Saturday 8 October 2011

And the winner is....

Lisa Isaacs of Handmade in Israel.  Congratulations on winning the necklace and I'm glad it arrived safely.
Thanks to all who entered the competition and for leaving such lovely comments.

I'm almost fully booked up now for craft fairs on the run up to Christmas.  Not only am I attending fairs in Orkney, but I also have lined up shows in Inverness and Perth too.  My new website www.alisonmoore.co.uk lists all the events that I'll be at.

Wednesday 21 September 2011

WIN ME!




Those lovely folks over at EtsyStalker.com have done a wonderful interview with me.  To celebrate I am giving away one of my Organic sterling silver and copper necklaces worth £69!

All you have to do is visit my Etsy shop, then pop over to EtsyStalker.com and leave a comment saying what your favourite item is.  It's as easy as that!

The competition finishes on Sunday 25th September.  Be sure to tell your friends, and good luck!Organic pendant Alison Moore Designs

Sunday 18 September 2011

This summer seems to have been over quicker than any I can remember.  We've taken our first steps in smallholding rearing pigs and getting them ready for the freezer.  The veggies have grown well too and I think we'll be living off pork, garlic, onions and spuds over winter!

I've been busy too with my jewellery at craft fairs on the island and I've also started to supply some shops.  My webpage is so nearly ready for launch and I can't wait to share this with you.

Anyway, I've teamed up with Etsy Stalker and tomorrow we'll be launching a give-away of one of my pieces of jewellery.  Keep your eyes peeled on my Facebook page for more details!

Tada for now x


Tuesday 6 September 2011

New website!

Coming soon...

I've been wanting my own website for a long time, and I've finally pulled my finger out and started to get my act together.  Here's a sneak preview of the site which I hope will be up and running in the next couple of weeks. I hope you will like it!



Tuesday 12 July 2011

New addition to the pebble collection

I was commissioned by a lovely customer a few weeks back to make this gorgeous ring.  It's part of the pebble collection which was inspired by the lovely smooth round pebbles that can be found on my local beach at Skaill Bay.

The ring features a large rainbow moonstone and the silver has been oxidised to contrast with the gemstone.  This ring is now available and will be made to order to your specific finger size.  Click here for more details.  As each ring is made to order it will vary slightly from the picture but it is guaranteed to be one of a kind!




Wednesday 6 July 2011

Arts & Crafts sale goes live

Just a quick post to share some lovely hand crafted products available at the annual Orkney Arts & Crafts sale, on sale NOW at Kirkwall Town Hall.














                                   

  













Sunday 3 July 2011

Hares, Tall ships and exhibitions

 It has been quite a while since I last wrote anything meaningful here.  Summer in Orkney is pretty idyllic.  The days are so long that around this time of year it barely gets dark at night.  And there is so much to do such as paddling in the sea on one of the numerous white beaches or watching the nesting sea birds clinging to cliffs.

Today I managed to try out a new design which I have had planned since spring when I saw hares boxing in fields around our house.  I'm hoping to have the new range available soon in my Etsy shop and Folksy shop.


I spent Saturday setting up my stall ready for the launch of the Orkney Arts & Crafts exhibition and sale.  This is an annual event which takes place at Kirkwall Town Hall throughout July.  Crafts people from all over the Orkney islands get together and show-off their hand crafted goods which is a good mix of traditional and contemporary crafts.  The exhibition is launched this Tuesday at 11am by Cameron Stout of Big Brother fame and is open Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm until 30th July (the Town Hall is the building currently covered in scaffolding opposite the Cathedral).

Setting up at Kirkwall Town Hall




I have my eye on a pair of those lovely colourful socks from the island of Westray!

As I came out of the Town Hall, I found that the sun was most certainly shining for one lucky couple who had just got hitched at the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral.   




The island has started to buzz as there are just 12 days left before the Tall Ship Race comes to the islands.  Around 18 of these magnificent vessels are due to spend time on the islands and my husband and I are lucky enough to be on one of the ships for the day!  Can't wait!  Will keep you posted.


