KEBO Jewellery

It's been a while!

2010-10-23T10:55:00.005+01:00

Hello Blog Fans, sorry it has been so long!! I get so absorbed reading everyone else's blog that I run out of time to write my own!

I have not been up to much since I last blogged, well, nothing that would be of any interest to anyone else! I have exhibited at 2 wedding fairs and met lots of lovely people and made lots of new bridal jewellery but that is about the long and the short of it...see, not very exciting at all!

Speaking of new bridal designs, below are a couple of examples of my new bridal necklaces, the rest can be found on my website.

To Have & To Hold Necklace
Swarovski Crystals, Fresh Water Pearls & Sterling Silver

De-vine Necklace
Fresh Water Pearls & Sterling Silver

Icicle Necklace
Swarovski Crystals & Sterling Silver

Kelly

♥

Pinch punch, first day of the month....and an offer on Facebook!

2010-07-01T20:59:00.004+01:00

Hello everyone, welcome to July!!

I have reached over 300 fans on my KEBO Jewellery Facebook page this week so I am doing a special offer for all fans...and the special offer is....10% off of all items on http://www.kebojewellery.co.uk. For more information on however to take advantage of this offer, head on over to Facebook, become a fan and find details of the offer on my wall! Simples!

I have also included pictures of some pictures of new bridal designs...more sparkle!! These are all available on the website.

Kelly

The wedding season is upon us!

2010-06-25T18:18:00.004+01:00

Destiny Earrings

Swarovski Crystals & Sterling Silver

Hello everyone

I have been busy this month creating new bridal pieces. Below are a few pieces most of which are on the website right now or will be on over the weekend.

True Earrings

Swarovski Crystals, Fresh Water Pearls & Sterling Silver

True Necklace
Swarovski Crystals, Fresh Water Pearls & Sterling Silver

I have not just been creating this month, I have also been relaxing and enjoying myself on holiday! My hubby and I plus 2 great friends and their gorgeous 18 month old all jetted off to very sunny Fuerteventura for a week of sun, sand, Sangria and lots of sunbathing! If anyone wants recommendations for a fab 2 bed apartment at a great price, just let me know!

Fuerteventura - June 2010

Kelly
x

Give away on Facebook

2010-06-02T21:29:00.002+01:00

Hello Blog Fans!!!

I thought I would pop in to let you know that I am doing my first ever give away on my KEBO Jewellery Facebook site.

For your chance to win, all you need to do is click on the link above and click 'Like' on the left handside. Anyone who 'likes' my Facebook page as at midnight on Friday 4th June 2010 will be entered in to the prize draw. I will then draw a name and the lucky winner will be contacted on Saturday and given a £20 gift voucher to spend on the KEBO Jewellery website.

Hello Mum!!!!

2010-04-05T18:38:00.005+01:00

What's this, 2 posts in one day, I must be coming down with something ;o)

My mum has just bought her first laptop and is discovering the world wide web for the first time in her 60+ years on this earth (don't worry mum, I will not announce to the whole world (well, those who read my blog) your actual age!!!) You may be thinking, what is so good about that...well let me tell you, this is the woman who picked up her first (PC) mouse a couple of years back and was waving it about in the air trying to get it to work...she even tried placing it on the screen but she will deny that if asked!!!

In the 2 weeks that she has been 'live' on the Internet, she has achieved amazing things like writing e-mails (even if it does take her 30 mins to write a 50 word e-mail to my Uncle in Aus!!!), stalking our relatives using Google Maps / Google Earth and now, finding my blog all on her own. What this does mean is that I will have to keep all blogs clean and innocent from now on ;o)

So, this post is dedicated to an amazing woman who has been there for me every day of my 33 years, a women who I am very quickly turning in to if you ask my husband!!! If I could stand upon the highest roof top in all the world, I would proudly shout how much I love my parents, they mean the world to me as I know I do to them.

And I know my mum is absolutely going to kill me but here is a picture of my gorgeous and amazing parents taken last September (Mum, you are on the telly...well, on the internet which is just as good!!!). My mum is sporting some KEBO Jewellery and let me tell you, she is one picky customer!!!!!!!!!!!

I love you mum.

Right, normal service to resume shortly!!!!

Happy Easter

2010-04-05T12:24:00.008+01:00

HAPPY EASTER everyone, sorry it is late!!

Natural Beauty Necklace
Karen Hill Tribe Silver, Sterling Silver, Rock Quartz & Botswana Agate

Hope you have all enjoyed the lovely long weekend, I also took Thursday off for my birthday so I have had an extra long one and it has been lovely. I have had a very relaxing one but managed to photo some new pieces and do a little bit of housework on the website.

Raspberry Ripple Earrings
David Christensen hand blown furnace glass from USA and Sterling Silver

What I really wanted to do was some baking but unfortunately I am on a very strict diet (have lost nearly a stone and a half) and it would be like torture!! Every time I turn on the TV, I am faced with adverts from M&S with their yummy hot crossed buns...their advertising agency bods are geniuses as it makes me want to rush out and buy a pack!!

Velvet Drop Earrings
David Christensen hand blown furnace glass from the USA and Sterling Silver

Other than a few new pieces to show, there is nothing new on the jewellery front. I have made a few very bright earrings ready for the summer season!! I am also trying to build up simple yet elegant wedding jewellery designs that don't cost the earth, so watch this space.

Why not also keep up to date with KEBO Jewellery on Facebook. You can either use the tool to the right or click on this link.

Until next time...

Today is for lovers!

2010-02-14T13:07:00.004Z

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY everyone!!

My husband is not a fan of Valentine's day, he says he doesn't need a special day one day a year to show me how much he loves me, he does this everyday throughout the year. As much as I like to believe that, half of me thinks he is just bah humbug and a bit unromantic!!!!! I love everything about Valentine's day; hearts, roses, pinks and reds everywhere, good food, yummy chocolate and wine (not a fan of champers!) and people generally being nicer to each other!

So, if you are part of a couple, put aside any normal arguments and differences you may have and enjoy a lovely romantic day today.

If you are a happy singleton, go and treat yourself to a feel good movie, have a lovely box of luxurious chocs and crack open a nice bottle of bubbly or some yummy wine and celebrate not having to share them with anyone!!!

Don't forget, the Haiti auction ends tomorrow (Monday 15th Feb) at 8 p.m. GMT. If you haven't already, check it out here...there are still bargains to be had!

Kelly
X

New charity auction - Haiti

2010-02-07T17:29:00.004Z

Calla Lily Necklace is up for auction

as part of The Collective

As mentioned in a previous post, I am a member of 'The Collective', a group of designers who get together a couple of times a year to raise money for charity. Due to the crisis in Haiti, we are pulling forward the first auction of 2010 and I have donated a necklace made with my favourite beads by Becky Fairclough.

This auction has some beautiful and unique bespoke auction lots available for you to bid on, with gorgeous and generous donations from:

Laura Sparling
Crystal-Garden Lampwork Beads
AMI Designs
Dharmaflyer
Monkey Gang
c-urchin
Clare Scott
Moogin
Sublime Beads
Kookie Designs
Beady Pool
DottyDaisies
Heartfelt Handmade
Joy Funnell
Clair Wolfe Designs
AmandaPanda
Jemima Lumley
Lush Lampwork
Keiara Wells
Cheeky Cherub Designs
Ray Skene
Beverley Hicklin
Flame and Glass
Crafted Gems
Chameleon Designs
Lazy Daisy Glass
Pixie Willow Designs
Kristin Smith
and me, KEBO Jewellery,

Every penny raised by the charity will go to Haiti via Oxfam. As we have all seen the Crisis in Haiti is catastrophic and every penny that we raise here will make a huge difference to the lived of the Haitian people.

