham, how hard it's going to be to make three items for Leicester and 6 For Nottingham, and what to make, the first one has to be ready by November 1st, i would love to know what the prizes are for Leicester, but it Doesn't list them, the Nottingham open has a first prize of £1500, and 4 x £250 and several exhibition prizes. Now I have never entered a competition without wanting to win, But this is something totally different.....how do you train for this, how can you beat the opposition when you don't know who they are, oh well, I'll just have to make perfection and hope the judges see clearly.
Sunday 27 September 2009
New into the Shop
I've been busy of late but have now had a chance to start adding some new stock to the shop at folksy.com why dont you pop in and see at http://folksy.com/shops/woodjewellery
Monday 7 September 2009
Sorry
Been a bit slack of late. Main reason but no excuse is that I've changed to the big tower PC rather than the laptop. the wife needs to use this bigger PC for her masters and it was too hard to keep going in to the Attic to use it. so after a bit of reorganising of the house. the computer now lives in the dinning room. meaning every ones life is now easier.
My son started school on Friday and life take a whole new turn. i can now work five days a week rather than the old two half days and one full day. We have had to change the way we live to make our lives easier, such as all sitting down to breakfast at 6am in the morning, and trying to keep on top of the laundry etc.
I need to list loads of items into my folksy shop.... have plenty to list just need to do the photos.
My son started school on Friday and life take a whole new turn. i can now work five days a week rather than the old two half days and one full day. We have had to change the way we live to make our lives easier, such as all sitting down to breakfast at 6am in the morning, and trying to keep on top of the laundry etc.
I need to list loads of items into my folksy shop.... have plenty to list just need to do the photos.
Tuesday 18 August 2009
Black Heart
I recently created this carved heart in Pink Ivory, the spelting (black) down one side is an interesting feature that I wanted to include, it is approx 75mm long and about 40mm wide and about 13mm thick . I think that my pictures are getting better, and I am trying to get thing to work
Monday 17 August 2009
New Commission now finished
Iwas given a commission to make a relief carving for a ladies husband's 50th birthday, the task was to create a version of the 80's TV characture Catweazle (not the Wrestler but the TV series).He's now finished. I'm waiting now to hear from DarkFairyTreasures to list him on Folksy, he Stands about 20cm high, and is carved in beech and walnut.
Saturday 18 July 2009
Great competition
http://leighshepherd.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-1st-blog-competition.html
This is a great competition that anyone can enter, I have, why don't you
This is a great competition that anyone can enter, I have, why don't you
Thursday 16 July 2009
Two new events needing crafters
First, Busybees @ City Hospital Nottingham.... the stall's are free with timings being from 12noon til 3pm on the Hospital cricket pitch. It's on Saturday 15th August. see the poster for more details (just click for larger image)
The 2nd event is the 3rd Apples and Pears and crafty wares event at Hockley Market in Nottingham, and the good news is that this event will take place on the 4th Saturday of every month leading up to Christmas Click on the poster for more details
Sneak Peek again
I have some friend who are going to TreeFest up near Newstead Abbey this weekend, and I'm just finishing some new stock at home today, ready for them to take, along with a load of my other stock. If they do bring much back, then I'll be able to this new stuff to my shops online. So I thought I would just post about them today, so here a few picks of the pendants and bit's, there all laid out on the table waiting a final polish and placeing on chains etc.
Wednesday 15 July 2009
4 Buttons in Roupala Lacewood
This set of 4 Buttons is in Roupala Lacewood, this wood does not photograph well, but has a fantastic pattern, the oval buttons measure 3cm x 4cm and are again about 4mm thick. they have a satin finish having had two coats of oil, they will survive getting wet, but don't stick the in the washing machine. Remember with all wood product, they will absorb water if you don't care for them. I'm thinking of charging £6 for the set. but may need to charge £8 as I've split a finger working on them (Don't worry, the blood was all on the drill, which got jammed in the sacrifice block underneath, and only cut me when I was trying to free it).
The First Batche of Buttons
These are the First of some New button's I've just finished, they will be listed on Folksy later today. Sorry that I have only made a pair of these but as you read you'll see why. They measure 5cm x 4cm and are about 4mm thick, they are big and bold.Made in Brazilian Kingwood, one of the hardest wood's to obtain now, export from Brazil has been banned under CITES since 1992. but this batch date's from a batch of wood imported in 1982, and I have found only 1 other person willing to sell me some of their stock (I'm limited to buying unwanted off-cuts, but one small off-cut will last me about 12 months, but I am searching the UK for some more.
Not sure what price to charge for these buttons, do I charge what I think they are worth (£5 for the Pair) or do I charge as if they were Jewellery. They have a Satin finish, and are easily shower proof, but are not going to survive being in a washing machine.
Thursday 9 July 2009
blog update
Things have been busy for the last two weeks, and now i have a long list to blog about, but just to bring things up to date.
The buttons won by Whafedale Woolworks have now been made and sent, it was quite a challenge as i needed to do quite a bit of rummaging in my wood to find the right bits.
I've just realised i never took any photos so maybe Kristy would be kind enough, if she likes them to post some.
