Tag: jewellery

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Handmade Resin Flower Jewellery

Blooming For Beauty: Handmade Resin Flower Jewellery

There’s something magical about capturing nature’s fleeting beauty and turning it into something you can cherish forever. That’s exactly what we do at Just Like Mildred—a mother-and-daughter team creating handmade resin jewellery that preserves real flowers in timeless pieces you can wear every day.

Real Flowers, Preserved in Resin

Each piece begins with carefully selected real flowers—delicate petals, tiny blossoms, and soft greenery—that we dry and prepare by hand. Using high-quality UV resin, we encapsulate these natural treasures so they stay vibrant, protected, and as beautiful as the day they were picked. No two pieces are ever alike, making each item truly one-of-a-kind

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Designed to Last

We know jewellery should be as durable as it is beautiful. That’s why we use stainless steel components in all our creations. Stainless steel is hypoallergenic, tarnish-resistant, and strong, ensuring your jewellery stays stunning for years to come. Whether it’s a pair of earrings, a pendant, or a bracelet, you can wear our designs with confidence every day.

Handmade With Heart

Behind every piece is a story of creativity, love, and connection. As a mother and daughter duo, crafting together is our way of blending generations—combining skill, imagination, and a shared love for nature. Every design is lovingly handmade, meaning what you wear is not just jewellery, but a piece of our family’s passion and artistry.

A Gift from Nature, Made Just for You

Our handmade resin flower jewellery makes for meaningful gifts—perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or simply treating yourself. Each design carries the charm of natural beauty, captured in a way that never fades.

🌸 Jewellery that blossoms forever. 🌸

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About Jewellery handcrafted by Pauline

Hi, I’m Pauline, I love to make jewellery and creating new designs. All my jewellery is designed and handcrafted by me from my home in Cheltenham using intricate wire-wrapping and weaving techniques. 

Wire wrapping is one of the oldest techniques for making jewellery.

I have always loved jewellery and a few years ago I attended wire jewellery making courses at my local college. I absolutely loved the courses and became totally hooked.

I was amazed how beautiful and intricate jewellery could be made using wire and beads and a few jewellery making tools. There is no soldering or heating of  metal in this method of jewellery making.

My jewellery and decorations are individually created  using wire wrapping and wire weaving techniques. I use a variety of materials including sterling silver wire, silver filled wire,  copper wire, silver plated fixings and a variety of beautiful beads. 

My designs are often inspired by nature, I find the shapes in nature amazing. Among my pieces you will find leaf shapes, flowers, dragonflies, bees, and birds. I also love to make hearts.

When I have a design in mind I will sometimes but not always make a very rough sketch. I take a length of wire either .8mm or 1mm wire and begin to shape the wire using jewellery making tools and mandrels. Once I am happy with shape I will gently hammer with a chasing hammer on a steel block to harden and strengthen the wire shape. I use .4mm wire to create wire weaving designs or to add beads.  The wire is finished with a burr tool to smooth and a wrapped loop to secure. The completed piece is gently polished with a polishing cloth.

I hope you enjoy browsing in my shop and if you have any questions please contact me.

 

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How to Care for Copper Jewellery

peach-and-copper-wooden-necklace-

 

Copper jewellery possesses a timeless feel with its warm, rosy hue and unique charm. Here we will explore the essential tips for caring for your copper jewellery.

 

Before the care tips, it’s essential to understand copper’s characteristics. Copper is a soft metal that tends to patina or tarnish over time. This natural oxidation process can lead to a darkening or a colour change on the surface of your jewellery. While some people appreciate the aged look, ( I know I do) others prefer to keep their copper pieces shiny and vibrant. So Here’s how:

 

Regular Cleaning

 

Regular cleaning is essential to prevent tarnish and keep your copper jewellery looking its best. There are several methods you can use:

 

 Lemon and Salt – Create a paste by mixing lemon juice and salt. Gently rub this paste onto the copper piece using a soft cloth or a toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry.

 

 Vinegar and Salt –  Mix equal parts white vinegar and salt to form a paste. Apply it to the jewellery, let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently scrub with a soft cloth. Rinse and dry.

 

Commercial Copper Cleaners – You can also find commercial copper cleaners designed for this purpose. Follow the instructions on the product label for the best results.

