The importance of clean!

So today's post is a little bit more of a practical post!

I realised earlier that it had been a week or so since I cleaned my earring studs and piercings. I am always in the water due to my other job as swimming teacher but constant contact with water definitely not substitute cleaning the specific area! How often do you clean your earrings, or any of your jewellery for that matter?

I often put my Silver bangles, rings and necklaces in my ultrasonic cleaner and barrel polisher to revive the shine and this means I clean them after with soap and water but I often forget my earrings.

If you want to have someone else clean your precious metal jewellery you can always take it to a jeweller but make sure that you clean the gunk off those earrings first!

If you want to clean your items yourself, you can buy all sorts of specific Gold and Silver solutions and cloths.  Just be careful and do your research before cleaning items with gem stones as different stones react differently to cleaning methods.  Some are soft stones and will not survive a chemical dunking!  

For example: If your silver earrings have settings with jewels glued to them, do not use the chemical cleaning method. Instead use a small amount of luke warm soap and water, dry the piece immediately and finish with a soft cloth to shine the earrings up.

Pearl jewelry should never be cleaned with harsh chemicals. A solution of mild soap and warm water should be enough to keep them clean. Allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away.

Never wash your earrings over a sink. Using a bowl to clean your earrings will prevent them from getting lost down the drain.

Remember that the metal will corrode if never cleaned!

If you want to clean base metal jewellery - like the stuff you buy on the high street, make sure you aren't too heavy handed with it.  Most of the metals are coated and this coating dissolves easily.  It also rusts easily so try not to submerge it for too long.  Instead, take a soft tooth brush, put the tooth brush in the warm soapy water and scrub away.  When you've finished dry the piece as quickly as possible.

I hope this helps and you will take the time to clean your favorite pieces as this way they will last longer!

One last note to finish on...I didn't just stop with cleaning my jewellery, I also cleaned my make-up brushes...I was horrified to see the amount of make-up and god knows what else came out of them! Remember you use these tools on your face...

Elementary My Dear Watson!

What one man can invent, another can discover said Holmes.

I obviously didn't invent Sherlock Holmes.  Arthur Conan Doyle did.

But like he said, "another can discover" and that's what I intend to keep on doing with my jewellery designs!

So in respect of that one of my latest designs is the man himself.  And while Conan Doyle is a fairly recognisable figure himself, Sherlock Holmes is even more so!  And who doesn't love Sherlock Holmes.  

He has had a bit of a revival in the last few years with Guy Richies films, the BBC mini series, the recent American series (Elementary), the new Sherlock Holmes novel and I'm sure a few others...

I've been toying with the idea of cameos for a while to add a little "vintage" to my collection.  The only thing that was holding me back was inspiration for this cameo.

Cameos have been around since the 3rd century BC...but I won't bore you with a history lesson.  I love them!

So I brought together a figure who I love and an icon of art and design that I admire.  

So here is my ode to the cameo!  It is only my first, and won't be my last. 

It's like Marmite!

Valentine's is officially the Marmite "holiday" of the year.  You either love it! Or you hate it!  Most of the time this depends on your relationship status...
I would like to say I'm a bit blazé about it as I'm in a relationship but who can't say they don't hope for a card and/or a bunch of flowers at the very least.
Of course the traditional Silver Hearts are still available and are always very popular!

But for this years "valentine's" designs I decided to take a slightly different approach.  I took some time to think about what symbols represent these feelings.  What represents that gesture of sharing your life with someone.  For me this symbol was a simple know.  A figure of 8.  This knot serves as a stopper knot.  It stops things coming unraveled.  This knot is also the symbol of infinity.  
The reef knot or square know is an ancient and simple binding knot used to secure a rope or line around an object.  Although the reed knot is often seen used for tying two ropes together.  The more pressure this knot if put under, the stronger it becomes.
And finally, the overhand knot which is one of the most fundamental knots and forms the basis of many others.  The overhand knot is very secure, to the point of jamming.  It should be used if the knot is intended to be permanent. It is often used to prevent the end of a rope from unraveling.

These three knots are three of the most simple knots of the sailing world but are three of the most fundamental.  This is why I chose these knots to form that basis of the "Forget-Me-Knot" designs.

Valentine's Day should no longer be about generic hearts and teddy bears.  Go for something different this year...something a little more fundamental!

I hope you like them!

Christmas!!!!

It's Christmas time again!

I love this time of year.  I do live in a desert so you don't get the proper winter feeling that you might in colder places such as the UK but the temperature has dropped today to a balmy 24 degrees!!! Apparently this is cold...she says with slippers on!  But I love our family Christmases because for us that's what it's about - family!  I wouldn't change them for the world.  I do get a little stressed with the Christmas shopping though.  To me Christmas gifts, as with any gift should have a certain amount of thought behind it.  I really hate it when there is no thought put into presents.  Last year due to tight budgets my family and I decided we would do handmade gifts only!  So there were hand decorate Christmas jumpers, felt laptop cases, jersey scarves!  It was so much fun!  