The auction lots have been divided in to jewellery, beads or cuddlies. The Auction starts
at 10:00 a.m. GMT on Monday 8^th February and finished on Monday 15^th February 8 p.m. GMT. Please do pop over to The Auction page and bid, this is a fabulous cause and the items are truly unique and really beautiful. If you have a moment please do pass this e-mail on to anyone who may be looking to buy some amazing bespoke jewellery, beads, unique cuddlies or anyone looking to buy you a present!! As The Collective is still very new, we are still building up an audience so you may grab yourself a bargain whilst helping a good cause at the same time.

If you have your own blog, please feel free to write about the auction, all publicity is appreicated for this good cause.

Have a lovely week.

Kelly
x

Last post of 2009

2009-12-31T18:20:00.003Z

Dear Blog Readers

Well, this is the last post for this decade!! 2009 wasn't such a bad year for me, I didn't complete hardly any of last years resolutions but I think most people are the same!! I am not going to make any resolutions this year, I am going to take each day as it comes, not be hard on myself when something doesn't go to plan and just be happy...hmmm, that sounds to me like a resolution right there!! Oh well, old habits die hard!!!

We will soon be in 2010 and I would like to take this opportunity to wish my customers and blog readers a very HAPPY NEW YEAR, I hope that it brings you lots of love, laughter and happiness.

Kelly
x

Happy belated Halloween!!

2009-11-02T13:04:00.004Z

Happy belated Halloween everyone...just a few days late!!! Hubby and I decided to carve a pumpkin each this year as he was entering a pumpkin carving competition at work...he came second but getting him to do it is amazing, he is so not in to doing this sort of thing!

This is my pumpkin, it should of had 3 fangs at the top but I accidentally cut it off...oops!
It also has a star on one side and a moon on the other!

Don't forget, today is the last day of the Charity Auction it ends tonight (Monday November 2nd)at 8:30pm GMT.

This is my hubby's pumpkin, I think it looks quiet evil!!!

Charity Auction is go!!

2009-10-24T14:06:00.005+01:00

Sorbet Necklace (Auction Lot 7)
Sterling Silver and Lampwork Glass from a UK Artisan

Happy weekend everyone!

I am part of The Collective, a group of jewellery designers and lampwork designers who want to do a little bit for charity. Our first ever charity auction starts today and runs for 10 days.

Every penny bid will go directly to the 2 chosen charities Headway and Royal Free Hospital Kidney Patients Association. Great charities I am sure you will agree!

Sorbet Earrings (Auction Lot 7)
Sterling Silver and Lampwork Glass from a UK Artisan

There are some amazing auction lots available with jewellery from

Veryan of Beady Pool,

Beverley Hicklin,

Mel of Kookie Designs,

Ray Skene,

Kristin of KS Jewellery Designs,

Izzy of Flame and Glass

and me, Kelly of Kebo Jewellery (see auction lot number 7). It is an absolute honor for my pieces to be teamed up with the very talented Ray Skene.

Sorbet Earrings (Auction Lot 7)
Sterling Silver and Lampwork Glass from a UK Artisan

Lampwork fans need not be disappointed, there are some gorgeous beads for you too from

Mindy of Moogin,

and finally Pixie Willow Designs.

We also have 2, yes 2 sets of Mini Moo business card that the lovely Moo people have donated.

Plus there is an auction lot that is collaboration between Mel from Kookie Designs and Clare Scott, Clare kindly donated a fabulous set of beads that then Mel made into a bracelet with matching earrings.

Please do take a look at The Charity Auction page and bid, bid, bid. The auction will open on Saturday October 24th at 10:00am GMT and closes on Monday November 2nd at 8:30pm GMT. If you have a moment please do pass this on to anyone who may be looking to buy some amazing bespoke jewellery or beads, or anyone looking to buy you a present!!

Please also feel free to blog about the charity auction, all support is gratefully received.

Thanks for reading this and have a lovely week!

Kelly

Feeling sorry for myself this week!!

2009-10-10T11:47:00.009+01:00

Well, this week hasn't been the greatest. On Monday night, I went to a supermarket and the car park floor was made of rubber and wet from the rain and I half skidded/half did the splits for a metre and a half and pulled all the tendons in my groin, both hamstrings and twisted both of my knees!!! I was in agony but I am on the mend now and am able to walk about more! Luckily I have a job (my full time job in HR, not my creative job, Jewellery!!) that I can work from home so was able to still work! Most annoyingly, I was due to fly to Dublin on Tuesday afternoon for work but had to cancel! I am going to 'The Ball' of the hospitality calender next Wednesday and I am determined to be better so I can have a boogie!!

A couple of weeks ago, I bought myself The Hummingbird Bakery cookbook and decided to do some baking...I am not a natural born cook or baker!! I made the banana and chocolate cupcakes and some Rocky Roads! The Rocky Roads recipe called for 1.4 kg of chocolate, 8 Mars Bars and almost 2 big bags of Malteasers!!!!! That is a lot of chocolate!! I reduced the amount of chocoloate down just a little bit and when they were ready to be cut, I cut them in to bite sized portions rather than bars!! They were delicious, really scrummy but packed with calories!! By cutting them in to bite sized portions, I was able to give some to my sister C, some to my hubby's work, some to my work, some for us and some for a friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They went down a storm. I am not sure I would make them again due to the calorific contents but who knows ;o)

I forgot to take a picture of the cupcakes but here are a few bits of the Rocky Roads:

Can you see the pieces of Mars Bars, Malteasters and the marshmallows...yummy!!

Sorry no jewellery to show you, maybe next week!

Have a lovely weekend and week everyone!!

Kelly
x

Sorry Mr Blog, I have neglected you!

2009-09-27T13:21:00.012+01:00

The Bride (A.K.A. my sister, C)

Photo courtesy of Kay Ransom Photography

Wow, has it really been over 4 months since I posted anything on my blog, I think that is my all time record!!!! I guess I should start with what I have been up to...

Necklace of the Bride!!!

1. My lovely sister, C, got married this month and I have been helping her with the preparations; invites, place cards, table plan, order of service, table names and of course some wedding jewellery. She had a very simple but mega elegant and extremely classy dress and veil and wanted pearls and a bit of sparkle so of course, that meant Swarovski's. I also had to make my jewellery and my mum's. I decided to do a bit of a theme so my sister's necklace (pic 2) had pearls and Swarovski Crystals (clear tear drop and bicone), my mum's (pic 3) had pearls and black bicone Crystals and I had just Swarovski's (black and teal with bicones and a rather large teardrop)...see, they were all incorporating some of the same bits in them!!! The day went perfectly, which is all credit to my sister as she only planned it for 3 months! I think you will agree, she looked stunning (pic 1 in case you can't guess LOL)! Speaking of photographers, if anyone lives in Surrey and is looking for a brilliant wedding photographer, I would deffo recommend Kay Ransom, she took really natural pictures and never seemed like she was in any ones face when taking the photos and I am sure my sister and her new husband would agree!!

Mother of the Bride necklace

2. It was my hubby's birthday this month and for his present, I took him to Dublin for 4 days. I spent nearly all of my summer holiday's in Dublin as my parents are both Irish so it holds great memories for me and S has always wanted to go over there (apart from with work). We had a lovely few days, bit lots...of course, the Guinness Storehouse, The Old Jameson Distillery, sightseeing etc. For S's actual birthday, I booked us a table at Fire in Dawson Street. OMG, it was amazing, an old church converted in to a restaurant with the most gorgeous food ever. I had fillet Mignon for my main and it melted in my mouth, best piece of steak I have ever had and I have eaten in some really good steak restaurants in London!

Mother of the Bride bracelet

3. One of my very good friends is having a baby in a week and a half and we gave her an intimate baby shower which was a complete surprise! It was very civilised, cream tea and crust-less sarnies!!!

Mother of the Bride earrings

4. Wedding commissions...other that my own families!!!

Sister of the bride (me!!) earrings!!

I am sure there is loads and loads more that I have done in the last 4 months but I have a memory like a sieve and can only remember the stuff that has happened recently!! I even missed my blog-iversary! I will do a giveaway in a couple of weeks I think to celebrate!!

Sister of the bride (me!!) bracelet!!

