Beadie Critters

Did you ever wonder what a mother who makes jewellery does for her children’s school fair?

I had offered to work with the children to make items for their class stall and shouldn’t have been surprised when the teacher took me up on my offer.

Now making jewellery would be an obvious answer to what to do with them - but I didn’t want to be obvious and so spent some time making some simple critters with beads and craft wire. I had wonderful visions of what they’d be able to make, possibly with my stash of gem and pearl seconds.



I planned out what they’d need and sat down with my primary aged girls who play with my wire scraps and castoff pearls constantly to make 3 different critters – a doodlebug, a caterpillar and a spider.



Unfortunately I soon realised that sturdy craft wire and small drill holes (common in gems and pearls) didn’t go together. Then found my idea of the average 11 year olds abilities and reality didn’t match up at all. *sigh*

In resignation, I decided simple was best, so I sourced some colourful painted and dyed wooden beads, some beading elastic and then found myself at the front of a classroom last week with 30+ children listening to me instruct them in the art of making a stretchy bracelet.

It was rather fortunate that the teacher hadn’t told me that I would be “speaking to the class” as I may have run away. As anyone who knows me well can testify, when it comes to more than about a dozen people, I avoid being the centre of attention and become amazingly silent. I tend to be more a ‘doer’ than a ‘talker’. Public speaking is definitely not my thing although of course I can talk the leg off an iron pot in a one to one or small group situation!

But I survived the instructional phase at the front of the classroom and then relaxed as I got to work with a table of children at a time.

I was very impressed with the determination of the children and their skill in colour selection for their beaded bracelets and rings and feel sure that they will be able to use all their stocks of beads by the fair to make a good selection for fair visitors to buy.



But, not to be outdone, I took matters into my own hands and made a couple of dozen critters for the stall. I think they're cute (well, some of the spiders are a bit freaky I'll admit!) ... what do you think?

By the way, Dunedoo Show was huge last weekend – I’m still recovering, as well as making up orders from the day to be delivered on my way to set up at Mendooran Show this Saturday. If I survive this "5 shows in 5 weeks" stint I'll be due for a holiday!

A trunk show and a new handmade market at Scone

After a couple of months away from the face to face of shows while I concentrated on new stock and designs, I’m back in the midst of it all and loving it!

I had a home trunk show a week ago with a group of ladies who had only previously seen my jewellery on the hostess. They weren't shy though and snapped up many items – even having issues over the ownership of one bracelet! This sort of show is so much fun with ladies trying things on, comparing them on each other, having a chat and a glass of something bubbly!

Yesterday I attended the inaugural Scone Homegrown + Handmade market. It had great plans of being a stylish outdoor event at the Kerv Café, but the weather gods had other ideas!

I’m about 1 hour and 40 minutes drive west of Scone and was not overjoyed to hear rain at around 2am, particularly when I realised it wasn’t a storm and didn’t appear to be going anywhere. Nevertheless I got up at 4.30am checked the radar and saw that Scone was indeed dry however the rain band was heading there. With my trusty helper Trista aboard we set off around 5.30am into the rain and bound for Scone. The rain got heavier and I hoped that some wet weather alternative may have been made – otherwise all we’d be up for was a well deserved coffee and a long drive home!

The rain continued steadily – not sheeting down, but not exactly drizzling either. On arrival at around 7am there was a bunch of slightly bedraggled and tired stall holders wondering what to do. The organiser, the lovely Amelia from The Event Storeroom offered those with non-food products a small space inside the Café which I gratefully accepted. We all appeared to be set up by around 8.30am and it was certainly “cosy”!

Amazingly, people braved the weather and came to see us all (even those who decided to shelter with their goods under the cover in the outdoor area) and buy.

Being cosy was actually fun (apart from needing to dodge around everyone) as it gave the stallholders an opportunity to network, admire and buy each other’s items which you often don’t have time for at a regular show.

I had the chance to chat to my close neighbours - the warm and talented Emma of Elliepants who is making my girls some endless scarves for winter, the outgoing Tracy from Lilibits & Pieces who I got to chat about jewellery with and the vivacious Bec from Audrey Anne who was experiencing her first market and I know she’ll do well ... even Trista and I couldn’t help ourselves and bought something of hers!