 

Drying and Storage

 

After cleaning, ensure your copper jewellery is completely dry before storing it. Copper is susceptible to moisture, so always pat it dry with a clean, soft cloth. To prevent scratches and tangling, store your copper pieces separately in a cool, dry place. Consider using anti-tarnish bags or jewellery boxes to protect them further.

 

Preventative Measures

 

To try and prevent tarnish, avoid exposing your copper jewellery to harsh chemicals, such as household cleaners, perfumes, and lotions. Remove your jewellery before swimming, showering, or engaging in activities that may expose it to moisture. Additionally, consider wearing gloves when handling copper jewellery to prevent the transfer of oils and acids from your skin.

 

Embrace the Patina

 

Those of us that love copper we can appreciate the rich patina that develops over time, as it adds character and uniqueness to each piece. If you enjoy this aged look, simply embrace it and let your jewellery naturally evolve.

 

Caring for copper jewellery doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little regular maintenance and attention, you can enjoy the timeless beauty of copper for years to come. Whether you prefer the gleam of polished copper or the charm of a well-developed patina, these care tips will help you preserve your treasured pieces. So, go ahead, wear your copper jewellery with pride and let it tell your story.

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Hallmarks in the UK

In the UK, to sell precious metals as silver, gold, etc it is
a legal requirement to have all silver weighing more than 7.78g hallmarked (for
gold it’s over 1g). To do this it must be sent to one of the 4 assay offices;
London, Birmingham, Sheffield, or Edinburgh. The assayers then test the purity
of the metal and, providing it meets the standards, hallmark with the sponsor’s
mark (the maker’s mark – usually initials), fineness mark (the precious metal
content expressed in parts per thousand), and the Assay office mark.  Additionally, there are further hallmarks that
are optional including traditional fineness marks and date letters.

There are significant costs to the maker of adhering to
these hallmarking laws and it can somewhat impede the creative flow of said
makers, the upside being the assurance to the consumer that they can be certain
of the quality of the metal they are purchasing. Worldwide hallmarking laws are
not always as stringent and sometimes non-existent. 

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Supporting Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday – Small Business, Big Difference.

 

Small Business Saturday is a grass-roots, non-political, non-commercial campaign that encourages people to support small businesses in their communities, both on the Saturday itself and beyond. The campaign also aims to support, inspire and promote small businesses all year round.

 

On Small Business Saturday, you can help to make a real difference by choosing to shop small, shop local and shop independent.

Supporting my small business 

For me it’s all about helping to fulfil the dream. When you buy from an independent maker, like me, it means that you recognise the dream that I have nurtured and the hours that I have spent exploring and experimenting with my craft. It means that you appreciate the skills that I have honed and the love that I have invested in the piece that you have chosen. It gives me a huge boost to know that someone else can see the value in my work, and in turn it gives me the confidence to continue to grow my small business. In return, I hope that you enjoy the piece that you have chosen, whether that is for yourself, or whether you take pleasure in the act of gifting it to someone else.

 

If you have bought something from me, thank you. 

 

There is no big budget marketing campaign, or team of employees helping to run my small business. It’s just me. I am a self-taught designer and creator, buyer, photographer, marketing manager, accountant, blogger, packer, delivery driver, sales manager and general spinner of plates!

 

I truly appreciate your support.

 

Why I’ll be Supporting Others

 

It’s so important to support independent businesses, artists and makers, and those businesses who try to support them. There is such a diverse wealth of talent in this country and we should be celebrating all that creativity. Supporting small business means supporting your community and the ripple effect which that can have in generating positivity, well-being and goodwill is so vital to the survival of, not just the businesses themselves, but their area as a whole. It’s self-fulfilling, if I buy from my local independents, they can buy from someone else. Maybe they open a shop on my local high street and that in turn encourages other new business and visitors to the area. Investing in my local independent artisans and producers means investing in my local community and that has to be good for everyone.

 

 Supporting each other in our handmade community, here at The British Craft House is something we are all really proud of.

Did you know that Susan Bonnar, founder of the platform, is one of the

Small Business Saturday UK Small Business Heroes!

 This year, I’m doing my bit for Small Business Saturday by supporting some of my favourite British Craft House fellow makers.

Godrevy Textiles

 

Sarah is a weaver/maker based on the beautiful Lizard Penninsula in Cornwall. We met for real whilst I was down on holiday this year! Sarah produces her own exquisite hand-woven cloth on her cottage loom, and the transforms it into wonderful home accessories and gifts.

