Happy Birthday Chris!!!

Hope today was a good one (well after the electricity came back on... it did didn't it?)  Have a great evening with hubby!!!

Touchmark Christmas 'do'

Well here we are at the end of another year at the studio.  Tomorrow we will meet up for a meal together, to say Happy Christmas and then we will have to wait for the new year for the studio to open again.  Chris is excited... her son will be home from Uni and she has missed him so.  Beverley is in the same position so we shall have two very happy ladies!!!  One of our group has been thwarted by illness this year so I am sure she will be happy to see the back of 2011.  As for me, well this year we shall have a child in the house for Christmas so I am excited about that!  All in all it has been a great year for learning, about all aspects of life but especially jewellery making.  I am not sure what 2012 will bring in the way of courses and classes but I do know it will be exciting and I for one can't wait for the opportunity to learn more.  I do know that during my time at the studio my life has been transformed.  I have made great friends and am at last spending my time on something constructive as well as something I really enjoy.  Thank you to everyone, especially Chris, love you all!  Maybe you could be joining us next year?  Why not join the mailing list so you can be kept informed of all the courses for 2012?  You can sign up here for a newsletter.  I look forward to meeting you next year!

Merry Christmas and a very Happy new Year to all!

Lynn x

Compton House Event

Well it's all over now and what a weekend! The craft fayre was set in the hotel. It is closed for the weekend and the rooms used to display local crafts. A truly beautiful backdrop to some fabulous work it was one of the best venues I have had the pleasure to exhibit in. On Thursday Chris, Beverley Anita and myself set it all up. We were in the sitting room along with two other local artists) Space was tight but we managed it and our jewellery looked spectacular (even if I do say so myself!) The hotel was open on Saturday and Sunday. For stewarding we had split the days into 2 sessions per day, Beverley and Anita did half day on Saturday and Chris took the whole day and Sunday it was Beverley and Kate in the morning with Sarah and myself in the afternoon. I really enjoyed Sunday afternoon with Sarah who always manages to make me laugh! I must say a big 'Thank You' to Chris's husband Brian and mine Terry who worked hard shunting the showcases in and out of the hotel for us... it was good of you both! Well... sales.... that's what it is all about isn't it? We did great with each of us selling things, fantastic! I know now what some ladies will find in their stockings on Christmas morning, lucky ladies! What next? I for one need to find some suitable venues for my things. I am sure the others would be glad of the same so if you know of any suitable venues please drop us a line. Sorry I didn't get any photos for you I forgot ...so I have included some photos from the Art Trail.  Not all that good, sorry, but I never have said I was a photographer!

COMPTON HOUSE AXBRIDGE - SHOPPING EVENT

THIS WEEKEND - 5/6TH NOVEMBER 2011 - COMPTON HOUSE EVENT

Nine jewellers, who regularly work in Touchmark Studios, are showcasing an amazing display of contemporary jewellery at the

COMPTON HOUSE AXBRIDGE - SHOPPING EVENT

Saturday 5th November

10am to 6 .30pm

Sunday 6th November

10am to 4.30pm

If you have always wanted to make your own jewellery, come along and have a look at the fabulous standard of work that YOU could achieve by training at Touchmark Studios and whilst you are there, pick up an original handmade piece of jewellery for that special Christmas gift

Also available:- Wood and Willow, Ironware, Vintage Accessories, Scarves and Silks, Pottery, Jewellery, Fragrances, Textiles, Prints, Charity Cards and more

Refreshments Available - Free Admission

Compton House at Townsend, Axbridge, Somerset BS26 2AJ

 Tel: 01934 733944

e - mail: info@comptonhse.com http

Good News!

Chris has decided to start blogging!  Time is valuable to us all but now that she has more time Chris wants to 'have a go' and I, for one, am delighted!!!  I am not sure exactly when the blogging via Chris will start but I do know a new computer was due to be delivered so with any luck we will see our Chris blogging very soon!  All I can say is it has been real nice 'chatting' to you and I hope to catch up with you sometime in the studio :D

Lynn x

It's Official!

Touchmark Studios is now an offical Diploma Support Centre for the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery Silver Metal Clay Diploma Home Study Programme. To read more about this exciting development click here

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The 8 week traditional jewellery skills programme will be starting from September 10th and follows another successful course with some amazing work being produced from students with absolutely no experience of jewellery making. Please log your interest by emailing and check out some of our students' work by clicking here

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September 3rd and 4th is our 2 day course on Resins with Claire John. This will be a fab weekend where we will be learning how to make our own silicon molds for casting resin and producing amazing bangles click the link for more details and register now before it's too late!  Details are here

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Unfortunately, from September we will be putting our Introduction to Metal Clay course up to £85 (from £80). We have done our best to keep our prices the same but the cost of silver and knock on effect to metal clay prices has now made it unavoidable. The price of this course includes 16gms of PMC3 which currently retails at £45 (July 2011) so it is still excellent value for money.

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As well as every Wednesday, the studio will also be open on a Monday morning for those wishing to come and use the facilities in a supervised environment. So for those of you without a kiln and need a metal clay firing come along for a session. At £10 it is great value for a few hours of peace and quiet and full use of all our tools and equipment. Don't forget for those of you who have attended any of our courses we are always available for technical help and assistance on the links below - or just give us a call we are more than happy to talk to you.

INTENSIVE JEWELLERY SKILLS COURSE

STOP PRESS! ONE PLACE REMAINING ON THE SATURDAY INTENSIVE JEWELLERY COURSE (4 WEEKS) STARTING ON 10TH SEPTEMBER
TWO PLACES AVAILABLE ON THE MONDAY MORNING SESSION - INTENSIVE JEWELLERY COURSE (8 WEEKS) NOW STARTING ON 19TH SEPTEMBER (NEW START DATE)
Email Chris or Telephone to reserve a place
Course Details:
Starting in September, Touchmark Studios will be running the Traditional Jewellery Skills course on Saturdays and Monday mornings. More details of the programme can be found on the website.  Click link to go to the appropriate page
The cost is £200. This cost includes all materials plus a free half day studio session at the end of the course where you can come and use the studio to finish up any projects or start something new.
Examples of work by students who have attended previous courses and are now regularly making, selling and exhibiting jewellery can be seen here
Dates are as follows:-
Commencing - SATURDAY 10TH September, 2011
For those of you who work during the week or have a distance to travel, we appreciate that your Saturdays are precious. So, instead of running our jewellery skills course over 8 half days, we are running it over 4 full days. The content will be exactly the same, so come prepared for a fun filled intensive 4 days which will give you a great set of skills and techniques to start jewellery making! The day will run from 10am to 5pm with an hour’s lunch break. You will need to bring a packed lunch but that’s all because all materials are included in the cost, including silver and a semi precious stone to make a ring.
Week 1 - Saturday 10th September
Week 2 – Saturday 17th September
Week 3 – Saturday 24th September
Week 4 – Saturday 1st October

Commencing – MONDAY MORNINGS 12th September, 2011 - 10am – 1pm
For those who want to take a more leisurely pace, this Jewellery skills course will run as normal, over 8 half days on a Monday morning from 10am to 1pm.
Dates are as follows:
Week 1 - Monday 19th September
Week2 – Monday 26th September
Week3 – Monday 3rd October
Week4 – Monday 10th October
Week5 – Monday 17th October
Monday 24th October - No Class – Half Term
Week6 – Monday 31st October
Week 7 – Monday 7th November
Week 8 – Monday 14th November

If you would like to reserve a place Email Chris or Telephone. 
A £50 non-refundable deposit will be required to secure your place.