Silverfish Designs

05/09/2024

We are sorry to tell you that Carol James, the wonderfully talented jeweller behind Silverfish Designs passed away on 3rd July this year. She battled cancer bravely and determindly.

Carol was incredibly artistic, and combined her love of archeology and nature so well with her skills in jewellery making. A fabulous gardener, enlightening chef, and an all round lovely person, much missed by many.

Carol has left her sister, Anna, in charge of her business. In time, there will be a new online place to buy her fabulous creations, but there’s a lot Anna and her husband Chris need to work through before that’s ready. Her current website is live, and orders can be placed on there in the interim. There is also chatter about some special exhibitions too, relating to the incredible rock art that so inspired her, but it’s too early to say anymore about those

If you are local, and wish to see her lovely collection, it will be on show as part of H Art, from Saturday 7th to Sunday 15th September. Her work will be exhibited alongside 12 other local artists, all friends of hers, at the old Posterity barns, between British Camp and Ledbury, just before the turning for Eastnor Castle. The space will be open 11-5 each day.

Please come and say hello, it’s heartening to see folk wearing her jewellery!

Love Anna, Carols sister x

BTW, if you need to reach Anna about anything to do with Carols business please email annamakesbeasts.co.uk. Please note, I cannot undertake repairs or alterations, I’m sorry.

26/04/2024

I see familiar things … and not so familiar temptation, and you don’t even have to leave your comfy chair.

18/04/2024

Hello. I haven’t posted for a while, things have not gone to plan on the health front but, as a quick update… They tell me the current, ongoing, treatment will mean I will have to stop making. I am on round 2 and at the moment the side effects have not been too bad 🤞so on the days where I have a little energy I’ve been trying to do an hour or two while I can, but it is limiting what pieces I can make.

Here’s a few earrings and pendants, I’ve been working on. Ammonites from some collected in Lyme Regis last year, Stars (double has 9ct gold tiny star), Melt My Heart Pendant and Spirals inspired by recording work I did at Barclodiad Y Gawres, Anglesey a few years back.

This weekend I am delivering to Showborough House for their exhibition beginning 2 May. Last year I visited as a guest and fell for the beautiful setting, selection of work in the garden and the garden room. This year I am lucky enough to be able to exhibit with them. I won’t be doing markets, in fact I only have a couple of stewarded events booked for the year (this and h Art) so do pop along and support them, or if you’d like a piece of jewellery 😆. I still have some stock so do get in touch if you need anything and I can check what I have.

Take care everyone x

23/12/2023

Like most things this year our tree is a bit of a token effort …

Just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and to thank you all for your support this year, for visiting the few events I’ve taken part in and for giving me a sense of normality. I can’t tell you how much it all means. I also want to say a huge thank you to my artist friends who have got me through - or sent me home from 😆- said events.

I am surrounded by amazing people and sometimes life gives you a wake up call to make sure you appreciate who and what you’ve got.

21/12/2023

If you’re running out of time and short of inspiration pop in and see the Iapetus team, let them find the perfect gift for you. One of these might be one of mine! 😜

26/11/2023

Last day of h art Christmas market at Barton Court. Please excuse me if I’m talking jibberish, having got to sleep a couple of hours ago I’ve overslept in style 🥱🥱🥱. Do come and keep me awake!🤣. At least the jewellery will have had a better night and will be ready to greet you, as I am sure are my fellow exhibitors. Looking forward to the last day, it’s looking beautiful and the cafe is open for food and drinks till 4 pm.

Think this sums me up! X

25/11/2023

A beautiful day at Barton Court, chilly, bright and crisp and a super sunset and moon rise to finish. Lovely to see so many folk out and about, and lots of familiar faces returning which is always a treat. We have one more day - I may need to start drinking coffee to stay awake, it’s a good job the cafe will be open - so last chance to visit us in this lovely venue.

25/11/2023

Just a little taste of some of the gorgeousness we have on offer in the engine room at Barton Court today. It’s cosy and sparkly and being looked after by Andrew (blacksmith) Claudia (metal sculptures) Mariana (indulgent chocolate and glass) and myself (silver jewellery) today.

There’s loads going on in Malvern, some of us will be at the Malvern lights market and switch on, and Malvern Creatives Connect have put on a beautiful trail of Narnia themed windows. It may be chilly but get out there, enjoy what Malvern has to offer and come for a cuppa and a warm up with us to recover!

24/11/2023

We are all set up at Barton Court and tonight is late night opening till 8pm. It’s inside, warm and cosy so do come down and see what’s on offer.

