Blog | Rachel Lucie Handmade Silver Jewellery

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:31:00 +0000

I'm having a GIVEAWAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:30:00 +0000

Here's what you could win:

My handmade Chrysanthemum necklace make with 18 individual freshwater pearls individually wire wrapped around a sterling silver link with a large shiny bail, set on a fine chain with Swarovski dangle.

A very classic design which can be worn with casual outfits and more formally (it's part of my Forever Pearl Wedding Collection)

It's SO easy to enter!

All you need to do is got to my Rachel Lucie Facebook Page and 'like' my page.
Then you just need to 'share' the post referring to this giveaway - it must be a PUBLIC share, or I can't see it!

That's all :)

Closing date is 8pm GMT on Sunday 29th January.

Good luck! x

Please note that this giveaway is in no way sponsored or endorsed by Facebook - just to clear that up :)

Earth Love ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:46:00 +0000

Some heart-shaped inspiration for you today. Hearts found in nature. It must be a sign!

Rio Negro Province, Argentina, see on Google Maps here

Galesnjak Island, just sounth of Croatia, seen on Google Maps here

Private residence in California - now this is a big gesture of love! Google Maps here

Heart-shaped mangrove in New Caledonia photographed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and featured in his book 'Earth from Above'. Google Maps here

Tatler Magazine - pictures!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:47:00 +0000

Yes, I finally have pictures of Rachel Lucie Jewellery in Tatler Magazine (January's edition)!

So pleased my Vasilisa Earrings have been included in another magazine - that's 3 in the last 3 months! This design sold well over Christmas, it's a shame I can't directly link most of the sales from the magazine features, but that's the way it goes.

My most exciting story over Christmas was through GQ magazine, though.

A guy who lives in Germany call me as he had seen these earrings in GQ Magazine and wanted them for day 18 in his present-a-day advent calendar he was making for his girl friend. How romantic is that?!

I would love to know what the other 24 presents were! That must be the most romantic gesture I've heard my jewellery part of so far.

Beating the winter blues

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:52:00 +0000

I'm cheering myself up today in this terrible weather we've been having.

This beautiful diary is what I will be keeping abreast of my life with this year. I am really determined to use this one properly, I tend to trail off by February, usually! It's full in inspirational words from writer Paulo Coelho and amazing illustrations by Catalina Estrada whom I have just discovered. Wish me luck!

A peony, one of my favourite flowers

My other half got it right this year for my Christmas present, buying me something 'beautiful not useful', the beautiful 'Garden of Eden' published by Taschen full of amazing botanical drawings. I can see me whiling away the hours with my nose in this book. You might remember that botanical prints were the inspiration behind my Botanica jewellery range.... expect more of this....

My favourite present from the kids was these gorgeous fingerless gloves from Spirals here in Hebden Bridge. I must admit I had been in and fallen in love with them already and nodded Gary the wink that it's what I wanted.

Now, don't you wish you were here?

ziegfeld necklace [Flickr]

rachellucie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:45:29 PST

rachellucie posted a photo:

marrakech necklace 2 [Flickr]

rachellucie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:45:25 PST

rachellucie posted a photo:

orchid necklace 1a [Flickr]

rachellucie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:45:19 PST

rachellucie posted a photo:

orchid earrings 1a [Flickr]

rachellucie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:45:14 PST

rachellucie posted a photo:

marrakech earrings 1a [Flickr]

rachellucie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:45:06 PST

rachellucie posted a photo:

New Resolutions!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:52:00 +0000

Happy New Year!

I hope you've had some wonderful time off, some family time, good food and good company (plus some great presents, too!)

I've had fabulous rest over Christmas and New Year, after my busiest year so far. I'm now thinking and planning for the year ahead of me.

