Andrew Thornton blog give away

 Andrew Thornton of The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton is having a four year blog-o-versary give away......

So head on over there and enter for a chance to win this lovely lot!!!

Well its been a good week for jewellery mags, My Art Jewellery mag arived all the way from America on Tuesday and today Making jewellery came out so now I'm all inspired and raring to go again but as always in need of a few supplies!!
On the making front.... Last week I brought some very nice clear and white hollow glass beads by Ray Skene but when they arrived they were a lot larger than I had thought they would be, much too big for me to use in my jewellery so after a little thinking time and a bit of playing around I have come up with a couple of possibilities.

1 They may become decorations for use at our fairy party and then to put on the tree at christmas...

2 Or they could be linked together, add a few more crystals a bit of ribbon and become curtain tie backs for the girls brand new girly pink and sparkly bedroom!!!

Much ado about nothing....

Just over 2 1/2 weeks until we move!
We have already had to start packing because of the sheer amount of stuff/junk we have! Along with the packing has come ebaying, friday adding, and if all else fails free cycleing!
It seems strange to be getting rid of so much stuff but still having to go shopping because there is so many other things we need, but we now have most of the important stuff.
I spent most of today covering a photo album for 18th birthday present/family tree/photo album that my arnt is making for a kind of long lost relative of ours. It started off very old fashioned, dark brown binding with navy blue cover but after a couple of hours unscrewing, lots of double sided stucky tape, ribon and wrapping paper ended looking like this....

As shown here by my wonderful assistant mess maker! I think I might take up scrap booking some day! On the jewellery making front not much going on as I am lacking in motavation at the moment well that and school holidays!!!

ohhhhh look what I found....

Warning the kids are taking over and it is only day one!!!!!

The girl was reading my blog (over my shoulder as she some times dose) and decided to brush away all ideas I had for the second star to the right blog party and told me that we should have a fairy party and that she had lots of ideas!!! I see their summer project unfolding befor my eyes.
So loaded with this information we started to search the internet for fairy ideas, First stop Etsy (I love etsy)! Where we found a shop called

And we stumbled apon this wonderous creature....

It was love at first sight, but I wanted to see more....

How beautiful are these such wonderful colours! I think I might need to get one once I've settled into the new place then sneak him in!

My beautiful beads came in the post this morning and are stunning. As soon as I saw them I decided to use them in the earrings that I had started to make the day before, they are such beautiful beads that the really simple silver wire helps show them off wonderfully....

And very easy to make now I'm having more luck with soldering!

  

Leaving braclet

So the lucky lady got her bracelet and now I can show you a pic......

The brief was: Its a leaving (but not for long) gift for a loved one and her favorite colour is black, so not much to go on. Luckily she loved it!!!! 

It's a simple soldered heart (again, these seem to be very popular) with a simple 2 in 2 chain and two of my Laura beads from my stash!

I finished my secret project today But more about that at a later date!

I am now working on a second bear from the left over mohair I had from the first, I am working with the same pattern but am going to personalise it a bit to build up my bear making confidence before trying a harder one.

I have also got a new pair of earring on the go and the summer holidays begin tomorrow so I am in for a really busy day.

After the midsummer's night dream party I'm in the mood for another! Fairy Fawn Dear  is hosting A Second Star to the Right blog party. 

 

 

I'm thinking Fairy lights, costumes, wings, fairy cakes and lots of sparkle!!!!!

Silver Parrot is having a blog-o-versary give away! Head over there to check it out

There is some amazing talent out there in blog land and if you people have not visited Joy Funnells' blog you have to see this.... It beautiful (I'm not a great fan of snakes but love this)!

So very much to do!

Hello wonderful people out there sorry not checked in for a while been a busy girl!
I would like to quickly add a couple of massive thank yous in here.....
Firstly to Kelly at A Stuffed Life for arranging the wonderful Midsummers Night Dream Party. I had lots of fun doing it and have also decided there are many more things I would like to try but have not been brave enough so am going to put in more effort. I also really enjoyed reading everyone elses blogs and seeing what they made.
Secondly to Pete and Dec (other half's family) A huge thank you for putting up with all of us crashing at your home every other weekend, invading your privacy and leaving a trail of mess behind us! We really hope your new life in Cornwall works out great for both of you and are looking forward to our visit in October.
So as you can tell by the title I have been very busy! I have just finished my second commission! But will have to wait to post pics as the piece is a surprise and the lovely lady whom it is for may just wander past my blog and take a peek!
Secondly also keeping under wraps (as not to jinx it) I have been working on something exciting so watch this space!!!

