Busy week!

Hello!
Well, since the grading it has been a busy time. Made some lovely earrings for my shop and of course, 2 gorgeous pairs for my wonderful mum as I wanted to give her something special for mothers day.
Aside from work, I have the had the dubious pleasure of having to deal with forms to change doctors as I needed a surgery in the same town. Between, work, children's activities and of course, the boring mundane regular chores I think I've lost track of time...where did it go??? Next big event here is my boys birthday party. As they are close together the boys are having a joint party...I just hope I can actually make it and that I don't get booked in for my op on the Friday (usually the way my luck runs, any parent will know that if you book something, there will usually be something else about to crop up) but I will be sorting out party bags etc in the run up. That way, should the worst happen, at least it will all be covered.
Had a great mothers day. Gave my mum her present which she loved. She and my step dad also bought me (from the kids, of course) some beautiful jewellery making items which I can't wait to use! Hoping to add something a little different to my shop soon as well, already designing it so hoping to put it to the test and make it soon. As for right now, I best get ready to get some sleep before the school runs. Not sure if I'm looking forward to or dreading the Easter holidays. I love my kids but does any other parent find that about 2 days into the holiday, the kids are suddenly bored and anything us parents suggest is either boring or uncool?? Ah well, that's kids for you I guess. Until next time,
Yvonne Jones

Star Flower Earings

Spring Flowers Earrings

Spring Flowers Earrings

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Grading day! We did it!!

Hello!
Wow! The last few weeks of hard training have paid off. Today was The Day. Grading Day. My oldest and I had our Shotokan Karate grading. At one point I was sure I had failed but, by some miracle, I passed and have now got my next belt. My oldest also managed to get the intermediate level and also got a new belt. So proud of him. Karate is a wonderful thing to do and it really builds confidence but it is not easy and I can only afford once a week rather than the twice weekly training the others do o for him to get the intermediate belt is really something. I'm so proud of him. I, on the other hand, was so nervous that before grading, I had to come and make some jewellery just to calm myself down.
I have to admit though, I am glad I have managed to get my next belt, given that I will be going in for my op soon and will then be unable to train for 6 weeks while recovering. I only hope that it's scheduled either for after my sons' birthday party or that I am out in time to attend their party. They have a joint party as they are so close together. I hope I'm able to attend but I will just have to see what happens. At the end of the day, without the op I will remain a woman in constant pain and unable to do much and I want better than that for my kids. I want to be a proper mum and able to run around and play with my kids, not sit on the sidelines looking miserable. The things we parents do for our children..!
Until next time,
Yvonne

Semi Precious Stone Earrings

Semi Precious Stone Earrings

Semi Precious Stone Bracelet

Semi Precious Stone Earrings

Semi Precious Stone Earrings

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Working hard!

Hi!
Been a busy week here. As I'm due to go to hospital for an operation soon (appointment to see the surgeon on Aprl 22nd) I've been working on a special jewellery set. It's special because it's a wedding gift for someone very dear to me. As with all my work, it has to be perfect so I have been getting input from the lovely bride to be to ensure that the jewellery is absolutely perfect.
It has turned out really well and all that is left to make is the earrings which is great. I will also be taking bits with me so I can work from hospital but to ensure this set is perfectly made and well before needed I wanted to do this set soon. Only having the earrings left to make is pretty good going. I've also made a vintage style bracelet as well and hope to make some more items. Making jewellery is not only work, but also a joy and very theraputic. Lucky me, to love what I do so much!
Until next time,
Yvonne Jones x

Spring Flowers Bracelet

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Twin Bead Bracelet

Lots to do in the next few weeks!

