Really happy to announce that my Buttercup collection will now be on display (and for sale) at The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. The Biscuit Factory is the UK’s largest art, craft & design gallery set in the heart of Newcastle’s cultural quarter. Housed in a former Victorian warehouse, this beautiful gallery spaces set over two floors, display a range of exciting contemporary fine art, sculpture, original prints and jewellery, quality craftsmanship and design led home wares.

Variations on a theme

In this  post in February I featured a collection of Sewn Up jewellery made for Gill Wing Jewellery Gallery with red thread. I have just sent them some new designs, some in that fabulous red, and also glitzy gold...

                      

                         

                     

                 

Doodles

Some doodles turned into these cute little earrings!

                  

Delicate Oxidising

Here is another one of my processes that I use to make my jewellery. I often get asked how I make the flowers in my Buttercup range black. Well, I use a chemical called liver of sulphur, which artificially oxidises silver and copper and other metals (except gold), turning them black. Although it is available in rock form which then has to be broken down and mixed with water, this is quite messy (and smelly!) so I use a brand called platinol which is ready to use (but still smelly!). Because it turns everything it touches instantly black, I have to apply it very carefully. I use a tiny brush and a very steady hand!

Message Bangles

A customer commissioned me to make these personalised silver bangles for his daughters 21st birthday. Each one had a personal message from a family member stamped on them. I thought they made a really lovely keepsake, a permanent reminder of this special occasion that she can always carry with her.

I love the idea that wherever she is, she can look down and see words from her loved ones.

Beautiful Portugal

I was lucky enough to spend a long weekend in the Algarve with a group of friends. I was amazed by the stunning scenery,

enjoyed the gorgeous food,

              

and was inspired by the way the lights reflected on the water at night.

I feel a new range of jewellery coming on!

Woodland Walking

After a busy morning getting lots of jewellery ready to hand deliver to Art Parade and Kath Libbert Jewellery Gallery, it was a welcome break to take a walk with friends and family in nearby Hirst Wood and along the canal and river. Its a beautiful spot and we spotted the first of the bluebells.

We were rewarded at the end of our walk with the sight of our local heron in flight over the River Aire. You can just about see it in this rather grainy phone picture.

Having an Easter break in Sunny Kent for days but I'll be back at work on Wednesday. 

Hope you all have a restful break with lots of chocolate!

Annual Alternative Wedding Show at Kath Libbert Jewellery Gallery

I'm looking forward to Sunday 13th April when Kath Libbert Jewellery Gallery will be launching The 13th Annual Alternative Wedding Show 2014 - A Marriage Made in Yorkshire. 

My jewellery will be in the company of some amazing jewellers, especially the four special ladies that work there, Bex, Sally, Cathy and Emily. 

Here is a selection from my collection.

Making balls

Just thought I would share some of my processes that I use to make my jewellery. Don't know if you ever noticed the 3 little balls in the centre of my flowers? Well, I make these individually. I find this quite therapeutic and usually make them when I'm not in the mood to make anything else but still need to be productive. It can be quite fiddly, but then again I like fiddly!

It's an age old process called granulation, and it's great for using up scraps of silver that are too small to be used for anything else. Here I'm using spurs I've cut off some castings.

Heating them to melting point turns them into little balls.

Then I apply them to the centres of my flowers.

It was nice to discover they made great little 'everyday' earrings on their own.

These are now for sale in my etsy shop

Silver Owl

As commissions go this was one of the more unusual ones! I love it when jewellery I make develops its own personality and this little owl somehow looks a bit indignant! Or cross, as my customer put it.

Hand cut and textured sterling silver with a gold beak and goldplated feet, and lovely sparkling Moissanite eyes, I hope he made someone smile!

Goldfinch

I spotted a lovely little goldfinch in my front garden this morning...

Indian Elephant

Elephants are thought of as symbols of strength, wisdom, happiness and longevity and there is a general belief in many eastern cultures that an elephant with the trunk pointed up "stores" luck and one with the trunk down "dispenses" it.

So you can see why I really enjoyed making this little Indian elephant, with its diamond eye and ruby blanket.This was a lovely commission from my friend Dal for her sisters special birthday.  

Red Thread...

I recently sent a selection from my Sewn Up range to Gill Wing Jewellery Gallery in Islington. The red stitching is exclusive to them. I think it looks very dramatic, but also quite romantic for Valentines...

Red Thread

I made this Sewn Up collection with the red thread exclusively for the Gill Wing Jewellery Gallery, Islington.

Gold Moonstone Ring

I was recently commissioned to make a ring for some friends whose daughter was celebrating her 21^st birthday. She knew exactly what she wanted, a white opaque moonstone cabochon in a simple 9ct yellow gold setting, on a round section ring. 

It looks stunning on her long slender fingers!