I've begun stocking up my glass earrings for the spring shows, and have just put a few more sets onto the website. I've been enjoying playing with the effects of transparent glass in differing thicknesses over a coloured base - there are so many ways to make the glass distort or magnify what's underneath - the possibilities are endless and dreamy.
I'm in love with orange at the moment - the colour of the Sacral Chakra - one of the fire colours (and chakras) and the colour of passion and creativity. I don't really feel all that fired up or inspired, just kind of slow and meditative and wintry, even though it's the first day of spring.
I saw my first newborn calf yesterday, the daphne bush is in full bloom and perfume and the "real' daffodils are appearing everywhere.
Bring it on, is what I say!
One of my more enjoyable tasks this week has been to photograph my "Rock Candy" Swarovski Crystal series. They are just so sumptuous and sparkly - I couldn't resist taking this photo of them all piled up together.
A few of us in our immediate neighbourhood are planning a fund raising dinner for our local hospital and medical facility and have chosen the them of "All British" - mostly because of the Olympic Games being held in London (though they can really go by without my noticing!). We are to wear all of our finery, including the "Family Jewels" - I think I'll go with the Rock Candies for the night! I've hired a long frock made from an old sari from our local drama club - our go-to for fancy dress out here in the wop-wops. It's a bronzy colour, with a heavily beaded and sequined tulle overlay - quite glamorous ;).
or the Crystal Aurora Borealis? This is the Rock Candy Bracelet in the larger size crystals
NZ$130
There's a smutty little joke in here if you're a kiwi and understand the double meaning of "Family Jewels" - the men have been warned to wear theirs strictly undercover ;).
These are the long Rock Candy Earrings in Natural NZ$40 - I will wear my earrings long...
These are the shorter Rock Candy Earrings in Crystal Aurora Borealis - NZ$35
The long earrings are made in smaller 6mm crystals, the shorter earrings in 8mm crystals.
The series is available in smaller 6mm crystals or 8mm crystals as mostly pictured here. I have all of the bracelets made up in both the smaller and larger crystals, but would make necklaces up especially for you in the smaller crystals if you like.
The Rock Candies are a gorgeous and extravagant crystal design with almost no silver showing - even the clasp is a genuine Swarovski button and loop closer...so even the back of your neck or underside of your wrist looks neat.
They're available in nine colourways...Crystal Aurora Borealis and Natural as above and...
Have you Liked the Facebook page yet? It's a fun way to communicate and I'm going to run a giveaway this month for a pair of Rock Candy Earrings in your choice of colour to "Likers"!
His premise is that the world has changed from the mass compliance of the 20th century, where we found safety and acceptance in complying with the norm, where mass marketing was efficient and cost effective, and a few very large companies became even larger - the larger they became, the more influence they had on our everyday way of life.
He says that the introduction of the internet and our easy, instant access to information about everything from sky diving clubs in Mongolia to Star Trekkies groups in Amsterdam has made us all able to express ourselves in new and unique ways, which means the demise of the mass market and "normal" societies are becoming a thing of the past.
It's a little book - I'm sure a faster reader with an a day to spend could gobble it up - and an interesting read. It's well written and interestingly laid out to accentuate his points.
And I think he may be right - we all want to express our own individuality, and certainly in New Zealand, I think that we feel free to do that. It makes me wonder about other oppressed populations and to appreciate the gift of freedom that we have here.
I have been changing things around in the workroom this week, putting my bead stash on display for sale - it's always been available but I haven't had the place to show it off till now. If there's anything you need in the way of Swarovski Crystals or sterling silver beads and findings, please just ask - I'm happy to sell bits and pieces for your own projects and I love hearing about your creative juice!
While I was going through everything I came across some beautiful Swarovski Light Sapphire 8mm bicones that are just begging to be made up into something - I've been enjoying tossing around some ideas.
I have also just got in some Swarovski Rondelles for a project I'm planning with pearls - they're pretty gorgeous, and I'm thinking that I might need to get a range of sizes in these. They're silver plated and nickel free, so should be nice to wear.
Have a wonderful weekend, and if you need a little treat and a pick-me-up, sit with this clip of galadarling talking about her Radical Self Love Project on TED.
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
I wonder what the Year of the Dragon will bring? Health, happiness and good fortune to you all I hope.
It's been a busy old time here in Takaka with lots of summer visitors, but never so busy that there's not a place to enjoy a relaxing cuppa in the shade.
The workroom is warm (sometimes a little too warm!)and buzzing and I've really enjoyed catching up with a few of you.
I seem to be having a "purple patch" at the moment, playing with purples, amethysts and blues - mostly started by the blue/purple chakra lotus flowers necklace still sitting on my bench waiting to be completed! There's a green cherry blossoms necklace in there, too and a purple Tiger Beads necklace and the beginnings of an amethyst chakra lotus flowers necklace too...along with some other bits and pieces that are awaiting the perfect accompaniements!
And there's a tray of red and black beads that need attention...are we hooking into a theme here? Do I actually need to complete some works?
I'll leave you with a little treasure that I found on the beach this morning
Aren't they precious? I'm guessing that the croquembouche was made by an adult?
