Holly Jolly December!

Wow! December 1st already. That came around quickly. I love December. And when I say I love December, I say it in the voice of child. I turn into a kid again in December. I love Christmas and I am really looking forward to Christmas this year. My granddaughter (and her folks, of course) will be and there is nothing more exciting than celebrating Christmas with an excited little kid. 

I have never had such a busy Autumn. I've had commissions and new stockists and new makes and have, on top of all of that, been working on the re-branding of Ailleas Designs. It is has been invigorating and exhausting. But I wouldn't have it any other way. 

If you check out the website, you will see some additional brooches have been added. This weekend, I am planning on spending some time photographing new items for the site. I have one more event for the year (having had to cancel my Exclusively Highlands' events). I am very much looking forward to Fayre in the Square in Gairloch just before Christmas. It is a great opportunity for sharing new designs with the community and let them have a peek at what I'm doing now.

I will shortly be composing my newsletter. I am going to have a generous offer for this month, good until December 18th, as December 19th will be my last day for mailing out packages. A gift of jewellery is always such a good idea for the holidays. And what better than one-of-a-kind designs in warm copper or bronze?

I hope you all have a lovely holiday, whichever of the myriad winter holidays is the one you celebrate in your home. Regardless of the holiday celebrated, it is time for love, family, and laughter. What more could we possibly want?

All the best to all of you and thank you for your continuing interest in The Selkie's Haunt.

Stockist Changes and More Brooches

Brooches are proving very popular and I'm thrilled at the response I've had. In fact, the wonderful Ceard in Ullapool likes them so much that they will now be stocking them. And, best of all, they will be displaying them with woolen/fabric work. They look so wonderful "in situ" and I know that the pairing will complement both. 

So, I have been busy with brooches. I have created seven new brooches for Ceard, and I had the best time doing it. I went a little off traditional design, too, creating some that incorporate embellishments and one that is not round at all. 

I love the look of the polished piece when they are complete. Polished bronze is, I think, far more beautiful than gold. The softness of the colour is less stark than gold, but still has a shine to it that is rich and deep. And, of course, when you combine the shine of the metal with the incredible colours and textures of yarn and felt, it simply makes the metal look even more beautiful. Scarves and shawls are popular here in the Highlands, as I suspect they are everywhere else. As we approach the cold winter months, more and more people will be donning their thick woolens, and what better to decorate those woolens, than handmade brooches. I look forward to seeing how the brooches sell.

Unfortunately, I came to realisation that I needed to withdraw my work from another stockist. Sales were not going well there, despite record-breaking months for my own sales. So, it was with a good deal of sadness that I have left that stockist. But, I have my sights set on stockists farther afield in the new year. I am hoping that, after spending the first quarter of 2017 hard at work in the studio, I will have many beautiful pieces to share with potential stockists throughout Scotland and perhaps into England as well. 

Over the winter months, I will be adding pendants, rings, and bangles to my current offerings for The Selkie's Haunt. I am looking forward to creating these pieces. Many will feature beautiful and colourful stone cabochons and many will feature multi-layered designs. I can't wait to see what happens!

Remember, handmade jewellery is a perfect gift for someone special this holiday season. I have more events planned before Christmas and will be mailing (UK) packages up to the 16th of December. While commissioned work may be more difficult to complete during that time, the sooner you contact me the better if you wish to have something custom made. 

I look forward to writing to you again next month. Thank you, as always for your interest in The Selkie's Haunt.

Christmas is Coming!

As it is now October 1st, I think we can say the season for gift shopping has officially begun. And I am looking forward to providing lovely jewellery gifts for folks who are looking for that special, exclusive piece of artisan jewellery to give to their friend or family member. I've been keeping very busy with lots of new makes. My goal is to upload at least 12 more items before mid-October - more in each category of my shop - to give you plenty of choice when doing your Christmas shopping.

This time of year makes choosing stones so much fun. Most natural stones are very earthy colours so, at this time of year, the stones match the season. My great love for creating leaf-like designs plays into the season as well, as I plan to include many autumnal pieces in the new offerings - bronze and copper complemented by rusts, dark greens, greys, and reds. I shall be adding more pieces that include very organic designs and these will carry over into bracelets and brooches. I've recently purchased some beautiful heavy tube beads in agate and jasper. They are amazing and look fabulous in chunky pieces that suit the heavier clothes of Autumn and Winter. I'm sure you will find many pieces you like when the new pieces are uploaded. And don't forget my lovely chunky brooches - they will look perfect with a shawl, scarf and on the cowl of a heavy winter sweater!

