Creativity and Inspiration

After an extended holiday my creativity has returned in force and I have so many new pieces from the last week. It had been hard to try and sit at the bench and create when I just wasn't ready and so I didn't push it too hard - and success is the result!

Many of the new pieces were sitting in my 're-do' pile. I hadn't been happy with how they turned out the first time round, or had grown bored with them before I'd even finished. The pile was getting a bit wobbly it was so high, so I am pleased I have decimated it now!

It can be difficult to stop yourself from repeating your first error when you are re-making a piece, so I found I had to deconstruct each one completely before looking at it with a fresh viewpoint. Some are so entirely different and I love the new looks I have come up with.

Of course as these are pieces from quite a time span the colours aren't necessarily seasonal, as I should be working on my winter collection. And there is an awful lot of green. But as I love green it was really no hardship to work with them ;) But I shall have to pull out the muted tones and rich colours soon otherwise my winter collection may look decidely spring-like!

One of my new creations is pictured above - a mixture of lime green chalk turquoise, black lava, freshwater pearls, peridot and sterling silver. All combining to make one eye-popping statement necklace!

Long term readers may know I had a 'fling' with Etsy. Sure enough, I found I didn't have enough time to do all I had to do as it was, so I haven't had any items listed there for ages. However I still SHOP there :)

A very talented maker of vintage inspired stationery, Kelly of Retrocrafted Paper Goods posted about a great giveaway she is participating in for a group on Etsy. Head over to her Macaroni & Glue blog to find out all about it - it sounds easy to enter and wow, what prizes!

Inspiration is such an intangible thing. I actually have no idea why I became so inspired over the last week (but I'm awfully glad I did!) Some people get inspiration from nature, from art, from music. I often get inspiration just looking into stones. Jenny from Assential Scrapbooking has been inspired by some new products she can use in her business and sounds as excited as me! I'd love to hear what inspires you?



P.S. I am pleased to report the bushfires in Victoria have calmed down with no further outbreaks. The cool change has definitely helped. An outpouring of generosity has been received from the Red Cross reporting over AUD$100million in donations received - now the hard work of rebuilding lives begins.

Victorian Bushfires

By now, I am sure you have heard about the devastating bush fires and subsequent loss of life in Victoria.

A lot of people (even Australians), think that the bush or scrub is disappearing. Having been fortunate enough to fly over quite a bit of Australia, I can state that there is a huge amount of natural bushland out there. Dry and hot conditions, lightning strikes from dry storms and, unfortunately, arsonists, make it inevitable that fires are going to start and someone is going to lose something to fire during an Australian summer.

Yet the scale of this disaster is unheard of. According to the headlines of the Sydney Morning Herald, this is the worst natural disaster that Australia has ever experienced with the toll of dead and wounded only exceeded in wartime.

There are many people raising funds to send to aid the communities affected by the fires. Small communities are rallying and donating the proceeds of their already scheduled events, farmers are sending hay, people from all over are generously donating money direct to the Red Cross (the official destination to send donations to). Even the small, handmade brigade are rallying by donating items - toys, blankets and other little necessities are being sent direct and other things are being auctioned off with the proceeds being donated.

Whatever we do, we can help in some small way - even the longest journey starts with one little step.

If you would like to assist you could visit the Australian Red Cross website. If you are an artisan/craftsman that wants to donate an item or if you can help by buying a donated handmade item, look at Handmade Help (all funds going to the Australian Red Cross and Wildlife Victoria).

True wisdom can create a phrase that can be applicable to many situations. I saw the following on Joliv's Weblog quoting Deepak Chopra:

Even when you think you have your life all mapped out, things happen that shape your destiny in ways you might never have imagined.

For many affected by the fires, how true.

Thankfully we have had a cool change in south-eastern Australia and the fires are being bought under control. Let's hope they can be fully extinguished soon and the recovery can begin.

Jewellery on the runway

Jewellery is making more and more impact on the fashion runways - the recent shows for spring 2009 featured lots of statement jewellery - masses of cuffs and bangles, huge earrings and a mixture of large, bold necklaces or pendants.

