February Giveaway Winner!

It's time to draw February's giveaway winner!

This month's giveaway was sponsored by one of our lovely team members, Jean Munro of Ceardannan Jewellery and Ceardannan

And the random number generator picked ....Madeline Bunyan! Congratulations! Jean will getting in tocuh with you shortly.

Here's your beautiful prize:

Don't forget to check back soon for the next giveaway (or subscribe to our feed to ensure you never miss a post!)

Treasury round up 26/2/2012

You can find beautiful beads, glass and more made by the talented members of FHFteam HERE

Treasury round up 19/2/2012

You can find beautiful beads, glass and more made by the talented members of FHFteam HERE

Monthly Giveaway - February

 This giveaway is now closed - please check out the main blog page for this motnh's giveaway!


This month's giveaway is sponsored by one of our lovely team members, Jean Munro of Ceardannan Jewellery and Ceardannan.

Since February is the month of Valentines, love and romance, Jean is offering up this beautiful handmade lampwork heart:

I think Jean describes this beauty best: 

"This is one of a range of heart beads I have been making which remind me of the intricate swirling designs and colours used in body art. This heart measures approx 27mm top to bottom and 29mm at the widest point. It is made on a base of ivory coloured glass and it is decorated with twisties, shards and murrini."

If you're the lucky winner and don't happen to be a jewellery maker, Jean has also kindly offered to turn the bead into a silver pendant just for you!

As usual, the winner will be randomly drawn from the names of FHFTeam blog followers who comment anywhere on the blog during February, so don't forget to 'Follow' us, and start sharing what's on your mind! Drawing for the prize will take place on 8th March, so until then, we look forward to reading your thoughts.

Hazel xx

Member Interrogations - Jean Munro

Today we have an interesting read from Jean Munro of Ceardannan Jewellery, including words about her inspiration, her start in jewellery-making, and a great double-quotation that sums up her approach to life!


1 - Your name: Jean Munro

2 - Your shop name and address: Ceardannan  www.ceardannan.co.uk  http://www.etsy.com/shop/ceardannanjewellery

3 - Describe your artistic style in three words: organic ….eclectic…colourful


4 - When did you first start jewellery making/lampworking, and how did you get started?I first started making jewellery about 5 years ago when  I was living in Greece.  I was shopping with my mum and saw a pair of earrings made with lapis stones that I liked but the wires were made with a metal I couldn’t wear. My mum said, “I’m sure if you have a look on the internet you will be able to find the materials to make something yourself.” 
She set me off on my first bead related google seach. This led to me buying my first set of lampwork beads on ebay, made by Mike Poole. Ever since holding them in my hands I wanted to learn to make lampwork beads.  As soon as we came back to Scotland to live I had a taster session followed by a workshop with Rachel Elliot. I grinned all the way through it and about 2 years ago I bought my lampwork start up kit second hand on FH forum.!

5 - What do you love most about your craft?
I especially like choosing semi precious gemstones and lampwork beads in my jewellery making and playing around with different combinations.   I  love that there are so many different colours and kinds of glass and the fact that I could never get bored with lampworking as there is always something else to try and something new to learn. And I really like melting glass!

6 - If you could take a class with any artist (in your field or otherwise) who would you choose and why?
So difficult a question but I would especially like to take a George and Julie Cab to Fab, or  by George. it’s Lush class.  I  have admired George’s work since I started making jewellery and  Lush Julies beads were some of the first I bought while Julies cabs are wonderful.   I would really like to dress  a few beads George style.

7 - Do you have a favourite piece of your work that you can share with us?

I am proud of this fibula as my husband did the wirework in this and made my bead look beautiful!



And I really enjoy making my beady boxes in different colourways..




8 - Where do you find your inspiration?
The colours all around me, I love the colours in nature, especially the coast the sea and wildflowers, Also there are so many beautiful colours of glass which are an inspiartion in themselves.

9 - What’s your favourite technique within your medium?At the moment I am enjoying working with cane, murrini and twisties, and making organic style beads particularly seascapes.

10 - Where do you create your work?
In my utility room that wanted to be a conservatory but never quite made it.  

