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2019 Markets, Events and outlets

Sunday March 3rd - Frome Independent Market
Sunday April 7th - Frome Independent Market
Sunday May 5th - Frome Independent market
www.thefromeindependent.org.uk

June 7th-9th - The Contemporary Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey
Mill Marsh Park, Bovey Tracey, Devon
www.craftsatboveytracey.co.uk

2018 MARKETs, events & outlets

This year we will have stalls at the following independent artisan markets and craft events:
Come and visit - we love making new friends!

Sunday December 2nd - Frome Independent market
www.thefromeindependent.org.uk

The Makery Christmas Pop-Up-Shop, Milsom Place, Milsom Street, Bath
Nov 20th- Dec 22nd
www.themakery.co.uk

The Birdhouse Cafe, London Road, Box SN138NA
Nov - Dec

Friday November 2nd - Sun 4th - Made By Hand, City Hall Cardiff
www.madebyhand-wales.co.uk

Sunday October 7th - Frome Independent market
Sunday September 2nd - Frome Independent market
Sunday August 5th - Frome Independent market
Sunday July 1st - Frome Independent market
Sunday June 3rd - Frome Independent market
Sunday May 6th - Clevedon Sunday Market
Sunday April 1st - Clevedon Sunday Market
www.theclevedonsundaymarket.co.uk

Sunday March 4th - Frome Independent market
www.thefromeindependent.org.uk




 

