All the colours of the sea

Yippeee, it's been gem shopping weekend. I was on the hunt for some aquamarines, and found lots of scrummy stuff. It's a bit of a departure from my usual faceted stones, so hope it goes down well. Here's a look at my shopping.

I couldn't resist a few faceted ones - a couple of Green Brazillian amethysts, a couple of topaz, an aquamarine, and some tiny white sapphires. There are also some rainbow moonstones here, for arctic creatures, and also some aquamarine faceted beads in a couple of shades, and some Apatite beads.

Someone asked me the other day where my inspiration comes from. It can be from all sorts of things, but I love being outdoors, in the wilds of nature. My palette is very subdued anyway, but I wonder if the day at the coast the other weekend had anything to do with this...

Just can't wait to get busy; just wish there were more hours in the day.

Daffodil door

My front door is always decorated with something, and here's how it looks today.

Sunny and Spring like, but I need to change that ribbon to yellow!

I was in the shared studio with my fellow jewellers today, but it was not a particularly productive session. I had to enlarge a ring that is a commission that was just a little too snug. I got that done and sent it off to be hallmarked. I can't wait to get it back, set the stone and hand it over. I sent a handful of other bits off to the Assay office too. I was working on a necklace for my niece's 11th birthday which I'll post about soon. It"s girly and fun. I had to take all my stock back to the Parkshot Gallery, as I had used it when I did my talk the other day. I had an Etsy purchase to post, and another commission to drop off. So far; March has been eating away at my stock, which is a very good thing, but now I really need to get busy making. Before I know it, it will be the Easter holidays, the kids will be off school, and things on the jewellery front will grind to a halt! I am buzzing with inspiration and ideas, and keen to have a long spell at my work bench.

From start to finish

Here is the process from start to finish of the bangle that I have just completed today. This one is winging it"s way off to LA.

Off to the Himalayas

Not me! I love a nice story about why someone picks one of my bits of jewellery, and I was delighted with one this weekend. One of the Arctic Hares was bought as a gift for someone who is trekking up to Everest Base camp, as a lucky talisman. It made my day.

Miriam Hanid

This beautiful bowl by Miriam Hanid was absolutely stunning. It is decorated with her hand engraving, and set with minute diamonds. I have been considering doing a hand engraving course for some time - mainly due to my love of text, and her work and talking to her, made me decide that I really must get on and do it. There's a course at West Dean, that I have had my eye on, now I just need to check the diary.

Desire

Whizzed along to 'Desire' yesterday. It certainly seemed busy, which had the added bonus of lots of traffic through the Parkshot Gallery which is at the same venue. (Hurrah = good sales for me!)

There were a lot of the familiar faces there, and also some new ones. I loved Anna Faine's work because it was fun, but it also had some wonderful intricate hand piercing (this girl is good with a saw.) I could easily have taken home her 'All you need' pendant because it was like a Victorian chatelaine, something which I have a thing about, (in fact my sketch book has loads of pictures of them in!) Here is a picture of it.

check out her website at www.annafaine.co.uk curiouser... and curiouser.

Arctic Hares

Just finished these two brushed silver Arctic Hares and have handed them over to the Parkshot Gallery along with my very favourite polar bear piece. To be honest I don't really want to part with the polar bear, but I have handed him over as there is an opportunity that is too good to miss...

Brushed Arctic Hare pin brooch with moonstone. 40mm wide.

Brushed Arctic Hare pin brooch. Height 27mm.

This weekend, Desire the Jewellery and Silversmithing Fair is taking place in Queen Charlotte Hall at Parkshot. This means that the place will be full of people who love silver jewellery - you can understand why I was keen to get them finished.

Bravely I have left my coat at the Gallery. The charcoal wool shows the pieces off a treat, and would be great for displaying them. I just hope it does not end up in lost property!