Whats new?

I decided to tackle a long dangly pair of earrings for myself. I have had a few requests for 'chunkier' jewellery so this is my way of easing into it. Chunky jewellery is not usually my style, so I find it difficult to create. These earrings would tick the 'chunky' box I think - while still being quite delicate. They are very light to wear and theres a lot of movement in them (with a nice little tinkly sound). The beads are only about 4mm but there is about 23 on each earring. My hands are a little sore now after turning close to 80 wire loops!


Heres another few things I have been working on. My recent purchase of vintage brass components has arrived, but I am struggling to decide what to make that will really do it justice. I started out with a simple set for myself:


Then I have started on some creations for the website. This is really a sneak preview - I'm not planning to upload them untill I have a bit more of a range of this style.

What I am lusting after

I love this bangle
It has three cute little Murano Glass Cubes on two sterling silver bangles. Simple. Delicate. So perfect for Spring. It is by Leeski who has lots of beautiful Murano glass pieces
Not sure how much longer I can resist.

Aquiring a scarf...

Further to my previous post, my scarf is currently at step 5: Robyn knits scarf.

Heres the update pic:
So of course... I cannot wait to get my hands on it :) No pressure Robyn... honest ;) I'm just a little over-excited

Tulips

Too many words with no pictures in my last few posts.
I was driving through the city yesterday and saw some amazing pink Tulips. Unfortunately there was no place to stop the car so I couldn't buy them. But I have just found this beautiful photo on Etsy
Its by EllieLee

Not sure where to start...

It seems that there is so much to do, so much to think about, so much to plan that I don't know where to start. Here are the things currently running through my brain
Darlington Arts Festival -

• My stall application has been sent, so now I am awaiting word from them to confirm. I am working on the assumption that it will be accepted.
• Table display. My previous experience with stall set-up went reasonably well, but as the wind picked up there was far too much movement. If it wasn't the umbrella threatening lift-off, it was a bust falling over. The umbrella eventually broke, luckily near the end of the day, encouraging us to pack up a little early. This festival will be out on an oval, so even more exposed to the wind. I am planning to try to keep display props low so not to allow wind to disturb them. I am working on ideas of objects to go under the tablecloth to add height and shape for the jewellery to sit on. But finding different display stands/props etc is rather time consuming, and potentially expensive. Then theres the overall design of the display eg. signage, pricetags etc.
• Creating. Lots of ideas running through my mind, but when I sit down to create, I struggle to turn the ideas into physical pieces of jewellery.
• Purchasing. The internet is my worst enemy (but also my best friend). I can spend hours looking for new beads, findings and components. I've found a supplier of beautiful vintage look filigree pieces, so that order will be processed soon... I can see that taking me a while.
• Marketing my website. All of the above is useless if I am not selling anything. I need to bring more visitors in, and turn the 'visitors' into 'customers'.

See my predicament?

The sad little dollar

I don't really understand how the exchange rate works, or how its decided - all I know, is right now it SUCKS!
The Aus dollar is currently worth 79 US cents. This puts all those beautiful little things on Etsy just that little bit out of reach. It makes me stop and think, is this really worth buying... since it will work out to almost 25% more than it appears.

I am soon to be placing a nice juicy order from USA (wont tell you where from just yet). But this miserable exchange rate has got me questioning it.

It's a sad day for online shopping.

Color Experimentation

I am always fairly safe with my choice of colour - usually the most colour variety a piece will see are shades of a colour - eg light brown with dark brown and cream - yes, it works, but its very safe.

I've tried something a little different here, I think it works:
Quite hard to get a good picture, but it is Bronzite (a rich brown with light and dark flecks) with Smokey Quartz & blue Amazonite

More Vintage Love

I have found yet another amazing vintage jewellery designer.
Have a look around this shop Mystic Moon Studio
There is so much beauty in the delicate filigree pieces, with the soft edges and fine detail

How to acquire a scarf... in less than 10 easy steps!

Step 1
Mention to Robyn that you really really like the scarf pattern she is working on, and that you have been looking for a scarf like that
Step 2
Wait until Robyn says "I could knit you one, its a great pattern to work on"
Step 3
Choose yarn. This is the hard bit. I chose this one

Step 4
Robyn orders yarn
Step 5
Robyn knits scarf
Step 6
Robyn posts scarf to me
Step 7
Repay Robyn for her kind efforts
Step 8
Enjoy wearing scarf
Step 9
Brag to everyone that your talented friend knitted the scarf... especially for you!