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

Sneak Peak at New Collection!

Small Clam Double Pendent
Oxidised Sterling Silver £80.00

Large Oyster Six Bangle
Oxidised Sterling Silver with Colourful Jade £90.00Stacking Colourful Jade Rings (Sold Individually)
Oxidised Sterling Silver and Colourful Jade £30 each

Using colourful Jade alongside my styling of Oxidised Sterling Silver, i am introducing a brighter more colourful collection for the spring/summer months - well if this snow and rain ever stops!! So hopefully people will like - I'm loving the back to the drawing board drawing and designing plus it has also been great to play around with new materials to explores new designs!

There will be a few new shapes and experimentation with scaling in this new collection, to keep you and I on our toes I also intend to hopefully introduce Homewares - currently working on a treeeeeemendous looking Sterling Silver bowl - shall get an image up as soon as its completed - hopefully by the end of this week!

Cara Fairbairn's collection is also joining the collection of stunning jewellery at The Rivers Gallery in Nailsworth, Stroud near Gloucester. Another happy stockist of Cara Fairbairn's so if you are in the area or nearby please feel free to take a wee look and let me know what you think of the collection.

Also to remind you Cara Fairbairn is still Exhibiting at the Biscuit Factory in Newcastle Upon Tyne - so if you haven't been yet lovely Easter Day Trip?! Only suggesting!

Let me know your thoughts on the snippet of the new collection!

Grande!

Cara xx

The Biscuit Factory Exhibition

New collection still under production! Exciting Times! On schedule for the 1st of April Launch now that i've purchased my swanky new Bunsen!! Also experimenting with new stones, new materials and some silversmithing pieces - so we shall see how that develops!

However still keeping myself busy - i have an exhibition opening this Friday Night at The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle upon Tyne so if you are in the area please do feel free to pop along! The exhibition will run for a number of weeks, so for directions and more information regarding opening times etc please visit - www.thebiscuitfactory.com

The Biscuit Factory, in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, is the largest commercial gallery in Britain is over 35,000 square feet with two floors of exhibition spaces and two floors of artist studios. Its great to be able to exhibit in such a grande location, alongside such a great number of different British jewellers.

Here's hoping its a successful exhibition!

Cara xx

In new studio now - woop woop!! Finally all set up and production shall begin again tomorrow - roll on the spring collection!!

Also been out and about jewellery wise - held a jewellery making workshop down in Manchester at the start of February in association with the Craft Shop at the Royal Exchange Theatre. www.royalexchangetheatre.co.uk/craftshop/new/index.asp.

Had a grande morning with a lovely group of jewellery enthusiasts, hopefully they all enjoyed themselves too and very proud of their matching bracelet, necklace and earrings sets!! Have a wee nosey at the pictures, you will see a Cara in action and a glimpse of the beautiful glass pearl and Chinese crystal pieces that were made. Looks like there will be another workshop in the spring months so keep an eye out for that, feel free to contact me or the Craft Shop direct.

Good times ahead - images of new collection up soon!

Cara xx