Just added this bracelet to my Etsy shop.  You can find the full listing and some more photographs here.

The bracelet is based around a gold plated chain which has been decorated with wire wrapped gemstone chips in a variety of rich autumn colours inspired by the golds, reds and greens outside my window.  Some glass pearls were added in as well, because I still have a cascade of tiny white flowers on my white Bacopa, and they look stunning against the autumn foliage outside.

I’ve been taking new photographs this week, so my Etsy shop is looking even better.

I’ve also listed another wire wrapped shell pendant. It’s a popular design and would make a great stocking filler for Christmas. You can buy this pendant here.

…Sitting for over an hour trying to find the end of a yarn bobbin that my dog chowed down on.

It was one of Candy’s last mischievous tricks before she died last year, so I’m trying to figure out what to do with a stack of diddy lengths of brown shetland singles, while I patiently pull back the strands.  A normal person would have taken scissors to it, but I’m such a miser I want to get useable yarn off this bobbin.  Well, at least cut short lengths and use them somewhere.  I can’t throw out any of Candy’s “things” even if they were mine once, which doesn’t help.  Lily has tried helping too, by grabbing the bobbin and looking at me with that “ooh new toy!” expression.   Bless.

I’m also now collecting new fibre for spinning, courtesy of my fuzzy golden retriever, Hamish.  Having just moved down to London he’s adjusting to the warmer climate…all over the furniture, the floor and my work clothes.  Bless!  I now have a bag of Lily hair from ickle dog, and a bag of Hamish hair from big dog.  And Lily needs a hair cut too.  You know you’re a spinning nut when you want to wait till the dog’s hair is spinnable before she gets a trim…

My favourite polymer clay piece to date, and the first of my Enchanted Forest series. The leaves are all cut and veined by hand, then a selection of metallic pearl ex powders are blended over the surface to create an autumnal warmth. A handmade chain forms the base (gold plated).

For more information, photographs and pricing, please visit this link.

You’ll find an informative article about mineral identification here

Definitely worth a read if you thought a stone could be identified just by looking in a photo book – if only it was always that easy!

Later, I’d also recommend visiting a good museum that keeps rock samples.  Seeing gemstones in their raw natural form, particularly the huge crystal formations… well let’s just say it’s inspiring.

It’s been years (literally) since I’ve done a hand spinning demonstration in public. At one point I did several shows a year, but since I moved back into my parents’ place I stopped. As I’m getting closer to moving out again, mum suggested I join her to spin at Thainstone.

The local support group for the Rare Breeds Survival Trust hold a stall at the spring and autumn rare breeds sale in the mart. It’s a nice venue and in the past we often picked up a few members and sold merchandise.

This year was no exception, but what a lot of people! I don’t think I’ve ever done a demo and found myself trying to talk to 3 people, surrounded by another 5 or 6 and barely draw a breath before the next set arrive. It was wonderful seeing such a huge interest in rare breed fibre and hand spinning, but I’d expected a gentle day out! I came home knackered, my mum was nearly hoarse and I believe we’ve acquired both fleece and sheep for our respective stashes. That wasn’t quite the plan, but dad managed to get a good price for some goats and a ewe with lambs. And they went to homes we already knew, so that was a good result.

The next morning I had a repeat trip and took the spinning wheel to my stall. Once again I got a lot of interest, sadly not so great on the sales front, but I think I’ll take the wheel again next week. It certainly slowed people down as they passed the stall, which can only be a good thing. If they slow down, they might see something they want! I’m not a hardened businesswoman all the time, but I can tell I’m onto something here 🙂

I’m fairly new to spinning silk.  It’s one fibre I’ve had in my stash and always felt “I’m not good enough for that yet.”  It’s such a beautiful fibre just sitting in a roving brick, and it’s not like I have a ton of it. So I’ve looked at it, stroked it and generally thought how wonderful it was just as a brick!  I think I already said I was crazy… Continue reading →

Art, Design, and Visual Thinking is a very useful reference material for designers.  I’ve barely scratched the surface of its contents, but thought I’d pass the link on here.  Enjoy!