Orme and Hall

And it was going so well...

2012-02-02T18:48:00.000Z

The good news is that we've tweaked the website and hope to have some new work up on it soon.

The slightly annoying news is that due to a central heating incident, the floors are all up in the workroom and jewellery work has had to be curtailed for a couple of days until we finish some plumbing.

We are looking for events and hope to be at Waddesdon Manor on 5th and 6th May.

In the meantime, here's some work in progress.

Success

2012-01-22T11:03:00.000Z

The workroom is clear and tidy with two sections of workbench ready for us to work at - we don't have to take turns anymore. Already there is some bronze laid out in preparation for one of our limpet-inspired pieces. And, on the other bench, there are the sections of a bracelet waiting to be drilled. Using a bow drill, and working up through bit sizes to the desired wire size will take some time.

The other thing to do during the quiet winter months is to do a stock take. We've printed off all the stock book and are working through the pages slowly, adding up what each piece contains and where all our findings have been used.

And we're still looking for dates and events later in the year... hopefully more on that soon.

Happy 2012

2012-01-11T15:35:00.000Z

The Christmas/ New Year period has resulted in a deterioration in the state of the workroom. With the dropping off of fairs during December, the workbench has returned (temporarily) to its status as a space to dump stuff. Last week it was covered in: the last of the tape cassettes we have to convert to mp3 files; pots of paint and wood filler not yet put away after the building of some new bookshelves; and the odd electrical tool still awaiting re-homing after we wired in some extra lights. On the positive side, we have recognised and are starting to address the problem. ‘Zoning’ the room seems to be the most sensible idea at the moment – all the electrical tools in one place and so on, but that’s next week’s task. This week we hung a new radiator. Now all we need do is plumb it in and the workroom will hopefully be warm enough to work in during the deepest depths of winter.

We have stated booking up events already and on March 4^th 2012 will be at the Windsor Emporium, housed in the Guildhall in Windsor just next door to the castle. It’s a new event for us and one we hope to be involved in regularly. We are also looking to attend events at Twickenham Library (June) and Waddesden Manor (Bucks) in May. Organisers of the latter event are in the process of ironing out a potential double booking and, once we have the dates, we will post them here.

We hope to see you somewhere on our travels in 2012.

Wendover Tomorrow

2011-11-11T12:10:00.001Z

We're looking forward to going back to Wendover tomorrow - 12th November (Wendover Memorial Hall. Wharf Road, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6HF. 10am-4pm). Hope to see some of you there.

We had a lovely time in Aylesbury last week at Queens Park Arts Centre. It was great to see Louise again - many thanks for all your hard work in organising the event. And it was good to spend time chatting to enthusiastic crafters we haven't seen since last year. It was also encouraging to see so many people though the door and for us to meet up with former and new customers.

We have had a good response to people signing up in person to be added to our mailing list, instead of through the website, and will be emailing them with news soon.

We have added a new page to our website - Frequently Fondled - with those pieces that have prompted most comment throughout our recent events. Have a look and let us know what you think of them.

And we're busy looking for events for next year. So far we've had a positive response, so look for new dates here soon.

Work in progress

2011-11-04T14:03:00.001Z

Tomorrow is our annual trip to Aylesbury and we’ve been busy finishing off pieces to take along. The workshop bench is also covered in unfinished pieces that we need to get on with. This week we’ve spent a bit of time getting the solar panels on the roof to the optimum pitch to take advantage of the limited winter sun – we haven’t seen much of it today.

As well as making pieces to sell we’re in the process of making a ring for our newly 18-year old nephew. It incorporates a Georgian fork handle and the gold from one of his grandmother’s old rings. Never sure of how people will receive things we make them, we are pleased to report his was delighted with the semi-finished ring we showed him. Now all we have to do is cut it to the right size, solder up and send it to the assay office.

October Fairs Update

2011-10-24T17:27:00.000+01:00

October has been unseasonably warm in parts and it was very warm and sunny in Thame Town Hall a fortnight or so ago now. As the sun moved around the outside of the building, we followed it by each shutting the blinds as it caught up with our stalls - not to keep it out, but to stop it blinding the friendly and chatty customers. It was a lovely day and great to meet up with fellow stallholders we haven't seen all summer, as well as seeing some customers we haven't seen for a year or more.

This weekend in Bristol was also lovely weather-wise. This was our first vintage fair and was very busy in the clothes hall. Cup cakes, jewellery and vintage make-overs didn't attract as much attention, but that might have had something to do with position. St. Pauls Church, now Circomedia the circus school was a great and interesting space to sell from.

And so, next weekend it's back to Harpenden:

Pretty Posters

2011-10-13T13:10:00.001+01:00

This Saturday we're at Thame:

And the week after we'll be in Britsol:

Out and about in September

2011-10-10T18:04:00.000+01:00

The last week in September had us visiting Origin, the Contemporary Craft Fair organised by the Craft Council. It’s the first time we’ve been and, apart from it being warm and crowded, we had a great time. There was some absolutely fantastic and beautiful craft on display – jewellery, knitting, glassware, furniture making - far too many to mention them all so take a look for yourselves on the Origin website.

