Leandra Holder Jewellery Blog

New Kiln!

2011-10-07T11:04:00.005+01:00

I am thrilled to have a new kiln - well, new to me! It's a second-hand reconditioned one from Northern Kilns http://www.northernkilns.com/ It has all new electrics and a new control panel - they were so helpful and even gave me a lesson on how to use it - I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a kiln or for potter's supplies. I have attached photos of my new kiln and my studio. I have already done one firing and will be loading the kiln again today with a 2nd batch of my ceramic art. It is so brilliant to be able to fire more than one pot at a time, as up until now I have only had my Paragon glass kilns to use, this means that I could only fire one pot at a time - whereas with the new one I can fit in upwards of six pieces. This will so speed up my work and I'm buzzing with new ideas ...

When you look at the photos of the studio you will see glass butterflies and glass leaves hanging from the beams. These are some of the ones that were hanging on a tree in the New Ferry Butterfly Park for the whole summer. Myself and Chris Turrell-Watts, my artist partner in this piece of public art, had accepted that some of them were bound to be stolen - and had come to terms with that. Leaving attractively twinkling glass butterflies and leaves, that could easily fit in one's hand, in a public place for three months was bound to tempt somebody - or so we thought! When we took down the installation at the end of August and counted them we were thrilled to discover that the public had respected our work and every single piece was sill there. We then felt really guilty for having so little faith in people!

Anyway ... back to work ...

7th Sept - latest pot and latest skull necklace

2011-09-07T13:46:00.002+01:00

Here's a photo of my latest art pot and of my latest skull necklace. The necklace was a present for my youngest daughter's birthday. I made her some tiny skull earrings too, though I forgot to take a photo of those.

2011-08-22T23:56:00.001+01:00

2011-08-22T23:48:00.002+01:00

2011-08-22T23:41:00.001+01:00

22nd August 2011

2011-08-22T23:05:00.005+01:00

So sorry I've neglected my blog for so long - main reason is that I am a full time carer for my mum as well as an artist. But still doing some of course - I'd go mad if I couldn't find a little time every day to create. Along with my friend Chris Turrel-Watts, we created a piece of public art in a magical wild area called The Butterfly Park in New Ferry Liverpool. We made dozens of larger than life glass butterflies and glass leaves and hung them from a large flowering Hawthorn tree. Looks fabulous when the sun is shining. I've also been working from home of course and have made an angel tile (see photo) but it cracked slightly when I fired it in my kiln - which was rather disappointing, to say the least. In the last few months I have really got into making my art vases, and will definitely be exploring more ideas in this direction. (see photos.) I've made a tree nymph piece too, which I really enjoyed (see photo.) Anyway, I'll be blogging on here a lot more frequently in future, so speak to you soon ....

Leandra Holder Website SALE Starts 2nd Feb. 2010

2010-02-01T09:36:00.003Z

At last my website is ready to go online again after sterling work by my tecky guy Ryk Langton. I've probably driven him mad over the last month, so I do appreciate that he has kept calm with me! So tomorrow, Tuesday 2nd February, is the relaunch day - AND THE START OF MY SALE!!!!! I've reduced 120 items of jewellery - some by over half. So it's well worth your time taking an early look and snapping up some bargains. Here are just two of the pieces that will be drastically reduced. Happy shopping!

update

2010-01-21T11:42:00.002Z

Well my frustration and annoyance continues - I am still not back online with my Leandra Holder website. A hacker managed to wreck my site between Christmas and the New Year and the long process of rebuilding continues. Apart from the fact it is the way I earn my living, I also hadn't realised how much a part of my daily routine it was - checking for sales and checking that all was well and functioning on my site. There'll be changes coming when my site is up and running again - and not just increased security! I plan to concentrate much more on the art side. I will be buying far less of the components like beads and charms - and plan to make far more of these myself. Which means that once the site is functioning I will be having a massive sale of all the items that no longer fit into this criteria. I will give you all a week's notice before the grand sale starts - so don't worry, you will not miss out. Thanks so much to you all for the many messages of support I have received since my website was hacked - it means a lot to me that so many of you are missing your daily fix of trawling through my website. I'll be back soon, so don't go away! peace and love Leandra x

Sparkly Snow Crystals Coiled Bracelet

2010-01-07T15:19:00.002Z

Such a sparkly crystal bracelet! Tiers of aurora borealis Preciosa crystals, some other shades of crystals and faceted glass beads, Tibettan Silver, with pastel shades of cut glass heart charms. AVAILABLE - £79.99 including insured worldwide postage and gorgeous gift wrapping. You'll be a real Ice Queen in this one! If you are interested contact me through this blog or my facebook page.