I've been tagged

2009-05-09T14:06:00.002+01:00

I was tagged today by the lovely Kara who has the most gorgeous baby boy you have ever seen!

Right, here we go, be prepared to learn a bit more about yours truly....

8 Things I am looking Forward too.....

Going to Mexico in November...as long as the swing flu has cleared up, fingers crossed!
Talking my hubby to Dublin for his birthday and showing him where I used to spend most of my summers.
Being debt free...I've been in dept since I was 18 and I have finally got to grips with it!!
Going to my silversmith class, have been going for 3 weeks and am loving it!
Going on a picnic with my hubby on Sunday...we have never done it before!
One day being a size 10/12...I have loads and loads to go but that is what I want to be!
The last Harry Potter film
A cuddle on the sofa with my hubby while we watch a film tonight!

8 Things I Did Yesterday...

Went to work.
Sold some fimo stuff I never used
Saw one of my sisters
Picked up hubby's shirts from the dry cleaners ans dropped some off...I hate ironing!
Ate too much bread (bagel for breakie, baguette for lunch and toast for dinner)...I try not to normally eat any bread!!
Updated my website.
Tidied up...just a little bit!
Watched 2 episodes of Bones.

8 Things I Wish I Could Do....

Buy a lovely big house with a big garden.
Travel more.
Real magic...like in Harry Potter!!
Fly (I don't mean in an aeroplane!)
Fit in to a pair of size 10 or 12 jeans!
Loose Weight
Win the lottery
Neat piecing with a saw!

8 Shows I Watch....

Fringe
Bones
Heroes
Shameless
The In Betweeners
Dirty Sexy Money
Desperate Housewives
Gossip Girl

Those are my 8's. My turn to tag....YOU! Come on, you know you want to! Here's the rules, just in case you want to follow them:
1) Mention the name of the person who tagged you.
2) Do the lists of 8.
3) Tag 8 bloggers of your choice.
4) Let them know that they have been tagged!

So who do I tag ...

Where does the time go?

2009-05-07T17:30:00.010+01:00

Love Is In The Air Necklace
Sterling Silver & Murano Glass Heart

Wow, it has been almost 3 months since I last blogged. I can't believe how quickly this year is going! Last time I blogged there was still some snow on the ground and now the weather is beautiful (mainly!) and I can't remember the last time I wore a coat!!!

Love Struck
Simple Sterling Silver & Karen Hill Tribe Silver earrings

In the last couple of months, I have had a birthday, booked 2 holidays (Mexico and Ireland towards the end of the year) and started a new silversmith class which I am loving. I did one a few years ago which I stopped half way through as I was sick of spending the whole lesson waiting for the teacher to be free for advice and guidance!! With my new one, the teacher gives us very simple wire work projects that we can do if we are waiting for her which are great and the class is much smaller. When I have finished some pieces, I will post a picture!

Mooreland Necklace - SOLD
Karen Hill Tribe Silver, Sterling Silver & Lampwork by UK Artisan, Becky Fairclough

The above and below necklaces were a birthday present for one of my sister's. They are both on long Sterling Silver ball chains. I saw her today and she was wearing the Mooreland necklace and it looked great on. I love seeing people wearing my creations, it gives me a real buzz!

Candy Corn Necklace - SOLD
Sterling silver & boro lampwork from the US

I am such a Twit!!!!!

2009-02-08T09:33:00.006Z

Stepping Stones Bracelet

Silver Leaf Jasper, Sterling Silver & Karen Hill Tribe Silver

A few weeks ago I signed up to Twitter however I didn't have a clue how it worked and it was very difficult to read so I gave up before I even started!! After listening to the radio (Chris Moyles on Radio 1...yes, I know, he is a bit like Marmite, love him or hate him but I love him, his show has me laughing all the way to work!!) where they were going on about Twitter, I thought I would give it another try. That was Friday evening and by the time I went to bed on Friday night, I was addicted!!! Yet more of my life going to waste on the internet!!!!!!!!! My name on Twitter is KEBOjewellery.

Bubble Earrings
Freshwater Pearls and Sterling Silver

We still have snow on the ground here in Surrey/London but it is slowly melting away. Unfortunately I never got to make the snowman I wanted to make :o(

I haven't been up to much in the last week, mainly working at my full time job where I am a HR Business Partner for a global FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) company. I have had plenty of opportunity this weekend to make some lovelies however my mojo seems to have taken a very long holiday. I realised that I have not made anything new since December!!! I have lots of ideas in my scrap book but not the energy or the inclination to actually go and do it! I have cut down on my magazine spend but thought I would go and purchase a copy of Bead mag in the hope that it would spur me on, but no!! It was a good read though as there are many people in there I 'virtually' know!! There is a 3 page article on my good friend Becky Fairclough which is a great read!

Kaleidoscope Necklace

Lampwork Bead By UK Artist Becky Fairclough, Sterling Silver & Karen Hill Tribe Silver

Speaking of Marmite (I was, promise, look a few paragraphs up!!!) I have discovered that Marmite means pot in French...God, I am full of useless informaton (if you ever want to know what the PG in PG Tips stands for, let me know!!!)!!! I would not say I am in love with Marmite but I really like the taste, the brand, the marketing etc (and not just because I work for the Company that makes it) and I have found a fab Marmite canvas that I am thinking if getting for my kitchen, what do you think?

In this post are some items I made in the last quarter of 2008, I hope you like them. I am going to make a real effort this week to do 2 things...make at least one piece of jewellery and do exercise at least once a day (I have 2 classes on Wednesday)!!

I love the snow!!

2009-02-02T20:54:00.006Z

Out the back!

Woo, who else had mega amounts of snow??? We live in Surrey, just on the border of London and when we have snow, it is normally pitiful and has disappeared within an hour. Today was very very different!! As I went to bed last night, there was a good few inches on the ground and I was all excited but when I went out of the house at 6 this morning (I was meant to be going to the gym before work!!), there was a foot of snow!!! Because we were up and out so early, no one had stepped on the fresh snow and it looked like something out of Narnia! It was so pretty, I didn't want anyone to step on it!!! That didn't last long!!

Our road

Hubby tried first to get his car out and it was not looking good, there was way too much snow on the ground and the cars were going no where. He is never someone who takes a day off work willy nilly and it was killing him not being able to to work. The trains and buses were also not running!! I was very lucky that I worked from home on Friday so it meant I had my work laptop with me and could work from home today...looking out the window at people playing in the snow was killing me but I had loads to do!!

Out the front

There was an ambulance in trouble so hubby and I decided to go and help push. Isn't it amazing how the community really comes together on days like today. In London, no one looks at each other let alone talks to each other and today was just so different. We were all rallying around trying to get the ambulance out and then later when I tried to move my car and it got completely stuck in snow, strangers put their shopping down to help! At lunch time I decided to walk in to town and pop to the bank (which was closed!!) and everyone was walking in the middle of the road, in the tire tracks and people were smiling, laughing and playing...it was a lovely sight!

Me after pretending to hubby that I was going to do a

snow angel and instead, he pushed me in a mount of snow!!

Hubby kept saying that it was crazy that the world stops when we have a bit of snow and as much as I agree, it is also because we very rarely have this much snow (last time was at least 13 years ago apparently but I would have said much more in London!!) and so the contingencies are not really there!! We are not as equipped as Scotland for example where they have snow a lot in the winter months!

Starburst necklace

Lampwork by Becky Fairclough, freshwater pearls and Sterling Silver

I think the funniest thing of the day was a phone call from my mum early this morning. She called to talk about the snow (as everyone has been today!!) and she said that she was awake at 3 a.m. this morning and she looked out the window and there was some teenagers making a giant mans bit (you know what I am talking about!!). She said when she saw it finished today it was about 7 feet tall and everyone was stopping and laughing when they saw it. I have never ever heard my mum say the P word and it was very amusing!! I then had update reports on people taking photos of it and then people knocking it down!!!!