I managed to taste some of Hunter Belle’s fantastic cheese, the delicious Lincoln Red Beef Direct (the best “burger” I’ve had in years!) the lighter than light macarons from Sweet Project and the tasty hot chocolate of the Kerv Café all whilst admiring the beautiful flowers from Stem. (Living in the country often means that the only fresh flowers you see are the ones you’ve grown – so in my house its roses or nothing).

There were many other stallholders and I was very impressed with the amount of talented people that Amelia had located and brought together for the event. Given fair weather I have high hopes for the next Homegrown + Handmade in June!

Next weekend I have the Dunedoo Show (24th March), the following weekend is the Mendooran Show (31st March) and then Easter Saturday (7th April) is the Mudgee Makers Market, so you see its all go, go, go!

Photo at top is pair of sterling, tourmaline and peridot earrings that sold at the trunk show last week.

The Jewels of the 84th Annual Academy Awards

The stunning Penelope Cruz looking very much the movie star.

And another night of the glitterati has been and gone! Sparkle, glimmer and glitter were definitely the order of the day – in sequins, satins and brocade dresses as well as in jewels.

There was a definite feeling of old Hollywood glamour in the air, perhaps inspired by the winning Best Picture The Artist and its silent film fashions. Although saying that, many styles seemed reminiscent of 30s to 50s.

Curvy silhouettes were definitely “in” and the quote by Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz from icon costume designer, Edith Head … something along the lines of 'dresses should be tight enough to show you’re a woman but loose enough to show you’re a lady' should have been taken on board by a few of the stars on the night that looked like they had been poured into their gowns and I think sitting in such a tight fit would have been a challenge!

To go with the popular strapless/off the shoulder and one shoulder gowns and often upswept hair, necklaces could have had a starring role, however most chose (as usual) to go with earrings.


Brooke Anderson


Stacy Keibler


Octavia Spencer


Milla Jovovich


Bingbing Li


Maria Menounos

Statement sparklers abounded – mostly drop or chandelier style earrings (see a few of them above), and there were a couple of necklaces to be seen, notably some diamond necklaces worn by Penelope Cruz in Chopard (at top)and Natalie Portman in Harry Winston.


Natalie Portman

There was some colour in jewelled earrings – green was definitely popular – emeralds, chrysoprase, jade and more – Berenice Bejo in Chopard emeralds, Shaun Robinson in Gemfields emeralds, Viola Davis in Lorraine Schwartz plus Virginia Masden and Kelly Osborne.


Berenice Bejo


Shaun Robinson


Viola Davis


Virginia Masden


Kelly Osborne

Some warm colours in yellow (Jessica Chastain wore yellow diamonds by Harry Winston) and browns (Ellie Kemper in Lorraine Schwartz).


Jessica Chastain


Ellie Kemper

Some in blues (Tina Fey in sapphires and emeralds by Bulgari and Busy Philipps in opal earrings by Irene Neuwirth)


Tina Fey


Busy Philipps

I spotted a pair of plain black onyx drops worn by Melissa Leo – following the trend from the BAFTAs and a few pearls – Bo Derek in large pearl and diamond drops and Rose Byrne in linear pearl drop earrings by Chanel.


Melissa Leo


Bo Derek


Rose Byrne

And a couple of pink-reds, these were the very pretty ones worn by Brooke Burns

Brooke Burns

One massive statement necklace was sported by Rachel Smith who was an interviewer on the red carpet and it looked spectacular!

Rachel Smith

I’ve been wondering WHY most jewels for the red carpet seem to be diamonds and I think I’ve worked it out. Stylists are so caught up in the gowns, they probably select jewels that will go with more than one of their shortlisted gowns. Diamonds of course, will go with any colour gown and must be the stone of choice in these cases. Perhaps those with coloured stone jewels had their gowns organised earlier and had time to select jewels?

So what is your favourite look of the event? I rather liked Penelope Cruz with her 50's Elizabeth Taylor gown and hair and Chopard diamonds!

Postscript - In my report on the SAG awards last month I wasn't 100% on Maya Rudolph's earrings being moonstone so checked with the designer, Kimberly McDonald who has just advised me they are geodes with brown diamonds.

2012 BAFTA and Grammy Awards Jewels

The glamorous Jessica Chastain at the BAFTAs.

