The Clarise Blog

GIVEAWAY!

2012-01-24T21:15:00.000Z

Pop on over to the Wedding Day Silver facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WeddingDaySilver as we are having a competition and giving away one of our calendars featuring all Wedding Day Silver designer once we reach 100 likes! You've got to become and fan then share it with your friends! Good Luck and here is a sneak preview of one of the images included in the calendar.

2012-01-22T21:37:00.001Z

If you would like to read all about my trip to maine to take the Rio Rewards certification in PMC course with Tim McCreight its in issue 37 of making jewellery.

Making Jewellery Magazine

2012-01-07T11:49:00.000Z

Denise has been a regular contributor to Making Jewellery Magazine since it started in 2010. She has submitted a number of tutorials and articles on a variety of subjects and we wanted to give you an idea of some of the upcoming features. Firstly don't miss out on the article about the trip to America to take part in Tim McCreight's masterclass which will be in issue 37 (next issue). There will also be an editorial on the business of keepsake jewellery in a Q&A style so if you are interested in starting up this will be an interesting read which will be in the issue after (38) there will also be a special courses and workshops guide which will feature the new courses and classes at Clarise Jewellery School in Farsley, Leeds. There will even be a separate section advertising the new silversmithing workshops which are running from February. Look out for the magazine, as it is now available in most larger newsagents.

P.s This is issue 36 which is out now!

Denise's Trip to the US

2011-12-16T13:30:00.004Z

Hi everyone I'm really excited after my trip to the states. It was a 2 part trip one to take my PMC Rio Rewards Certification and nd part to visit as much as I could in New York in 3 days! I have done a bit of a write up in Making Jewellery magazine but have so much more to tell I will put up more info in the new year so readers of the article can find out much more detail and for those of you who do not read the mag. As for the trip to New York it was so exciting. As soon as I got there I went up the Empire State building to get a good view of Manhattan Island. next on the list was the Staten island ferry to se the statue of liberty. Next Central Park, The Frick Collection the museum of American Indians and the highlight of the tour Dancing on the BIG piano. Of Course there was shopping in Macys and walking the full length of 5th Ave with a peek in Tiffanys. Ice skating in Bryant Park and sliders in Times Square. I packed so much in I could talk forever. Anyway enjoy the photos.

Pudsey Wedding Fayre Success!

2011-09-24T16:22:00.000+01:00

Last Saturday was the first wedding fayre held at Pudsey Parish Church and it was organised by mother and daughter team Beverley and Becca. They did a fantastic job and so did all the other helpers and exhibitors on the day and it meant the fayre was a success.
All the stalls were busy including our own Wedding Day Silver which also had the full range of Lily-May bridal accessories to purchase on the day. Things really picked up at 1pm when the bridal catwalk began though and everyone came to see the beautiful but affordable wedding dresses for sale through the Oxfam Bridal Range.

Statement pieces were a hit on the day

Denise fine tuning the Wedding Day Silver display

The beautiful venue

Some of the catwalk models

If you want any more information about any of the exhibitors at the event then visit the Pudsey Wedding Fayre website. Watch this space for news about the next event.

Pudsey Wedding Fayre

2011-09-10T11:08:00.003+01:00

We are getting very excited for the first Pudsey Wedding Fayre on 17th Septemeber. Its only a small event but you have to support the little events otherwise they never turn into big events do they?! Denise from Wedding Day Silver will be a there with a display of Wedding day Silver pieces which have been made from real leaves and flowers, the full range of www.lily-may.co.uk bridal tiaras, hair combs and pins plus some brand new affordable and unusual wedding favours! You may also spot some of the other Wedding Day Silver designers who will be popping along to see how it is all going. Alyssa will be a model in the fashion show which starts at 1pm so make sure you don't miss that.

Jean's First Wedding Fair

2011-08-30T21:53:00.000+01:00

Well done to Jean who exhibited as a Wedding Day Silver deisgner at the Lough Rynn Castle Wedding Fairon Sunday. There were lots of brides who were keen to have their bouquets preserved in silver and will be in contact nearer the time. A lot brides who visit wedding fairs are planning for a year or sometimes two years in advance! To see Jean's work visit the Wedding Day Silver website and click on find you local designer, she is listed in Ireland!

Good Luck Jean!

2011-08-28T10:17:00.000+01:00

Visit Jean will be at her first Wedding Fair at the Lough Rynn Castle Hotel, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Ireland TODAY!

Sunday 28th August 2011 2-6pm
www.loughrynn.ie

Good luck Jean!

