Over indulgence

In the spirit of Christmas and overindulgence here are some sweet little treats.

Cupcake ring, Baby spoon necklace,  Ice cream pendantSilver spoon necklace, Pretzel necklace, Strawberry necklace

Tweetness

Agrigento

Wood you?

Inspired by the always fantastic It's (K)not Wood, here are a few tree bark themed pieces for you!

Early Jewellery, Catherine Weitzman, Beth Cyr Jewelry
Alex Monroe, Daphna Simon

Oh deer...

Bad blogger is all I can say...

Tatty Devine, Foxy Originals

Lisa Galibardy, Digby & Iona, Cat & Bang, Lady Grey, Stretis

Luxury zoo

Top row: Marchak, Boucheron

Bottom row: Qeelin, Cartier

Hanging around in sleepy town

It's not often that I write about myself personally on this blog. I'm not too sure why, I'm definitely not averse to sharing or divulging information about myself...it's just that I haven't! But I've come to a point where I feel the need to share and ask for some help from a community I get so much inspiration from. I've only written about it once before, a long time ago but maybe I'll explain a little more now I've moved on a bit. I have something called m.e. or chronic fatigue, it goes by many names but to me it's something that causes exhaustion, of both body and brain! It's a strange feeling, only one I can liken to feeling a bit fuzzy, almost like a cotton wool filled brain (sounds almost sweet really!) and very tired a lot of the time. Now while I try to make the best of a bad situation by working freelance from home, which I enjoy immensly as it lets me work at my own pace and have access to all of the wonderful blogs and websites that I visit for continual inpsiration, it also makes life a little tricky sometimes. I know that working freelance in general can be a little isolated at times but when you feel tired when you wake up and unable to go out a lot of the time it can take it's toll on a girls social life! So I'm at the point where I'm craving a little interaction, something like work experience, or even a few mornings working somewhere. However, on approaching companies and explaining my sleepy situation I tend to get a kind reply explaining I'm not really suitable (if I get a reply at all, which is understandable given the situation). I'm generally a cheery little person but at times it can get a bit draining so I'm asking for a little blogger help and advice! I know it's aiming a little high to get a dream job somewhere but does anyone have any contacts that might offer a little hand of help? I love anything to do with illustration and am passionate about jewellery but also have a strange love of research. I could spend hours hopping from one blog to the next researching different ideas for illustrations, collecting information/pics etc but have no idea how this would even apply to a job!Any opinions/advice would be much appreciated. Or on a day like this a little cheer would go a long way :)Thanks for reading a long winded slightly self indulgent post...may it be the first of many :)

xxx

Continuing on the theme of traditional meets innovative take a look at these...

Top row: Renee Garvey leather and pink sapphire necklace, Renee Garvey beachstone and chrysaphrase earrings

2nd row: Laura Kitsos gold baguette diamond necklace and earrings

Laurie Kaiser

More pearls and some other little lovelies from Laurie Kaiser. It's nice to see such a traditional stone being used in innovative ways. Maybe it's me but I think I prefer pearls in their natural rough state rather than cultured (is that the right word...when they're perfect looking?!)

Pretty pearls

I've never seen studded pearls before, it makes them edgy but still pretty.
All by Erica Molinari

A splash of colour

And talking of great colour combinations....

Top row: Susan Hanover bracelet, Jane Taylor earrings

Bottom row: Pippa Small bracelet, Noir bangle

Wendy Mink

Some lovely pieces and colour combinations at Wendy Mink, I particularly like the filigree peacock!

Bits n pieces

Various bits and pieces that have caught my eye over the past couple of days...always a good distraction from work!

Tops row: Erickson Beamon ring, Vanessa Jenik necklace, Unearthen necklace

Bottom row: Yayoi Forest necklace, Dana Kellin necklace, Todd Reed rings

FaFaFa

I remember seeing FaFaFa's colourful chunky rings at Kabiri but being the procrastinator that I am, hadn't gotten around to looking up any of their other work. Now that I have, take a look at these little gems (no pun intended!)



