Etsy

 'Honey Bee' pendant

18ct yellow gold

£310

'Honey Petal' earrings

18ct yellow gold

£180

Hello lovelies

Apologies once again for the lack of presence here lately. I have been busy setting up my new Etsy shop, (something I have planned to do for a good few years now!) which I am very excited about. I have added mainly new pieces on there with these two beautiful 18ct gold pieces above. Along with them are a number of silver pieces, some with stones and prices range between £30 and £265 just now.

To celebrate launching into the world of Etsy, I am offering my Facebook followers a 10% discount on all purchases over £50 until the 18th April. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, head over to my facebook page where you will find the promotion code. If you could like my page while you're there (if you haven't done so already), that would be lovely :-)

I am also offering free delivery within the UK on my Etsy shop and not forgetting the free worldwide delivery on all purchases from my website shop. I am hoping to update my own website real soon, so I'll keep you posted :-)

Have a lovely weekend :-)

Christmas at Coburg is coming!

 Floral Blanket necklace

Silver & Coral

£245

Mis-match earrings

Sample Sale Box

From £15

I can't believe another Open Studios has come around once again. I do love an Open Studios weekend and especially the winter one. It's when it really starts to begin to feel like Christmas :-) This one is definitely not one to be missed. You are all invited to our special opening on Friday night. There will of course be wine :-) There will be instrumental acoustic music by the very talented William Ancell from Under The Dogwood Tree once again. Also, new to our Open Studio weekends, we are having a prize draw where one lucky winner can win £100 to buy something from their favourite artist or maker.

Over the weekend we welcome Daniel's Swiss Bakery for the first time, who will be situated in the gallery. You'll be able to stop and grab a coffee and something sweet or savoury. I am especially looking forward to this :-)

Above is an old favourite, the 'Floral Blanket' necklace. I haven't made anything from this collection in a while, but thought these beautiful faceted coral beads would suit the shapes very well. I will also have some pieces from my new 'Acorns & Honey' collection on show, amongst others.

As usual, I will have my Sample Sale Box with huge reductions on many pieces. The new mis-match earrings (above) in the sale box went down a storm at the last Open Studios, so I thought I'd make some more. They are all odd elements from my scrap box that I have put together to match but not match if you know what I mean :-) They make the perfect wee Christmas gift.

If you'd like to visit the Coburg website, you can view many of the artists and makers on there before you come along next weekend.

I look forward to seeing some of you there and if not have a fantastic festive season :-)

Best wishes

Donna

'Acorns or Violas' at our Summer Open Studios

 'Acorn' Necklace

Silver, 18ct yellow gold & labradorites

£600

 

 'Acorn' long pendant

Silver

£145

 'Viola' earrings

Silver

£90

This week I posted a couple of photos of these new pieces on Instagram. I couldn't decide whether they look like acorns or strawberries. After a couple of comments suggesting the earrings looked like violas, I named them just that and the necklaces 'acorns'.
These pieces will be on show at our Open Studios event next weekend. Some will be displayed in the gallery and some in my studio amongst my other collections. You can see some work of the other artists who will be opening their doors also, on our website.
As usual I will have my sample sale and reduced pieces from old collections. This time I have delved into my scrap and 'odd elements' box and put some mis-match earrings together. I'm loving them and thinking I might just have to keep a couple of pairs for myself.
I will also be available to chat about Make Your Own Wedding Rings workshops, so do come up and say hello if you interested.

Above is an invite to the private view for all you lovely followers. However, if you can't make it on Friday, we will be open as usual on Sat 8th and Sun 9th 11am - 6pm.
I hope to see some of you there.

Donna x

A Rosey Christmas Open Studios at Coburg

 Spotty Hydrangea Necklace

Silver, garnets and rose quartz

£220

Hydrangea and loop pendant
silver, garnets & rose quartz
£110

This week it's all about the Coburg House Open Studios. The jewellery is almost finished, now onwards with displays, painting, tidying and decorating.

Above is an invite to the private view for all you lovely followers. There will be a 20% discount on all Donna Barry pieces including these newbies above for blog followers only. Just mention my blog during Open Studios, that is all :-) As usual there will be my end of line and sample sale with amazing reductions. There maybe something still in there that you may have set your sights on before, only now it may be even less in price!

Friday night, the very awesome William Ancell from Edinburgh's finest Americana and folk band, Under The Dogwood Tree will be playing guitar in the gallery. Not only that, but Edinburgh Gin have very kindly sponsored us and will be just across from William serving special 'Coburg' Cocktails. It really is an Open studios not to be missed!