Some of the fashion is rather minimalist and jewellery will make or break these outfits. Maybe it is a reflection on the economy - perhaps the designers are expecting us to purchase more plain items (that will last more than a season) and our accessories will help make the look fashion forward. Even the more flamboyant designers still made a point of including bold jewellery.

Another awards event was on last week - the Director's Guild Awards - and there were a few necklaces in evidence. One that was particularly eyecatching was Marisa Tomei's chunky silver necklace. But, as has been the case recently, earrings were still the major players in the jewellery stakes.

I wanted to share a little piece of wisdom I found on the Business Mums Magazine Blog recently
A smile is a curved line that sets things straight.
Anon
How true is that! Even reading it makes you smile.

I occasionally make cuff style bracelets - and they always find a new home quickly. The one pictured above (and below) is a new one-of-a-kind cuff bracelet - delicate in colour but bold in size. Three strands of generous sized pale lilac freshwater pearls are liberally sprinkled with small faceted amethyst gems and the clasp is a discreet sterling silver slide style.

It is an unstructured cuff, however when on will sit comfortably with the three strands next to each other:


I have named the piece Hedy, which is a Greek name meaning 'peaceful' - the soft colouring is very tranquil. It will be on my website soon - keep your eyes peeled!

Earrings galore for the SAG awards

Last weekend saw yet another glittering affair with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards. This event, at least for those of us peering at the jewellery, was a night of earrings. Small earrings, long earring, and even some HUGE earrings.

Very few necklaces made an appearance - instead, imitating them were bejewelled necklines instead. Although I must say that most of the ones I saw didn't come up to the sparkle and glamour that a statement necklace could have made. Ah well. It is the awards season, so I will keep my eyes peeled for the next event and may be rewarded ....

The children have finally gone back to school after their summer holiday and it is amazing how quiet the house can actually be! I can hear the birds trilling again - well I hear them in the mornings when its not too hot. I think they go and find a cool place to hang out during the heat as all I can hear then are cicadas! That loud buzzing sound really reminds me of my childhood summers.

The heat also makes me tired and that means I keep putting off getting back into the swing of work. Does it have that effect on you? Elena of EP Designs is taking matters into her own hands and is throwing herself back into work. She has a talent for recreating old treasures into new - I love the brass planter pot that she has made into a very attractive trinket bowl.

I have made some progress on my website and have been uploading information on gemstones. I now have information - facts, lore and some pictures - on agate, amazonite, amber, amethyst, andalusite, anyolite (aka ruby zoisite), apatite, aquamarine, avenunturine, azurite, beryl, carnelian, chalcedony, charoite, chrysocolla, chrysoprase, citrine, coral, diamond, dumorterite, emerald, fluorite, garnet, hawk's eye/ tiger's eye, hematite, hemimorphite, howlite, hypersthene and iolite. Phew. And I've got a lot still to go!

The picture for today was selected since 1) they're earrings and the SAG awards attendees (or their stylists!) seem to love earrings so much 2) they're able to make a statement all by themselves and 3) they're green. And you know how much I love green! Yes, I know, it's almost an addiction ;)

Because they're a longer style, these earrings would look great with a lower neckline or an off the shoulder/strapless design, particularly in black, white, cream to taupe, or most shades of green. The pearls have an incredible lustre and definitely aren't small so wouldn't get lost - even if you have your hair down.

Ciao till next time!

Golden Globe sparkle

Well I finally had time to check out the jewels that the stars wore to the Golden Globes recently - wow! I'm so glad to see a return to the necklace. Fashion forecasts have said for some time that they were back and it was brilliant to see the stars embracing them again too - after all, where they go, a lot will follow!

Beyonce wore a diamond fringe, Christina Applegate a vintage yellow diamond flower necklace, Eva Mendez wore a stunning turquoise coloured neckpiece and Elizabeth Banks a three strand pale blue necklace. Marisa Tomei was resplendent in a glittering array of chain necklaces.