Since then we've been updating our website, as well as adding (very slowly) new stock to folksy.com (more coming soon) and booking up fairs (see previous post).

Dates, dates and a couple more dates

2011-10-10T18:02:00.000+01:00

In October we will be at:

October 15th. Thame Town Hall, High Street, Thame, OX9 3DP. 10am-4pm.
October 22nd. Vintage Fair, Circomedia, St Paul's Church, Bristol, BS15 8DB. 12-5pm.
October 29th. Harpenden Methodist Hall, High Street, AL5 2RU. 10am-5pm.

And for those of you who like to plan ahead, here are our November events:

November 5th. Art and Craft Fair. Queens Park Art Centre, Aylesbury. HP21 7RT.
November 12th. Wendover Memorial Hall. Wharf Road, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6HF. 10am-4pm.
November 26th. Advent Fair. Rudolph Steiner School. Kings Langley, Buckinghamshire.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

And here's a link to what's going on Thame....valelifemagazine

International Jewellery London

2011-09-17T18:27:00.000+01:00

Last week we visited International Jewellery London for the first time, and what an eye opener! We were introduced to the trade fair by a friend and colleague who has been going for a number of years and we can see why.

Not sure what to expect, it was absolutely amazing to see stands stocked floor to ceiling with cut diamonds awaiting that special mount. The strands of semi-precious stones were almost overwhelming in their number, colour and different cuts. There were new designers showing their wares, competition winners, and a whole area selling tools that we took a bit of dragging away from. It was all great to see and I'm sure we'll be regular visitors for now on, keen to see what's new.

Catching up with friends

2011-09-12T16:18:00.000+01:00

Well, sort of.

It's been a online day today - updating on Linkedin, failing to pin on pinterest.com, tweeting and seeking out friends we've lost touch with.

Ximena Heasman and Lorna Henderson are both designers we met at Lauderdale Craft Fair but have lost touch with since we all moved on. It's good to be able to find them and spread their work around.

One of Ximena's ceramic pots.

One of Lorna's classic bracelets.

August almost out

2011-08-30T18:46:00.000+01:00

A fun time was had by all at yesterday's Art Fair at Runnymede. After the torrential rain of Friday, and showers over the weekend, Bank Holiday Monday turned out to be fine and calm with only the odd gust of wind. Thanks to Gary and Sarah for all their organisation.

And now we look forward to autumn

Workshop in a mess

2011-08-25T12:45:00.000+01:00

But this time the workbench is covered with half finished projects rather than clutter. The finishing of the wheelhouse has allowed us to move furniture outside, so the workshop is back to its original size and big enough to dance in. We've been beavering away and hope to be able to show you the results of our efforts at Runnymede soon.

(Here's that poster again, but in a different colour.)

Oops....

2011-08-14T11:40:00.000+01:00

Things have been a little busy family-wise with Dad buying and then writing off a car. Now the hospital visits are over, we're looking forward to the end of the month and Runnymede Art Fair.

Silversmiths in West Florida

2011-07-24T14:22:00.000+01:00

We're not going on holiday this year. Now the sun is out, the river is gorgeous and the days are long and useful for creating. Last year we did go away and here's a belated report about what we got up to.

24th-26th 2010 September was the Pensacola Seafood Festival. Promoting Gulf seafood was a priority after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, but Seville Sqaure was full to busting with local crafters.

In hideous heat and humidity we wandered about looking at lazer-cut steel swordfish and fantastic pottery wares, but it was the jewellery that drew us in. Two stalls particularly stood out -

DeliaStone.com

and one filled with the work of members of the Florida Society of Goldsmiths, Greater Pensacola Chapter - Diana Keenan, Diane Rennie, Roberta Thompson, Rose Padgett, Valerie Harmon-Curtis.

The week previously (17th September) we'd been to Gallery Night. Held monthly through the summer, galleries open their doors, serve wine and nibbles and encourage people to spend on local art.

We particularly enjoyed The Blue Moon Gallery, Quayside Art Gallery, and Jewelers Trade Shop.
But the most interesting, the gallery we spent hours in and could have moved in to was Rock Hard Designs.

Click the links and enjoy!

Coming soon - Runnymede Art Fair

2011-07-15T12:57:00.000+01:00

It was lovely and sunny on the river this morning with the wheelhouse nice and cool with its white, reflective tarpaulin now in place. We hope to spend the next few weeks trolling about to find ferns and palms to fill up the space. Once the workshop is cleared of the spare pieces of iroko and carpentry tools (this afternoon's job) we'll be back in there making and polishing and getting ready for our next round of craft events. This weekend we are visiting a couple of venues in London which we hope to book up for in August.

