Fave tools.... my third hand

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One of my all time favourite tools apart from my tumbler.... is my third hand.

The problem with soldering is that in my left hand I hold my torch, in my right hand I generally have tweezers holding solder wire, or a solder pick ready to assist the solder in going where I want it to go, and then I still need to hold in place the bit of silver I'm soldering (often an earwire or something which needs to be in just the right place). 

That's where my handy little third hand comes in. This special pair of tweezers in a on a ball joint in a stand. 

I just wish I really did have another hand, or even another pair of hands. That'd make life a bit easier for everything, not just soldering - even if finding tops to fit would be tricky.

That golden glow

A week or two ago I was asked to make a custom jewellery set of earrings and pendant necklace as a birthday present for a lady who had lost much of her own jewellery in floods, and the subsequent house moves while refurbishment took place.

I love (and I mean LOVE) making special one off pieces, and especially when you know a little about the background. However, in this case the customer particularly wanted a gold set, which I have to admit, did make me feel a little anxious.

As you probably know, I usually work in sterling silver, or copper. I do love the look of gold, and have been wondering about offering a gold option of certain items, but gold is just so costly! I mean, really expensive. I just can't afford to have it sitting in my stock cupboard at the moment.

Gold is similar to silver to work with, and so although I don't use gold as often as silver there was nothing particularly different in terms of work. But I was so nervous about wasting even a millimeter of the precious wire.

But oh my, isn't it pretty...

The gold is 9k and the stones are a delicate pale green amethyst. The gems are micro facetted, meaning it has many, many little surfaces to catch, reflect and bounce the light all around making them super sparkly.

I do love this combination of gold and green. What do you think?

You can see some other handmade green amethyst jewellery  in my becky pearce designs shop.

And whilst I can't offer 9k or 18k gold ready to go in the shops at the moment I do offer custom pieces on request. Just get in touch with me at becky@beckypearcedesigns.co.uk to discuss.

Ooooh and do keep an eye out for some gold alternatives popping up in the near future!

* Blushes*

I think I'm going a bit girlie. 

My favourite colour up until recently has always been a bold, bright red. And I thought I wasn't alone there.  I'm convinced I had heard or read something stating that red was the most popular colour amongst women, but a quick google told me otherwise... apparently it's blue. Same as the fellas. 

Whilst hunting around for this mystical piece of research I'd once read, I did find out that  women see red differently to men. Where she sees crimson, burgundy, and tomato. He sees red. Just plain ol' red. Apparently the reason men can't see the many variations, is something to do with the X chromosome-and women have two X chromosomes, blah blah (sorry, can you tell I did a psychology degree?). 

http://www.beckypearcedesigns.co.uk/beckypearceshop/prod_2679259-Chalcedony-and-rose-quartz-earrings.html

But anyway the point I was getting to is that I'm not finding red so appealing anymore. In fact, whilst I still do like it...(lots) (especially those velvet crimson red beads up there)  I think I'm being swayed to the dark side... or is it the light side ... well, you know erm, the pink side. 

Up until now I've never been a big fan of pink; probably because of it's gender associations. I'm even part of the Pink Stinks group on facebook. And having two girls made me even less inclined to it. Luckily my two have never had that pink thing. You know, where they have to have the pink cup. Or have to dress head to toe in a symphony of pinks. Bleugh. Shopping for girls clothes and toys has always got my back up... why does it all have to be bloomin pink?!

But, these days I'm being gently swayed towards it. 

Maybe it's because I keep coming across all these lovely (and I mean really lovely) beads.
Maybe it's because these days I'm thinking about jewellery colours that look good on me (and other people) rather than just my favourite hues.
Maybe it's a fashion thing.
Maybe it's just because....

http://www.beckypearcedesigns.co.uk/beckypearceshop/prod_2691922-Pretty-pink-crystal-earrings.html

But I've noticed pinks creeping into my designs more and more. 

http://www.beckypearcedesigns.co.uk/beckypearceshop/prod_2692103-Stacking-rings-lavender-and-pink.html

I'm thinking it could be a summer thing, and I'll be back onto the rich reds and purples again when winter comes round again, but for now I'm in the pink.

In the interests of research I would be really interested to know what your favourite colour is... please leave a comment below if you have a minute. 

Midsummer you say...

.. could've bloomin well fooled me!

(from Crash Taylor Photographer)

It certainly doesn't feel like it weather-wise, as I write is pouring down and blowing a gale outside. But I must admit I am feeling that mix of panic and excitement about the impending summer holidays, which happens this time each year.

