Flowers for Thought

Blossom bud Cluster Necklace
silver, 18ct gold & Aventurine

Lace Floral Wing Necklace, silver & smokey quartz
£160

The Open Studios on the weekend went surprisingly well considering the weather! We really thought it was going to be a total wash out! However, it was just as fabulous as any other christmas open event we've had! I managed to get some christmas shopping done and did some lovely swaps too! Check the websites out below!

Emily Hogarth
Beth Legg
Misun Won
Erin Daly

I only have this week and a couple of days next week left in the studio before Christmas, as I will be working at the flower shop. So if you would like to buy anything, please place your orders as soon as possible! Just drop me a line or give me a call. My contact details are just on the right hand side.

It took most of the day for the studio to warm up today! We're all fed up of this weather, so here's some blossom bud and floral wing jewellery to brighten up our week :)

Snowfall

Snow petal & diamond loop earrings
silver with labradorite clusters
£200

Blossom Bud Cluster Neckpiece
Oxidisedsilver & 18ct gold
£3600

It sounds like the snow is falling everywhere but here!! I'm sure it is on it's way though! My toes are like icicles sitting here in the studio!
So, since it's all about the snow and the Open Studios drawing near (one week in fact!), I thought I'd refresh the old blog with some snow petal and bud type jewels. Take a look down the right hand side. Maybe you'll find some christmas present ideas! If so, then do get in touch or visit me next weekend here at the studio to see the treasures in their true beauty! The other advantage is, you can try them on! That's if the christmas shopping you're doing is really for you! :)

I've been working on restocking the galleries recently. One in particular is Mobilia Gallery. Based in Boston, the lovely gallery owners, Libby & JoAnne Cooper have promoted my work ever since I left college in 2002. Above are just two of the ten pieces I have just sent them.

With the Coburg Christmas Open Studio Event just one week away, I better get back to making! I'm hoping to post up a few preview images of some of the jewellery that will be on show. So keep your eyes on this space!

Hope you have a great weekend!
D x

"Ready Steady Jewel" The Auction

So, I have I know been a little lame lately. The last few months have been a bit of a whirlwind! Just as the dust is settling after Origin, it's Christmas stocking time! You can see where I'll be exhibiting and supplying just down on the right hand side there.

Now that the "Ready Steady Jewellers" (as mentioned in an earlier post 'Ready Steady Jewel') have designed and made their pieces, the work is now on show in the window of Hamilton & Inches, George St, Edinburgh. Go and take a peak at the gorgeous jewels that will go on auction this Saturday evening at the 'Out of the Blue Studios' Drill Hall.
For more info on the auction, check out

www.hamiltonandinches.comwww.preciousmetalsworkshop.com

You can see my earrings up for auction here

Hope to see you there!
D x

Origin

Oval leaf cluster earrings
silver & garnet clusters
£410

Double floral wing earrings
silver
£95

Double floral wing necklace
silver & rhodochrosites
£180

With Origin not far away (just a week and a half in fact!) I have the fear! So much to do in a week!
I am making two large neckpieces just now. I am only half way through both and feel I may have forced too much pressure upon myself!! I feel some very late nights ahead this week!
One of the necklaces will be similar to that of the 'Blooming Summer Flower' Neckpiece which was sold at Dazzle and is shown in a previous post 'Summer Flowers'. The other will be a 'Snowbud cluster' type including icy white moonstones and blue iolites, again with a hand made, off square/diamond shape chain. I guess it is a kind of winter version of 'Blooming Summer Flower' Necklace!

If you're around and about the trendy area of Spitalfields Market, London from 23rd - 29th September, come and take a gander. I have a feeling there is going to be a lot of talent there!

http://www.originuk.org/

If you would like to come and visit me I will be on stand L11 with Miss Hannah Louise Lamb!

Looking forward to seeing you there!
In the meantime, here are a few pieces I've been working on. There will be much more to see, but whether or not I will have time to upload more before Origin, we'll have to see. You might just have to come and see it in the flesh :)

D x

Close ups

Here are some close ups of the large fusion experiments! You can see the patterns and textures that the technique creates.
It seems blogger is having a few problems loading images just now so I will have to leave the rest until another time.