Wild @ Heart
Lampwork by Becky Fairclough and Sterling Silver

Right, back to the jewellery, only 2 items to show you today and these were items I made at the end of last year but never put on my website!!! I am already falling very behind on my New Years Resolutions of making more and posting more!!!

Happy New Year everyone!!

2008-12-31T12:23:00.004Z

Well, it is nearly the end of 2008. It hasn't been a bad year for me, in fact, I would go as far as saying it has been a very good year!!! I am back working for a company that I love, jewellery sales haven't been too bad, I have managed for the first time in 15 years to have a savings account with money in it and I had a wonderful holiday to Jamaica.

I have added to my New Year's resolutions:-

Make more jewellery
Be a tidy jewellery maker!
Post more pictures of my work on my website and on here!
Actually do some silver smithing (I did a course but never continued it after!!)
Go to the gym at work every morning that I am in the office.
Eat healthily (even bought an electric steamer in the sales!!)
Learn some patience!!!!

Just a couple of resolutions then!!!! I know people say you shouldn't make resolutions as you are more likely to break them but I say poppycock to that, I am going to try really hard...well, until the 2nd week of January anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you have all had a good 2008 and are looking forward to 2009. Happy New Year's one and all!!!

Signing off for my last post of 2008!!!

Kelly x

Merry Christmas one and all!!

2008-12-24T11:23:00.003Z

I wanted to wish you all a magical Christmas and I hope you have a lovely day, however you plan on spending it. Eat lots, drink even more and be patient with each other because we all know that when families get together, it can get quite fraught...or is that just my family!!! I must remember to practice what I preach!!!

I will be back in 2009 to update my blog properly and my New Year's resolution is to update my blog, my flickr and my website a lot more often...oh, and to make more lovelies!!!

Merry Christmas everyone.

Kelly
x

Rainy days and Mondays!!!

2008-11-10T20:35:00.005Z

Negril Necklace

Lampwork by Sam Halliwell, Fresh Water Pearls and Sterling Silver

I feel like I am always taking about the weather, more to the point, I am always moaning about the weather...I think I need to change my blog from talking about jewellery to the weather report!!! Actually, I love wet and windy...just so long as I am wrapped up warm in doors with a good book or a chick flick!!! The days that I don't like wet and windy are days like Saturday just gone when I met a lovely friend for lunch and a natter and then did some Christmas shopping in Kingston-Upon-Thames. By the time I got from the car park to the Slug and Lettuce, I was drenched!! Most people would probably go home after that but not me, as most of my weekends in the run up to Christmas are going to be taken up with fairs, I have to get all my shopping done now. So imagine it, me trying to keep my bag on my shoulder, the umbrella above my head and carrying loads of bags...which were very heavy and awkwardly shaped!! The worst part was having 2 bags made of paper and we all know that paper + rain = you have got to be joking if you think they are going to survive...which of course they didn't LOL!!!! I think the icing on the cake was my umbrella refusing to fold down whilst I was in the shops...much to the delight of everyone I hit with it hee hee hee!!!!

Negril Bracelet
Lampwork by Sam Halliwell, Karen Hill Tribe Silver and Sterling Silver

The weekend before (which was also wet and windy LOL) I met Becky Fairclough of Chameleon Designs for a spot of bead shopping at The Big Bead Show, Sandown Park. A great day was had and I bought some lovely beads and other goodies!! It was a great day, I met Julie from Lush Lampwork, had quick chat with Jean Power of Bead Mag (among many other things) and said hi to a couple of other people.

Negril Earrings
Lampwork by Sam Halliwell and Sterling Silver

Back to the jewellery...Here are 3 pieces that I made with some beads I got from the fair. I love these as they remind me of the sand and sea from the 7 mile beach in Negril where I was lucky enough to holiday this year. The earrings are made on longer earring wires.

Just rambling on...for a change!!!

2008-10-28T20:50:00.007Z

Slate Necklace

Don't faint...yes, I am really posting for a 3rd time this month!! Must be a record for me!!! Not much happening except I am starting to get moving on creating new work as it is soon the season to be jolly and hopefully, gift giving!!!

Marrakech Bracelet

I have recently added an application on my blog where people can 'Follow Me'! This is a great tool which helps you keep up to date with people posting on their blogs without having to check them out all the time. The Reader/Follow Me application lets you know when someone has posted something new just by logging on to your reader, it saves so much time. If you want to 'Follow Me' click on the link to the right of this page.

A couple of weeks ago I created a KEBO Jewellery Facebook page and I have a couple of fans already which is lovely. I love Facebook, it is such a great way to keep up to date with what friends are doing, my only gripe with it is that my sister keeps putting up mega embarrassing photos of me and tagging me in them so everyone sees them!!! She can't ever put any nice ones up...thanks sis!!!

I am not sure I will manage to post another post before the end of the month so see you all in November!

P.S. For some reason, I can unable to post any comments on Blogs all of a sudden. Anyone know why?

Tag, I'm it...3 times over!!

2008-10-21T22:04:00.007+01:00

Meadow - Stunning lampwork by Becky Fairclough

I have been tagged not once, not twice but 3 times by Jo of Gemheaven, Laura of Beads By Laura and Alison of Daisy Chain Designs

The rules are simple:-

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Ok, no pressure to think of something interesting!!!

My full name is Kelly April...I am named Kelly after one of the Charlie's Angels and April because I was born on April Fool's Day!!! You can only imagine what it was like at school on 1st April!!!
I am a complete emotional bunny, I can cry at the drop of the hat...when I am happy, sad, angry, frustrated...the list goes on!!!
I love music and singing however I am the world's worst singer...which came as a great surprise to me 12 years ago...I was convinced I had a great voice until one day I asked my ex-boyfriend why he kept turning the stereo up when we were in the car and he admitted to me that it was to drown out my singing!!!!!!!!
I am a huge spendaholic, I just love spending even when I have no money...which is most of the time as I spend it as soon as I get paid!!!
I am addicted to buying handbags and shoes...is that the same as number 4?!?!?!
I am a serial dieter, I spend most of my life on a diet but just seem to get fatter!!! Maybe I should just give up dieting and I might actually loose weight!!!
I love to laugh, I could watch good comedies and comedians all day long and not worry about laughter lines!!! I watch Friends at least once a day and have been known on a couple of occasions to watch Friends on E4 and then again on a couple of hours later when they repeat them!!!

Midnight Ocean - more stunning lampwork by Becky Fairclough!!

Ok, now the difficult part, finding 7 people who haven't already been tagged!! If you have been tagged already, apologies!!

Izzy from Adventures in Glass
Maura from Blue Daisy Jewellery
Heather from Bumpy Beads
Nia from Gemwaith Nia
Billie from Glass by billie
Kara from Innocent Charms
Julie from Julie Merrett

Happy tagging...if there is anyone left ;O)

Shadow Grove - fabulous lampwork by Pam Purslow (focals) and Sue Mose (spacers)

Windy Day

2008-10-07T12:54:00.002+01:00

As I sit here and type, the weather outside is not good, the wind is very stong and the trees are bending back and forth and it is raining cats and dogs...I am very glad to be inside today!!! This is the sort of weather that makes you want to curl up with a chick flick with a bar of chocolate and a warm cuppa...unfortunately for me, I can't do that as I am at work :o(

What have I been up to since my last post??? Well, I went to see Madonna at Wembley with my sister and she was amazing...Madonna that is!! I also had a stand at the Ploughing Match and Country Fair in Guildford a couple of weeks ago. The weather then was fab which is just as well as it was outside. I have also been updating the photos on my website...so far I have only done the necklaces as it takes so long!!!

Whilst looking on Becky's Blog (Chameleon Designs), I saw that she had a link to a blog called Little People - A Tiny Street Art Project. Me being nosey had to have a look and it is fantastic, have a look.

I have also been interviewed by Sally of Sallers Blog. I do ramble on a bit so you may get bored half the way down!!!!

Rain Rain Go Away!!!

