Cara Fairbairn Jewellery Class @ The Craft Shop

Exciting news!! Come JOIN the jewellery making banter!!

Cara Fairbairn will be back at The Craft Shop, Royal Exchange Theatre again this year teaching simple Jewellery Techniques so if your interested come join us for the banter. I will be taking a three hour Jewellery Class, 10.30am - 1.30pm, teaching the basics on how to successfully string, bead and crimp bracelets and necklace and also hive an introduction into wire work that can then be applied to make earring, pendents, bracelets, rings.... whatever you fancy really! And that all depends on how far your enthusiasm, imagination and talent takes you.

So if you have ever felt that you'd like to give the jewellery business a whirl then here is the oppertunity... plus the morning will include tea and biscuits - WINNER! Spaces are limited and are sold via the ticket office at the Royal Exchange Theatre. Tickets cost £25 in total and all beads, wire, materials, tools and equipment are included in the price - and you will be able to take your creations home with you!

If you have any questions regarding this you can contact Rachael at the Craft Shop as she is the women in the know! Call her on 0161 833 9833 or contact via the website, www.royalexchange.org.uk

Looking forward to seeing you in Manchester on the day - a wee image from last years jewellery workshop to get us all excited...

Cara xx

Jewellery Halt...

Well it has been a frustrating couple of weeks... silver is in, design are drawn up yet its me who is the fail! Struggling to find time at the moment to get into the workshop early doors and get focused - which as you know for me is mighty frrrrrrrrrrrrrrrustrating!! I am hoping that after a rare restful weekend that i will be hitting the workshop at 8am prompt, 5 days next week and get a bulk of the new collection underway - still aiming for that April Launch - fingers crossed!!

On a better note it has been a good Valentines Day for Cara Fairbairn Jewellery!! As much as i personally don't rate the 'Hallmark Holiday' - my only enjoyment for it comes from chuckling at couples out for dinner on the Kings Road, eating a love heart shaped pancake with a love heart balloon looming above both their seats! That's exactly what you want - my jewellery customers love it so happy days!

So here's to a cup full of motivation and Deco Collection 2011!

Cara xx

Deco Development

Well its has been a grande week development wise and I am properly encouraged by the aesthetics of the first few pieces. A big thank you goes to the lovely Cara Fairbairn Facebook Fans who have already given me some great feedback about the new geometric shapes and future direction of Cara Fairbairn Jewellery. Have a wee look yourself at the images above and let me know what you think, honesty and constructive criticism is always welcome!!

The above necklace and earring prototype are both made from the same scaled sample and this would be the largest size i would produce - more so for the statement pieces yet still very much wearable! Also makes a neat, modern bangle which i loooooove and will be making for myself! :)

I would also produce this shape and pieces in a medium scale and in a small scale to accommodate all my customers needs from the everyday work sized earring to the more dramatic evening wear pieces - mighty excited about getting these into production - only a few more design issues to iron out before its full steam ahead!!

To gold plate or not to gold plate? That is the question, hmmmmmmmm!? I think I want to use round, faceted, Green Onyx with this collection as well as the classic, and expected, Cara Fairbairn use of Freshwater Pearls - however would these pieces not just look beautifully warm and rich if gold plated!? Then comes the manufacturing and production decisions in regards to Gold Plate - more expensive yet more desirable?? So much thought into one collection, but id like to try something new, challenge me and my loyal customers!

Whats your thoughts? Do you prefer the gold aesthetic with a spring/summer collection, or a shiny silver? Our is the Cara Fairbairn trademark aesthetic of aged, oxidised silver the finish that floats your boat!?

More previews of this collection to come - along with final decisions hopefully!!

Cara xx

And so it begins... Collection Three!!

And so it begins indeed! It has been a busy week of sketching, finalising designs and working on prototypes... but i can tell you its feeling good!! It has been grande to get back in the workshop and to be physically making and soldering again - mind you it has been a nice few weeks off after the mayhem of Christmas orders!!! Now to the calm production of Collection three, seeing where the design takes me and producing work that 'ticks all the boxes.' However the 6am start, ooooooft don't miss them, but the production is grande!

I love the designing of this collection as is not as rigid and rushed as the past two and i can take my time and do what I feel is right. I will likely produce around 20-25 pieces in total yet launch them over a number of weeks, there is just no need to rush this time! Plus I am keen for the first few pieces to be reviewed by Cara Fairbairn facebook fans to let me know I'm on the right track! Always grande to get feedback!