Have a good weekend! x

"Ready Steady Jewel"

Such a busy busy month August has been! I have been meaning to post everyday for the last month without success! And so here I am finally with some news on what's been happening this month! Where do I begin?!..................

"Ready Steady Jewel"I have been invited to take part in this very exciting charity event! 12 jewellers will be taking part in a kind of "Ready Steady Cook" event only it involves making a piece of jewellery! Ian Nicholson, jeweller/silversmith and ex coburger is the man behind it so to speak! He will be gathering the jewellers together at his studio where we will be given 8 hours to make a piece of jewellery from a design brief. All twelve pieces will be exhibited in Hamilton & Inches (George St, Edinburgh) for 10 days following an auction at Out of the Blue Studios with the proceeds going to charity.
I will of course keep you posted with dates etc. There is some talk of it maybe being televised! Will let you know if this is going to happen. Very exciting, although a little scary! It is probably time for a wee challenge! :)

"DAZZLE"
Once again DAZZLE is on at The Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh. Unfortunately there are only a few days left, so best get on down there to make some last minute purchases! Don't worry, not all the best things have gone! The makers are constantly sending in new stock as they sell, and exciting one off pieces. I will be there tonight and Sunday night and will be happy to help you :)
My jeweller friend and coburger Miss Karen McMillan sold my big 'Blooming Summer Flower' Neckpiece (image in last post below) there last week which I was very excited about! Thanks Kazza! I was determined to have a few celebration drinks after my shift at Dazzle and suffered the next day for it!! It was worth it though :)

Rio Magazine
This was e mailed to me a couple of weeks ago. It's the August edition of the New Rio Magazine with one of my rings in the 'Ring Power' article. But most importantly, in a different article there is a wee picture of the original Coburg Studio pooch, Daisy Soo modeling one of my most expensive neckpieces!! I took this picture quite a few years ago one day in the studio, when our friend and ex Coburgie, Rebecca Faulding-Middleton left myself and Kaz to look after Daisy! :)
It does say that I am the owner, wish she was, but unfortunately she is not.

And Finally.....The Coburg Open studio weekend went well a couple of weeks ago! Myself and Kaz weren't able to be there for the Friday or Saturday as we headed off down to North Wales (my home land) for a friend's wedding. My lovely friends Jackie and Hannah were at the studio though and managed to land me some sales. Thanks girls! x x

Above is an image of my experimental silverware from my post graduate course seven years ago. These are the two biggest and most challenging pieces I made amongst other small dishes, napkin rings etc. I wanted to bring my personalized technique of fusion onto a larger scale. I thought it would be nice to dig them out, spruce them up and display them in this beautiful frame that I bought from the Scottish gallery sale. Standing out on the wall they seemed to attract a lot of attention at the open weekend!

And so August turns into September and there is no sign of slowing the pace down! Origin is just three and a half weeks away with many late nights ahead! Hopefully it will all be worth it! :)

I will be posting some new works for Origin as I go, so keep your eye on this blog!

D x

Summer Flowers

Donna Barry 'Craft at Coburg' Exhibition
Coburg House Gallery

'Vintage Mirror' Cluster drop earrings
Silver, Smokey Quartz & Labradorites
£195
SOLD

'Blooming Summer Flower' Neckpiece
Silver, Labradorites & Citrines
SOLD

'Summer Flower' Necklace
Silver, 18ct gold & Golden Obsidians
£345
SOLD

What a great summer we've had so far! Since the Craft at Coburg exhibiton last month, things have been pretty hectic between working on upcoming exhibitions and sipping the odd pear cider or fruit beer in the sun!

The 'Craft at Coburg' Exhibition went very well indeed with the opening night bringing in crowds of people. The hustle and bustle may have prevented many from seeing everything, however sales throughout the exhibition proved that people returned to have another look with a view to buying.
Above are a few images of the jewellery I made especially for this exhibiton and my display as a whole in the gallery itself. I wanted each piece to look special and to sit together as a group like a work of art. Displaying them in frames this way, I think I achieved just that.
Hopefully this will be the first of many Craft at Coburgs!