The garden is also a busy place at the moment.....

There are squashes everywhere and something really strange is happening to my corn (well I think its strange but I've never grown corn before). It has started to sprout hair!!!

OK not quiet real hair but still it looks quiet strange. 

Mess makers sun flower has now started to grow a flower head....

And is now this HUGE..........

I have been very lucky today in that I have got lots of work done (none of which I'm telling just yet, sorry) and I was lucky enough to buy some of Laura's wonderful beads....

I'm soooo excited to be getting these they look stunning just like precious gems! Hehe I feel like a kid in a sweet shop! 

Wishing you all well have a wonderful day xxx

Time for a midsummer dream party

I'm posting early because I have been informed we are going away for the weekend!

"Share pictures and tell the tale of your adventure. How did the dream begin? What has kept you from making the project a reality until now?"

There are sooooo many things I would love to/dream of making, lots of pieces of jewellery that I just dont have the nesasary skills as yet to make or am just lacking in confidence to start, But what I really wanted to do was not to make a piece of jewellery (I'm building up quiet a collection) What I really wanted to do was to build my own web site. I tried a gave up a few times but after joining A midsummer night's secret dream party has provided the kick up the bum that I needed to keep me trying and now I'm almost there!

I started making jewellery after reading an article on metal clay, it seemed very easy to use and I really needed a hobby as I had just given up working full time to spend more time with my baby and the amount of spare time I suddenly had on my hands was shocking.

I have now been making and selling jewellery for about a year (mostly to friends and family) and have had so much fun doing it.

What put me off having a web site was my lack of knowage about how to go about it and then when I looked into it a bit more the costs seemed very steep, but luckily, when I was in a chat forum for Making Jewellery a lovely lady posted a link to a web site that was easy to use and best of all free, Suddenly it was a possibility, but I'm really not good with computers so started and gave up when it got difficult. I've gone back and tried again though....

Now it's not great and very much a work in progress, it only has two pairs of earrings in it even but it's a start.

Now I have my own web site......

• Home
• Gallery
• Shop polices
• Necklaces
• Bracelets
• Earrings
• Contact Information

 

Welcome

Handcrafted sterling silver one of a kind jewellery.

Made by Niky.

For past work check out my Gallery.


Site is still a work in progress!

---

Create a free website with 

This has been one of the first steps, next I really want my own hallmark and then I would love to have a stall at a craft fair!!!!! 

Many thanks to Kelly at A Stuffed Life for the kick in the pants and I look forward to reading and seeing all the other creations, I might even be reading while wearing fancy dress xxx 

White carrots and orange beads!!!!

What a suprise I got when I pulled up my carrots today.... I completly forgot that I planted white carrots and could not figure out what was wrong with them till I found the seed packet!!!! hehe

They taste just like normal carrots just a little sweeter, but look bizar expecially this one....

I forgot to post about them yesterday as I was sooooo excited but I got these little beauties in the post.....

I don't normally like orange but these look soooooo fresh, and yes you guessed it! There by the fantastic Laura . I love them and I quiet like the pic! 

lady (bird) luck

Well the ladybird worked! WE HAVE THE FLAT! Yeahyyyyy They said its' expected finish date is around 16th August then we can move in!!!! Every ones soooooo excited.

Oh and made this............

The center charm was supost to be an earring but it was too heavy, so I soldered a hoop to each end, threw in a pinch of swarovski crystals, a few flower link chain bits and a soldered heart for a leftovers braclet! 

How dose your garden grow...

Wow what a lovely weekend! We have had that much sunshine I have a got a tan! Not sure that my veg are liking the sunshine and heat as much as I am though, it gets to about lunch time and all the plants start to wither and wilt.

I finally gave up on the peas today they just were not growing, but as I pulled them up and moved the poles and strings they were growing on I noticed that the squashes are taking over, they now cover at least 1/4 of my plot and I only have 2 plants! I have never eaten a squash before though so I just hope we like them as it looks like there will be loads!

The cucumbers have just started to grow now as well. I planted two different types, these are normal green cucumbers above, and these should be white cucumbers..... 

(I like to be a bit different)

Also saw this cute little fellow while checking my sweet corn....

And as we all know ladybirds are supposed to be lucky, so fingers crossed for my phone call next week!!!! 

