Creative chaos

This happens from time to time. I have so many things going on at the moment that I find it difficult to complete one let alone all of them.

First I thought I'd share a pic of the view to the east looking out from the 'kitchen'. I should explain that our kitchen is a not very modified 'beast housing' which still has the iron cladding under a very thin skin of masonry outside and unfashionable panelling inside.

I love this view, particularly in winter and early spring as the oak trees stand out against the sky so well.

Busy, but not busy enough

I've been gathering together some components to create a range of jewellery and gifts for Rackenford Village Shop. 20 per cent of any sales made go towards supporting the shop and village activities. This range will be exclusively available at Rackenford Shop but I will of course share pics here. I'm planning to offer pendant necklaces, and a few gift ideas such as a bead pen, bead bottle stop and some brooches. There may be one or two necklaces from my simple strands range as well.

I've completed an artglass panel (10 inches square) this weekend and happily the lovely person who commissioned it is happy with the results. I'll share the result with you as soon as it has been delivered (and with their permission).

To list or not to list?!

I am often attracted to objects, components, materials and am inspired to create jewellery using them. I don't tend to think about whether there will be a worthwhile item of jewellery at the end of the process which is probably not the best trait to encourage in myself. I enjoy making slightly (and even wildly) quirky jewellery but now I have the dilemma of whether or not to offer these for possible sale.

I haven't made a decision - a state of affairs that may well persist for a while - but I'd like to share some of my 'hedgelands haphazards'.

This first one is a handcut and finished piece of copper sheet with a gold on black uncapped dichroic glass cab glued to it. The chain is traditionally used to hang artglass panels and is steel with copper plating and a lovely copper spiral hook clasp.

The next one is called 'seamines lariat'. The beads are indian made out of copper and blue glass cabs. The silvery appearance is the silver solder used to add the decoration. These are really challenging beads to design with. In the end, and with help from some other jewellery designers, I went for this form of necklace. It is quite fun and I'm very tempted to list it somewhere.

This last necklace is made with wonderful fused glass cabs by Cornish glass artist Tania Grey. At the time I designed this necklace I was not able to do any complicated silver work and so decided to use a copperfoil method to create links with the cabs. I've used italian wire mesh for stringing and a copper bead at the 'Y' junction of the necklace. I have worn this out several times and it does get you noticed.

I've been bouncing around like a rubber ball this morning soldering away at a few dichroic pendants. But I've had a hard time settling down to anything much - feeling very much like my cats when they are feeling 'conflicted' and their tails switch back and forth. Hopefully, I'll have some nice new pendants to show for my efforts. Of course, today's efforts may well be joining the ranks of the 'hedgelands haphazards'.

Until next time when I might do a little guide to beads. If you have any suggestions or questions about beads, materials or jewellery techniques please leave a comment. I promise to respond.