http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:kirajones&section=today deviantART RSS for by:kirajones en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:54:16 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/22918354/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/22918354/ Sat, 31 Jan 2009 07:24:18 PST Folksy shop I've decided to offer free shipping on all items up to Valentine's Day. I think the faceted Carnelian hearts are particularly seasonal and I may have to make an extra one for myself!

www.kirajones.co.uk
http://kirajonesjewellery.blogspot.com/
http://folksy.com/shops/kirajones

]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/22647880/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/22647880/ Sun, 18 Jan 2009 07:57:48 PST blog. I've also been experimenting with PMC. I'm doing level 2 of the MCSJ diploma in February so I need to practice but I had done very little since last summer. I have been playing with a few ideas, though, and following a couple of tutorials. I'll post the finished items if they're good enough or maybe put them into scraps.

I will start the jewellery-making again soon and to get me ready for that I ordered some nice new beads the other day. I've been advised that I should make my jewellery in collections rather than just what I feel like at the time. I'm going to try doing this but I think it will be very difficult for me. Currently I just look through all my beads and see what jumps out but I'm going to have to start designing things properly. Well if I want to be a pro then that's what I have to do!

www.kirajones.co.uk
http://kirajonesjewellery.blogspot.com/

]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/22280807/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/22280807/ Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:41:36 PST
I also resurrected an old blog that I haven't used in years. I'd just like to start sharing my textiles and becoming more involved in the online textiles community. The address is http://kirajonesjewellery.blogspot.com/ if anyone would like to take a look. There's only 1 post on there so far, but it's a start!

www.kirajones.co.uk
http://kirajonesjewellery.blogspot.com/

]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/22111580/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/22111580/ Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:48:13 PST
I've kept up with selling my jewellery at craft fairs, which have had mixed success this year but in general been better than expected in the current financial climes. I've expanded my stockists to 4 galleries which was one of my aims for this year.

I've also been teaching - first it was short adult courses but I've now committed to teaching a more formal adult education course and I've also completed a term of being a visiting artist trying to teach jewellery-making to a class of 11 year olds. That last one has been a particular challenge but I got through it and I've actually agreed to teach another term. I will change the lessons a little bit but it's amazing that I'm actually doing this now and being fairly successful.

In April I went on a resin-moulding course which was great fun and I loved being in the creative atmosphere of West Dean College, West Sussex but I didn't enjoy the amount of finishing that each piece needed. I want to re-visit the resin in the new year but in a slightly different style with hopefully less polishing required! I also went down to Cornwall in June to start a diploma in Precious Metal Clay. Again, great fun with nice, creative people and I've booked to go back and do level 2 in February - must get practicing!

One thing I was disappointed about was that I didn't have much time for my textiles work. It's lack of time-management on my part I think so that's something to work on in the new year. I need to get a better balance between all my different roles - teacher, textiles artist and garment sewer, jewellery-maker, housewife, employed gallery assistant - it seems endless! Something to focus on after Christmas I think.

Speaking of Christmas, I hope you all enjoy whatever winter holidays you celebrate and have some pleasant moments with family and friends.

]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/21832458/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/21832458/ Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:19:23 PST

]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/14723357/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/14723357/ Fri, 21 Sep 2007 03:09:44 PDT
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Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/14282281/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/14282281/ Wed, 22 Aug 2007 03:35:23 PDT
I'll be attending the Talgarth Festival this weekend on the Sat and the Sunday. I've never been there before but I've been told it's quite a pleasant fair to do and the weather report is so far saying it will be sunny - Yay! I'm just hoping that I'll sell enough to pay for my recent spate of shiny shopping!

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Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/14045229/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/14045229/ Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:23:55 PDT If you don't do machine embroidery it probably looks really simple but it took me hours and a lot of concentration!

I've taken a break from making jewellery since my last craft fair in July so that I could work on my textiles for a while. I've really enjoyed the short break but I'm going to start making jewellery again soon ready for the August bank holiday. I'm doing a craft fair in a cattle market! I've got to keep the textiles going, though, as I go back to college in September at the same time as starting a second college course to give me a teaching certificate and taking on a part-time job! Very busy month and then I've got to get planning for Christmas and making all those lovely pieces that people will buy for gifts.

