Headless Chickens.....

....well not literally, but feel like I am running around like one. My hours, days and weeks are dissapearing rapidly with Christmas approaching fast!

Making Jewellery Magazine Issue 9

Hurrah and I have been put in print...well a step by step on silver earrings has anyway! I have really enjoyed putting together the step by step tutorial and have even made one to put on here next week. Its good practice to working towards the 12 projects left to do for the book I am in the process of putting together.
I also managed to finish most of the half finished projects that have been loitering in my work room, and start a few new ones too!











I even ventured out into todays horrid weather to visit 'Artists in Action' at the wonderful Model House. If you get chance to visit it is well worth your time. Beautiful beautiful jewellery, which inspires me to push my own work further forward, check out there website to help you plan your visit.... http://http://www.modelhousecraft.co.uk/

A productive day....

Its half term, but that is no excuse not to be productive......and productive I was. House work was all finished by 10am, then I played the chasing game to make sure others have done what they had promised me, then chasing my own tail to make sure all paper work and books are up to date! I even managed to sketch ideas for a new project, and source the materials for it.
Hoping todays productivity will continue, and I will finish some work and if the sun shows its beautiful face, even take photographs and upload them.
Also had a delivery of the most beautiful beads yesterday......so now will Have to place an order for some chain to compliment them!!! Any excuse to spend money!

I have been busy...

....infact I seem to have been far too busy to post for a while.
I have got new branded boxes on the way, in preparation for my Christmas fairs. I have plenty of stock made, I have three articles being published and been commissioned to write a couple more. My book now has the first two chapters completed.....and I am bursting with new design ideas. SO yes I guess I have been too busy to post.
I am really looking forward to Halloween and have been sorting my costume...just need to make a couple of bits to complete it.
Have a jewellery party booked for tomorrow, another chnce to have some girly chat...tea for me though..no wine and pain killers like last week. (yes i was that stupid, did not realise my mistake until I had a second glass of vino and wondered why I felt so drunk)

I have also celebrated my 34th birthday this month, and got rather spoilt with a weekend away with my inlaws. Lucky to have such special ones!!!

Ready now to face the next few weeks, and be ready for the party season.

Life is just so Peachy

These pieces have been made for my pleasure as I am not sure that they will appeal to many people. I really enjoyed creating the oxidised finish on these, which has been sealed with beeswax. Thought I would use edible props for the pictures, and they were delicious.

Beautiful beautiful Wales

Have had the pleasure to potter around the Brecon Beacons today, WOW, sometimes I do forget just how beautiful my home country is! We stumbled across a fantastic Garwnant woodland walks today, where they are currently building a new visitor centre. http://www.breconbeacons.org/visit-us/easy-access/places-to-visit-with-easier-and-disabled-access/garwnant-visitor-centre
....... but the walks are open and well marked, and the scenery is stunning. We will definately be adding this to one of our favorite places to visit.
A short drive north brought us to Brecon Town, a quaint little town with some quirky shops. After thoroughly boring my dear OH buy looking in each and every one of these shops, we drove homeward, passing through Bwulch, and Crickhowell, and many other very pretty places.
Home now, cooking bolognese ready for dinner after tomorrows outing........just need to decide where in Wakes we will visit tomorrow!!!...xc

Yes you guessed it......

...... more earrings, I do love them so.

Challege Makes.

On a forum at www.makingjewellery.com we have started to challenge each other. The first challenge was to be inspired by a photo I had taken at our local Wetlands, the second was to make a wearable jewellery item from recycled materials.
Here are my entries.
The first is a silver and copper necklace from my now newly christened On The Wing collection, and also a silver pendant.
The second was more of a challenge for me, as it took a while for me to come up with something I LOVED, and not just a make for the makes sake! I have melted a pile of scrap and then added a few AMAZING beads handmade by Caroline at craftedgems.blogspot.com.
I have now got about an hour of polishing to do, and will of course be back to show off the new makes!!.

Busy Busy Busy

..... have been to busy to update blog, replenish website, make many important appointments, and some days even stop and catch my breath!
Have been working, making selling, taking pictures, and all the other things one has to do running their own business, however small...
Have just managed to finish some new bits, I am really pleased with these, especially the earrings..MUST NOT KEEP!!
I managed to get published last month too, and hoping that I will make the cut for this months Making Jewellery Magazine.
...That's all I have time for, now getting ready for Caerleon Arts Festival, fingers crossed the weather will hold for us... will be a more efficient blogger once this week is over and life becomes calmer...xc

.....and just a few more of yesterdays creations.

New Makes, now I have to decide what to keep!

I had a rather nice commission order to create yesterday, the lady in question is off to Ascot for ladies day. Whilst busy making her jewellery I managed to knock a few more out beside......a thoroughly creative day in all!

I expect at least one pair of earring will stay with me......but which ones???

A few more of my holiday snaps...

I can not wait to return to France and am already considering my retirement there.....although that is a few years off yet!

Ma Nouvelle Maison française dans Grande Madieu. ...Heaven

A week in rural France, was just what I needed to recharge my creative batteries. A week of sun, baguette's, cheese, and my wonderful family. As with my life in general, it was far from boring, what with a snake attack (OK I may be being slightly dramatic) a poor frightened snake (possibly grass, possibly a aesculapian snake) tried to cross mine and my daughters path....not sure who was more frightened!!
I also had a cheeky capuchin monkey pull my hair at www.la-vallee-des-singes.fr, a naughty spider monkey also tried very hard to pee on my daughter. Needless to say we had many laughs, a few tears and a thoroughly wonderful time. The adventure did not end on our arrival home, where I found out my credit card has been used in Spain and some one thought they would take over £4000.......hopefully the nice people at the credit card company will sort this out in the next week or so.
So now back to school runs, rain and house work, also back into my work room, where I hope to use all my french inspiration and create some goodies over the next few weeks.

Copper and Silver Brooches.

I have been having fun trying my hand at making new items to add to my collection. Here are two brooches that I have created from silver and copper.

Floral Inspiration

I always try to take my camera with me where ever I may go. That way I can always capture images that may inspire future collections.
I also get to take a lot of pictures of my beautiful family!

Raglan Earings

...and here they are.