Osterley is over for the year and both Rachel (of Eureka Designs) and we have made a number of new contacts, both customers and event organisers. We'll both be attending Runnymede Art Fair on 29th August (Bank Holiday Monday) and will be among the many artists under gazebos, spread out along the river bank where King John signed the Magna Carta. For more information about the gallery and the fair, go to http://www.runnymedegallery.com/

Come back at the end of the month and hopefully we'll have a new list of events finalised for you.

Osterley this weekend

2011-07-06T20:36:00.000+01:00

The last three weeks have been creative in a different way and thankfully the wheelhouse is now all done. We now have a new space to throw chemicals around in. Well, that was the initial idea as we have windows on four sides, which makes it light and airy. Now however, scatter cusions and using it as a conservatory seems to be the order of the day. We'll see.

We have moved down river to be in easily commuting of Osterley Park for our second session in the garden gallery. We will be there 9th-10th July, 11-4.30. (Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 4RB). Come and see what we've created since the last time we were there.

We're cream crackered

2011-06-22T22:34:00.000+01:00

After days of measuring, sawing, rebating, routing, sanding and oiling, we are both exhausted but the wheelhouse is coming on. The foot plates have been bolted to the boat and the frames are all ready so now it's just a job of completing the jigsaw.

On the jewellery front, we had a fun time at Clairabella's craft market in High Wycombe on Saturday. There was a great group of people and we spent much of the day discussing the weather. The Met Office had said it was going to be fine, so we had showers all day. Best of all, in five minutes while we were packing up, everything got soaked - display stands, table cloth, us. It was a perfect end to the day.

Onwards and upwards. We are looking forward to going back to Osterley next month and hoping for some warmth. Unfortunately, due to other commitments, we'll now only be at the Garden Gallery at the weekend - 9th and 10th July. We are also printing forms and sending out cheques for events later in the summer. Watch this space for details.

Two weeks of down time

2011-06-06T17:44:00.000+01:00

With the end of Osterley and Oxford Castle over with, we should have a couple of weeks to build up our stock. Our main concern is getting pieces finished off and ready to take for hallmarking. But we have a new boat project in the offing.

Having met friends off the Thames tideway last week, it's all stations go to build our long awaited wheelhouse. The wheelhouse has been planned since we moved on to the boat almost two years ago. Now the wood is ordered, the window material decided upon (acrylic like a plane's windows as opposed to glass because acrylic is lighter and stronger), and we have our carpenter friend moored alongside. Machining of the wood and building of the frame should begin next week. We will still be moving of course as well and fitting in jewellery making in there somewhere too. It will be good finally to be able to move about without the elements throwing everything at us. It has been very wet on the river during the last 24-hours!

Osterley Park Garden Gallery

2011-05-29T20:51:00.000+01:00

Here are views of the garden and inside the gallery. Unfortunately, many people have looked through the gate in the wall marked 'Private', seen the mown lawns, and moved on.

The gallery is tucked in the wall behind and the number of people finding us has not been great. Still, we have had a good few chats over the last few days and it's been a fun and interesting week.

Rachel of Eureka Designs and I have learnt a lot more about each other as the week has progessed and we haven't come to blows yet which is good. Here's a photo of some of her 'Flintstones' inspired jewellery.

Look at us at Wendover

2011-05-28T16:53:00.000+01:00

It's always a pleasure to stall at a Sally Evans event. Sally meets you at the door and shows you to your table. There are tea and coffee making facilities available and a great bunch of friendly, fun stallholders to chat to. And the best thing? Everything is HANDMADE by the people selling to you.

Last week at Wendover wasn't hugely busy, but we still had a good time talking to new and old friends alike. And here's a picture of our stand - someone commented it looks like a load of spaghetti?!

http://www.sallyevansevents.co.uk/

Garden Gallery Exhibition

2011-05-23T20:12:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow we are setting up at Osterley Park for our week long exhibition.
From Wednesday until bank holiday Monday we will be exhibiting in the Garden Gallery with Rachel Hall of Eureka Designs.
From 11.30am until 4.00pm each day we will be available to discuss our work and demonstrate to visitors to this wonderful National Trust property.
Come along and see us this week at Osterley Park House, Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 4RB.

Weary Wednesday

2011-05-19T10:50:00.000+01:00

Well, it was up at 4.15 yesterday to rush up to the antiques fair in Birmingham's Rag Market (open at 7). It rained en route and the M40 was closed due to an accident with everyone being diverted off. It wasn't an auspicious start to the day, but thankfully it was dry when we arrived, not too late, in Birmingham.

The lift in the market buildling had broken, which meant the regular traders weren't able to store their stock in the basement on Tuesday evening. The early arriving antiques dealers were forced to stall outside in amongst the fruit and veg hawkers. Mmmmmmm, it made for an interesting morning, if frustrating for some and, despite everything, we bought well.

After stocking up on cherry toms our next stop was the jewellery quarter to buy some wire to mount our pieces with, and we seemed to have hit another high for silver prices.... oh well.