Not a big one for New Year's Resolutions, normally (apart from 2000 when I gave up smoking, very proud of that one) I had a think both personally and in terms of my business and found there were actually some genuine changes I want to make, so I thought I would share them with you. Maybe in the hope that telling you might help me stick to them. We'll see how it goes...

go to bed earlier by far my worst habit, I am never in bed before 1 am at the earliest, no matter how tired I am. This is not good!
go back into reading novels. I've never really got back into reading since having my daughter (who is now 5) and I've not read one at all for over a year. Truly shocking as I always was an avid reader. Maybe if I got back into reading in bed, this would help with no. 1....
de-clutter. I know, I know - everyone has this on their list, but I read a very inspiring post over at bugs and fishes called Less 365 and although I won't be able to get rid of a thing a day, I should be able to step up to the mark and do one a month, so Less 12 for me.
take and share on this blog at least 1 photo a month of something that is really inspiring me at the moment. Well, I started here with these photos I took on a walk around Hebden Bridge with the family yesterday :)
take a walk outside at least once a month by myself with my camera (might help with no. 4)
take a jewellery making taster course with a view to deciding which area of jewellery-making I would like to focus on for further study. I really want to move my jewellery on by creating more of it myself from scratch. I feel this will enable me to really push my designs in a new direction, and not be limited by the findings on offer.
use my diary PROPERLY!

I think that's plenty to be getting on with for now. I think it's important not to turn a resolution or wish list into one massive to-do list. I have a very large one of those and am off to get some more things ticked off.

I'd love you to share your plans and resolutions with me, do you make resolutions and do you stick to them?!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 02:15:00 +0000

It's been my best year ever with great sales all through Christmas, right to the last minute and I have enjoyed every minute of it!

I love sharing people's stories as they choose the special gifts they will give their loved ones, the new jewellery ideas they come up with, and the wonderful feedback I've also received. I really couldn't have dreamed of such a successful year!

It just shows that despite the doom and gloom in the media about the economy, that people have been choosing carefully the gifts they give this winter. Maybe with a tighter budget, this year, but making up for quantity by choosing quality and uniqueness.

I will be having a well-earned rest with my family over the Christmas period, please continue to order or contact me as normal, but bear in mind that the next posting date will be Wednesday 4th January.

It just remains for my to say a big thank you to all of you who have bought Rachel Lucie jewellery this year, have a fantastic Christmas!

Rachel x

New jewellery - Faroe and Polychrome!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:12:00 +0000

A new design - Faroe Earrings and Faroe Necklace plus the matching Polychrome Necklace are now available in my Notonthehighstreet shop

Faroe Earrings

These designs all use garnet, citrine, aventurine and quartz crystal, and the colours remind me of Nordic or Faroe patterns.

Faroe Necklace

My other ranges which feature the simple stacking design idea: Arran, Avalon, Jura and Guinevere have all sold like hotcakes this winter, which is fantastic! The only problem is that the beautiful greeny green garnet beads that are in all these designs are all used up, and are not available for the foreseeable future.

Polychrome Necklace

This gave me the opportunity to explore other gorgeous colour combinations I can make with my collections of 8mm gemstone rondelle beads. Oh yes, I collect them!

I'm hoping these new additions will be a popular - there's still time for them to make it to some grown-up stockings...

Designing stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:11:00 +0000

Today I designed a pair of earrings for myself - that doesn't happen often! I make a lot of new designs, pick a couple that I copy for myself and stick to those day in day out - but this pair are for me :)

I've used gold filled components with golden rutiliated quartz and tiny aquamarine rough faceted beads to give an accent of blue.

I'm not normally one for big jewellery, or even a wearer of gold, but these 10cm long statement gold earrings will be perfect for my Christmas parties this year. I'm really pleased that I tried something new!

Last posting dates for Christmas 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:20:00 +0000

It's getting nearer and nearer, not matter what we do. Hope you're getting sorted for you all your Christmas presents, I have yet to start mine in earnest *tries not to panic*

Here are the last postage dates from Royal Mail this Christmas, please bear this in mind when placing an order with Rachel Lucie Jewellery Designs, it's the same on all the sites I sell on:

UK
Wed 14th December	Standard Parcels
Sat 17th December	Second Class and Recorded Signed For™
Tue 20th December	First Class and Recorded Signed For™
Special Delivery™
Thu 22nd December	Special Delivery™
Fri 23rd December	Special Delivery™ with Saturday Guarantee

International Airmail
Mon 5th December	South & Central America, Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Asia, Far East (including Japan), Australia and New Zealand
Fri 9th December	Eastern Europe, USA and Canada
Mon 12th December	Western Europe

As you can see, the last date for South & Central America, New Zealand, Far East and Japan etc has already passed. For US customers TOMORROW is the last posting date, and for European Customers MONDAY is the last day.