 

RedheadWondering Hand Bound Boooks

Lizzie is a wonderful wordsmith and loves to encourage everyone to record their thoughts. She handmakes the most beautiful Coptic bound journals with incredible cyanotype designs, each inspired by nature. These books are perfect for journals or diaries, for sketchbooks and photograph albums, or for whatever you might want them to be.

Sally Thake Jewellery

Sally has the most nimble of fingers, creating the most intricate pieces of jewellery using a myriad of tiny seed beads and her work is influenced by the impact of the seasons on the surrounding countryside of the Cambridgeshire Fens.

This year’s Small Business Saturday takes place on December 4th.

Please support your favourite small businesses. 

 

Thank you. 

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I never thought I would …….

When I began my career, I thought I would work as a hairdresser for ever. …after all, it’s what I’d wanted to do since starting school. But then…..

…I never thought I would own a town centre hairdressing salon employing up to 15 members of staff.

I never thought I would go to night school to learn how to teach.

I never dreamed that I would become a part time tutor at Blackburn College Hairdressing dept and have my own tutor groups to inspire, nurture and teach cutting and styling skills to.

I never thought that attending a weekly art class would lead me to studying for a fine art degree that I graduated from in 2008. 

I never thought I would be asked by our local council to run our towns very first art market, and as a direct result of this I was asked, with a couple of friend’s to deliver a huge community project in Blackburn town centre called, POP – Project Our Place.

I never thought that a few of us from our degree course would set up a working artist’s studio in the town centre above a charity shop.

I never thought that two friends could set up and work together running Ribble Valley Art Studios, an art studio collective in Clitheroe, and it be a success for 9 years.

I certainly never thought I would ever be teaching my love of art in southern Spain, in the town of Baza, with two friend’s that are the ‘Caves of Dreams’.

I never thought that in a worldwide pandemic I would set up, and make handmade wooden jewellery from my back porch ‘Bevart designs ‘was born.

I never thought that in April 2021 I would become sole proprietor of ‘Atelier Arts’ art studios, art gallery with small teaching area in town centre Clitheroe. 

…and I certainly never thought I would be self-employed for all these years, teaching art subjects to a vast array of wonderful students of all ages. Including adults, children, children with needs, young offenders, young people. Thankyou to everyone for giving me these wonderful opportunities.

  

 

Thinking back, my journey has been about considering options, making choices and taking decisions. 

This CORE decision framework is a good place to start.

C – Challenges.  Accept them and stretch yourself outside your comfort zone. Grow and develop yourself and expand your comfort zone. But not so much that you cause yourself, or others, stress. Find the level of challenge you’re comfortable with. What are the challenges associated with your options? Take on enough challenge to keep you interested and developing.

O – Opportunities.  What opportunities do, or what could each of the options provide? Consider all opportunities that are made available. If the opportunity you want isn’t offered, or isn’t quite as you’d like it to be, then find a way to create it and make it happen.

R – Rewards.  Identify what you value. This can be anything that really matters to you – financial rewards, family time, recognition, progression, work/life balance, personal development and so on. How do the options and choices offered provide the potential to get the rewards that are important to you?

E – Enjoyment.  Think about what you really enjoy doing. Make sure the decisions you take allow you to do what you really enjoy. Then do it.

 

This CORE frame work I borrowed from AWD Development Solutions, all other words are my own, Beverley – Bevart designs

link to my art studios, below.

www.atelierarts.co.uk 

Sign up to Bevart’s Broadcast – newsletter below

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All About myself and HRJ!

Welcome!  Let me start by telling you a little bit about myself!


I’m Fallon, a thirty-something year old, living in Hertfordshire with my husband and daughter.  I’m an avid crafter, have been all my life, trying my hand at many different activities for fun and making numerous things for my daughter and as gifts.   I also love home baking and drinking copious cups of tea!  I have a degree in photography and shoot freelance baby and children photography (when global pandemics don’t get in the way!)

