Present from the sister:

These are something I've also been wanting to do for sometime - ever since the sapphire one from before. I finally sat down to make them with little white seed pearls - oh it's horrible working with such tiny bits and thin wire (I'm constantly afraid of slicing myself) but the end result is ever so delicate.

I really like the symbolism of eternity necklaces (and rings of course). The circle, a simple, universal and timeless shape has so many meanings in different cultures but they all invariably lead to completeness, connectedness, infinity and fidelity (enclosure of the heart). Personally, I like how it reminds me that (a) everything in this world - every action we do, everything we say - is interconnected, and (b) that completeness of the soul stems from this very same awareness.

Anyway, I've done 2 styles here in silver and gold, both with pearls wired onto handmade hoop frames but with different bails, wiring and chain. They come up to about an inch each and satisfy my preference for classic simplicity. I can't decide which I like better. What do you think?? Maybe it all depends on the gem accents used.

Here's the good news: I've only made 2 of the gold and 1 silver in the first run and have listed these in my shop at very special introductory prices (they make thoughtful gifts too!). I would also really love to make them in different sizes and gemstones, so look out for those.

It was already past 6pm and the light was fading, but I was so pleased with how my Anemone earrings turned out today that I wanted to sneak a couple of shots first. I had better, truer-to-life colour and lighting with my dSLR (I shoot with both these days, and compare how they turn out). Will have to reshoot more tomorrow.

Here I've combined gorgeous deep London blue topaz with clusters of ocean blue apatite and my favourite pink topaz. These earrings are really petite; the briolettes are only 8mm across and the rondelles are about 2.5mm each. But they are perfect for someone who digs understated brilliance. I'm so tempted to keep them!

At times like this, I really like the fact that I make my own earwires, because then I have complete control over the proportions of the whole piece. I don't understand long earwires with long dangly earrings, or combinations that lack focus because the components don't have enough of a contrast.

I've said a lot of times that what inspires me most is colour. Beautiful colours, able to evoke feelings, moods, places and things, and of vital significance to the saying that a picture paints a thousand words. The point of this post is simply to say that I am perfectly happy creating similar designs using different colour palettes.


These ones above are my latest lariat necklaces for this week. I think I've had it with earrings, been so sick of them and not making them for a while takes a bit of pressure off having to ensure that everything is symmetrical (the way I like it). I should be coming up with at least a couple more necklaces before I head to Oz.

These two below are my bangle-style bracelets with the profusion of gems as centrepieces. Wildflower Mélange was created sometime back, while Hyacinth is my new favourite, as I thought the style of this beaded cluster suited the natural form of hyacinths in bloom. Of course, every time I come across the word "hyacinth" itself, I'm immediately reminded of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced "bouquet") from Keeping Up Appearances. I watch too much BBC comedy.

I was possessed. It was close to midnight and I'd been already feeling sleepy for the 2 hours but something in me decided to start on some earrings. I haven't been working on earrings for about a week now but once you start with an idea it's hard to stop until you finish it, if only to see whether the end product turns out as you envisioned.

I've been wanting to do something with the Tunduru sapphire rondelles I got some time back (don't I say this with every bead purchase I make and cast aside in the pursuit of more?). These came in warmish hues of cranberry, mandarin, olive and taupe. I was about to pair them with smoky quartz when I discovered the citrine that I've been hoarding made a better complement. Pearls would top off the luxe look.

Named for the May festival of Beltane (here and here), which is celebrated approximately halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. In ancient times, this traditionally marked the arrival of summer with lots of festivities. These fiery earrings are my celebration of new seasons, fresh growth, abundance, and most of all the life-giving sun and the full moon. I love pagan holidays; they have so much more meaning than modernised/commercialised ones.