2008-09-06T01:12:00.007+01:00

I seem to talk a lot about the weather in my posts...maybe because we haven't had much of a summer this year!!! Anyway, for those in the UK, you probably experienced the rain as I did today. Hubby and I were going to do something nice today but the weather was so awful that we went to the cinema and saw Get Smart instead which I thought was very funny.

Waterfall Bracelet - SOLD
Boro Lampwork, Sterling Silver & Bali Silver

One good thing that came out of today was I FINALLY got around to adding pictures to my Flickr account and I also uploaded items to Etsy and Folksy. You can find links to these sites on the right hand side of this page.

If you have never heard of Folksy, it is a much needed UK version of Etsy...if you have never heard of Etsy, shame on you, where have you been hiding?!?!? Both of these sites sell some of the most delicious handmade items you have ever seen. I have my eye on several handmade bags on Etsy that I want...I have even seen custom made shoes...don't given get me started...my love of handbags and shoes is a bit of a sore point with my husband!! Anyway, go and have a look at these sites, you may be able to find yourself some lovely (Christmas) presents...for yourself! Sorry for mentioning the C word again but it is only a few months away...and it is my favourite time of the year...I can't wait!!!

I have also added to this blog, 2 buttons for subscribing (see right hand side). You can choose to subscribe to the posts or the comments...to be completely honest with you, the whole RSS Feed thing is a bit of a mystery to me so if you have any input, please let me know!!!!!

The bracelet in this post is one of my favourite. The picture is really awful and doesn't show it very well but I had only made it when a few days it was sold so I never got to take a proper photo.

Long Time, No Blog!

2008-08-26T23:34:00.011+01:00

Candy Corn Bracelet
So named because I think the glass looks like popcorn...only candy coloured!!

Where are the days and weeks going? I can't believe that we are nearly at the end of Summer...what Summer I hear you cry?!?!?! According to the weather report, we are going to have some nice weather here in London at the weekend!!

Carnival Bracelet - SOLD

Sterling Silver, Bali Silver, Karen Hill Tribe Silver, Garnets & Artisan Glass by Heather Webb

I saw these beads of Heather's and I had to have them straight away. Aren't they amazing? The colours are stunning and Heather called them Carnival and I couldn't think of a better name so had to keep it for this bracelet...hope you don't mind Heather?

It is quite a chunky bracelet and the tiny little beads are Garnet. I was going to be brave and also put Amethyst with it (as there is a lovely purple in the lampwork) but chickened out at the last minute!!!

Jo's Earrings
Freshwater Pearls, Sterling Silver and Swarovski Crystals

What have I been up to over the last month or so. Well, I have made a couple of new pieces for the website and I also designed and created by friend Jo's Wedding jewellery and hair pins. I was really worried about doing this as a girls wedding day is so special and she wants everything to be just perfect and when you are designing from scratch, there is a chance that she will hate it all!!! Luckily, she loved it and on the day, she looked truly stunning and so very happy.

This was one of the 3 weddings I had in July and August. Unfortunately I couldn't make the 3rd one as I was poorly...nothing serious!

I am also experimenting with different backgrounds and using my photographers daylight lamps... what do you think...bit more practice needed??? I like this background as it is similar to the background on my website...although looking at it on the screen it doesn't look that similar!!!

Speaking of nearly the end of Summer, I have started booking up for Christmas events...how scary is that?!?!?!?!

Jamaican-Me-Crazy!!!!

2008-07-04T22:10:00.006+01:00

I'm back!!!! I have been away for a while on my holidays...2 blissful weeks in Negril, Jamaica. To anyone who has not been, I could not recommend it enough if you want a relaxing holiday in a stunningly beautiful setting.

Instead of jewellery (cos I haven't made any!!), I thought I would post some of my favourite pictures from my hols...sorry to bore you!!!

YS Falls

My crazy husband after cliff diving from a 55 ft cliff
...but isn't the colour of the water amazing?!?!?!

The first time I have seen a real croc... I was convinced it was a
fake until the tour guide splashed it with water and it closed its mouth!!!!

Another first for me, this time the first time I saw a dolphin

Sunset at Rick's Cafe, Negril

Well, if you have reached this far down, congratulations on not falling asleep!!!

The colours and sights of Jamaica have really inspired me and I can't wait to get back to the jewellery table and create so watch this space!!!

Where's the sun gone?

2008-05-18T17:54:00.005+01:00

After
'Retro Restyle'
Lampwork glass, Bali silver, Sterling silver
and Karen Hill Tribe Silver

Hmmm, we were having such beautiful weather and now it has gone, we are back to grey skies here in not so sunny Surrey!!!

What have I been up to this week? Well, I was at a hen weekend on Friday and Saturday in Oxford and I had a fab time with a really great group of girls. Friday night I had way too much Champagne and acted a little drunk (to say the least) and we had a naked butler who had a lovely behind (don't worry, his apron covered the front!!!). Saturday day, we were supposed to be punting and pedaloing to a really lovely pub. If you have never heard of punting before, it is like a long narrow rowing boat, everyone sits in the middle and one person stands on the end with a really long pole and is meant to use that to push off!! It was a nightmare and very funny to watch. Luckily I was in the pedalo and and saw the funny side of it as I watched the other two boats going the wrong way down the river and unable to control their boats. 35 minutes later we had gone no where and we decided to give up on the punting and we all had pedalos. We had 2 miles to go and one of the pedalos started leaking (the boat yard just gave them a bucket!!!!!!) and another one would not steer. Out of the 4 pedalos, only 2 made it to the pub, the other two were abandoned along the river... I really don't blame them!!! When we were mooring up at the pub, I managed to eat a fly and started choking and a man sitting outside the pub asked me if I was the entertainment...bleeding cheek!!!!

This week I restyled one of my own bracelet. The picture below is what it looked like before (it was one of my first pieces using lampwork!!) and the picture at the top of this post is what it looks like now... 100 times better I think and I love wearing it, it is now one of my fav pieces that I wear!

Before

Here comes the sun!!!

2008-05-10T10:03:00.006+01:00

Beach Ball Earrings
Sterling Silver and hollow glass

Wow, what a lovely week we have had, summer is certainly on it's way!!! I haven't worn a jacket all week.

Orange Crush
Sterling Silver & Hand Blown Furnace Glass

Haven't been up to too much this week. I went to the gym last night...pause for a round of applause!!... and it was soooo hot. Got my car back this morning from getting the body work fixed just as I was starting to like the courtesy car!!!!

Rock Candy Earrings
Sterling Silver & Hand Blown Furnace Glass

I have an embarrassing story to tell...the day we booked our holiday, my phone rang at 6 p.m. with an unknown number. My hubby normally rings me at this time and if he is ringing from his office phone, it comes up unknown. As we had just booked to go to Jamaica, I answered the phone, 'yeah man' said in a very bad Jamaican accent...imagine my embarrassment when I realised that it was not my husband but a recruitment agency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't apologise enough but luckily she saw the funny side of it and said I had made her day!!!

Prefect Earrings
Sterling Silver & Hand Blown Furnace Glass

I have been making some pieces which suit the current weather. The earrings have been made using bright pieces of glass ready for the summer!!!

Peony Necklace
Lampwork by Angie Finn, Ruby Fuschite, Sterling Silver & Swarovski

Own up, who stole April?!?!?!

2008-05-03T18:07:00.009+01:00

Space Cowboy Bracelet
Lampwork by UK artist Caroline Hannon
team with sterling & fine silver

Blimey, I have just realised that I haven't posted since early March, where has the time gone?

Well, what have I been up to? Hmmm, since my last post, I have had a birthday, played in the snow, played in the sun (hasn't the weather been freaky these last few months?!?), booked a holiday (we fly to Jamaica next month for 2 lovely long weeks...yippee!!!), lost a stone (in weight, not a gemstone!!!) and had a prang in my car (well, someone hit me and drove off...thanks whoever you are!!!!!).

