Sunday, December 30, 2007

Metalchasers.com, Beading Gem, Meez


Hey all you metal jewellery makers come join us over at http://www.metalchasers.com
If you're into Chainmaille or Wire or Silver clay etc a little community is starting to gather there. Set up your own Profile and Gallery, join the forum discussions, make new friends and maybe meet up with some old ones too.

If you're wondering about the Avatar on this post, I created it a while back at http://www.meez.com (don't you love the Tiara? I'm wearing it was a sarong and flip flops...LOL) and was reminded about it by a post made by my forum friend Pearl, The Beading Gem.

Check out Pearl's blog, a very interesting read, some amazing stories, jewellery creations, featured designers and history. Gotta say, this blog has kept me entertained for hours. Check it out at http://www.beadinggem.com

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Never work with Animals



That's what they say. I had so much fun shooting those pics of Rem. He is just so hilarious and an absolute character. For Xmas my mum and dad gave him two stuffed teddy bears - a brunette and a blond. Not that he needed any more bears, he's got a trunk load of them now. But the first thing he has to do when he picks a new bear up is give it a good shake. I always tell him "No, its already dead, shaking isn't necessary". We name all his toys too, so he is able to distinguish which is which. I can't believe how he manages to remember who's who. We have Baa, (a sheep), Hoggy (a Hedgehog) Teddy Xmas (dressed in a a red and green jumper) Honey Bear, Brown Bear, Bon Bon, Frizzy, Rudy, etc. and he plays with them all. I laugh when he goes to one of his two toy boxes and rifles around in the bottom and pulls something out we've not seen for a while. Today it was a teething chew bone, now that one hasn't surfaced since he was really little.

Speaking of presents, I scored well too. CD's (the new "Tina Arena" one) "Richard Clapton" - an oldie but a goodie, I've always loved his songs "Deep Water" and "Girls on the Avenue", this CD has all the old fav's. Lets see where was I, oh yes, Xmas goodies, a summer dress, a new handsfree phone duo with answer machine (one for the kitchen and one for the dining room) gardening gloves and a subscription to "Burkes Backyard", a great Bromeliad plant with a gorgeous towering red flower, (my garden is a tropical one, so I have heap of these in all sorts of colours and am always on the lookout for different species) a Chile plant in a lovely window sill pot, some cash, a gorgeous Vanilla Candle in a Gold and etched glass holder along with matching drink coasters, a unusual shaped tray, some gel frogs - the type you can stick to windows or shower recesses -they're really cute, a resin kookaburra (looks like the real thing) hubby has attached him to the court yard fence, chocolates, a rock tumbler, I think that's it. Gosh, I did well didn't I?

I had 10 people for lunch, yep ate everyone of them....LOL, well no not really, 10 people came to lunch, all family, some of them are vegetarians, so it makes my life really interesting at times. We had Turkey, Ham, Smoked Salmon, Prawn and Mango salad, Sun dried Tomato and Spinach Frittatas, Cheese and Herb filo triangles, Antipasto, White Cherries, huge Lychee's, Fattouch salad (which I must add was really yummy, so I'll be making that one again, Roast vegetable Cannelloni, Trifle, Rum Balls, Fruit Mince Pies and German Xmas Cake and of course a few bottles of Bubbles. I'm thinking the variety of food was very multinational. I cooked for two days, got up at 5.00 am Xmas day, prep'd the final things, ie salads, set the table, all red, green and gold this year and collapsed at 7.00pm in front of the telly. A great day was had by all!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Merry Xmas and a very Happy New Year


This is likely to be my last post for a few days now. Got to get ready for the hoards about to descend on me for Christmas lunch. We've just had a nice long weekend away on the Sunshine Coast with my brother and his family. Rem had an absolute whale of a time, swimming, playing fetch, chasing his soccer ball and generally having fun with my niece Samantha. I think he's a little tired today, not surprising really. He and my hubby swam a couple of hundred metres and back out to a little sand island in the middle of the Noosa River. We found a little spot that is sign posted as a dog exercise area off one of the main swimming beaches. Still a beautiful spot, but recently ruined by a large flood. Lots of trees uprooted along the banks and now only a very small sand beach. Gorgeous blue water and little sand banks here and there. Have a great Xmas and New Year.
PS.. The Pic is of my nine month old Border Collie, Rem, doing his Rudolph impersonation. Isn't he just the cutest boy?

Friday, December 14, 2007

The Simple things in Life


Another piece that I've recently completed for myself. These 10mm freshwater pearls have a gorgeous luster, whilst the faceted rubies catch the light like little sparkling diamonds.
The clasp which is 925 Sterling silver is also stunning and huge, but I think its a nice feature. I do however wish the Postie would hurry up and deliver the sterling silver fittings I need to complete the earrings. I guess its always the way at this time of the year. Its like waiting for a pot to boil.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

My Xmas Present to Me.... hehe


That the good thing about being able to make jewellery, one can reward oneself anytime and as often as possible...lol. Amazingly, I don't make that much jewellery for myself. I've have however been eyeing this bracelet off for a few months now and since its not sold, I'm claiming it as mine, 'cause I adore green and I just love these lampwork beads. Oh, the earrings I made this morning out of the two remaining beads I had in stock, so now I have a matching set. (I've sold a few of these bracelets in the past year some in different colours, red, black, pink, and two in green similar to this....sssshh, don't tell anyone....) So that leaves three in stock, one blue and white, one black with pink roses and green leaves and last but not least one in black and silver.
Here's what's left, if you want one get in quick!!





Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Am I an Artist?


This is one of my recent paintings which I named "Moulin Rouge". I've been messing about with mixed media and wanted something bright and eye catching to hang on a feature wall, that over looks the back deck in my home. I used gold leaf, arcylic and artist pens for Fx's.

After seeing this piece a guest at one of my recent jewellery viewings has now commissioned me to paint 3 large canvas panels for her newly decorated apartment. How exciting is that? Well I just might be an artist afterall.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Highlights of 2007


Yes, I know its been a few posts since I wrote about anything to do with Jewellery making.
I've decided to wade back through some of my earlier work during the holiday season as I won't be making anything new till 2008 at least.
This little number which reminds me of Coconut Ice, is a very girly piece. It contains lots of "left-overs". A good way to use up all those beads you have no real use for. There are freshwater pearls, glass beads and semi precious stones. The chain in Sterling silver plate. Of course all the wire wrapping does take time, but I think its well worth it.

Monday, December 3, 2007

End of Year Party Display Pics



Saturday was my last party for this year, not sure what I'm doing next year, as I hope to work elsewhere part-time or full-time depending on what pops up. So it could be my last party ever! Thanks to all those who RSVP'd and rolled up. It was indeed fantastic to see all my old workmates, friends and some new ones as well.
Frankly I was wrecked by the end of the day, having started at 6.00am with food prep and ending around 9.00pm after cleaning up. So pretty much most of the week was taken up with organizing, setting up said display, food and drink shopping etc. Think I earned my money this week. My websites and blog will continue to run and of course I'll still be making jewellery for anyone who asks.
Thanks also to Steve and Michael for their great Bar work and keeping the guests entertained. Congratulations to the lucky door prize winners. One of the prizes not sure what it was - am guessing earrings, was donated by Virginia S Jewellery and of course the beaten wire sea creature bookmark came from me.