Grundy Art Gallery

Many months ago I secured a display spot for my jewellery at the Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool.  I chose the November to January spot, hoping to catch Christmas shoppers.  Finally after waiting, the showcase time is here amd yesterday I dopped my collection of sparkly lovelies at the gallery ready to be display from the end of the month. 

It's the first time that I've had to put together a collection for display.  I wanted to ensure that the collection looked cohesive and aesthetically pleasing.  Initially I hoped to achieve this solely through the use of oval Freshwater pearls in all pieces containing pearls.  However, I felt this wasn't enough and to aid a cohesive look further I decided to use Swarovski crystals in various shades of blue. As I'm developing my style more, I think I could incorporate a range of colours, but this time round felt I needed to use colour to tie it all together.

Most of the pieces I'm showing in the Grundy Art Gallery are also available in my Folksy Shop.  There are a few one off pieces.  I've aimed to provide a range of styles and prices from my simple Sparkle earrings to the lovely bracelet above. As I've used similar colours, many of the pieces with mix 'n' match together nicely too.

If you're in Blackpool between the end of November and January 2011, do pop along to the Grundy Art Gallery.  There were be several other jewellery designers on display too as well as a new exhibition filling the gallery. For those that aren't able to make it, then browse my Folksy shop.

Mummy Necklaces

When giving or receiving presents, I love presents that are personalised in some way.  Either something that is very well suited to the person or something that holds a special meaning.  I guess that is where the inspiration came to offer birthstone jewellery and also my mummy necklaces. 

Offering custom made jewellery is lovely for me, as I get the opportunity to make something fresh, rather than churning out the same old same.  But, it also gives the buyer a unique opportunity unavailable on the High Street of discussing exactly what they want. 

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted through my store on Kiddiebase about creating a custom mummy necklace for someone to give to a close friend of theirs.  It was for a mum of four boys, two born in September, one in April and one in December. 

As it was to be suspended from a longer necklace, we decided to go for larger charms so they'd not be 'lost'.  Crystals were chosen for the boys' months of birth, but also size was allocated according to their  age too, so the oldest have the larger crystals and the two youngest the smaller crystals.  The large heart makes a real statement and the pearls - well, I just love to have some sumptuous pearls.  As with all of my charm jewellery the charms can be removed, providing plenty of different from looks from a single pearl pendant necklace, a statement heart on its own or any combination of the charms. 

I was really pleased to hear of its safe arrival and the lovely feedback "it's beautiful".  I then waited to hear how the lucky mummy received her thoughtful present.  "She said it was one of the nicest things anyone had bought her". 

Mummy Charm Necklaces are a lovely gift idea for a mum, particularly as a treat post-birth when baby is showered in gifts and mum might feel the need for a little pampering to combat sleepness nights, being covered in various bodily fluids and of course, adjusting to the new shape her body may have taken post-birth (here speaks the voice of experience!).  You can purchase these through any of my online outlets - Folksy, Etsy or Kiddiebase.  If you wish to discuss a bespoke order, this can be done through the messaging service on either of the three sites.