For more information about the Tall Ships Race in Orkney, click  HERE!

Wednesday 15 June 2011

Orkney sunsets

The days are getting incredibly long here now.  It doesn't really get dark at night.  Sad thing is by the end of next week the days will actually start to get shorter.  Ah well, so long as we keep getting these stunning sunsets, I don't mind so much!


Monday 13 June 2011

Dates for your diary



If you are lucky enough to be in Orkney this summer, why not come and see my work at the following fairs and exhibitions:

Saturday 18th June: St. Magnus’ Festival week: Kirkwall Town Hall 10am to 4pm  www.stmagnusfestival.com

Monday 20th June: St. Magnus’ Festival week: Kirkwall Town Hall 10am to 4pm  www.stmagnusfestival.com

Tuesday 5th July to Saturday 30th July: Annual Exhibition and Sale: Kirkwall Town Hall 

Saturday 13th August: County Show:  Bignold Park, Kirkwall  www.orkneycountyshow.co.uk

If you can't make it, you can always see my work in my Etsy and Folksy shops! 

Sunday 12 June 2011

First craft fair

Well I finally took part in my first craft fair yesterday at Dounby School in Orkney.  The thought of filling a table with jewellery was quite daunting, so I worked hard all last week trying to make up enough stock.  I knew I had to raise the height of my work as tables can be quite low and people really need to see jewellery nearer eye level.  Anyway I came up with an ingenious idea which involved placing the table upon 4 buckets.  Well it seemed to work, although I might have had problems if anyone leant on the table!



Anyway, I met some lovely people both visitors and stall holders.  Everyone was very supportive and helpful. Thanks especially to Fiona of Castaway Crafts and Francis of Francis Garriock Jewellery.  The day was a complete success and I'm thoroughly looking forward to my next fair next weekend.


You might like to see my new line inspired by the pebbles at Skaill Bay, our beautiful local beach.  These are currently available for sale in my Etsy shop and my Folksy shop and can be made in different sizes.





And this one is a one of a kind.

Friday 27 May 2011

New!

I've finally got round to taking some pictures of the items I've recently been creating.  They are available to buy now in my Etsy shop.




Sunday 27 March 2011

Project smallholder begins

Ever since I can remember, I've loved animals.  I grew up in a house that always had dogs and when I owned my own house I managed to fit a few chickens in the back garden, along with a few cats and dogs, but I never really had the space to have all of the animals I wanted to keep.

When we moved to Orkney we bought a small house with two acres of land.  It has taken until now to fence the area to make it critter proof and we recently decided to start populating.  Earlier in the week, a lovely couple in South Ronaldsay donated 4 beautiful Saxony ducks to out new smallholding.

The first new arrivals


Duckopolis - built by me!

And today, we finally finished Pig Paradise and went to collect our lovely little British Saddleback porkers from Inga and Gary of Newfield Rare Breeds in Orphir.  They're currently 9 weeks old and we'll be keeping them over summer while they fatten up.  They will have a short life, but it will be a very happy one digging up the field they are in!

The journey home

Pig paradise

Feeding time

And now food is sprouting in the garden.  Spring is definitely here at last!

Garlic bed

Rhubarb

All of this animal related excitement has meant that I really have neglected my jewellery making.  Normal service may be resumed in a week or so :)

Monday 21 March 2011

Mothers Day discount special!

So Mothers Day is approaching.  Normally buy flowers?  Why not treat your Mum to something that will last, like a handmade piece of jewellery all the way from the Orkney islands.

Tempted?  Well here's a 10% discount code for use exclusively in my Etsy shop.  Enter coupon code LOVEYOURMOM at the checkout.  Click here to visit the shop.


All jewellery will arrive beautifully boxed and tied with a ribbon.  All you have to do is to give it your Mum!






And of course you don't have to give it your Mum... you can use the discount code for just treating yourself.

Offer expires midnight Sunday 3rd April (Mothers Day!).