There are a few new names in the building and there has been a lot of shuffling of studios, so make sure you read the map or you might miss your favourite artist. Myself and Kaz Robertson are still in the same place. Sudio 46, in the Loft, first studio you come to.

Hope to see you there!

Donna x

'Petals & Pearls' at Coburg Open Studios

 Oval Petal and Pearl Necklace

Silver, 18ct gold and freshwater pearls

£340

 Oval petal earrings

silver and 18ct gold

£135

Otis wanting to play in the studio

I've finally gone and introduced pearls to my work and I'm loving them. So much so, I've used them all up. I will need to pay a visit to Hatton Garden very soon I think.
The 'Oval petal' range is still going strong after a good few years as they are popular designs. It's lovely to see them being transformed though with these pretty pearls. Perfect for bridal jewellery or special occasions. You'll be able to see these new pieces at the Coburg Open Studios in just over a week's time.

Here's an invitation to the Private view. There will be my usual sample sale and reductions box with big discounts across the whole weekend. I'm personally looking forward to a good look around the studios myself and hopefully catch some good bargains.

Otis may make a guest appearance too!

Hope to see some of you there :-)

'Spotlight' Exhibition at Mobilia

This has been a long time coming and now finally, I can show you what I've been busy doing over the last few months. The two brand new pieces above (Fused Ovals Neck piece and Oval leaves earrings) are heading off to Boston in the US tomorrow along with a group of other special one-off pieces. Myself and Kaz Robertson have been working with a very well established and reputable gallery called Mobilia over the last twelve years. We were first introduced to Libby and JoAnne (owners of Mobilia Gallery) by our head of department, Dorothy Hogg MBE, at ECA in our final year. Since then we've exhibited with them in many shows over the years. Now they have asked us if we would like to do a joint 'Spotlight' exhibition. This has taken a number of months to get together alongside our other work for galleries, wedding ring workshops and the arrival of my new Boston Terrier pup, Otis. Thought you dog lovers out there might like a wee picture of him thrown in there too :-)

The exhibition kicks off on the 15th May and is on until 23rd June. For further details click here. If you're in the area, do go in and have a look. We wish we were going!

More exhibitions are in the pipeline for 2014. Keep checking down the right hand side for updates on forthcoming exhibitions.

The spots are back this Open Studios!

 Spotty Hydrangea Necklace

silver, labradorites & rose quartz

£220

Spotty Hydrangea earrings

silver

£110

 

Apologies for my lateness with providing Open Studios details. I've usually done my post before now, but I've been having trouble getting into my blogger account. At last, I'm in! 

It has been a pretty busy couple of months getting all my galleries restocked and refreshed for Christmas and I am now almost ready for Coburg House Open Studios, starting on Friday evening. Well, myself and Kaz Robertson still have a lot to do which includes much cleaning and making the place look festive! You are all welcome to come along to our Private View this Friday (details above). If you can't make it along for a glass of vino, then do try and make it over the weekend (Sat & Sun 11am - 6pm). It really is the perfect chance to get some unique Christmas presents and for yourself too ;-)

I will be having a big clear out with up to 70% discount and even more on some sample and 'end of line' pieces. 

If you have followed my work since my degree show back in 2001, you will remember my signature spotty imprint on some of my pieces. This started off as a happy accident when I begun to fuse silver sheet pieces on a jeweller's honeycomb brick (used for soldering). Well, somewhere along the way, I lost the technique of spot catching. The heat of the torch, the length of time involved fusing and the brick itself are all important when creating this spotty pattern.  After finding some old bricks (they used to have  a smoother texture than they do now), I have managed to produce the spots again! I have missed them :-) Above are a couple pieces from my new 'Hydrangea' collection with my honey comb spots :-) These will be on display on the weekend amongst lots of other treasures.

If you can't make it to the Open Studios you are quite welcome to arrange an appointment with me on another day or you can visit my online shop at www.donnabarry.com.

Have a very happy Christmas if I don't see you.

Best wishes

Donna

xx

Back to White

'Long Snow bud Cluster' necklace

silver, labradorites & citrines

£1250

After a few years of thinking my work looks great photographed on a grey background, I've had a change of heart and with the help of some much appreciated feedback I've decided to go back to white. Using beautiful rich coloured stones like these citrines, the white really brings out the colours.This does however mean more work with regards to how the website looks! What have I got myself into?!

