Etelage

From Hobby to Business

Today at 12pm on the ABC Mid day Report will be aired a bead story, my story on how I turned my hobby into a business. My bead journey started when I was 8. I was introduced to jewellery making by my aunt but it was even earlier then that when beads & the sparkle of my Grandmothers crystals first captivated me.
In my early thirties I had a crisis – I had missed my quarter life crises and although too young to have a mid life crisis none the less felt life was passing me by too quickly. I had dreamt of doing many things with my life. So I resigned from my job and the security of a pay packet and went overseas. I studied glass making in Venice, the first of many trips to that intoxicating city and did volunteer work in Kenya.
On my return I fossicked through my bead collection of 25 years and my first jewellery range Etelage was created. I had an early break when just after 6 weeks of establishing Etelage the buyer from National Gallery in Canberra contacted me for some jewellery for their gallery store. She had seen some jewellery my sister was wearing a couple of months earlier. I created 2 ranges one for galleries and the other I sold through party plan.
The jewellery sold really well and soon I had 3 consultants selling my jewellery. Not only did my customers want to purchase the jewellery they wanted to buy the beads as well. At that stage most of my designs were a combination of vintage beads, my personal collection and a few pieces I had bought in Africa and Venice.
I recognised I had many opportunities and skills I could use in my business: selling the components and teaching people how to make jewellery was a logical next step.
So I returned to Venice and also visited the Czech Republic on my first bead-buying trip. My vision was to create a range of beads with the knowledge I had gained from my studies in Venice with the skill, expertise and experience of glassmakers in Europe. I wanted to create a fashion driven range creating beads in bold shapes and colours. The possibilities of glass are endless however the few bead stores in Sydney at that time generally stocked small transparent beads only.
In late 2003 I opened a store from the warehouse I worked from and soon after a second store was opened in the cosmopolitan retail strip of king st Newtown. The stores sold both the beads and jewellery ranges along with offering an array of workshops including jewellery making, making sterling silver findings, embellishing canvases & silk embroidery by myself and other talented tutors.
It was my first experience of retail. The stores reflected what I believed was an integral part of the retail shopping experience. I wanted my customers to have fun, discover their creativity, learn a new skill, and appreciate the rich cultural history of beads and adornment. The origin of the beads sold in the store is an important story to tell. Many beads are made of time-honoured traditions; some are made by fair trade projects whilst others are sustainable.
It has been an exciting journey the bead journey. It takes a lot of determination, vision and energy to start up and maintain a small business. However I recommend it!
Etelage n/ adornment ™
Beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery
430 king st (south)
newtown nsw 2042 open 7 days
paddington markets saturdays 10am – 4pm
bondi markets sundays  10am –4pm
p: 02 9557 9089
f: 02 9557 9037
e: chris@etelage.com
www.etelage.com

P please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

Etelage & Cristobel Jewellery now avail @ Bondi Markets

Every girl loves her jewels; and with so many new offerings for the cooler months, there's every excuse to buy more from Etelage!
From “Russian Roulette” a range of decadent folk pieces of horn carved suits & Swarovski crystal to “Jungle Rum” a range inspired by the plumes of the Amazon bird life using eco nuts & chunky Czech glass baubles.
Etelage bespoke jewellery is designed and made in Sydney. The collections are characterised by unique components, with a focus on vintage, quirky, community trade & eco components sourced globally.
Revamping & reusing old pieces of jewellery are used to create one off pieces.
All jewellery is handmade in Sydney, meeting the values statement of the Etelage (diffusion range) & Cristobel (designer limited editions) labels which include:

• ethical trade,
• high-quality bespoke craftsmanship,
• sustainability – sourcing vintage & eco components,
• respect for time honoured traditions,

Designer Christine Smalley,  aka Cristobel is inspired by opposites. From smooth and cut, matt and shiny, to horn and crystal and restraint and embellishment. This is evident in her unusual colour combinations, highly textured and eclectic compostions. Her travels in Europe, Africa and Asia,  in addition to galleries, books and textiles are all visual references which she uses to rework her creations.
“My clients love destination strip shopping and markets both of which can offer quality, individual and bespoke pieces and not just mass produced status symbols.” Cristobel says.
 Visit the store today:

• on line (www.etelage.com),
• at the unique shopping strip of South Newtown,
• Bondi markets (Sundays) this Easter longweekend. 

