Silver Lariat
23 Mar in Jewellery | Comments (0)I’ve just finished working on a new lariat for Katie. I was keen to try out one of my new silver lariat designs. Katie decided on Peacock colours as she liked the ideas on my Gold Cluster Necklace. I’ve used wonderfully iridescent peacock blue coin and stick pearls, faceted labradorite (still a firm favorite!) and an array of Swarovski crystals – Swarovski have recently introduced some gorgous new colours, some of which have worked really well with this lariat.
I’ve also made earrings to match.
And Katie has this to say about her new lariat :
“The necklace and earrings are gorgeous. I haven’t stopped wearing them yet – the colours are exactly what I was after. And I know that my friend will love her lariat too. Thank you so much!”
A day in the life of a Poppy dog!
07 Mar in Brush Cottage | Comments (6)My name is Poppy, and I live with a little family in rural Hampshire. I am an extraordinarily well bred Cairn Terrier! This is Labrador land – so I am a bit of a novelty around here…. My proper name is “Elite Charm Angels Delight”, but please feel free to call me “Poppy”. My mum calls me all kinds of other names – “Gorgeousness”, “The Popster”, “Poplet”….sometimes she calls me “Bad Dog” but I don’t take much notice when she does.
Mum and I walk every day (sometimes we skip it if it’s raining – rain is sure to bring on a “Bad Hair Day” – to which both of us are susceptible!). My best walks are when Dad and T come with us.
More often than not, we walk up our road, which is a really pretty road.
At the top of our road is The Park. It’s where I often meet some of my buddies. There is some cool stuff for T to play on as well. Sometimes on a Saturday afternoon, the Upham Harriers come and play football here – I wish I could play with them, but I’m not allowed to. I get my lead taken off here!
And I’m free!
After we’ve crossed the football pitch, we head out into the fields. My family love to admire the view.
Upham is built on the top of a hill, so you can see for miles.
During World War 2, there was an observation point in this copse of trees. Soldiers were permanently stationed here to keep watch for planes coming over the channel from Europe.
My Mum loves the red berries on these trees, I don’t really care about them, because I can’t eat them…
I love this section of the walk – it’s often where we come across pheasants – and I chase them! I’m not really supposed to……Mum is a bit scared of the gamekeeper …..but that’s her problem, not mine!
A little later on, we turn up and walk adjacent to the pigs. They are much, much bigger than me, so I generally leave them alone.
Next is the really scary part we have to walk through – there’s a massive bull…..
Did you see him? Did you see him? He’s enormous! But whew, we do manage to get past him ……
And then we head back up our road – almost home….
The rest of my day is spent lounging around, sleeping, chasing the squirrels or pigeons that dare to enter my garden and hoping that Mum might leave a pair of her leather boots around for me to chew on….!
Corazon latino
16 Feb in Jewellery, Links | Comments (0)I am always on the lookout for new materials to try, at the moment I am getting to grips with copper (but more on that later…)
Amber is a semi precious stone that I have often seen, but never used, I’m not sure why, it might be that it’s a colour I don’t ever wear and so don’t gravitate towards. Lately though I have noticed amber in varying colours, some very unusual.
When I looked at Catherine D’ Arcy’s site I was delighted to see how many of these variations she is using in her designs. Catherine designs her range and commissions the Mexican Taxco silversmiths to manufacture to her specifications. Her pieces are bold and striking and she uses the most wonderful stones in her amber jewellery.
Some necklaces contain a Dominican fire amber pendant. This particular stone is a rarity outside of the Dominican republic and is considered a collectors item.
But my particular favorite piece of her silver jewellery is this necklace which has a collection of silver baubles attached, it’s whimsical and pretty, very unusual and seriously wantable!
Image courtesy of Corazon Latino
Valentine's Day
29 Jan in Links | Comments (0)So, since Valentine’s Day is coming up, I could really talk about my lovely Murano handblown glass hearts or my selection of Swarovski Crystal Heart necklaces, but since this blog is all about me, me, me…..! What I am really after for Valentine’s day …..are these gorgeous Ella Doran Orchid China Mugs! They are offering a 20% promotion at the the moment – so don’t delay!
