Gemheaven

Looks hard at calender*

2013-05-30T11:03:00.000+01:00

Honestly where has May gone??

I've looked everywhere!

I know the weather has been more March than May but really,

I've lost the whole month!!!

RESERVED

I have been busy working on a new collection ~

Pieces inspired by the beach, ocean etc

Its coming on a treat and I am a little excited about it.

This little collection is called Cortex

and they sit so prettily in the ears.

Some of the earwires are fixed and others aren't.

What do you think??

xxx

Journey

2013-04-29T12:24:00.002+01:00

Life's a journey

With Mountains so high
and valleys so low

Sometimes the trek seems too tough

the terrain is hard going

Other days the sky is sunny

and the view so spectacular

life seems a breeze.

But we are moving freely like a feather,

Journey Onwards embracing every moment

My new range is inspired by Feathers,

and the Journey

My new great feeling of health has been my muse I think!

I feel like a new chapter has begun in my life,

and I know I am not the only one!

Many of these pieces are already listed in my Etsy shop

Here

So take a look (and if you want anything reserving please just send me message)

Thanks for reading

xxx

Giveaway TIme!!

2013-04-16T15:12:00.000+01:00

Its HERE!!

The chance to win a special handcrafted necklace featuring :~

Labradorite and Moonstone

"A piece of the Sky for You"

and a second chance to win

Gives you the choice between a Gothic ring (Your choice of stone)

A Fleur Pendant ( with your choice of stone)

Now the competition is going on here ~

Gemheaven Facebook

or more importantly here ~

Giveaway Page

But for those of you NOT on facebook this is what you have to do

for 1 x entry like my blog

1 x Share my blog Giveaway ( or facebook giveaway ) on twitter or through your blog

1 x entry ~ tell me below what is your favourite piece of jewellery in my shop

I'll then add you to the giveaway :)

(Of course easier if you are a facebooker ;))

You don't have to do everything above just one or two will get you an entry :)

Thanks for taking part!!

xxx

Surpassed...

2013-04-13T15:55:00.000+01:00

What am I talking about, I hear you asked??

Well facebook fans of course!!!

I said I would be doing a giveaway ~ and I will be!

I'm working on thanking everyone for their support,

and decided to create a necklace, inspired by the night sky.

The chain length will be chosen by the winner..

Its a work in progress ~ labradorite and moonstone of course!!

This will be for the first name chosen out of the hat

✸

But because giving just one giveaway is so hard a second name will be given a choice of

A Fleur pendant

a gothic ring.

I hope you will take part (I will include blog entries as well as fb entries)

Without you all I wouldn't be able to do this ;)

xxx

New online venue

2013-03-26T10:00:00.001+00:00

I've opened a new online venue ~ which reminds me of a shopping mall based in Cornwall.

There are some great quality work on there ~ (including my own of course!!)

SHOP HERE!

I haven't listed all my stock on there but I'm adding something all the time :)

Take a look anyway

truro.com

Truro.com isn't just about shopping ~ there is Restaurants, holiday lets, jobs, things to do, entertainment ~ in fact a great place to look if you are coming to Cornwall ;)

xxx

Knocked off my feet

2013-03-24T11:32:00.000+00:00

I've had this horrible virus this week,

sore throat, cough and cold

so my work as slowed to a full stop :/

I did manage to finish some pieces previously

that I've been working on for a while.

Other ideas I need to start on including an amazing custom order.

But this is one I'm thrilled with....

This is something I have been working on

Totally inspired by the sea creatures ~ the centre stone is actually an amazing cabochon by the lampwork artisan Julie Fountain of Lush Lampwork

She's nearly finished but I wanted to show you anyway ... patience is never a trait I can say is mine!!

The chunky chain is handmade until it attaches to the rolo chain which adds to the piece.

I have a couple more pieces to show next week.

xxx

New work coming soon!

2013-03-07T17:45:00.000+00:00

I've been pretty busy in the studio

lots of earrings

and I've finally got around to sending a batch to the Assay Office for hallmarking!!

Nine necklaces

one ring

and

bangle :)

Hopefully they won't be too long to come back!

xxx

GOOL PERAN LOWEN!

2013-03-05T10:49:00.001+00:00

Happy St Pirans Day!!

Cornish and proud!

what is St Pirans Day all about?~ well originally it was started as one of the many tinners' holidays observed by the tin miners of Cornwall.