Just now I 'm working on a number of exhibitons including our summer Open Studio weekend (see Forthcoming exhibitions on right hand side) and trying to restock some of my outlets.
All is going to plan.....so far!
Dx

p.s
I don't think I have mentioned that Coburg House Studios has a new website! Click here to view it! Information on the Open Studios is there!

Some restocking

Snowbud cluster pin, silver & labradorites £110

A-symmetric Snow bud Necklace, silver & labradorites £240
SOLD

I sent off some new work to one of my stockists today. The lovely Saltbox gallery in Helmsley have been selling and promoting my work for the past 4 or 5 years. Here's a taste of what will be on sale there as from this weekend!

Remember if you like any pieces on here, I can take commissions and make to order!

Donna x

Clusters

Blossom bud cluster brooch, silver & garnets

Blossom bud cluster loop earrings, silver & garnets

Snow bud earrings, silver & garnet clusters

Oval leaf cluster bracelet, silver, 18ct gold & garnets

Snow bud cluster brooch, silver & garnets

Just some recent pieces I have been working on! These were all sent off last week to two galleries, SDC and Mike Gell. Details of when and where are on the right in Forthcoming Exhibitions.

With Craft at Coburg slowly getting closer, I will be designing and making some special one off pieces with my lovely stones that I have recently bought :) They really are a treat!

Will post some info up soon on the 'Craft at Coburg' exhibition which is on in June.

More clusters on the way!

Dx

Dazzle at Merchant Square

'Snowbud cluster' Neckpiece (2), silver & labradorites

Oval petal necklace, 18ct gold & garnets

Oval leaf & loop pendant, silver, 18ct gold, citrine & garnet

SOLD

Dazzle at Merchant Square, Glasgow is on now! The exhibition opened last Friday and will be on until 25th April, so get yourself along! Great show including new and interesting work by contemporary jewellery makers all over the UK.

I didn't make the opening myself, however myself and Kaz took a wee trip through on Sunday, an excuse for some shopping and vino! :)

I have been working on pieces for the next two exhibitons at the end of the month at Mike Gell, Nottinghamshire and SDC Gallery, Shorditch. I will be posting some images up soon!

Dx

Revamp!

Blossom bud cluster loop pendant, silver, citrine & smokey quartz
SOLD


Blossom bud cluster loop earrings, silver & smokey quartz
SOLD

AFTER

Blossom bud cluster Neckpiece, silver, 18ct gold, citrines & smokey quartz

BEFORE

I have had this work hidden away for the past month, saving it up for the 'Jewellery in Bloom' exhibition at Platform Gallery in Hatton Garden. The past day or so I have been putting this big necklace together to finish off the collection. I have revamped an old necklace, added some gorgeous citrines, smokey quartz and random squared chain and Voila! I am very pleased with it :) Before and After images are above.
'Jewellery in Bloom' runs from 28th March until the end of May. If you're in or around London go and take a look at my jewels in the flesh! The new gallery looks pretty swanky from the images on the website! I hope to pay a visit myself next time I'm down in London.

Next, it's finishing off a group of work for Dazzle. I have just a few days left to do this, so will be working some long days. Weekend off first though in the Deen and looking forward!

Have a great weekend!
Dx

Bella

Just had to post up a pic of the very cute new addition to the studios! Her name is Bella! She is Miss Grace Girvan's, just 10 weeks old. We all love her very much, so much so, we don't actually mind all the little presents she leaves us under our benches!

Anyway, best get on. I have alot of work to do this week. Hopefully going to finish Platform Gallery's work today, so will post some pics up later.

Have a good day!
x

Dazzling!

Vinatge Mirror Neckpiece with Amazonites & Smokey Quartz £452

My sad sunday turned into a magnificent Monday!! Thanks to my favorite studio pal, Miss Hannah Lamb, my camera is now alive and well again :)
Also, I've uploaded some new pieces including this Necklace onto my on line Dazzle profile, so check it out here! The new pieces may not appear for another 24 hours, so bear with us.

