New followers!

Hello to you all especially to one of my new followers, lovely friend Sian Miller who does fab fund raising stuff take a look at http://www.pollicottbelles.blogspot.com./ Rob and I ventured down to Pollicott on Friday afternoon to do a fund raising jewellery sale for Sian and the other Belles and although Friday night wasn't a particularly good turn out the bar was well a truly raised on Saturday with amazing sales which generated £80 in a donation from Fair Trade Design for Helen and Douglas house. 

My really busy silly season is coming to a close now with only a couple of sales left to do. The craft Market at Birmingham Uni tomorrow will  most definately be cold but it is usually a really good day for sales. My very last event is on Saturday night when I am having a stall at a concert in Knowle which is being held to raise money for a childrens charity in Nepal.

See you all soon

Crinkle Silk Scarves

The Crinkle Scarves have finally made it on to the website! Fair Trade Design This one is my favorite its called Damson & Crown Jewell there are lots of other colours why not take a look and tell me which one you like best? at £14.99 each they make great presents or maybe just a treat for yourself.

Time to get busy

Well, one thing I found out about Vegans..... only a few are interested in Fair Trade ! since Saturday I've been sorting lots of things out, I'm all ready for the next show which is a global gift fair in Nottingham on Saturday. I can take all the lovely wool felt bags and the silk scarves this time so hopefully sales will be good. I know the people coming along are already 'buying into' Fair Trade so a much better market place than in Wolvo last week. I also need to get busy making some more charm bracelets and earrings which are always good sellers- especially pink ! Hope you all have a good week.

Oh Dear!

I really can't believe nearly three months has flown by since I last updated my blog- not good !
Anyway just a quick update, tomorrow I'm off to the Civic Hall in lovely Wolverhampton to have a  stall at the Vegan Fesival. This is quite a new forum so we'll see how the sales go. I have a fab new range and all the old stock has been greatly reduced. If you are local to Sutton Coldfield why not pop by to the CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENING 12th Nov 7.30pm at Duke street Chapel , Duke street. There will be lots of stalls selling a range of Fair Trade, Ethical and handcrafted goods. See you soon ?

Buttons, beads and bobbles

I had a lovely day on Tuesday when my good friend Carrie from Carries creative cards came over, we had a great time nattering and doing a bit of crafting- well Carrie made a card for me to send and I sorted beads ready to make charm bracelets, Carrie soon  joined in on that activity and I am now ready to make about twenty charm and button bracelets. I have a couple which are on stretchy links which make a change, i'll upload them on to the website soon Fair Trade Design

I've been waiting for my delivery of Fairly Traded felt goodies to arrive this morning and here are just a couple of pics to whet your appetite!

There are some other designs, Bumble bees and Butterflies they are all really sweet. The bobble bags retail at £18.95, the cupcake bags are £10.95 and the purses are £3.95 they are handmade in Nepal by women who have been rescued from being trafficked.

Recycling Scrap Gold

In the spirit of all things eco – and because they’ve written a quick blog article on my Fair Trade Design website) I’m giving a quick introduction to Birmingham Jewellery Quarter based company Scrap Gold. They’re a long standing family run business dealing in recycled gold and silver jewellery. So if you have any gold or silver jewellery lying around in a draw somewhere and want to take advantage of the still high gold price, give them a call on 0845 437 4469 or visit the Scrap Gold website.

Busy Times

I must say the start of July seems to have a busy couple of weeks, the ladies pamper night at Church went really well and everyone had a good time we managed to raise £127 for the building fund which was a bonus as we didn't set out to raise money, I think we will be doing something similar later on in the year for Christmas. (oh no the C word mentioned in July) other events have included My mom celebrating her 83rd Birthday,a stall at Lichfield festival on a very hot day last Saturday, a big stock take and thinking of some new jewellery designs to try out .However the hi light so far this month has to be tonights trip to Harvey Nics for a business net working event, free Champagne and a goodie bag, a make-up demonstration and a min fashion show all lovely. Bed time now, another busy day in store tomorrow as |I'm back at Bham uni for the social sciences summer b-bq (yes I'm even selling jewellery there- hopefully) see you all soon Love Gillx

New Talent Tied Bunches !

I might take up floristry now- I really enjoyed having a go a doing a tied bunch of flowers for my mom's 83rd birthday which she celebrated today.

