The in between days. A time for reflection.

This year I hosted Christmas for the first time since moving to King's River Cottage. It was a relaxed affair with my boys, my mum and dad, and for the first time ever I extended the hospitality to a non family member - a friend who was going to spend the day alone. It felt right, and kind, and that felt good. The fire was lit, the tree sparkled, the table looked beautiful, there were presents to unwrap, a perfect (if slightly late) Christmas lunch, and I spent my day enjoying it rather than photographing it. 

Just a few days days later, it all seems so long ago. The days between Christmas and New Year have taken on their own unique pace like they do every year. For me they are a strange blend of anticlimax, relaxation, contemplation, slight restlessness and forward planning.

Yesterday I took some time to tidy the house and blitz the studio. I was completely pooped before Christmas - juggling running a small business, the school holidays, Christmas shopping, and all while  solo parenting. I had just closed the door on weeks of mess. It seemed the best idea at the time.

Today I was back at the bench for a while in my refreshed clean and tidy space. I have a few pieces of jewellery that have to go out in the next few days. I have also started thinking about 2017, at least for the business. At the end of last year I invested in a Kickstarter campaign by The Design Trust who have produced the most amazing action planner called Dream Plan Do. Full of useful prompts, and spaces to scribble. I do find it most helpful to be directed through the process of looking back, then looking forward. Thinking about what you achieved, what you want to achieve, and how you can go about making it happen.

2016 has been a hard year, and there is no question, I will be glad to see the back of it. It felt like a year of standing still instead of moving forward, but already I am beginning to realise that wasn't the case in so many ways. Roll on 2017.

I will leave you today with a photo of the Bauble Bushes in our local park. (now at the top of the post) We took a chilly walk to see them this afternoon. Every year the baubles appear, young families add more, and then just as quickly they disappear. So glad to have a moment to visit them before they are gone.

Christmas 2016

A big old weather-worn galvanised tub for the tree in the living room. I love the small of real Christmas trees. This year I covered it in silver and white and sparkly lights.

It's a bit more colourful in the studio. A little living tree. I think the toadstool obsession is getting out of hand though!

Family

Some beautiful and personal commissions celebrating families finished before Christmas.

Aquamarines

My signature gemstone. Lots of beautiful aquamarines waiting to be made into rings. Please do get in touch if you want to commission something using one of these exquisitely coloured gems.

Fair Friday

Here in the UK, we are used to Boxing Day sales which start after Christmas. Over the last few years we have somehow adopted the American sales which happen after Thanksgiving. The day is known as Black Friday and it sure has put a spanner in UK retail. Shopping patterns have changed as customers hold off shopping at what used to be the peak retail period. Understandably, they all hope to bag a bargain. It is very hard not to join in the price slashing explosion, because the customer's attention is easily caught by the thought of paying less. But as my photo says, I charge a fair price for a fair job every single day, and if I were able to slash my prices like the huge retail giants, it would either mean I am charging too much everyday, or that I am not paying myself fairly for the work that I do in order to bring you a bargain.

#shopsmall

#supportmakers

Charlotte Bezzant on Instagram

I have just changed my IG name to @charlottebezzant I see someone has already jumped in and snaffled the old @cbezzant one so please use my full name if you want to join me over on Instagram.

Instagram: @charlottebezzant

Pinterest: @Cbezzant

Facebook: @charlottebezzantjewellery

Mistletoe necklace

I can't believe it's nearly Christmas. This morning I made a handful of mistletoe necklaces as I have had some festive orders for them already.

Your can find them in my Etsy shop 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CharlotteBezzant

Sunday treat

Remodelling a sentimental price

Sometimes you have a piece of old jewellery, that is very special to you for sentimental reasons. You might wear it, or it might be languishing in a drawer, because it is not your taste. Rather than leave something unworn, you might want to reconsider having it remodelled, so it can be worn and enjoyed again.

The story of the remodelling of this ring is not a case of it being unloved in a drawer. It was loved, and it was worn. It belonged to the grandmother of a bride to be. 

The ring was really the only piece of jewellery that the bride to be wore. I suggested that we could use the sapphire from this ring to create a new ring. It meant that the special connection to her grandmother could be worn all the time, while fitting in perfectly with the more contemporary look that she wanted for her wedding and engagement ring.

When the sapphire was removed, I gave it a good clean, and it was a joy to see it looking so blue and so beautiful.

It was paired with two new sparkling white diamonds.

Setting the stones

To be worn and treasured afresh.

A secret engagement

A lovely man got in touch. He wanted to propose to his girlfriend and he was looking for a special engagement ring. When we got chatting about what kind of ring he was looking for, it became clear that he wasn't really too sure what he wanted.

He thought she might like emeralds. He thought she might like sapphires. She wasn't a big jewellery wearer, so he didn't have many clues. Rather than risk the wrong choice, we settled on a a very special proposal ring.

This beautiful and simple band is set with a sparking flush set diamond. The inside of the ring is engraved "Zoe Will you marry me?"

This ring seemed right for so many reasons. It gave the couple the joy of springing a surprise engagement. It gave them the possibility of designing a forever ring together. It meant Zoe would have an engagement ring that she truly loved. The other thing that seemed so right about this Zoe is a triathlete, and it meant that when she was competing, she could wear this ring,  rather than anything set with big gemstones as she ran, swam, and biked for miles.

I am happy to report that she said yes!

2016 Summer Open Studio

If you would like to see me at work in my studio, I am throwing open the doors as part of the Borough of Richmond's upcoming ARThouse Open Studio event. This is a great opportunity to visit lots of artists and creatives in their diverse work spaces. 

Dates and times are as above, and you can find the studio at:

King's River Cottage

21-23 Wolsey Road

Hampton Hill

Middlesex

TW12 1QP

I love having visitors so do pop by and say hello.

As well as being able to watch me at work, I will also have a selection of my work on sale, or you might even like to take the opportunity to commission a unique piece of jewellery. It will be a lovely relaxed and informal, and should be great fun.

Further details on the Richmond website: 

http://www.arthouseopenstudios.co.uk 

or you can e-mail me at charlottebezzant@gmail.com