Spring is in the air

Spring finally feels like it's here. The snow's stopped and it feels like it's finally beginning to warm up a bit. Yesterday, whilst I was out walking, the air was cool and crisp, but with the sun shining on me, it was quite warming. It was nice and refreshing. There are plenty of birds visiting my garden and soon the flowers will be coming out and blossom growing on the trees. I get a lot of my inspiration at this time of year from the plants and flowers (see photos).

Inspiration for Dandelion Pendant

Inspiration for Daisy Collection

As well as my Daisy Collection and Dandelion Pendant, I have made items inspired by blossom, leaves and trees. Below are examples of some of these items. I'm hoping to make some more nature inspired designs this spring too. In the pipeline are some daffodil earrings. Keep your eye out for more items!

Tree Pendant

Wire Leaf Pendant

Blossom Pendant

Another sign of spring being on the way is the approaching celebration of Mother's Day. This year it's on Sunday 10th March. It's a good day to celebrate our mothers and/or the women in our lives that have helped us and looked after us. Do you have any plans for Mother's Day? If you're looking for present inspiration, feel free to visit my Folksy shop for ideas.

Busy week ending in a jewellery party

This week's been a busy week, with a mixture of Christmas shopping, stocking up and jewellery party preparation.

It started off with a day out in York. I went to do some Christmas shopping with my Mum. It turned out to be a very wet day and rained most of the day, which put a damper on things, quite literally! We bought a few presents and got a few ideas for various people, but didn't get quite as much as we'd hoped. I don't think we were quite in the mood for Christmassy things with all the rain. We did have a quick stop off at Betty's though, which is favourite place for a treat in my family. We bought a cake to share and I bought one for my husband.

I then spent the next few days doing a mixture of things. I helped out some friends with house sitting and baby sitting. I stocked up on a few items, like my blossom earrings (see photo), and created a few new items. I also made a ring to that someone had ordered.

I spent the rest of the time preparing for my jewellery party on Friday. This was fun and a bit stressful at the same time. I had fun choosing the Christmas music to play, decorating the house and making goody bags for those who attended (see photo). However, I did get a bit stressed making sure I'd got the house tidy, bought enough nibbles and making sure my displays were good. Then finally came the jewellery party! It was a fun time, relaxing with friends with good conversation, Christmas music, and mince pies and sweets to nibble. It was good to catch up, as well as make a few sales.


Are you looking for a party idea? Would you enjoy hosting a jewellery party? Silver Chestnut offers jewellery parties as a service*. When you host a jewellery party, you provide venue, guests, and nibbles. In return for your hosting skills you receive 10% of the takings**. Silver Chestnut provides the displays and handmade jewellery, and will be on hand on the night to answer any questions. If you are interested, please get in touch on the following details or add a comment below:

Phone: 07580633945
Email: jenny@silverchestnut.co.uk


*Currently, I am only able to definitely offer this service in or around Leeds. Other destinations may become possible, dependant on travel times and accommodation, so do not let it put you off contacting me.
**Terms & Conditions Apply

4 sales in just over a week!

It's been such a good week since I got back from holiday that I just had to tell people. Within the first day of re-opening my shop on Folksy, I had a sale. I wonder if they had been waiting for me to re-open to buy it.

My first sale - Frosted Leaf

Two days later I had another sale on Folksy. It was one of my items that I have set as 'made to order', so I made it and sent it off.

My second sale - Daisy Studs

Then a friend of a friend wanted some jewellery as an anniversary present. They looked at my jewellery and wanted something making that was similar to some of the items with a few changes. I designed and made them a set of matching earrings and necklace. (If you'd like a design making for you feel free to contact me on jenny@silverchestnut.co.uk)

My third sale - Semi Textured Set

My final sale, and hopefully not the last, of the week was today on Folksy Some of my earrings this time. All these sales are really good. I hope it's a sign of more sales to come, although it does mean that I have to make a few more bits of jewellery to restock before the Christmas craft fairs.

My final sale - Dangly Textured Earrings

Welcome to Silver Chestnut's blog!

Wire Leaf Pendant

Welcome to Silver Chestnut's blog.

I'm new to all this blog stuff so I'm still working out what to write and how often, etc. I thought I would start by introducing myself and explaining a bit about what I do.

Blossom Necklace

I'm a designer-maker from West Yorkshire. I design and make jewellery, mainly using silver. I like creating different surfaces and setting stones. I get a lot of inspiration from nature. I have a range of daisy items and blossom items. I also get inspiration from Celtic designs. I've included a few examples of my work in this blog for you.

Twisted Ring

I sell my jewellery on-line, at craft fairs and in a shop (with the possibility of more!). The website I sell my items through is Folksy, a website that showcases UK designers and makers. Feel free to browse my shop: http://folksy.com/shops/SilverChestnut