Fire And Ice ...

The last few weeks have been spent building up my stock level ready for the summer, trying to make at least two or three pieces every day, and filling in with smaller items and budget designs. I had my first "big" show of 2008 last weekend, the Smallholders and Gardens Festival up at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells. It attracts some 25,000 visitors over the two days, and has a huge craft presence. I like to be there as part of the Wales Craft Council representation, we are there in our own building and although many people are swayed by the traders and other sellers scattered throughout the Showground, I'm sure that over the past few years a lot of customers have realised that when they see our huge yellow daffodil signs and banners, then they know that our goods have all been hand-made in Wales by people seeking to earn a living from their craft.
Last year the show was a huge success for me personally, and although I did very very well again at the weekend, and almost matched last years sales, there was a noticeable change in mood amongst the visitors. Fuel costs I'd guess mean that a day out for the family costs a lot of money before even arriving at the show. Add on admission charges, snacks, drinks, meals throughout the day, and it's going to add up to the best part of a hundred pounds, and that's BEFORE anyone's bought anything!
And significantly, most of the pieces that sold over the course of the weekend were ones which people could see themselves wearing for quite a few years to come, not items in this summer's must-have colours. The darker gemstones - black onyx, agate, silverleaf jasper, labradorite - were all popular, along with Murano glass, (but just one solitary lampwork necklace), so maybe this trend will repeat itself over the summer.
On a personal level, as a family, we are having to think twice before jumping in the car and heading off on some errand or other. Wyn came home on Tuesday quite ashen-faced after filling the pickup with diesel - a cool £75!!! I went to see Mum today, a 125 mile round trip, I'd guess it used about £20 - £23 worth of petrol. And Wyn went to fetch Wil home from Bristol yesterday, that's a 200 mile round trip .... it's just crazy!
Anyway, it's lovely having Wil home, although it's only for a week or so. He's heading back to Bristol next weekend for some meetings, then down to Cornwall for a festival (apologies in advance to the good people of Polzeath), then finally home for the summer from mid-June. He's planning on working with his dad. Apparently. Not holding my breath here!
So seeing as I have a HUGE number of lampwork pieces in store and ready for the summer and autumn, I thought I'd throw these at you tonight, two necklaces in a similar style, made with some of Pam's beads (Mapleglass). The gorgeous scrunchy silver spacers are from Twinklehut.

Arani - Pam's beads with faceted carnelian. SOLD.


Kahuna - more of Pam's beads with Kyanite. (SOLD)



I'm hoping to get up to Nantwich on Sunday - last possible break before the real slog starts! - so if I do, it's a case of grabbing green lampwork, and hopefully some twisted black onyx.
I'll let you know what I come up with!
Have a great weekend!