Treats for the boys

I have the most lovely neighbour. Yume not only puts up with me and the kids peering over the fence quite regularly, she also allows me to use her lovely workshop. For Yume is also a jewellery designer - what are the chances of that? I don't mean a 'jewellery designer' who threads beads on leather, but a proper, got a blow torch, polisher, all the kit, type of jewellery designer.

I often hear her tapping away, planishing metal out the back and sometimes secretly watch her work from Molly's bedroom window. Her jewels are all made by her own fair hands, even down to the smallest jump ring. This equates to very sore fingers and buckets of patience but it is so worth it, for the results are simply divine. Enter her world here.

Last night I got to spend some time in Yume's magical nook in the back garden, making a few new pieces. My sudden realisation that Father's Day is fast approaching (June 11th I think) made me bring some of my gift ideas for Christmas forward a few months.
Sterling silver keyrings adorned with my charms and collar stiffeners with personal messages will be available to buy in the next few weeks. So now Daddys get to carry their little ones close by at all times too x

I wish...........

............ the only spots Molly was wearing were these, so that my happy girl would come back to me and I could spend more time here!

My Molly Brooch

Over the past couple of days I have become increasingly irritated by my youngest child. The whining, the tears and general unhappiness were really beginning to grate, and then, I saw it. An angry red nasty spot which I am sure will be the first of many. Poor old Molly Moo and poor old me, for I will no doubt be wearing her like a living brooch for the next few days. Good job she looks so damn cute (although they haven't made it to her face as yet). Don't think I could really ask for a prettier corsage x

Best thank you ever

Do you think she is pleased with her prize? This has to be the most gorgeous way anyone has ever thanked me for anything. I want to frame and hang it above my desk to soothe and calm me when it all feels too much like hard work.

A huge thank you to Laura, you brightened my day too x

Drum roll....... and the winner is

My first ever post, which was just a few weeks ago, didn't really go quite as planned. I naively thought that the offer of a free necklace would get the crowds in but quickly realised that no-one would even know there was a freebie on offer. So, the competition to win a Darcey Classic necklace was only entered by a very, very small few. Also, all of them were my friends!

One of these friends, Laura, is the person I must thank for getting me obsessed by this whole blog malarkey. Not only did she explain what a blog was (duh) but also told me about the benefits to my new business. Since I started writing, which I have enjoyed immensely, she also has helped explain the basics (particularly at those moments when the computer was very close to being thrown out the window) and put up with my terrible language!

Therefore, Laura is my first winner. She WILL accept the prize because otherwise I shall be offended. I will stamp the names of her beautiful children, Hector and Rosa and get it in the post immediately.

Watch this space for another giveaway which will hopefully be slightly more successful (no offence to Laura)! x

No more chocolate please.....

..... did I really just write that? Maybe I could take a break for a couple of hours at least.

Wow, what a lovely weekend we have had. Despite the gloomy weather forecast we have had glorious sunshine for the most part and hanging out with family, eating chocolate with the warm sun on your face - what could be better? Our kitchen seems to have turned into a small sweet shop and I fear for the kids having to consume that much sugar. Molly and Sam are lucky to have loving parents who will always step in and help out!!

Was lovely to come home today and find lots of new visitors to the blog - Welcome x
Thankyou to my amazingly talented friend Mandy from belle and boo for mentioning me on her lovely blog. I have not seen Mandy for years but stumbled upon her site recently and recognised her beautiful illustrations immediately. I still need to choose which ones I fancy for Molly moo's bedroom.

Happy Easter x

An endless To Do list

Joining Etsy has been on my to do list for some time now. I only discovered it a couple of months ago, bit behind the times I know, but now I get a daily newsletter from them and it completely inspires me. So many beautiful things, if only I had more money and space. I have recently found that I have a bit of a thing for all things crocheted. The baby hat, cupcakes, dinosaur, cat, dog and owl above are just some of my favourites from the etsy site. Each winter when I receive my lovely crocheted hats from my mother in law I ask if she can teach me how to do it. I never seem to quite get round to it but having found all these lovely things I think I will give it a go. Something to do in front of the telly when I haven't got any jewellery to make, posts to write, design briefs to finish..................

Beach Life

Sunday was the perfect day - blue skies, happy kids, the beach and the newspaper. We spent the day at East portlemouth, catching the ferry from lovely Salcombe where I spotted the crocs of the season - Sam, watch out, another pair of ugly, but oh so cool, shoes coming your way!

Hush

My new Hush catalogue arrived last week and it reminded me of a gift from my sister for Molly's birthday - A gorgeous little Hush nightie which has been hanging on her wall since last December. Well, far too cute to be saved for bedtime in my opinion. They have so many lovely things and I have a few on my wish list now. If only I looked that good in my pj's! x

Across the pond

It seems the urge for unique personalised jewellery is not confined to this green and pleasant land. American clients have been clamoring for their very own sterling silver keepsakes - among them a mother of three with two sons on tour in Iraq. Her Chambers Maxi necklace lets her keep her loved ones close to her heart. Now all I have to do is get her on Oprah...

Mothers day falls in early May in US giving me a little extra time to adorn the maternal neckline. Orders have started coming in, so far no interesting names; maybe I'll get a few Obamas next year. In the meantime Mary, a hairdresser from Boston has been loving her Mini Necklace. The 19 inch chain routinely dangles in her clients face during their shampoo. Chambers & Beau hypnosis, nice marketing technique; thanks Mary!

If you would like to make your mum feel special this year with one of my keepsakes, there is still time so get shopping here!