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.

No Love Too Small

No Love too Small

Sometimes I just play around in my workshop, seeing what shapes I can make and how I can incorporate them into my designs ~ No Love too Small ~ was just a heart commission I had last Friday, I made half a dozen hearts in vary sizes and showed the customer concerned. These were left over and I thought they were soo cute I had to use them, a 3mm rondelle in Ruby finishes them off perfectly I think. Measuring about 30mm {1.25"} approx they are small and dainty!

Cranberry

I must be in a red mood this week, with the ruby earrings and now these with Rubilitte garnet wire wrapped onto them ~ I love the effect though and these would make a perfect Christmas Day pair ~ eeeek did I say Christmas Day? haha today is my older Sister's birthday and mentally I don't even think about Christmas until after today so I am a little ahead of myself :)

Happy Birthday ALi!!

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

Good Friday!

Well I've had my Hot Cross Buns for breakfast - yum and now we have a lazy day ahead - the weather here in the UK is wintery - last easter was so much later and we had beautiful blue skies and hot sun - in fact there are photos of us in t-shirts enjoying a Easter egg hunt! Why do they change the month Easter falls in? I have been told its something to do with the moon and would love to know if this is true - maybe a google is in order!
OK this is what I have found out

Easter Sunday is the Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon (PFM) date for the year. In June 325 A.D. astronomers approximated astronomical full moon dates for the Christian church, calling them Ecclesiastical Full Moon (EFM) dates. From 326 A.D. the PFM date has always been the EFM date after March 20 (which was the equinox date in 325 A.D.).

But next year apparently it falls on April 12th so I think a picnic will better be saved for next year!!

I haven't a great deal to show as my dizzy spells are still happening - I think I may have to brave the dr next week. FIngers crossed I will be able to still create something this weekend ☺

Always making...

I seem to be making lots of earrings at the moment - the above pendant doesn't count!! Yesterday I made a pair which was so unlike me - I keep looking at them and wondering where my muse has been on holiday recently! I will photograph them today and show you tomorrow or Saturday- I do love them so I hope you do too!

The above pair and matching pendant are Smokey Quartz with Prehnite, Iolite and Fw Pearls - they are quite weighty compared to my normal earrings but I think they will certainly get some comments!
I'm still coughing but hopefully it will ease off now - Mandie is right when she says it sounds as if you are a heavy smoker when you do cough - last night I sounded like a squeaky gate!

Relief!

OK tooth is now sorted - we hope so I want all of you to keep fingers crossed for me for the next few weeks that a root canal is not needed!! I also want to thank everyone for there hints and tips you sent me. The wriggling of toes when the injection was given was fab - it worked and of course I'd like to thank the drugs -although I think taking 3 this morning might have been a little over the top!! My poor dentist was greeted by me shouting up the stairs "Its ok I won't cry today I'm on drugs" *yes I'm blushing. I also think I was chatting nine to the dozen throughout the experiance but I have to say I was extremly impressed by how gentle he was - yes I shook like a jelly but I also managed to lie there with his hands and tools in my mouth - big feet - although in my haze I think I told him I didn't like to be interfered with *eeeek

Its funny how now I'm coming off them I feel hungover and having flashbacks of the morning - my lovely friend Clare who drove me there and back said I was hilarious and I just thank the lord I didn't run naked through the town centre because I have a feeling I was game for anything!! But yes I'm suffering now - I think I could sleep for a week!! I also told the dentist about my blog so I hope to goodness he doesn't find it - I remember refusing to give him the name of my business lol so hopefully he forgot and won't come searching!! If he does "hello" and the previous blog post was written through sheer terror and I like you really!!!!!

Huge thank yous to all my lovely friends the hugs and goodluck vibes helped me so much :D

© 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

Merry Christmas!

Elli is on count down as and from later today the Christmas here begins - meeting and seeing friends for gift giving and lots laughter! So i thought a quick post now would be better then waking up on Christmas morning knowing I had no chance to wish you all - my friends and customers of 2007 a Very Merry Christmas. So here I am!!

SO to everyone who has supported me during 2007 - I really am blessed with so many talented, and wonderful friends and also my customers who without whom my inspiration could not have been channeled!!

See you all very soon

Loads of love

Jo & Family

xx

(The above necklace "Ethereal Forest" includes artisan beads by Isabelle Anderson with gemstones and crystals)

© Gemheaven 2007

Who hid Thursday??