“I design for women who are interested in art as much as fashion,
in details and in visual plays. I  want women to wear my pieces and make them their own.” Cristobel designer

Etelage n/ adornment ™
beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery
430 king st (south)
newtown nsw 2042
p: 02 9557 9089
f: 02 9557 9037
e: chris@etelage.com
www.etelage.com

paint the town green not red!

At Etelage we value the environment and believe even small changes make a big difference to our planet.
Some of the initiatives we have undertaken in the last year:
 Source sustainable & fair trade products.
eg Seeds from the Amazon rainforest floor. Deep in the rainforest grows the Ivory Palm. It produces an extraordinary fruit, the Tagua Nut. Enjoy this product knowing that its purchase supports the employment of the native community. The income received from the Tagua crop is a strong economic incentive to save the tropical jungles from deforestation. This helps stabilise the rainforest & ultimately the world environments. Purchase on line or at our Newtown shop.
∑ Energy audit. Eg installed lower wattage bulbs in our office and Newtown store.
∑ Transport. We are choosing to ship most of our overseas orders by sea freight from Europe. (rather than air freight)
Packaging. We are using reusable tins and recycled paper bags for our gift packs.

Etelage n/ adornment ™
beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery
430 king st (south)
newtown nsw 2042
p: 02 9557 9089
f: 02 9557 9037
e: chris@etelage.com
www.etelage.com

P please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

Quick Christmas Gift Ideas…

If you are unable to attend our ‘last minute gifts workshop’ in December don’t despair. Below are some of the beaded jewellery projects we made this year.

Instant Gifts

·       Select a Swarovski crystal star for the Christmas tree.

·       Select a bead with a large hole (Pandora is perfect) and simply thread on a chain.

Bling Crystal Rings & Earrings

Using a Swarovski button glue onto a ring or earring blank. To cover the button holes:

·       *glue a diamante over them or

·       before gluing the button use wire (26gu) and attach a small crystal to cover

Tip: use an earring blank with a loop to attach an elegant drop. *Araldite

Charm Cluster

Select 3 charms and attach to a jump ring. Thread onto a ready made chain. Use 45 or 60cm.

Add some Sparkle

Select a single Swarovski pendant and attach to a chain.

Paint the Town Red

Make bauble Christmas earrings from red beads and pendants:

·       Diamante balls

·       Round pressed

·       Nut pendants

Snowman Earrings

Thread the following onto an eyepin:

8mm round crystal (clear)

5mm rondell (green)

6mm round (clear)

5x3mm spacer (red)

4mm cube (black)

Walk on the Wild Side…

Create safari earrings with striped pressed and fire polished glass beads. Animal print is huge.

Left overs?

Use all your leftover beads and chain lengths to create:

·       Eclectic beaded chain necklaces (need approx 11- 17 beads and cut chain from 6cm to 10cm)

·       Use 3cm – 5cm chain and attach a bead at the bottom to create a drop earring.

·       Make an eclectic bracelet. (need approx 11 – 15 beads 6 –16mm, 20cm chain and findings.)

 Tip: Sort your beads out into themes eg African, ocean, autumn.

 Tip 2: use oval jump rings as they close on the side and therefore are more secure.

Copyright 2008

The information on this instruction sheet is presented in good faith, but no warranty is given, nor results guaranteed. Etelage disclaims all liability from any injury to anyone undertaking the construction of this project as a result of improper safety precautions.

Etelage n/ adornment ™

beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery

430 king st (south)

newtown nsw 2042

p: 02 9557 9089

f: 02 9557 9037

e: chris@etelage.com

www.etelage.com

 

P please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

Get crafty this Christmas.

Craft means ‘items lovingly made with the human hand from raw materials with traditional craftsmanship’.  I believe hand crafted designs are making a comeback from textiles, jewellery to printmaking and artworks.

Designs can be functional as well as decorative, often with a great story behind it. A new term ‘the new design’, represents us the craftsperson, hobbyist, artist, designer and artisan.

At Etelage we are seeing a strong demand for quality, unique and beautiful bespoke designs. This trend I believe is a strong backlash to mass produced ‘must haves’ or status symbols.

Jewellery making is a relatively inexpensive hobby requiring only a few tools required to get started. Beads can be easily stored and are portable. There are two basic techniques in jewellery making: stringing and linking.

