More hammering

Ancient II

I seem to be stuck on creating for my Simply Heaven Range at the moment ~ I suppose while pieces are selling I have to redo them for the shop, both on my website and Etsy ~ while in my workshop I always get waylaid into creating something new ~ which is great fun and its usually while I redoing a piece these ideas flood in. Ancient II is a remake of my other earrings this time with five recycled silver pebbles adorning each hammered ring. These will be going up onto my website very soon.

Curly Ribbons ~Sold

These beauties came from another session in my work room, they sort of just happened but I think I will be making more and these sold really quickly ~ they were also featured in a treasury on Etsy as they were being sold in my Simply Heaven shop. But fear not there will be more I promise you .
And finally I have one of my signature bracelets to show you ~ made with Claire Morris of Rowanberry Glass Arts fabulous boro beads and mixed with blue opal, Chalcedony, Iolite and peridot and of course wire wrapped to creat a stunning bracelet in blues and greens.

Obscured by Clouds

This bracelet is available on my website in the Glass Gems section.

Etsy Shop Open

As promised, a pic of the wonderful graphic design for my new shop and section on my website "Simply Heaven" ~ I love it and Sharon of Manamoon Studios is such a dream to work with. She seemed to understand exactly what I needed because of course I need it to work along side my gemheaven pieces. This design for me fits the bill and slowly I am now adding pieces ~ I have been busy soldering, hammering and polishing!!

Simply Diamond

I love this shape and will definately be making more of these diamond shaped earrings at some point ~ these ones are shiny but I think hammered and oxidised will look fabulous ~ the ideas are brimming over here!!

Simply earrings with Adventurine

More fun and flirty earrings coming too ~ like the ones above but with different stones and I have some fabulous czech glass coming soon ;) Remember I can make up in a variety of textures, shapes, colours etc so if you are thinking of someone in particular don't hesitate to give me a shout.

A new Section

Simply Studs

I've been really busy over the weekend trying to finish my stock for a new section of my website called Simply Heaven ~ I wanted to do some simpler pieces for Christmas shopping as I always get asked about what I have for less than £20/£15/£10. Hopefully this new section will help you all not only with your Christmas shopping but also if you want to buy yourself a little treat without breaking the bank! Each piece instead of being boxed up will be placed into a simple organza bag, because of this I can offer first class posting (Instead of only registered which my one of kind pieces have) ~ I promise you'll still see the gemheaven touches and as soon as the my delivery is here in the next couple of days I will show you how you will recieve your piece of Simply Heaven.

Wave pendant with Flourite

The main difference with the new section will be everything can be remade ~ nothing is one of a kind but I can say pieces will be limited (until the beads run out for example) but everything is also interchangable ~ so say you like the Wave pendant above but you don't like Flourite gemstones ~ tell me what you would like and I will make it up especially for you. I have had so much fun creating a new line of simple but fun jewellery I really hope when I launch it you will enjoy it to.

Simply earrings with Turquoise

Any questions then feel free to send me a email ~ have a look at my website for more information and check out Flickr for more pics! The lovely Sharon of Manamoon Studios is creating my new Etsy banner and avatar which I will show off once its all up and running ~ can you tell I am excited ~ the preview is stunning!!

Following......

Mulsum

Ok those of you who know me well, know how terrible I have been of late and not only blogging but catching up on everyone elses blogs ~ I have great excuses ;) but won't bore you with them here because I have a new gadget on my blog! Yes, following is the new way to keep up to date with friends blogs ~ now at a drop of a hat I can see who is posting without trawling through each and everyone's ~ sadly if your blog or name was after L I probably wouldn't get to you because the beads would start calling and I would forget where I was ~ maybe its my age not the beads ....

Theodora

Showing of my surprise bracelet ~ yes I actually used gold~filled and found it very lovely to work with. I love the warmth it gives the garnet too. The earrings are a bit of sneak preview ~ as of Monday evening not even my Flickr watchers have seen them yet!! What do you think ~ Amethyst, labradorite and pink Amethyst on posts ~ I'm really pleased with the out come but need to stop putting pink Amethsyt in everything I make :P

Yay!