Arghhh the week is going too fast and I haven't written a single card yet!! I know I'm not the only one but its starting to get scary!! On a good note Elli did her nativity without tears yesterday which was lovely but Daddy says it was because of him being there *rolls eyes!!

I seem to be missing parcels though - beads, dvds, cd's, silver, more beads,and gemstones - for some reason things are taking an age to get to me and I'm starting to worry - now someone tell me if the post office is striking and I just don't know it or is someone sitting looking at my beads and wondering who they are for?? I'm impatient for my parcels as it is but when I have a commission to finish for next Thursday and the componants haven't arrived yet the panic does set in - so maybe if you all cross your fingers for me they'll arrive tomorrow morning - tell you what - anything that arrives tomorrow morning I'll photograph them for you to see - ok??

Lots of gemstone jewellery I have been creating this week as you can see - the bottom one is a sterling silver ring with garnets and silver.

© Gemheaven 2007

Its Monday - right??

Its no good having Elli home from school - it throws my week right out - so its not Monday?? Elli has gone back to school today - no temperature this morning and she was desperate to go because their school nativity starts tomorrow so off she went wrapped up in her hat, scarf and gloves!! It was freezing this morning or as Elli calls it "Jack Frost has been".

I actually started on my family's pressies this morning - of course I can't show you because they may peak!! Lets just say I nearly froze my fingers off this morning in my garage it was so cold - think I may have to invest in a little heater to take the edge off the cold air in there. Cold hands does not make it easy to work especially when you keep hammering your fingers at the same time!!

The above necklace is created with Isabelle Anderson's etched purple beads with amethyst and silver - on silver adjustable chain - what do you think??

Something Warm!

SOLD

Brrr hasn't it gone all cold and stormy outside - walking Elli to school this morning was a battle and a half ! I felt like tying a rope around Elli's ankle just in case she did that Mary Poppins thing and took off! When Elli was about 3 and at afternoon nursery I remember walking to school with my brolly up. The wind was so strong it kept tugging it and I remember saying to my friend "Ohhh I'm gonna take off" with that a little hand came out and took my hand - tight and I mean so tight I could feel the blood leaving lol then another little hand and took hold of my coat. Looking down I saw a very worried 3 yr old and asked her what was the matter - "I don't want you to turn into Mary Poppins Mummy - she never came back!" Bless her - Mary Poppins was her favourite film - maybe she had overload;)

The above bracelet is with Carolines beautiful beads and mixed with deep Carnelian and Bali silver give a rich and warm looking bracelet don't you think?? The earrings of course are Isabelle Anderson beautiful simple earrings with a touch of Bali silver.

Ice Themed

Ok the chill in the air has finally got me inspired - these beautiful crystal quartz nuggets are like ice cubes - hence the name - maybe watching the cruise ship sink in the Antartic inspired me really - mind you cruising in the freezing cold doesn't appeal to me AT ALL!! But then you all know I love blue - blue skies and blue seas lol
Now my husband would love to go somewhere cold - with snow thats a must but Elli and I aren't so sure. Elli says aged 5 "I want to wear my bikini" MUmmy says aged £& (haha) "Well I could wear lots of clothes!!" but my preference is warmth definately!!

MY silver as promised!!

Well everything is out of my tumbler and all photographed - now my skills are still quite basic but I love soldering - can you tell?? Now I have made a commission piece - the lady in question (*waves as I know she reads here occassionally) wanted a hammered ring necklace which went from large to small - with the small rings passing through the large at the end. What do you think then??
I'm really pleased with the effect so I hope the lady in question is too!!


A few of my other silver pieces for you to look at below!!

Funky Chunky!

Oh the inspiration is piling out of me at the moment - mainly silver - I've been making in my garage again today - luckily it wasn't as cold today - yesterday my fingers lost all feeling and I had to come in to warm them up - the tumbler was going some too and this morning lots of shiny pieces were pulled out - I promise to photograph them all tomorrow!!

This piece was inspired by , not only the name Beverley Hicklin the Glass artist gave them "Sea scape" but the colours - then I found a poem by Emily Dickinson I knew it was a good name. This piece is chunky - there is no escaping it but including the handmade chain she truly is a fab piece (yes I sometimes even say it :) )

There is a bracelet (Not yet photographed which I will add here when done) with simple handmade chain with just a simple bead.

Enjoy

Will there be snow?

