Gift Guide - Fab Friends

Perfect gifts for your favourite people. Those who you see once in a blue moon, but with whom you still click like you last saw each other yesterday. Or, those who you see or speak to everyday without fail. Either way, these are the people who you know will be there for you!

So, how to thank them...? Here's a few ideas.

A simple gemstone pendant...perfect for everyday wear.

These leaf pendants can be made with many different stones - birthstones are a favourite, and thoughtful gift.

These silver pearls are an ideal gift - they will go with everything!

And so do these bangles - in Russian wedding ring style. A real classic.

Here's to fab friends!

Reach for the stars...

Just a quick reminder that the December giveaway for those who subscribe to the newsletter will be these gorgeous teeny tiny handmade silver stars.

But you've got to be in it to win it.... sign up for the newsletter here!

Gift Guide - Teens

The perfect gifts for those hard to buy for nieces, daughters, god-daughters...all sorted. I promise you, they do not need any One Direction make up!

My top 5 are...

The number one favourite - teeny tiny hearts. These are handcrafted out of fine silver, with a sterling earwire. Textured to bounce the light, and a perfect 5mm size. Just beautiful everyday wear.

These vintage glass cabochons are set in silver, with sterling silver earwires. I also have these in green and blue. Pretty, but not too pretty! These are a dainty 10 x 8mm.

Number three on the hotlist - these copper stars have a sterling silver earwire so no nasty irritation for those with delicate ears. These are nice and dainty too - just 5mm. Textured to let the light bounce.

Every girl should have some pearls. This pendant holds a creamy pearl with a facetted moss aquamarine, wrapped in sterling silver and with a sterling silver snake chain.

And last but not least...

This edgy little pendant with a tourmalinated quartz - little black shards floating in a facetted quartz stone. Really unusual, delicate and beautiful. 

Newsletter perks

Just a quickie post to whisper the "C" word in your shell like.... really really sorry to say it, but Christmas is looming and if you're planning to buy handmade goods, it's a good idea to get into gear a little earlier to give the maker time to get things made!

As such, as well as my standard 10% off for three months for my newsletter subscribers, I am also going to be offering a few other special offers in November. Keep posted... and sign up here... newsletter

Etsy and October finds...

I thought it was about time I popped a few bits and bobs back into my Etsy shop. I'd stopped selling there earlier this year because it's such a big huge massive marketplace that you really need to renew items every day for them to get seen, or pop up anywhere in the first few pages. And my folksy and stand alone shops were providing more than enough sales to keep me busy.

(My stand alone website)

However, the think I really like about Etsy is that it's such a big huge massive marketplace that you can find some amazing makers and items on there. I like the treasuries, and I like the fact that its global.

So what if I don't sell too much on there, it's quite nice just to be a part of it, and be inspired by all the clever people on there.

Speaking of clever folk.... I found these lovely handmade goodies recently and thought you might like them too....

from the velvet acorn on Etsy - (click on the pic)

by Laura Lane on Folksy (click on the pic)

check out Tibor Leather on Folksy 

http://folksy.com/shops/tiborleather

(grr can't get links to work now - sorry!)

I've been making a few new bits this week, including these earrings... 

http://www.beckypearcedesigns.co.uk/beckypearceshop/prod_2890980-Turquoise-glass-earrings.html

I have to admit I'm a little bit in love with these earrings!

I'm loving seeking out new crafty goodies - post a link to any good finds in the comments below - I'd love to check them out.

What's new for October?

My lovely dapped chain finally arrived..........and I love it.

Can't wait to get making some lovely new necklaces with it, but in the meantime, I have a plain dapped chain on right now. Who needs gems when you have this gorgeous dapped silver?

I also just bought this beautiful druzy window cushion cabochon. Oh. My.

I think it's going to be a ring, but it's a one of a kind, so I need to think about this one........

