Back to Work Lazy Bones!!

Well, here I am again, after a somewhat lengthy absence from blogging. Christmas was such a busy period for me - both at work (real work) and with the jewellery (pretend work). Then of course came january, when I was quiet with both, but too lazy to do anything! :)

I have so many photos to put on here, of jewellery which I have made over the last couple of months....but I don't want to bore you with a million entries on each piece. Perhaps I'll just start with what I'm doing now, and sneak a few photos on in small batches over the coming days.

I have just had a huge delivery of pearls which arrived yesterday moring, and have frantically been making jewellery all last night (admittedly while watching America's next Top Model and EastEnders). It's so exciting getting new pearls and stones - it spurs me on to make jewellery - really motivating. I have put a couple of photos of 'pearl mountain' on here for you to see, and hopefully will try to include some photo's of the jewellery making process over the next couple of weeks (once I have tidied up my work-room and it doesn't look like a pick n mix of stones etc).

I have orders to do for two new outlets for me - one is in Amiens in France (I call myself international, but really the only nation that wants my stuff other than the UK is France...maybe bi-national is more appropriate...all the rest of the countries - 'nil points' to you too), and the other is a new online boutique for ladies. Will put a link on here once it's all up and running. So after battling with ideas, designs and pearls (over-stimulation of my creative, chaotic brain) I have started to get a comprehensive collection put together for each outlet, and top-ups done for everyone else.

It's that time of year when it's starting to get busy again - people want jewellery for St Valentine's day, and Mother's day, and those who are getting married are planning ahead and ordering their bridal jewellery for summer (always so organised - the bridal bunch). I am the only one not planning ahead- still stuck in the winter slump, with a large sugar, cake and cheese induced hangover still lingering from Christmas. Perhaps once the lighter nights are more apparent....perhaps once I get my spring 'madness', perhaps once I get a new desk perhaps....perhaps....who am I kidding?! I'll never be organised!!

Wedding Fever!

With a few weddings coming up this summer (after June, I am the last man standing, the only remaining 'unmarried' among my friends - I feel like that girl at the end of 'Invasion of the Bodysnatchers) I have been inspired to broaden my selection of wedding jewellery. I have made some wedding jewellery in the past, sticking to the classical and traditional, but having had a look around at lots of wedding jewellery, it really seems there is a lack of choice for brides.

I have found that there are super-traditional styles of bridal jewellery - single string of pearls sort of thing, or really expensive, classic diamond solitaire on a gold chain sort of style, or these uber-modern, proper trendy, 'I spent 10 grand just on the dress' sort of styles. What if you just want something thats looks pretty, wont kill your budget, and is unique?

With this in mind, I've tried to do a couple of different styles of wedding jewellery that wont melt your credit card.

This one above - 'Something Blue' necklace, is made from amazonite ovals, with white rice pearls and tiny little Swarovski crystals inbetween. I love this colour of blue - it looks really summery and fresh, and compliments a summer tan really well. It works on the idea of traditional, with the white pearls, but I think the amazonite make it just a little bit different. The crystals give it just a hint of a twinkle, so it looks glam, without looking too 'Studio 54'. This wont break the budget at £55, and if you want to go for an all matching set, there is also a bracelet and earrings to match. The full set would only cost £110, which I think isn't too bad for your wedding day, and they are made from genuine pearls and stones, rather than being costume jewellery. I think they are all pretty wearble pieces (I made myself a similar pearl and amazonite bracelet which I wear loads!) so at least they would be worn again after your wedding. This necklace and it's family are all available at Artery Gallery in St Andrews - see http://www.arteryuk.com/ .

I also wanted to make something that was really feminine and summery. I think if you get married in the summer, it gives you such a wide choice in terms of what you can do with your hair, jewellery and accessories. I was trying to think of what summer conjures up for me, and butterflies were one of the first things that popped into my head. Butterflies can look a bit full-on girly, so I kept it simple in just an outline of silver. This makes it look really modern, and then strung it onto white rice pearls. I've picked up the silver with little accents of silver interspersed the string of pearls. This necklace is for sale at £60, and as it's just plain silver and white pearls, it would be easy to match up to other silver jewellery. This one is also for sale in Artery Gallery just now.

I also will make jewellery to order, so if you had a particular idea for your wedding jewellery, I could always make it for you - I'm sure I could satisfy even the most demanding bride-zillas out there!

Different strokes.......

I have three main collections of jewellery available - pearls and sparkles, chunky gemstones, and hand knotted lariats.

The three collections appeal to different tastes - pearls and sparkles collection is a very feminine style. It's very pretty, delicate and shimmery. This collection is made from genuine freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals and sterling silver. I find that it's really hard to get pretty, delicate jewellery at the minute - it's all about chunky jewellery on the catwalks just now - but everybody has different taste, and sometimes, it's hard to carry off a big chunky leopard print bangle with pretty summer dresses. I find it a little frustrating that the catwalks dictate what's available in the shops as well - if you're not into big statement jewellery, what are you supposed to do? Saw it in half to slim it down?!! That's why I try to offer something to suit all tastes.

My chunky gemstones collection is made from genuine gemstones, such as agate, citrine, jade and quartz, often given a little glitz with accents of Swarovski crystals. All the clasps etc are sterling silver, so anyone can wear them - even those with sensitive skin. I love gemstones - I am utterly fascinated with their mineral composition, and the healing properties they are said to have - I suppose I unleash the geek when I'm making these! I look for unusual gems - either unusual stones, unusual colours or markings, or unusual cuts and shapes. Everyone loves to feel unique - and gemstones are always totally unique. It is impossible to recreate one stone the same as another.....just like us really!

Hand-knotted lariats are really unusual and funky. They are something totally different, yet bang on trend. These 'wrap around' necklaces have all sorts of stones, crystals, pearls, and glass beads on them. They are hand-knotted - much like old-fashioned pearl necklaces, and consist of one long string of beads. This can be wrapped around the neck, and tied loosely, like a scarf. This is where I really get to have fun with colour - some are subtle and botanical, some are inspired by the colours of the 'souks' of Egypt - rich and exotic.

I am also developing a small range of wedding and bridal jewellery at the minute - traditional pearls, subtle colours, little heart clasps and embellishments. I can make these to order and in all sizes - suitable from flower girl, to mother-of-the-bride!

It's all different strokes for different folks I suppose......