Button Braclets and Earrings

Any colour you want, my new best sellers Button Earrings and Button Bracelets.See Fair trade Desgin for more colours

This weeks update

What's been happening in the world of Fair Trade design ? well I've been busy getting ready for the ladies pamper night which I have been organising for Friday night at Duke Street Chapel in Sutton Coldfield. Ladies have been very keen to get tickets and we are now over 70 (i only expected 20,so I have over achived considerably) I've made quite a few pairs of button earrings as they are a bit of a best seller at the moment. They sell for £5.00 a pair and complement the Button bracelets really well.

The next exciting thing that has  happened this month was 'walking with the Lamas' which was our WIRE networking event for this month. We treked round the field with our Lamas and then had wine and a buffet meal in a Yurt- very interesting although a bit dark for me!

This is the back of me leading Bob the Lama on the Trek, he was a bit naughty as he kept eating the leaves!

Here's a close up of Bob, he was my favorite!

Clapham June 2010

On Saturday we got up at 5.00am to make our way down the M1 to Clapham. This was our fourth year at the Common Fair we have our own pitch now just opposite the pig roast! its a great day out and we always sell loads, here's a picture of Rob behind the stall.

Robert came with us this year, he did really well on his little stall selling essential oils ( or sensual oils as he told one women!) Sophie came over during the afternoon just in time to pick up some bargain burgers and for the drawing of the raffle (no prizes for us though)

Lovely Boy & Lovely Girl

 I've been so busy with loads of events going on here's a pic of the stall which looked fab. Rob did a great job with the new lighting system which we really needed in Leicester as it rained all day !

The next stop for Fair Trade Design is Birmingham University community day on Sunday 13th June 10.30am onwards, there will be loads going on inculding arts, crafts, face painting lots of activities for all the family and ITS FREE!!!!!!

Hello on this cold grey bank holiday ! Just to let you all know Fair Trade Design will be in Centenary Square on Saturday for the Birmingham City Council sponsored Climate Change event.

I've soon gone back to making necklaces again here's a lovely one which I've made from two different types of silver plated chain with flat polished green stone 'pebbles' and silver beads I'm very pleased with this variation on a theme which will be listed on my website Fair Trade Design 

Wedding Day Card

Not to be out done by all my card making friends here's one I made at the weekend !

It was the first one !

The first necklace has been sold this morning, have guess which one!

(answer will be posted the next time I blog!)

Thanks girls for your comments - Its actually quite nice updating a blog especially for you two! I'm just getting ready for a party tonight maybe the new necklaces will prove a best seller? see you soon

xxx

Lovely Chain Necklaces

Well I did finally get round to being a bit more creative than doing house work and made some necklaces they are all a variation on a theme, with chain, beads and charms I think Emma will recognise the pink beads. Its been great to have a lovely new room to work in, its light and area with lots of space.     

I'll list them for sale on my website Fair trade design If you would like a custom made necklace, I'm sure it can be arranged  (Carrie- i'm thinking of you now!)

Sorry I've been away from updating my blog for so long...... I've been clearing out my office, Its been painted pink had new furniture and shelves and now looks fab! I have a lovely space to work in and plan to create lots of new jewellery designs......

I've been getting my display boards ready for a party tomorrow afternoon. The Jewellery from Peru looks good and always sells well. The bracelets are made from seeds off the forrest floor they are so colourful and I know they are a big favorite of Emma from something sweet.

Thanks for looking

Here it is the one you've been waiting for....... A blue button charm bracelet made as a special commision for one of my best customers Carrie of Carries creative cards..... Thanks Carrie hope you like it!

As you can see I've also been making bead charm bracelets.These are two of the most popular colours, for other alternatives please see my website Fair Trade Design

Thanks for looking....

Carries Creative Cards: Blog candy...

Carries Creative Cards: Blog candy...

Hi Carrie Just thought I'd try the link out! and of course I want to win too! Love Gillx

Carrie is very eager for a new button bracelet to add to her collection, so just to keep you upto date with my progress I have sorted out a really nice mix of blue buttons ready for assembley later...... I'm also working on a necklace so watch this space!

Button Bracelets are coming out in all sorts of colours......

