Wednesday, 29 December 2010

Ho ho ho

Well, the food has pretty much polished off (just a few kilo of cheese left), Father Christmas has been, the pressies have been opened (and Chloe's lego house has finally been made - now that is a really addictive toy!!). The bubbly has been drunken, yum. Panto has been seen (oh yes it has).
And crikey those gingerbread houses are trickier to put together than they look... (hence the sepia tint ahem).



What a wonderful Christmas - and the fun bit is, the holiday goes on.

But, the shops have re-opened, and I've got lots of exciting plans for 2011 (more of which later).

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas, and wish you all the very best for the New Year.

Saturday, 11 December 2010

ONE WEEK LEFT!!! Christmas Sale

....well less than that actually. If you UK folks want to order something for Christmas, it needs to be done sooner rather than later. For items that are currently in stock (i.e not personalised jewellery) you need to get your order in by this coming Friday 17th.


So to help you along with your festive shopping, I'm holding a quick sale - 10% off ANYTHING at all in the store until Tuesday 12 midnight GMT.

Remember if there's something you like in the shop - get it quick, before it goes. The joy of buying handmade is that you often by something one of a kind, and for most of the items in my shop, once they're gone, they're gone.



On my folksy store - I will REFUND 10% of the item cost (excl postage) by paypal - just put the code "hohoho" in the message to seller paypal box. I'll email you to confirm I've refunded you!

On my etsy store put the coupon code "hohoho" in at the checkout and the discount will be applied automatically!


Brrrrr.... have fun shopping from the comfort of your own home!

Friday, 10 December 2010

Folksy Friday - Folksy Elves

The little elves on Folksy have been busy this December, making lots of lovely things that would be perfect Christmas pressies...here are just a few of them. Please click on the pic to go straight through to the individual Folksy shop and take a look around.



SHOP NAME 1 SHOP NAME 2
SHOP NAME 3 SHOP NAME 4
SHOP NAME 5 SHOP NAME 6

Tuesday, 7 December 2010

Your wish is.....

..now available on Amazon.



Did you know you can now add any website to your amazon wishlist. That's right - any website... even mine!!


It just takes a click to set up, and you end up with a handy little button on your toolbar.
Thanks very much to Paula who showed me the light - can't wait to get filling my list right now.

Click here to set up your amazon wish list

Monday, 6 December 2010

Last Order Dates for Christmas

 Well the Christmas shopping season is in full swing, so it's about time I mentioned last shipping dates.

Obviously I'll keep on shipping out after these dates, right up until Christmas, but these are the ones to aim for, to get your items for the big day!

For people in Eastern Europe, Canada, and USA last date for ordering is Thursday 9th December (yes that's THIS Thursday!! Panic.... no, no don't panic, it'll be fine)

For Western Europe last order date is Sunday 12th December (so I can get it in the post first thing on the Monday!)

For UK customers, you can relax a little, you have until 17th December to get your order in.

Happy shopping folks!

Wednesday, 1 December 2010

Perfect gifts for that man in your life?

I was ridiculously pleased to be featured in this lovely treasury. It's always so difficult to buy for men, they just don't usually want stuff, but this collection of cufflinks is great for gift inspiration! Thanks for featuring my fingerprint cufflinks Spora!

Click on the picture to go through and see the treasury in person!

Sunday, 28 November 2010

Sneaky peak.....(new handmade jewellery)

Thought you might like a sneaky peak at what I'm hoping to list later today.... remember those icy crackle crystal beads I bought recently? Here they are with super shiney oxidised silver....


And those little ice cube swarovski crystals...
Hope I get around to listing them today, it's been a busy weekend. Chloe was 6, so we had a mad party on Saturday. Lots and lots of fun, followed by cosy evening getting over it.


Phew.





Sunday, 21 November 2010

Ice ice baby

All right stop, collaborate and listen....

Sorry sorry sorry couldn't resist. You know you're going to be singing that all day now (or is it just me?)

I've just had some new supplies arrive and they look so gorgeous, I just had to show you...



Crystal chips, nuggets, crackle crystal beads, shiney pearls, and swarovski cubes - I've suddenly come over all wintery (creatively speaking), so look out for some ice gems in the shops soon.

Friday, 19 November 2010

Folksy Friday - The kids are alright

My eldest will be 6 years old in a weeks time. I know it's a huge cliche, but I can't believe how quickly it has gone, but at the same time, just six years ago she wasn't here (she's been here forever, surely?)

Anyway, I've been thinking about buying pressies for kids, and so here's my Folksy Friday on a kids theme.



SHOP NAME 1  SHOP NAME 2
SHOP NAME 3 SHOP NAME 4
SHOP NAME 5 SHOP NAME 6

Tuesday, 16 November 2010

Copper clay

I've been experimenting with copper clay again. I find it really tricky to work with. Silver clay is soo easy but I'm finding copper clay takes some practice. Which makes me want to stick at it - I do like a challenge.

I made some more lovely little star fish earrings...
and some more copper leaves - (still awaiting their final creation!!)

And some fab little domed earring studs, which have a lovely organic finish, and a gorgeous rosey copper hue and which....well....are just lovely, and...


....I'm so keeping them sorry! (peekaboo!) Must make some for the shop soon.

Sunday, 14 November 2010

I've been featured...

...in a couple of lovely new treasuries on Etsy. I still get a little over-excited when I get featured - so thanks to the curators for making my day!!