Unique Handmade Sugar Skulls Coiled Necklace

2010-01-03T13:18:00.004Z

This striking necklace is so easy to wear and many of the skulls featured were handmade by myself - Leandra Holder. The skulls include ceramic, bone, wood, metal and the kiln fired polymer clay ones carved by myself. The polymer clay ones have Swarovski crystal rhinestones in their eye sockets. The beads include handmade evil eye glass beads, various shades of crystals, millifiori glass and sparkly silvertone and crystal spacer beads. Just gorgeous! AVAILABLE - £99.99 including insured worldwide postage and delightful gift wrapping. If you are interested then contact me through this blog or through my facebook page.

Lucky Evil Eye Decoupage Wooden Bangle

2010-01-03T13:11:00.003Z

This striking and unique wooden bangle was decoupaged by me, Leandra Holder, with images of lucky evil eyes drawn by myself. Then many layers of crystal clear non yellowing varnish were applied. AVAILABLE - £24.99 including worldwide standard postage and fab gift wrapping. Contact me through my blog or my facebook page if you are interested.

Hand Painted Wood Bangle with Very Large Swarovski Crystals

2010-01-03T12:55:00.004Z

This unique and lovely hand painted by Leandra Holder wooden bangle has a "gypsy" caravan feel to it and is studded with extremely large sparkly Swarovski crystal rhinestones. The bangle was sprayed 3 times to achieve the base colour, then the flowers were hand painted, then the Swarovski rhinestones were embedded into the bracelet with strong epoxy resin glue. The final touch was two layers of crystal clear varnish painted carefully around the crystals. AVAILABLE - £79.99 including worldwide insured postage and beautiful gift wrapping. Contact me through my blog or my facebook page if you are interested.

Unique Handmade Skulls Coiled Bracelet

2010-01-03T12:38:00.004Z

5 wonderful coils of unique handmade by Leandra Holder skulls. There are many kinds of skulls on this bracelet, the ones created by myself are made from kiln fired polymer clay and have Swarovski crystal rhinestones in the eye sockets. There are many dangling charms including an articulated skeleton / a lucky evil eye charm / a small Hamsa Hand / a large vintage blue cross and a vintage religious medal of The Virgin Mary. Like all of my art jewellery this is a one-off piece that will not be replicated in exactly the same way again. AVAILABLE - £119.99 including worldwide insured postage and gorgeous gift wrapping. A stunning and eye-catching bracelet. Contact me through my blog or through my facebook page if you are interested.

Coiled Gothic Bracelet with Big Skulls

2010-01-03T12:26:00.006Z

A real statement piece bracelet created with vintage and new glass beads that coils securely around your wrist. It has large resin gothic skulls with tiny rhinestones in the eye sockets. There's also a large black "fang" charm and a large chunky amethyst glass cross. Very funky and very eye catching. AVAILABLE - £79.99 including worldwide insured postage and fabulous gift wrapping. Contact me through my blog or my facebook page if you are interested.

2010-01-02T21:44:00.002Z

Hello everybody - thanks for reading my blog - it's the only way you can see my new creations at the moment as my website was hacked between Christmas and the New Year and the swines left it unuseable. I've changed to a more secure server now, so hopefully it won't happen again. But my site is having to be rebuilt, practically from scratch - so it's a very busy time for my tecky man and myself (not to mention expensive!) I'll put as many pieces on here as I can until my site is functioning again - so if there's anything you want contact me through my facebook page. Hope you all have a happy, healthy and wealthy 2010! peace and love Leandra xxx

More Bangles

2009-11-16T16:58:00.004Z

Here's some more bangles -

Day of The Dead and Other Bangles

2009-11-16T16:49:00.002Z

I've been working with wooden bangles recently, hand painting them and decoupaging them - I have enjoyed creating something different to my usual style, so I hope you like them as much as I loved making them.

Day of The Dead Hand Carved Skulls Bracelet / Necklace

2009-09-26T20:24:00.006+01:00

Here's another of my hand carved skulls bracelets that can be worn as a necklace too (I give the buyer a free extender chain.) Available to buy from today 26th Sept. 2009 on my website at £119.99 (price includes insured worldwide postage and fabulous gift wrapping.) www.leandraholder.co.uk Inspired by sugar skulls and the Mexican festival of The Day of The Dead - hope you love these as much as I love making them!

