June 1st Darlingtons Sunday Peoples Market

Blimey, I can't believe how long it has been since my last blog post. Must have been busy making LOL.

1st June it was our monthly street craft market in Darlington and the Sun shone nearly all day, with

laughter and smiles all around us. 

It was the day I had been waiting for to show off my new pendant designs on my new display stand I had made myself

This simple display is made from MDF

(being an ex carpenter, I am not overly chuffed with using this stuff but it's affordable) 

and painted a easy on the eye colour.

This display started off with only four shelves but at 5pm the evening before the market I decided it need more shelves. So, out with the router, saw and the PVA glue not forgetting the paint. Two hours later the final design was finished and loaded in to the car.

By mid afternoon I needed to stretch my legs so leaving my lovely Sue in charge, I had a little walk around. Catching up with people I knew like: Beryl from Guru,  Louise from U-Neek, The moody baker(garlic mushroom pasties are amazing) to name but a few. I also had a chance to see some new crafters/traders.

This next picture shows Gill and her crafts of Pink Crumble. The ethos of this trader was "Not For Profit". All the money she took from what she made and sold went to charities for the needy and homeless. I was and am so impressed with this. I really hope she done loads at the end of the day. 

And here is another new crafter, Steffi of Poly Pattered. Lovely colourful handmade jewellery. You really must see the colour of this jewellery in real life to appreciate it.

Well, that's about it for this post, I hope to get back on track with posting more frequently.

Thanks for taking the time to read this far.

Steve

Steve Smith Jewellery

My own designed gadget for making earring display cards for stud and drop earrings.

Hi

I thought I would share another of my own design gadget thingy. 

The problem was how to make two slits and two holes in the display card for my stud and drop earrings.

Here is the printed 45mm x 45mm card reading for holes to be put in.

I had this crazy idea of making a hinged piece with cutters set in at the correct level. This is the second version as I stupidly changed the design of the cards. ooops.

And this sort of how it works. Open up the gadget. (you can now see the two nails sticking out and where they used to be.

Here you can see the gadget totally open, showing the two blades set for making slits for the drop earrings.

The printed, plain card sits into a template area.

With the card in place, the gadget is closed firmed, without fingers left inside.

Here, you can just see the two nails that have pocked the two holes in the card for the stud earrings.

Opening the gadget (must get a name for it) the card is removed. The card has a pair of holes and a pair of slits

Here, you can see how the drop earrings are hung in the slits of the card.

Now, drop earring set and put into a display box reading for those eager customers to see and buy.

And just to show how the studs are set, here is the final finished card with studs and set in a display box.

Quite good, if I say so myself. I like to have some things automated. Because they can take up so much time. 

Now, when I need a few display cards, I just get the gadget out and within a few seconds I have them done.

I love it when a plan comes together.

Thanks for stopping by

Steve