Happy Valentines Day

I know it's a little early, but for the first time I have a little space to decorate with the changing of the seasons.

I have had the very able assistance of my sister - a very arty crafty person who owns Stitchbird Fabrics. She imports a very delicious, colourful and quirky range of natural fabrics and trims which she sells online and at selected markets. She also has her fabrics made into lampshades, cushions and other treats, so do go and take a look at her website. Follow the link or go to the link to her blog on the sidebar if it's easier for you.

She made me the gorgeous heart hanging for the window - they're really so effective but it's hard to capture their full impact in a photograph.

To mark the day I have really enjoyed making up this Valentines Heart Necklace and Bracelet. I've been planning it for ages, but with Valentines Day around the corner and my sister's window hanging I thought it really was time to complete it. Of course there are earrings to match!

I've also made lots of individual hearts in all sizes and shades of red - just let me know if something takes your fancy!

 This is how the window looks from the outside - if you look closely you can see the photographer!

Whatever you do for Valentines Day, whether it's a romantic candle-lit dinner with roses and the whole production or just an extra hug for your lover, or an extra wee treat for yourself if you're single...ENJOY THE DAY!

Hearts of Stone?

No, hearts of glass.  I've made some heart beads in the "Moeraki Stone" style lately, and have even made some tiny ones for earrings.

Yes, they're glass - lovely earthy colours, colours that change in the flame and combine with other colours to react and do something often unexpected.  It's one of the many things I love about working with glass!
The Moeraki Stone beads are inspired by the giant round bead-like rocks at Moeraki Beach on the East Coast of the South Island - it's a gorgeous place of big country where the sea meets the land and the sky and you can stand out on a tiny sheltered penninsula or "kaik" and look all around for miles.
Moeraki is on my mind lately.  I was given a book this week - Fleur Sullivan's autobiography.  Fleur is a restauranteur in her '70's, still working hard and inspirationally at what she does best - cooking original food and presenting it in new but traditional ways.  I know that sounds odd, but trust me, it's good!  She collects old household wares and food from the land and combines them in an original, authentic ways.
Since the problems with the website I've been able to upload lots more works and have been busily preparing for the summer, squirreling away good stocks so we can relax a little too.
I've just finished a set that I'm particularly pleased with Black Raku Spice Cubes with transparent gray - the black raku beads are lovely, but the addition of the transparent gray really brings the pieces to life!

My latest silver order has just arrived and I've been carefully weighing it all out and sorting it into my system - MAN!!! The price has skyrocketed!  I'm really afraid that I'm going to have to put my prices up soon - but I'll wait till the New Year.  The price is all related to the world mineral prices which have gone crazy since the recession.  Apparently people invest in gold, silver, copper etc during these times.  Let's hope that things come right financially in 2012 so the prices of materials goes back to normal!
Oh, and just because I haven't blogged in ages, I'll show you something else I've been working on...

I've found a way to combine these really reactive glass colours - Lime Green, Opaque Pink and Cranberry.  It's something I've been mulling over for ages, but when a friend came in looking for something to wear with a really pretty black top sprigged with pink and green I thought again and gave it a go.  This one is Extra Large Lime Green & Raspberry Flow Heart Pendant.