Once you have mastered the techniques you can create your own amazing pieces. Why not make your own Christmas gifts or revamp your old jewellery or inherited treasures?

So why not be a part of ‘the new design’ craft generation embracing traditional skills and adding a modern interpretation?

Create your own breathtaking designs, blending a traditional skill with your own modern interpretation.

Join us at the Etelage bead and jewellery studio in cosmopolitan Newtown in Sydney. We offer jewellery workshops in bead weaving, bead linking and bead stringing.

 

Jewellery Workshop schedule on line: www.etelage.com

Book now: 02 9557 9089

                   info@etelage.com

 

Etelage n/ adornment ™

beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery

430 king st (south)

newtown nsw 2042

p: 02 9557 9089

f: 02 9557 9037

e: chris@etelage.com

www.etelage.com

 

P please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

 

add some sparkle this Christmas

It is not too late to learn how to make your own beaded Christmas gifts. At Etelage Newtown we have been overwhelmed by our jewellery workshop bookings. As a result we have scheduled more so you can learn beading basics before Christmas.

Join Jo Parkin on Sat 15 Nov for a beginner bead weaving workshop at Etelage Newtown (upstairs studio). Learn how to make beaded cocktail rings and delicate earrings. Use small seed beads, crystals and diamante beads to create little jewelled sculptures. Fabulous and inexpensive they are a great gift idea. (note: this workshop is not on the web workshop schedule). 

If you want to create something for your self Jo will be teaching how to weave a beaded choker. A full day workshop at the Etelage bead store at Newtown at the end of Nov. See www.etelage.com for more details or contact us directly.

to book bead weaving workshops:

info@etelage.com

p 02 9557 9089

 

Below is some more information and tips on bead weaving cocktail rings.

Basic Equipment

1.   Threading Materials:

You can either work with thread or wire.

Beading Wire is more prone to snapping then nylon but great to work with if you want your rings to have a more solid structure. Use 28 gu beading wire.

Nylon Coated Wire. (eg Soft Touch) Use an extra fine wire for flexibility and strength.

Nylon Thread (eg. Nymo) is great for invisible structure and will give your ring a snug fit around your finger.

Tip: when using threads with bicone beads try not to rub the thread against the beads when tightening, as this may cause it to snap.

 

2.   Beads:

Seed beads. Use size 8/0 or 11/0 for the fringe and 8/0 or  5/0 for a complete ring.

Faceted Beads. eg Czech fire polished and Swarovski add sparkle to your designs. Razzle and dazzle your friends with your range of beaded crystal cocktail rings.

Tip: Round beads are comfy to wear. Use bicones for the centre piece only as their shape makes an uncomfortable band.

Spacer Beads. Use diamante rondells or any metal spacers.

 

Starting Off

To make beaded rings you always need to cross threads or wires.

Whether you are working with fine wire or thread (nymo) always start by threading the first few beads in first into the centre of the wire or thread.

Finishing Off

When you have finished weaving your ring, cross the threading material back through the first few rows. Trim excess and back thread through so it does not stick out.

Repairs

If your ring falls apart or snaps you have to redo it.

How do I achieve a dome shape?

Tighten your ring base threads or wires.

Etelage n/ adornment ™

beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery

430 king st (south)

newtown nsw 2042

p: 02 9557 9089

f: 02 9557 9037

e: chris@etelage.com

www.etelage.com

 

P please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

french jet jewellery - not so ooh la la but highly collectable!

Vintage French Jet 

You would be tempted to believe that this shiney cut glass is from France. It is not that ooh la la! French Jet was manufactured in the 1920s by Bohemian glass cutters from the former Czechoslovakia. 

The craft of cutting is full of hidden intricacies, whilst the readymade product is full of time-honoured tradition.

I purchased the last known stock from an old maker in the Czech Republic

whose grandfather had a glass cutting factory at the turn of the last century.

Every piece is remarkable, individual and is a one off or limited edition.

 

History

The fashion for jet jewellery started in the 1850’s as mourning jewellery, when Queen Victoria wore a necklace to a banquet after the death of her cousin. Before long, jet (high-grade fossilised pine) was considered the only suitable material for mourning. By the end of the 19th century imitations of jet were being made in costume jewellery that captured the sombre elegance of jet. Other imitators of Witby jet have included anthracite, Bakelite, candle coal, enamel, horn, quartz, shale, and vulcanite.