Me~ Sold


Eeeek not often I would even think about putting a picture up of myself but as I went on and on and on about my eyes I think you all deserve (lol actually you don't deserve it hah) to see me in them!! I actually like my glasses but I am still adjusting to wearing them - and putting them down and working for half an hour without them before realising even though I have a string for that exact reason .....



Chloris

I've done some more silver work to - I made some cute studs which I will show you below for a commission and loved them so thought I'd make a pendant which is so easy to wear! I actually love to work my frustrations out in the metal and I promise I put all the good and positive back in while polishing ;)

Fleur ~SOLD

Hope you like them :)

My Eyes

Aurora - SOLD

I think my eyes are starting to complain about all this close up work, I need nagging to go to the opticians! Years ago, and I mean B.E (Before Elli) in fact B.M (Before marriage) I had my eyes tested as my Auntie was diagnosed with Glaucoma, I need glasses for close up work, I had them as a Birthday gift (very expensive) and I hated wearing them. At the time I worked as a photographers assistant - setting up lights, booking in clients, sorting through the photographs, adding client base to computor, loading film etc. My head was up and down and I started getting headaches from glasses on and off, or in my case not taking them off at the right moments. So guess what I gave up wearing them.....

Tundra - RESERVED

Of course I now need to be rechecked and my eyes are so sore in the evenings, I think they are crying for help. I'm just so bad at gtting myself checked out for some reason... you'd think after all my health scares I would be the opposite, sadly anything which is slightly invasive of my person I run screaming for the hills. WEll I suppose there's always more valium ....

ANd yes I am joking ;p

You know its bad when...

your friend who lives away rings to ask if you are ok because you haven't written your blog for over a week. Or your Dad tells you off and calls you boring. So to all my blog readers near, dear and far - I'm Sorry. I have been so busy I can hardly keep up with myself, parties, wholesale, commissions and of course life! But I am still making and the above pendant (which comes in antiqued and shiny silver) Infinity is one of my latest designs. Simplicity with a organic twist don't you think??
I also had my first ring commission which I thoroughly enjoyed doing. Three slim line rings, one hammered, one grooved and one with a pebble on top. I hope you like them :)

Right more work is to be done - speak soon..

Back into jumpers

"WARM HEART"

So I added a warm pic!! Maybe its just me, I've had this awful cold, but today and last night I have been freezing. The sun is warm but the wind has a bit of a cold freshness to it - I suppose after the balmy weather we had it just feels a little chillier!!

"DRUANTIA"

More silver work today to show which I did mean to show you last week, I also have some lampwork pieces to show - hopefully if my brain is in gear tomorrow I can show you some more. I ordered some new saw blades which is why I made these two pendants - It was definately the right decision as it was an far easier then before.

"GROW TALL"

This last picture shows my latest earrings - they are long yet I think extremly easy to wear! I enjoyed the experiment though with the vines twisting around the square silver. Watching our honeysuckle go wild was the inspiration - its taking over the top garden but I can't wait for the flowers!

FLames

"BUBBLES"

Fridays for me is usually coffee with friends but every so often something happens to change the plan from our usual cappacino at CHarlies (Charlestowns fabulous coffee shop) Friday was one of those days so with the arrival of my new torch I set about soldering - and boy I did lots. I was on a mission my "Just Silver" section on the website was looking a little sad and I really need to get pieces added. Of course I am slowly doing this so if there is something on todays post you fancy - drop me the usual email :)

"DULOE"

Bracelets and earrings and a lovely necklace (you can already find in my Etsy store) I did have fun - there's something very theraputic about soldering, pickling and finally taking out of the tumbler!! Maybe its the hammering ;0)

"GOODAVER"

My jewellery this weekend was influenced by the stone circles and the bracelet and necklace are both named after Cornish ones.

On strict orders

My lovely Dad has been complaining that I'm not updating my blog enough so here I am as promised (well I promised my Mum ;0) ) The above pic is from Pentewen , a beach not far from us - the weather was quite rough as you can see - there was even surfers in the water - which you don't see much on the south coast - the waves are usually too small to be any good - but obviously the wind was in the right direction!

I've also been making lots of pendants too - this one is lapis lazuli and the blue is beautiful with oxidised silver on chain. I love the simplicity of pendants.

