Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Monday, 5 March 2012
Happy Birthday to me!
It was my birthday on Friday, so to treat myself I spent the day at the Desire fair in Richmond.
Wow, there was some truly amazing work there. It was great to see such a fantastic range of work in one room.
Things seemed to click into place for me about my jewellery style and where I'm going (and where I'm defintely not going!). People often ask me what type of jewellery I make, and now I think I could answer them a little better.
Ring by Sabine Konig
There were some stunning stalls, where I simply stood and stared at the goodies (possibly with my mouth slightly open, and drooling a bit) and some where I had a chat with the artisan and got a real insight into the stories behind the pieces. So interesting.
The best thing for me from the day though, was that even looking at the most stunning works there, I felt inspired, and thought, "yep, one day if I work hard, I could do something as good as that". It probably sounds a bit silly, but in most other fields I seem to be the type of person who would think " oh dear, I'll never be that good, aren't they lucky to be able to do that"
A beautiful ring by Barbara Bertagnolli......
I wonder if it's just that I've found my path with jewellery.... or whether I'm just getting a bit more confident in my old age.
Speaking of which, I had a great weekend as well. We went up to London and had a Duck Tour - it's a tour on those amphibious vehicles - a drive around showing the girls all the sights, and then a splash down in the Thames. The kids loved it! After that we took the girls to see Stomp. Brilliant - sweeping up will never be the same again.
I got some fantastic pressies off my lovely family... I'll show you later in the week but I also made a little present for myself.
I've been looking into birthstones recently and thought it would be nice to have something in my own birthstone. As my birthday is March - that means Aquamarine. I have a little secret....don't tell anyone.... I don't really like it that much... (ssshhhhhh!). Don't get me wrong it's a really beautiful stone, but it just wouldn't look right on me with my pale skin and red hair.
The traditional stone for March is Bloodstone, which I admit would probably suit my colouring a little more, but I fancied something with a little more sparkle.
So what to do? I did what anyone should in my situation. Cheat.
I found a lovely moss aquamarine, wrapped it in sterling silver and voila! Happy birthday to me.
Let me know if you're a March birthday and would like to cheat too, I'll happily make you one!
Wow, there was some truly amazing work there. It was great to see such a fantastic range of work in one room.
Things seemed to click into place for me about my jewellery style and where I'm going (and where I'm defintely not going!). People often ask me what type of jewellery I make, and now I think I could answer them a little better.
Ring by Sabine Konig
There were some stunning stalls, where I simply stood and stared at the goodies (possibly with my mouth slightly open, and drooling a bit) and some where I had a chat with the artisan and got a real insight into the stories behind the pieces. So interesting.
The best thing for me from the day though, was that even looking at the most stunning works there, I felt inspired, and thought, "yep, one day if I work hard, I could do something as good as that". It probably sounds a bit silly, but in most other fields I seem to be the type of person who would think " oh dear, I'll never be that good, aren't they lucky to be able to do that"
A beautiful ring by Barbara Bertagnolli......
I wonder if it's just that I've found my path with jewellery.... or whether I'm just getting a bit more confident in my old age.
Speaking of which, I had a great weekend as well. We went up to London and had a Duck Tour - it's a tour on those amphibious vehicles - a drive around showing the girls all the sights, and then a splash down in the Thames. The kids loved it! After that we took the girls to see Stomp. Brilliant - sweeping up will never be the same again.
I got some fantastic pressies off my lovely family... I'll show you later in the week but I also made a little present for myself.
I've been looking into birthstones recently and thought it would be nice to have something in my own birthstone. As my birthday is March - that means Aquamarine. I have a little secret....don't tell anyone.... I don't really like it that much... (ssshhhhhh!). Don't get me wrong it's a really beautiful stone, but it just wouldn't look right on me with my pale skin and red hair.
The traditional stone for March is Bloodstone, which I admit would probably suit my colouring a little more, but I fancied something with a little more sparkle.
So what to do? I did what anyone should in my situation. Cheat.
I found a lovely moss aquamarine, wrapped it in sterling silver and voila! Happy birthday to me.
Let me know if you're a March birthday and would like to cheat too, I'll happily make you one!
Friday, 2 March 2012
Birthday finds....
Some lovely bits and bobs from around the interweb that i would LOVE for my birthday.....
Vintage test tube holder from Concept Furnishings on Etsy. Not planning on doing many experiments, but perfect for keeping my saw blades in order!
3 antique french apothecary bottles - yummy - from French Melody on Etsy. No idea what I'd use these for - they just look pretty.
And just think how organised my new room could be with this..
(from elemental)
or this Doctors Cabinet from The Holding Company..(sorry can't grab the image for some reason!).
or ....(swoons)...these from the Portobello Road market
So I love storage...who knew!