 

Imitation Jet – French Jet

Produced in Bohemia. Most French jet was made from shiny black glass, which was cut and backed, with black-coated steel. It was then fused or soldered onto a metal base. It remained fashionable until the late 1920s to the early 30s.

 

Styles

Although made from original Czech cut glass jet stones in the 1920s –1930s the style of this jewellery is far more 1900s.

Victorian/Edwardian. Most designs are more feminine, lacy and romantic than the geometric deco style of that time.

Egyptian. The love of the exotic has always been a popular theme for jewellery. Pharanoiac motifs became an absolute craze after Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922.“ Fashion has a rendezvous with the Nile.” Vogue declared in 1923. The craze lasted until well into the 1930’s, fuelled by Hollywood movies and the continuing press coverage of Carter’s excavation. Scarabs, snakes, Pharaohs and Princesses were used to create the ultimate Cleopatra look jewellery.

Art Nouveau. Features the designs of Alfons Mucha (a Czech designer)known for his illustrated women.

 

Value

Originals of these types are very scarce so good quality reproductions are popular and fetch high prices in their own right. Unlike forgeries, these are not produced with any intention to deceive. Cheaper than Deco jewellery of the same period serious collectors have overlooked this stylistic jewellery from Czechoslovakia and quality pieces are relatively inexpensive.

Where to find such pieces?  

Olga and Millies Vintage (upstairs from the Etelage bead and jewellery store in Sydney Newtown).

And this weekend try the Vintage Show at Canterbury Racecourse 

 5:30 Fri 17th Oct to 4:30 Sunday 19th 

Enjoy all day shopping, demonstrations on make up and hair do’s from bygone eras and parades.

For more info www.lovevinatge.com.au

 

Etelage n/ adornment ™

beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery

430 king st (south)

newtown nsw 2042

p: 02 9557 9089

f: 02 9557 9037

e: chris@etelage.com

www.etelage.com

 

P please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

love vintage!

Be creative and playful whilst being sustainable – go vintage!

My top tips for vintage dressing this spring carnival to summer parties and New Years Eve:

Wear an individual dress from acid 60’s to pretty 50’s frock,

Adorn yourself with unique accessories:

try gloves,

a purse from the 50’s,

clutch from the 70’s,

a multi crystal choker from the 50’s.

You could even have a go at collecting several treasures by gluing or soldering them to a  large brass stamping for an amazing statement choker..

 

Where to find such pieces? try King St Newtown including my own store Olga and Millies. (upstairs from the Etelage bead and jewellery store).

And this weekend try the Vintage Show at Canterbury Racecourse from 5:30 17th Oct to 4:30 Sunday 19th. Enjoy all day shopping, demonstrations on make up and hair do’s from bygone eras and parades.

For more info www.lovevinatge.com.au

Olga and Millies will showcase their best pieces  at the vintage show. Note: Olga and Millies will be closed from Fri 17 - Sun 19 Oct due to the vintage show.

So whether it be spring races, a special event or the office Christmas Party I am sure you will find an amazing one off piece at this vintage show.

More on Olga and Millies in Newtown ...we offer European and locally sourced jewellery, bags and frocks from the 1920;s to 1960’s. Also available is a selection of one off and limited edition jewellery under the Etelage label.

Named after my great grandmother this boutique is located It is in the newly revamped Etelage space upstairs.

Many jewellery designs are one offs such as the hand carved cane Venetian glass beads from the 1920’s, Bakelite buckle and button pendants and all are limited editions. Some designs are highly collectable pieces. These include French jet jewellery and beads and African trade necklaces all from the 1920 ‘s and 1930’s.

See you soon.

 

Love vintage.

 

Chris

Etelage n/ adornment ™

beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery

430 king st (south)

newtown nsw 2042

Free beaded jewellery demonstrations

 

For beginners to advanced beaders there is something for everybody at the Bead and Gem Show (Sydney)this weekend.

 

Where? Exhibition Hall 4

               Sydney Showground,

               Olympic Park -                Homebush

When?   Fri 10 – Sun 12 Oct.

(tip: take plenty of coins for parking)

 

Join myself and the team from Australian Beading magazine this Saturday for free beading demonstrations. Witness the most popular projects from this leading bead magazine being whipped up with the opportunity for questions. I will give you professional finishing tips, advice on jewellery design including composition, how to combine colour and add texture to your work.

