New in the Shop

'Boardwalk Empire' Drop Earrings

I couldn't resist sneaking down to the bench to finish these earrings on day three after Oscar's birth, when all three children were asleep. I knew I wouldn't be able to stay away from the workshop for long. Particularly with the arrival of a parcel of beautiful Onyx cabochons and drops. Though I am on light duties, I swear.

These handsome earrings were inspired by the lavish lifestyles depicted in the period drama 'Boardwalk Empire', which is set in an era of wealth, style and corruption, during prohibition days in Atlanta City. Add drama to any outfit with these dangling darlings.

One of a kind and in the shop now.

Introducing

Introducing Oscar Arlo Allan Lowry
Our 8 pound 7.5 ounce baby boy, who was born at 6.11 am on Tuesday the 27th May, after a beautiful, drug free, natural VBAC.

He is settling in wonderfully, and Cohen and Emerson are doting siblings. I am still on a high after the birth, which was everything I was hoping for. It proved to be a healing experience for me after Cohen's traumatic birth and Emerson's cesarean. I look forward to putting our story in to words and sharing it with you soon. 

This Moment

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. - Soule Mama

Notes From the Workshop

New tools - spoon stakes for the project I mentioned.

New postcards - I love new stationary.

A production line of Silver 'Beryl' Necklaces in preparation for Finders Keepers.


Working on a new collection of handmade drop earrings.


My dear Cohen, who keeps asking if he can make jewellery too. How could I say no?


Packaging up orders with a few of my favourite things.

I'm still here, keeping myself occupied in the workshop and waiting for baby. 39 weeks and 3 days today. I really am ready whenever baby is! It's a strange sort of limbo, this waiting business. 

Should baby keep us in anticipation, you can expect to see a few new pairs of earrings in the shop soon. Either way, the shop will remain open, with my sister taking over posting out orders in my absence. Only custom orders will be put on hold until I am ready to pick up my tools again after the birth.

Thanks for all your support and lovely comments here and on instagram lately. I hope to be sharing good news with you all soon. 

xx

This Moment

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. - Soule Mama

Ideas becoming things...

Experimenting with hand making the bowl of a spoon from copper.

Mama's little helper.

A free gift with each order in the shop this week as we wait for baby.

Does a creative idea ever take hold of you and then it's all you can think about? Even dream about? It grows like a seed, and eventually the first tentative steps are taken. The idea continues to grow, the steps gather momentum, and the many elements are brought in to play. This has been my experience lately. An idea to make a handmade spoon has evolved and grown in to a bigger idea for a solo exhibition, and a collaborative exhibition. There is a strong tradition of jewellers and silversmiths making spoons. Beautiful objects forged and beaten by hand, sawn and filed, cast and polished. Not only do I want to create a collection of unique pieces, I want to involve other makers in different mediums in order to explore the possibilities of a simple, yet endlessly beautiful, utilitarian object. From ceramic artists to embroiders, photographers to painters, I see an intersection of craft and fine art where beauty and practicality are blurred.

There has been a weaving of threads from my past - elements from my days spent working in an art gallery, forging spoons at the Goldsmiths school, lectures in curating and lessons in pottery from my Uni days - weaving together to form a picture of a collection of table ware that I can see so vividly in my head and feel so compelled to make. I have been sketching, researching, discussing, buying. I've sourced wood off cuts. I've ordered specialised tools from America and Australia. I've investigated techniques and tutorials and plans to further my skills with workshops. I've researched funding, gallery spaces, curatorial roles, artists call outs. 

The idea feels urgent, pressing, as I wait out the last week and a half until baby's due date. I feel so aware of the deadline, yet relaxed at the possibility of a long term project. I can't wait to start experimenting with new tools and materials, and start realising these ideas and sketches as objects. Just as I can't wait to hold our new baby in my arms.

This Moment

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. - Soule Mama

Market Here Interview

Pop over to the Market Here website - a directory and search engine for markets, for an interview with yours truly, about my business, my inspiration and my plans for the future. 

Thanks to the lovely Lucina for the invitation.

Yarn Along

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? ~ Ginny

All's quiet on the blogging front, or so it feels. Quiet for lack of words, as my mind is occupied with waiting for baby. Quiet as I add things to my hospital bag, finish sorting and nesting. Quiet as I endeavor to keep the laundry and house work up to date, so when the time comes I can hand my home and children over to family and think only of the birth.