Obviously these dates are not a guarantee of Christmas arrival, just as some people order after these dates and still do manage to get their parcels - Royal Mail is beyond my control!

Happy Shopping!

www.rachellucie.co.uk
www.rachellucie.etsy.com
www.notonthehighstreet.com/rachelluciejewellery

Snapshots of a view....

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:56:00 +0000

A photo taken on the first of every month, of the view from my home office window - distracting, isn't it?!
Sadly only 11, I missed July.

Found this nifty tool on Flickr when I uploaded my collection from the year, rather nifty, isn't it?

Have you got any ideas of a photo diary to start next year?

A Christmas Commission

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:07:00 +0000

It's been the busiest two weeks ever, at Rachel Lucie HQ, which has been fantastic news and great fun. Blog posts have been thin on the ground but my pliers have been a blur of activity.

Today I thought I'd quickly share a gorgeous commission I've had as a result of a lovely jewellery party a few weeks back.

I've used beautiful vintage faceted beads and combined them with jet Swarovski rondelle beads. The pendant is long and simple, on a short fine 16inch chain, to dangle seductively.... Teresa commissioned this necklace for a Christmas event to go with a beautiful new vintage-style little black dress.

(necklace, self-modelled, with Ballroom Earrings)

I loved combining and reusing old vintage beads and am going to be trying to use them again in other of my designs in the future.

Commissions are always great fun, and this was no exception - thanks Teresa!

Rachel Lucie jewellery in.....Tatler!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:14:00 +0000

No, that was not a typo!

My Vasilisa earrings will be in a feature called 'Twinkle Twinkle' in January's Tatler magazine. How excited am I? At least that excited.

I'll post pictures when the magazine is published, which is actually next week, but I just couldn't keep it in any longer! I'm really pleased that although it's January's edition it's out before Christmas.

It's been nice and busy here in Rachel Lucie HQ this week, so I think I'll have a nice glass of wine or 2 to celebrate this evening. Have a great weekend, whatever you get up to.

Rachel x

View from my window 1st December

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:32:00 +0000

Well, that's the end of my series, a view from my window on the first (mostly) of the month throughout 2011.

As you can see, we're back to winter again, but there's plenty of colour outside today in the weak sunshine and the blue sky reflecting off the damp slate roofs.

(Random aside: I just had to look up how to spell 'roofs'! I'm sure I used to know that, once.... I started with 'rooves' which seemed very wrong, but so did 'roofs'. I blame Rudolph and the rest of Santa's reindeers' 'hooves'....)

My view 2011:

View from my window 1st of January
View from my window 1st of February
View from my window 1st of March
View from my window 1st April
View from my window 1st May
View from my window 1st June
View from my window 1st of August - ish
View from my window 1st September
View from my window 1st October
View from my window 1st November
View from my window 1st December

I'm going to put all these photos together on flickr for the end of the year.

Now, what to do for next years photo project? Ideas welcome :)

Front page and a fantastic Cyber weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:35:00 +0000

I've had a great weekend! Starting with my Black Friday Sale, lasting all weekend and ending today in my etsy shop, I've had loads of orders. My other sites have done well too, and it was great to see orders rolling in whilst I was a 100% Handmade in Ilkley on Saturday.

Just to top off a top weekend, I awoke to find I was featured on the Etsy front page this morning in the early hours, and some more orders. I was on cloud nine :) This gorgeous treasury was made by the talented Stacey of Wishdaisy and Creashines on Etsy - thanks Stacey!

I have to say that today - Cyber Monday, the officially busiest online shopping day of the year - things have quietened down a bit round here. Maybe all my shoppers were shopped out!

Next post I will be laying out all my last posting dates for Christmas.

Rachel x

Black Friday to Cyber Monday SALE on Etsy!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:10:00 +0000

Right now!

Nordri Earrings

In honour of Thanksgiving in America today, there's 18% off my whole rachellucie Etsy store, already discounted AND free shipping with code RLFREESHIP1 at checkout, too.

Walk in the Woods Bracelet

All ends on Monday Midnight GMT - grab a bargain!