We won't bore you with the further driving about to collect canisters to fill with diesel to power the boat. Suffice it to say we have fuel in the tank and will be on the move again soon. And Thursday is a day to sort out. The work bench is covered with half completed pieces, so that's what we'll be doing in the next couple of days in the lead up to Wendover - finishing off and polishing.

Wendover Craft Fair this Saturday - 21st May

2011-05-18T14:59:00.000+01:00

We'll be at Wendover Memorial Hall between 10am and 4pm.

Come along and see handmade ceramics, watercolours, jewellery and wood turned items as well as our latest offerings from the workshop. We've been designing and making earrings following our successful event earlier this month.

Pop along to the Memorial Hall, Wharf Road, Wendover HP22 6NX.

Harpenden Report

2011-05-08T11:07:00.000+01:00

We woke early yesterday to thunderstorms, which thankfully dried up to another lovely spring day.

Not having visited Harpenden before, we found the high street a busy but pleasant mix of shops and people. With the Methodist Church Hall centrally placed and the sun shining, we were in a great position to bring everyone in.

Inside there was a great selection of crafts to choose from, all handmade by the vendors - turned wooden bowls, designer knitted scarves, stained glass, silk glass, watercolours, fantastic pottery and sculpture. (Full list of exhibitors.) We had a great day chatting to the other stallholders, friends old and new. Business too was brisk with many new customers and always someone to chat to. Well done Sally.

Please come to see us at Wendover on 21st (Wendover Memorial Hall, Wharf Road, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6HF) or come back to Harpenden on 29th October when you too can see the great mix of crafters that Sally brings together. And on June 5th, a group of designer-makers will be at Oxford Castle - more details to follow, but it should be a great event to coincide with the Big Lunch.

This weekend - 7th May

2011-05-02T17:15:00.000+01:00

After a couple of glorious weeks, let's hope they continue to be warm and sunny (but maybe with some rain overnight to keep the river levels topped up and the plants growing).

Hope too that you've got some time to come out and see us in Harpenden this coming weekend.

More on the hallmark...

2011-04-26T22:24:00.000+01:00

For a simple and persuasive argument on why hallmarks are important, please visit the Birmingham Assay Office (the one we use) website:

http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk/survey/save-the-hallmark.html

It's been a rings week & Save the Hallmark

2011-04-26T21:59:00.000+01:00

After all the procrastinating we have finally tidied the workshop (again). This attempt has been more successful than previous ones as, a week later, we can still see the floor and the workbench and, what's more, we've been working on it - the bench not the floor that is.

We have built up a stock of textured spiral earrings made from old mirrors and, following up on comments from previous happy customers, we have been focusing on turning teaspoons into rings and building up a stock to send to the assay office at the end of the month.

Talking of assay offices, the current government is looking at ways to do away with red tape and is considering doing away with hallmarks as part of the Red Tape Challenge. This is a bad idea as it will remove protection from anyone buying precious metals. Without a hallmark, there is no guarantee that what you are buying really is silver or gold.

Please read what the Goldsmiths' Company has to say in support of hallmarks and please sign the petition to save the hallmark and make sure 700 years of tradition and consumer protection continues.

Dates for May

2011-04-14T20:14:00.001+01:00

Don't forget in May we will be at:

May 7th. Art and Craft Market. Harpenden High Street Methodist Hall, High Street, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2RU. 10am-5pm.

May 21st. Art and Craft Market. Wendover Memorial Hall, Wharf Road, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6HF. 10am-4pm.

May 25th-30th. Art Show at Osterley Park Garden Gallery, Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 4RB. 11-4pm each day.

Update

2011-04-14T20:13:00.000+01:00

We had a good time at the Theydon Bois Creative Fair last weekend. There was lots going on with the local ballet and Stage One dance troupe performing throughout the day. The children's entertainer had everyone busy and squealing outside on the lawn too.

We made lots of new friends amongst the other traders, made contacts to follow up on forthcoming events, and bought a lovely hand-appliqued T-shirt for our nephew. And we met up with some old friends who live locally. All in all it was a good day.

Since then we've been back in the workshop working in copper (see left) and booking up more events.

The latest date for your diary - on June 18th, we'll be at High Wycombe's craft market, organised by Kat at Clairabella (http://www.clairabella.co.uk/ )

New opportunities

2011-04-03T15:16:00.000+01:00

This year we have teamed up with Rachel Hall of Eureka Designs (http://www.eureka-designs.co.uk/) to hire space at Osterley Park's Garden Gallery.

Between May 25th-30th and July 6th-10th we will be filling the gallery with jewellery and sculpture. We will be on hand to talk you through the process of designing and making our pieces.

Come and see us every day between 11am and 4pm at Osterley Park Garden Gallery, Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 4RB.

Wander through the grandeur of Osterley House, take lunch in National Trust Cafe, then come along to the gallery to find out who we are, how we work, and perhaps commission your own individual piece of jewellery.