It has been another week of Awards functions – notably the BAFTA’s held in more than wintry conditions in London and the Grammys, music’s night of nights held in Los Angeles.

The BAFTAs were reportedly going to be a pretty low-key affair in regards to jewellery and although some selections were restrained, there were some sparkling ears, necks, wrists and fingers to be seen – of particular note, diamonds, golden citrine and onyx made multiple appearances.



Christina Ricci wore substantial and dramatic linear diamond drops by Bulgari and a diamond bracelet to go with her metallic gown.



Emilia Fox, who I fondly remember as Georgiana Darcy from Pride & Prejudice in the 90s wore large gold and citrine earrings which matched her fiery locks.



UK presenter, Fearne Cotton went all out in the jewellery stakes, wearing a bejewelled looking collar on her dress, earrings, multiple diamond bracelets and two cocktail rings, one of which is the seeming popular citrine.



Writer Francesca Gardiner also chose gold, citrine and diamond earrings.



Ex – x-files star, Gillian Anderson wore cognac diamond earrings with her vintage dress.




Actress Hayley Atwell wore diamond studded triple-drop earrings and a studded cuff bangle.

Jessica Chastain (photo at top) flew in from the US and although she must have been freezing looked quite spectacular in her shimmering goddess style gown and long chain of diamonds around her neck.



UK actress Joanne Froggatt chose classically styled long diamond earrings.



The debonair Colin Firth had his lovely wife Livia with him, who was sparkling in vintage Cartier diamond and emerald tassel earrings.



Australian actress Melissa George chose linear onyx drop earrings – a classic if not a sparkly choice.



Michelle Williams favours chokers and collar length necklace and this occasion was no exception.



Naomi Harris wore a large diamond chain and sunburst pendant that was almost overwhelming on her tiny frame.



Another to favour citrine on the night was producer/actress and George Harrison’s widow, Olivia who chose large diamond rimmed citrine drop earrings, matching her warm skin tone and contrasting against her dark hair.



Actress Olivia Williams wore a matching necklace/bracelet and earring set of swirling diamond studded links.



Penelope Cruz chose Chopard vine design earring featuring pear shaped diamonds.



Costume designer, Sandy Powell was another to accessorise with long onyx drop earrings.



English actress Tasmin Egerton looks particularly pleased in diamond and sapphires.



And finally, award recipient Vanessa Redgrave looked resplendent in drop earrings, multiple strands of pearls, one of which sported a diamond enhancer.



After watching the Grammy’s a couple of years ago and being overwhelmed by sparkly mini dresses, enormous earrings and an unusually high level of swearing I’ve avoided them. However the drawcard of the Beach Boys and Paul McCartney performing was irresistible (showing my age I know, but in some measure of defence I was listening to them because my mother did … who was far more contemporary to them than I was, not being born till the mid sixties!) And I must admit to really enjoying Taylor Swift and Adele’s performances too. Jewellery was earring and ring based and I’ve tried to find the best for you to see.


Adele wore De Beers diamond earrings and a Harry Winston diamond ring (and dominated the awards too!)



Carrie Underwood wore drop earrings of white gold and diamonds.



Fergie choose to make a statement in simple, but HUGE, gold hoop earrings by Neil Lane that went with her see-through lace orange gown and black undergarments!



Hilary Scott wore a lovely pair of earrings made with pink sapphire, quartz and diamonds.



Jessie J wore retro styled linear drop earrings to match her disco-ball styled gown.



Kate Beckingsdale, a host on the evening wore geometric diamond drop earrings



Katy Perry wore diamond ascher cut drop earrings and matching bracelet by Norman Silverman.


Kellie Rowland wore large leaf shaped drop earrings of white, grey and brown diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz – along with a cocktail ring or two of grey diamonds.



Kelly Clarkson wore a diamond studded pendant on a long chain.



Opera singer Joyce DiDonato donned an intricate golden floral styled collar.



Melanie Fiona wore a large obsidian “arrowhead” necklace.



Shawna Thompson wore champagne diamond earrings.



Tamara Braun was one of the few to wear bright coloured jewellery with these chrysoprase earrings.



And last of all, Taylor Swift stayed reserved and wore a Neil Lane diamond ring and earrings.

All in all enough sparkle for one week?