Tans Shiny Things

Tans Shiny Things I restring & hand knot beads; create jewellery from old silver, copper, bronze, gold plus refurbish.

15/11/2025

Today I finished two pairs of earrings made from sterling silver coffee spoon bowls.

If you would like to see how I made them, and the final result, please keep watching.

Tania

14/11/2025

This has really made my week.

Thank you to the lovely pupils who sent me this card, and to their equally lovely teacher who took over from me teaching GCSE Business.

It's so nice to be appreciated.

Tania (Mrs Savage). Xx

12/11/2025

I love using heat to change the texture of silver. I wanted to use some silver dust but also wanted some reticulation. The end of a spoon is a very recognisable shape, so I wanted to combine a bit of melting and a bit of filing to change the edge outline too.

This needed my big blow torch (a rothenburger multigas 300 incase anyone is interested) that I usually use for sandcasting, as the rest of the bangle is quite heavy and was acting as a heat sink. It took a bit of care to pull away fast enough that the edge was decoratively melted, not just a blob. 😆
I'm pleased with the results though.

I can't decide if I'm going to flush set 'snake eyes' in the spoon bowl end when it comes back from the assay office.

Also, my client loves the little 4 leaf clover necklace, which is great.

Cheers,

Tania xx

11/11/2025

I got so stressed! The app wouldn't read my passport. It did read my driving license but when it scanned my face it said I'm not me. They'll only send you a code 5 times then it boots you out and doesn't let you try again even a couple of days later.

I phoned Companies House for advice, they suggested using an appointed solicitor. I contacted one and was told they charge £250. I had visions of this costing John and I £500 and we're only a little business. I tell you - I cried!

The game changer was finding out that you don't have to use a business email. Each director needs to be verified, but each can use their personal emails.

Also, you don't have to id separately for each company. I am director of our shop, financial director for the gallery and a co-director of our little business which looks after the flats where we live. My one id verification will cover all my directorships.

Anyeay, we have our letters now and will be off to the post office tomorrow.

And breathe .........😁

Tania xx

09/11/2025

Just a few tips from today's work that I thought some of you might find useful / interesting 😁

Tania xx

06/11/2025

Running a small business is not all shiny things.

Did you know that if you have a limited liability company, registered in the UK with Companies House, you must now prove your identity?

Being limited liability protects your personal belongings, such as your home, as only the money and assets owned by the company are at risk if there are any financial problems.

I've tried using the GovOne app to prove my identity. It wouldn't read my passport, it did eventually read my driving license but when it scanned my face it said I'm not me. I'm reliably told that other people in the same sort of situation have successfully used a post office local to us, so John and I will go there together on Monday to try and get it sorted.

On a positive point, I did manage to sort out our PCI compliance today. 😁

Tomorrow I'm doing a business workshop, then back to shiny things on Saturday.

What did you achieve / not achieve today?

Tania xx


06/11/2025

Yesterday I spent most of the day writing a 'how to get the best marks on a 9 mark question' worksheet for a GCSE business workshop I'm doing on Friday. I didn't think you'd all find that very interesting, so I'm sharing my broccoli and stilton soup recipe instead 😆

You'll need a big pan to make this much, but it's not much more hassle than doing a small amount, and this will feed a family or leave enough to freeze some portions. (I use those plastic takeaway boxes - I love to recycle).

You don't need freshly bought cheese here, so it's a great way to use up stilton that is still ok, but maybe a bit strong to eat on its own. You can also use up any root veg you have in stock. My veg I like nice and fresh, skin on if possible. And chuck in those broccolli stalks - it's getting blended!

I use chicken stock cubes - 6 of them for this much stock, but vegetable stock is fine too.

If you save this and try it, please let me know what you think?

Tania xx

3 large broccolli heads including stalks.
Root veg - 3 large parnips and 4 large carrots, or equivalent. Skin on, all chopped.
Stock to cover the veg.
Extra seasoning to taste (I don't add salt, it's in the stock cubes).
Simmer until soft, then turn off the heat.
Crumble in 2 wedges of stilton and stir.
Blend and serve, with bread if preferred.
Freeze any left over - it freezes well. Or store in the fridge if to be eaten the next day.

05/11/2025

This is one of those mystery things that has come into the shop, which I've bought as I just know it's going to be useful 😆

It's really heavy. I think it's a type of stone with some sort of coating on top - and it feels cold, so is a really good heat sink. It measures about 18 x 12 x 2 inches. The light brown centre to the underside, when most of the rest of it is black seems odd. The top surface is coated with a light coloured layer and is very smooth.

I have an idea what it might be, but can't find anything on google to tell me if I'm correct. No-one I have asked in the shop knows either - including its previous owner.

I'd love to hear what you think please.

Thank you

Tania xx

04/11/2025

I've seen some great bench peg adaptations, but I actually prefef having two bench pegs. This is my 'extra' one, and a little bit about why I like to have it.

Cheers,

Tania xx

03/11/2025

We don't open the shop on Mondays, aswe're open on Saturdays. Usually Monday is just a domestic day - but today we ard treating ourselves to brunch. This pumpkin spiced latte is delish! 😁

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Southport

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

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+447720819757

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