Back floating & First event

2011-04-03T14:56:00.000+01:00

After spending the winter dragging the bottom of the river Lee, we are back on the Thames and happy to have deep water under the keel.

Last weekend we were wondering around the formal gardens at Hampton Court and gaining inspiration from the Royal School of Needlework bookshop (http://www.royal-needlework.org.uk/ ).

In the workshop we have been filing and polishing and finishing off in preparation for our first event this year -

April 9th. the creative fair. Theydon Bois Village Hall, Coppice Row, Theydon Bois, Essex CM16 7ER. 11am-4pm.

This Easter event includes hands-on crafts for children as well as a hand-picked group of crafters selling their wares. Full details are available from - http://www.thecreativefair.com

Over the next few days we will be sorting stock and will have some 'new' Georgian teaspoon rings on offer next weekend.

March update

2011-03-18T20:26:00.000Z

Jan and Feb are always quiet on the selling front, so we've been making up the time with kitchen fitting and decorating.

Thankfully, we've been back in the workshop this week and finally got round to making some new rings. We hope to have a variety for you to choose from once we start stalling out again.

February already?

2011-02-04T16:14:00.000Z

Oh dear, we seem to be racing though 2011 at far too fast a pace.

It's blowing a gale on the river Lee, but the good news is it's warm so the workshop is temperate and we're in there working. We've got a few commissions for an up and coming 50th birthday and are building up new pieces to take out and sell this year.

We have booked three events with Sally Evans (http://sallyevansevents.co.uk/) We'll be at Harpenden on May 7th and Wendover May 21st. Unfortunately we're busy with family commitments on April 2nd, but will be in Thame on October 15th. Get along and have a look at crafters and designers hand picked for their quality.

We're still awaiting the results of other applications and are form filling all the time so hope to have some more events news here soon.

Happy New Year

2011-01-04T15:25:00.000Z

It makes you feel good when things work out right. Our year has got off to a good start with the news that our last commission of 2010 was received well. It’s always difficult when you’re given a broad-brush approach to know you’ve got it right. We were given one word – hoops – and it’s surprising, once you start to think about it, how many types of hoops there are –flat, round, smooth, planished.

In the end we went for a simple approach, made a series of rings from 1mm wire and then hammered them flat. The pair of earrings with matching bracelet and necklace was well received by the couple that commissioned them, and the sister-in-law they gave the present to loved it. Even the gift box we sent the jewellery in received a positive comment – it didn’t need wrapping, just tying with a ribbon. So, three happy customers to start that year. That’ll do us.

That's us for 2010

2010-12-16T16:55:00.000Z

We've finished our selling events for this year. We're spending the last weekend of December before Christmas with family and friends. We just have one commission to finish before the big event and, with tendonitis setting in, I think my godson's auntie might be getting her present a bit late this year.

In January we'll be getting those rings I've been promising to make all year finished off and sent to the assay office in Birmingham so we should have a stock of those soon. In the meantime there are a couple on our folksy shop (www.folksy.com/shops/OrmeandHall)

We're looking for events for next year and at the moment are considering applying for space at:

the Internation Women's Festival in Spitalfields on March 12th;

and Vintage Festival at Farnham Maltings on May 8th.

We've also emailed another couple of event's organisers but are waiting to hear back...We'll let you know when we do, as well as keeping you updated with what we're getting up to in the workshop over the coming months.

All best wishes for Christmas. Keep safe in whatever the weather throws at us. Hope to see you 2011.

Great day in Stoke Newington

2010-12-16T16:49:00.000Z

Get along to BHVU to see their Winter Open Exhibition (more details at www.bhvu.co.uk).

We were part of the Christmas market a fortnight ago. (For some reason I forgot to publish this post at the right time, so have updated and edited!)

It was great to meet Charlotte, the gallery manager and exhibition organiser, as well as the other artists exhibiting. Sundays you can screenprint your own Christmas cards and there will be different craft stalls this weekend too (18th/19th Dec).

We'll be at...

2010-12-10T18:53:00.000Z

We've been allocated a space at Hopleys, High St, Much Hadham, SG10 6BU.

See you there Sunday afternoon. Let's hope the weather stays warm.

Much Hadham this weekend

2010-12-09T20:19:00.000Z

12th December, that's Sunday, 12-6pm, we're in Much Hadham for the Christmas Market. This is being held in three sites - the Hopleys, Village Hall and Forge Museum. We'll know exactly where we are on Friday once all the stalls have been allocated.

Looking forward to it and hoping that it stays dry and warm!

Postcode for SatNav - SG10 6BS.

Well, we didn't do well...

2010-12-09T20:15:00.000Z

Finally received the new catalogue and sample bag today - only a week late - and they weren't what we were expecting, so it's back to the drawing board and looking for a new printer.

The print quality on the bag was not what we expected and the catalogues just came out a bit small and insignificant. Oh well, Vistaprint usually do better and we've got our thinking caps back on.