Harrogate Wedding Fair

2011-08-23T21:17:00.001+01:00

If you are planning a wedding make sure you don't miss the Harrogate Wedding Fair which will take place on Sunday 2nd October at the Cairn Hotel on Ripon Road (A61) in Harrogate from 12-4pm.

Visit the website for more details

You will get the opportunity to meet Janette, Wedding Day Silver designer for that area and she her wonderful portfolio of bespoke silver jewellery made from bridal bouquets.

Here are some examples of her work:

Orchid Flower with amethyst on collar

Large Eucalyptus Earrings

Ivy Leaf Pendant with Citrine

See more of her work and find out how to contact her by visiting her page on the Wedding Day Silver website here!

...and 2 more makes 8!

2011-08-13T16:24:00.001+01:00

This week two more members joined the intensive 4 day Wedding Day Silver training course, Amy and Zoe. They made some wonderful pieces on the course and will be submitting their independent assessment pieces next month which we are looking forward to seeing!

Amy and Zoe working hard on day 3

Zoe and Amy wearing pieces they made

Once they have become fully fledged members Amy will be taking commissions from the North East Lincolnshire area and Zoe will be operating around Chelmsford, Essex. Watch this space!

Clarise Jewellery Visit to Benton Park School

2011-06-18T14:43:00.000+01:00

Last Wednesday we were invited to run a full day's jewellery making workshop for a class of twelve year 9 girls at Benton Park School in Leeds. It was a very productive day will every student making a piece they could take home and wear.
Initially we had planned to use sterling silver ring blanks and add metal clay syringe paste and colourful glass beads and chips but the school had ordered sheet metal instead of rings so we had to adapt our design to make earrings and pendants instead.

Concentrating hard adding syringe work

Denice showing how to brush up the silver

Cleaning their pieces in pickling acid

Alyssa teaching how to cost up the materials

Some earrings made by Heather and Sammi

The girls were all very quiet and got on so well with their work and they all seemed pleased with what they made. They have asked us if we will go back in the next few weeks to make the rings we had originally planned so we are looking forward to that.

Wedding Day Silver's Latest Designers

2011-05-22T15:04:00.004+01:00

Wedding Day Silver would like to introduce our newest team members, Janette and Jean who trained with us last week and are currently working on their assessment pieces which will be used in their portfolio.

Jean Whitfield from Ireland & Janette Mannell from Boston Spa

Proudly showing off their creations

Janette's work made on the training course

We think they will make great Wedding Day Silver designers and can't wait to see some more bespoke pieces made by them. Look our for their full galleries added to the wesbite.

If you think you would like to become a Wedding Day Silver designer in your area please contact us mail@weddingdaysilver.com or visit the website for more information:

www.weddingdaysilver.com

Wedding Day Silver Training

2011-05-17T15:01:00.000+01:00

Its day 2 of the Wedding Day Silver traingin course and Jean Whitfield and Janette Mannell have been kept very busy by tutor Denise learning all the technical skills needed to become Wedding Day Silver designers in their local areas. After the first day of learning the art of preserving leaves and flowers from wedding bouquets they were both very tired, especially Jean who had been up since 3am as she had to catch a flight over from Ireland! They have already started making and we are looking forward to seeing how they come out as each piece is always completely unique. We will post the photos at the end of the week!

Here are some pieces made by the most recent members to join Wedding Day Silver Sue Ashby covering Manchester & Cyprus and Helen Thomas from Wales.

Large stud earrings by Sue Ashby

Petal Charm Bracelet by Helen Thomas

If you think you would like to be part of the Wedding Day Silver team and become a self-employed jewellery designer you can join one of our 4 day training courses. Our course in August is already full but look out for the next one. However, if you are keen to become a jewellery designer but not within the Wedding sector why not come to our Clarise Jewellery Designer Certification Course instead, where you can progress through 3 levels and are encouraged to find your own style but will receive all the skills tuition you need.

Keepsake jewellery for business course

2011-05-10T19:46:00.003+01:00

All the practical work is done now and Nicola and Sue have produced some great work. Above is an example of Sues little cat's paw print And Nicola's 4 year old son's drawing of Sue!

Website Updates

2011-05-02T14:21:00.002+01:00

We have been very busy these past few weeks and have been doing a bit of work to the main Clarise Jewellery website. The courses page had a tidy up and you can now see all the jewellery making courses we have to offer, all the descriptions, prices dates and even a picture all together, we hope this will make it easier for potential students. We have also done a few little tweeks to the rest of the site and you will also notice Art Clay Silver is back in stock in our online shop- hooray! Go check the website out and let us know what you think.

www.clarisejewellery.co.uk

**Please vote Please vote Please vote Please vote Please vote**

Whilst you are online why not check out the Metal Clay Today designer's competition. Denise has entered her piece 'Hard Wood N Silver' and it fits the brief perfectly of jewellery just for men as this dark wood inlay ring is very masculine. If you want to vote for it please follow the links on the website:

www.metalclaytoday.co.uk

Hard Wood N Silver by Denise Lawn

Clarise Cosmetics has had a make-over!