From the aptly named "Spine Collection"

Ambiguous Horse

I'm in love with everything over at Ambiguous Horse, especially Lost In the Woods woodgrain laminate work. I don't know why but I love laminate wood, I think it reminds me of my grandparents old fashioned television they refuse to get rid of.

Gorgeous Gorjana

I'm loving the beautiful simplicity of Gorjana's fine jewellery collection right now, the perfect accessory for a tan (unfortunately London is rainy and devoid of anything resembling the sun at the moment...jewellery like this always brightens my day though!)

Me & Ro

Is it possible to want everything from the new Me & Ro collection?

The quick answer...yes

Seriously coveting...

Marc Jacobs at Colette

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

Given that it is such a lovely sunny day in London, I thought I'd post some sea related jewellery just beacuse I wish I were beside the seaside!

From the

"Shore" collection, found here

Annette Ferdinandsen

Anyone who regularly reads this blog will know that I love anything nature inspired. These pieces by Annette Ferdinandsen fit the bill but with an occassional little sinister twist...just look at those litle bird claws...

Anna Sheffield

Bing Bang has long been one of my favourite designers after spotting it in New York (in Barney's I think). I only recently discovered that one of the founders, Anna Sheffield started her own fine jewellery line which is equally beautiful. What attracted me to Bing Bang was it's lovely quirkiness but also the almost sentimental keepsake quality to each of its pieces. This is continued throught Anna's collection in which she has achieved an edgy feel, using traditonal materials but in unconventional settings.

Just take a peek at these pieces from her upcoming collection...her interpretation of diamonds is fantastic...who could resist diamonds on a diamond?!

And this inverted ring is fabulous...such a clever idea

Find Anna's work here

(also for everyone in the UK, she's soon to be stocked through Selfridges)

Q-pot cuties

I've posted about Q-Pot numerous times on this blog...they never fail to put a smile on my face. Admittedly, when I think of my dream piece of jewellery, "hamburger" isn't the first thing that comes to mind but for the fast food fan...who knows?!



The cream brooch and petit choux ring are pretty cute though, as are these rings



I also noticed that in conjunction with the re-opening of the V&A's jewellery section, the fabulous shop (who can resist a museum shop?) is selling some Q-pot pieces as well as some other lovely bits and bobs, more of which I'll post about later.


Find Q-pot here

Etsy finds

I've come across some great jewellers on Etsy recently. I thought I'd do a mini round up of some of my favourites.

The first is Shauna Blythe Burke whose textural work is influenced by industrial landscapes as well as nature...I have to say she's interpeted them beautifully.

Then we have Laura Caffrey who goes by the shop name Lula Jewellery, and whose cutout pendants are so delicate and pretty...isn't the cylindrical one unusual?

These pieces by Selina Campbell appeal to the illustrator side of me...there's something about them that reminds me of line drawings...simple and lovely (and check out her range of floral pins, they're gorgeous!). Also, if you take a peek at her official website she has a wonderful selection of vessels too, I particularly like the "squish" one (great name!)


Finally, these pieces by Lio and Linn make use of two of my favourite elements...brushed silver and organic forms. I also love the combination of chunky links with delicate chain, it makes a really nice contrast.

Becca Jewellery

I spotted the work of Becca Hulbert whilst having a browse around one of my favourite jewellery shops, Ec One. All of her pieces are just as sweet as this necklace...

Take a peek here

Catherine Weitzman

Catherine Weitzman has a lovely collection on her website, I like the variety of work she's created (plus I'm a sucker for nature themed jewellery, check out the mini kissing seahorses!). And to make it even better, she uses that warm toned gold that I've grown to like so much, especially when mixed with vibrant coloured gemstones.

Scosha NYC

There's nothing I like more than jewellery with a personal twist. Scosha NYC is definitely a brand that adds a touch of personality to their pieces. Each is handmade by Scosha, who considers herself a a "story jeweller" which is a beautiful turn of phrase I hadn't heard before!