Frida Kahlo Day of The Dead Jewelled Skulls Bracelet / Necklace

2009-09-26T20:13:00.005+01:00

Here's another of my bracelets that can be worn as a necklace too (I give the buyer a free extender chain.) The tiny skulls are hand carved and painted with Swarovski jewelled eyes. This is available to buy on my site from today - 26th Sept. 2009 - at £119.99 (the price includes insured worldwide postage and beautiful gift wrapping.)

Hand Carved "Sugar Skull" Day of The Dead Art Jewellery by Leandra Holder

2009-09-07T09:17:00.008+01:00

2009-03-03T20:49:00.003Z

Here's some photos of my latest box - very steampunk influenced. It's called "He called her a bitch when she left him to go traveling." It measures 12x8x4 inches.

Steampunk Timetravellers by Leandra Holder

2009-02-10T14:42:00.004Z

These are what I've been making for the last week - they can be worn as brooches, as there's a strong rollover pin clasp on the back, or can be displayed in a cabinet (as I do with my own.) I sell them for £69.99. The idea came from thinking about how I would love to revisit previous decades, but with the knowledge I have now. What fun I could have! Then I remembered H. G. Wells and his time machine, films I've loved like 12 Monkeys ... and they just grew from that. The faces are between an inch and an inch and a half tall, and like the hands, are handcarved from polyclay which was fired in my kiln. All the keys, insides of watches, cogs and screws are attached with very super strong Araldite. I designed them to look vintage - I wanted the timetravellers and their time machines to look used - as if they have had many adventures together - some of them a little too thrilling perhaps. Hope you like them as I loved making them. If you want to buy one then go to my website - www.leandraholder.co.uk Thanks for looking!

My latest assemblage boxes - Hope Street Market - by Leandra Holder

2009-01-17T11:24:00.007Z

These are boxes 2 and 3 - they are both called "Hope Street Market" - they were Christmas presents for my daughters. They are a mixture of found and made items. The dolls in these are vintage plastic dolls that have been stripped and redressed with clothes I have made. Everything else was made by myself - the tiny cakes, the skulls, the arms and legs etc. These assemblage boxes are about the recession and how it is even more difficult at the moment for an artist or craftsperson to make a living from their work. But I always live in hope - hence the title.

Sefton Open Runner-Up 2008

2008-09-26T09:19:00.003+01:00

Well what a great weekend I have had! Was feeling a little down about the credit crunch/recession and that people have been spending less because of it. I realise as well as anyone, that feeding the belly has to come before feeding the soul. So money has been a wee bit tighter than usual. But I keep on creating my art for myself because it makes me happy - then this weekend I received such a boost - I was a runner-up in The Sefton Open Art Exhibition. I received a cash prize, plus The Atkinson Gallery are buying my piece for their permanent collection! Apart from the money being very welcome - as I can restock my clay supplies and get some more shadow boxes made-up, it is also an amazing confidence booster. To know that others actually get my art and I am not just making it for my own satisfaction makes me so happy. If you are in the Merseyside area in the next six weeks than do pop in The Atkinson Gallery on Lord Street Southport - it's a really interesting exhibition (though I say so myself.) You'll find it on the top floor and there are some wonderful artists exhibiting. It finishes on the 9th of November 2008. Below is the text that goes next to my piece.

Inside The Blue House by Leandra Holder

Inside The Blue House is a shadow box in mixed media – the doll is slip cast porcelain with real hair. The jewelled skulls are hand carved bisque fired porcelain and there are various found items used too.

This piece evolved from the artist’s long standing interest in the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and the annual festival of The Day of The Dead. The blue house of the title is Frida Kahlo’s house. Frida is at work in her studio – ignoring Diego Rivera at the window. On the windowsill are a fawn and an elephant – this is Frida and Diego – as are the love birds on top of the open cage. Littered around the studio are cigarettes, alcohol and pills – all used by Frida to help relieve the constant pain she was in because of the terrible accident she suffered to her back when young. On Frida’s back is a monkey – she had monkeys as pets and often included them in her paintings – but it is also symbolic of her understandable dependence on drugs. Frida’s diary was published after her death and that too is on the studio floor. There’s the Communist / Soviet Union army badge of the hammer and sickle on the back wall – this is to indicate Frida’s communism, but also her reputed short lived affair with Leon Trotsky. The mirror reflects Frida’s own image back at her and was used constantly in her art - as her pain and her own life were always at the centre of her work. There are American dollars peeping from behind one of the paintings – this is to show the constant struggle that Frida had, like most artists, as she tried to make a living from her art.