 

If you cannot get to the bead and gem show (Sydney) this weekend pick up a copy of the latest beginners beading magazine by Universal Publishing. (avail from newsagents nationally).

At the back of the magazine is a section of bead stores nationally. Visit a store closest to you. I am sure they offer a great selection of beads, creative workshops and heaps of advice.

 

If you are in Sydney we would love to see you at the Etelage store located in the cosmopolitan inner city suburb - Newtown.

We are opened 7 days.

We love sharing our knowledge and skills of beading with you. Join one of our workshops offered at all skill levels and all occasions – from kids parties to hens parties.

Skill Level

• Beginners - technique driven. Learn the professional finishing touches & receive multiple tips to develop your own unique pieces.
• Intermediate - build on techniques already learnt & be introduced to a wide variety of components & design principles.

Advanced - for the confident & experienced jewellery maker. Select your own beads & create your own masterpiece.

 

Workshops avail

§    bead linking,

§    bead stringing,

§    bead weaving,

§    jewellery design principles,

• wire wrapping,
• revamp it!

 

See you at the bead and gem show or at the etelage bead store soon.

If you are unable to visit us check out the website: www.etelage.com

Etelage n/ adornment ™

beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery

430 king st (south)

newtown nsw 2042

p: 02 9557 9089

f: 02 9557 9037

e: chris@etelage.com

www.etelage.com

colour your world!

One of our most popular jewellery workshops is on again next week at our Newtown bead shop for intermediate to advanced beaders. (see jewellery workshop schedule www.etelage.com )

As a jewellery design teacher the most frequently asked question is how do I combine colours?

History of Pigments:

Traditionally, based wherever they lived, artisans used local organic colour agents and natural materials to create their adornments. Today’s colour palette is new and exciting. However, disappointingly beads are still seen far too often in only a basic selection of colours and finishes.

As a bead store owner, jewellery designer and buyer of beads, my vision is to offer variety in tone, hue and intensity along with seasonal colour palettes. I do this by buying different finishes and lighter and darker shades of a colour. Finishes, especially in Czech glass, offer extraordinary colour combinations.

 MIxing Colour:

Choosing and matching bead colours can be overwhelming without some in store guidance at your local bead shop.  Countless opportunities confront you when you enter a bead store. The main problem is the huge leap of imagination from seeing the range of colour before you and interpreting that or visualising it in your creation.  Some people play it safe with something undoubtedly tasteful but possibly unadventurous. I hope with a few pointers you can have the confidence to start experimenting with different colour combinations in your beaded jewellery.

These are the tips I give when teaching colour in my jewellery design workshops which will give you the confidence to start to explore and to experiment with different coloured bead combinations. Certainly personal preference is always a good starting point.

 

1.    Use a multi-coloured bead or pendant as your colour palette. It guarantees great results every time!

2. Add black or white to your favourite colour.
3. Be inspired by nature eg use autumn shades of olives, rusts, oranges and browns. Or be inspired by a country eg Mexico use bright fuchsias, cobalt’s, yellows and limes. You could even be inspired by your favourite printed dress or a striped cushion.
4. Organise colours according to the colour wheel. This is a traditional visual device for representing the colour spectrum and demonstrating the relationship of the colours with one another. Its origin lies in the different wavelengths of light that produce the colours we see in a rainbow. Purchase from an art store.

 

Where only one hue (colour) is used the colour combination is called monochromatic.

Use the entire spectrum of one colour, for example red, from pinks, deep maroons, berry reds and lipstick red. The result of unity, depth and vividness could not be achieved in any other way. This is the easiest and most successful way of working with one colour.

Mood Boards;

Mood Boards are creative tools used by most designers from fashion to interiors.  A mood board is a visual story that is used to inspire a design team, or to explain to a client a certain design concept.  Select your own collection to inspire you and help you choose colours, patterns and combinations.

Collect magazine clippings, paint swatches and photographs to create it.

 

I hope these few tips will give you the confidence inspiration and enthusiasm that you can make colour work for you! Select your own beads & create your own masterpiece. You are the designer!

 Etelage n/ adornment ™

beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery

430 king st (south)

newtown nsw 2042

p: 02 9557 9089

e: info@etelage.com

www.etelage.com

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2008