Sunday...

Apologies for my complete absence in this space for the last week...I have been madly busy in the workshop, so that has taken up most of my time - in addition to staring out the window a little at the beautiful weather I am missing {though I fear it is likely too hot for me and my Celtic colouring anyway ;)}...

We took some time this afternoon to play a few games of dominoes. The shadows cast from the light pouring through the curtains were really lovely...and somewhat better than the outcome of the game from my point of view. The mister beat me in all four games...{and sang a song each time to celebrate}! Oh the shame! ;(

...then, he made me an 'A' and I made him a heart...

Happy weekend all, 

more soon,

xo

Threadleaf Maple Brooch...

Finally finished the three big brooches I had been working on yesterday - and quickly took some photos before I mailed them off to the gallery. 

So, of course you need three views of this one...of course you do. 

(It has nothing, whatsoever, to do with that fact my decision making ability is almost non-existent...which has nothing, whatsoever, to do with how tired I am.) ;)

...thanks so much for all your lovely comments while I was working on these! Getting all the great feedback was very encouraging! I'll show the other two over the coming days...

Sawing for many an hour here again working on all the HW orders - won't be long now till dispatch!! {thank you again for all your orders - I am still getting emails about ordering them, so just for clarity, Budding and Bloom are SOLD OUT - there are still some Froth ones left}...

...and for people who have enjoyed watching along with this project, you might be happy to know I have another one planned for the month of August {to celebrate my birthday month} which will culminate in a special limited edition item available only on the 25th!! Details will be revealed come August! ;)

**A wee link for today - my friend Lauren, who I went to art school with, has started up a new jewellery site called Sparkle Candy - so congrats to her on the launch!! :)

Right, back to the bench with me! A few more hours ahead before dinner, and then calling it a night...

More soon,

xo

P.S. Could my customer Valerie F please get in touch with me if you read this? I have been trying to contact you for some weeks but I fear your spam folder has been intervening...thanks so much...

Almost...

...finally, the main constructions are finished. It's been a lot of work {a few hairy moments!}...and I am looking forward to finishing them with a lick of gold soon.

Just a quick post tonight as I have packing to do. Off to see my gorgeous Belfast boy... *grin*...

Thanks so much for all the lovely feedback on these pieces, really glad their reception has been so warm! I will show them finally finished and styled when I am home next week.

A nice video from Toast. {it doesn't load well for me, so I think it's nice ... ;)}

Good eve to all, 

xo

Still at it...

...still working on the three big brooches today for the exhibition. Getting on well and making good progress {let's hope saying that doesn't tempt fate!}...many, many solderings still to go! ;)

Enjoying listening to the new(ish) Kings of Leon album in the workshop...it's very good.

The sun is out here, but I shall have to be content at looking out at it from in here. Let's hope it stays this way for my long weekend in N. Ireland!! ;)

Happy Tuesday, all...

xo

HW Postcards...

First off, I would like to say a huge thank you for the overwhelming response to the Hyacinth Watch Limited Edition Necklaces...I am so glad to see some many of my loyal customers back, and many new names too - thank you!! :)

If there is anyone still hankering for one - I still have some of the Budding Necklace left, and also some of my favourites, the Froth Necklace...so it's not too late! 

Today, I wanted to share some of the postcards I have had printed - including four shots from the Hyacinth Watch project...and another three from Springtime in Belfast Botanic Gardens {so, 7 p/c's in total}...

***I am selling these packs, bound with brown paper printed with one of my HW drawings for £12.00 {GBP}...if you would like a pack, drop me an Email and I shall take an order! I have enough for 7 packs at the moment {which I can mail out next week} - but more are on their way :)

...I kind of want to keep them all for myself. There is something destinctly reassuring about having a big bundle of postcards around - to drop little notes on, to pin up around the place...and I am really pleased with these!

Back tomorrow with some more progress shots of the new brooches...I should have been benching today but am not feeling the magic, I'm a little tired after working most of the weekend. I am hoping a small break today will restore me! ;) Much to do this week before heading to Belfast on Thursday to see my boy...

Happy Monday, all!! xox

Hyacinth Watch 2009 - The Limited Editions...

Hyacinth Watch has been so much fun! Thank you so much for 'watching' along with me these past few months...I hope you like these wee Spring offers - three limited edition Sterling Silver Necklaces {only 10 of each will be made!} each taken from a different one of my Hyacinth photos...