There is little description of specific traditions associated with this day apart from the consumption of large amounts of alcohol and food during 'Perrantide'. The day following the St Piran's Day was known by many as 'Mazey Day', a term which has now been adopted by the revived Golowan festival in Penzance. The phrase 'drunk as a perraner' was used in 19th century Cornwall to describe people who had consumed large quantities of alcohol

^{Read a little more about our Saint}

The modern observance of St Piran's day as a national symbol of the people of Cornwall started in the late 19th and early 20th century when Celtic revivalists sought to provide the people of Cornwall with a national day similar to those observed in other nations. Since the 1950s, the celebration has become increasingly observed and since the start of the 21st century almost every Cornish community holds some sort of celebration to mark the event. Saint Piran's Flag is also seen flying throughout Cornwall on this day.

Each Year, St Pirans story is retold in a drama on the dunes of Perranporths 'lost church' on the Sunday closest to March 5th.

See HERE

Cornwall has a rich history steeped in mysteries and legends ~ it attracts many artists and I believe this is because not only the inspirational landscapes but because of the soul this country has. You ask why I put country ... well throughout the mediaeval and early modern periods, the inhabitants of Cornwall were generally agreed - both by themselves and by their English neighbours - to be a distinctive people or 'race'. We had our own language, military and ships ~ rich in tin, copper, clay and fish (of course!)

The Cornish were gradually 'absorbed into the mainstream of English life' between 1485 and 1700 ~

you can read more about it HERE

I'm celebrating with my family with a Cornish delicacy ~ Oggies !! (Pasties!!)

The photography is by one of my favourite Cornish photographers Matt Facey who captures the soul of what my Cornwall is about. Its not all about the beaches, there is something rather special, sometimes dark and mysterious about Cornwall and maybe thats why it inspires me so much.

Timeline for historical events in Cornwall

Follow Matthew FaceyPhotography on facebook

Photography of Matthew Facey Website

xxx

Thinking ...

2013-02-13T14:35:00.001+00:00

I've been sat thinking, which in my present condition post operation,

is probably all I've been doing lately.

I've been thinking about what I want to create once I'm back in the studio

did I tell you I have itchy fingers..

not scratchy......

Itching to get to some metal.... and stones... and glass..

Its been raining so hard

in fact I think where I live thats all we've had

the rest of the UK have had the white stuff,

in fact I know some of you are bored of the snow now..

Feel free to send some to my little haven in Cornwall won't you!!!

xxx

I think I am back!

2013-02-08T10:19:00.003+00:00

Four weeks post op and now starting to turn the corner

mentally and physically!!

The op was a success and once the bruising and swellings have gone down I should be back

to being fighting fit!!

My only frustrations have been the lack of studio

I have missed it sooo much.

As you know I did make a tone of things before I went in so I could still add fresh things to my page!!

Gothic Red

Imprinted with Pink Sapphire

Imprinted #2

Midnight Solstice ~SOLD


Starlight earrings and pendant

I also have a few pieces to send off for hallmarking

~ will try and get a photograph of them all before they go :)

xxx

Oops

2012-12-19T11:15:00.001+00:00

I had good reason for staying away....

I didn't want to come across ~ sad, self pitying and low..

I didn't want anymore people saying get over yourself

You see waiting a long time for an operation tells people it can't be anything serious,

it can't be an emergency, so can't be all that bad, but I've been in pain nearly everyday, struggling to cope with day to day running..... my poor family have had a lot to put up with ..and so I neglected the one place I knew I would off load on ... I did it for you ... maybe I was wrong maybe I was right *shrugs

My operation is 3 weeks away now..

I'm terrified ....

✸✸✸✸✸

These have been a long 7 months of being in limbo I can tell you.

I may be gone a while but I hope to be back in fighting form...

I have saved and created pieces especially for that time when I won't be around

I don't want you all to forget me ...

xxx

Countdown begins!

2012-09-26T09:18:00.001+01:00

Source: sunsurfer.tumblr.com via Jo on Pinterest

My date has finally come through for my operation!

I don't know whether to do a happy dance,

or run wildly into the woods screaming terrified!

I'm scared ~ I still remember the slow recovery last time,

the pain, not being able to get comfortable,

the frustrations of wanting to do things,

yet my body failing me!

Yet

I must look at the positives....

1. Its after Christmas ~ so I have time to prepare and enjoy my family

2. I do know what to expect ~ I know not to expect more than I am capable of, to give my body chance to heal.

3. I have chance to get my body in tip top condition ready for the recovery.

4. After the op I will be pain free (once the healing is complete)

5. Its at the beginning of the year (9th January) which gives me the rest of the year to enjoy, take life at its fullest.