I've sent Lillie's the first part of my de-trash, should have the next part finished by the end of the weekend and in the post Monday.
On to other news.
Crafts East Midlands is up, and while it's not running fast, it is moving.
At our First Meeting I was Elected President, now we need to sort out our First Crafts Fair.
I need to bring our website up to date, and gradually hand over some of the jobs to others.
I've done craft fairs over the last two weekends and they have been very good, so now I have loads of stock to replace. and need to set aside time to start ring round stockist to see if they need any more stock.
My next craft fair will be at Hockley Markets, as part of a new regular event being organised by CuriosityHaus, I'll post a copy of the poster when i get a copy.
Now I've posted some updates, I don't feel so guilty.
The buttons won by Whafedale Woolworks have now been made and sent, it was quite a challenge as i needed to do quite a bit of rummaging in my wood to find the right bits.
I've just realised i never took any photos so maybe Kristy would be kind enough, if she likes them to post some.
I've sent Lillie's the first part of my de-trash, should have the next part finished by the end of the weekend and in the post Monday.
On to other news.
Crafts East Midlands is up, and while it's not running fast, it is moving.
At our First Meeting I was Elected President, now we need to sort out our First Crafts Fair.
I need to bring our website up to date, and gradually hand over some of the jobs to others.
I've done craft fairs over the last two weekends and they have been very good, so now I have loads of stock to replace. and need to set aside time to start ring round stockist to see if they need any more stock.
My next craft fair will be at Hockley Markets, as part of a new regular event being organised by CuriosityHaus, I'll post a copy of the poster when i get a copy.
Now I've posted some updates, I don't feel so guilty.
Sunday 5 July 2009
How to Work out Cost Price
The figures given here are just examples, I'm not giving away my raw data.
1, So i need to know how much it cost to make an item
2, I want to know my Wholesale Price
3, I need my lowest retail price for a Gallery (they want 50% commission)
4, I need my selling price for a craft fair
So lets look at Number 1, my cost price
Start with a very simple sum, this is my only job, how much do I want to earn in a year (Being realistic say it's our first year), Now I want to earn £30,000 a year, that's £2500 per month, or £577 per month or if your like me (7 days a week) £82 per day, say £10 per hour.
so our first fixed price is £10 per hour.
Next look at my overheads my studio cost me £155 per month or over a year £5 per day.
My Equipment cost me £4,000, Allowing depreciation's thats about £1000 a year, or £2.70 a day
Consumables such as sandpaper, danish oil, saw blades, jewellery findings, miscellanea cost such as light bulbs, Petrol, Liability insurance, MOT on the car, tea, milk, Sugar, cleaning cloths, brushes, mop heads, bin bags, basically every single thing i use in the workshop/studio
add the above to the hourly rate and my cost per hour come out at about £23.50
Next we add in my materials cost, say one block of king wood at £25, and say i get 25 items out of it that a £1 per item,
or look at it another way, i can use one piece of king wood in an hour, so £25 for materials, and £23.50 for my time, and i produce 25 items that means each item cost £1.94 to produce.
Do i have my cost price, possibly, but for safety sake allowing for inflation etc, lets round it up and say £2.10 per item.
Now for my wholesale price, giving me negotiation room to give discounts, I double my cost price
that means i sell wholesale at £4.20
Now my list or recommended retail price is based on the formula of £2.10 x 3.16 = £6.63 1/2, so when a gallery want a 50/50 split we get £3.31 each (or there abouts).
So how much do i sell for at a craft fair. it would be about £6. as i hate loads of change
1, So i need to know how much it cost to make an item
2, I want to know my Wholesale Price
3, I need my lowest retail price for a Gallery (they want 50% commission)
4, I need my selling price for a craft fair
So lets look at Number 1, my cost price
Start with a very simple sum, this is my only job, how much do I want to earn in a year (Being realistic say it's our first year), Now I want to earn £30,000 a year, that's £2500 per month, or £577 per month or if your like me (7 days a week) £82 per day, say £10 per hour.
so our first fixed price is £10 per hour.
Next look at my overheads my studio cost me £155 per month or over a year £5 per day.
My Equipment cost me £4,000, Allowing depreciation's thats about £1000 a year, or £2.70 a day
Consumables such as sandpaper, danish oil, saw blades, jewellery findings, miscellanea cost such as light bulbs, Petrol, Liability insurance, MOT on the car, tea, milk, Sugar, cleaning cloths, brushes, mop heads, bin bags, basically every single thing i use in the workshop/studio
add the above to the hourly rate and my cost per hour come out at about £23.50
Next we add in my materials cost, say one block of king wood at £25, and say i get 25 items out of it that a £1 per item,
or look at it another way, i can use one piece of king wood in an hour, so £25 for materials, and £23.50 for my time, and i produce 25 items that means each item cost £1.94 to produce.
Do i have my cost price, possibly, but for safety sake allowing for inflation etc, lets round it up and say £2.10 per item.
Now for my wholesale price, giving me negotiation room to give discounts, I double my cost price
that means i sell wholesale at £4.20
Now my list or recommended retail price is based on the formula of £2.10 x 3.16 = £6.63 1/2, so when a gallery want a 50/50 split we get £3.31 each (or there abouts).
