The next big thing... I mean ring

My next big ring project is very big indeed, 6.3 carats in fact!


I actually started work on the setting for this gorgeous cushion cut purple and yellow Amatrine a couple of weeks ago. But the result was a bit too flimsy and not what I had envisaged for this fabulous stone.


So it was back to the drawing board, or in my case the sketch book, to better resolve the design.

The idea is still developing, so not sure if I will start on this one just yet or give the ideas another week to stew. Either way, I hope to have a fabulous extravagent cocktail ring featuring this gorgeous stone to show you in the not too distant future.


In the meantime I hope to make a couple of pairs of fun enamel studs this weekend. Looking at what colours are dominating my Etsy store right now, and in the interests of diversity, I'm thinking green and black this time. Or maybe black and white... What colours would you like to see more of?

The peppermint crisp journey

It was all the way back in October 2009 that I first started work on the peppermint crisp ring.

It took me a long time to decide how I wanted to make the setting. I had in my head how I wanted it to look from above, but how to achieve that...?


So I went ahead and make the ring and the first half of the setting with the V shaped base. Then I tinkered, and I filed, and I uhmed and ahhed. I put it away and worked on other pieces. Then I'd take it out, look at it, and put it away again.


Then some time a few months ago I started to formulate an idea. I decided to drill through either side of the ring shank beside the V setting and push two pieces of wire through, these would support the stone from either side. I contemplated this idea for some time.


Last weekend I started work on a new piece. I was in such a hurry to finish something, anything! I rushed ahead without fully thinking through my design and the setting collapsed while I was soldering it. It was then I decided I had thought about the peppermint crisp for long enough. It was time for action!



The peppermint crisp ring is finished! And it is available now in my Etsy store.

WARNING - Do not lick your monitor!

It's a miserable windy rainy day, the dishes are mounting, there is washing to be hung out, so what do I do? I bake! Carrot and Cardamom Cupcakes.... Mmmmmmm.....


My Aunty bought me a gorgeous little book called Cupcake Heaven by Susannah Blake. I love to flick through and drool over the recipes and decide which ones to make next, trying to limit myself to one batch per week!


Ok, I know you will be tempted to lick your monitor, and rightly so, these Carrot and Cardamom cupcakes are yummy!


Perhaps I should eat another one to check they all taste as good?

The Light in Winter

Ever since I was little I have loved lights. My parents were regularly loading us into the car and driving up high hills to show me the city lights. May go some way to explaining my love of sparkly shiny things ;)

This weekend we decided to take the kids to Federation Square to see The Light in Winter. A month long event with different activites on daily.


On the way we got to take in a personal favourite of mine, the ferris wheel at Birrarung Marr which is lit up beautifully at night.


While we waited for the sun to set we enjoyed a hot chocolate and the little man did some exploring.


The centre piece of the Light in Winter is called Solar Equation, apparently people can use their iPhones or other iDevice to alter the patterns on the surface, we were content just to view it as other people did the techo stuff.


Last night there was also a Mexican Salute with music and dancing, however it was a bit hard to photgraph with our little cannon point and shoot.



It was a nice night out, and we were home in time to put the kids to bed by 8:30pm!

Autumn inspiration

Ok, so technically it is winter now, but our beautiful little Japanese Maple in the backyard is still wearing it's autumn colours with pride.


It just looks so bright and happy, I never tire of looking at it.


To top it off it was a beautiful sunny day, and my mokume gane & fire opal ring is on its way to a new home in the USA.


And finally I got to spend a little time in the workshop. My peppermint crisp ring is very close to completion, I just need to finish the setting and then set the ring and polish it up. Here's a sneak peak with the stone just sitting in the incomplete setting.


My head is full of ideas for some new pieces, must get them into my sketch book as my baby brain means that those idea may float off to the ether again! Hopefully I will get a bit more time this weekend to do some more.

Amazing creation

There has been a flurry of activity of late in our garage workshop, but it has been my hubby working out there instead of me. I have been on kid duty while hubby has been building them the most lovely and amazing toy box.





My contribution was to help upholster the seat (under the watchful eye of Mr 2 1/2), I have never done anything like this before but we were happy with the result.





And the finished result... The most wonderful and unique toy box a couple of kids could ever wish for:





Now that this is completed I am hoping to get a little workshop time myself. I have a lovely tourmaline ring that is about 90% finished and a head full of ideas just waiting to be realised.

Winter warmers

The weather has started to cool and this time of year always finds me flicking through recipe books looking for yummy warm wintery foods.

This weekend while out pruning our garden I was inspired by our rosemary 'hedge' and decided to try my hand at some lamb and rosemary pies! YUM!!! I made one family sized pie for dinner and four individual pies, taking care of lunches today plus a couple in the freezer for later.



They are as delicious as they look, I think next time I might try my hand at some minty lamb pies.



With the leftover pastry I adapted an apple and rhubarb pie recipe and made a pear and fig pie, also delicious (even if I do say so myself). Mmmm winter foods, and it's still autumn... At this rate I'm going to be a blimp come spring ;)