Latest Charm Bracelet

2008-08-22T10:39:00.003+01:00

Here's a photo of my latest creation - Carnival Time Charm Bracelet - £129.99 - as with all my work, this is a unique piece. I often explore the same theme over and over again, but each one is different to the one that went before. This is meant to conjure up the joy of carnivals - whether it's a masked ball in Venice or a street carnival in Rio or Notting Hill. There are seven, handmade by myself, bisque fired porcelain heads which measure approx. an inch in length. These are all dressed-up with masks or make-up ready to attend the carnival and are individually painted and varnished by myself. There are lots of interesting vintage and new goldtone charms too, as well as rhinestones and sparkly crystals. As with all of my fuller bracelets this works well as a necklace too, just by adding an extension chain (let me know when you buy this if you would like a free extension chain.) Enjoy the carnival!

2008-08-07T17:42:00.001+01:00

Sefton Open Art Exhibition

2008-08-07T17:22:00.002+01:00

Well I was thrilled this morning to open my post and learn that I have been accepted to exhibit at the annual Sefton Open Art Exhibition! Here's a photo of my entry, it's called In The Blue House - and shows the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo at work in her studio. I made the Frida figure from porcelain slip in a mold I made myself. I've used real hair, made the tiny clothes and painted her with acrylics (she even has the famous mono-brow and the hint of a moustache.) The Day of The Dead style skulls are hand carved bisque fired porcelain - and inside the hollow ones I have put tiny lights. If you look in the background you'll see Diego Riverra, her husband, looking through the window - and on the windowsill are a fawn and an elephant - this is Frida and Diego. Scattered around her studio are bottles of booze, cigarettes and drugs - as Frida needed these to help her endure the horrendous pain she was in after the life changing traffic accident she had as a very young woman. At her feet on the floor is her diary - this was published after her death. And on her back is a monkey - Frida kept monkeys as pets and often featured them in her paintings - but the monkey on her back also symbolises her understandable dependence on painkilling substances. Hope you like it as much as I loved making it.

LEANDRA HOLDER FUNKY BAGS

2008-06-18T09:03:00.001+01:00

AND HERE ARE THE FUNKY BAGS! (see more on my website)

My Latest Project - Leandra Holder Art-Ts and Funky Bags!

2008-06-18T08:37:00.005+01:00

So sorry I have not posted for a while, but have been incredibly busy with a new venture - Art-Ts (T-shirts) and Funky Bags! By getting back into fashion I am actually returning to my roots. In the 1970s I was a stylist/designer to various rock bands and their families. This time round I am designing T-shirts and using the same designs on fabric bags in 2 sizes. I will post a few photos on here but if you want to see the full range then you'll need to look at my website - http://www.leandraholder.co.uk/ - some are also available at accessoriesonline and at socharming. The T-shirts should appeal to a wide range of tastes, from the surfer/skater to the funky rock chick. The strong thick cotton bags are the perfect stylish answer to NOT using environmentally damaging plastic bags. The large ones are enormous and will fit masses of shopping inside them, or all that you'll need for a day at the beach. The medium size is ideal for everyday use and work, and will easily carry your purse, make-up, lunch and a paperback book! These funky bags will last and last, being incredibly useful as well as good looking (a bit like my man!) As an opening offer I am including a Leandra Holder bag charm with each funky bag order - but this won't last, so order now to get the special offer! Hope you love these as much as I loved designing them.

ALL DESIGNS REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF LEANDRA HOLDER LIMITED AND ARE REGISTERED ON THE ACID DATABASE.

25th March 2008 - Working on commissioned charm bracelets

2008-03-25T13:28:00.003Z

Well, I am still hard at work fulfilling all the commissioned pieces I have orders for - here you will see one of them. It's a charm bracelet for a lady who loves blue parrots. The fabulous parrot beads are made by a wonderful US bead artist - JTW. She has done a marvelous job - they are really detailed and pretty. I've complimented these great beads/charms with dozens and dozens of sparkly and colourful Preciosa crystal beads, as well as some lovely yellow roses made by the same bead artist. I am very pleased with the result, but more importantly - the customer is too!

I'll post more photos of the commissioned pieces as soon as it is safe to do so! (A lot of my orders recently have been placed by kind people who are planning to give them as gifts to their loved ones - so I have to be certain that the charm bracelets and necklaces have been given to the intended recipients before posting photos on here - as I don't want to spoil their surprise!) Later ...

4th March 2008 - David Mitchell One Man Art Show

2008-03-04T20:04:00.005Z

My partner, David Mitchell, is now back from New York where he has a one man art exhibition called "Be Sure To Wear a Disguise" at the B. Beamesderfer Gallery in New Jersey. It's on until the 10th of April, so do go and see it if you get a chance. Here are a few photos he took while he was there - though I can guarantee that they look even better in reality.