Been updating the stock book and putting some pieces up for sale on folksy.com (http://www.folksy.com/shops/OrmeandHall) so there are some pretty pictures for you to look at there.

Catalogue

2010-12-05T16:58:00.000Z

Keep an eye here for details of our new catalogue. It was due for delivery 2nd Dec, but the weather has put the kybosh on many things.

Anyone wanting a copy, just drop us an email.

Basket House Village Universe tomorrow

2010-12-03T19:24:00.000Z

We'll be braving the snow and driving down the A10 to Stoke Newington. Hopefully thery'll be plenty of other brave souls out there in the cold.

This week we've been busy tucked up in the warm in the workshop bashing and heating and making new pieces, as well as planning some more detailed works that we hope to concentrate on in the New Year.

Norden Farm on 20th November was a good day meeting up with old customers and friends as well as making new contacts. We've finished all commissions picked up at Aylesbury and are looking forward to another successful weekend.

New date

2010-11-15T18:40:00.000Z

It's misty outside this evening but we're tucked up inside the workshop preparing for this weekend at Norden Farm Arts Centre (11-4, Altwood Road, Maidenhead). We've finished the commissions picked up at Aylesbury and will be posting those to customers asap.

It feels good to have some space and imagination back in place, and working, so we're busy designing and making new pieces. We hope to be able to show them off at our first Christmas Craft Market on 4th and 5th December. We'll be in Stoke Newington at Basket House Village Universe Gallery (Unit A, Leswin Place, London N16 7NJ) between 12pm and 6pm.

Good day at Alyesbury

2010-11-08T15:20:00.000Z

We had a fun time at Aylesbury Arts and Craft fair on Saturday. Thanks to Louise (Griffiths-Kimber) for all her hard work. The weather was better this year than the heavy rain we had all day last time. Maybe that was why there weren't as many people cramming in to eat the home made cakes.

We enjoyed the conversations we had with fellow stall holders and customers alike.

It was great to chat to Laurie about her beaded bra straps (http://www.goshbrastraps.co.uk/)

and good to see Jackie Vine again and her gorgeous fused glass (http://www.thehousegallery.co.uk/glass/jackie-vine.php).

We met some new stall holders who we hope to be able to see again next year, assuming Sally Evans allows us to take a stall at one of her designer-maker events. Sally's next Art and Craft Market is this weekend - 13th Nov at The Memorial Hall in Wendover, HP22 6NX, 10am-4pm.

We will be busy over the next few days avoiding the miserable weather by carrying out the commissions we picked up.

Upcoming events

2010-11-08T14:45:00.000Z

Over the next few weeks you will find us at......

20th November, Christmas Artisan Fair, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF. 11am-4pm.

12th December, Much Hadham Christmas Market, Much Hadham Village Hall, The Forge Museum, Hopleys. SG10 6BQ. 12pm-6pm.

A new look

2010-10-28T19:55:00.000+01:00

This summer saw us try out our new stall layout. The feedback was very positive and we're happy with both the comments and the new look that we feel displays our pieces better than before. We welcome any comments or suggestions you may have next time we see you.

And, after all those promises, the website has finally been updated. There is less for sale on the site as jewellery is a touchy feely thing. People take a card and leave with good intentions, but it's not the same as picking up a necklace and trying it on. And there are the occasions when the piece you love doesn't suit you quite as well as your second choice. If there's anything you've seen at an event that is no longer on the website, get in touch and we'll do our best to identify it for you.

Late summer holiday

2010-10-23T16:23:00.000+01:00

The end of September found us in America visiting family friends. (Not good for the carbon footprint, but necessary due to family illness.)

Attending Gallery Night in Pensacola, Florida on 17th Sept - open galleries, wine tasting and nibbles - and attending a craft market the following Saturday had us looking at recycled jewellery across the pond. The use of plated cutlery figured highly (spoon and fork bending) as well a sealing paper and lace momentoes behind glass in miniature stained-glass panels. Have a look at ellenaydesigns.com for more info.

A busy summer

2010-10-17T16:57:00.000+01:00

Well, we've been busy, but not online.

No one seems to need jewellery during a recession despite our protestations that you can never have too much. Christmas, birthday, Easter - there's always an event round the corner that calls for that special gift, or present to self.

We are booking up November and December events, our first being the Aylesbury Art and Craft fair, 6th November at Queen's Park Arts Centre (HP21 7RT, for those with SatNav or googlemaps). We had a great time there last year, so if you're available between 10am and 4pm pop along and see the wonderful things people have for sale. We had a good day buying the family's Christmas presents.

We'll keep you updated on the other events we book as and when they are confirmed.

In the meantime we hope you're able to get out and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.

It's all go here

2010-07-06T17:59:00.000+01:00

Kidlington Climate Change Fair on 19th June turned out to be an exciting, fun event once we got there. The phasing of the traffic-lights on the A40 as we entered Oxford was causing a rather long tail-back so we arrived just as the fair opened. Thankfully we had lots of good conversations with interested people once we'd stalled out.