I'm feeling fairly optimistic about it all nevertheless and I think I can manage it all

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Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/13186560/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/13186560/ Sat, 02 Jun 2007 08:05:33 PDT
I've also started making things again! I had a huge lull and was starting to worry that the inspiration wouldn't come back but thankfully here it is and I've made 4 memory wire bracelets (nice and simple but pleasant to do) as well as a couple of necklaces and bracelets. I'll try to take some photos and post them soon. Maybe I'll even start to take a slightly different route - that's the aim

A few weeks ago I signed up for a college course in textiles as that's where I would like to be working in the future. It's a Ciy & Guilds course so it's fairly free and experimental which should be good for me. There's a bit of basic prep work which is quite simple and not worth posting but once I get into the interesting samples and the final pieces I'll put some pictures up.

At least I'm moving again, yay!

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Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/12686888/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/12686888/ Sun, 22 Apr 2007 04:27:45 PDT
I do finally have a new website, though. I'm still in the process of adding images of my work but at least I've got dates of craft fairs and workshops on there. Take a look at my website at [link]

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Etsy shop: [Link]
Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/11302912/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/11302912/ Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:26:00 PST
Here's the site: [link]

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Etsy shop: [Link]
Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/11253455/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/11253455/ Sun, 31 Dec 2006 04:25:49 PST
Christmas hasn't been brilliant this year as I went down with a rather nasty bug and haven't been able to celebrate properly but it did at least give me a bit of a rest on Christmas Day so that I could eat turkey and open presents with my family. My husband bought me an iPod which I really wasn't expecting and never would have bought myself as I didn't think I wanted one but now that I've got it I realise that they're really cool! I've only got a few songs on there so far but it's so easy to use and the scrolling up and down the menu is lovely - simple things please simple minds!

Well, it's New Year's Eve today and I'm still feeling ill so I don't think I'll be doing much partying tonight but I hope the rest of you have a great time and that you all enjoyed your Christmases.

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Etsy shop: [Link]
Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/11101051/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/11101051/ Mon, 18 Dec 2006 02:25:22 PST

P.S. Thank you to everyone that wished me well before the craft fair. I do appreciate the good vibes!

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Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/11047772/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/11047772/ Wed, 13 Dec 2006 05:55:30 PST

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Etsy shop: [Link]
Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/10471448/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/10471448/ Sun, 22 Oct 2006 01:03:13 PDT It's not enough to live on but it's a start and I'm getting the interest built up as well. During the day I was approached by a woman who's running another fair in a few weeks and was wondering if I wanted to attend that too. I'll have to give her a call soon and make some arrangements.

In general I'm pleased with how interest is starting to pick up and I feel like I'm creating a little business that could work

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Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/10343264/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/10343264/ Tue, 10 Oct 2006 01:25:49 PDT

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Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/10168510/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/10168510/ Sun, 24 Sep 2006 03:38:17 PDT
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Etsy shop: [Link]
Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/9666002/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/9666002/ Wed, 09 Aug 2006 15:09:26 PDT
I also made an appointment to go and visit a local beautician who's having an open evening soon. She might have a table of my work if she likes my stuff so I'll take a little bit over there and see what she thinks. I don't have any nice boxes yet though so I'll have to say they're at the printers and hope for the best!

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Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/9521605/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/9521605/ Fri, 28 Jul 2006 10:32:08 PDT
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Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/9115321/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/9115321/ Mon, 19 Jun 2006 11:59:18 PDT
Getting the photos done and posting on DA and Etsy - I've posted a few extra items on Etsy but haven't updated DA yet

Writing my website (with my husband's help) - We looked at the website this weekend and made quite a few changes. I still need to write the nice text for it but it's miles better than it was

Practicing the machine embroidery - I ran out of bobbin thread and haven't had time to search for a replacement

Practicing the heat transfer printing - Dyes mixed up and tried out. It went okay but the thickener absolutely stinks! Strangely it reminds me of Chinese takeaways though!!

I also had my appointment with my mentor which was a really positive session and I've gone as far as booking in a workshop for next year! It's a big step for me but I've decided that I've got to act more confident and then confidence will arrive - that's what the self-help books say anyway.

This week I need to:

Make 2 commissioned anklets

Buy materials for some commissioned necklaces

Create some soldered fabric to experiment with

Update my CV (yuck!)

Finish my lace agate necklace

There's quite a bit more that I should do but I don't know how well I'll fit it in. Last week was busy which has sent my energy levels this week plummeting. I'm hoping that a day at my boring 'normal' job tomorrow will give me new vigour for the crafts.