Gaia (Earth in Greek) Bracelet
Lampwork by UK Artist Sue Mose teamed with fine silver

I have also commissioned someone to design me a lovely new website so watch this space!!! The lovely lady doing it for me has just started a new web design business with the most fabulous name which makes me break in to a smile every time I say it but I won't give it away in case it is a secret!!!

I have hardly made any jewellery since my last post. The first bracelet is made with lampwork beads by Caroline Hannon. I love this bracelet and wanted to keep it for myself however when I first made it, the design was slightly different and it was too big so I had to change the design and now it is just a tad too small for my wrist!!!!!

Gaia (Earth in Greek) Earring
Lampwork by UK Artist Sue Mose teamed with fine silver

I normally try and remove the shadows in my pictures but I thought I would see how they look by leaving them in, what do you think?

Oh, just remembered something else that happened in April, my sister ran her first London Marathon in 4.42 hrs which is fantastic especially considering she had a bad injury which took her out of training for over a month before the big day!!! It was also her 40th birthday (although she doesn't look or act it) on the same day and I want to publicly say a big WELL DONE, I am so proud of you!!!

Stormy Sunday!

2008-03-09T12:11:00.010Z

Hi everyone, I hope you are having a lovely weekend. It is a bit wet here in Surrey and I hear there is going to be a great storm tonight. I might be on my own with this but I love a good old storm but only if I am in doors wrapped up warm and can hear the rain splashing against the windows!!!! If I am out in it, that is a different matter, I hate having wet clothes and wet hair!!!Here are some more pieces that I have been creating over the last few weeks. The pictures seem a bit pale...I just received my new light tent and lights and think I am still getting the hang of it which is annoying cos I thought as soon as I used it, my piccies would come out perfect LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

As you can see, I have been busy making earrings. The first pair are made with gorgeous deep purple amethyst stones on Sterling Silver hoops.
I have loads of Sterling Silver wire so I thought I would do some hand shaping with swirls and hearts.

The pair above are made with Ruby Fuschite which has real rubies embedded in the stone!!! I love this colour combo, fab for the summer!!!

This bracelet is made using one of my favourite gemstones, Ocean Jasper. In real life it is a very dainty looking piece.

Pinch, Punch, 1st of the month!

2008-03-01T22:17:00.010Z

Where did February go? I think I must have blinked and missed it!!! The weather has been lovely recently, very Spring like except last night...I thought we were in the middle of a hurricane at about 3 a.m. this morning, I could hear things being blown all over the place!!!

What have I been up to this last month? Well, my mojo has returned with a lovely tan and my head and note pad is brimming with ideas for new creations!!! I have been busy creating over the last few weeks and have finally got around to photographing some of them!!

I also went to a bead fair in Kempton Park in February and bought some Gorgeous (with a capital G!!) lampwork from a lady I hadn't heard of before, her name is Joanne Rohrer. The necklace, earrings and purple bracelet are made with her beads but I still have a couple of sets left and one has the most AMAZING aqua discs!!!!

It is Mother's Day tomorrow and I haven't made my lovely mum any jewellery as she now has so much, there isn't enough days in the year to wear it all...well, that is a slight exaggeration!!!

To all you Mummy's out there, I hope you have a lovely Mother's Day and you are spoilt rotten just as you should be!

Lovely day for a bike ride!!!

2008-01-26T19:28:00.000Z

What a nice day it was today! I decided to get on my bike (which is very unusual for me!!) and cycled in to town. Thing was, I forgot that I had my bike and bought quite a lot of stuff that was heavy!! Luckily (or not for my purse!!!) there is a great bike shop in my town and so I bought and had fitted a basket! When I rang my hubby and told him he nearly wet himself with laughter and called me a granny!!! It is not a wicker basket but a rather stylish black wire affair (it should be made of gold for what it cost!!!!). I have never had a basket on any bike I have owned and it is really weird riding with it cos it makes the bike REALLY heavy and I was wobbling all over the place!!!! I think now I have got the basket, I will get out on my bike more! Lets see how long that idea lasts for!!!!

Mojo is still sunning it somewhere but I did manage to make a new bracelet. It is amazonite, rock crystal and sterling silver. It is actually a bracelet that I took apart and made in to something different. The original design had Blue Chalcedony in it however it went discoloured and a yellowish colour which looked awful :o(

I did a children's jewellery making party last Sunday and some of the children thought it would be helpful to put all the beads together (bless!!) so I have approx 50,000 small beads to sort through before the next party in less than 4 weeks time...ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend :o)

Mojo's gone on holiday!!

2008-01-13T14:30:00.000Z

Hmmm, not sure what is wrong with me... I had nothing planned this weekend so thought I would sit at the old jewellery table and actually made a couple of pieces however I seem to have lost my mojo!! Instead, I managed to create a new banner (hope you like it...see top of the page) and have designed and ordered my new business cards.

I wanted something very simple and clean and hope I have achieved this...can't wait to see how they look in real like!

Even though my mojo is sunning it on a beach somewhere, I did manage to make a necklace and some earrings for a commission order. I seem to be having some problems photographing my jewellery at the moment so can't post a piccie.

In my last post, I forgot to say a big thank you to Becky Fairclough. When I was having my new logo designed, she came up with the idea to have the word 'jewellery' in a more swirly text and as soon as I saw it like that, I knew that was how I wanted my logo!! So Becky, THANK YOU!!!

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend :o)

New Year, New Logo!!

2008-01-05T19:31:00.001Z

Hey everyone...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Back in October I had a new logo designed and I have finally got around to using it and I am loving it!!!! The style and colour is perfect, just what I wanted!!! Because the colour scheme is different to my original one, I also had to change my website colours which I am also loving!!!

So, no new jewellery to show today, just a new logo and updated website!!!

I would love to hear your comments.

Goodbye 2007...Hello 2008!!

2007-12-31T17:24:00.000Z

Goddess In Green
Rock Crystal & Green Aventurine

The Odd Couple
Lampwork by Laura Sparling & Sterling Silver

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and is getting ready for the merriments this evening!! Tonight I have my parents, sister and niece coming over for nibbles and games. We do it all again tomorrow when my husbands family come over! We have bought enough food to feed the whole street but it is better to over do than have people wanting more but there is nothing left!!!

Strawberry Smoothie
Lampwork by Caroline Hannon & Sterling Silver

In between shopping, cleaning and cooking today, I managed to make a necklace (Goddess In Green) and some earrings (not pictured). The necklace is a bit different for me as it is not a uniformed pattern and I always struggle with this!

Calla Lily
Lampwork by Beck Fairclough & Sterling Silver

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

2007-12-24T19:29:00.000Z

Castor Bracelet

Carnelian & Karen Hill Tribe Silver

Well, the big day is almost upon us and as much as I am a HUGE Christmas fan, I don't want it to come as it will be gone so quickly and then that's it for another year.

Zest Earrings
Carnelian & Karen Hill Tribe Silver

I thought I would post a few more piccies of what I have been working on lately.

Arabian Nights
Smoky Quartz & Bali Silver

Heart & Soul Necklace
Fresh Water Pearls & Sterling Silver

I love the colours of the Carnelian in the bracelet and earrings at the top of the post. The word 'Castor' means...to shine, to excel...in greek.

Finally, MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone. I hope Santa brings you everything you wished for!!

Kelly
x

Sorry for being a stranger!

2007-12-22T15:18:00.000Z

Fossil Bracelet
Black Sardonyx & Karen Hill Tribe Silver

I just looked at the date of my last post and can not believe where the time has gone!!!

Organic Ocean Bottle Stopper
Lampwork by Julie Fountain

I have been so busy at work (my other job that pays the bills!!) and then I had a stall at the National Trust Ham House for the first 3 weekends of December so this is really the first opportunity I have had to sit down and do whatever I like!!!!

