Vegetable Ivory

95 days to Christmas! If you want to keep track of that deadline yourself, you can do so here. 

I've recently discovered the wonderful tagua nut. It comes from a palm tree that grows in the rainforests of South America – Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Brazil. It contains a liquid that will eventually harden and looks like ivory. In fact, it is regarded as a viable alternative to elephant ivory, and is used by many artisans nowadays in their crafts and carvings – earning its nickname of 'vegetable ivory' – and helping to save our precious elephants. And because I love effalumps, I'll share this fabulous picture from Ravi Patel:

Take a look at my Tagua nut necklace – big, chunky, and wonderfully tactile - and now in my Etsy shop.

And what's been keeping me happy since my last post?

There's that lovely elephant picture, for a start!

We went to see the new Bridget Jones film and it was very enjoyable. The scene in the hospital had me in tears it was so funny!

Categories, Christmas and Captains

With my head full of new Christmas products, and knowing it is only 102 days to go, I decided to give my listing categories in my Etsy Shop a bit of an overhaul. I have less categories, but many are now divided into smaller sections. So, for example, instead of 28 items in my Steampunk section, I now have 21 items under Steampunk necklaces and 7 under Steampunk earrings, and I think this might make it simpler for my buyers (or browsers!) to find their way around.

Here is a picture of four of my current necklaces:

And things that have made me smile since my last post:

Spending a lovely day with my daughter indulging in a little (or a lot!) of retail therapy!

And hearing that John Barrowman could be returning to Dr Who as Captain Jack Harkness! Sadly, Torchwood was not as good as it could have been, but Captain Jack made it worth seeing. Sometimes, anyway...

Smiley necklace and smiley days

Here are four of my recent necklaces, already in place in my Etsy shop.

I'm still making my Christmas items and, BTW, did you realise it is only 104 days away? Just thought I'd cheer you all up with that one!

And, talking of cheering up, some things that made me smile since my last post:

My cat, who always runs up to be petted whenever I go in the garden to put the washing out.

Sunshine days!

Exciting packets of pretty beads dropping through my letterbox!

How about you? What's made you happy lately?

September dawns

A new batch of lovely glass necklaces for you! And all available in my Etsy shop.

I'm still busy making new things, and in this lovely hot weather I'm having to turn my thoughts to making my Christmas products! Trying to make products a season or so in advance is hard! Perhaps I should play Christmas music and pack ice around me feet! Do you think that would work?

Sunny days making things

Remember I said I'd been making lots? Well, I've been making so many things I haven't had time to post! Sorry...

How about these little beauties, as a taster?

Is it warm where you are? It is so hot here (stop sniggering, those of you from hot climates!!) that you don't want to do too much. So, lots of cool drinks and summer frocks (the boys look real pretty in those!) on the menu.

Talk soon!

Roses are red. And yellow.

I now have more than 250 posts on my Istagram page! I have been a busy girl!

Talking of which, here is a preview of some upcoming necklaces:

I have been making a lot of things lately, so watch out for lots of new things in my Etsyshop.

My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary and we went out for a lovely meal. He also bought me two bunches of roses! Well, he couldn't decide whether to go for 'romantic' deep red, or my favourite colour (yellow) so chose both...

One Hundred

I have 100 Tweets on Twitter!! I just love to retweet funny or quirky posts...

Lookie! New products in my Etsy shop!

I thought I would like to share some stuff that made me happy since my last post:

These beautiful sunflowers, a cheerful present from my lovely daughter

I bought a couple of new tops for work and another to wear when we go out

And this news item about the new cat in Downing Street. As there is also two other cats in his territory, the fur will fly!