So good I had to buy one.....

I stumbled across this Etsy shop and loved one of the books so much, I just had to buy one.

Froydis Faire Books speciliase in up-cycling old books. Here is a brief description in their own words.

Whatever their story, I have a difficult time passing these lovelies by. Recently, I've decided to rescue some, and give them the opportunity for a new life. I take out old, ripped text blocks, remove the pages that are unsalvageable, and clean up the cover as well as I can. I then add new pages - sketch papers, and sometimes art papers and tracing papers - new endpapers, and bookmarker ribbons. With the bumps and bruises that cannot be removed, these old friends retain the mystery of their past so that, perhaps, a new owner will see their value, fill them with their own words and images, and treasure them for years to come.

So pop on over and treat yourself to a unique present.

Blog re-design.

I have been working away at the new blog design.

I have added some advertising space on the left column, so if you would like to reach thousands of visitors every month, then please drop me a line and let me know which spot you would like.

Adverts will range from $10 - $40 depending how high you would like to appear. Discounts are available for those purchasing more than one month.

Jewellery Blog Carnival...

The jewelery blog carnival is back again.

What is it? I hear you ask. Well each month a group of talented jewellers talk about the same topic on their blogs. I am lucky enough to tag along on this little event.

So this months topic "What are you grateful for, jewellery wise?"

I am grateful for the fact that virtual each and every commission I do is unique.

i love the fact that I don't have to make the same thing time and time again, which for me would bore me to tears.

I work to commission which means that one day I can be working on Art Deco inspired cuff links and the next day, I can be setting a 3ct pink sapphire into an engagement ring.

So I am grateful for the fact that I never know what I am going to be asked to make next. It makes going to work very exciting and I think if you can't wait to get to work, that is a great position to be in.

I am also very grateful that I am part of this wonderful Carnival and I can't wait to see what the other jewellers are going to write about.

Check their blogs yourself.






Tonya Davidson
Lorrene Davis
Marco Fleseri
Tamra Gentry
Lora Hart
Elaine Luther
Kirsten Skiles
Angela Crispin

Silver Bike Chain.

A recent commission to make a heavy weight bike chain in sterling silver and for the fastener to have a blue sapphire set into it.

All handmade. Please visit my flickr account for even more photos.

Been tagged by....

You just can't hide on the web, can you? I have been tagged by KMJewelryStudio

This sounds like fun and here is what I have to do......

Here's how this works:THE RULES:*

*Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
*Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
* Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their name as well as links to their blog.
* Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So here are my seven facts.....

1. I used to be the General Manager of a restaurant, for a UK national chain. I had about 100 staff and in the end I got so fed up with the company politics, that I left and went to Uni to study Silversmithing and jewellery Design.

2. I have a piano, would love to learn, but just never got around to it.

3. I have just taken on a wonderful (employee is a horrible word) apprentice. Eva is so eager to learn and it is great having someone else in the workshop.

4. Big fan of Terry Pratchett. Great books.

5. Nothing is funnier than Monty Python. err, perhaps Frasier and MASH. Umm Have I got News for you, ...OK lots of things are funny, but I do like Monty Python.

6. Probably one of the best films I have ever seen is the 1939 Citizen Kane. Considering when it was made it is a masterclass of film making.

7. I love buying new tools.

there you are 7 bits of trivia baout me. Here are my nominated seven bloggers.

In no particular order...

1. http://www.mkwind.blogspot.com/

2. http://www.adventuresincolor.blogspot.com/

3. http://istanbuldesigns.com/blog/

4. http://www.emeliaro.blogspot.com/

5. http://www.lynetteandreasen.blogspot.com/

6. http://daniellemillerjewelry.blogspot.com/

7. http://esdesignsjewelry.com/blog/

Monty Python Cuff Links

A recent commission inspired from Monty Python's "The Quest for the Holy Grail"

Here is part one of the step by step process used to make the cuff links







The first step is to use some jewellers wax, a small square setion was cut from this.











After cutting the required small rectangle, the edges were filed so they were fairly smooth.









Some measurements were made and the rectabgle was given two sloping tops.










Here you can see that I have now carved out a hollow inside the shape.









Getting there. Here four small wheels have been added to the shape and detail has been engraved onto the sides to represent the wooden planks that the rabbit from the film is made from.








You'll have to pop back to see the next step, in making the cuff links......coming soon.

Back from hols.......

fresh back from a lovely holiday in the Welsh mountains.......

I am very excited as I have a new tool being delivered hopefully this week, maybe next week which I have a whole load of ideas for. I'll let you know more about it when it has arrived, but I had to build a new workbench just to house it!!!

I have a few commissions that need finishing and posting and I will then have some time to play with my new tool....I am so very excited.

I will be opening a brand new website to house all the lovely things that I will be able to make so more news will follow on the new website as and when I have something to tell you all....