In addition to the new designs and makes in The Selkie's Haunt, I am working very hard on getting new pieces ready for the fine jewellery business, Ailleas Designs. The brand is getting a whole new look starting at the end of November, along with all the new designs that include set gemstones and touches of 18ct gold. In fact, over the next month, I am working on two commissioned pieces - both completely 18ct gold with set gemstones. I love working with gold, but I am always pleased when clients begin the consultation with, "I know it's going to be expensive." Gold of this quality is expensive, but so worth it. I can't wait to finish these pieces and present them to their owners. It is going to be so special. Other designs for Ailleas Designs were created for the British Red Cross annual Fashion Show in London. I was invited to create and donate pieces for a pop-up designer boutique. I am humbled by the names of the other designers with which I will be sharing space. Very exciting and will hopefully get the word out there.

It feels as if my business, my brand, is finally gaining real recognition and appreciation. They say it can take years for a business to become established and, if true, I am probably right on schedule. I've been running my business for close to 7 years now. Time for success, I think.

In addition to all my "professional creativity," I am crocheting a huge blanket for my granddaughter. It is all go here, that's for sure. But soon enough, Christmas will be over and it will be time for a little quiet. Of course, I look forward to spending more time in the studio over the winter months, creating even more beautiful jewellery for 2017.

Burning the midnight oil...

I have been so very, very busy lately. Increased sales means restocking and that means I have more work to do. Along with keeping my stock up for The Selkie's Haunt, I am working hard and furiously to get everything ready for the "big reveal" for Ailleas Designs by Martha Gates Mawson. The process of creating fine jewellery takes a bit longer than the process for the bronze and copper jewellery, as pieces must go to the assay office before stones are added. My target is to get a dozen or so pieces to the assay office by the second week in September so they are back, set, and photographed by October 1. All this is in preparation for a relaunch sometime in November. A busy time to be sure. All of my fine jewellery, regardless of the weight of the precious metal, will now be hallmarked. I am proud of my work and I want my mark on it!

I am so happy with how my work has progressed over the last couple of years. My skills have been more sharply honed and I am feeling confident with each new technique that I employ. The pieces I have made have a polish to them I haven't seen before. And yet, my greatest supporters tell me that my style remains, my "signature" is consistent, but it is even more than it was. That makes me happy.

In addition to changing the way I do things with my fine jewellery, I will be making some administrative changes to The Selkie's Haunt as well. I am going to make some changes in how the jewellery is sold locally - stopping with some stockists while adding some new ones. My participation in the Poolewe Tuesday Market has been the most successful change in the way I do things and I am hopeful that that association can continue far into the future. My "setting up shop" at the GALE Centre will not continue next year, as those I see in the centre are always at the Poolewe Market. My biggest change in the admin of my business is that, with the exception of one stockist, I will attempt to operate on a wholesale basis only.

Being an independent artist/jeweller is a challenge and a privilege. I adore my work and I love watching the creations emerge from my bench. More than anything, I adore the conversations I have with the folks who stop by and admire my work. It means the world to me. 

I have recently delivered more jewellery to the Aultbea Hotel - some beautiful new earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Once I have finished my push with the fine jewellery, I will return to the bronze and copper jewellery to create some pendants and rings to join the earrings, bracelets, brooches, and necklaces that are currently available. I love every minute of it.

A busy summer...

I am thrilled to announce that I've added two more Poolewe Tuesday Markets to my schedule of events for the summer. I'm so pleased. I really enjoy the markets - both the visitors and the other stallholders make it such a joy. I recently purchased an antique sterling silver pocket watch from one of the other stallholders (he has lovely antiques) to give Chris as an anniversary present. Another stallholder created a stunning piece of pewter art, which I immediately had to have. I feel very strongly about our community supporting each other.

While I have been busy creating more pieces for The Selkie's Haunt, my attention is now on creating new pieces for my fine jewellery line, Ailleas Designs by Martha Mawson. I am aiming for a

relaunch of the website - and the introduction of beautiful new designs incorporating 18ct gold and faceted gemstones - around 1 October. Of course, like all my plans, I realise I have to be flexible. Living with severe arthritis due to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome means I have to realise that I am sometimes limited by chronic pain. I was planning on more time in the studio today, but instead I have to change my plans. Thankfully, I can spend the day with my legs up, sitting on the sofa and working on my blogs and my newsletters. There is always something I can do, despite my pain levels. (The HMRC requires that self-employed individuals spend at least 16 hours a week working - I've reported to them that my normal week is 34 hours - which is probably several hours short of what I actually do.)