We took the time in the traffic jam to discuss a change in stall layout and we've been working on that over the last couple of weeks as well as completing and delivering our latest crop of commission work. Come the middle of July at Red House (17th and 18th) we should (hopefully) have a new and simplified look that will follow through onto our website later in the year.

During the summer we'll be putting the new work shop through its paces. It's just had another tidy up and re-arrangement of tools to make sure everything is in easy reach and come the autumn we hope to have a whole new load of pieces on offer. And once the new look has bedded in, we'll photograph the new stock and get it online for everyone to view.

Summer's here....

2010-06-15T21:42:00.000+01:00

The last two Saturdays have seen us in Oxford and Egham.

On 5th June we attended ScienceOxford Live as part of their Green and Clean event. We stalled out along with a number of solar electricty and hot water suppliers. Outside, the sun was shining, and people made the most of it.

On 12th we were in Egham High Street for Magna Carta Day. Someone commented, as we stalled out, that he'd never seen so many people in the high street. It was a very busy day with live entertainment for kids and adults alike as well as a good mix of stalls. A great, fun day out. And the sun shone again, although the breeze for most of the day was quite keen.

Next Saturday (19th) we're back in Oxford, for Kidlington Climate Change fair (1-4pm at Exeter Hall). And then it's Red House (17th and 18th July) and Linslade Canal festival (31st).

We've had good feedback on the commmissions we picked up last month and are taking a break from the fairs in August to concentrate on some more expected to come through towards the end of July. August is always a funny month and one of the most difficult to guage event-wise. We'll be back with news of our autumn events as and when we book them.

Weather does for green events

2010-05-19T12:32:00.000+01:00

May 9th was Hampshire Green Fair and despite being dry all day it was cold. There were lots of different stalls and interesting things to do at the Sustainability Centre, but numb toes did knock the edge off the day. It must be a great place for the staff to live – under canvas or in a yurt – and getting there through the well-signposted back lanes emphasises the isolation of the place – a truly lovely setting. Unfortunately business was not brisk. Twice the number of stalls from last year may have spread the money around, but some visitors complained that the entrance fees had taken all their spending money. A useful gauge for how well a day has gone is usually the plant sellers - they had plenty of strawberry and tomato plants available at the end of the day.

Last weekend (16^th) was the first Aylesbury Green Fair and this time the rain put pay to the day. Held in the market square, the fair was well-organised and again had a good range of stall holders from a local brewery to fair trade products as well as eco designers and solar panel salespeople. The morning was fine and there were lots of people about to chat to. Unfortunately, the Met Office was bang on with the weather and at 3 o’clock the heavens opened. By quarter past we had a rivulet running through the cobbles under our stall. Thankfully we’d put a ground sheet down and the rain ran under it and not through all our bits and pieces stored under the table. It made for an interesting end to the afternoon and it was good for networking and for picking up a couple of commissions.

Thankfully we think the Oxford Green Fair to be held at Science Oxford is inside. That's a new date for your diary - Saturday 5th June, 11am – 4pm. More details about the Clean & Green Festival here – www.scienceoxford.com/auxiliary/science-oxford-clean-green-festival

The best laid schemes...

2010-04-30T20:35:00.000+01:00

Well, April didn’t quite turn out as planned. We have managed to clear the workroom and last week we could even see the workbench and organised tools to suit. Unfortunately, we were then given some bad news about the hydraulic hoses under the floor – they were all too small and would need to be replaced if our anchor winch was ever to work properly. To cut a very tedious story short, over last weekend we prepared by dismantling the bed and moving half a ton of ballast, as well as taking up floors in the bathroom, kitchen, study, spare loo and workroom (so that’s most of the boat). Monday the hoses were replaced and today we’re almost back to normal. Needless to say we haven’t been working as hard on creating new pieces as we’d planned. We’ll leave that till next week after we head of down the tidal Thames (from Teddington to Limehouse and thence to the River Lee).

Out and about, we had a call from Red House (Bexleyheath, Kent) yesterday to confirm we will be there on 17^th and 18^th July. We’ve been busy looking for events later in the year and discovered anew the amazing differentials in stall costs between organisers. We can confirm we will be at Kidlington Green Fair on 19^th June (Oxford) and Hayward’s Heath Green Fair has been postponed. We were phoned last week to say that Mid Sussex council are going to combine the Green Fair with Town Day to increase potential numbers and move the Green Fair to 11^th September. That’s one autumn date we have confirmed. We are waiting for emails back from a number of other organisers and keeping our fingers crossed.

Poacher turned game keeper.

2010-04-12T22:22:00.001+01:00

Fed up with craft fairs full of bought in stuff? So was our friend Rachel, so she's organising her own designer, handmade craft fairs. The next fair is to be held on 8th May 2010 at Duke Street Church Cafe, Richmond upon Thames.