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#marchmeetthemaker Day 21: Throwback . When I took my first evening class in Silversmithing back in 2000, I made a lot of these daisies: pendants, charms on link bracelets, earrings and brooches. I was working in graphic design at the time - when I started to sell my jewellery I traded under 'Daisies Chains'. I love all things daisy related (it's even my daughter's name). I revisited daisies last year, making some simpler, more contemporary designs. I still love them and one day I'll create a more cohesive range if these simple little blooms. . Can't believe these pics are nearly 20 years old! . . . . . #daisyjewellery #daisychains #helovesmehelovesmenot #daisydaisy #throwback #takemeback #lookwhatimade #silverjewellerydesign #polishedgreyjewellery #madebyhand #sterlingsilver #creativehappylife #makersgonnamake #handmadeisbest
#MarchMeetTheMaker Day 20: Design Process . Most of my design work happens in the workshop, experimenting with shapes and ideas. Ideas may get sketched in my book, on post-it notes, backs of old envelopes etc. I try things out at the bench and make up a sample which I then research (wear round the house to kid-test for durability / wear to pub or on school run to see if I get any 'oohs' from lovely friends). If the piece passes this stringent testing phase, it might just appear in the range. . . . . . #thedesignprocess #designprocess #designermaker #girlboss #lifeofajeweller #makersofinstagram #behindthescenes #workshop #workbench #jewellersworkbench #wip #makersgonnamake #handmadesilver #handmade #handmadeisbest #makersmovement #smallbusiness
#MarchMeetTheMaker Day 19: Dream collaboration . My dream collab would be a family one - swipe to see my 3 fave backsides. . I've always dreamt of having our own little shop, by the sea, preferably in Cornwall selling all kinds of 'lovely things' handmade by humble creative friends. I'd like two workshops at the back, one for my jewellery and a woodwork studio for my fella - he's a whizz with wood and would like to spend more time on his craft too. Oh, and there's a tea shop too selling massive pieces of cake that make you feel amazing. The kids will work in the shop and teashop and might even have their own craft to enjoy. They'll come up with all the best ideas to keep us going and we'll swim in the sea and eat pasties on the beach every day... . I think I drifted off there.... For now it is a dream, my dream (not necessarily theirs - who knows where life will take them). For now I'm OK just doing my thing so I can spend a bit of time with those 3 backsides when I can. . . . . . #afewofmyfavouritethings #bigbottoms #backsides #dreamsandplans #dreams #dreamcollaboration #youcanbutdream #simplethings #simplelife #dreamscometrue #myfavourites #myfavourites #dreams #
#MarchMeetTheMaker DAY 18: Mistakes and lessons . Crikey, I make mistakes that teach me lessons ALL THE TIME! . This bracelet is one of them. Years ago I was asked to make this piece, using semi precious stones with sentimental value. The stones were delicate, very rough shapes and included some pitted, fragile opals. I quoted the job and duly cracked on - literally. One opal was just so fine it split in two when I tried to set it. I was distraught - my lack of confidence and relative inexperience with stones like these made my doubt myself. I bought a new opal, fessed up to the client and apologised profusely for spoiling her gem . She was completely fine about the situation and said she was happy for me to use the 2 halves of original stone. So, I made 2 new settings. All good, right? No. I was so scared I'd do more damage, I asked a local jewellers shop to do the final setting. They took 2 weeks, did a shoddy job and charged me the same amount to do minimal work, as I was charging my client to make the whole piece! . So, I made a big loss, wasted silver and time and paid for a stone I didn't need. . The lesson? Don't doubt myself so much, don't undervalue my worth or skill, be more confident and trust my judgement of people more: The client was so sweet, I needn't have worried and she loved the bracelet. The jewellers were rude, messed me around and made me feel stupid - I should have run screaming. . I was tninking about this experience just recently. I bought some stones and I'm going to set them. Beautifully. . . . . . #mistakes #learningalesson #lessonlearnt #youwinsomeyoulosesome #learnbyyourmistakes #whoops #behindthescenes #handmadeisbest #makersmovement #confessionsofajeweller #polishedgreyjewellery
#MarchMeetTheMaker catch up alert! DAY 17: what I'm working on . I've been working on this necklace commissioned in memory of a very special person. It features the initials QB interlinked with hammered circles, squares and hearts on fine chain. . It's such a privilege to be entrusted in making a special keepsake. I really hope she likes it. . . . . . #wip #whatimadetoday #whatsnew #workinprogress #whatsnext #ontheworkbench #intheworkshop #lifeofajeweller #commission #oneofakind #handmadeisbest #makingmemories #silvernecklace #bespokejewellery #silverjeweller #jewellerydesigner
Tiny 25mm circle on waxed cotton cord. Coming soon! . . . . . #silvernecklace #silvercircles #contemporaryjewellerydesign #contemporarycraft #wip #whatsnew #handmade #handmadeisbest