I had a very busy time making 4 last night, I tried a few different colour combinations which I thought worked well. Let me know what you think

I have listed them all on my website Fair Trade Design so take a look at the individual pictures, they are listed under beaded bracelets

Well Fair Trade fortnight is all over for another year and life is a bit quieter again. The Fair Trade Foundation exceeded its target of 1 million swaps so well done to everyone who swaped an item in there shopping basket! Hopefuly now I'll get back to a bit more crafting, I'm planning on making some more of the button bracelets which are selling so well. I raided several peoples button boxes over the weekend so watch this space........ Here's one I made earlier.....

Visit the Fair Trade Foundation and register your swap

Just a quickie today as so busy with Ft fortnight. I had the joy today of speaking to 75 retired employees from Lucas. They were a very lively lot I must say, but they all listened and some asked questions, many took the big swap brochure and promised to swap something when they go shopping.

We had a great day in Victoria Square on Saturday even if it was a bit wet and cold! there were lots of opportunities to talk to people about Fair Trade and it was nice to meet Emma and Penny from the Fair Trade Foundation who had come to see what Birmingham was doing to celebrate Fair Trade Fortnight. There was a huge stage and the high-light for me was Dexy's Midnight Runners (come on Eileen!) they took me right back to the 80's!

This is Sylvia, Jane and Steve who help support a charity called Lucia (Life uplifted by change in Africa)

Thanks for reading, if you would like any more information about Fair Trade or events that are going on during Fair trade fortnight please visit the Foundation website

Just a little reminder Fair Trade Design will be at the Huge Fair Trade event in Victoria Square this Saturday from 10.00am until 4.00pm. There will be loads going on from Chocolate tasting (I think!) to a tea dance with music and lots of stalls aswell. Should be a great day so hope to see you there?

Hello and welcome to this update of Fair Trade Design during Fair Trade fortnight. I've been at Aston University today in the students guild for a couple of hours of Fair Trade, we had quite a few visitors and there were some other interesting stalls there. Aston is a Fair Trade University and has a very pro active steering group. Thanks to Caroline for inviting Sally and I along to sell our wares it was good to be back for the third year running.

Well we did indeed load up the car and head off for Birmingham uni wine tasting last night, the wine was great and a most informative evening wine wise, shame not as many people as last year so my lovely stall was a bit quiet as you can see ! Anyway onwards and upwards and lets hope for better sales at Aston Uni on Thursday. Also ( just to let you know!) We'll be at Strictly Fair Trade and event being held in Victoria Square on Saturday where there will be lots of things going on. Its hosted by Bham City council and Fair Trade Association of Birmingham Of which I am a proud memeber.

I had to put a picture of my latest creation on my blog! I will be making these to order if anyone wants one just let me know! please e-mail Gill@fairtradedesign.co.uk

A lovely long tassel necklace made up with silver plated chain, rings and lots of crystals

fantastic I'm loving it !

I'm looking forward to going to Birmingham University on Monday 22nd to set my stall out during the Fair Trade wine tasting which has be come a regular event  at the university during Fair Trade fortnight. It was great last year with lots of sales and people staggering around after the wine tasting lol. Watch this space for some photo's........

Fair Trade Fortnight starts on Monday and the theme this year is the 'big swap' can you swap one item in your shopping basket for a fair trade one? how about trying some fair trade tea for a change you can read more on the fair trade foundation website let me know if you swap anything and do people in the developing world a real favour

Hello and happy snowy day! here's a picture of my latest creation

I love making beady charm bracelets them and do them in lots of different colour combinations -this is one of the most popular and can be viewed in my shop on folksy.com all the button braclets are there too!

Here's one I made earlier! lovely rosy coloured pearls again listed on folksy.com

hello

My name is Gill Smith I'm 47 and live in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands. I am married to Rob and I am blessed to have one lovely son Robert who is at university in Hertfordshire. I worked in a bank for 27 years but left in 2006 to start running my own business Fair Trade Design, I campaign about Fair Trade by speaking to groups and doing parties for women at home. In my spare time I love to craft and have recently started making jewellery having been inspired by the things I sell through Fair Trade Design.

My Website

Bead and Button Charm Bracelet

A lovely mix of fair trade beads and mother of pearl beads put together with a collection of different size and shade pink buttons. They are hanging from a silver plated chain with toggle clasp it has 19 links and has at least two items attatched to each link. It measures approx 8.5 cm in lengh.

This is a fine labradorite pendant, a really deep shade of iridescent blue. Find it on Fair Trade Design