I promise to be back tomorrow with more...

Backwards

I giving up beads for lent - thats the reason for being backwards because as you know lent is over!! Over the weekend I added up all the bead sets I have - now I'm talking about Artisan Glass (lampwork) which is something I have always held my hands up to being addicted too! BUt this I actually hang my head in shame I counted (and this was me being honest - when I say counted these are just the ones I sorted) 47 sets in total (well actually I counted 46 but then found another set under a book) yes you read that right 47!!!


SO because of this I am on a bead buying ban - yes I have to show you in the next month at least 20 pieces made with lampwork - Hopefully you will help me count this down and when I reach 20 I can start buying again - eeeek - this will be extremly painful as I adore buying them!! Please hold my hand throughout April so I keep strong - haha! So all my flame fueled friends please help me be strong and I am not ignoring you if I suddenly stop buying your beads - I need to be strong ;)

Two in a row!

I am doing well - two posts in a row!! I have to show you Elli's pasty she made on Saturday - being Cornish we love pastys - lovely beef, potato and turnip with lashings of pepper, a pinch of salt and a knob of butter - all wrapped up in short crust pastry! Elli decided she wanted to make her own - and I was extremly impressed with her heart pasty! She ate the lot to!

Another reason for todays post I wanted to show you something my two fab friends are doing at the moment. Allison Raposa of Msbaubles and Angela Mckenna of AM Designs have both entered into the new volume of the Etsy promo book (see HERE).

TimothyAdamDesigns says: With 140 etsy artists featured in 4 volumes, the handbook to handmade is a small cut of very talented artists from around the world. "the handbook to handmade" is a monthly volume of 36 ETSY artists and their shops...this is a promotional tool that is used to help promote artists and etsy. the first volume was a success, with a great mix of artists from 36 different cities from around the world.

I love Etsy and have bought a few bits and pieces on there - more and more UK artists can be found on there - really there is worth a look - everything from Knitting to canvas's, soaps and pottery! I really hope Allison and Angela get to show us what the finished book looks like with their pages! Allison and Angela both have unique styles which I admire greatly.

The first picture shows the latest silver necklace I have made - simple and sweet with that dark edge ;) and the bracelet is a birthstone commission I had with my customers childrens birthstones - I love the mixture of the stones - peridot, Amethyst and Topaz.

Earthquakes

How scary! Not for me, I live in Cornwall (down the bottom) so we seem to be safe from these happenings - although I have experienced tremors before. Two summers ago on a holiday to the Greek island of Zante we woke in the night with the feeling our bed had been picked up and shook around. Then one morning by the pool we had another - funny thing is the children didn't even notice!! The third was the worst - it actually made me feel quite ill - we were shopping and everything in the shop started swinging and rocking. The owner didn't even bat an eyelid though - so we decided not to be worried! But how I would react in a earthquake is anyones guess - were any of you affected???


I wante dto show you the other pieces I made with Beverley Hicklins beads - (after my last post - see below) I love the colours in these and was influenced by Italy (One of my favourite countries) Now I have to finish the preparations for the party - my first in 2 months - so its getting everything back together - the worst part is the pricing each and every piece up - think of me.....

I think I can fly!

WE spent the afternoon at the beach - it was beautiful, the sun really warm and the sky blue as summer! I love this pic I got of my daughter jumping at the waves - please note she isn't silly and stand out of the sea so not to get wet when landing!!

You almost need sunglasses for this picture don't you - low sun on sparkling water!

I love this pic, Elli and E comparing feet sizes!!

OK so back to the jewellery I have been creating and oxidising again!! Don't worry I promise more shiney sparkly pieces tomorrow!! I just couldn't resist showing you what a wonderful day at the beach complete with little pasties - well we are Cornish!!

Against the Grain is an oxidised bangle with fw pearl and Rose Quartz - the darkness of the silver really brings the stones out, don't you think??

© Gemheaven 2008

Metal week!

A little play on words there - it has been mental but also metal - as in silver - its so theraputic I love spending time with my metal! Luckily I have a load of commissions to complete which gives me a chance to play without the guilt of knowing I need to add even more things to my website.