6. I have chance to do my accounts ~ bahahahahahah!!!

And so the countdown begins just over 3 months to go!

( I need an injection on the 17th to shut my cycles down which lasts for 12 weeks)

xxx

They're back!

2012-09-20T10:09:00.001+01:00

Hallmarking is all back and the lovely *coughs job of photographing them has begun!

I absolutely love that some of these pieces are already on their way to their new homes♥

and things are already progressing with new pieces in the studio this week

❋❋❋❋❋

Speak soon

xxx

My heart is hollow ...

2012-09-17T08:04:00.000+01:00

I tried a couple of new techniques (for me anyway)

this week.

Sometimes I feel my work is stagnant and not going anywhere,

my head and my heart need to let loose.

Expand

Move along

Evolve

Its not always easy feeling like I do

But I also know its a fabulous therapy

creativity!!

So here's my little hollow heart

I bought the sari silk especially for this project

and then procrastinated over the whole thing.

You should see what else I have procastinated over!!

So let me know what you think?

Sorry the pictures are so bad ~ I took them with my phone for instagram!!

xxx

Now on Made to Order

2012-09-14T10:59:00.000+01:00

Now you can pick and choose which colour with which leaf!!

and of course

I have more colours on the way

*does a happy dance

Look in my shop Here

xxx

Cos I'm Free Falling

2012-09-06T17:15:00.000+01:00

Brand new series of Free Falling earrings

Aren't they cute!!

I have 3 more pairs of these left

BUT

*dances with excitment

I have purple, pink, blue and green lampwork beads coming!!

The three pairs above have all sold but I so have others in my shop.

Speak soon

xxx

Special Time!

2012-09-02T14:08:00.000+01:00

My baby girl is starting ~~big school~~ ~ actually I'm not allowed to say Big School anymore ~ its Secondary School or High School but not Big School!!! I can't believe the time has flown and seems not longer than a year, from when I dropped her to Nursery and came home and wept at the quietness of the house, the unfinished jigsaw puzzle on the floor!!

So to celebrate the big step happening in our house I'm doing a week long sale from today.

Up to 30% off ~ yes 30%

I really need to clear some space!

Retail Therapy is always fun!

Normal *coughs will resume once school has started!!

xxx

Blimey!!

2012-08-13T12:26:00.000+01:00

Really??

A Whole Month without blogging!!

*Hangs head in shame!!!

But I did make some new pieces honest!

Once school broke up for Elli, my summer season started in the cinema and although due to health issues you all know about my hours are less, I really wanted to spend some quality time with Elli.

And you know what they say about having fun ;0)

Most of these pieces are available in my Etsy shop now ♥

xxx

A walk..

2012-07-13T11:22:00.000+01:00

It started with a collection ~ sitting up on my bench ~ initially it was just the leaf and twig I was going to make into a pendant (still think it would look great) but I decided to add a beautiful Malachite cabochon I had sitting there. The idea for using the ceramic *horn like* cabochon was soon added and an extra flower charm from an earrings was used too!

Putting them onto the chain worked so well ♥

Now adding the finishing touches...

and Ta~Da

A Woodland Walk was made ♥

Now listed in my shop
Here

xxx

A little award ♥

2012-07-12T11:48:00.003+01:00

The lovely Tania of Moonflygirl (a wonderfully talented silversmith herself) awarded me the Kreativ Blogger Award ~ *blush!! Check out Tania's blog ~ :)

So the rules are that I have to link back to the person who awarded me, pass this award on to 10 other blogs that I enjoy reading, and also reveal 7 facts about myself. Since it's very late at night, I may well reveal too much!

I love reading and once my head is in a good book I am lost.
I work part time in a Cinema ~ but hardly ever get to see any films!
I don't like pears ~ I want to but the texture ...*shudder ~ its like cats tongue
My husband is my best friend ♥ and we've been married 13 years :)
I really don't think my lovely daughter gets her dancing skills from me...
I have a special place in my heart for Italy ~ and would love to go back with our daughter soon,
In the winter I live in jeans, in the summer I live in dresses ;)

Now its your turn

In no particular order ~

Black Daisy Designs - A lovely, albeit a little mad ;) silversmith from Sweden who has over the years become a good friend. She amazingly talented and originally I got to know her through wire wrapping. She has chickens, a made bunny and busy busy life and I love reading about it!

