The Jewelled Web - January 2013

Brr, but it's been a cold month. The post-Christmas-lag has hit me pretty hard this January, but I'm battling through, pushed on by the fact that it's nearly a twelfth of the way through the year already ... I have enjoyed being snowed in by the weather last week ... although the novelty wears off fast!

Snowfall on ice

Searching for inspiration on the web this month, it's partly been an exercise in procrastination (see above re post-Christmas-lag) ... but if you also fancy a little break from your normal reads, then click on the links of some of my favourite finds this month (but not all from this month!)


Ever have trouble fixing posts to the back of earrings? Then check this post out, by Jibby & Juna

Beautiful earrings created from metal forged to look like birch bark. And a poem by Robert Frost thrown in for free.

A hint or two on where to find inspiration when it seems to have not only hidden but left the country ... I know that feeling!

Ethical Metalsmiths - this seems to be a US only site but it still makes fascinating reading when you care about where your materials come from.

Fancy having a go at Steampunk? Take a look at this tutorial. I've been collecting any and all broken watches for a while myself now ...

Beautiful and inspiring metal keys.

Fancy being adventurous this weekend? Make your own Shibuichi.


And a few non-jewellery items ...

In the middle of a fifteen piece series that aims to help you get organised - part three looks at organising your home HQ.

A beautiful new year resolution.

Cornwall in the snow - click on the images to make them bigger and enjoy the beauty.

Need inspiration for a gift for your loved one? Only just Remembered it's Valentine's Day very soon? Take a look at this.

Hope you've had a good month, snow or sun.

The work bench was just where I left it!

The work bench really was just where I left it!

This week, I'm happy to say, I persuaded myself  back to my work bench.

I found tools, silver, and inspiration, helped along by having a bit of a plan - the focus has been hearts and I've tried to stay with this, and not get distracted by half-finished other projects that I come across as I look through those little plastic bags that most of my silver is kept in...

And I even reached the stage where I could list something on Folksy - quite a result when inspiration and motivation, and all that jazz, are low.

Silver and pearl and heart necklace

So take heart (sorry, bad pun) if you're feeling post-new-year-lag creeping on and on. It will pass.

A quiet new year ...

I've been quiet for a while now. Something about Christmas and the New Year brings out the hibernator in me. Well, it could just be the cold winter weather that does that...

I know. I've not worked with you in ages...

But I've been quiet on my blog, quiet on Twitter, quiet on Pinterest, and quiet on Folksy.

I've also been quiet in my workshop, doing very little other than moving pieces of silver around, looking through bead supplies, and then wandering out again. And then I've been feeling guilty for only doing that.

Tiny things feel like huge mountains at the moment. I'm hoping it's the time of year ...

But I've also been mulling ideas over in my mind, and am hoping that I've got a plan of action brewing and building, and when I do go back to the work table (tomorrow, I hope!) I'll have a good idea of what I want to do. I've found that nothing stops productivity more than sitting around thinking "Now, what shall I do today...?" Having a plan can make all the difference. Again, I hope ...


In other news, it's snowed! I know, I know. For me and everyone else in the UK.
But, hey, it's snow and it always has the novelty factor here and, despite all the problems it brings, it's still always beautiful.

Hope you're having a good weekend.