My motto for 2012

Fit for Finland

I've only done 2 blog posts and I've already dropped the ball by leaving it this long before the third! Definitely must try harder.

So last weekend was a rather busy one. I went shopping and bought some ski wear for my trip to Finland at the end of February, which is coming round surprisingly quickly! I'm doing a work exchange type holiday where I exchange 5 or so hours of work a day for free lodging and board. I'll be helping out at a husky sledding place in northern Finland which I am SO excited about! Unfortunately the clothes I have bought make me look rather like a Michelin Man... I definitely won't be winning any prizes for fashion, but at least I will be warm! Just need to get some snow boots next weekend, then if you're lucky I'll post you a picture ;) The clothes are also incredibly heavy! It wasn't until I'd been walking around with the bag for at least an hour, arm feeling like it was about to drop off, when it occurred to me that in a few weeks time I would actually be wearing this weight for days in a row... It was then that I realised I had to get fit and build some sort of muscle, and thus, Fit for Finland was born. If I'm honest it's not going amazingly well so far... I have started going for walks after work, just for 20 minutes or so but I like to think it all helps, and I even made it as far as the cross trainer last night. That only lasted 10 minutes though, and then I promptly ate a chocolate. (Yes, we STILL have chocolate left over from Christmas...) I will keep you updated with my progress!

On Sunday I had a very productive day of jewellery making. I made a few new items including some rubber duck earrings, marshmallow earrings and a couple of pig necklaces. I listed them all on my website too so hopefully with more items in my shop my sales will steadily increase! In fact, I woke up this morning to a sale :) so thank you to the lovely lady in Australia who overnight had bought the miniature pig necklace! I have another one which I'll be listing first thing Saturday morning! The pigs seem to be the most popular. .I'm thinking about doing a few pig variations, maybe giving them a bit more character... I'm not sure how yet though, but keep an eye out for new piggy products!

This week has so far consisted of work, work, and more work, with a meal at Frankie & Benny's thrown in for good measure. I'm knackered, and it's absolutely tipping it down outside. This calls for the pyjamas to go on, into bed and the latest episode of Gossip Girl I think. Yes.

Laura  x

Brain Ache

Yesterday morning I went into work ready and raring to go for a whole day of Microsoft Project training. Yeah, I'm a bit of a geek but I'm fine with that! As a person who structures her life with lists, and lists of lists, and sometimes even lists of lists of lists, it's my ideal program. It takes list making to another level. I think it's pretty amazing, so it's a shame that by 2pm my brain had gone. I'm not sure where but it was no longer in my head, or even the room (which ironically was named 'The Thinker'). But now I need to practice using it! I think I'm going to set up a little marketing project plan or something for my jewellery business, although I think a lot of consulting of the manual will be happening before it's up and running. What does it tell you about me that I'm actually quite excited about that?!

In the evening we had a movie night around my friend's. We watched The Inbetweeners movie which I've been wanting to watch for a while because all I've heard is glowing reviews. It was pretty funny, but definitely not something I'd watch with the parents..! Might have to find someone with the box set of the tv series and have an Inbetweeners marathon. But first in line is the Big Bang Theory which hopefully I will be acquiring tomorrow :) Box sets are perfect for watching whilst I am creating new items of jewellery, so I'm hopeful for a few very productive evenings coming up.

Jewellery update: I had a little brain storm at work today (in my lunch hour I'll have you know ;) ) about new miniature things I can make for necklaces or earrings. I think yellow chicks for spring time, as well as baby animals. Might try out some lambs. Also Valentine's Day is coming up so I'm planning to make some more love hearts - I've recently purchased a 'smile' love heart mould which I'm quite excited about using. I'm also going to make an teddy bear necklace, maybe holding a heart for that Valentine's Day twist! I'm looking forward to the next few evenings!

Here is a clip of my favourite part of The Inbetweeners Movie - the dance scene. It is one of my life ambitions to learn how to do the robot like this!

Laura  x

Blog post no.1

Ok, here goes my first blog post! I can't say I class myself as much of a 'writer' or someone particularly gifted with words but I'm going to give it a go anyway, so please bear with while I find my feet. So a bit about me. My name is Laura and I'm from a town called Tewkesbury in England. I'm currently employed as a Project Support and Admin officer which is not exactly what I want to do for the rest of my life but it brings in vital pounds to add to my saving fund for exciting travelling times! In my spare time I make jewellery out of polymer clay. I like to make miniature things and try to make my jewellery as sweet and fun as possible. I've called my business Sweet 'n' Neat Jewellery, feel free to check out my website! www.etsy.com/shop/sweetnneatjewellery

I'll be blogging about everything and anything, updating with things that I've done, seen, bought, watched, amusing moments, updates about my jewellery, my inspiration, new items, and any sales and promotions I might be having. All in all I hope you'll be suitably entertained :)

A pic of a recently listed item of jewellery to sign off with.

Laura  x