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Website: [Link] ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/9067585/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/9067585/ Wed, 14 Jun 2006 14:15:07 PDT

I've also got my appointment with my mentor which I'm nervous about but I am looking forward to. I've realised how much I need to update my CV if I'm going to get opportunities teaching workshop - it's so boring and completely biased towards boring admin jobs! I'm hoping that's something that my mentor can advise me on.

Update on this week's tasks:

Getting the photos done and posting on DA and Etsy - I've taken a few more photos and posted one thing each on DA and Etsy

Writing my website (with my husband's help) - It's improving but there's still plenty more to do


Practicing the machine embroidery - Not done yet but I'm hoping I'll find time on Friday

Practicing the heat transfer printing - I need to mix up the dyes on Friday

Loads still to do this week but I think it's been positive so far

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If you'd like to purchase any of my work or commission me then please note me and I'll get back to you! ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/9033830/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/9033830/ Sun, 11 Jun 2006 04:23:14 PDT
Learn heat transfer printing - done my first heating test, need to learn to mix the dyes next

Practice machine embroidery - started my first example which I'll post in scraps once it's complete

Make 3 bracelets, 2 necklaces and some earrings - made two bracelets, two necklaces and designed one ready to string and 4 pairs of earrings

Take photos of my recent work - done 5 things, I need to photograph the new things that I've made

Post photos here on DA and also on Etsy account - posted a few photos on here and a cople of items on Etsy, still more to come when the photos are ready.

That's pretty good for me

I think for the next week I need to focus on:

Getting the photos done and posting on DA and Etsy

Writing my website (with my husband's help)

Practicing the machine embroidery

Practicing the heat transfer printing


I've also got a meeting with my mentor on Thursday to talk about my workshops and where I go from here - future workshops, selling opportunities etc.

A busy week ahead!

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If you'd like to purchase any of my work or commission me then please note me and I'll get back to you! ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8968614/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8968614/ Sun, 04 Jun 2006 12:40:46 PDT
For the next week:
Learn heat transfer printing - done my first heating test, need to learn to mix the dyes next
Practice machine embroidery - not started
Make 3 bracelets, 2 necklaces and some earrings - made one necklace and 2 pairs of earrings
Take photos of my recent work - done 5 things, more to come at the end of the week (sunlight permitting)
Post photos here on DA and also on Etsy account - posted photos on here, still need to do Etsy

See, I have been trying!

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If you'd like to purchase any of my work or commission me then please note me and I'll get back to you! ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8946720/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8946720/ Fri, 02 Jun 2006 03:14:46 PDT
So I'm going back to listing my tasks in the hope that I can increase my output and my a success of what I'm doing.

For the next week:
Learn heat transfer printing
Practice machine embroidery
Make 3 bracelets, 2 necklaces and some earrings
Take photos of my recent work
Post photos here on DA and also on Etsy account

Wish me luck!

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If you'd like to purchase any of my work or commission me then please note me and I'll get back to you! ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8637195/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8637195/ Mon, 01 May 2006 03:02:54 PDT
Other than that I've run another workshop which went very well even though they just gave me a couple of sofas and a coffee table to work at. How I'm meant to teach beading like that I don't know but everyone went away happy and with a couple of finished items. My last learning workshop is at the end of May so hopefully I'll be able to start running paid workshops then and make some money back after spending out so much.

I'm off to Heathrow in a couple of hours to fly to Malaysia and I'm hoping that I'll get very inspired while out there and come back with new ideas and get lots of work done. I still haven't approached a shop or gallery and asked them if they'd sell my work - the prospect that they might say "no, it's crap" just makes it too scary but I think I'll write a plan while I'm on holiday to try to force myself to do the scary stuff when I come back.

See you all soon

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If you'd like to purchase any of my work or commission me then please note me and I'll get back to you! ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8406052/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8406052/ Sat, 08 Apr 2006 08:44:49 PDT

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If you'd like to purchase any of my work or commission me then please note me and I'll get back to you! ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8369803/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8369803/ Wed, 05 Apr 2006 02:24:56 PDT LAMdesigns has convinced me to the contrary. I haven't posted anything for sale yet but maybe I'll do that later on today. I could really do with starting to make some money from my work as I've spent loads on materials over the past couple of months. I know that I've still got lots of development work to do and I am being realistic and aiming to sell most of my work at Christmas but I'd like to get the ball rolling and just achieve a small but regular turnover.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Oh and the stamp and avatar competition has ended - the winner will be announced on Saturday and I can't wait to get the avatar in place!