  

So here we have my latest special piece. Over the last couple of weeks I have been working on a collection of necklaces which you can see here on my FB page. This one above is my favourite and I have plans to make more long cluster pieces like this. If there are any colour suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

The next few weeks is going to be based on working around these necklaces and making pieces of jewellery to compliment them. They'll then be ready for sending off to new and current stockists for (dare I say it) Christmas!

I'll keep you posted on upcoming exhibitions and stockists. Keep checking the stockist and exhibition listings down on the right hand side too.

Bye for now x

It's Summer 2013 and it's Open Studios time!

'Oval Petal' Necklace

Silver, 18ct yellow gold & rutilated quartz

£395

 'Oval Petal' earings

Silver & 18ct yellow gold

£135

 

I have I know been neglecting my poor blog and my followers of late, in fact it has been eight whole months! A lot has happened in that time with work and my personal life. All good things though :-) With the Make Your Own Wedding Ring workshops taking off this year, moving house, becoming an auntie for the first time AND taking driving lessons, it has been a busy year so far. And now since my last post, it is Open Studios time once again! Just where has the time gone?!

This Friday (Aug 2nd) we open our doors to the public. As usual there will be great art and crafts to view and purchase with many artists and makers including myself having big clear outs. You know what that means.....Big sales!

My new 'Oval Petal' necklace (above) will be on display and for sale along with the Oval Petal earrings which are now back in stock :-)

If you've not been along to recent events, just to remind you that myself and Kaz Robertson have moved to the Loft Studios. You'll find us in the first studio you come to on the top floor (Studio 46). I will also be available to chat to any couples about making their own wedding rings with myself and Hannah Louise Lamb.

We'll be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday (2nd, 3rd and 4th) 11am until 6pm. There will also be an opening on Friday night 6-9pm, so if any of you lovely followers would like to join us for a glass of wine, you are more than welcome.

If you can't make it along this time, do not fear, you can always head over to my website or to the Coburg House Studios website and look at our artists and designer makers. Click on your artist of choice and it should lead you to their website.

That's all for now lovelies and I promise I won't leave it so long next time! Hope to see you on the weekend :-)

Donna x

Coburg House Christmas Open Studios 2012

 Vintage Mirror Necklace with Oval Sapphire

Silver, labradorites and sapphire

£495

'Frill' labradorite ring and 'Four Circle' labradorite ring

Silver & labradorites

£185 each

After a long day with my eyes fixed on the laptop and a few secretarial errors along the way, I have finally got around to posting some info on the Open Studios. Above is a Private View invite for you all. I do hope you can make it along at some point across the weekend. Unfortunately, I'll not be there on Sat 1st December as I am going to a wedding. However, my studio will still be open and the fantastic Miss Jackie will be available to help you!

As you can see above, I have made a few pieces with stones set in them. I bought these cabochon stones the last time I was in Hatton Garden and shortly after lost this beautiful oval sapphire. I was disappointed but I had faith that it would turn up, and it did. I obviously had chucked it in my little bag drawer along with all my other bags when tidying up.  

I haven't had much time on my hands to do much more of the stone setting but at least this is a little taster for the Open Studios. I hope to set aside some time in the new year to work on more pieces like these and perhaps with gold. This is just the beginning. I hope you like :-)

Just in case you missed the last Open event, I have now moved, still within Coburg House of course. I am now in the Coburg Loft, studio 46. It is the first one you come to on the top floor.

Hope to see you there!

Donna x

DAZZLE Manchester at The Royal Exchange Theatre

Circular leaf Necklace

Silver, 18ct gold & Aventurine

On Sale at DAZZLE at The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

Having been working hard at the bench making stock and new pieces for Christmas, I've hardly had time to sit down and tell you about what's coming up.

I've updated my stockists and forthcoming exhibitions down the right hand side with links, so you can see where you can find my work at the moment and during the festive season.

Do remember also, my online shop at www.donnabarry.com is up and running and I'm pleased to say the Christmas orders have started coming in :-)

Dazzle at Christmas is as always the biggie. The work has been sent (hooray!) and Tony and Christine along with the help of the Dazzle girls will start setting up the exhibition tomorrow at The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. DAZZLE opens on Saturday, so if you're in and around the area, pop in. From a selection of fifty odd jeweller's work, you are sure to find the perfect gift for Christmas or a treat for yourself :-)

If you can't make it there or you live elsewhere, remember there's always Lovedazzle, the online shop. Not forgetting of course also, DAZZLE in London at the National Theatre.