Spotty Dotty Bottle Stopper
Lampwork by Caroline Hannon

Not sure what to say about the fairs at Ham House...it was in a marquee which was meant to be heated but a small heater at either end of the marquee didn't do much in terms of heat and so everyone was freezing!!! On the first two weekends the rain was awful and the ground outside could not handle it and so decided to come up inside the marquee and a few stalls got flooded!! Luckily mine was about a foot away from being in water!!! Despite all the this, I actually enjoyed myself as it is the best opportunity to hear what people think about my jewellery and I also got to meet some amazing stall holders selling gorgeous wares!!!

Anyway, I thought I would post just a few pictures of what I have been up to lately!!!

I am not going to wish anyone a Merry Christmas in this post cos I want to make sure I post on here again before the big day!!! Here's hoping I do!!

It can't be Sunday already!!!!!!!!

2007-10-28T13:01:00.000Z

Why oh why does the working week go soooooo slowly and then as soon as the weekend comes, bam, it is over in a flash!!!!! I hate Sunday's, almost as much as I hate Monday's...I get that dreaded feeling in the pit of my stomach thinking about the week I have ahead of me!!!!!!

Any way, enough doom and gloom, it is still the weekend and best thing is, the clocks went back this morning so we have an extra hour...yippee!!!!!

Yesterday I met a very good friend of mine in Kingston and we did a bit of shopping. It was great to catch up and I even got to visit the new bead shop!!!!

I couldn't sleep this morning and was up at 6 a.m. which is weird cos during the week I struggle to get out of bed at 7.30 but when the weekends come, I am up bright and early...I guess it is best to be up early than waste the day in bed!!!

I have managed to make a few bits today. The bracelet in the top picture is a commission and I love it. The deep purple against the silver is stunning. The customer wanted a design very similar to one I have done before. In the picture, it looks almost the same but in the flesh, they are very different and I am really pleased with it.

The earrings below are made with Sterling Silver and Rock Quartz...I never know whether to call it Rock Quartz, Clear Quartz or Rock Crystal!!!!!

This bracelet is made with Amazonite and Sterling Silver. The little round silver circle is by the very talented Hannah (Kutuu) Solomon.
I am really excited...I have commissioned a designer to create a new logo for me. They have so far come up with some great designs and I am very confused at the moment cos I love pink however they have done some with Aqua and I am really drawn to it!!!!!

It's a miracle...2 posts in one weekend!!!!!

2007-10-21T19:17:00.000+01:00

Ok, so I managed to retake some of the photos...I am still not happy with them but I can't take up anymore time trying!!!

Went for a coffee with a very good friend of mine this afternoon. We went to Wimbledon Village where all of the beautiful people live!!!!! It is too chic for words!! The shops are amazing from big names like Cath Kidston, Joseph, LK Bennett etc to small independent boutiques and they all have 2 things in common...1, they only sell mega expensive stuff and 2, the stuff they sell is Divine with a capital D!!!

Anyway, back to the jewellery...the first two pieces are made from Amazonite and Bali silver. I LOVE these pieces and might just keep them for myself!!! I think I might have found me a new favourite gemstone!!!!

This necklace (and the earrings below) is made with a gorgeous lampwork bead by Becky of Chameleon Designs.

Back in June, I had a 1:1 chain maille lesson with Jean Power and since then, I have not really done much in the way of chain maille so today I flicked back through the lesson and started with one of my favourite weaves...Shaggy Loop. The reason I love it so much is it is quite easy to do and it is so tactile...I love running my fingers down the loops!!

Have I bored you enough yet!!!!!!!!!

Count down is on!!!

2007-10-20T20:46:00.000+01:00

Wow, I can't believe it has been over a month since my last post!!!!! I have been so busy that I haven't had much time to update my website or blog!!! Hubby is watching the football so I thought I would take this opportunity to catch up!!

Well, it is only 66 days till Christmas (my favourite time of the year!!!) and I have 7 days worth of fairs coming up, 1 on 10th November and then the first 3 weekends in December!!! I have been trying to get designing but time is something I seem to be short of at the moment!!!

I made a couple of bits today however they have not photographed well so will have to try again tomorrow...maybe I should sign up for a photography night class in January?!?!?!?!

The piece above is made from Carnelian and Sterling Silver. It hangs really lovely and I adore the large puffed coin. I have named this necklace 'Moon on Fire' as I think it looks like a planet on fire!!!! I know what I mean even if no one else does...Hubby looked at me funny when I named it so maybe it is just me!!!!!

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend and it is not going too fast!!!

Yippee, it's Saturday!!!

2007-09-15T17:05:00.000+01:00

I love Saturday's, it is my favourite day of the week!! Normally I have a lovely lie in however not this morning, the house across the road is having some building work done to it and they decided to put the scaffolding up at 8 a.m.!!!!!!!!!! Oh well, at least it makes the day seem a little bit longer...but believe me, I was not saying that this morning!!

Here are some pieces that I did last week but only managed to photograph them today. Photographing and getting them on the website is the worst job!!! I also seem to be getting worse at photography instead of better. I thought I would try some pieces on a slate background again to see if I could get them to look any better than my attempts on white but alas, it is not to be!!!! Answers on the back of a postcard!!!!

The first necklace is made with David Christensen hand-blown furnace glass, the second one is with Rock Crystal and the third is Rock Crystal, Lampwork beads by Becky Fairclough and Swarovski Crystals.

Suddenly Sunday :o(

2007-09-09T20:15:00.000+01:00

Ok, so I think I must have blinked on Friday night and by the time my eyes opened, it was Sunday evening...why God must you punish us with 2 days off a week, surely with all the talk of work life balance, we should have half the week off and half the week at work?!?!?!?!?

Anyway, was promised I have posted some of my new pieces...this is what I have been up to over the last month!! WARNING, IMAGE HEAVY!!!!!!!!!

Think I am all charm bracelet outed now!!!!!

This is made with a beautiful hollow lampwork bead by Becky of Chameleon Designs, the picture really doesn't do the beads justice. The other beads are faceted rock crystal and frosted rock crystal (and are not grey like they look in the picture!!!)

I love this necklace, it is on a 24" chain so it hangs just right...I really want to keep it but have to be strong...the bead is by Becky of Chameleon Designs.

I think this is a great colour combo, ready for the festive season which is only 100 and something days away!!!! Spoke to my Mum yesterday who informed me that she went and bought some Christmas presents...hmmm, think she has too much time on her hands!!!!!!!!!!!!

SOLD
I have never really been very good at wire wrapping beads with holes at the top but I am quite happy how these turned out!!

I'm back...and I have been tagged!!!

2007-09-02T15:50:00.000+01:00

Wow, I can't believe it has been nearly a month since I posted on here!!!! The time has flown by...soon it will be Christmas, yippee!!!!

Well, what has been happening in the last month...well, I started a new job, exhibited at 'Arts in the Garden' at Ham House (bank holiday Sunday and Monday), made some new pieces (will post pics later) and have a new nephew, Oscar who is just too cute for words!!!!

I have also been tagged by Caroline - Crafted Gems and Butterfly Beadwear. I have to think of six weird things about me and then tag another 6 people!!!

Ok, here we go:-

1. I love running silk through my fingers. It all stemmed from have a blanket with silk edging when I was a baby and would scream whenever it was taken away from me!!! This progressed through the years and I have been through several silk robes....I love the belt the best!!! The last one was thrown out only last year by my hubby cos I kept complaining of pains in my thumbs from doing it!! I miss it dearly, esp when drinking a cup of tea and can't walk through M&S without having a feel of the silk robes...yes, I know I am pretty sad!!!!!

2. Probably quite a common thing but I am so scared of dying!! The thought of it makes me cry and feel really low!! I think it is even worse that I have never had someone close to me die *am touching wood as I type*!!!

3. I have this weird thing about making sure I have closed the windows, turned off the iron and shut the front door when I go out!!!! I don't think it is OCD but it really gets to me. At night, if my hubby says he has closed all the windows, I still have to go around and check them!!!

4. I absolutely hate clutter and mess with a passion however I am very lazy when it comes to cleaning and putting things away!!!!

