Wednesday 25 September 2013

Russian Wedding Ring

Years (and years ago), my Auntie Sara bought me a Russian Wedding Ring as a birthday present. I'd wanted one for ages and I love it just as much today as I did then. I love the fluidity of the rings as they roll over each other. More than that though I love the look of the rings all nestled together. I also like how you can fiddle with it, and move it around when you're wearing it. I've realised I'm a real jewellery fiddler. Surely I'm not the only one?


I'll get around to making a russian wedding ring someday, but in the meantime I made a russian wedding ring style bangle. I do love a nice bangle! Somehow the way they are inter meshed adds a lovely relaxed style to them.


The traditional russian wedding ring is made of three types of gold, white, yellow and red and are said to signify the Holy Trinity - or I've also heard that they mean For then, For now, For ever.
I also found a story about the meaning on this blog in which a mum tells her son about the meaning behind the rings...

"She told me that the ring was a symbol of this love, as all wedding rings are.
But, she told me, this ring brought together the three most important things of a loving relationship.

The white gold ring, she told me, is softer than the other golds. Being softer, it will take the shape of the finger. "Love is like that", she said. "In the journey through life, two people in love have to change their shape. They have to give some things up, and take other things on. To become a family each one has to move towards the other". So that's what the white gold represents: bending towards each other.

Yellow gold, on the other hand, is very hard. You can bump it and knock it, and afterwards, all you had to do is to give it a hard rub, and there it would be: all bright and shining again. "Life is like that" she said. "It's not easy. Sometimes things are really difficult. Then you have to support each other. Sometimes love has to be hard". So this is what the Yellow Gold represents: the strength to get through life, and then come out on the other side all bright and shiny and new.

Then she was silent for a time. So I asked her "what about the red gold mommy?"

It took her a moment before she answered.
"Have you ever seen red gold before?" she asked softly.
"No", I replied.
"Well," she said, "Red Gold is rare". "And love", she said "is just as rare. When you find it, when you finally have it, you must look after it. You have to protect it. If you lose it it might never come back to you again". And that is what the Red Gold represents: that Love must be cherished, because life is short and every moment spent without love is a moment lost forever."


Do cheesy moments like that really happen? 

Hmmmm. I wonder if my kids will remember any of my stories when they're older - or to be honest, whether any of them are worthy of remembering (note to self, must come up with better explanations for things).

I might venture into mixed metal designs, though I think right now, gold will be just for commission pieces. I'd love to know what you think of them though. 

Wednesday 18 September 2013

This months winner...

I just wanted to say congratulations to Kathy who won this months' newsletter subscriber giveaway.

This month the prize was....


..These dainty sterling silver earrings, with a glistening hammered circle holding a sterling wire wrapped jet black swarovski crystal (6mm).

I love these earrings, they're one of those designs that is perfect to dress up or down, and I've got a new batch of  swarovski crystals in a range of lovely colours - so look out for more in the shop soon (or let me know if there's a colour you'd particularly like to see!!).

Next month I'll be giving away a pair of teeny tiny stars, take a sneek preview here...  http://www.beckypearcedesigns.co.uk/beckypearceshop/prod_2378010-Fine-silver-teeny-tiny-stars.html

Tuesday 10 September 2013

Autumn Wishlist

Some handmade goodies that have turned my head this week...

Bracelet top from Outofline on Etsy
I got a top from this shop a few months ago and love it! And would love a long sleeve style from there.

Okay I'll 'fess up. Actually, this is already mine. I bought this nearly 3 years ago, and still get excited about getting it out every autumn. So. Ridiculously. Cosy. I got it from the lovely Knit Frekkles on etsy.

I could seriously do with some boot toppers too for this winter. Brrr. Last years nightmare weather with dog walking everyday has taught me to be prepared and wrap up. These are from Lumistyle.

And the thing about Autumn is that it makes me want to drink tea by the gallon. These stoneware beakers from Little Wren Pottery are perfect for me, because when it's chilly outside, who on earth uses the handle on their mug. 

I also spotted my perfect autumn boots on pinterest...(these aren't handmade but hey)

*sigh* but a) they're from the states, and b) they don't seem to have them in stock any more. If anyone knows of any that are similar in the UK please let me know!

Would love to know your autumn finds....

Thursday 5 September 2013

It's oh so quiet...

Wow, it's quiet around here today.

The dog seems a little depressed too.

But at about 3.25pm it'll all go crazy again. I can't wait to hear all about their days, and how incredibly different Year 4 and Year 2 are to last year. No really. It's so much harder.

In the meantime I've been keeping busy, I've finished these bold brass beauties off.. how shimmery are they!?

And I'm making another of those lovely garnet rings... (nearly finished!)



Also, big thanks so much to everyone who entered, and spread the word about the blog end of summer giveaway. What a phenomenal response.

The winner is Sarah Louise Gray.

Sarah, drop me a line at hello@beckypearcedesigns.co.uk and I'll let you have your prize.

Hope all the other kids (and of course, teachers) out there have had a good return to school.


Tuesday 3 September 2013

September birthstone - Sapphire

A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze, 

A Sapphire on her brow should bind; 
To bring her joy and peace of mind.



The birthstone for September is Sapphire.  And the most famous of sapphires is known as the Princess Diana ring after .... well I'm sure you can figure that out. It's now worn by the Duchess of Cambridge. Not really my usual style if I'm honest, but I wouldn't say no. 

Did you know that sapphires come in all sorts of colours, ranging from clear to brown (except red - that is the closely related Ruby!). The most popular colour however, is that lovely, deep cornflower blue that we all think of when we think of a sapphire. One of the hardest gemstones next to diamond, the sapphire is perfect for use in jewellery. 



Sadly my sapphire jewellery isn't in the shop yet (school summer holidays put pay to that.. but I'll edit this post later in the month with some additions) But in the meantime I do have some sapphire blue crystal jewellery which is a beautiful alternative.


Enjoy!

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