Crafts and BC

Hello all, 

I've not added to this post previously, but I thought you might like to some good news in relation to crafting / BC.

I'm a professional silversmith (having started it as a hobby, fell in love with it and left my full time job to set up my own studio/ business selling silver jewellery.  I had BC in 2017 and it changes your outlook on life, doesn't it?

In November I received a telephone call from my local Arts University asking me to be a tutor for silversmith evening classes.  Before BC I would have said no thanks. (No formal training in teaching, no formal training in silversmithing as largely self taught, lack of confidence in my own ability, despite having been doing it for 17 years, too many other things to do etc).  But, after BC I vowed to make the most of each day - so I said 'yes' to the job.

I started my weekly class 2 weeks ago and I am loving it.  Watching and helping the 14 students who are absolute beginners make their creations is such fun and more rewarding than I could ever have imagined.  As I'm normally a lone worker, I'm now mixing with more people for 'work' (which is good for mental health I believe) and even though I am paid for taking the classes, it doesn't feel like work.

So, if any of you lovely ladies get any form of opportunity with your craft and think that you 'can't do it', I'd definitely encourage the 'yes' approach, Before BC I wouldn't have know just how much pleasure I would have missed from this job offer.  

Sounds wonderful lesleyhelen - I'd really like to have a go at silver work! 

This is my latest random project - from a kit my husband bought me last year! For anyone over a certain age, it will be familiar...

I think it's going to be a llama next... 

Hi,!!!you have been busy!!She is sweet.....

I haven’t seen you...I wanted to tell you that I went to see “Swan Lake”(Bolshoi ballet)over Christmas /New Year....It was stunning!!It made me cry!,it was so beautifully danced...

and I have been to download some photos of Odette dancing under the moon,soooo beautiful(.I make hand made cards,not to sell,just for close friends and rels.)

lesleyhelen....such a lovely post.You sound like a born teacher!,take no notice of your feelings of inadequacy....!!!!And it is so true that you can find things post-cancer which fit you to a “T”xxx

Gorgeous as usual. You're an inspiration.

lesleyhelen Congratulations. I'd love to do a bit of silversmithing. And you're absolutely right - if we seize those opportunities, life is richer and fuller.

Violetsniff Lucky you getting to see the Bolshoi. I've seen them twice in my life. Once in the 70s when they came to Australia on a tour and secondly when I went to Moscow for a conference on doping in sport.  I went with the Minister I worked for and fortunately he was Minister for the Arts as well as Minister for Sport and was just as excited as I to go to the Bolshoi Theatre. One of my career highlights. Nowadays I have to content myself with the Australian Ballet, although they're very good too.

lesleyhelen How fabulous. Well done you! I curse BC quite often. Not that I had a hard ride, it was just bloody annoying and distracting and inconvenient. But sometimes, just sometimes, it can make you see clearer. And having that ''yes" mindset is just great. Thanks for sharing and being awesome and brave! X

My old Night Sister friend,takes me to Knit and Natter every week....(She is Such a fab friend)

and I thought you might like to see a piccie of what she made last time...She is SOoooooo accomplished....

(I took aan enormous bag of old wool for the ladies trying to free up some storage space,and yes,There were handbags at dawn,but I gave Sue first dibs,and she used some of it for the dresses!!When life gives you.....)

very cute

Sorry for the delayed response - I couldn't work out how to add a photo.  But it turns out "the loop" is normal, and is removed when I start the next row of stitches. It was bigger than usual because the wool is quite stretchy, so theres a bigger gap between the needles..

I'm on my way now with 4 rows completed, knitting and putling. Row 5 involves cabling! 

Cathy  ... It’s a Clanger  xxx

I loved that TV Programme and Noggin the Nog ! Happy days

Judith xx

Noggin the Nog