I always laugh this time of year at the so called weather predictions - it always seems to depend on what channel you watch or what newspaper you read! This morning we are told it will be mild - with average or higher rain fall, yet yesterday a friend read we were in for a cold winter with snow!! Predictions of the weather in my honest opinion never work - I mean look at our summer....
This bracelet to me has the colours of our winter in it - the cool blues with the russet colours of shrubs, Beverley Hicklin to me captures colours fantastically. With Karen Hill Tribe Silver and fw pearsl with a little touch of faceted amazonite - I've hopefully captured the beauty of these artisan beads.
I played with solder again yesterday so hopefully I'll have pics later :D

The Secret Garden

I love the story of the Secret Garden - its one of those feel good stories with twists and turns - but then I did read a LOT as a child ( still do ) and its just another memory - of course I watched the adaptation too! There artisan glass beads by Isabelle Anderson seemed magical with a hidden depth - almost like there was more inside if only you could get in!!

I will be addding charms when they arrive (I hate waiting for my silver I'm so impatient) I've mixed black onyx and amethyst too and some gorgeous hammered disc beads - but take note of the pretty clasp!
I'm adding link to the secret garden page on Wiki for you to have a nose at for anyone not knowing the story! HERE

Enjoy

© Gemheaven 2007

She's back!

Yes my muse is back and I'm creating again woohoo!! I felt like my arm had been left somewhere - and to create with hardly any pressure is such a good feeling (Yes I still have commissions to do !)

This necklace with a load of Karen Hill Tribe with Caroline Hannon's beads as focals is named after the Goddess of healing and fertility.- I love the silver beads!

The bracelet, in one of my favourite styles is again Carolines beads with lots of sterling silver jump rings - she's named after Coventina, goddess who personified a holy spring (that was reputed to have healing powers). I seem to be inspired by Goddess at the moment - last time it was Celtics lol - I wonder why!!
© Gemheaven 2007

OHhh cold today

SOLD

OHHh its been cold today and we've stayed in kind of hibernating I suppose!! We watched Narnia on the tv and we snuggled - well E and Elli did I was more moving my arms in an iroing motion lol - but yay I got close to the bottom of the pile!! Now I have a fabulously gorgeous smelling joint of beef in my oven ready for later while I actually made something yesterday (well two things) - so fingers crossed my muse WAS on on a short break!

RESERVED

I'm slowly working my way through my commissions to - so everyone who is waiting - I'm getting there - Its a great feeling to tick them off on my book! The above two charm bracelets are of course Caroline Hannons charm beads with a variety of fw pearls, gemstones, czech glass, crystlas and silver - Autumnal beach needs some more pictures taken but apart from that I@m really happy.

I did make a new chain and have a variety of charm beads ready so watch this space!! And a huge thank you for all the lovely comments on my new website - much appreciated :D

© Gemheaven 2007

Sorry for being slow

A very short post to say I am around - just having a little loss of muse at the moment - think she's gone a short break - well I hope its not long haul!! I'm also working on my brand new website so thats taking up a lot of time but we're nearly there!!!!

Word of warning for everyone who has created an account on my old website - you 'll have to do it all again :( So sorry but hopefully the new look and shopping facilities will make it all worth your while - I'll keep you all updated!

OH its up E just phoned to say we are LIVE!!!! eeeekkk

Comments are appraciated lol - am scared now!

© Gemheaven 2007

Christmas fair

Tonight I have my first Christmas Fair - so you can imagine how busy it is in Gemheaven household but Wednesdays aren't not a good day here -- manic running around is just a normal Wednesday - we have swimming with the school (which is most of the school afternoon by the time you get home you have to leave to go collect your child from school!) Then homework and an early dinner before Rainbows - now today my Elli is taking her "promise" but at the same time I have to be unpacking my display - so I feel incrediably guilty at missing this - I do wish leaders would give more notice :(

Today I decided to post everything I have made in the last couple of days beginning with "S" - why i hear you ask - maybe its to do with the "snakes" I have with family committments, my work and passion and the juggling I seem to be doing at the moment - I'm sure it will all settle down real soon but for the moment I feel like the plate spinners you see trying to keep everything up in the air!
I haven't mentioned it before but my "E" is revamping my website - its looking fantastic and I'm really pleased - it looks very professional as he's not involved with IT at all. I will update you all with news of it going live - of course it will be the same web address but anyone on my mailing list will probably have to re-submit their details but emails will be sent out to remind you of this!

Back to my plate spinning :D

© Gemheaven 2007