Just around the corner

A spangly new website and a new collection are just around the corner! I can't wait to show you but you will have to wait just a little bit longer... 

Today along with some admin and polishing of pieces I am awaiting a delivery of the most beautiful gemstones, and trying to come up with names for my new pieces. 

Pictured above is some shots from in and outside my workshop. I am really loving working here in my back garden even when it's torrential rain like today! I am nice and cosy thanks to my little heater and plenty of tea. 

The new website will be the first thing to launch and to be first to know about this make sure you are following on twitter and facebook.  x

On the way

Been spending my time doing some very tiny crochet for my new collection. It's all coming together nicely! Just using clean and simple double crochet for some of the pieces, loving the texture/pattern it makes. Can't wait to see how they turn out in silver!

Back to work

The end of January signalled the end of my Maternity leave and the start of a whole new working routine. I have had an amazing time spending the last seven months being a full time Mummy and hope to be able to juggle being a Mum and a full time Jeweller with not too much difficulty...time will tell, I am sure it can be done!
It is so exciting working from my new garden studio, it's got a little bit more to do to it before total completion, but it is workable in just now (above images show the progress). It's much bigger than I expected with room for my bench and tools as well as all my other making supplies, storage, table and chairs and a small sofa.  Towards the second half of this year with any luck I will be able to hold some small classes in there too!

The next few months will be spent making a new collection of textile inspired jewels, so keep tuned for sneak peeks and other exciting news...

makes me smile

From a collection of this years birthday cards, this is currently on my fridge and makes me smile.

Not sure where it was bought but the company who make them are called Seltzer. The cards are 100% post-consumer recycled paper with matching envelope. Thick and luxurious with eco-friendly inks.

Jelly Moulds

My newly purchased jelly moulds from Kit and Caboodle

Really liked this display idea from Homes and Antiques

Wayne Thiebaud: Cakes, 1963.

Wayne Thiebaud: Cakes and Pies

Natalie Smith: Brooch, 'A Thousand Dreams,' 2010

Natalie Smith: Ring, 'High Rise' 2010

Some sweet inspiration and some very interesting jewellery. I came across Natalie Smith's work while looking at Klimt 02, For those who don't know of the Klimt 02 website, it's where some of the worlds most creative and unusual jewellery is to be found! These pieces are made from plastic, textiles, steel and sugar. 

I was reminded of these fabulous creations when making jelly earlier today, it's still setting in the fridge so no image yet... but I couldn't resist making some after buying the moulds this morning. Will have to keep a look out for more jelly moulds I reckon - I really like their fun shapes, something so nostalgic/ fantastical about them - functional and yet beautiful, even when sitting on the shelf. 

COLLECT 2011

Craig Stuart 

Grainne Morton

Misun Won

Rebecca Wilson

I am so excited about Friday! Im off to COLLECT 2011 with Craft Scotland as one of their bursary winners. It's going to be so inspiring and interesting seeing some of the best contemporary craft from 37 of the top galleries around the world. Craft Scotland are taking 12 exhibiting makers, click here to see who (some pictured above) I am sure there will be much to report on when I get back Sunday. 

Hunter gatherer maker

Above images of inspiration for current piece I am working on. The simple form of the little hut and the mirror decoration from the winter palace in Jaipur are elements I will be using

The ridiculous mess that is my unfinished workshop

Well today I have been trying to do some more work on a new piece. I felt a little bit like the Ray Mears of the jewellery making world as I foraged around trying to find tools and make do with no electricity, or running water. I must have gone from the workshop in the garden up to our maisonette flat goodness knows how many times to put things in the pickle (how you clean silver that has been heated) and to find other lost things... this would be fine if I wasn't 34 weeks pregnant and finding stairs more of an effort!

I did have fun though, was really very nice working away and it gave me a taster of how lovely it will be working out there when everything is connected/ painted/ stored. The electrician was here today laying the cables, so feels like progress is being made. Hopefully I will finish the above mentioned piece in time to wear to COLLECT 2011 on Friday!