Flying away…

Three birds for three sisters

I have had a number of lovely commissions recently and I particularly enjoyed making 3 little silver birds with gold heart “wings” for 3 sisters.  They were commissioned by one of the sisters: one for her and one each for the other two - what a sweet present!

Outlines for cutting out the little birds

I started off by finding a piece of silver that had room for cutting out the little bird shapes.  I cut out all my own shapes either with a saw or a disc cutter and, as I enjoy using circles, I end up with lots of bits of silver with ‘empty’ circles so I try and use up these odd-shaped bits of silver left behind!

I then found 3 tiny pieces of 18ct gold that I could hammer into tiny flat triangles.  With my trusty magnifying glass hung round my neck, I then shaped these teeny bits of gold into hearts.  Goodness knows why I make things so tiny – it would be far more sensible to make big chunky jewellery - but somehow, more often than not, I create little things.

It always feels really special to make  personalised pieces and in this instance, I stamped the name of one of the three sisters on the back of each bird, one had 2 letters, one had 3 letters and one had 4 letters.  

Now they have flown away and I hope they made the sisters smile!  

Please feel free to get in touch if you have any similar ideas of your own or would like a personalised piece of jewellery.

Pressies...!

GIFTS & PRESENTS

BIRTHDAY?  MOTHER'S DAY?  ANNIVERSARY?  CHRISTENING PRESENT?  CHRISTMAS? (ouch...)

I like to think about giving people "presents" rather than "gifts" - it's a word thing!  - but whatever you call them, and I know not everyone possesses this gene, I have always really enjoyed finding presents for people.

Of course I think all my jewellery and vintage items would make really lovely presents!  But here is an idea for a pretty special gift - perhaps for those who struggle even to see the point of them!  It is a little hallmarked, silver-topped antique, faceted glass pot - which would be enough of a sweet thing all on its own: 

Silver-topped glass rouge / dressing table jar - Hallmarked silver, Birmingham, 1921

But, hey! What's that inside?  

How about making it even more gorgeous by wrapping up and popping in a little piece of jewellery as a further surprise?  

Here is how it might be as the lucky person opens their dream gift! - see below:

The little jar would be perfect for keeping your earrings in by your bed at night - or you ear plugs during the day, in my case (oops...sorry...tmi!).  Little glass jar available to buy under Antiques and Vintage.  And I am always up for a chat about any possible presents or commissions.

And do Subscribe over at www.huguenotgirl.com if you are interested in my bits and bobs about family history.