The treasuries really come into their own this time of year as wish lists, and gift guides. Click on the picture to take you through to the treasury page itself if you'd like a closer look!


Friday, 12 November 2010

A special gift....?

I'm getting the feeling that I'm the only one who hasn't got at least half of their Christmas shopping done. (Tell me I'm wrong!) But I thought that now might be a good time to let you know about my jewellery design service.

You might not have realised that I take custom orders. I love to get your ideas and input in order to design a special piece of jewellery, for you, or for special gift. And don't worry - it doesn't have to be expensive to make it special and personal!


I recently had a lovely customer, who contacted me via my Folksy shop; she had spotted a necklace of mine that she liked, but who was buying a gift for a friend who was an "earring person" and she wondered if I could make matching earrings to make up a set. The earrings needed to be special, and  the necklace would match them. She even gave me an idea of the kind of thing she had in mind, a couple of emails later the set was ready.


Sorry, the photo isn't the best, as I wanted to get them in the post as soon as possible, rather than waiting for good light!

Perhaps you would like a name or initials enscribed on your nacklace, perhaps you would like a birthstone attached to one of my leaf pendants? Or perhaps you have your own idea that you would like me to create?  If so, get in touch, and I'll do my best to help.

Thursday, 11 November 2010

Lest we forget






Remembering those who gave their lives for us, and those who are still fighting for freedom.

At the Cenotaph by Siegfried Sassoon



  I saw the Prince of Darkness, with his Staff,
Standing bare-headed by the Cenotaph:
Unostentatious and respectful, there
He stood, and offered up the following prayer.
'Make them forget, O Lord, what this Memorial
Means; their discredited ideas revive;
Breed new belief that War is purgatorial
Proof of the pride and power of being alive;
Men's biologic urge to readjust
The Map of Europe, Lord of Hosts, increase;
Lift up their hearts in large destructive lust;
And crown their heads with blind vindictive Peace.'
The Prince of Darkness to the Cenotaph
Bowed. As he walked away I heard him laugh


Remembering those who gave their lives for us, and those who are still fighting for freedom. Please please never forget!!
 

Sunday, 7 November 2010

Bonfire Night

Bonfire night - I love it!

I must admit I've never been entirely happy with the burning of an effigy on a bonfire, and it feels a little tricky to explain to the kids too, who felt a bit sorry for him. But I do love a good bonfire night all the same. The chilly night air, with that smell of smoke on the wind. Wrapped up warm with gloves and scarves, and the warmth of the bonfires, and the fantastic fireworks.

Nearly seven years ago we moved to a tiny village on the North Downs in the South of England, and little did we know then how big bonfire night is around here. The roads in and out close at 5.30 and remain shut until after 10pm, 20,000 people descend on the village green, and the display costs £50,000

It all starts in September with "pole up"

Then there are 5 weeks or so of people driving round the village in old blue tractors collecting people's garden cuttings,

Resulting in a pretty big bonfire

What do you mean it doesn't look that big?
That's my dad standing next to Guy in the picture below and he's over 6ft. It's huge!
Poor Guy - he looks a bit worried.... and rightly so.

 (fireworks picture from bonfire pics 2009 as I didn't take my camera!)
The morning after! The fire generally keeps going until Tuesday, with some old sofas always finding their way to the Green so people can sit and chat and toast themselves!

Exhausted children who stayed up well past their bedtime - Eve refused to come out with us this morning unless we got the buggy out.

Last year the bonfire raised £20,000 for local charites. So well done to all those who give up their time to make a difference to their communities.

Friday, 5 November 2010

Are you brave enough?

If you're more the head in the sand type, you might want to turn away now... brave hearts read on.


It's that time of year again, the nights are drawing in, it's getting chilly, the leaves are pretty much all off the trees now (and all over our lawn...grr) -  it's that lead up to Christmas. I just wanted to let you know that the last order date for Christmas 2010 is the 17th December, but for customers outside of the UK, you will need to order by 9th December!! eeek


Also remember, you can get free shipping on everything in the etsy and folksy shops - just put FREE SHIPPING in the message to buyer section on paypal, and I'll refund it right back to you.

Thursday, 4 November 2010

Giveaway winner

Sorry for not getting the announcement up earlier but we do have a winner (drum roll please....) Well done Morning Star Loft!

I've convo'd you already, so hopefully you're on your way to getting your beautiful notecards. Hope you love them.

A big thank you to Jack and Ella Paper too, what a fab etsy seller - so pleased you could take part on the blog.



I'm on the hunt for a fantastic new giveaway, and I might even offer up something from my own store at some point as a little Christmas pressie for one of you.

Friday, 29 October 2010

Half term trip

Had a lovely trip out yesterday to Groombridge Place.

I thought the kids would like it as they have an "Enchanted Forest", but they key reason was that just over 7 years ago it's where I got married.




It was such a strange feeling going down the drive, I got goosebumps thinking how nervous I was last time I was there.

If it looks familiar, it was the home to the Bennett's in Pride and Prejudice (the 2005 Keira Knightley version).

The formal gardens are lovely..


But we didn't get to stay long there though as the kids were keen to explore the rest of the grounds...

Lots of stuff for them to do, plus a bird of prey demonstration, and a few other creatures..


It's a zedonk by the way - a donkey/ zebra cross.

All set in gorgeous woodland


Definitely worth checking out if you're in the Kent area.

So this is the kind of thing I've been doing this week instead of making jewellery... I'm itching to get stuff made. Hopefully I'll get some time over the weekend.
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