She manages to combine preciosu materials with others such as linen and leather to make some truly lovely pieces of jewellery...I've never been one for "bling" and whilst these don't fit that category they as certainly just as pretty and precious.

Find them here

Rose gold

Carolina Bucci wrap bracelet ( I have this is silver...they're beautiful bracelets, a lot sparklier than pictured!)

Mauri Pioppo love necklace with sapphires, very cute little charm with an added tiny diamond sparkle

The classic Elsa Peretti Tiffany heart is always a popular design whatever gold it's in

Bing Bang locket - I love Bing Bang, they seem to be able to create modern and unusual jewellery which still has a vintage charm about it

Moritz Glik - how amazing is this ring? The plates that hold the rose gold chips are actually white sapphire...beautiful!

Manak channel set pink diamond ring - alovely bit of sparkle :)

Glint

Lovely jeweller Kate Wood has just launched her new collection over at Glint jewellery. A mix of rubies, grey pearls, gold and oxidised silver, each piece is beautifully made with little clusters of jewels and charms.

I'm a big fan of the coral she had used in previous collections but these new pieces meets all expectations!

Yellow gold

I've found that the older I've become, the more I've fallen for wearing gold jewellery. I don't know why it never appealed to me when I was younger but I'm all about it now, whether it's a rich yellow gold or a sweet blush like rose gold. I think my next few posts will be looking at different types of gold, I'm convinced there's one for everybody!

These pieces by Melinda Maria sum up exactly why I love yellow gold now

There's something lovely and nugget like about Wright & Teague's jewellery that makes me want to hold each piece of my hand (and I love the fact that each piece is available in three types of gold and silver)

Amy McColl

This is the prettiest use of resign and acrylic I've seen in a while. Amy McColl uses botanical forms as her inspiration, also using colour and light from her photography to influence her creations. She describes her work as bold and bright using hard surfaces but also retaining a softer femininity at the same time. I think this is a perfect description, her pieces do look hard yet soft at the same time.

Buddug

I'd previously seen Buddug Wyn Humphreys work through Style Bubble and The Cherry Blossom Girl but had never ventured on to her website. But I am so happy I did because her work is absolutely wonderful! From the delicate little brooches to the fantastic bird headwear, everything on the site is a delight to look at.  Hailing from North Wales, she's inspired by the nature and scenery of her home background and explores matching everyday materials with precious ones.  I definitely think she's one to watch...her work is so wonderful I look forward to seeing more of it!

Buddug

Emma Ferguson

I've been wanting to experiment with cross stitch and embroidery for ages now and have been spurred on by the great work of Emma Ferguson. Not only are her hand embroidered illsutrations fantastic but equally so are her badges and necklaces.

Take a peek at her shop here

Eat your greens

Inspired by my veggie doodles how about a broccoli necklace?

Found here

Frau de Ringe

How amazing are these Frau de Ringe designs?

I think the cherub is my favourite

Oh dear...I haven't disappeared, unfortunately I've been stuck doodling for what seems like forever. So I'm making a comeback here (how many times have I said that now?!) from next week I'm aiming to post at least a couple of times per week. If I don't live up to this please email me and harass me...sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind!

Continuing the natural theme of the earlier post, I am completely blown away by everything by Monique Pean. Not only is her jewellery unbelievably beautiful but it's also doing a little good for the world as she "creates a sustainable fine jewellery enterprise isnpired by indigenous cultures, while remaining socially and environmentally conscious."

Dream rings...mmm

By Melissa Joy Manning

On the cute side of kitsch...

I think these Disney Couture pieces fall under the same category as the Juicy charms I posted about a while ago. Kitsch...but just on the right side of kitsch!

I'm a sucker for wooden and metal jewellery and when you add laser cut pieces to the equation I'm pretty much sold!

Necklace by dapple-grey at YTBC

mememe

I spotted these lovelies by Jade Gallup whilst wandering around the Sunday Upmarket, each one is made from glazed and unglazed porcelain. I think the little rabbit is my favourite but the brooches come a close second.

All by me me me

(take a peek at my other blog to see some of Jade's homewares...all equally lovely!)