#MarchMeetTheMaker Day 16: Workspace . I've seen some beautiful, stylish, nicer-than-my-house workspaces under today's prompt. Here's my little workshop at the back of the house: my messy, cluttered, usually overrun with kids' bikes, wellies and buckets of freshly dug veggies, crazy, happy little space. . . . . . #workshop #workspace #whereiwork #workingfromhome #happyplace #behindthesecenes #workbench #messy #happymess #happinessisahappymess #makersgonnamake #handmadeisbest #silverworkshop #jewellersworkshop
#MarchMeetTheMaker DAY 15: Motivation and goals . Today I am motivated by cake and coffee. Nothing else required here. . Goals: to keep my little business going and have the occasional holiday with the family. Can't see much beyond that at the moment! . . . . . #motivatedbycake #coffeeandcake #morningmotivation #businessgoals #supportsmallbusinesses #givememorecake #keepgoing #goals #workingfromhome #gettingready #gettingstarted #polishedgreyjewellery #jewellersofinstagram #designermaker
Thought I should share some actual work! . I've been doing a lot of admin and behind the scenes business stuff lately along with #marchmeetthemaker challenge and it feels like I've hardly had time to make anything. All change tomorrow, I WILL have a workshop day. No messing about and absolutely no stopping for a bit to quickly make a cake (that may have already happened). Amendment: tomorrow I will be in the workshop AND eating cake. 👩‍🏭🍰 . . . . . #tomorrowiwillmostlybeeatingcake #workshop #behindthescenes #getbacktowork #workingfromhome #somuchtodo #procrastination #professionalprocrastinator #smallbusiness #smallsteps #toomuchbloodyadmin #polishedgreyjewellery
#MarchMeetTheMaker Day 13: photography I've had to do a lot of my photography myself - it's a quick and easy way to upload news or new work to social media, but it does mean my phone is full of weird selfies of me staring down my nose which I edit using an app (chop off head, hide double chins, brighten, colour balance etc.) . You can't beat proper professional photography, which is so important for event applications and websites. I used to work in graphic design, where we would have to design, build and prop big room sets for clients - fast firward to me shooting phone selfies outside my downstairs loo and its so far removed from those days! @johounsomephotography and @dtrewren have sorted me out with some great shots: Jo is an artist and photographer herself and knows exactly what makers need. Dave Trewren is a good friend, electronics engineer/part time photographer and really helped me out last year. I'm so grateful for their patience wirh me . My partner offerred to 'help' the other day: 'what do you want? We going arty? Off the shoulder? Cleavage?' Lucky for you lot I hastily declined... . Photo credit/shoddy pics: all.my own (defo not pro) . . . . . #selfie #badselfie #needsmust #behindthescenes #photography #lifeofajeweller #lifeofamaker #smallbusinessowner #gopro #bettergopro #howitsdone #hownottodoit #polishedgreyjewellerydesign
#MarchMeetTheMaker Day 12: Hands at work . My hands serve me well but they certainly aren't much to look at! They do take a bit of a beating in the workshop, sometimes literally - nothing like a bang with a metal hammer to sharpen the senses... Here they are soldering away at the bench (yep, they've been burnt too and I won't go into details about the A&E trip to remove an embedded saw blade 😵). They do all the cutting, filing, sanding and polishing too. They are rough, calloused, dirty and crying out for a manicure but I wouldn't have it any other way. Although a manicure would be quite nice. . . . . . #handsatwork #handmade #handmadeisbest #handcrafted #handmadejewellery #behindthescenes #workshop #workbench #jewellersworkbench #workbenchselfie #lookwhatimade #whatimade #maker #makersmovement #ineedamanicure #handicraft #handiwork #whatshealthandsafety
#marchmeetthemaker Day 11: reducing waste . I hate waste. I grew up in the 80s with mum constantly reminding us to 'think about the ozone layer!'- switching off lights, unplugging all the electricals at night and shunning our over-use of aerosols (we used a lot of hair spray in tbe 80s). I'm still passionate about the environment and I've ditched the hairspray. 🌱 As far as materials go I save every bit of silver: off-cuts, filings and little curls from drilling holes. Scroll for pics. Some I melt down and re-use, some gets collected and will be sent back to Cookson Gold, who melt it down for re-use. They also sell recycled eco-silver, which I'm hoping to switch to soon. 🌱 My packaging is largely recycled (apart from foam inserts that protect the jewellery) but I've found a new supplier who make card inserts that I'm trialling. I wrap parcels in paper and even use recycled biodegradable paper tape. Scroll for pic. 🌱 I know I can do better but I'm trying to make little changes that will make a difference in the long run 🍃 . . . . . #reducereuserecycle #reducewaste #reduceplasticwaste #environment #thinkoftheplanet #protectourplanet #rethinkwaste #creativecollective #creativerevolution #creativemovement #itsthelittlethings #smallsteps #keepitsimple #keeptrying #smallbusiness #smallthings #polishedgreyjewellery
#marchmeetthemaker Day 10: You . This is me, a slightly more perfect and wonderful version of me, illustrated and very kindly sent to me by the extremely talented @designsbykarina ! . I'm Hannah and here's the low down: ○ fine art student of old, turned graphic design worker, turned jewellery maker ○ feminist, raising small boy and girl feminists with my partner in Wiltshire ○ working from home, jiggling work around family ○ Procrastinator, last minute crammer, over-thinker, anxiety-sufferer, friend, sister, aunty, lefty, swearer, imperfect human ○ maker, doer, gardener ○ lover of laughter and silly-making . . . . . #allaboutme #you #whoareyou #thisisme #thingsyouneverknewyouneededtoknow #smallbusinessowner #maker #designermaker #girlboss #workingmum #jeweller #jewellerydesigner
