Scream

This is how I felt when I got the bill for Merlin's latest escapade in the field.  

One kick to leg = £ = one long, long scream.

Kudos, Kerry

Now that Merlin has settled into his lovely, happy home, I wanted a stable sign that reflected his character - it's the first time he's been allowed to put his name on a stable door, and this wonderful plaque was made by a very talented artist, Kerry Machin. 
I detailed what I'd like and sent photos, and she came up with this creation which is beyond gorgeous.  This struck envy into the hearts of my fellow yard-mates when I took it for a viewing.  It's not on the door yet as it needs a wood mount, but it will be soon. 
Kerry was a pleasure to work with, and if you're in the market for a stable or house sign, I'd highly recommend her.

Contact Kerry at - kerry@machin2004.wanadoo.co.uk

A Day Out In Manchester

Yesterday I dodged the rain and had a few hours in Manchester city centre. Being a country mouse, its not a place I visit much - in fact, I think I was last there about 3 years ago...(she says, with straw sticking out of her ears...)

I keep thinking I should have a day just wandering around taking photos, but you know, just a few hours is quite enough for me - I feel grubby after an hour, so goodness knows how I'd feel if I was there much longer.  I don't know, its all so fast and loud (now I REALLY DO sound like the country mouse) and although Sale is prety urban, its not the city centre.   Really, since the IRA redesigned the shopping areas for us, its quite nice and there's lots to see and do.  I headed for the Northern Quarter, where I know my way around because the Artists/Craft Centre is located there - and my favourite place to source paper bags, gold coloured heart shaped labels and jewellery price tags, that sort of stuff.  Mark was with me and was nearly gibbering when we walked out of that shop nearly £50 lighter.  £50 on paper bags, on bags, he was heard muttering.   Poor boy.

Anyway, I did take a few photos - the first (above) is a fabulous distressed looking poster I came across - was it made to look this way or did it end up that way, who knows, and is it art, well, there's another question.  Taking photos of this kind always causes puzzlement on the part of the husband, but its always good to keep them guessing. The other pics are the inside of the artists centre - there was lots to look at but I had to keep the photos general in case anyone thought I was trying to infringe their copyright. Blowing £50 on paper bags was one thing, infringing copyright quite another. 

Above and below: Walking back to the very expensive car park (!!), I took these photos of the old fish market building which is now a courtyard for modern apartments.  I am sure this is a relief to the fish.

Nesting

I'm really pleased with my first nest, seeing as I've never made one before....usually I'd be happy to leave it to the experts (of the avian variety...) but I just had to try for myself.  Made from bronze and copper wire and laid with three beautiful faceted freshwater pearl eggs...the chain is brass as is the clasp.
I took the picture of the summer swallows this evening at the stableyard, I LOVE my new camera (its not so new now, its the one I got at Christmas - I take it everywhere with me.) 
I should have the site updated by the end of the week - had another horrid week just gone, as I got a call from my yard owner Sara at 6 am to tell me Merlin had colic.   It was not a nice day.  Happily, my lovely boy is all well again and I am so grateful to Sara for watching out for him.  Big hugs.

Arizona Necklace

This is another piece for the site, waiting in the wings. 
If in the meantime you can't wait for the tech-person to work his magic, you could always make your own - this is my kit of the month for September 2010 for my other website, BeadAddict- I've tried hard to make the instructions as clear as possible - there are written instructions as well as a downloadable PDF file full of step-by-step photos which should take any stress out of things. 

Everyone is creative, even my Mum has been making jewellery recently, and (no offence intended Mum, but I know you'd agree) she'd be the first to say she doesn't know her right hand from her left foot.  
I am considering teaching jewellery making classes again - notice I didn't commit myself. I love teaching, its fun - its a two-way process.  All the things I thought I knew, I can learn over from teaching, which is great.   I don't know, maybe, maybe.

Arizona Necklace; handmade copper and bronze wire circles, a copper key charm, patinated bronze and brass, Turquoise, faux Turquoise, Coral (various colours), Sponge Coral, and lots and lots of wire wrapping and attention to detail. The clasp is to the side, which makes the necklace easy to put on and take off, a lovely eye-catching piece which is light and easy to wear; over time the bright copper will patinate down (darken naturally). Measures approx. 20 inches / 50.5 cm; the pendant element measures approx. 2.75 inches / 7 cm.

 

Marie Antoinette Bracelet

 Marie Antoinette is one of my history heroines - her story is so short, so tragic and so astounding that it is impossible not to be captivated by her life; any woman would be engaged by her trials and tribulations, however flawed she was.  I've long been collecting bits and bobs for a series of jewellery based on the ill-fated Queen of France; and this is the first of these pieces - Marie Antoinette Bracelet.

Marie Antoinette Bracelet; with a hand-made Marie-Antoinette portrait, a bejewelled crown charm, an old hand-painted button (1950's), an enamelled diamante-set slice of cake (of course!), a pink diamante swag (from a 1950's pair of earrings, one of which had been lost), 1930's brass chain, a contemporary heart and arrow toggle clasp, lampworked rose bead, antique and vintage crystal (Victorian-1930's), a 'Royal' charm, 'Non' and 'Oui' brass charms, a key charm, a tiny vintage Paris button, contemporary Swarovski crystal and Swarovski crystal pearl and a tiny vintage claw set duck-egg blue Swarovski crystal charm - the chain is 1930's brass; this bracelet has lots to look at! Measures approx. 8.5 inches / 21.5 cm.