Life goes on and it feels that much is happening, though at the same time it feels as if these moments are just marking time until the birth. It's a strange feeling. It's hard to be completely present. These next two weeks will likely be long indeed! Thank goodness once more for books and knitting. Both of which have been chosen deliberately for their simple natures - to occupy and satisfy, without difficulty or frustration. Firstly, Family Album by Penelope Lively, a novel which has taken me the first third to warm to, with it's simple style, but which I am hoping to finish. Secondly the striped scarf I have been working on. So simple with it's blocks of colour and it's repetitive stitch pattern (K4, P4, repeat until end, repeat each row.)

I feel as if this baby is in no hurry. I went in to labour with Cohen on his due date and he was born the next day. Emerson was born by an 'elective' cesarean only three days before her due date. My guess is 40 weeks and 3 days for this baby. Though if the blog really goes quiet you may well know why!

When did you birth your babies? Before, after or on their due dates?

-

Joining in with Ginny.

Notes on Ravelry.

The best laid plans...

I woke up yesterday morning miserable with a cold. And with that my Mother's Day lunch and dinner plans were put aside and a prescription of rest, reading and knitting taken up instead. My dear Cohen has been suffering from the same cold, as were half his classmates when we Mama's visited the classroom Friday afternoon for our Mother's Day afternoon tea. But while it may not slow down a five year old too much, it certainly has quite the effect on a heavily pregnant Mama.

Still, there was the rare opportunity to read in bed all day, in an empty house. And rarer still, I started and finished a book in a single day. The wonderful Girl With A Pearl Earring by Tracey Chevalier. It was the kind of book I didn't want to put down. Fortuitous indeed.

Regardless of the broken plans, my little people showered me in love and kisses, helped their Dada cook for me, and presented me with gifts. 

What more could a mother ask for?

I hope your Mother's Day was wonderful.

11 - 37 Weeks

11 Weeks

13 Weeks

15 Weeks

20 Weeks

22 Weeks

25 Weeks

26 Weeks

31 Weeks

32 Weeks

36 Weeks

37 Weeks

'Cohen's Mum'

I was flicking back through the Instagram photos of my pregnancy today and wanted to pop them all in together in a post, along with the photos we have from two of the ultrasounds. I love seeing the progressive growth of my bump. I couldn't resist adding the portrait Cohen made of me at school too. So very cute.

Today I'm 37 weeks pregnant. Tomorrow I celebrate my 11th Wedding Anniversary. And the next day is Mother's Day. 

So very many reasons to be grateful and to celebrate.

Windy Weekend

\

I spent as much time as possible this weekend indoors, out of the wild winds that whirled through Brisbane, only braving the breeze long enough to fight the flapping laundry. Instead I cleaned, baked, crafted, napped and nursed the sniffles. I finished the striped garter stitch blanket I've been working. After a wool wash it will be tucked in to my hospital bag. I also finished my first ever cross stitch, Alicia Paulson's Winterwoods ABC, which I am so pleased with. I do believe I will frame it and pop it on the picture ledge above my bed. I've pulled the half finished striped scarf out of my knitting basket now, and there's a few other projects still waiting in there once it is finished. 

I'm looking forward to a few more quiet, crafty weekends before the baby arrives.

-

PS.  I'm offering a free upgrade to Express Postage in Australia, on any purchase over $50 in my shop. Available until Thursday, 8 May 2014. Just leave the word 'EXPRESS' in the notes section to take advantage of this offer and ensure delivery in time for Mother's Day.

New in the shop - Laser cut lovelies

Picnics and Parties Pendant

Champagne and Flowers Drop Earrings


Friday's Flower Brooch

Initial sketches

I'm so pleased to share this collection of laser cut wooden jewellery pieces. Not only are they new additions to my shop, they signify a new direction for my work as I explore the exciting possibilities of realising my designs in wood.

Vintage meets modern in these beautiful laser cut pieces, which were inspired by my Grandmother's doilies. I love the contrast between the abstract lace patterns and the wood. Perfect for everyday wear, and especially lovely as a gift. These wooden beauties look just as wonderful with jeans and a cardigan, as they do with a floral frock.

The custom laser cutting and engraving is completed by a Queensland based small business, and all pieces are then lovingly finished and assembled by hand in my studio. Pop over to the shop for a peek at the whole collection.

-

For your chance to win a pair of my silver 'Lois' hoops, click over to the lovely blog, My Vintage Childhood, for an interview and giveaway with yours truly. Winner drawn Mother's Day, so quick sticks!

This Moment - 36 weeks

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. - Soule Mama