Songbirds

I first made my songbird necklace and earrings early on when I started out with metal clay. This week, I made some more with a slightly different design.

This time, I've made them flat backed, instead of a complete 3D bird.  They have always been a best seller, and there must be lots of these little songbirds all over the world.  

As someone who likes long necklaces, I thought the lariat version might be nice too. There's something to be said for keeping designs simple, don't you think?

Tranquility

Following on from last week's serenity post, this time, we're in search of some tranquility.

Take time to make some tea, and find tranquil-tea!  A necklace or bracelet, to act as a reminder.

Animal tracks bracelet

I've simplified the design of my animal tracks bracelet a little, mainly to use less material so when it is in silver, the price isn't so high.

This time, I tried making it in copper, with a footprint toggle clasp.

Can you identify the tracks?

It's a popular piece - I often get requests to make them with a different combination of tracks. And just once, I made it with different size human footprints, to symbolize different family members!

Serenity

se-ren-i-ty
Noun:  1. The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled: "an oasis of serenity"
       

For many people, tea is a calming and soothing drink. It makes you stop a while. The act of the teapot, the loose tea or tea bag "performance", waiting for the brew, and then slowly sipping can bring a sense of serenity.

And thus, my latest necklace or it can be a bangle - combines the word and tea = "sereni-tea"

Hope you like it.  I have a couple of other t's coming soon too.

Inspiration

A blog that I read each week is PostSecret.  It is so inspiring, moving, funny, creative....

Take a look at this recent TED talk by the founder of PostSecret and see what you think.  Maybe it'll be a source of inspiration for you.

Happy Easter

Hope you are all having a lovely Easter.

Our Jack Rabbits seem happy hopping through the vineyard.  Maybe they are searching for eggs?

This little bunny looks like he's pretty happy too!

Kale is the new beef

Is it the same where you live?  Do you nowadays see kale everywhere?  It used to be that we only saw kale as a decoration in the meat or fish counter, but now it's being eaten instead of the meat!

I am a kale eater and no longer eat beef, and today, kale was my inspiration for a necklace. How often can you say a vegetable inspired a jewelry creation (although I did once make a "vegetarian bracelet" using the textures of different vegetables!)?

A little reminder necklace to eat your greens! 

And, in case you didn't know, kale is one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat:

One cup of kale contains 36 calories, 5 g fiber, calcium, Vitamin B6, magnesium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, copper, potassium, iron, manganese and phosphorus. 

It's health benefits are primarily linked to the high concentration of antioxidant vitamins A, C and K and sulphur-containing phytonutrients. 

So is kale your new beef?