I forgot to take photos of our exhibition - maybe tomorrow! - but this is this years new design. It’s a lovely solid silver ammonite on a 16”+ chain. It’s cast from one I found on a blowy beach walk early in the year at Lyme Regis during a lovely little break with my sister this year. We had great fun trawling the beach and Victorian rubbish dump/landslide for treasures armed with a nail file and a teaspoon! Mary Anning eat your heart out!!

18/11/2023

Just look at all these lovely goodies waiting to show their faces at Hallow Village Hall with Two Can Do Markets tomorrow. I feel a purchase or two coming on! Please come and support us little guys, we’ll be very happy to see you!

18/11/2023

Looking forward to meeting Santa. I’ll be there as part of the Colwall Collective for the h Art Christmas weekend from midday on Friday until 4 pm on Sunday. There’s going to be something for everyone. Tea, cake, gifts for all, including the pooch (yep, that’s the most important one 🐶) lovely setting and the man himself 🎅 . Sounds like a good excuse for a little outing to me!

We read in the paper that the booking engine of a local business crashed and people were traumatised because they could not get tickets to see Santa. The tickets cost £25.

Don't panic! Come to meet the REAL Father Christmas here at Barton Court. Every year he has a 2 day stopover in The Clock Tower where he meets children and their families in its cosy sitting room for a chat and some selfies.

Visiting our Santa costs £10 and includes a wrapped present from his sack and a little stocking from the tree containing sweeties or fruit [depending on what the adults think best].

In the barns and house of Barton Court, we have over 30 stalls selling all manner of wonderful gifts, food and drink. We, ourselves, are focussing on stocking fillers that are fun and not too expensive.

You can have a bite to eat, some mulled wine and listen to some music. We even have a group of ladies dancing this year.

You can see why the REAL Father Christmas comes here. Join us for some magic.

Tickets here: https://www.bartoncourtonline.co.uk/whats-on or message me.

13/11/2023

Come along and see us at Hallow this Sunday for Two Can Do Markets, a new event for me as I’m not able to do the larger outdoor markets at the moment, but a lot of creatives I’ve exhibited with before so it should be a good event, plenty of handmade goodies and yummy edibles too to start your festive gifts.

10/11/2023

Something a bit different, we’ve made the front page! Fame at last 😝. This months Current Archaeology features an article on the excavation and work we did (many years ago) on beautiful Llanddwyn Island, Anglesey. Still one of my favourite places, great write and up and cover photo by George Nash

The latest issue of Current Archaeology is out now! In the magazine this month:
• Llanddwyn Island: illuminating centuries of sacred and secular life
• A Victorian rock garden: ‘dahlia-mania’ at Stonehenge
• Distilling the spirit of Northumbria’s Golden Age at Ad Gefrin
• The tale of a tree: an archaeological history of Sycamore Gap
• Avalon Archaeology: a new open-air museum in Somerset
Plus: News, Reviews, Science Notes, Museum News, Sherds, Odd Socs, and more! Subscribe via the link in the bio.

09/11/2023

Not long to go now, this is the first of a whole two Christmas events I have lined up. Organised by two lovely ladies with a diverse collection of makers. Do pop along and take a look, 19th November, 11 am to 3 pm at Hallow Village Hall

Introducing Carol we are delighted to have Carol join us on the 19th November with her beautiful jewellery. It time to start your Christmas shopping.

09/09/2023

We’ve had an amazing week at Barton Court for h.Art, so many lovely visitors and customers, and lots of great feedback on the work displayed. It’s been a privilege to be part of such a warm and talented group of makers, no wonder our connections go back so many years!

Tomorrow is the last chance to enjoy this exhibition before the close of the event, and a well earned rest for all the artists and staff in the cafe. At least I will have a break from looking at all the gorgeous cake, as if the temptation of beautiful things isn’t enough.

#

08/09/2023

Here we are again, h Art at Barton Court, do pop in and have a look at what’s on offer.

I will be here till mid afternoon.

06/09/2023

Just some of the gorgeous things to be found in the Dutch barn at Barton Court during h Art. I will be here all day today, then part of Thursday and Friday. Do come along and meet the artists maybe treat yourself to a piece of cake in the cafe.

02/09/2023

Wow, what a busy start! It’s only day one and we have had so many lovely visitors already. The exhibition looks fabulous. The sun showed its face as we shut the doors so I took the opportunity to grab a couple of snaps of one of the outdoor sculpture areas. beautiful!