So how much do i sell for at a craft fair. it would be about £6. as i hate loads of change
Wednesday 1 July 2009
Button compitition
Thank you to all of you who entered, keep your eye's open and watch my shop, as I'll be adding some buttons soon.
Now. as to the winner.
.
.
The Winner is, thanks to my son (who wanted to eat the names in the hat)....wharfdalewoolworks... how will be getting her button in about a week (as I now need to go make them)
There may be some runners up prizes. but not straight away as I'm flat out at the present time.
Now. as to the winner.
.
.
The Winner is, thanks to my son (who wanted to eat the names in the hat)....wharfdalewoolworks... how will be getting her button in about a week (as I now need to go make them)
There may be some runners up prizes. but not straight away as I'm flat out at the present time.
Tuesday 30 June 2009
Busy time
Am typing this while my printer spews forth some new stuff for tonight's meeting.
What meeting?
The Launch of Crafts East Midlands
It's taken me three months of work, some hard but others not so hard, but tonight is the first meeting where we will formally set up the organisation.
What's it all about, well take a look at the web site i built to try and explain it to others:-
http://craftseastmidlands.jimdo.com
now the web site is only a prototype, but it gives the idea.
we should ( and i say Should) have up to 45 people there tonight. that's my biggest worry at the moment, will anyone turn up, emails have been sent, so keep your fingers crosses for me,
What meeting?
The Launch of Crafts East Midlands
It's taken me three months of work, some hard but others not so hard, but tonight is the first meeting where we will formally set up the organisation.
What's it all about, well take a look at the web site i built to try and explain it to others:-
http://craftseastmidlands.jimdo.com
now the web site is only a prototype, but it gives the idea.
we should ( and i say Should) have up to 45 people there tonight. that's my biggest worry at the moment, will anyone turn up, emails have been sent, so keep your fingers crosses for me,
Busy Weekend
I had a great weekend, some great little sales and one or two big ones at the Hockley Crafts Market, the best being a commission to make a matched pair of wedding rings. here are a couple of photo's of my stall, Yes, ambushed again, and yes, I'm the ugly old thing in the second shot, stall looks a right mess as this was towards the end of the day, after all the pawing by buyers and just curious
Thursday 25 June 2009
Tuesday 23 June 2009
Button compitition
OK, following a request, and what appears to be a need, I'll make a few buttons up, but here's the thing, how big, how far apart are the holes, all the rest, shape, colours, how many in a set etc.
For everyone that posts a comment with advice on what you want, I'll enter into a draw to be drawn on 1st of July.
The winner will win a set of buttons from the sample I've made by then, they get to choose one full set (however many make a set)
So get posting
For everyone that posts a comment with advice on what you want, I'll enter into a draw to be drawn on 1st of July.
The winner will win a set of buttons from the sample I've made by then, they get to choose one full set (however many make a set)
So get posting
folksy finds
I love this Dragonfly from Ji Ji Kiki on folksy, i have my own design for a dragonfly in wood but the fine markings on the wings and thorax looks great.
Emma of Ji Ji Kiki is launching her own web site and is accepting good on consignment from several folksy sellers. the site should be up and running soon.
I'm having great fun working out what to send her as part of my first batch. I would love to send some of the new range of rings I'm working on, but then I would need to work out some way of sizing the rings, now I know what size I've made, but do buyers know the size of their fingers, I still need to work out the details of selling the rings, obviously i can't make wooden rings smaller, and only have a max of 2 to 3mm to make them larger, so I'll have to make 5 or 6 the same, but in different sizes, or do a survey to find the most popular sizes.
Greeting one and all
Today, I am going to talk about folksy.com. Where do I start, well let me say that I have been searching around for a way to sell online, that was more me, I hate Ebay (I wont explain why now, that's a rant for another day) and while i've not really given etsy a go, when i have listed their, i feel lost in a crowd.
On May 24, I started my Folksy shop, and so far I have had 6 Orders, not much but I only ever had a few favorite/follow items on Ebay.
Now I have started to get to know some of the other sellers, mainly thru folksy's forum section, I can see it's full of lovely people who love what they do. I can't list them all here, but lets just say that I intend to talk about each one as time
Today, I am going to talk about folksy.com. Where do I start, well let me say that I have been searching around for a way to sell online, that was more me, I hate Ebay (I wont explain why now, that's a rant for another day) and while i've not really given etsy a go, when i have listed their, i feel lost in a crowd.
On May 24, I started my Folksy shop, and so far I have had 6 Orders, not much but I only ever had a few favorite/follow items on Ebay.
Now I have started to get to know some of the other sellers, mainly thru folksy's forum section, I can see it's full of lovely people who love what they do. I can't list them all here, but lets just say that I intend to talk about each one as time
Monday 22 June 2009
Greetings and Welcome
Hello everyone, welcome to the Wood Jewellery Blog, I be trying to keep you updated about what I'm making, what I'm thinking of making, what's inspiring me.
I'll also be shouting about other makers who goods I think are Great
I'll also be shouting about other makers who goods I think are Great
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