These are the earrings I made a few days ago....

The three interlinking hoops was inspired by the flower chain pattern (chainmalle) and as they are flowers and in purple (my best friends fav color) they will be sent to her (Fleur) as a little surprise. 

As you have properly guessed I have been a little camera happy today, I took a photo of the bracelet I've been working on....

Also inspired by the flower chain pattern but the hoops were not quiet big enough to follow the pattern exactly so I adjusted the design. This ones not finished yet as it has no clasp, so thats what I will be doing tomorrow!

Hot and bothered!

Such a busy day and so very hot!
Mum had a great birthday and is looking forward to her party tomorrow, Oh and loved her jewelry and the clasps!
The girl and boy had sports day (I was sweating just watching from the shade!)
We had family visits and I have been trying to use up the last of my jump rings (seems 1000 is a lot to go through, but I am nearly there) nearly made 2 new bracelets and another pair of earrings! Will post pics tomorrow if I get a chance, but between school fairs, food shopping and the birthday party it's looking like tomorrow is going to be just as busy!
Any-who, no rest for the wicked and I have a cake to finish off before tomorrow so I better dash but a quick pic before I go......

I managed to grow carrots! A whole bunch! They did not make it into any fancy cooked meal nope, just fresh from the ground washed in the sink and munched for lunch! Seems my fingers might have a slight green tinge to them after all!

NIKY 1 - SLUGS 0

Mums birthday

Well we went to see the new flat today. It's still a building site but the one we are "being concered for" was pretty much done, it just needs the carpet laid. There were alot of people looking around and there were alot of "IF you get it..... " so still nothing definate, but they were very nice, very very nice! So fingers crossed.

Tomorow is my mums birthday! 

She decided she wanted jewellery for her present (shes now a jewellery addict and my biggest fan), But she wanted to design it herself! It is a very simple set with a link in link chain and a few blue crystals to add a touch of colour, as a cute detail (she dose not know it yet) but I've added animal clasps to match her treasure island birthday cake!!!

Very simple necklace

Matching earrings and elephant clasp on necklace 

(more elephants hehe)!!!

 

Matching braclet with dolphin clasp

I finished baking her cake today but am going to do the decorating later on tonight when mess maker goes to sleep (she had a nap eariler so it's going to be a late one)!

X-Rated

I finished one of the cakes today, and as I managed to delegate one of the others (due to two being due on the same day) I have now only have one left to make.

I'm going to warn you first though this one is a little X-rated! It is a surprise for my sisters fiancee....

Its boobs!

Not my choice of cake but I'm assured he will love it. I did enjoy making the handcuffs because I coated them in edible glitter so they sparkle!

The next cake will be more tasteful I promise (I am choosing the design)! It's for my mum and is inspired by the facebook game treasure island that she loves sooo much! 

Hear is a little teaser.......

We received a phone call today, saying that we can go and see the flat that the council are considering us for. So we go and see it tomorrow, still not getting hopes up though because they still have not said it is ours, and we still wont find out until middle of next week!

A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS SECRET DREAM PARTY

You may have seen the button I posted on the side of my page about 'A midsummer nights secret dream party' well it has just occurred to me that I did not blog about it! Its being hosted by A stuffed life (fantastic blog) In Kellys' words "On July 17th I am hosting a blog party for everyone to create that special piece and share their creative journey. What could be a better time than a magical midsummer night to share your secret dream!" So I thought that I would join the fun as it just so happens there is one project that I really want to do but have been lacking confidence. Why not join the fun, go take a look and make your own bit of magic!!!

How did that happen???

Not sure how but I have been talked in to making birthday cakes.... Yes, cakes... more then one!!! 3.... All for this week!! One for thursday and two for Saturday so I better get my thinking cap on!!! Well, its good to be busy so I'm off to the drawing board.

photo dilemma

Do you ever have one of those pieces that you just can't photo. Well try as I might I just cant do this piece justice.....

I have tried to photo it indoors and out and I just dont seem to be able to get the lighting right. The main bead is a luminobead by Laura (she's back people!) and it just glows but its very hard to get that glow on camera!

This is the back view. It ties up with a ribbon so is really girly! I think I will try again with the photos tomorrow.

Getting technical!

I think I have just made my own web site! A lovely person on the Making Jewellery fourm left a post about a free web hosting site thats easy to use. So I thought I would give it a go.....

http://www.silverniknats.weebly.com