I am offering the necklaces here exclusively for sale on my blog - and it will be first come first served! 

All you need to do to nab one is to *Email Me* and I will get back to you to confirm your order and will send you an invoice via paypal :) When you email me, if you could make the subject line the title of the necklace you would like - that would be fantastic! 

Hyacinth Budding Necklace - £45.00 {GBP - postage included}... {SOLD OUT!! Thank you :)}...

{double layer on-lay necklace - inspired by this photo..simple, striking and smooth form. Hand pierced from sheet sterling silver and finished to a chalky matt with a gentle bloom of 18ct gold plating...creating a lovely flush of primrose to define the layers! 18" long on a fine trace chain, closing with a simple s-hook clasp. Another view of this piece :)} EMAIL ME TO ORDER

Hyacinth Froth Necklace - £45.00 {GBP - postage included}... {6 available!!}...

{double layer on-lay necklace, hand-pierced from sheet sterling silver - finished to a chalky matt with a gentle bloom of 18ct gold plating...creating a flush of primrose to define the layers. Inspired by this photo, it is a stunningly pretty, frothy, and overtly floral form! 18" long on a fine trace chain, closing with a simple s-hook clasp. Another view of this piece :)} EMAIL ME TO ORDER

Hyacinth Blooms Necklace - £38.00 {GBP - postage included}... {SOLD OUT - Thank you!!}...

{Hand pierced from sheet sterling silver, this simple and incredibly pretty necklace creates a lovely a-symmetrical focal point at the neck of any spring outfit! Inspired by the open blooms in this photo, it has been finished to a chalky matt with hand burnished edges to catch the light. 18" long on a fine trace chain, closing with a simple s-hook clasp. Another view of this piece :)} EMAIL ME TO ORDER

Each necklace will be made to order, by me, in the studio...and will be ready to dispatch in under 14 working days. Every order will be accompanied by a special Spring postcard as an extra wee treat to say thank you {!!} {I am excited to share these next week! They are printed and en route to me right now!} and will be parcelled up all pretty - wrapped in Hyacinth patterning... {I will also share this next week!}...so stay tuned for that!

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions :)

Happy Spring everyone...!!

much love, xo

Abigail

HW Sneak Peek...

...just about to put the finishing touches on the Hyacinth Watch Spring Limited Edition necklaces. I have really enjoyed this project - even though I was slightly waylaid by a week or two with producing these, as the finale...but it's been such a nice point of focus for me. I have really enjoyed the photography side of it, especially - and like to look back through the some hundred pictures or so I shot over a few weeks as the plants bloomed. 

Spring is still here, it comes and goes...but it's still here - so I am hopefully not too late! ;)

Right...off I go to design some special packaging, put some finishing touches to the necklaces and scheme up some other wee bits to finish off this project with a bang! Hoping to have the necklaces, exclusively offered up here, on my blog, online tomorrow or Friday - so, stay tuned!

xo, all.

And some more...

Continuing the work on some new brooches for the forthcoming show...enjoying working with new shapes, forms, idea and silhouettes. More updates on these as the progress very soon! So far, I have pieces inspired by things I have spied/found in Sacramento {CA}, Belfast and Glasgow...so nice to look back and use inspiration from these trips!

The rain is pouring down here today - not so cheery as I stood at the airport train station platform after a goodbye earlier today, I can tell you. I refuse to take my hat off now, even though I am home. It's thoroughly chilly and I think it would be utter folly! {humf.} Plus, it makes me more resigned to the fact I have to head out shortly to the post office and to do some re-stocking of my ravaged fridge... ;)

I bought some new cookery books to inspire me, in that respect... Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights and Feed Me Now - both are excellent, and the styling is lovely - I would recommend them to all! So I shall no doubt try out some recipes soon. Mister Bell made a delicious cake at the weekend to take to my parents for Sunday dinner...a gently spiced Dulce de Leche gateaux - a light soft sponge with lovely crumb, sandwiched with some of the caramelly goodness he had prepared and some similarly flavoured cream cheese 'dollop' to serve. And all this made up on the spot in a fit of culinary creativity!! Clever stick this chap or what!? ;)

That's really all for today - and so, I should go and prepare to face the torrent of rain! bleaurgh... 

Happy Tuesday all, hope it's sunnier where you are!

xo