5. I never know what to say when someone is upset or has just received some bad news. I try to say comforting words but they never come out!!!! Once a friend told me her dog died and I laughed...how sick is that...I am hoping it was just nervous laughter and I am not a deeply horrid person!!!

6. I am mega shy and not very confident of myself. Not really weird but something I hate about myself!

Right, now I just need to find 6 people who have not been tagged already...proving quite hard!!!

Happy Wednesday!

2007-08-08T18:27:00.000+01:00

This morning I decided to make a keyring / charm... it is one of those things that I have been putting off for weeks as I find it difficult to do random designs!! It is made using Swarovski Crystals and glass and I love the way it sounds when you shake it!!!!

I have never been the world's best photographer but lately, my pictures have come out quite dodgy!!!!

I decided to treat myself this afternoon and went for a vitamin C facial. It was so relaxing that I think I fell asleep for a couple of minutes!! When I woke up, I didn't want to open my eyes to see if the beautician was still in the room...luckily she wasn't so if I was snoring, she couldn't hear!!!!!!

Diamonds & Pearls!!

2007-08-05T20:45:00.000+01:00

I decided to do something different today so have created some simple bridal headpins in Swarovski Crystals and pearls. I am really pleased with how they have come out.

For some reason I am finding them really difficult to photo so apologies for the picture!

I am still on a high today after seeing Prince in concert last night. He played at the 02 Arena (Millennium Dome) and to say he was amazing is an understatement!!! We had fantastic seats and were only about 15 rows from the stage. I wasn't sure what to expect as I have not been to a concert since I was about 14 when I went to see Salt & Pepper at the Hammersmith Apollo...don't laugh, I was very young and had awful taste in music!!! He played for 2 hours and sang most of my favourite songs except Diamonds & Pearls :o( The atmosphere was electric and I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes Prince...and let's face it, who doesn't like a bit of Prince!!!

But what shall I call it?

2007-08-02T18:55:00.000+01:00

OK so my day of jewellery making didn't quite go as planned today and I had zero time to do anything creative, however I do have something new because at midnight last night, I decided I wasn't tired and wanted to create something!!!!

This bracelet is made using one of my favourite gemstones, (faceted) Botswana Agate and Sterling Silver wire balls, which are a nightmare to thread as they don't have proper holes!! I finished it with a gorgeous stamped toggle.

I really love this piece and am glad it is a tiny bit too small on me (I have large wrists) as it would have ended up in my personal stash!!!

I have a problem with this piece, I can not for the life of me think of a name for it!!! As you have probably seen by now, I give all of my pieces names...yes, most of them are completely cheesy but I think it is better to have a mega cheese name then to call it item 12345!!! So if you can think of anything, names on a postcard!!!!!!

Fired Earth Necklace & Stick of Rock Earrings

2007-08-01T20:52:00.000+01:00

Have been a bit busy these last few days and haven't had any time to make anything new until this afternoon. I have been able to finish the necklace I started last week but could not finish until I received the chain and I have also made a pair of earrings that look great with the 'Oh So Charming' bracelet.

Fired Earth Necklace

I love the Fire Agate beads on this necklace, they are quite chunky and the colours are stunning. Certain parts of the beads look like they have honey chambers in them!

Stick of Rock Earrings

I also received some of the other goodies I ordered at the weekend and can't wait to get designing with them so fingers crossed, tomorrow I can spend the whole afternoon at the jewellery table making lots more!!

Why is it???

2007-07-27T22:35:00.000+01:00

Today I was working on a new necklace design with some amazing Fire Agate beads (the same ones pictured in the 'Farnham Bead & Gem Show' post). I completed the main body of the necklace and then all it needed to finish it, was some chain.

My question is this...WHY IS IT that:-

a) the thing I need (in this case, chain) is always the thing I have run out of and forgot to restock?!?!

and

b) when I go on-line to order said item, I can not just purchase the item I originally set out to buy but I somehow manage to find another 20 or so other things that I think I need and spend over triple what I intended to?!?!?!?

Who knows why we do what we do sometimes?!?!?!?

Nice bracelet, shame about my back!!!

2007-07-25T11:32:00.000+01:00

Well I awoke this morning at 6 a.m. and could not get back to sleep!! Not sure if it is because I feel light and breezy due to no longer having the stresses of looking for a job or because I had lots of new jewellery designs in my head!!!

By 6.30 a.m. I was at my jewellery table raring to go!! After 2 hours of twisting wire and such like, I have finally finished my first ever charm bracelet...and my back hurts like hell from bending over it!!!

I have used some gorgeous purple, blue and green striped David Christensen hand-blown furnace glass, Sterling Silver, Karen Hill Tribe Silver (97% pure silver) and Swarovski Crystals. I love the colour combination and the feel of this bracelet!

What do you think?

I also made this pendant using a stunning and realistic looking lampwork Strawberry bead!! I wanted to keep this very simple because the focus is on the Strawberry. Doesn't it remind you of summer time and Wimbledon...all we need is some cream!!

Good news!!

2007-07-24T20:26:00.000+01:00

I have received two lots of good news today, the first is that I have been offered a job and start on 13th August which is exactly 2 months from when I was made redundant and the second piece of good news is that I have got a space on the Silversmithing course I wanted and start in September for 16 weeks (every Monday evening). Am very excited about both!!

Started to make a bracelet today using some of my David Christensen glass beads however I somehow incorrectly calculated how many I needed and do not have enough!!! I have therefore decided to try my hand at my first charm bracelet...hopefully it will be finished tomorrow and I will post a pic here!!

Farnham Bead & Gem Show

2007-07-22T18:53:00.000+01:00

Got up nice and early today and went to the Bead & Gem show in Farnham, Surrey with Becky from Chameleon Designs. It wasn't the biggest bead show I have been to but we had a great time and spent lots of pennies on lots of gorgeous beadies!!!

My shopping list included:-

Top left - lovely sterling silver wire balls, discs and a silk necklace
Top right - gorgeous fire agate and banded agate
Bottom left - some amazing lampwork from Becky including some strawberries I commissioned, a set with a hallow focal.
Bottom right - stunning hand-blown furnace glass from world renowned artist David Christensen

After the show, Becky was also kind enough to show me how to make a lampwork bead. I was so scared in case I broke something or worse, burnt her studio down!!! It is so much harder than she makes it look! I was concentrating so hard because you are working with a flame and molten glass (is that the right phrase?!?!?) AND have to use 2 hands which are doing different things...after just 15 minutes my arms felt like I had been lifting weights for an hour!!!!

What do you think of my first ever bead...not bad but think I need more practice!!!!!

And God said 'Let there be rain'

2007-07-20T19:34:00.000+01:00

Wow, did the heavens open today or what? I was supposed to be meeting some friends for lunch however every way I turned, there was a flood and I could not get through!!! I have 3 railway arches near me and each one was flooded...1 had a grounded van and a car and another had an MG convertible being washed against the posts. The water almost covered the whole car but luckily no one was hurt...except for their poor cars!!

I was inspired by the weather and made 2 new pieces of jewellery, Purple Rain (also because I am going to see Prince in a couple of weeks and I am soooo excited!) and waves!!!

Purple Rain
This piece is made using a main focal by the fantastic UK Artist Caroline Hannon, Rock Quartz, Swarovski Crystals and Sterling Silver.

Waves
This piece is with Blue Chalcedony, Clear Quartz and a gorgeous sweet little Sterling Silver seashell charm

My first ever blog

2007-07-20T19:25:00.000+01:00

I am a bit behind with the times...I am sure blogs are so 2006 but hey, at least I have one now...hmm, I wonder who will ever look at this thing?!?!?

So, who am I? My name is Kelly Boulter (was Kelly Sweetman before I got married!) and I love designing and creating jewellery. My favourite materials to use are Sterling Silver, Karen Hill Tribe Silver (am in love with the designs), semi-precious gemstones and finally lampwork beads.

I am 30 (just!) and live in Sunny Sutton in Surrey but I am originally from Putney, London.

I am a little unsure what to exactly put on this so if I start rambling on, sorry!!!