Quilling

So as you know I'm living in Vietnam at the moment and didn't bring my jewellery making stuff with me. Supplies can be purchased here but it involves walking around a packed market, a lot of haggling and dealing with the language barrier.  So I put it off and put it off some more and now I'm leaving in three weeks.  However, I didn't completely give up on creating things while being here.  In fact I've learnt two new skills: crocheting and quilling.  Crocheting is something I think everyone has heard of.  I'd been tempted by it a few times before and I can already knit.  However, quilling was something I had never heard of, until I saw this card in a tourist shop in the backpacker's area of Saigon:

On the back there is a brief history and description of quilling.  I read it and thought I can do that.

So off I went to the stationary shop in search of some coloured paper, a craft knife and glue.  I planned to use a cocktail stick instead of a quilling needle as I had little hope of finding one.  Within seconds of walking into the shop I had found a basket full of packets of pre-cut strips of paper, labelled quilling.  At this point I though if they are selling the paper they might just have a needle.  After a quick miming act, the sales assistant knew exactly what I was after and low and behold they had some.  I exited the shop with a needle, pre-cut strips and glue.  A new hobby all for less than £3!!

Watch this space for some quilling creations!!!

Hiatus

Well 2013 was a bit of a dry year on my blogging front, but to be honest it was a bit of a dry year on my jewellery making front too, since I was busy planning for and moving too Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam!!

However, now the adventure is coming to an end and I will be home in two months, so I decided this was a good time to start getting my blog up and running again.

Over the past year I've had a lot of time to think about my jewellery making and my business.  Since arriving in HCMC I haven't made a single piece of jewellery, but I haven't stopped thinking about it or having ideas and this has taught me that it isn't a fad.  I thought by now I would have long forgotten about jewellery making but despite not making a single piece I have still spent a number of hours each week in that world. I've either been browsing pinterest, watching Jewellery Maker, reading jewellery related articles, designing pieces or thinking how I can improve on my business.  Jewellery making has clearly become a steady part of my life.

So, over the next few weeks (while I prepare to return to the UK) I plan to write a few posts to share what I love about jewellery making.  I'm also planning on discussing some of my business ideas.  I'd also love to hear some hints and tips from other people who also own small online business.  It would be great to find out what works well for other sellers and combine a list to help other business grow too.