2011-04-09T12:02:00.000+01:00

We have made some quite drastic changes to the Clarise Cosmetics website (www.clarise-cosmetics.com) and the online shop is now fully up and running. New products are being added all the time so make sure you check back regularly! Here are some of our latest products that we think you will love:

Berry Bath Bombs

Hemp Body Scrub

Hemp Shower Bar

Mango and Banana Shower Bar

Art Clay Festival In Prague

2011-03-30T17:10:00.004+01:00

Last weekend was spent in Prague at the Art Clay Festival. These are 2 of the pieces I made whilst there. The piece on the left was made in the filigree masterclass. It took all day to make.

The piece on the right was made in the wood inlay class and took most of the day to make.

The rest of the day I spent playing in the mixing metals class but I didn't manage to produce a final piece I liked so I will be having a go at home.

It was a great weekend with delegates from all over Europe and some from the US. I met up with some of my facebook pals and met some new Art Clay enthusiasts. More pictures and stories from the festival are to follow!

Denise x

Clarise Keepsakes is up and running!

2011-03-24T10:45:00.000Z

The new website for Clarise Keepsakes has been launched this week so why not pop over and take a look. Clarise offers and extensive range of keepsake jewellery using impressions from your babies, children or pets. Have your little one's hand print, foot print, drawings and writing truned into charms, pendants, cufflinks and keyrings. We can even use your beloved pet's paw print! We currently offer pieces made in silver, copper and bronze. Please contact us at mail@clarisejewellery for more information or to order your bespoke keepsake jewellery.

Keyring made from Ruby's writing

Cufflinks using a drawing of a house and a handprint

Baby Scan Image in Copper

Silver Handprint Charm

Visit to the Methley Methodists!

2011-03-22T08:57:00.001Z

Wednesday before last I was invited to the monthly meeting with the Methley Methodist's. About 25 eager ladies turned up to watch my demo of making easter flannel bunnies and have a go themselves. They all said how much they enjoyed themselves and said they would be making some for the Easter Treasure Hunt in a few weeks time! I also took a display of my Cotton Cakes and Cosmetics which were very well recived and my boxes came home almost empty. I organised a raffle to win one of my lovely handmade hampers and managed to raise £35 for charity which I have sent off to Kathryn Leverett the Regional manager for Arthritis Research who was pleasantly surprised!

Collecting the flannel bunny kits

Starting the demo

Watching intently

The finished bunnies!

We raised £35 from a raffle for Arthritis Research UK

Lily-May is Launched on Wedding Day Silver!

2011-03-20T21:10:00.000Z

Clarise is pleased to be able to offer a beautiful new range of hand selected bridal accessories including tiaras and hair combs. This affordable range is available to buy on the Wedding Day Silver site as well as through the Lily-May Bridal Accessories website so go on and take a look!

The Blog Gets a Makeover!

2011-03-19T14:25:00.013Z

Just to let you know that as of today this blog is now 'The Clarise Blog'. Orginally started as 'Clarise Cotton Cakes', it has evolved to cover all aspects of the Clarise brand including jewellery, keepsakes, handmade gifts and cosmetics. So please visit our website links on the right to see what we do. We would also love to have some regular readers so please follow this blog to be kept up to date with latest news and events. It has undergone quite a dramatic make over and you will notice new tabs along the top so you can easily find what you are looking for!

Thanks for reading,

Denise & Alyssa xx

We decided not to go for pink in the end!

Is it too early for ice cream?

2011-01-27T20:42:00.000Z

As I was deleting some old pictures I found this photo of one of the first things I made when I started up last summer, a facecloth icecream! I remember selling out of these straight away so I have no idea why I didn't make anymore. I hope to be adding these to my summer stock so look out for them!

New Year...New Post

2011-01-01T15:16:00.001Z

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone, hope you all had a great festive season and looking forward to 2011!

I just realised I hadnt updated my blog since early December as I was so busy in the run up to Christmas with not only internet sales but also lots of xmas fairs. Thank you to everyone that came along to support me there and I hope to see you again at the summer fairs and next Christmas too!

One of my most sucessful fairs was at Adel Primary School, there was a great turnout despite the horrid weather and there was lots going on and the kids realyl enjoyed themselves. Here was my stall at the start bursting with gifts, wish I had taken a photo at the end as my table was almost empty!