 

I’ve been using polymer clay since I was a child, initially making teeny tiny food for my dolls house.  My husband bought me a food themed polymer clay book many years ago, and after experimenting with cakes and sweets, decided to start selling the increasing number of makes I produced, mainly to clear some space!!  The rest is history, HRJ was born in May 2011!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I chose to continue the foodie theme as I love all things quirky and retro – I’m an eighties child, so the retro food you find at old school birthday parties is an absolute favourite at mine – plates of iced ring biscuits, fondant fancies, etc – whenever we have a birthday at home, we always have that kind of tea party to celebrate!  I think the theme brings a sense of nostalgia to childhood/good memories from the past (my allsorts sweetie bracelet was one of my very first makes, and is still so popular today, with the young and old!). I’ve now also started to branch out into homeware and decorations…but more on that in my next blog post!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspiration strikes me at any time – I generally get distracted by anything cute and quirky, especially colourful eye catching things.  I love kawaii styles, and have incorporated it into some of my pieces.  Current trends inspire me, as well as actual foods; being a keen baker, I follow lots of baking accounts on social media, and sometimes try to recreate something edible into clay form!  I also have had many commissions and special requests over the years, and some I have felt would be really popular, so have then made these into pieces for my shop too.

I joined TBCH in early 2020 and love the unique community of makers here, they are all so helpful and friendly, with each and every one making beautiful high quality handcrafted items.

Oh and if you’re wondering…my favourite biscuit to dunk in my cup of tea is….a chocolate bourbon or Lotus Biscoff!

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Bevart designs and ‘Wabi Sabi’ a Japanese philosophy

What inspires to me to make my jewellery pieces.

Hello, I am Beverley from Bevart designs.

I am an artist that has been inspired to make jewellery from my love of art. So in short, my jewellery creations have been inspired from my artworks. 

I love wood and colour and have combined the two elements to make beautiful art inspired jewellery for you to wear. 

Whilst doing my degree back in 2008 whooooa! long time ago.

I was fascinated by making something that was quite ordinary very beautiful, I incorporated copper pipe and wire and velvet fabrics to bring my 3-D relief paintings and sculptures to life.

 

The photo is a piece that I created for my fine art degree, I embedded a large ornate mirror, red velvet and copper pipe. This work was made in response to self Indulgence and decadence.

 

Artwork – 5ft x 3ft plaster, paint, velvet, copper pipe, mirror and varnish.

Entitled  – ‘Indulge’

SOLD

 

Fast forward to now, in my fine artwork I use gold leaf and mark making using unconventional tools. My ethos in my creative life is ‘Making the ordinary beautiful’ a few years ago I discovered WabiSabi a Japanese philosophy and way of life.

 The Japanese people embrace things that would be normally deemed as useless or boring or very ordinary, old, cracked or broken, they fix and make beautiful. I am fascinated with that as a thing in its self, so the way that I use WabiSabi and making the ordinary beautiful into my artwork, is that I embrace things that could possibly go wrong, like, unintentional marks, the drips from the paint the knots in the wood!

I fix good with love, polishing and gold/silver and rose gold leaf.

The pink and green artwork photograph is a painting that I made a couple of years ago, I have used wax and mark making to create this ‘Indian Summer’ inspired piece. We went on holiday to Goa, whilst on a market trip we met a lady selling the most amazing fabrics, she was wearing the most exquisite sari, my painting was inspired by this trip.

 

Art work – wax, oil paints and gold leaf, painted on board.

Entitled – ‘Indian Summer’

 

This is just a little insight into the jewellery making and the things that inspire me to be creative.

Bevart designs creations! are inspired by my paintings, travel, and WabiSabi.

 

Thankyou Beverley x

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Take up a challenge and a little dollop of cement….

Blimey, no blogs for months then two together a bit like buses lol! You may (or may not) recall this time last year I joined a ‘set a cabachon a month’ challenge and surprisingly I managed to finish the challenge (I must write a blog post about that lol!) well this year I have joined the same challange again but instead of using bought cabachons I am going to try and make all 12 of the cabachons myself!

Okay so here we go with the first cabachon. I made this one from cement (yes really! it’s cement for jewellery making, I didn’t raid Mr P’s garage).  So I set the cement in a puffed heart mould then marked up with tape to create some lines for glue.  Then added a line of 24ct gold leaf and one in silver leaf. Over the top of this I added a thick coat of resin to seal the concrete and protect the gold and silver leaf. I wanted to add some texture so ‘fluffed up’ a bit of gold and silver leaf at the top and bottom and embedded it in the resin and then across the middle added some dots of silver.

The bezel is made from sterling silver and designed to fit the cement heart perfectly. I actually made two, this one and an oval one but decided to keep the oval one for myself, well, we all deserve a little treat now and then don’t we ;).

I hope you enjoyed learning about how I made my cement cabachon and pop back again next month to see what I come up with next. Stay safe everyone xx