Image courtesy of Ella Doran
Snow!
07 Jan in Brush Cottage | Comments (0)I’ve just heard that my daughters school is going to be closed again tomorrow. I’m so pleased that I work from home right now, I would hate to have to get in the car and drive anywhere, so I do sympathise with those who do have to ………but I do really LOVE the snow!
We’ve had loads, and what else can you do but enjoy it! I’ve taken Poppy out for a walk today. At some places she has barely been able to walk and has bounded her way through – it’s been an adventure.
Tessa and Charlotte have built a massive snowman.
Brush Cottage looks magical!
Oh la la!
25 Dec in Links | Comments (0)All I’m saying today is that my Christmas present came from……
Christmas Eve
24 Dec in Brush Cottage | Comments (2)The tree is decorated…….
It’s cold outside, but warm and toasty in here……
The cake is made and decorated…..
Presents have been wrapped……
The Wreath is made and is on the door…..
Sleeping dogs have been left to lie…..
I think I’m ready for Christmas……
Come On!
2009 Christmas Decorations
15 Dec in Brush Cottage, Christmas Decorations | Comments (2)Every year I buy myself a couple of new decorations – that I delight in seeing year after year at Christmas time. I am not in favour of buying completely new decorations every year!
This year, in Cologne, I came across this beautiful shell pearl bauble (Note the Twinkleberry pink and brown colours…)
I could not resist this delicate little felt Pansy Fairy…..
But the star of the show has to be this glamorous reindeer!
Cologne Christmas Market Trip
10 Dec in Brush Cottage | Comments (8)We’ve just come back from a marvellous trip to Cologne! I love Christmas – I think I might have already told you that…? And I had heard about the German Christmas Markets, so when my Aunt told me she was coming to stay for December I started looking around for something special for us to do. Cologne is apparently one of the best places for the markets – there are 7 dotted around the city. We travelled over by Eurostar and ICE. The first thing you see when you leave the train station is Cologne Cathedral.
The Cathedral is one of the world’s largest, took over 600 years to build and is the biggest Gothic church in Northern Europe. It dominates the city and I was astounded that is still stands after the pounding that Cologne took during the second world war.
While the outside of the building is dark and brooding, the interior is architectural perfection, with light streaming though the myriad of windows.
There is a market right beside the cathedral, as you walk through the stalls you are tempted by the most wonderful things to eat and drink, Gluhwein and traditional German foods, French crepes and Belgian waffles – for us – the caramalised nuts were irresistable!
You could skate under the sparkling lights……..
Or have a wonderful, wacky hairdo!
You could watch a sculptor carve an owl, out of a chunk of wood, sparks flying and the scent of pine filling your nose ( no Health and Safety here!)
The gnomes and other magical creatures keep an eye on you………don’t forget to look up to catch a glimpse of them!
You can buy the most delicious Stollen from this lovely lady:
and even meet a handsome man!
No, you can’t have that one – he’s already been taken!
Cologne is a wonderful city to wander through. It was devastated by the bombing during the war, but every now and then you come across beautiful buildings, full of architectural detail that holds the eye. The people are friendly and welcoming – the climbing frames are great!
We came across this little library, that borders a huge park and play area – what a cool place for a library!
Saw ancient jewels, that make your heart skip a beat……….
And at the end of the day, when you are tired, cold and your feet ache, a beer hall is the perfect place to recharge your batteries! For traditional food and Kolsch – served in uncharacteristically delicate glasses!
Wonderful!
Smoky Quartz Earrings
17 Nov in Jewellery | Comments (0)Smoky Quartz must be one of my favorite stones and I am partial to the very intricately faceted shapes available at the moment. I’ve made this pair of earrings using a perfectly round stone, a brushed silver angled disc and a smaller Smoky Quartz stone cuddled on top. Perfect for winter!
Latest Posts: Categories:
Latest Tweets:
- @SW1THECHINASHOP , @Caracolistore - My daughter loves cream on her hot choc but I have to watch my weight, so like that you don't tempt me!
- @splashclean , @srtoomer - Ah man - I NEED accountants like that!
- @HantsBlog - yes, please could you follow @splashclean and also @GardnerOrtho ?
- Follow Jenni on
