We love hearing from you, so here is your chance. Introduce yourself and tell us what makes you selfsufficient 'ish'. Go on don't be shy, we welcome one and all. You can also tell us how you heard about us if you like.
I'm claire from grimsby. Not really sure what to write I have 2 children and a dog. I like reading, music, gardening, cooking and my pc lol I'm a jewellery designer and am working hard on my own website to sell my creations for a little extra money. I also have an ebay shop, but thats getting so expensive
I'm doing silverwork at 'night school'. Oh boy is it fiddley and frustrating. Usually manage to injure myself during each session too. But very satisfying to produce something, eventually, that is wearable. Can you put in a link to your site so we can see what you do?
Is it just the e-bay shop that is expensive or is e-bay itself becomming expensive. I was thinking of trying to sell a few pots on-line.
hello there. the site is http://www.phoenixmoonjewellery.com
I'd like to take a silversmith course but can't afford it at the moment. Something I'm very interested in is precious metal clay. It's like using clay but once fired is fine silver
I like the beads threaded on the silver chain. Very pretty. Do you have to solder the links together after the beads are attached?
A member of the class has had a 'go' with the silver clay. She said it was very difficult to use and ended up with lots of it on her fingers which you have to scrape off very carefully as the clay is, of course, hideously expensive but I saw the beads that she made and they were very unusual and would have been almost impossible to make in the conventional manner. I wonder what temperature the clay is fired at. I thought it might be cheaper to make things in ordinary clay and then fire them with a silver lustre.
I don't solder the links because I'm really really rubbish at it I put one of the beads over the join and put a small drop of glue inside the bead
I missed your other question above, ethe ebay shop is £6 a month + fees. Its the fees that are getting expensive. I paid them £80 last month which I really can't afford my site has cost less than half that to set up for a year with premium services.
Welcome to Selfsuffish! Just been over to your site. I like your pieces. I did a little beading for a while, it's very satisfying to produce something pretty.
thank you and yes. I have potatoes, carrots, runner beans and strawberries. I did have mini caulflowers and sweetcorn but the slugs have enjoyed them I am also trying cucumbers and pumpkins for the first time
I netted all around to keep the deer off. I hand picked the slugs and snails. Kept vigil on the cabbage white butterflies and lo - I have suffered the indignity of an ariel attack by pigeons who have seen off most of the cabbage and mini cauliflowers. I tell you 'It's War out there'.
That's pretty sneaky gluing the links together - but what a good idea. I've just signed on for the autumn term for my silver work class. I want to incorporate some beads I've made with the silver. I've made them using a 'mocha' technique and glazed them in turquoise. I'm rather pleased with the result.
I wouldn't mind trying it one day - when my ship comes in. A friend of mine always says "Lanie - when your ship comes in - you'll be waiting at the airport" !!!
I have 2 children and a dog. I like reading, music, gardening, cooking and my pc lol I'm a jewellery designer and am working hard on my own website to sell my creations for a little extra money. I also have an ebay shop, but thats getting so expensive 
my site has cost less than half that to set up for a year with premium services.