Hello everyone!
Wow, it has been a busy time. I have added to my Beaded Flower Collection which I have made ready for spring and have so much more to do, not just business related but personally too, in the next few weeks.
As I am due an operation soon, I need to really train hard to pass my next grading and hopefully get my next belt in karate class. I also have a lot to prepare ready for my parents as they are kindly looking after my children when I go into hospital. I have been waiting for this operation for so long but, now it is finally looming near, I have to admit to being a little nervous. I will be taking some crafting bits with me so I don't get bored when I am on the ward recovering but my biggest concern is missing my children. I'm so used to reading with them each night and spending my time running around after them, it is going to be very strange being alone and not able to do much for at least a few days, possibly longer.
  On the plus side at least once it's all over this pain that has been dominating my life will be gone and I can do much more with them. I will also no doubt get an awful lot of work done while I will be stuck in bed at hospital or home alone as there will be no distractions.

Me and my children

Beaded Flower Ring

Angel Necklace

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Now on Folksy!!

Hello everyone!

Well, yesterday was spent checking my stock and listing my items on Folksy, meaning I am now selling my work on Etsy, Facebook and Folksy. I knew I had a few items up but I didn't realise I had quite so many. Re-listing took pretty much the entire afternoon. On the plus side I am now on a 3rd site and have a little notebook full of items, prices and shipping costs which is much easier than going from one computer tab to the next. Many thanks to my daughter for donating her Disney Princess notebook to me so that I could have that information to hand. That will also make it easier when the fairs start up around here and I need prices to hand.

I had a friend ask me how I find the time for my business, given that it's so new and I have 3 little ones. My answer was that what started as a hobby has become a passion. Quite often I can start something in the early evening and still be sat, surrounded by supplies working until very late at night. In any other job I would likely feel bored and under valued as I did in most jobs when I was employed but this is different. Yes, sometimes I wake up wondering why I bothered going to bed after only getting 2 hours or so sleep but I don't regret doing it as I would if I were doing overtime as I did before and the reason is simple. This time, I love what I do. I'm not working only for someone to moan. Yes, granted I can quite often work late, forget to have lunch and that sort of thing but I am content and my heart and soul goes into my work which is much better than going to work, having handover or a meeting, feeling I've been moaned at before I've even started and so get to work on a bad note. It doesn't matter how much time I spend working now because the end result is a beautiful item and the satisfaction from having created it is immense. That is how I have time for starting my business and my children.

Life is too short to be stuck in a job that you don't love forever. If you have a talent for something and a desire to use it then the only way you will ever know if you can is to try. At the end of the day, I have a strong desire to make my business work and time will tell if I can do that. If I don't, at least I can say I gave it my all. That is what my customers get from me. Not just an item but a piece of a soul, so to speak. Everything I have goes into making my work, attention, time, effort, love, dedication to making the item just so. 

So there you have it, like gems, life is precious. Unlike gems, it can't be replaced so always make the most of it. I didn't for so long thanks to an unpleasant past but now I can honestly say I look forward to the future and whatever it may hold...so long as it means I can continue making jewellery that is!

Until next time,

Yvonne Jones

beta.folksy.com/shops/EvieJ

etsy.com/uk/shop/YvonnesJewells

Teapot earrings

New collection.

Hello.
Wow! I have been so busy. Most of the past week has been spent designing a Beaded Flower Collection for my shops, Evie J's Jewell Box on Etsy, Facebook and, since this afternoon, Folksy. It has certainly kept me busy but has been so worth it.
My beautiful Beaded Flower Collection is now on display and ready to order. It took a while to get it right and then create it but I finally got there. Between designing, creating and the children I've almost forgotten to do anything else, as my oldest made me realise when he came down a few evenings ago asking if was going to go to bed. I said in a moment and his response was "well it is midnight, you started on that halfway through watching The Simpsons, don't you think you should get some sleep?". Oops! Hadn't realised I'd been at it for that long. I guess that is what happens when you have a job you really enjoy which I am lucky enough to be able to say I do. Some dreams can come true...provided you are willing to forgo the sleep and put in the effort and money.
Luckily, my son saw the funny side, well, he did in the morning anyway. My children may be young but I am lucky that even they support me. They may hate the very sight of my computer but they do understand that it is necessary and I am very grateful that they often play so nicely together so I can do the job I love, even when they are home. Following dreams doesn't just mean having support from other adults, our childrens love and support is also invaluable.
Until next time,
Yvonne Jones

Beaded Flower Bracelet

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