5 minutes of quiet time

Sometimes it is needed to sit quietly with a cup of tea and some reading material, just for a little while, so that I can stop my mind racing about all the things I have going on. Now, I do love to read books but just don't have the time to really get in to one at the moment, so magazines do the trick.
I don't buy many (I would if funds let me) so the ones I do buy are a treat, one being lifestyle magazine Oh Comely.

This month they are running their Perfect Strangers scheme, a pen-pal like project that gets people to reach out, to be creative and send a parcel of happiness to a stranger. I decided to sign up as it sounded fun and last week I was given my swap partner, Kerri in Anchorage, Alaska.

They give a small list of things to include in the parcel which I'm currently collating and will post about once it has been sent and received.

What to include...

1. A modern day message in a bottle - a USB in a jar with a playlist/photo's/fave film etc...
2. What's in my bag - empty the contents of your bag on a photocopier and annotate the image, or send a fresh sample of something you're never without.
3. A wintery treat - something that makes you feel cosy on a winters day. 

Who's gonna be at Renegade?

I can't tell you how excited and nervous I'm getting about doing my first Renegade Craft fair, I really hope it's going to be the first of many. To get you in the mood here is the roster for the London show which is now only a week away, just click here to preview who you want to visit - you are coming right?

Holiday Markets Are Coming!

Eeeeeeek! It's almost here, the big festive bonanza. I have two very big Christmas markets around the corner and I'm not gonna lie, there may have been tears and tantrums, but it is all beginning to come together nicely.
For the first time I am taking my jewellery to London, on November 22-23 I will be taking part in Renegade Craft Fair at the Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane. Visit their website here to find out more about the fair in London and others across the USA.  
Then of course it is the Bath Christmas Market, find me in a chalet on Bath Street from December 4-14, I have been making plenty of loveliness for you to come and get your hands on... here are some bench photographs of work in progress over the past few weeks...

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I was recently questioned about my Pinterest boards and blog, a lady wanted to know why I link these personal things to my shops and Facebook page, so I thought I'd explain here too. I do pin and blog about personal things but I feel that it is all relevant to the way that I work, these are the things that inspire me or ramblings about the days that make me want to make something new. I link these areas of my world together to give those of you who may be interested a taste of my thought and design process, a little behind the scenes glance.

So, if you like, here are some delights that have caught my eye on Pinterest lately...

Art

bees by Mr Finch // inalux // monster riot // Masaileko Gorria // pequena lola

Design

oneuponaCHO // jikits // crushculdesac // anthrapologie // decorology

Eat

fern cookies katelandersevents // clams canellevanille // ice cream cake thesugerhit // fig and goats cheese tart found on flickr

Sunshine means sandals!

Finally there is a hint of summer in the air, dreams of beach days and festival fields are nearer to reality. With this firmly in mind I have been working on pieces to adorn your summer wardrobe, think pretty toes and bohemian dresses with layers of folk inspired jewellery.

See what you think...

oh! so pretty anklets £20 each

oh! so pretty toe rings £15 each

primitive arrow pendant £30

ancient fir pendant £30

Hearts and Hens

This is, as you all know, the weekend of love, so it was obviously the perfect time to celebrate one of my best friends upcoming wedding. Firstly though I must mention the #sheepishheartbomb that happened on Valentines day itself. Last year I joined the followers of the gorgeous One Sheepish Girl in their quest to cover the world in knitted, crotched and fabric hearts. It was such a success that we did it again this year, and even though a storm was raging I was determined to drop my felted hearts and love notes around Bath. If you found one I hope it made you smile. 

Then came Saturday and the beautiful Akiko's hen day... 

It started in the afternoon with Akiko and us four bridesmaids taking a champagne tea at the Bath Pump Room, with plenty of bubbles, pastries and of course tea. 

Then we met the other girls for a night of cocktails, Thai tapas and sparkles. 

Now it's time to relax and enjoy this rare bit of sunshine xx

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My pinterest boards are definitely filling up with a freshness that the dream of spring brings, the simplicity and light and bright colour is what I am clearly craving...

ART

Pins believed to be originally from - minimalmovieposters.tunbler - stylecarrot.com

DESIGN

Pins believed to be originally from - stylabl.com - alchemy925.com - designlovefest.com - Maryanne Moodie

EATS 

Pins believed to originally from - greek salad pasta joeandsue.blogspot.com - bruschetta livinabroad.tumblr.com

Old favourites - new look

Today, as well as working on my new collections, I decided to start updating my online shops for 2014. There are one or two newer pieces added to the shop as well as giving some firm old favourites a little make over.
Over the weekend I managed to pick up some lovely props to use in my photographs, these include old keys, some glass ink wells, pocket watch movements and a beautiful early 19th century book about polar exploration. Here are the results, if you want to see more you can also pop over to my folksy shop here.

Happy to be back

Well, I was finally back in the studio today and what a lovely feeling that was. After the manic end to 2013 and the excesses of Christmas and New Year I took some time out, but being in the studio is where I actually feel I need to be.
I started out by playing with some simple designs but there are already lots of ideas floating around so watch this space for new pieces, including more rings and lockets.