And I also just got these stunning green tourmaline stones, 6mm, made into dinky studs. I love 'em. Not on the shop yet but they should be tomorrow.... the stone is that little bit special, and I'm not sure I'll be getting any more of them. But we'll see - I'd love to know what you think of them!

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. 

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

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....

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.

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!

The big end of summer giveaway

I always feel a little sad in the last week of the summer holidays. I love the girls being home so much . But it's not just that they won't be sharing their days with me; back to school marks an end to those long lazy summer days in the garden. Dinners outside because it's light until late and that delicious warmth of the sun on your skin.

Don't get me wrong I love the onset of autumn too. I love lighting the wood-burner, the colours of the leaves, the fact I can wear my big boots and tights again and I'm also looking forward to devoting more time to my business again whilst the girls are at school, but still I will really really miss them.

So to cheer myself up (and anyone else who needs it...) here's a lovely giveaway for £20 to spend at the becky pearce designs shop. Voucher will be valid until the end of November, so will be perfect for you, or for stocking up on pressies for *youknowwhat*.

The winner will be chosen on the last day of our school holidays (4th Sept) but in the meantime there's still a week and a bit of fun to go, (yay) and I intend to enjoy every last crazy, lazy, sunny, fun-packed minute of it.

And don't forget I also do a giveaway EVERY SINGLE MONTH for just being on my email newsletter list - sign up here.

Ooooh by the way I spotted this giveaway gizmo on another blog and thought I would give it a try! I'd really love to know what you think of it.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And we're back....

We've just got back from a week away in France. I thought I'd ignore the piles of washing and post a few pics.  

We've been doing a lot of just beach holidays recently, and being a red-head that's not ideal for me. I'm not one for sitting on a beach all day everyday anyway, so this year we mixed it up a bit. We stayed in a hotel by the sea, but hired a car for day trips as well as having a few visits to the nearby beach. Being on the atlantic coast the sunsets were breathtaking.

We were near La Rochelle (remember that from your Tricolor textbooks at school? Monsieur Dupont & co?)

(view from the tower)

 La Rochelle was an amazing place to visit, and has the best aquarium! The girls were entranced and we spent hours on the one rainy morning of the week exploring the under sea world. And by the time we emerged, the sun was out again.

 R had a big birthday whilst we were there, and we had a day out in Cognac at his request. Such a stunning old town. But all good things have to end, and it's always good to get back home again.

I can't believe how much darker the evenings are since we've been back. It feels like autumn is really on its way. 

But on the plus side side the garden was full of goodies when we got back...

Lovely lavender

As you might have noticed from my product pictures in the shop, I am very fond of lavender.

The dried flowers tend to be my go-to background for all my pics, as I reckon the lovely pale grey looks great against my silver goodies.

This years crop is doing well, and our buzzy friends are going wild for it. I try and leave it until the bees have had their fill before harvesting it! It still looks pretty in my book.

I can almost smell that fantastic scent as I write...

Peridot - the birthstone for August

Wear a Peridot or for thee, 

No conjugal fidelity, 

The August born without this stone, 

`Tis said, must live unloved; alone.

The birthstone for August - Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one colour; green. Although the intensity and tint of the green hue is dependent on how much iron it contains and individual peridot gems can vary from a sparkling pale yellowy green to deep olive. 

Whilst the most valuable peridots are usually the less common deep olive shades, I prefer that zingy fresh pale green and tend to go with that for my designs. And yes, it does help that it keeps the cost reasonable!

It looks perfect with sparkly sterling silver!

Peridot is the gem form of the mineral olivine, and it is formed by extreme heat and pressure in volcanoes and is then forced to the surface in the lava. It is also, (less frequently) found in meteors that land on the earth’s surface. It's amazing to wonder what that little shiny stone on your earrings has been through and how long it took to form. 

Peridot is also a great stone for weddings in August, and is the gemstone for 16th wedding anniversarys.

These gorgeous handmade calla lilies hold a teeny faceted peridot stone within.

I must get some more peridot designs up in the shop, as it really is a gorgeous gem!