Dream On...

My Grandpa (88 years and counting) has shared this journey with me from the beginning...

He watches me walk past his room every night as I carry my freshly soldered creations from my studio to the kitchen for pickling...


He lies in his bed listening to me hammering and sawing and sanding...


He asks questions, shows a quiet interest in my processes...


And the other day, he reminded me just how long I have been dreaming this dream...





He recalled taking me along to the local technical college as a wide-eyed 16 year old, hoping to sign up for a jewellery course...

He recalled the woman behind the desk wanting to sign me up for a very expensive five year course...


He recalled that I signed up for the very cheap four week course instead.


He recalled taking me along to the local hardware store, and helping me buy the tools for my short course...


needle files, wet & dry paper, saw blades, drill bits...
(would you believe I use those same needle files today...!)

Then Grandpa said to me,


'There's a lot of years between then and now.  Since then you've worked, gotten married, had two children...and now you're doing it, what you wanted to do all those years ago.


So, were you thinking about doing this all that time?'


Well, yes Grandpa, I was...

14 years of dreaming and hoping and wanting...


wishing and craving and imagining...





Do dreams come true?


Why, yes...


yes,


I believe indeed they do :-)

Freedom to create...

What happens when you're given the freedom to create whatever your heart desires...?

For me, it is an opportunity to spread my wings...

...to reach for the stars...

...to push the boundaries of what I thought was possible...

For me, it is an opportunity to learn...

...and to grow...

...and to fulfill a need deep within me to be more, to be better...

To be given this opportunity by someone who has utter faith in what I do...

...is a true gift.


Thank you for letting me spread my wings, Catherine...

Fanciful facets...

I have been so busy with custom orders since opening my Etsy shop, that I haven't had time to add new pieces to the shop as often as I would like...


...but as I see it, that is a very happy problem to have :-)


I did manage to add this necklace to the shop a few weeks ago though...
(and COMPLETELY forgot about mentioning it here... *oops*)

The *Drop of Desert Sky* Necklace

Faceted gems are finding their way into my work more often...

...including this to-die-for Sky Blue Topaz which I could not WAIT to use...
(it really is just like a droplet of the most perfect blue sky!)

I cut out a teardrop shape from the back of the pendant to let the topaz really light up...

...and one of my hand sawn Moroccan motifs sways from beneath the topaz...

I don't usually leave my jewellery with a polished finish (I think a patina brings out all the lovely details), but this necklace needed to be shiny.  


Do you prefer polished or patinated jewellery?


~*~


Speaking of faceted stones, I fell in love with this enormous 27.5 carat smoky quartz the moment I saw it...

...and I bought it even though, at that time, I had no idea how to set faceted stones!  
(Sometimes my creative visions far exceed my abilities LOL ;-) But it's an excuse to learn and challenge myself, non?!)


Anyway, about a month ago I decided it was time to use this beauty...

...so I set about creating a bezel for it from scratch...
(because it was far too big to fit my pre-made bezel wire)

...you know how much I love sawing ;-) ...

(and yes, I saw barefoot - doesn't everyone?!)

...add a 'bearing' to the inside of the bezel...

...and some filigree to the sides...

...and a matching filigree-adorned ring band completes it!

...big and bold...

...delightfully detailed...

...heavy and hearty...

...and it's all mine, mine, MINE! :-)

It looks top heavy and I kind of expected it to swing around on my finger,


but it's surprisingly well balanced and sits perfectly.


I think I wear it just about every time I have to leave the house :-)


~*~


More fanciful facets coming soon!


And some new jewels will be added to the shop too...

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

My creative space...

I love it when a new design comes together with ease.  

It doesn't happen often, I usually produce many prototypes before a good design is realised.

So imagine my delight the other night, when this romantic, vintage-inspired pendant came together in just over an hour...

Despite it's size (the pendant is almost 4cm x 4cm), it is amazingly lightweight thanks to the dainty Vintaj brass filigree component in the centre...

This design is yet to be named...I'd love to hear your suggestions!


And while you're in a commenting mood, I'd love to hear what you think of my photos!  (*click on the photos for an enlarged image*)  I have been playing around with props, and trying to inject a mood into my photos.  


The props in these photos are a vintage beaded purse from my Mum, and a scrap of vintage beaded fabric that my 88 year old Grandpa gave me.  He isn't sure of the origin exactly, but thinks it may have come from a very, very old wedding dress.  Nan had it sitting in her stash of fabric for years, and Grandpa only rediscovered it a few months ago and thought I should have it.  It is a beautifully delicate treasure, and I think it tells a wonderful story!


See what other creative people are up to at Kirsty's blog.


Thanks for looking, and be well!