The event is already full for jewellery, and we're not included, but if you live locally and want to get involved, then contact Rachel direct at rachel_hall@talk21.com

We've been busy...

2010-04-12T22:05:00.000+01:00

But not making jewellery, yet. Now the sun's out and we're keen to get creating again, we've been working on clearing up the new workshop. At the moment there are piles of wood cluttering up the workbench, but we have managed to clear the floor. Hopefully, by the weekend we will be sawing and filing the designs we've been storing up over the winter.

We have been sending off cheques though and are now booked to do:

Magna Carta Day. 11-4, 12th June, Egham High Street, Runnymede.

Red House Craft Fair, 17th and 18 July, Red House (the house Philip Webb built for William Morris), Bexleyheath, Kent.

Linslade Canal Festival, 11-5, 31st July, Linslade near Leighton Buzzard, Bucks.

And one for future reference:

Art and Craft Fair, 6th November. Queens Park Arts Centre, Aylesbury Buckinghamshire.

We've also been adding links to the website (www.ormeandhall.com) so now you can go there and immediately link back to here or go to folksy.com

Decorating got the better of us AND New Dates

2010-04-02T10:16:00.000+01:00

Apologies to those who were expecting to see us at Princes Risborough Craft Fair last weekend (27th March). After a week of varnishing doors, we woke up unable to move on Saturday morning.

On a slightly more positive note, we’ve booked to stall out at Hampshire Green Fair on 9^th May. All being well, and hoping we don’t have any more decorating to do for family members, in May we will be at:

9^th May. Hampshire Green Fair, 10am-4pm. The Sustainability Centre, Droxford Road, East Meon, Petersfield, Hants, GU32 1HR

15^th May Art on the Street, 10am to 3pm. Maidenhead High Street, Maidenhead Berkshire. We shall squeeze onto a stall here with Pauline King, photographic artist. She will be bringing along prints and canvasses as well as her handmade bunting and bags. More information at www.maidenheadartmarket.org

16^th May. Aylesbury Green Fair, 11am - 4pm. Market Square, Aylesbury, Bucks.

In June we hope to be at Hayward’s Heath Eco Fair on the 5^th, but won’t know if we have been accepted until the beginning of May. We are also about to book to stall at Magna Carta Day on 12^th June. This is held in Egham High Street, just off Runnymede, and has a medieval theme. The following week (19^th) we hope to be at Kidlington Green Fair, and are waiting to receive booking details.

Of course, as soon as we know, we’ll let you know.

Whitchurch Green Fair

2010-03-27T11:19:00.001Z

Last Saturday (20th March) turned out to be a bit of a dismal day weather-wise with a grey, overcast sky and intermittent showers. Inside the Gill Nethercott Centre in Whitchurch (Hampshire) everything was much sunnier.

Many thanks to Beth Wright for organising the inaugural Whitchurch Green Fair. With talks on energy saving in the home, electric cars and carbon capture to name a few, as well as stalls selling green and environmentally-conscious goods, it was a great day. We spent the day chatting to interesting people, both stallholders and visitors, and thoroughly ourselves. It was really encouraging to attend an event full of useful information (solar panels, Whitchurch LETS) and visited by people who were interested in listening, learning and sharing their own experiences. Well done Beth, John Buckley and Whitchurch GreenAware.

We're on Folksy

2010-03-27T11:10:00.000Z

Finally, after talking about it for a year, we've managed to upload a few of our goods on to folksy.com. There are only a three necklaces on there at the moment, but from little acorns and all that. We had sorted out some photos, cropped them all beautifully, before we logged on to find that photos on folksy have to be square. So, it was back to the photo editing software. If you fancy a look, our folksy shop address is, rather predicatably: http://www.folksy.com/shops/OrmeandHall
Hopefully we'll have some more pieces on there soon and once we get around to it, there will be a link from our website to it. Happy shopping.

2010-03-15T22:01:00.000Z

Well, 2009 was a busy year one way and another. We took delivery of our new home at the end of January and set about fitting it out and building our new workshop. All went well for two weeks before we had some bad family ill-health news. Thank you to all those who have helped us go from switching the old man off to bringing him home last December.

Building work continued throughout 2009 as we moved from our home to the parents'. With the carpet fitters finishing off today, we are almost free of decorating and back into the realms of jewellery making.

We have fairs booked for 20th (Whitchurch, Hants) and 27th March (Princes Risborough, Bucks) and then April we're going to be busy, busy, busy. The workshop will finally have been cleared of its clutter and the torches will be firing as we get to grips with all those designs we've been thinking about for the last year. It's going to be great, now we have the time and space, to get creating again. We're looking forward to turning all those spoons and and cigarette cases into pieces of art for you all to wear.

Our next event will then be Aylesbury Green Fair on 16th May, unless we book anything else in the meantime. You'll learn about it here first.

Looking forward to catching up in 2010.