11 - Do you have a favourite colour scheme or range when you’re creating pieces?
I guess I always go back to blues and greens  though I’m also particularly drawn to  reds and oranges. But I just really choose whatever colour I fancy at the time, 

12 - Can you give us a quotation/lyric/piece of advice that sums up your approach to life and your craft?Do what you can with what you have where you are….Theodore Roosevelt.
And
It’s hard to be positive when your bottles gone! …big sis


13 - The most serious question of all: if you could meet any fictional character, from TV film or literature, who would it be and why?
Mary DiNunzio the lawyer from Lisa Scottoline books, she’s a great character warm, funny and smart and I really like her.


14 - Finally, what are your plans or hopes for your work in the future?Keep on keeping on!


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A big thanks to Jean for her answers!

Treasury round up 3/12

You can find beautiful beads, glass and more made by the talented members of FHFteam HERE

Treasury round up 26/11

and lastly a fabulous twin team treasury fhfteam and tt team by Diane Cook

You can find beautiful beads, glass and more made by the talented members of FHFteam HERE

Treasury round up 15/10

You can find beautiful beads, glass and more made by the talented members of FHFteam here

Treasury Round Up 30/09

You can find beautiful beads, glass and more made by the talented members of FHFteam here

How green is my treasury by Ceardannan jewellery

How green is my treasury

A beautiful FHFteam treasury curated by

Ceardannan jewellery

Featured Artist - Jean Munro

Ceardannan Jewellery

1. How did you get started in lampworking/fusing/jewellery making:

I started making jewellery when myself and my husband were travelling around Greece in our old Mercedes motorhome. I saw a pair of earrings I liked in a local shop by the harbour but they were 80 Euros and I couldn't afford them. My mum said, "Well , if you look on the internet I am sure you would find some earwires and stuff to make something for yourself. " Yep I blame her for the rest; it all just grew from there. I soon came upon lampwork beads and started to find out all I could about them. I knew I wanted to make beads myself. The first lampwork beads I ever bought were made by Mike Poole.


2. How long have you been lampworking/fusing/jewellery making:

I have been making jewellery for about 5 years now. When we came back to Scotland 2 years ago I went to a lampwork taster session in Edinburgh, followed by a workshop with Rachel Elliot. I loved it! I was hooked. I now have my torch set up in a great space at the back of the house. It's a utility room which wanted to be a conservatory but never quite made it, but it's perfect for lampworking and making my jewellery. I spend as much time in there as I can.


3. Where do you find your inspiration:

My inspiration really comes from my love of colour. From the wild flowers of Crete, to my mum's back garden, it's only little but it is a riot of colour. I often sit there when the weather's fine and it is so beautiful. Purples teamed with yellow and bright oranges and reds all vying for their space and looking for the sun. When I'm making anything I'm fickle really and get bored easily so I just let whatever rod of glass, lampwork set, or focal takes my fancy lead the design and I know its right if I'm smiling when it's finished.


4. What is your favourite piece of your own work:

I don't think I have a favourite piece as such although I think the first ever necklace I made with lampwork has a special place.

5. Who's work do you admire most:

To say whose work I admire most would be difficult indeed. I love lampwork beads and there are so many artists who's work I admire, as can be seen from the variety of beautiful beads I have in my collection and from my etsy favourites page. I would however like to own one of Sabine's beautiful roses in every colour, I have one so far. As for jewellery making, I really admire Nia from Gemwaithnia who has a lovely way with colour, Lynn Davy for the intricacy of her designs and George for her silver workmanship.

6. What are your goals for the future:

For the future I want to continue to make and sell my jewellery and to be able to incorporate some of my own beads in my designs. I enjoyed last year's craft fairs immensely and will be doing more this year. I also aim to fill my website and etsy shop as I have lots of jewellery waiting to be photographed and uploaded. I would like to have more lampworking lessons, take a silversmithing course and I would love to join the lapidary association and learn how to find and cut semi precious stones and put them in silver settings. There is so much to learn and this is a journey I could never tire of; there is always another new idea to try, a new skill to learn and so many beautiful beads, stones ribbons and metals to play with.

If you want to know more about Jean and her art here's how to find her:

Etsy shop: Ceardannan Jewellery
Blog: Jeanie's Blog
Flickr: Jean's Flickr Photo Galleries

Pick of the Week - Spotlight on Black Magic

Dark and moody, beautiful, elegant, uplifting. A touch of understated class from FHFteam this week. Hope you like 'em.

Jolene

Featured this week are

Classic black handmade chiffon ribbons by SowZere
Tardis Wormhole by steampunkglass
Black Jacks by crogdlws
Black Boro bracelet by ceardannanjewellery
Magic circle neclace by jeanniegems