Lariats are the new 'It' necklace!

I have had a bit of a push to make some of my Lariat style necklaces, and managed to get all of two made last night!
They take a long time to make as they are so detailed, and have so many stones and beads on them - which is why I have been putting off making some for ages (naughty me). I have also discovered that making these little devils in the summer is a nightmare! Sweaty fingers + tiny beads = headache.
However - despite the fact that I was cursing every tiny crystal last night, I did remember why I love them after I had finished. I love the fact that they look like a little mix-bag of jewels and stones - just delicious!

I read in Make Jewellery magazine recently that they are the new 'It' piece of jewellery, so have been telling everyone this - blowing my trumpet that I'm obviously fashion-forward (which in all honesty, is not how I could be described). But it was great to see that this style of necklace is grabbing the attention of the general public now. I think people are always worried that they will fall off, but as they are being seen more frequently, people are putting their faith in them. When you wear them, just knot it around the neck like a scarf - the way the beads and stones are knotted on to them acts as a lock, and holds them on, so they are perfectly secure - and no fiddly clasps! Just don't leave them lying around if you have pets (my cat decorated himself and the living room floor with one recently - no tuna for him for a while!).

The one pictured above is called 'Indian Summer' and is made from turquoise, glass crystals, mother of pearl chips, and nuggets of shimmering shell. It's a nice weighty piece that just looks like hot, balmy evenings to me.

The lariat on the right is called 'Pretty in Pink', and is made from amazonite, mother of pearl chips, mother of pearl discs, Swarovski crystals, blister pearls, and potato pearls. It's a really flirty number and just made me think of that movie 'Pretty in Pink' as soon as I had completed it.

If you fancy being ahead of the fashion pack, you can get either of these lariat necklaces from Artery Gallery in St Andrews. Their number is 01334 478221, or find them online at www.arteryuk.com

A Butcher, A Baker, A candlestick Maker

Although I make jewellery and work in an art gallery now, I haven't always had a conventional career, or even a career!!

My very first job was when I was thirteen, as a waitress and dishwasher in a local hotel, which seemed to set the tone for things to come. I have been everything in the hotel and catering trade, from pot washer, to chambermaid, to bar tender and receptionist. It seemed so cool back then, earning £2.25 an hour, taking home my pay in a wee brown envelope on a Sunday morning, blowing it all on Smash Hits and bad eyeshadow by lunchtime.....I loved the banter in the kitchen, and the feeling that I had worked hard - paid my dues - 13 years later I was still paying my dues!!! Aaaarrrgh!! I was still waitressing at 26, having done all sorts of bits and bobs in-between.

I had been an Ann Summers Rep, which did not impress my father -we had a brief discussion about it which went like this:

Me: Dad, I've got a job as an Ann Summers Rep
Dad: What's that then?
Me: Here's the catalogue....
Dad: Go to your room!!!

I have been a seal-feeder - I kid you not! Feeding the seals twice a day at a local sealife rescue center. Falling in the seal pool, smelling of fish, and shovelling a half tonne of seal crap every week really couldn't have been further from the sexy glamour of Ann Summers.

I have been a clown - dressing in a fluffy costume with giant feet and being paraded round town to encourage people to book children's birthday parties. I had to judge sandcastle competitions in the somewhat sweaty costume in the midst of summer, and endure people mooning at me, knocking me over,bizarely - trying to feel me up (!) and the peculiar smell of bacon inside the costume, which my predecessor had left for me.

I have been a typist, receptionist, shop assistant, babysitter, nanny, waitress, barmaid, web manager, chambermaid, cook, fish-feeder,chemists assistant, flower arranger, cleaner, and finally I work in a gallery.

I finally have time to make jewellery - something I started in my teens as a bit of fun. It was a cheap way to make sure I had trendy jewellery that was unique, so I didn't look like a clone of my friends - a philosophy I apply to my jewellery making today.

When I'm designing jewellery, I get to have fun, working out what colours I want to use, imagining who'll buy the piece, what they could wear it to - I give every piece a story and personality, which I think helps me make wearable jewellery. Affordability always comes into the forefront of my mind, when I recall why I originally started making jewellery - who says handmade goods need to be expensive?

Have a look and see what you think......