Bare shoulders were very much in evidence, and those that decided to forgo the necklace, wore some great earrings - Kate Winslet, Eva Longoria, Anne Hathaway, Amy Adams, Kate Beckinsale and Freida Pinto were on to some winners! And of course some statement bracelets were seen - such as those worn by Sandra Bullock, Debra Messing and Megan Fox.

Ahhh, so much sparkle - it was great to see!

I was interested to read on Heart Harmony of an article in the New Scientist that reveals that many of your choices and behaviours are influenced more than you think by your friends, their friends and even their friend's friends! And not just taste in clothes or design, but things such as happiness, obesity and depression were all found to be profoundly influenced by this ring of people. Apparently the saying that you will only be as successful as the average success of your seven closest friends is ringing more true than ever. It makes you think, doesn't it!

I was also very kindly given a blog award recently, by the lovely Elaine at Commotion from the Ocean of Life blog.



The rules are:

1. Put the award up on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3. Nominate at least seven other blogs.
4. Add links to these blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog

I have selected the following well-deserved blogs that I regularly read to receive this award:

1. OF MICE AND raMEN
2. It Flickers Dimly
3. Julie Chats
4. This is my World
5. Flora's Blog
6. Wisdom Begun
7. Just Your Everyday Blessed So and So

Oooh, forgot about the necklace at the top of my post.... in the spirit of statement necklaces, this is one that won't go unnoticed! Freshwater pearls in a myriad of colours along with peridot, amethyst and rock crystal quartz and a wonderful big sterling silver clasp.

A little about Swarovski crystals

Another week has come around and I find myself, once again, asking what I did with the last week!? I know I have been reading alot. Even hubby has started to comment. I've really only read about 11 rather thick books since Christmas... I have trouble finding time to read the rest of the year so I've got to cram in as much now as I can before I go back to work properly :D

I'm still working on gemstones and getting their information typed up - I imagine it is not a job that is going to happen as quickly as I first imagined. So I'll just keep plugging away at it.

I was asked to be part of a Valentine's Day promotion this week. I don't work that often with Swarovski crystals since gemmies are my 'thing' and I generally prefer to work with natural stones, rather than manmade. But in celebration of the event I have made a small selection of Valentine inspired pieces with Swarovski and silver. You can see them all on my website under Valentine Selection. As you can see from the picture above, they are very pretty and very sparkly!

Swarovski is named after Daniel Swarovski, who invented the first crystal cutting machine in 1892 and founded his crystal business in Wattens, Austria in 1895. The popularity and quality of crystal continued to increase and Daniel's business also branched out into Swareflex (road safety products) and Swarovski Optics (precision optical instruments).

In league with Christian Dior, Swarovski created the famous aurora borealis finish for crystals in 1956. In 1976 Swarovski started making crystal decorative objects and shortly after chandelier components. They have continued, in the years since, to be a world leader of created crystals. Perfect for anyone who likes a bit of 'bling' to enjoy!

Holiday mode

Gee, where did last week go? I think I'm in full holiday mode and the days are just flying by. I know I've been reading alot over the last week or so - that will have to be my excuse! Plus the weather has been very hot here - too hot to do anything productive it seems!

My daughter also received a new kitten last week that we have spent a lot of time with. Very friendly and cuddly, he has been keeping us very entertained - named 'Slider' as that's what he does - he runs and then slides along the floor :)

The last day or so I have been working on typing up information on gemstones - facts, lore and legends, for my website. It's surprising how much your brain can recall when it has to (and slightly depressing how much it forgets at times)! Some people are amazed when I start sprouting facts about gemstones or at my ability to identify gems. I quite like the quote I found on Donna-Marie Coggins site : “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” Albert Einstein (1879-1955, Physicist). It is a pretty accurate statement for me - a lot of learning and re-reading and practicing giving a good knowledge base.

The picture above isn't of a new piece, but it's a perfect example to me of the wonder of stones - in this piece of jasper you can see its origins - a piece of the past for us to treasure now.