Best seller was ladies sock cupcakes!

I even took children's hand prints for making jewellery on the day and mum managed to make the pieces in time for xmas including a lovely little charm for Eve's mum. If you interested in having a charm, pendant, keyring or cufflinks made with an impression of your children or even pets then visit www.clarisejewellery.co.uk for more information and prices.

Pure Silver Handprint Charm

So here's to the new year where I will be looking through the craft books I got from Santa and getting inspiration for some new products including new towel/blanket gifts and bath treats. I already have ideas for a Valentines love potion (a gorgeous massage oil) which im hoping will be a great alternative to choccies and flowers this year! I will keep you posted.

Alyssa xx

Last orders for xmas!

2010-12-12T14:40:00.000Z

Any orders that require posting will need to be ordered this week so I can send out at the end of this week. Remember there is only 12 days to go! I also have limited stock of many items so please message me at alyssa_randell@yahoo.co.uk.

only one festive cake left- reduced price £18!

Crafty Night!

2010-12-01T18:38:00.000Z

Had a night of crafting on Tuesday and made lots of lovely things ready for Saturday weather permitting! I will take some better photos later but for now this is all I have! Great gifts for secret santas as all £5 and under and come wrapped ready to give as gifts!

Ladies sock cupcakes size 4-7 comes boxes for £4

Girls sock cupcakes kids size 9-12

Girls sock cupcakes Kids size 12.5- 3.5

Puppies with soap ears only £3!

Pint of socks and flannel and wine flannel and soap £5 each

New hampers!

2010-11-25T16:03:00.000Z

Just made up some new hampers, had the stuff hanging around for a while and finally put it together which is harder than you might think!

First is the new baby hampers in either blue or pink. Ideal for new baby or christening gift. Wicker hamper contains plastic cup and spoon filled with 4 baby mini wash cloths swirled into an 'ice cream', baby sponge, baby grooming kit (hairbrush, nail scissors, safety clippers), pair of baby sock cupcakes, bag of mini soaps and most importantly a baby rubber ducky! All comes wrapped up in cellophane and ribbon!

I also have a 'ladies night in' seagrass hamper with lid, filled with exfoliating gloves, fizzy bath sherbert, tub of body butter, mini soaps, shampoo bar and exfoliating soap and a pair of fluffy slipper sockies! A bargain at only £15!

Gift Party!

2010-11-18T21:46:00.000Z

Tuesday night was so incredibily busy for me. I had been asked if I could hold a gift party a few weeks ago and I managed to get everything ready in advance and wasnt running around last minute like usual! It was a great success and I had lots of fun but I was so exhausted at the end of the night, I think next time I need to get somebody to do the wrapping for me!

Everyone said they loved my stuff and I sold just about 40 items (not £40 as I put before!) in the evening which is excellent although it means I have to make more for the craft fairs next week! So feel free to come down to Farsley Liberal Club next Friday 7-9pm (you may even see some X Factor guy who will be providing entertainment!) or Rhodillian High School in Lofthouse on Saturday 10-2!

My best sellers at the gift party were my bunnies, sock cupcakes, body scrubs, moisture bath melts and moisturising soaps!

If you would like to book a gift party get in contact alyssa_randell@yahoo.co.uk all you need is a minimum of 10 people to attend and the host even recieves a gift!

Not long to go now!

2010-11-11T21:11:00.000Z

Sorry to scare you all but its only 44 days til Christmas (heard the first xmas song on radio 1 this morning!) so about time to get organised with your Christmas gifts!

www.clarise-cottoncakes.moonfruit.com

My website has just been launched, its only a freebie at the moment but will see how it goes. No online shop but if you see anything you like I can make it to order within a few days for you. There is even a range of limited edition xmas themed Cotton Cakes so take a look!

Chocolate Log only £3.50

I have been super busy recently, making up orders and also getting stock for the upcoming craft fairs I will be at so please feel free to come and visit me at any of the following:

Friday 26th November 'Sex and the City' evening at Farsley Liberal Club 7-9pm (some guy from xfactor will be there too!)
Saturday 27th November Rodillian High School, Lofthouse Christmas Craft Fayre 10-2pm
Saturday 4th December Adel Primary School Christmas Fair 12-4pm

I'm also doing a 'Gift Party' next Tuesday night so will let you know how that goes and if you would like me to come to you for a party (minimum 8 guests) then contact me!

List of new Bath Products!

2010-10-20T10:08:00.000+01:00

Feel free to message me if you would any more information on my products. Gift baskets filled generously with a selection of bath and body goodies are available and make ideal xmas pressies!