I am working away at my jewellery designing, trying to catch up on commissions as well as making new pieces for my own site - Leandra Holder.

28th February 2008 - Back to work! - Day of The Dead Necklace

2008-02-28T11:10:00.000Z

Haven't been blogging for a few days as I have had friends from Canada visiting - very sad to see them leave - the time went far too quickly, but we had such fun! But it's back to work now. I have a long list of commissioned pieces to make - a funky cat charm necklace / a tattooed lady charm bracelet / a Frida Kahlo charm bracelet / an Oscar Night pearls and crystal necklace and bracelet / a 1970's Glam Rock charm bracelet ... and more! My wholesale customers have placed orders too so I am very busy. Thank goodness! Must get round to listing some new pieces on my own website too - Leandra Holder. I am very much still in the Rock Chick mode, but have also designed some really fresh and pretty summer flower bracelets that will be feminine but funky. Above you will see one of my hand painted skulls Day of The Dead necklaces.

20th February 2008 - Retro Styling Crystal Necklace and Summer Flowers Lucite Charm Bracelet

2008-02-20T13:03:00.000Z

Busy, busy, busy at the moment - but above you will see two of my latest creations. The retro styling necklace is made from pale rose pink Preciosa crystals. The summer flowers bracelet is made from a mixture of vintage Lucite and new plastic flowers, plus some bright Preciosa crystals.

18th February 2008 - tattoo arm earrings

2008-02-18T21:18:00.000Z

I've been at college all day today as I am doing a ceramics and glass course. One of the pieces I was working on today was casting some small arms in porcelain slip that I intend to make into earrings again. I have made a pair of these before and after a bisque firing I painted them flesh colour and then decoupaged some tattoos onto them before varnishing. I sold the first pair to a romantic man who bought them for his girlfriend for Valentine's Day. But I love them so much that I just have to make another pair! I never make exactly the same piece twice - as it would bore me to tears - so these will have different tattoos on them. The pair that you see above are the first pair I made last June (2007) I sell these for £50.00. Tomorrow I am working on my super-lamb-banana designs, I'll let you know how I get on with it. A lot of my friends are working on the same project and it's been fun seeing them today and bouncing ideas off one another. Can't wait to see what they all create!

February 17th 2008 - Taking Photos and Creating

2008-02-17T10:02:00.000Z

Today I am taking photos of my latest jewellery creations, ready to put them on my website Leandra Holder. THEN I plan to start designing my lambanana for a competition for Liverpool's Year of Culture. Most people, in the UK, will have heard of and seen the amazing and big super-lamb-banana sculpture. To celebrate the year of culture Liverpool are planning lots of replicas of this fun sculpture to be dotted around the city centre - and people/artists are invited to submit designs for decorated lamb-bananas! So I'm giving it a go! I have three ideas I am planning to explore - I'll let you know how I get on. Above is one of my previous jewellery creations called Hooray For Bollywood!.

February 16th - Retro Crystal Necklace

2008-02-16T14:59:00.000Z

The Rock Chick charm bracelet I was making yesterday is almost finished - I just have to get some silver hearts engraved with a special message for the customer who commissioned the piece, and it is done. Today I am working on a dangling crystals necklace - very retro / vintage styling - but with an edgy contemporary twist. I'm using pale rose 8mm Preciosa crystals mixed with silver tulip shaped bead caps - very 1950s feel to this one. Of course once photos are taken (and once my customer's wife has received her surprise!) I will post photos on here for you to see. In the meantime here's a selection of recent creations by Leandra Holder Jewellery (me!) Please respect my copyright on all my designs / photographs and text - I am a member of ACID (anti-copying in design) - if you would like to use a photo in the press or even in your own blog -then just contact me and ask.

2008-02-16T03:13:00.000Z

2008-02-16T03:07:00.000Z

15th February 2008 - Rock Chick Charm Bracelets

2008-02-15T11:33:00.000Z

Above photo is courtesy of The Manchester Evening News - the photographer is Mark Waugh. Thank you for their kind permission to use this. Copyright remains with them.

Yes, that's me wearing one of my Day of The Dead hand carved necklaces! This was inspired by the annual Mexican festival of The Day of The Dead.

FRIDAY 15th FEBRUARY 2008 - Today I am working on a commissioned piece - a fabulous Rock Chick charm bracelet that has tattoo hearts as the main theme. It is full of sparkly Swarovski crystal charms - including a fab rhinestone guitar; long tendrils of vintage Swarovski jet and crystal beads; lots of silver music themed charms; and some blood red vintage rose charms ... it's a stunner.