Babes and bracelets...

The thing about babies

is that they are loved long before they take their first breath...

...I know with my own two,


I was head over heels before I had even cradled them in my arms


or delighted in their newborn scent...





...and I'm pretty certain I was smitten with the *thought* of them before they'd even been conceived...





The anticipation of a bub's arrival is almost too much excitement to bear...





...and not just for the expectant parents,


but for expectant extended family too. 
including besotted aunties! :-)





This bracelet speaks of a love that extends beyond time and place,


a perfect, permanent reminder to a precious baby girl that she is loved now and always.





Welcome to the world, baby Annabelle


♥


~*~


Bracelets have been popular lately!


Here's a few more I have made recently as custom orders...





A stunning faceted prasiolite takes centre stage, 


perfectly pretty in pastel green...





...and six hand fabricated charms of sterling silver leaves and 9 carat gold pebbles adorn the chain...





I also made this variation of my *Nomad* Bracelet...





Completely hand fabricated from sterling silver sheet and wire, with nothing more than my jewelers saw and needle files...





I enjoyed every moment of every detail of this bracelet...








...including stamping the phrase 'go your own way' on the reverse side...
(it's proving to be a popular phrase, and I'm delighted that it resonates with so many souls!)





An exquisite faceted aquamarine nugget completes this special piece...





And speaking of aquamarine...





How I adore it raw!





The stone takes on a whole new beautiful energy when it is left in its natural state...





~*~


Loads more custom orders to come,


and honestly,


it's probably all I will have time to create for the remainder of the year.


I'm not taking on any new custom orders for this year,


and I'm already booked out for January.


I'm just finalising the details of my new system for customs, so I'll write all about it soon.


I'm going to steal back some more time for me and my Muse...


...we are (quite literally) spilling over with ideas and have not time nor energy to bring them to life.


2012 will be all about stepping back and finding balance, I think :-)

Busy as a bee...

My poor, neglected blog,

so quiet of late...

...and yet life has been a hive of activity!

There have been days to refresh and unwind,

glorious time spent camping by a river...

And apparently, tantrums don't stop even when you go camping...

"Jett, don't play with that tent pole!"

"You'll let me play with that tent pole or I'll plant my face in the dirt!"

Boys, eh...

At least India is a little more civilised...

...we talked and learned...

...I love that she knows what animal tracks look like in the dirt...

...that we collect small sticks for kindling to build our campfire...

...and what a million sparkling stars look like in the night sky, away from the lights of the city...

And there have been many, many custom orders,

each one as special and unique as the ladies who will be wearing them.

 There was a trio of gems,

right at home in silver and gold...

ruby, emerald, apatite...

...a seashell and apatite delight...

...and matching seashell studs...

A turquoise *Nomad* Ring...

...with an arrow affirming the way forward...

And there has also been fathers day...

...though I don't really need a reason to celebrate the love of my life and the father of our little ones...

...he deserves spoiling EVERY day :-)

~*~

I hope that everything is well and good in your corner of the world!

...have you been busy?

...are you happy with the changing of seasons?

(I am overjoyed that Spring is here!)

Tell me about your week...

:-)

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 :-)

I love...

...afternoons spent this way...

...decorating my studio...

...watermelon tourmaline...!

{and in particular, rose cut watermelon tourmaline... *swoon*}

{SOLD - thank you! x}

Tell me about your week...

what is making you smile?