And just think how organised my new room could be with this..
or this Doctors Cabinet from The Holding Company..(sorry can't grab the image for some reason!).
or ....(swoons)...these from the Portobello Road market
So I love storage...who knew!
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Monday, 27 February 2012
Chaos....utter chaos.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh, our building work started at the beginning of January, and we're nearly there, nearly done. The walls are up, the glass is in, the floor has been levelled and the radiators are plumbed. We even have plaster on the walls! (I know!) One thing we no longer have however, is a kitchen...
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...no sink, no cooker, no...anything.
Tiling of the floor begins tomorrow, and the new kitchen is going in later in the week. I don't know how long it will take, but for now, like for the past couple of months we are living with utility room cupboards, a couple of sinks, a fridge, a dishwasher and an oven in boxes in our living room. The contents of the kitchen cupboards are strewn liberally around the house. It's great fun playing "find the cereal bowls" every morning. Aaaaaaaaaaaah how we laugh.
We have a microwave and a supply of reheatable meals. And lots of lovely friends inviting us round for dinner. It's all fine and cope-able, but feels so completey chaotic, and messy and cluttered and euuuurggggh.It feels like I can't think straight, which is silly.
I am itching to get my new space sorted. And itching to get back to work making jewellery. The jewellery has definitely taken a backseat over the last few weeks as I spend my time trying to get out of the house, shuffling kitchen contents, or purchasing paint. But I know it will all be worth it, and by April I will have no excuses left for why my handmade jewellery isn't made, listed and flying out of the door!
.JPG)
Tiling of the floor begins tomorrow, and the new kitchen is going in later in the week. I don't know how long it will take, but for now, like for the past couple of months we are living with utility room cupboards, a couple of sinks, a fridge, a dishwasher and an oven in boxes in our living room. The contents of the kitchen cupboards are strewn liberally around the house. It's great fun playing "find the cereal bowls" every morning. Aaaaaaaaaaaah how we laugh.
We have a microwave and a supply of reheatable meals. And lots of lovely friends inviting us round for dinner. It's all fine and cope-able, but feels so completey chaotic, and messy and cluttered and euuuurggggh.It feels like I can't think straight, which is silly.
I am itching to get my new space sorted. And itching to get back to work making jewellery. The jewellery has definitely taken a backseat over the last few weeks as I spend my time trying to get out of the house, shuffling kitchen contents, or purchasing paint. But I know it will all be worth it, and by April I will have no excuses left for why my handmade jewellery isn't made, listed and flying out of the door!
Saturday, 11 February 2012
New website: New name
Well big news from Red Bird Towers! For a while now (read over a year!) I've been meaning to try to set up my own website; my own little corner of the interweb. And a few weeks ago I decided to just go for it!
And here it is....
(Click on the pic to go take a peek!)
I had to decide whether to stick with the Red Bird Jewellery branding, or make a change. And I thought now was the right time to make a break.... so the new address is www.beckypearcedesigns.co.uk. Becky Pearce Designs is the new Red Bird Jewellery.
I hope it was the right move, I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear what you think of the new website - good or bad, hit me with it. I'll be grateful for any constructive criticism. Currently there are only a few items on the site, but I am planning to add more each day, if I'm completely honest, I just wanted to get my new baby out there, and share the news with you all.
And here it is....
I had to decide whether to stick with the Red Bird Jewellery branding, or make a change. And I thought now was the right time to make a break.... so the new address is www.beckypearcedesigns.co.uk. Becky Pearce Designs is the new Red Bird Jewellery.
I hope it was the right move, I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear what you think of the new website - good or bad, hit me with it. I'll be grateful for any constructive criticism. Currently there are only a few items on the site, but I am planning to add more each day, if I'm completely honest, I just wanted to get my new baby out there, and share the news with you all.
Monday, 6 February 2012
Amethyst - February Birthstone
The February-born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they an amethyst will wear.
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they an amethyst will wear.
From light pinkish violet to a deep dark purple, the Greeks believed these beautiful stones could prevent intoxication hence the name; the word amethyst comes from the Greek word “amethystos” meaning “not drunk”! Medieval soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle because they believed amethysts could heal people and keep them cool-headed.
Because of their beautiful colour and relative hardness, amethysts have been used in jewellery for many hundreds of years, in fact beads of amethyst have been found in Anglo-Saxon graves. But although it is quite a hard stone it's still only 1/15 the strength of a diamond.
The most expensive amethysts are the darker purple, which look gorgeously regal, but I have to say love the lighter violet and pinky colours too.
Did you know some types amethyst can be meters long. In 1900 in Mexico a stone was found which measured 33 feet, by 16 feet, by 10 feet and weighed over 8 tonnes.Not your jewellery grade amethyst you understand!!
January birthstone info
More information on the other birthstones
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