Product and Price List

Are you having a good week?

2010-09-14T19:58:00.000+01:00

Hi all,

I hope you are all enjoying national cupcake week this week! I've been keeping busy with lots of orders, especially for baby gifts including cute baby sock cupcakes which are only £4 and come in their own little cupcake box tied up with ribbon!

This cheeky chappy has just been sold but there are plenty more cute flannel animals for sale too only £3 each including a handmade heart shaped soap.

As you can see from my countdown its only 101 days til Christmas so its the perfect time to start looking around for little stocking fillers. Prices start from only £3 for a bunny or owl and come already wrapped in cellophane and ribbon to give as a gift. Single boxed cupcakes are £4 and double boxed cupcakes are only £7!

So, I best go back to making up my orders. Need to keep my customers happy! :)

National Cupcake Week...

2010-09-10T16:50:00.000+01:00

Celebrate national cupcake week next week! Buy a cupcake themed gift for a friend to say thanks. I have the perfect FAT FREE cupcakes. Only £6 for a pair of flannel cupcakes with handmade soaps presented in a box! Lots of colours available. Contact me for more details alyssa_Randell@yahoo.co.uk.

Busy Bank Holiday!

2010-08-30T17:07:00.000+01:00

Hi all, hope you have had a great Bank Holiday weekend! I promised I would update this weekend so I thought I had better! Lots of things have been happening...

I got lots of goodies to start making my own soaps and I tried it out for the first time on Saturday. I really enjoyed it as the melt and pour soap bases make it so quick and easy that I could spend more time adding colours and scents which is the fun part. I ended up with the whole kitchen covered in soaps and used nearly all the soap base that I had! (oops!) Some new moulds that I ordered from ebay arrived on saturday morning too so I was even more excited!

'Pantry' soaps- Lavender, honey and lemon, cinnamon and more!

Don't they look so pretty tied up with ribbon!

Next Saturday I will be having a table at the table top sale at St Johns Church in Farsley so I had to make lots of towel cupcakes and bunnys to sell as 'A box of Cards' placed a wholesale order the previous week so I was completely out of stock! That kept me busy Saturday and Sunday, also decided to package and label up my soaps (as well as making some more) so I can sell those on Saturday too. I hope people like them as much as I do.

Roses and Hearts mini soaps

Seashell soaps, perfect for the bathroom!

Anyway, enough of the rambling take a look at the pictures of the latest things I have made, sorry about the picture quality, the camera isn't very good at close up shots! Above are two mini cakes, a white and pink orchid cupcake version and and chocolate and cream birthday cake.

I love my new cupcake stand!

Katies Cupcakes

2010-08-26T21:29:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

This is just a quick note to mention Katies Cupcakes Katie makes gorgeous EDIBLE cupcakes by hand. They are so stunning and she is available to make cupcakes to order so take a look at her facebook page.
I have lots of Cotton Cakes news to share with you but I have been so busy with wholesale shopping and the arrival of my new soap making kit that I havn't had the chance to update it so check back at the weekend!

Bye for now xx

A good day for ribbon!

2010-08-19T21:39:00.000+01:00

I love ribbon and I get to use lots of different types of ribbon making my cakes and cupcakes. I went out this morning as I needed some curling ribbon to tie up the cellophane around my cakes. I popped into the little card shop in Farsley on the off chance that she would have some. She asked me what I needed it for so I told her about Cotton Cakes and she me to bring in some samples (she sent me away with copious amounts of free ribbon too [bonus]!!)

So I went back with my whole range of sock cupcakes, flannel cupcakes, flannel bunnys and owls and the toddler ice creams/ cake slices. I even took a small birthday cake too and she loved them and has placed an order! So tonight I have been making up the order ready to take back to her and I am super excited that my products are going to be sold in a proper shop!

This is a big step for small cakes....

Anyone for cake?

2010-08-18T18:18:00.000+01:00

I've been working on some of the photography for the cakes, they are really quite tricky to take good pictures of but I decided to add my own polka dot background so everyone knows they are mine. So far I've only got these two wedding cakes done so let me know what you think!

They are both 2 bath sheets and 2 hand towels. I opted for the shower poof instead of the flannels for the top for something a bit different. These would retail at £39.99.

Clarise Cotton Cakes is launched!

2010-08-16T21:20:00.000+01:00

Tonight I have been working on my corporate identity, I had a few ideas that I have been trying out but finally decided on the final one (for tonight at least!) Then I can send my business card designs off for printing and hopefully they will arrive in time for the little fairs that I will be selling at soon!

Anyway for now here is a sneak preview of my business card (the colours look a bit weird on here but will be much brighter when printed!