Keep checking here for new pieces and any updates over the next couple of weeks. Open Studios is almost upon us once again. This time we will be open on the 1st and 2nd December. Watch this space for more details.

I'll be back very soon x

The Final Piece

'Snow Flower' Neckpiece.

Silver, 18ct yellow gold, green tourmaline and faceted peardrop citrines.

2012

Photo: Marc Millar Photography

Phew! Just dropped off the finished 'Growing Talent' Exhibition piece at the Assay Office this morning. Quite some mind space has been taken up with this one over the last couple of months. This time next week it will be heading down to London for a photo shoot. However, I thought I should get a professional photo of my own taken first. I asked the very talented new Coburger Marc Millar to take a couple of shots. I think I will have to get some more done when some new work develops in the new year. Marc specialises in Wedding and PR photography. Check out his website here.

And now for Christmas...............................................................

The Goldsmith's Company 'Growing Talent' Exhibition

The materials

Petals laid out ready to fuse.

Fused centre piece for necklace alongside sketchbook designs.

The drawing of the centre piece and the real thing so far......

'Growing Talent' is an exhibition which will take place at the Goldsmith's Hall, London  next year to celebrate The Goldsmith's Fair 30th Anniversary. Every year at this prestigious Fair there are 10 new and upcoming jewellers and silversmiths who are given a free stand and a bursary for materials by the Goldsmith's Company. Now the bursary winners from over the past ten years or more have been asked to exhibit one piece that was displayed at their first Goldsmith's Fair and one new special piece in this exciting exhibition.

Remember back in May of this year, I told you about the stone setting course I took in Hatton Garden? Well, I've been putting a little practice in, not perfect to say the least, but at last it is time to incorporate this into the piece. The Edinburgh Craft maker Awards gave me some dosh to do the course and to buy the materials for the piece.

So last week, myself and Kaz were down in the Big Smoke for yet another Anniversary party, but that's another story for later. The next day, surprisingly hangover free, we ventured to Hatton Garden to spend the rest of my award money. I could shop for stones all day! However, I decided on this string of beautiful faceted peardrop citrines quite quickly as they just jumped out at me! Next, with the help of Kaz I chose two deep green pear shaped cabachon tourmalines, one for a mock up setting and one for the real thing. (I also bought a beautiful oval sapphire and some pink and green tourmalines for designs to come :-))

Yesterday, as you can see from the photos above, I nervously began making my necklace. Today, I have formed the centre piece and soldered the tubing onto the back for threading. I shall put some more photos of the piece in the making next week. But for now, wish me luck!

The Tayberry Gallery - A new stockist

Double Floral Wing Necklace

Silver, labradorites and smokey quartz

£180

The Edinburgh Festival seems to have flown in and almost out again. Since the Open Studios I've been doing the 'Dazzle' thing and selling some fantastic jewellery at Dovecot studios. The exhibition is just brilliant and what a treat it has been working in such a lovely venue. There is still another week to go so if you haven't been, do pay us a visit.

Apart from 'dazzling' at Dovecot I've been getting some work together for a new outlet, The Tayberry Gallery. I've not paid the gallery on Princes Street in Perth a visit yet, but hoping to have a weekend outing soon to take a look. The necklace above is one of the pieces on display there just now.

Next week when Dazzle is over, I'll be back in the studio full time. It will hopefully be the beginning of new ideas and designs that will hopefully develop into that special piece for The Goldsmiths Bursaries Exhibition, I was talking about earlier in the year. Now I can finally get down to some stone setting.
Watch this space.

D x

Summer Open Studios 2012

 Local organic flowers grown and arranged by Pyrus

 First time exhibiting in the new studio!

 Our Make Your Own Wedding Ring display

 Kaz's new work on display in our 'Loft' studio

 And more Kaz

 'Leaf Scene' Necklace

silver, 18ct gold & green agate

£595

Circular leaf earrings

silver & 18ct gold

£160

I can't believe the Open Studios has been and gone once again! This time around there were four floors of artists and makers to visit in their studios. The opening night was fantastic! I had just a couple of free moments to spare to dash outside to the communal space in the new 'Coburg Loft' to check how busy we were! Although I didn't manage to get any photos of the opening night, here are some of our displays in our new studio, a couple of new designs by me and also the fantastic flowers by my good friends Natalya and Fiona who go by the name of Pyrus. I only wish I was a better writer to be able to describe what they're all about. Take a look at their blogspot where you'll find some beautiful images of their floristry and a peak at they're ideas and inspirations. If you're planning a wedding in or around Edinburgh and haven't organised your florist yet, look no further! All their flowers are organically grown on their own farm in East Lothian. 