I am also thinking of doing a Gold Plated collection for the first time. Hmmmm? Still unsure as that will obviously make the pieces a bit more expensive yet i think the luxury look is grande for 2011 - recession? What recession!! I would be grande to inject a new passion into Cara Fairbairn Jewellery - possibly still enthusiastic from the New Year - but I'm thinking New Collection, New Location and New Direction. My Jewellery style is typically a vintage inspired looking oxidised aesthetic but i think its time for a change. I may also venture away from the freshwater pearl look, although classic - a women can never have enough Freshwater Pearls - it would be quite exciting to introduce a new exciting stone selection... mmmmm!! As you can probably guess I'm still developing the collection as i go - yet that's the fun bit! I am loving faceted Green Onyx at this moment - green onyx and gold plating... sounds yum!!

Life is also busy at Melissa McArthur Jewellery - just attended an Event at Top Drawer, Earls Court so looking like its going to be a busy and exciting Spring in London Town for Melissa McArthur also!! Loving the career prospects and the exciting opportunities in the air!!

Shall keep y'all posted with the progression of this collection, a few wee sneaks peaks at the first few pieces and see how it all goes..... woooooooopa!

Cara xx

Okay okay ill put my hands up!! Been M.I.A for the majority of last year and been mighty poor on the blog delivery front, but with good excuses may i add! I upped sticks and moved to the big smoke to further the career and to grow as a designer - and its working!!

Been a busy busy 6 months but every minute of it has been worth it! Learning masses in the retail production side of contemporary jewellery by working for an Australian Jewellery Designer is the ohhhh so fancy Kings Road in Chelsea, and keeping myself amused and creative by pulling a few early mornings in the studio and keeping my creative flare flowing! I am happy to let you know that after a manic Christmas i will now be putting pen to paper and creative the third collection from Cara Fairbairn Contemporary Design - hopefully capturing the classic style yet pushing myself forward and applying new techniques! Happy Days!

So keep yourself posted and i promise - in fact one of my 11 new years resolutions for 2011 - to be far more faithful to this blog and let you know whats going on in the jewellery world of me!

So now to await the development of Collection Three.....

Cara xx

Welcome to the 'Candy Jade' Collection

Woop Woop!!!

Theeeeeeee new collection is finally complete and shall be popping us all over Britain soon enough! It is still to be distributed to stockists and added to the website, http://www.carafairbairn.com/, however i shall give you a sneak peak on la blog - you lucky people!!

These images are a few of my favourite from the Candy Jade Collection, however to see the full preview link to my facebook fan page, http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cara-Fairbairn-Jewellery/109676049053808?ref=ts, where you can see the full preview! Share the love and become a fan whilst your there! :)

This collection retains all the usual cara fairbairn style traits with the oxidised Sterling Silver style and the 1920's modern vintage themes. However branching away from the traditional, classic freshwater Pearl i have now incorporate a fresh and youthful looking stone called Colourful Jade. These designs and colour styles will go perfectly with a summer outfit when the British sunshine make an appearance!

Let me know what you think of the new collection, always grande to hear feedback! Hope you like!

Cara xx

La new website - Its B-e-a-utiful! www.carafairbairn.com

Hey y'all!

Today has been a grande, grande, grande day!! Today is finally the launch of my brand spanking new ecommerce website! Woop woop!!

You look? You like?! You Buy?? http://www.carafairbairn.com - dooooooo it!!

Check the branding eh? young Fairbairn's signature, proud!?

This new look website is a massive stepping stone for me and represents the next phase of Cara Fairbairn Contemporary Jewellery. I have so much passion and enthusiasm, so much i want to explore, new collections and creations, develop new techniques, challenge materials - challenge myself!

Since initially launching in March 2009 i have learned many lessons, grown as an individual, designer and jeweller and now feel confident and ready to pelt full steam ahead on the career path! Exciting times!! Indeed!

Would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the folk who have helped with the development of this website. John and Morag, treeeeeemendous people @ Fission Creative - http://www.fissionc.com/ - who worked tirelessly on this project and i can assure you this wouldn't have happened without them - I'm duff with technology! Much appreciated! Plus the sister, and fabulous social media-er, Miss Suzanne Fairbairn @ TwentyOne Marketing Communications - http://www.thinktwentyone.com/ - for the support and insight! - ok putting an end to this out pour of emotion before this becomes like the Oscars and i start to well up!!

Mucho ta to all!

Grande Times.

Cara xxx