Ballroom Earrings

Rachel x

Happily Ever After

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:28:00 +0000

Who doesn't love a happy ending?!

I used folklore art motifs of hearts and ornate designs to inspire me with this design using freshwater pearls, garnets and sterling silver.

I'm really struggling with the light this week for my pictures - I hope these have come out ok!

You can find these designs on my website:

Happily Ever After Earrings

Happily Ever After Necklace

Rachel x

Jewellery inspired by Fairy Tales...

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:28:00 +0000

Click below to enter a magical world....

Charleston - new pictures, new bracelet

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:08:00 +0000

Charleston Bracelet

My Charleston earrings have proved a very popular design, so I decided to create a bracelet to match this season. The Charleston design uses beautiful smoky quartz tetrahedrons (indeed!), 8mm for the earrings and now 10mm for the bracelet to make it a little more substantial.

Charleston Earrings

I love the way these beads play with the light. For the earrings I have made sure all attention is focussed on that bead by using a long elegant ear wire which I hand-shape for each pair from sterling silver. The bracelet is interspersed between beads with oval links.

Charleston Bracelet

I decided to reshoot the pictures of the earrings, to go with the new bracelet, I hope you like the results. I have been really struggling for light to take good pictures this week...winter is here!

Charleston Earrings

You can find this design currently in the wonderful Heart Gallery, Hebden Bridge, along with other designs from my new Speakeasy Collection, as well as my handmade jewellery website rachellucie.co.uk

Rachel x

What are you looking at?!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:00:00 +0000

I have a little obsession with reptiles. I took this shot in France this year, this lizard was only a baby, so cute!

NEW jewellery... Fedora!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 11:19:00 +0000

Something new, available on my website this weekend is the Fedora Bracelet and matching Fedora Earrings

I created these elegant earrings using smoky quartz and fantastic rutile quartz diamond beads. These have the most amazing gold threads inside, and the combination of the two immediately reminded me of bourbon whiskey - perfect for my Speakeasy Collection!

More jewellery on it's way, watch this space!

You're Invited!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:24:00 +0000

Click your exclusive invitation to enter...

New designs are being uploaded this week onto rachellucie.co.uk and my other stores!

Rachel x

NEW online stockist - Bouf!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:47:00 +0000

I'm delighted to share that I now sell my jewellery on Bouf.com!

You can find Rachel Lucie Jewellery here and also browse the many beautiful products they stock...

Concentrating on small brands and designers that just don't have a place in our generic highstreets these days and with a great eye for what's beautiful and useful (what could be better than that?), that's probably the reason that many of Bouf's products were used on C4's Alan Carr Chatty Man earlier this year! Read more in the Bouf Blog here.

I'll slowly be updating my products onto the site, but in the meantime you can find my Socotra Collection available now.

Handmade Socotra Bracelet

Handmade Socotra Earrings

Handmade Socotra Necklace

Rachel x

My Christmas Events 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:33:00 +0000

Here are the events that I will be exhibiting my work this Christmas:

Headingley Arts Trail Open Houses
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th November 10-4pm
Trail details can be found here

Heart Gallery Christmas Exhibition

Sunday 13th November 12-5pm, Heart Gallery, Hebden Bridge

Exhibition runs until the New Year

Christmas Crafts 2011 Bankfield Museum and Halifax Visitor Centre (Piece Hall)

Special Viewing Saturday 12th November 1-4pm

Exhibition runs til 14th January

(my work will be at Piece Hall)

100% Handmade Craft Fair
26th November, Riddings Hall, Christchurch, Ilkley
10-4pm 1 day only

Rachel Lucie in GQ Magazine!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Lucie Johns) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:50:00 +0000

Here's Johnny!

It seemed that Johnny Depp was smiling just at me today when I visited the petrol station and saw this copy of GQ magazine on the shelves. Maybe I really have lost the plot, but knowing my Vasilisa Earrings were in a feature inside, with Johnny smiling at me on the front was a real thrill. I think I may need to get out more....

The earrings are part of a feature listing gorgeous goodies for men to get their other halves called 'All She Wants for Christmas' I'm hoping GQ readers take the hint - I know lots of female friends who do the odd subtle and not-so-subtle hints to make sure they get just what they wanted.... Make sure you do the same! ;)

Bye for now x