#marchmeetthemaker Day 9: Name . When I set up my jewellery business I was going to trade under my own name: Hannah Ratnett, but my unusual surname is not particularly snappy. For years I told people that according to Grandad Ratnett, our family had once been rat catchers by proffession - nets being the catching tool of choice. It was only a couple of years ago my mum had told me that was just a joke and I was a little dissapointed - I'm quite fond of rodents... . Anyway, I wanted an evocative name that described the process of making, the material and the finished work. 'polished grey' has origins in an early european translation of the Latin name Argentum, meaning silver. . I just think it sounds quite nice. . And I love grey. And shiny things. . . . . . #whatsinaname #names #whatsyourname #originofaname #designermaker #smallbusiness #independentbusiness #supportsmallbusinesses #creativerevolution #creativecommunity #polishedgreyjewellery #polishedgrey #silver #argentum
#marchmeetthemaker Day 8: product range . I make contemporary silver jewellery that is simple in style, bold in scale but delicate and easy to wear. Ultimately I produce jewellery I like to wear. Right now that includes a range of necklaces, bracelets and earrings but I make new pieces all the time. Here is a more recent selection from my range. Visit polishedgreyjewellery.com for more! X . . . . . #productrange #whatimade #silverbangle #silverjewellerydesign #polishedgreyjewellery #madebyhand #sterlingsilver #creativehappylife #designermaker #silvernecklace #handmade #handmadeisbest
#MarchMeetTheMaker Day 7: Less glam side . So, I've taken this prompt quite literally. Today I am modelling this season's safety wear - perfect for sanding and polishing in. Looks great with a dirty apron and can be accessorized with filthy fingers, broken nails and eyebags . More Darth Vader than Milan Catwalks . Sparkling jewellery might be the end result but the day job is far from glamourous. Markets and craft events involve lots of late night prep and long days standing around, often cold and wet. There is stand building, lugging displays around then plenty of admin and oodles of self-doubt back home when you're running a small business. . That said, happy customers and kind feedback make me feel pretty sparkling at the end of the day 💫 . . . . . #itsnotallglam #itsnotpretty #glamour #thisseasonslook #ss2019 #itsastronglook #lifeofajeweller #workingmum #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #creativecollective #makersofinstagram #makersmovement #dirtyhands
This honeycomb soldering block makes my eyes go funny! It's #benchpegwednesday and here's what I'm working on. I'm trying to update my square necklaces with a square tube at the top, so I can thread the cord through it rather than looping itround the square. So far the walls of the tubes I've tried have been too fine but I'm trying again: experiment no.3! #benchpegwednesday hashtag was started by @soremijewellery for jewellers to share an unedited view of what they are working on. What are you making today, @querc ? . . . . . #benchpegselfie #wip #behindthescenes #whatimadetoday #workshop #onthebench #whatareyoumaking #makersmovement #communityovercompetition #creativerevolution #creativecommunity #lifeofajeweller #creativehappylife #silvernecklace #handmadeisbest #polishedgreyjewellery
#MarchMeetTheMaker Day 6: Full or Part-time My jewellery business became full-time for me in Sept 2017, when my youngest went to school. Working from home is great: it's flexible and I can do school runs and be around in the holidays. It has it's downsides: school runs really shorten the working day and holidays mean I'm part time again and I am constantly caught up with home/life admin: trying to get to the bottom of the magically re-filling laundry basket or chasing cheerios and giant tumbleweeds of dust round the house. Sometimes I have to catch up in the evenings and work at markets/events at weekends. At times it feels very full-time indeed and other times I have to physically and mentally pull on my 'boss' top just to feel like I've done some work! All in all I feel lucky to do something I love, working round the people I love 💛 Boss Lady top: @nicolarowlands Eyebags and exasperated look: model's own Laundry: mostly the kids' . . . . . #fulltimervfamily #parttimebusiness #fulltimebusiness #workingmum #girlboss #femaleboss #bosslady #bossladytribe #selfemployedlife #beyourownboss #makeithappen #smallbusiness #supportsmallbusinesses #supportindies #supportindies #smallbusinesslove #supportmakers #shopsmall #shopindependent #lifeofajeweller #creativehappylife #
#MarchMeetTheMaker Day 5: Detail or Close-up Little zoom-in on one of my new semi-circle necklaces, you can see how the fine ball chain threads through the top tube. The rest is solid, which gives it a nice weight. I like to show my pieces being worn, but that usually meams you can't see the chain detail. This ball chain is has a graphic, contemporary feel especially when it's been oxidised like this one. . . . . . #meetthemakers #jewellersofinstagram #designermaker #extremecloseup #closeup #detail #detailshot #zoomin #supportindies #supportsmallbusinesses #handmadeisbest #makersmovement #makersmovement #makersrevolution #smallbusinesslove #wemakecollective #allinthedetail #