March Meet the Maker 2021 - Part 1
March is always an exciting month for makers, as it bring about Joanne Hawker's March Meet the Maker!
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A month long Instagram Challenge, with a different prompt every weekday, giving brands a chance to tell their story around that topic.
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I can't quite believe it's been a whole year since the last one, but am super excited to be taking part again. I'll be posting every weekday to Instagram, and then doing a weekly round up here, so you can learn a little bit more about Bluebell Lane!
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To see what other makers have been up to too, follow #marchmeetthemaker2021 on Instagram!
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A month long Instagram Challenge, with a different prompt every weekday, giving brands a chance to tell their story around that topic.
.
I can't quite believe it's been a whole year since the last one, but am super excited to be taking part again. I'll be posting every weekday to Instagram, and then doing a weekly round up here, so you can learn a little bit more about Bluebell Lane!
.
To see what other makers have been up to too, follow #marchmeetthemaker2021 on Instagram!
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Day 1: B R A N D I N T R O
Welcome to Bluebell Lane Jewellery, a sustainable jewellery brand, where each of your pieces is lovingly handcrafted using Recycled Sterling Silver.
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For those of you who don't know me, I'm Ruth, and I'm the owner/maker/all the things do-er here at Bluebell Lane, and I'm passionate about creating long lasting, beautiful jewellery, whilst having as little impact on our planet as possible.
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As well as the wide range of ready to buy pieces that you'll find on my website, I also offer a bespoke commissions service, where we can work together to create a one of a kind piece just for you!
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So I guess that's kind of the blurb to what I do, if you'd like to know the rest of what's in the book, then stay tuned for the rest of #marchmeetthemaker2021 !
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Day 2: S T Y L E
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With each collection I make, I find that my style changes and evolves to fit with what is interesting me at the time..
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This could be things like, texture, shape, light, material, decorative detail etc which will each inspire their own pieces or whole collections.
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I'm currently loving playing with scraps of silver, soldering pieces together to create new organic forms, which have a lovely rustic feel to them.
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I'm looking forward to producing a collection made in this style later this year, and putting all of my offcuts and waste to good use!
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With each collection I make, I find that my style changes and evolves to fit with what is interesting me at the time..
.
This could be things like, texture, shape, light, material, decorative detail etc which will each inspire their own pieces or whole collections.
.
I'm currently loving playing with scraps of silver, soldering pieces together to create new organic forms, which have a lovely rustic feel to them.
.
I'm looking forward to producing a collection made in this style later this year, and putting all of my offcuts and waste to good use!
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DAY 3: B E L I E F S & V A L U E S
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SUSTAINABLE: We have a responsibility to do our bit to look after the planet. For Bluebell Lane that means using Recycled Sterling Silver where ever possible, compostable packaging, and regularly asking myself the simple question of 'Can I do/make/source this more sustainably?' It also means encouraging a buy less, buy better approach, where we slow fashion down, and really treasure and look after what we've got.
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FRIENDLY: It is important to me to create an environment where you - my audience and customers - feel comfortable. Comfortable to ask questions, comfortable to have conversations, and confident that you will be met with a friendly and welcoming response.
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HONEST & OPEN: Providing a space you can trust, giving you all the information, (including the not quite perfect bits) so that you can shop with confidence. It's not always easy to share the parts I'm not yet proud of, such as the chains on my necklaces still being regular sterling silver rather than Ecosilver (something I'm working on!), but it is important to me that you have the info so that you can make your own informed decision about what you buy!
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PERSONAL WELLBEING: Sometimes spending the morning in the bath, or taking the afternoon off to walk with a friend is just more important than work. We can't be 100% all of the time, and so when I'm not feeling inspired or notice myself procrastinating for a couple of hours, it is time to step out, shake it out and return once I've recharged.
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SUSTAINABLE: We have a responsibility to do our bit to look after the planet. For Bluebell Lane that means using Recycled Sterling Silver where ever possible, compostable packaging, and regularly asking myself the simple question of 'Can I do/make/source this more sustainably?' It also means encouraging a buy less, buy better approach, where we slow fashion down, and really treasure and look after what we've got..
FRIENDLY: It is important to me to create an environment where you - my audience and customers - feel comfortable. Comfortable to ask questions, comfortable to have conversations, and confident that you will be met with a friendly and welcoming response..
HONEST & OPEN: Providing a space you can trust, giving you all the information, (including the not quite perfect bits) so that you can shop with confidence. It's not always easy to share the parts I'm not yet proud of, such as the chains on my necklaces still being regular sterling silver rather than Ecosilver (something I'm working on!), but it is important to me that you have the info so that you can make your own informed decision about what you buy!.
PERSONAL WELLBEING: Sometimes spending the morning in the bath, or taking the afternoon off to walk with a friend is just more important than work. We can't be 100% all of the time, and so when I'm not feeling inspired or notice myself procrastinating for a couple of hours, it is time to step out, shake it out and return once I've recharged.
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Day 4: O N Y O U R D E S K
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My desk, or work bench, has been many things before becoming my place to make jewellery.
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It is actually an old massage table that my mum used when she trained as a massage therapist. It later became a messy table for me and my sister to paint and do 'sticking and gluing' on, and then served a few years as a carboot sale table too!
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As you can see the paint still remains, as do a few stickers saying 50p!
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I love working at this table and thinking about how many different purposes it's had before, and what else it will go on to do once it's had enough of silversmithing..!
My desk, or work bench, has been many things before becoming my place to make jewellery.
.
It is actually an old massage table that my mum used when she trained as a massage therapist. It later became a messy table for me and my sister to paint and do 'sticking and gluing' on, and then served a few years as a carboot sale table too!
.
As you can see the paint still remains, as do a few stickers saying 50p!
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I love working at this table and thinking about how many different purposes it's had before, and what else it will go on to do once it's had enough of silversmithing..!
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Day 5: N E W E S T M A K E
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Last week I made this lovely commissioned necklace for a friend, with each initial standing for a child in their family.
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I always love making initial pendants, they are simple and symbolic, and make a such a special and personal gift.
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There is still just about time to have one made by Mother's Day, but of course they can also be made and given all year round!
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Last week I made this lovely commissioned necklace for a friend, with each initial standing for a child in their family.
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I always love making initial pendants, they are simple and symbolic, and make a such a special and personal gift.
.
There is still just about time to have one made by Mother's Day, but of course they can also be made and given all year round!