Pinterest is my new favourite app and I have got so much inspiration from it for presents this year.  I have tried to keep it fairly homemade this year but i can't tell you what I've done as that'll give the game away.  One thing I can say is that Jewellery wasn't the main bulk of my present giving and it probably won't be again this year.  Purely because everyone who will receive a gift has already invested in some statement Christmas jewellery from me!  Thank you by the way!

My Christmas line this year hasn't differed much to last years purely because of demand.  You like the current stuff far to much obviously!  I do know that I need to step it up for next year though...I am already planning designs!

Don't forget....firstly; Christmas is about the thought....Put some thought into a present and no matter how small, it will be appreciated much more.  And secondly; I do custom pieces....

Have an exceedingly Merry Christmas and a very fabulous New Year!

The Flying Ducks

They're here!!!!

Finally The Flying Ducks have landed and I'm so excited about them! They have been a work in progress for so long now and I am so relieved that they are here.  

It is always very difficult for me to leave the "making" process up to someone else as this is one of the processes that I love the most!  However sometimes, especially when you don't have the tools to produce something like this yourself...you have to let someone else do it.  

Anyway, time delays aside...I hope you love these as much these as I do!

The Flying Duck Necklace is make of acrylic perspex.

The necklace base is clear perspex and the ducks are white however can be customized upon request to a range of block colours.

The findings and chain are a mixture of silver and base metal.

It's Easter!

I'm not at all religious so for me Easter is not about the Resurrection of Christ, it's about the coming of Spring.  A change of seasons can do wonders for ones change of pace within a year.  I feel like the grey/beige of the desert winter (or at least the last few weeks that have signaled the seasonal change as winter is beautiful here!) is now well and truly behind me.
Therefore for me Easter, this year, means a change of gear.  To step it up a notch.  Onwards and upwards as they say.


I think that if Easter was a reflection of my religious beliefs then I might move in the direction of crosses and divine-ness....  Well it's not going to and I'm not going go that way as I still haven't addressed the whole religious belief thing with myself let alone translating it into my jewellery.


It's Spring - a time of birth and new life.  And I intend to breathe life into new designs!  
I am travelling to a new country next week and not to make anyone jealous but I am insanely excited!  New places means new inspiration so watch this space!!!

World Cup Fever!

No I am not a fan of football! I am talking Horses!
There is no denying that the Dubai World Cup, featuring the world's richest horse race, is one of, if not THE social calendar's premier events.  But it's not only about the geegee's, with a strict dress code and best dressed competitions at each racing event throughout the season, each year brings something unique in the style stakes and hopefully 2012 will be no different!


The Jaguar Style Stakes, a must for any self-respecting fashionista, is one of the region's most hotly anticipated events for fashion trend setter, with the winner securing a 2012 Jaguar XK convertible for a year along with a bevy of other prizes. 


Judges will be on the lookout for style, originality, attention to detail, as well as appropriateness of the outfit for the race day.


Here are some tips offered by internationally renowned stylist, Mandi Kingsbury :
- Hats/fascinators are essential for ladies
- Style and originality
- Grooming and deportment
- Coordination of the ensemble
- Nude, pastel, lime green and off white colours are key for this season
- Go for elegant closed toe heels of sandals
- Dramatic clutches are a must-have but should not be too heavy.  Chanel inspired bags to sling around your neck are always a winner.
- Statement necklaces with a simple dress, if you are brave enough to carry it.


Last year, Vintage Chanel took the crown (pictured below) and I think this year will be no different: Vintage!

My rule of thumb for my race outfits is, apart from being fabulous and effortlessly stylish is comfort! The highest heels in my wardrobe last year were not a great choice when trying traverse the crowds to the bar or even the bathroom!  Standing still at the table or propping up the bar, they looked fabulous but past that...annoying!  I also try not to wear a dress from the current high street season as you can guarantee that someone or even multiple someones will be wearing the same dress!!  If you do decide to though, try to customize it in a big way.  The easiest way of course is with accessories!  A hat of a fascinator is a must! Other than weddings, when else do you get to dress up your head in such an extravagant way?  And of course the next best thing is jewellery.  Big and bold statement pieces, especially necklaces, are a must to stand out in the crowd this year.


I will be working on a few custom pieces for my clients and I am very excited to see how it all turns out.


Have you started thinking about your outfit yet?  Don't forget to coordinate with your better half for that extra touch.  30 days and counting!!!