Look at the beautiful blue sea glass I found in my sea glass box - three different shades - of course this little beauty is already on the wrist of the owner and she's lucky I even decided to send it - you know how I am with blue!

RESERVED

I also would like to say my valium wearing off was like the morning after, headache and lethargy - in fact it felt like I hadn't slept for 48 hours!! But hey they worked at the time and made a terrifying (for me) experiance much easier ;0) My mouth is still feeling odd but hopefully its all sorting itself out now. Again thanks for the hugs and love you all have shown me :D

© Gemheaven 2008

Wet Sunday, lazy sunday!

OH its horrible out there - the wind is howling and the rain is lashing at my windows - earlier it was hammering on the roof of my garage while I was making some new pendants for my website. The sort of weather that makes you want to hibernate, the sort of weather before Elli I would have stayed in bed with a good book and lots of cups of tea - now I would feel guilty - not only because of spending time with Elli but also a day wasted would be my first thought. E cooked a fabulous roast dinner, of course with free range chicken (For those not watching UK tv here's a link to Chicken Out )

For those of you wondering why I haven't mentioned my tooth lol well its because I'm trying to pretend its not happening - sadly now you have reminded me and I'll have to go have a glass of wine to help my nerves!!! NO honestly I can't stop whats happening so I'm trying to go with the flow - the valium I'm sure will help although I am a little worried as taking two seemed to have no greater effect than one - mind you I'm not quite sure what I was expecting!! To my dear blog friend Brandi of Caties Blue - the reason my friend gave me of not having "laughing gas" is because it is now illegal !! IT can only be given in hospitals apparently - maybe something to do with thats its a strong sedative, my friend trained with its use but said no one can include it in treatment in the UK! Boohoo!

A few of my recent pieces above- Elegance is simple and chic with Rock Crystals and silver. The above pendant Full of Curves with handforged silver and prehnite - I really enjoyed creating this one.

© Gemheaven 2008

I am here

Me and my broken tooth!! I'm hoping to get an emergency appointment tomorrow - if I'm lucky but if not I think I'm going to try another dentist - its driving me potty! Anyway enough boring you with my mouth issues. I have been busy making and creating so will have a few bits to show you this week. Off course I am a little addicted to my silverwork so really must create something with my beautiful lampwork beauties I collected over the past two months ready for the new year! The above necklace is with a fabulous Labradorite focal, rondelles and little Karen Hill Tribe charms. She's on a long 30" chain but it can be changed to a shorter one if necessary.

Of course I had to make matching earrings - these will go with the bracelet (Posted on Friday) or with the focal!! On more of my hammered rings. "E" and I also had fun playing with my disc cutter and we made our first bead - having "E" there beside me is great as he shows no fear when it comes to experimenting - the disc cutter and doming set is all so new I prefer really to just play with different ideas but of course being a man he likes to go the hole hog!!

It will be so nice to eventually use my own silver beads and I have so many ideas but not sure how soon that will be though. It great fun to experiment though :D

© Gemheaven 2008

I'm so scared!

OK I'm a big baby I'm terrified - I can't open my mouth or eat because part of my tooth has broken!! Now I had two fillings at the age of 11 and apart from when I fell off a horse and knocked both of them out ( the fillings not the teeth!) so they had to be be refilled I've had no other work done - no considering thats 20 *cough plus years I think I've done really well - with regular check ups I promise. But now I'm going to have to face my worst nightmare and actually go see my dentist with a problem - and they have to hold me down to clean my teeth so imagine the stress lol mind you I might loose the Christmas lbs in the meantime ;)

At the moment my tumbler is full of silver pieces so hopefully tomorrow I'll get chance to photograph them - the earrings above are a new range - there will be more than one pair of these so not only can you buy yourself a pair but your friends and family too! Made out of scrap silver (a mixture of sterling and fine silver) melted down to create these little pebbles - on stud backs they are chic - I love mine and thats saying something as I normally wear danglies! Of course because they are handcrafted each pair are slightly different!

The middle bangle is a commission for a special friend - the rubies are fabulous!! The bottom earrings are a little play I had with my disc cutter - like little hourglasses hence the name!!

More tomorrow - me and my half tooth!!
© Gemheaven 2008