Spring is in the air

Spring finally feels like it's here. The snow's stopped and it feels like it's finally beginning to warm up a bit. Yesterday, whilst I was out walking, the air was cool and crisp, but with the sun shining on me, it was quite warming. It was nice and refreshing. There are plenty of birds visiting my garden and soon the flowers will be coming out and blossom growing on the trees. I get a lot of my inspiration at this time of year from the plants and flowers (see photos).

Inspiration for Dandelion Pendant

Inspiration for Daisy Collection

As well as my Daisy Collection and Dandelion Pendant, I have made items inspired by blossom, leaves and trees. Below are examples of some of these items. I'm hoping to make some more nature inspired designs this spring too. In the pipeline are some daffodil earrings. Keep your eye out for more items!

Tree Pendant

Wire Leaf Pendant

Blossom Pendant

Another sign of spring being on the way is the approaching celebration of Mother's Day. This year it's on Sunday 10th March. It's a good day to celebrate our mothers and/or the women in our lives that have helped us and looked after us. Do you have any plans for Mother's Day? If you're looking for present inspiration, feel free to visit my Folksy shop for ideas.

Russian Inspired Rings

Silver and Copper Ring

I have recently been designing and making some rings with three intertwined bands. They're inspired by Russian wedding bands. There is also an Elizabethan version, which is called the Gimmal Ring. They're usually made of gold with three different coloured bands, e.g. white, yellow and rose. However, I make them with silver and sometimes copper.
There are various different meanings for the 3 bands. I'm not sure which is the original, but here are a couple that I've found. (I've provided links at the bottom to show where I got some of the answers.)

Silver Ring with Varied Textures

The first meaning behind the 3 bands relates to Christianity. Each ring represents one part of the trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Also the circles being an endless line can symbolise eternity or God.
The second meaning is based on only 2 colours for the 3 bands; white (i.e. silver colour) and yellow. The white colour is a symbol of the sun god, and the yellow colour is a symbol of the moon god. It could be that the ring was inspired by paganism before Christianity came to Russia.

Silver and Copper Ring with Varied Textures

If you would like to buy a Russian inspired ring, feel free to visit my Folksy shop:
http://folksy.com/shops/SilverChestnut?shop_section=rings





Research links:
http://woodenwedding-rings.com/russian-wedding-rings

http://uk.ask.com/question/what-is-the-history-of-russian-wedding-ring

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1941911

4 sales in just over a week!

It's been such a good week since I got back from holiday that I just had to tell people. Within the first day of re-opening my shop on Folksy, I had a sale. I wonder if they had been waiting for me to re-open to buy it.

My first sale - Frosted Leaf

Two days later I had another sale on Folksy. It was one of my items that I have set as 'made to order', so I made it and sent it off.

My second sale - Daisy Studs

Then a friend of a friend wanted some jewellery as an anniversary present. They looked at my jewellery and wanted something making that was similar to some of the items with a few changes. I designed and made them a set of matching earrings and necklace. (If you'd like a design making for you feel free to contact me on jenny@silverchestnut.co.uk)

My third sale - Semi Textured Set

My final sale, and hopefully not the last, of the week was today on Folksy Some of my earrings this time. All these sales are really good. I hope it's a sign of more sales to come, although it does mean that I have to make a few more bits of jewellery to restock before the Christmas craft fairs.

My final sale - Dangly Textured Earrings

Christmas already?!

No it's not Christmas yet, but I am thinking about it! Normally I don't start thinking about Christmas until about the end of November. I don't even start buying presents until mid December, unless I happen to see something I think someone will really like. So it's quite unusual for me to be thinking about Christmas in September. Here are some of things I've been planning...

Designs
I have started designing (and making) some more winter/Christmas themed items. I've also tried to design them so that people can wear them any time of the year, although I am considering making some snowflake designs. Here are two of the designs:

Frosted Leaf inspired by frost on leaves

Star Earrings

These are currently on sale in my Folksy shop if you fancy a look:
http://folksy.com/shops/SilverChestnut

Craft Fairs
I've been researching and booking craft fairs. I have 3 booked; 3rd November, 17th November and 15th December. I'm going to leave it at 3 fairs this year because there will be 2 weeks between each of them and the Christmas jewellery party I'm planning (see below). This gives me time to restock anything I've sold and make any orders I've recieved.

Jewellery Party
I'm planning a Christmas themed jewellery party for the beginning of December, to which I'm inviting some friends, family and long term customers of mine. There'll be Christmas music and decorations, with food like mince pies and biscuits shaped in Christmas themed things. As well as jewellery to buy for Christmas presents of course (or possibly as a treat!).

It's quite exciting. It's only just September but I am getting excited about planning and making stuff for the Christmas events. I'll blog about the events closer to the time to let you know more.

Are any of you planning things for Christmas yet? Have you started buying presents? Or are you like me and tend to leave it to the last minute? Let me know your thoughts!