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If you'd like to purchase any of my work or commission me then please note me and I'll get back to you! ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8290229/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8290229/ Mon, 27 Mar 2006 23:54:14 PST
The club are running a contest to create a stamp and an avatar for them. I'm sure most of you know about it but just in case anyone hasn't heard - get your entries in now! The deadline is 1st April, that's this Saturday. I'd like to see loads of entries so that the members have got a good selection to choose from and can vote for what really does represent them the best. I'm keeping my fingers crossed as the prizes are lovely but as it was my first attempt at making something like this I doubt I'll win. It was good to push me into doing something new though.

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If you'd like to purchase any of my work or commission me then please note me and I'll get back to you! ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8251519/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8251519/ Fri, 24 Mar 2006 00:39:52 PST club after lurkingon the edge and viewing everyone else's pages. I'm really pleased that it's making me view people's work that I might not have looked at before and it's quite inspiring to see the variety in what people do. I've got so many projects in my mind that I want to work on and so little time!!

I'm getting more talkative too and commenting on loads of people's work. It's just nice to feel part of a community with similar interests and to give and receive critiques and information.

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If you'd like to purchase any of my work or commission me then please note me and I'll get back to you! ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8203407/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/8203407/ Sun, 19 Mar 2006 02:38:31 PST
Fingers crossed for me!

]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/7953618/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/7953618/ Mon, 20 Feb 2006 14:16:27 PST
Finish the T-shirt that's been hanging around forever - whoops! Completely ignored that goal
Make a necklace using a different type of connection for practice - Done (and did a couple of bracelets as well)
Make some earrings to match the necklaces I've made - 1 pair completed (got distracted by bracelets - see above!)
Photograph my projects that I've completed - umm, t-shirt that I forgot to finish is still on the stand that I need for the photos. Bad excuse I know!
Paint an abstract word - I did 2, and a pastel drawing too

As you can see I definitely do get distracted by other projects as I let my mind wander across my room. I must get focused though as I met my crafts mentor today and she wants me to start teaching workshops in a months time! Really scary as I've never taught anything before but at least she'll be there for my first 3 to guide me through it.

So...new goals for this week and I'll try to finish them all this time. (We can but hope!! )

Take photos of new jewellery
Finish t-shirt
Practice soldering techniques
Make bag from old batik fabric
Start lesson plans

Let's see how this week goes - I've got business seminars on 2 days so I can't see me getting much done then.

]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/7861530/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/7861530/ Sat, 11 Feb 2006 02:50:48 PST for this journal post. A few weeks ago she posted her goal for that week - a massive 100 rings to be made. She didn't quite get that many done but she did make loads and got some other projects completed too. So I've decided that putting goals like that up for everyone to see must focus the mind and increase the pressure that things must actually get done and, seeing as I'm horrendous to sticking to the main task, I thought I'd try this technique and see if it helps me too.

This week I aim to:
finish the T-shirt that's been hanging around forever
make a necklace using a different type of connection for practice
make some earrings to match the necklaces I've made
photograph my projects that I've completed
paint an abstract word

I think that's about the right amount for me as I do tend to wander off and do random things instead. Here goes and I'll keep you posted on my progress.

]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/7582075/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/7582075/ Thu, 12 Jan 2006 10:31:55 PST
It has, however, a good step for me as a year ago I wouldn't have shown anything that I'd done to anyone and now I'm posting on DA and sticking things on E-Bay. Next step is to make the work more interesting (and prolific) and try to make money from it.

Yay! ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/7355229/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/7355229/ Mon, 19 Dec 2005 14:09:07 PST ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/7087294/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/7087294/ Sat, 19 Nov 2005 08:38:02 PST
I do feel slightly detached from this work now. Probably because it was 3 years ago and a lot has changed since then. I'd like to think that my ideas have matured and are maybe following cultural trends more (as apposed to just fashion trends).

Still, it's another step on my long journey and I feel good to have made it. ]]> ~kirajones http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/7043246/ http://kirajones.deviantart.com/journal/7043246/ Mon, 14 Nov 2005 08:24:34 PST
I look forward to being a contributing part of the community soon. ^--^ ]]> ~kirajones