If you would like to be put on the Coburg mailing list, just drop me a line and you'll be sent an invite for the Private View in December.

I'll be back here very soon :-)

D x

Hints of Colour

Snow bud Cluster Necklace

Silver, rutilated quartz and rainbow moonstone

Floral Blanket Necklace

Silver and labradorites

These two neck pieces are striking with their contrast of black and white and a few shades of grey too! If you look closely, you will be able to see some hints of fabulous colours, especially when the stones are angled in different lights. The Snow Bud Neckpiece at the top reflects some striking blues as do these unusual labradorites I picked up this year in Hatton Garden. 

The SnowBud Necklace has just arrived at the Ruthin Craft Centre in North Wales which is on sale in their gallery shop with a whole new group of work.

If you live near by or are by chance in the Denbighshire area, then do go and take a peak.

The Floral Blanket Necklace will be on show and for sale at The Coburg Gallery during our Open Studios next weekend at which I hope to see you. Pop in and see myself and Kaz in our new studio (46) on the very top floor. 

D x

Dazzle at Dovecot

Floral Blanket Necklace

Silver & Aventurine

 On sale at Dazzle

£320

I'm sitting in my new studio in the "Coburg Loft" writing this as the rain once again pelts down on the skylight above. As we all are, I am so fed up of this rain, although the sound of it is quite therapeutic. It does also make it easier to coop myself up in here for a late night.

There's lots to do as Dazzle at Dovecot and the Open Studios approach. August being my busiest month of the year, I think I'm ready for it!

Today will consist of labelling and packing up my Dazzle work which will be exhibited at Dazzle at the Dovecot Studios from the 3rd - 27th August. Dovecot Tapestry studios is based in a beautiful renovated Victorian swimming pool in Edinburgh City Centre. This will be Dazzle's first year at this exciting new venue. 
I am ashamed to say I have never visited Dovecot since the studios moved here four years ago. However, once again I will be working at Dazzle again this year and am looking forward to seeing and working within the building.

This recent Floral Blanket Necklace (above) will be at Dazzle and for sale including other pieces from my Four circle, Clover bud, Snow bud and Vintage Mirror ranges.

There'll be about fifty other jewellers too exhibiting so you wouldn't really want to miss out! There's is most definitely something for everyone at this exhibition.

With Open Studios not far away either, I recently posted the flyer in the previous post which contains all the info you need.
Just a little reminder that myself and Kaz have moved studio. You'll find us in what we call the 'Coburg Loft' on the top floor, studio 46, the first door you come to at the top of the stairs.

As usual I will have my "Pretty Prices" box with jewels up to 70% discount.

If you're getting married and fancy doing something a bit different like making each other's wedding rings, come and have a chat with myself or Hannah Louise Lamb. 

Hope to see you soon!

D x

Coburg House Summer Open Studios Event

Our 10 Year Anniversary Bash

The Prize Draw

Kaz eyeing up the wine!

 Billy playing some light jazz.

Cutting the beautiful lemon cake made by Inbal.

First of all can I just say a very big thank you to all of you who came along to celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary with myself and Kaz on Friday night. We had a ball!

This time last week we were wondering why on earth we were doing it. It seemed like a lot of work for the sake of three hours. However, when it came to it and the work was up on the walls, we were glad we had.

Friends, family, fellow Coburgers and customers all showed up to celebrate with us. Thank you to my partner Billy who entertained us with some live jazzy sounds in the background on the guitar. You can hear Mr Ancell play here with the wedding band, The Hi Hats. A great band for your wedding, party or pub gig!

Thank you to Inbal too who made a fantastic lemon cake. It certainly went down a treat with everyone! If any of you would like the recipe, visit Inbal's blog, 'The Baking Bandit'. We may just have to have more openings just to sample more of Inbal's delicious cakes!

The Donna and Kaz Jewels were won by two very talented jeweller friends, Hannah Louise Lamb and Jessica Howarth. Thank you to everyone who entered. £110 in donations were raised and we will be giving it to the Edinburgh Dog and Cat home.

If you missed the celebrations on Friday, not to worry. We still have the Open Studios coming up! Come along to our Private View on 3rd Aug at Coburg House and join us for a glass of vino. We will be open all weekend too. More on this soon.

So, here's to another ten years!..................................

DB x

p.s
Take a look at my Facebook page for more photos on the celebrations!