Christmas is Coming!

As it is now October 1st, I think we can say the season for gift shopping has officially begun. And I am looking forward to providing lovely jewellery gifts for folks who are looking for that special, exclusive piece of artisan jewellery to give to their friend or family member. I've been keeping very busy with lots of new makes. My goal is to upload at least 12 more items before mid-October - more in each category of my shop - to give you plenty of choice when doing your Christmas shopping.

This time of year makes choosing stones so much fun. Most natural stones are very earthy colours so, at this time of year, the stones match the season. My great love for creating leaf-like designs plays into the season as well, as I plan to include many autumnal pieces in the new offerings - bronze and copper complemented by rusts, dark greens, greys, and reds. I shall be adding more pieces that include very organic designs and these will carry over into bracelets and brooches. I've recently purchased some beautiful heavy tube beads in agate and jasper. They are amazing and look fabulous in chunky pieces that suit the heavier clothes of Autumn and Winter. I'm sure you will find many pieces you like when the new pieces are uploaded. And don't forget my lovely chunky brooches - they will look perfect with a shawl, scarf and on the cowl of a heavy winter sweater!

In addition to the new designs and makes in The Selkie's Haunt, I am working very hard on getting new pieces ready for the fine jewellery business, Ailleas Designs. The brand is getting a whole new look starting at the end of November, along with all the new designs that include set gemstones and touches of 18ct gold. In fact, over the next month, I am working on two commissioned pieces - both completely 18ct gold with set gemstones. I love working with gold, but I am always pleased when clients begin the consultation with, "I know it's going to be expensive." Gold of this quality is expensive, but so worth it. I can't wait to finish these pieces and present them to their owners. It is going to be so special. Other designs for Ailleas Designs were created for the British Red Cross annual Fashion Show in London. I was invited to create and donate pieces for a pop-up designer boutique. I am humbled by the names of the other designers with which I will be sharing space. Very exciting and will hopefully get the word out there.

It feels as if my business, my brand, is finally gaining real recognition and appreciation. They say it can take years for a business to become established and, if true, I am probably right on schedule. I've been running my business for close to 7 years now. Time for success, I think.

In addition to all my "professional creativity," I am crocheting a huge blanket for my granddaughter. It is all go here, that's for sure. But soon enough, Christmas will be over and it will be time for a little quiet. Of course, I look forward to spending more time in the studio over the winter months, creating even more beautiful jewellery for 2017.

Looking to the future

I have been a very poor blogger. I can't believe it has been as long as it has been since my last post. Of course, if you are a friend or acquaintance, you know that in November my husband and I were hit doubly when my mother and his father died within four days of each other. From mid-November, it was all systems go as we traveled to the States for two weeks for my mother's memorial service and in order to take care of her final business. We returned and immediately drove from Edinburgh Airport, where our car was parked, down to Sussex for my father-in-law's funeral. So, whilst my blogging absence is excusable, it is something that must be remedied.

In addition to going through all the family stuff. I have been very busy with my sterling and gemstone work and this page has been the main victim of my 'busy-ness' in other areas. But I am going to attempt to resolve that by making myself a schedule that will include the very important part of my business that is blogging!

If you have checked out the offerings on the Selkie’s Haunt website (www.selkieshaunt.com), you will note that I am continuing to work with the beautiful lampwork glass beads of Anita Lawrence. I love Anita’s work – the abstract use of colour to create amazing depth and intensity of colour and design. I have two large rectangular beads of Anita’s to work with and hope to be working with those very soon.  I also have some wonderful new focal beads of natural stone, so those will soon be gracing the pages of the website.  Look for new pieces that showcase ocean jasper and African green opal, amongst others.

I intend to work more with copper sheet in the months to come in order to create more geometrical and dimensional jewellery. Working with copper and bronze is very rewarding and whilst the stones aren’t as sparkling and enchanting as the AAA-grade stones of the Ailleas Designs by Martha Mawson, I get great enjoyment from the work. I can do more with the metal because I am not constrained by weight limits regarding hallmarks.

I also intend to create some beautiful bracelets in the weeks to come. At this point, there are no bracelets available on the website. I simply haven’t had time up to this point, but my scaling back on markets means I have more time to create. I couldn’t be more thrilled than I am with the proposition of spending more time in my studio creating beautiful jewellery.

I am going to close this blog by highlighting one of my favourite new pieces. This necklace with matching earrings is called ‘Purple Rain.’ The focal bead is a stunning rainbow fluorite with its shades of purple and green. The necklace is made up of A-grade amethyst cubes, deep purple amethyst rounds and beautiful green fancy jasper. The earrings are comprised these same stones. Be sure to see the listing on the website for full details and price. 

As always, I thank you for your interest in The Selkie’s Haunt and hope you will find a piece of jewellery there that speaks to your heart.

A new collection

Several months ago, I purchased a lovely lampwork bead from a very talented glass artist who happens to have a website that is hosted by the same company that hosts my website. I immediately fell in love with her focal beads and when I received the bead, I was not in the least disappointed. Like most items of jewellery, the bead was even more beautiful 'in person.' The necklace that resulted from the partnership of Anita Lawrence's lampwork bead and my stones and wood is, if I say so myself, quite beautiful. I call it 'Blue Jean Baby.' The colours of the lampwork bead lead me to choose nangka wood and lapis lazuli for the necklace.

'Blue Jean Baby'

Soon thereafter, I found myself looking at Anita's offerings again. I purchased a second lampwork and then another. After creating two more beautiful necklaces, I made the decision to purchase three more so that I could offer a lampwork collection of six necklaces. Each necklace will have complementary earrings to make a coordinated set. I am so pleased with what has resulted and photographs will be taken very soon.

The lampwork beads, all abstract and full of colours and textures, are created with great care and talent by Anita. Her website, Birtle Bead Studio, displays her lampwork beads and her own lampwork jewellery. I highly recommend you see her work and read about her beautiful lampwork creations. I am so glad I found Anita and I hope to have a long and successful partnership with her. 

With many events taking place throughout October, November and December, I have been busy creating more pieces for both The Selkie's Haunt and for Ailleas Designs. I have added new stones to both collections. One of the lampwork necklaces features beautiful, tiny genuine turquoise faceted rondelles. Because of the size of the rondelles, the stones have been stabilised for strength (turquoise is a very soft stone), but it is genuine gemstone quality turquoise and you can see that in the vibrant colour. Another new necklace for The Selkie's Haunt features a stunning African green opal. I am excited about all the new pieces and promise they will soon be posted on the websites so you can see them.

In the meantime, please visit the websites to see what is currently on offer. Christmas is not that far away and it is time to start thinking about what the special ladies on your Christmas wish would love to find under the tree or in their stocking.