New Studio - Update

Our builders have been really cracking on with the build. It'll be 3 weeks tomorrow. (Is that all??)
And my new studio has changed from this....

To this...

and yesterday the front wall started going up...!

I must point out that I'm only having a teeny corner of what was the garage, not the whole thing (now wouldn't that be nice?) but I do know I'm a very lucky girl to be getting a little room I can leave all my stuff out in. Not ideal to have oxygen and propane tanks in reach of the kids!

Dala Horse giveaway!

I had to tell you about this fantastic giveaway on the  Dala Horse blog

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And here's what you can win.... how beautiful is that!?!

Sue is a fantastic jewellery designer and maker, and this piece really shows just how skilled she is.

More info on the giveaway from her blog

"The giveaway runs Jan 23rd thru Jan 30th. The winner will be announced Jan 31st. The obsidian in this pendant gives off a black or soft blue hue depending on how it catches the light. I included a playful little rabbit on this named "Moonshine" who doubles as a rabbit totem. The Beadwork on the chain picks up the tones in the obsidan.....this is very unique....the first of its kind for me design wise."

Go and take a peek.... http://dalahorsestar.blogspot.com/2012/01/giveaway-has-arrived.html

January Birthstone - Garnet

By her who in this month (January) is born
No gem save garnets should be worn;
They will ensure her constancy,
True friendship, and fidelity.

Garnets are apparently found in a variety of colours - including orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black, pink and colorless. The rarest of these is the blue garnet, discovered in the late 1990s. But the colour we usually expect to see is red, from a light bright crimson, to deep claret colour.

If you're into the theory of healing gemstones - the garnet is thought to assist the regulation of the heart and circulation as well as provide strength and protection.

The most popular colour amongst women is red, and I definitely have to go with the majority in this case. I'm a huge fan of red, and of these stones too. January needs a little brightness, don't you think, and these sparkly red gems are just the thing. Shining bright through the chilly gloom.

Click on the pictures to go through to the folksy shop and see more of the pieces!

Birthstones

This year I thought I'd get to grips with birthstones! These are the stones which traditionally symbolise the month of the wearers birth. Such a lovely idea, and I love jewellery with a some special meaning for the wearer.

I started with good intentions last year, with plenty of garnet (January), and amethyst (February) but a house move and the ensuing chaos meant that everything got put to one side, and I played catch up for the rest of the year. This year is going to be different .....oh ho ho, yes.

The above is a common chart, from the American Society of Jewelers (this seems to be the modern list). There are so many different charts and lists of birthstones. I always thought when I was younger that my birthstone was jasper, or bloodstone, but it turns out this is the traditional one, and I could also use aquamarine. 

Just in terms of planning I must admit I might not be able to stretch to much when it comes to April!! Traditionally it seems that the colour is the key, so a nice little cubic zirconia might just cut it.

In addition to the symbol of the month, some think that birthstones can bring luck or health to the wearer. This power is also supposed to be stronger if the stone is worn in the birthday month. I'm not sure I believe in the healing power of gemstones, but to each their own. And it can't do any harm and I can't think of a better excuse for those with an April birthday.

Do you have any jewellery in your birthstone? Have you swapped your birthstone for another symbolic stone that you liked better? Apparently lots of people do!

Look out for some gorgeous birthstone goodies listed in the shop!

More detailed information on the gorgeous January Birthstone (Garnet).
More information on the February Birthstone (Amethyst)

New year, new house (ish)

"Excited" does not come close to how I'm feeling about the current events in our household. Building work started three days ago (*squeal*).

And, when it's finished in March (no really, I believe they will finish on time) I will have my very own workspace. And it will be better than this....

and a lot lot warmer....

And, so much more tidy and organised.

My workspace (I'm struggling to call it a "studio"!) is going to be in that corner, by the wheelbarrow....

  ...and I'm hoping that eventually the view from my new window will not have a portaloo and a skip

Exciting times....  2012 is going to be a good year.

Well hello there 2012!

Happy New Year! Is it just me or does it seem like Christmas was months ago. It's only just 12th night for goodness sake.

The kids started back at school yesterday, so I'm trying to get back into business mode. Get the shops open, and perhaps most importantly.... get making again.

I found this completely brilliant and inspiring clip on the Craftblog UK

Terence McKenna - Reclaim your mind from Olivier Ferland on Vimeo.

What do you think? This is exactly what I need to get me moving this January. Do you have any more inspirational clips or quotes to help us get 2012 off with a bang?  (I know you do creative lot, you! Come on, spill).

2012 is going to be the BEST YEAR EVER. I'm pretty sure of it.