So far, I've created five new pairs of earrings for one of the collections. I am aiming for six pieces of each collection and each category within the collection. Some collections will include pieces I already have. This means well over 100 new pieces of jewellery, and it is going to take some time; it will be well worth it in the end. In addition, I have to keep up stock levels for my stockists and for myself. I have two more weekends at the GALE Centre this year and a three-day event here in Aultbea next week. But I am happiest when I am busy and when I am out meeting folks and sharing my passion for my handcrafted jewellery. If only my pain would cooperate.

I don't have any new makes for The Selkie's Haunt to share with you at this time, but there are still so many beautiful pieces on offer through the website. I invite you to pop over and look over the pieces that are all one-offs - no repeats of design. That is what I love most about my work - that I can offer customers a piece of jewellery that speaks to them and they will be the only person to ever own that design. How special is that?

Brooches prove popular - designs and antiquing

I was fairly confident that brooches would prove popular, and I was right. I sold a fair few during the last market and have now provided Lael Craft Gallery with some brooches and will be providing the Aultbea Hotel with some, as well. And I've been getting very creative with them. 

Introducing designs on designs:

In both these cases, I have attached lovely accents to the ends of the penannular brooches and, in the case of the copper on copper, I have attached an accent to the pin as well. The second brooch, which is destined for the hotel, has sterling silver accents. I am very pleased with these designs and will be using this design method more in future.  

In addition to adding accents, I have been taking advantage of my ever-so-smelly patination solution to add age to my pieces. You can see it in both the brooches above. In addition, I have used patination with a pair of earrings:

I have been on a bit of a creative binge with the bronze and copper jewellery, but time has come to get some beautiful new pieces of fine jewellery made. I have just completed my first hand-knotted pearl necklace and will be doing a second one very shortly. In addition, I will be making some beautiful earrings using faceted set stones, and the penannular brooches will be created in sterling silver with cabochon accents. I am so looking forward to sitting down with my silver and gold again. 

Don't forget to check out the website for new additions and sign up for The Selkie's Haunt's monthly newsletter for news and subscriber discounts. The link to the website can be found in the sidebar here on this page and you can sign up to the newsletter by clicking here.

Introducing "Moira"

From the first moment I decided on the name "The Selkie's Haunt", I have been searching for the perfect illustration. A dear friend, who is also a talented artist, created a selkie for me, but it just didn't seem to fit as I wished. I knew what I wanted, but couldn't explain it. And then I saw exactly what I wanted - a search on "selkie" brought up an image for a page on DeviantArt. The artist, Kate O'Keefe, creates amazing artwork and illustrations. I loved her selkie - exactly the kind of art I had hoped for for so many years.  I found Kate's contact information, wrote her a note, and waited for her answer.

Kate responded with a resounding "yes" to my proposal of a commissioned selkie. I provided Kate with the details of the landscape and even sent along a photograph of bog cotton - so prevalent around here. Kate did her research, too, looking at my website and seeing the sort of jewellery I make. She used the designs to create the jewellery the selkie has discovered in the painting. 

After backing and forthing with sketches and suggestions, Kate presented me with my completed painting. It took and continues to take my breath away. I love the feel of it - like a classic illustration to a children's book of fairy tales. When I debuted my selkie on Facebook, one of my most loyal customers said the illustration matches my brand perfectly. That, that statement, was exactly what I hoped for. 

Since Kate sent me my beautiful selkie, I have put the selkie on everything that has to do with my business. She will grace my display, my business cards, my receipts, my informational flyers, my letterhead, my certificates. She is here on the blog, on my newsletter, on the website, and on my social media pages, from Facebook to Twitter. She will be not just my "mascot", but I have no doubt she will be my good luck charm as well, and my muse. I look forward to receiving the hard copy of this painting. She will be framed in something befitting her beauty and will hang on the wall to inspire me every single day.

Kate is a talented illustrator/artist and you can see more of her work on her website, http://kate-okeefe.weebly.com. To me, her art is reminiscent of the best of the bygone illustrators for classic children's books. Her illustrations remind me very much of Arthur Rackham, who I've long considered THE best illustrator for children's books. This image of my selkie fills me with such joy and I have no doubt she will charm my clients as well.

I have decided to call my selkie Moira. Moira is Scottish Gaelic for "star of the sea." Moira is that, indeed, and more. She is the personification of what I want my artwork to be - elegant, charming, magical, one-of-a-kind, and something that makes you smile. We will make a good team, Moira and I. 

Happy...