Now, just to get a move on with some new pieces for Glasgow Dazzle. I wish there was more hours in the day!
x

Broken

I spent the weekend in the studio and achieved a great deal. It's amazing what you actually get done when there's no one to chat to or no dogs and puppies to distract you! I have finally managed to complete a new collection for the love dazzle website (check links), so I'm hoping to update my page on their site tomorrow. Yippee! My Sunday did end on a bad note though as I dropped my camera after loading the photos up this evening! Not a happy bunny!
However, on the brighter side of things, I picked up these beautiful old frames for next to nothing at the Scottish Gallery sale this week. I'm quite excited about the next display I'm going to do. This will probably be our 'Craft at Coburg' exhibition in June that will be held at the Coburg Gallery. There are no details yet, but will let you know when I do, so watch this space!
Well, I guess I better start searching for a camera repair man, or maybe just as well to get a new camera!

Happy Sunday x

Burning the candle

Floral Blanket Necklace, silver, oxidised silver & rhodonite £260

After a weekend of both work and play, I have to say I am over it! There was no getting away from the fact that I had to drag myself to the studio both yesterday and today! I have been working on a small collection for the reopening of Redbarn, a lovely gallery in Cumbria not far away from Penrith. I have had work with them ever since they first established themselves five years ago.
It was time for a refresh of my work and so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get some of my new work there in time for the reopening on the 6th March. Redbarn has been closed for a couple of months since the festive period was over, so hopefully people will be flocking there next weekend!
The necklace above is the main piece of the collection. The stones are rhodonites. I love this pink colour with the dark grey speckles through it and thought it would be perfect to have a combination of both silver & oxidised silver to compliment the stones. The bud in the centre has been oxidised. For those of you who don't know what oxidization is, it is simply dipping the silver in liver of sulphur to get this black or dark grey finish.

After receiving my lovely stones and silver in the post this week, I am dying to get on with making. However, the Goldsmiths Fair application deadline is just a week away. Very tedious indeed! The Goldsmiths Fair happens once a year at the Goldsmiths Hall in London during october time. I have exhibited at this prestigious fair a few times although haven't done so the last couple of years, so fingers crossed!

I will post some more pics of the redbarn work this week. It is a mixture of old and new but works quite well as a group.

Right I'm off to curl up on the couch!
Dx

Framed

For those of you who came to the Open Studios at Coburg House in December you will have seen how I displayed my new work. For those of you who didn't, above is a photo! I didn't take any photos myself (shame on me!), however I was pleased to find that Erin Daly (also a Coburg jeweller) had! www.erinjdaly.blogspot.com
Thanks Erin :)
Originally, I found these 1950s/1960s photo frames in charity shops around Stockbridge and Leith, and I am now on the lookout for some more! If any of you know where I could get hold of any, please let me know. I've already had a peek on Ebay, but no luck unfortunately. I realise it's quite difficult to see from this picture the details on the trims, but I hope you get the picture!
I'm hoping to add some more to the display for the 'Craft at Coburg' Exhibition in June and the next Open Studios in August.

I have ordered some stones today, mostly labradorites and garnets just because I love them! I plan to make more work in the snowbud and mirror ranges as they have proved to be very popular and have hardly hit the galleries yet! Before I go full speed ahead though, I must finish what I have been working on first. Again, I promise they will be posted up soon!
I have had some lovely time off recently, spent with family and friends, wining, dining and retail therapy!! Now, I'm just finding where I left off again at the studio.

Remember the 15% discount is still on until the 1st March!!!

Dx

Jewels & Flowers at Valentines

Welcome to my first posting this year! My apologies for being slack with the blogging. I have been meaning to write since the new year, but have been concentrating my efforts elsewhere. Mainly tax returns and accounts. Let's not go there! So, for the past couple of weeks, I've been working on more new pieces which are yet to be finished or photographed, but as soon as they are I will post them up.

Now, I know I'm a bit late on the whole Valentines thing and reminding you of my lovely jewels for your ladies! Therefore, I am taking the opportunity just now to give you a 15% discount on any piece of jewellery that is ordered before the 1st March. That includes any of the work you see on here or my website www.diversegallery.com (apart from any pieces that are one offs and have already been sold).

I won't be in the studio over the next couple of days so I won't be able to take any orders for Valentines now (another reason to make it up to you all!).
However, I will be working at the flower shop as from tomorrow. So check out narcissusflowers if you would like to order some beautiful bespoke flowers for Valentines!

Hope you have a good weekend :)