The girls could certainly do with some time off school (why do they get SO tired?) and I have a huge amount of stuff I want to get done over the holidays. Sorting and clearing out toys, the girls clothes, all that stuff that I would probably get done a lot quicker without the help of two unwilling assistants; but lets face it, when they're not around I'd much prefer to be making jewellery!

I truly love spending time with my kiddos, and it will also be very nice not to dash out on the school run every day. But, (and this is a big, huge BUT) the mild panic happens when I try to figure out when I'll be able to work on my jewellery. In the summer holidays the sales tend to slow down anyway, but I still dream of new designs every night. I still want to refresh my stock, snap new pictures, blog, tweet, facebook, list, and most importantly MAKE.

at the moment I'm dreaming of vintage glass quite a lot!!

So, for the next few weeks, while school is still on, I'm going to work my little socks off, to try to get ahead of myself. To get those ideas that are swirling around in my head, onto my bench. I can list in the evening while the kids are asleep - but I'm not going to be able to hammer metal!

And then, I'll be able to slow a bit for the summer holidays, take a bit of time out to assess, and plan out that other thing that brings panic and excitment in equal measure.... (christmas)

New newsletter news.

I thought it was about time I set up a newsletter and I figured the best way to reward my loyal customers was to add a few little perks in for the newsletter subscribers!

The newsletter will start in June, and I'm initially planning to send it out just once or twice a month.

Subscribers will benefit from:

• 10% off all of your orders for 3 months!!! Not just for your first order, but ANY order you make from the becky pearce designs website for three months from signing up! Time to stock up for birthdays!!
• entry into a monthly giveaway to win a piece of becky pearce designs jewellery.You will be entered into the draw for each month you are on the subscriber list. How great is that; sign up once and you still get a chance to win each month. 
• Exclusive subscriber deals and discounts

I do hope you will sign up to the newsletter, and take advantage of these fantastic offers!

The first newsletter is out at the beginning of June, so sign up quick to get a chance to win the first goodies in the price drawer - some beautiful pink swarovski crystal earrings.

Spring...

..will surely be here soon.

Yes, yes, I know there might be snow forecast for this week, but come on, lets think positively...
Spring = not wearing big thick winter coats, and that (of course) means.... bracelet and bangle season is almost upon us!!

Yippeeeeee......

Although I've got my classic sterling silver bangles listed, which are polished, or hammered, but mostly STACKED I've also been working on some little charm bangles...

And I'm working on some stone set charm bracelets too, as well as silver "dot" cuffs (reminiscent of my silver dot ring) which are coming along nicely...  pics soon I promise!

But though I've got a bit bangle obsessed this month, it's still about the bracelets too - here's my current fave, a supremely sparkly amethyst bracelet...

What do you prefer, bangles, or bracelets?

Measuring for a ring.

As I'm making a lot more rings these days (and absolutely, completely and utterly loving making them!!). I thought it would be useful to write up how to measure your ring size.

The most reliable method is to use one of those finger sizers. You know the ones I mean, the set of plastic rings that you try on until you get the perfect fit. You can either buy a cheap finger sizer  or go to a jewellery shop and get them to size your finger for you. Or you could measure an existing ring that fits perfectly on a ring gauge.

If it's not possible to do the above, an easy (but less accurate) alternative is to measure your finger at home as follows...

Step 1 cut out a piece of paper around 10cm long and 1cm wide.
Step 2 wrap around your finger until a comfortable fit - not too tight, but not too loose.
Step 3 make a pen mark where the paper ring forms a complete circle.
Step 4 measure from the end of the paper to the line and let me know the exact measurements in mm or refer to the table below

Ring Size (UK)	Measurement (mm)		Ring Size (UK)	Measurement (mm)
A	37.8		N	53.8
B	39.1		O	55.1
C	40.4		P	56.3
D	41.7		Q	57.6
E	42.9		R	58.9
F	44.2		S	60.2
G	45.5		T	61.4
H	46.8		U	62.7
I	48.0		V	64.0
J	48.7		W	65.3
K	50.0		X	66.6
L	51.2		Y	67.8
M	52.5		Z	68.5

I will then make your custom ring to fit your finger exactly!

The do it yourself method is less accurate, but do remember - if you're anything like me, your ring size could also vary according to the weather, the time of month, any medication you're on, etc.... so just take this into account when you're measuring.

I also found these tips for those who are buying a ring as a gift and need to try and figure out the right size secretly... http://groomsadvice.com/2010/02/08/how-to-secretely-find-her-engagement-ring-size/

And as ever, I'm open to custom ring designs - let me know your stone and band preference and I'll make something perfect for you!