Silverlines jewelry - Jenny is another silversmith I am proud to call a friend ~ she lives in beautiful Greece and her bright and vibrant beadwork compliments perfectly her rustic metalwork. She's a dab hand at Etsy's treasuries too ;)

Belinda Saville - Beautiful B is from Australia, mum of two equally beautiful children, her work is just precious ~ she doesn't blog that much but you can see her great photographs (and maybe she'll blog some more ;) )

Julia Guthrie - another Cornwall living artist one day I hope to meet up with ~ Julia's artwork sings of medieval and ethereal women, and when she isn't painting or sketching, you'll find her collecting driftwood (she makes fabulous art from it) or baking or storytelling ...*sigh soooooo talented (and lovely too)

Brandigirlblog - Brandi is someone who has moved on from her vibrant jewellery she used to make but now is a constant inspiration of colour and tip sharing, etc ~ she's a must for everyone's blog roll I can tell you!

Laura lee designs - Laura is another Cornish girl ~ wonderful handpainted ceramics and crafts ~ perfect for gift giving, so hold on to your seats when you peruse this blog!!

Edera Jewelry - This amazing US designer makes the most fabulous crocheted jewellery ~ you just have to see. Not just for wedding but you can imagine how beautiful any bride wearing Ivy's fabulous creations would look!!

City rustic Jewelry - Tana is a wonderful inspirational lady ~ her work with that rustic edge just sings to me ~ and I love seeing what she is getting up too ~ we both have a love of leaves as you will notice ;)

MsBelle - Ginger is another friend who takes the most wonderful photographs ~ totally inspirational and on top of that her gemstone creations are sleek and elegant and a joy to look at ;)

Luxe design Workshop - Peg Blackley who creations are just divine ~ check out her latest bee pieces ~ honestly that woman can saw!!

That was so hard I think I deserve a coffee ;) (hard that I didnt want to miss anyone out !)

xxx

And I'm Still Waiting!!

2012-07-11T09:22:00.001+01:00

I'm still waiting for my hallmarking to arrive back :(

The assay office are apparently inudated and because I don't pay for next day my parcel kept being pushed to the back of the queue ~ so huge apologises for anyone waiting to see the new pieces.

One good thing is I am already starting on the new batch ;)

I have been working on some earrings which I will show you while we wait impatiently for the parcel to arrive!!

Causeway with Boulder Opal ring

Button Down with Turquoise

Gladiator commission

Gladiator with Citrine

Pool of Thought

Tornado Commission

Shake your tail feather with Chalcedony

So a busy month with earrings :)

The pieces linked are in the shop ~ those that are not will be ~ unless they are a commission ;)

Speak soon

xxx

Still here!!

2012-07-03T17:45:00.000+01:00

Life is getting back to normal here in gemheaven house

It has to

A wait of 10 months is too long to be in limbo

(if that is the length of time I have before the op)

So I have decided to get on with life.

(Its way to short to waste)

Anyway, huge apologises for my tardiness

I've been beavering away

Some of the pieces I made preop have been sitting there

waiting

for the rest of the bundle to be finished

and so yesterday the package finally went off!!

This is what we have to look forward to

and this is what I'm in the process of finishing

I will be back shortly (Or dreckly as we say in Cornwall!!)

xxx

Butterfly, fluttering by...

2012-06-19T20:34:00.000+01:00

You know how I love my butterflies ~

I can't stop creating with them ~ and then suddenly it was a very special persons birthday,

and I knew I had to make her a butterfly something...

So this is what I came up with ~ an adjustable butterfly ring!

Something to pretty up your fingers I think!!

I have another I am making up now

(as of course this one is fluttering around the special persons hand now)

so if you are interested just give me a shout

made to measure with a little bit of adjustment ;)

Speak soon

xxx

Pin on!

2012-06-12T09:00:00.000+01:00

Today I feel pink!

I'm not sure why ~ because I'm really not a pink girl.

Maybe I'm feeling soft and feminine

(nope definitely not I'm off to the hospital later so really a wobbly mess)

But pink does make me happy to look at

Maybe I'm after a calming, peaceful influence :)

Source: Uploaded by user via Jo on Pinterest

Source: frenchbydesign.blogspot.com via Jo on Pinterest

Source: sundayinbed.tumblr.com via Jo on Pinterest

Source: wakeupinfrance.tumblr.com via Jo on Pinterest

Enjoy

xxx

Velvet and Lace

2012-06-08T12:06:00.000+01:00

Not that long ago (well time flies it could have been a while ago really)

I made a pair of earrings which I totally loved!

These were with purple Amethysts

~ I adored them and then they flew to another home.

So I made another pair...

Red Velvet, Vintage Lace

Find them HERE

Lots of love

xxx