First Etsy Sale today!

I am so excited as I have just made my first sale from the Etsy shop. I have sold one of my favorite bracelets which is the Silver Twig Bangle with 24ct gold rounds. It is a gorgeous piece, and in many ways I will be sad to see it go as everyone who has seen it loves it so much. It is made from a solid silver cast birch twig, and 2mm round silver wire. The gold was heated until it formed into balls, and was then hammered slightly to give it flat sides. The item was then tumble polished which has given it a beautiful lustre, as different parts of the twig have slightly different finishes. It was then stamped with my hallmark to give it a perfect finish.

I picked this twig from a snow covered birch in Northern Finland, and carefully transported it back to the  UK. I then sent it away to the jewellery quarter in Birmingham, where they carefully made a mould of it, and then cast it with solid sterling. As I think about it, I can see my frozen breath and recall the -30 temperature!

I love the fact that it's new home is back in the North. It has been bought by someone who lives in the most Northern city in Canada. She mailed me, and told me that they have sparkling snow much of the time, and also the gift of the Northern Lights. It couldn't be going to a more perfect home!

ARThouse Open Studio Event

Today I attended a meeting of the Artists Working Group, for the Open Studio Event that I am participating in in June. It was held in the beautiful Octagon Room in the Orleans House Gallery.

I was delighted to see that my 'Dragonflies Drifted' necklace has been used as one of the images on the promotional postcard.

This year, the event will have over 60 artists and groups who are opening their workspaces / homes / studios, to the public.  The idea of the event is to give people the opportunity to meet the artists behind the art, to have a chat, and to see the many different environments in which local art and crafts are created. There will also be opportunities to purchase work, or perhaps to discuss a unique commissioned piece.

I will be sharing my space with my mum who will have her printmaking on display on the walls.

My home is going to be open Friday 10th June - Sunday 12th June and again the following weekend Friday 17th June - Sunday 19th June. It will be brilliant to see as many of you as possible. Just drop in anytime! It should be great fun.

The snow fell like dust....

All is quiet in the world of my jewellery, as the kids are off school (for nearly a month) and life takes a different path as we picnic, cycle, and explore. No time to spend at the work bench just now. Here is a pair  of bangles which will have to wait for their final finish. A bit more sanding and polishing required until they are just right, and then off for hallmarking. They are very heavy silver and make a great noise as they clink together. I am very pleased with them, but I wish sterling was not so expensive right now.

Work in progress

I just wanted to share this photo of three of my necklaces that I am working on, as I think they look so nice all together in this image. These necklaces came about after my trip to the Arctic Wilderness in Finland. The twigs were cast from one an ice and snow covered one that I picked there. Now they have been tumble polished, they shimmer and shine just like the real thing. Each necklace has an etched pendant on it- either 'the snow fell like dust and sparkled like glitter' (which it really did!) or 'the pale sunlight of the north rose above the wilderness'. Originally they were to have a third element on - either a   bit of map, a small photo, or some of the big lumpy Keisha pearls I sourced which look like snow- but I must admit I have been wearing one with just the twig and the pendant on, and I love it.

I have now posted one in the Etsy shop. You can click the link on the right hand side of the page if you want to look in closer detail or even buy it. I will put a second one on Etsy soon, but the third one is staying put - round my neck, and it reminds me of the most fantastic trip.

It's a ring thing

Firstly, thanks for all the great comments from those of you who checked the Etsy shop and got back to me. It was lovely to get such nice feedback!

One of those who checked it was one of my oldest friends (and I don't mean that she is really old - just that I have known her since I was about 10 - and trust me that's a lot of years!) called Allie. Just before Christmas, she had rather an important birthday, and I made her this lovely ring which has a gorgeous Brazilian green amethyst in. The lucky thing was off in Thailand for her birthday and Christmas, and I still have not managed to catch up with her yet to give her this bespoke gift. So Allie - this is just so you can see how it looked when it was finished. Isn't she a beauty?

I must say, I really enjoy making rings, but really must stop making them for myself. I have a few gorgeous stones in stock, so if you are interested in one, (go on you know you are tempted) then please contact me for a price.

Link to my shop from this blog

I have just added a link to my Etsy shop. If you look on the right hand side of the page you will find it. Click on my name and it will take you there. You can buy on-line and pay by credit / debit card or Paypal. New items will be added as often as possible.