Photo Shoot Sneak Peek

Props gathered from around my home

The library - sigh

Experimenting with flat lays

Cuddling chickens

It's a rather troublesome thing, running an online business without a laptop, after it gave up on the idea of turning on two weeks ago. The repair man informed me that fixing was the same price as replacing. It's also troublesome to have to dip in to the 'rainy day' funds. I have managed to get by on my phone alone in the meantime, but I was quite pleased when the courier arrived today.

So, here I am, tapping on my new keys, having missed my blog. The blogging hey-day may have passed, and I'm sure I get more eyes on my Instagram account than on my dear old blog, but I still think of this space as my online home. I have returned once more in order to update you on recent going-ons.

I had my first jewellery photo shoot recently. The above images are iPhone photos I took on the day. I am excitedly waiting to receive the edited images and share them with you. I was so nervous before the shoot. There had been delays in completing the new collection, I'd had to reschedule the photographer, the model and our booked location three times before it went ahead. I'd collected a file of images for inspiration. I had a picture in my head of the style and look I wanted to achieve. I collected props, packed up the jewellery and brought champagne and flowers for the day. Then I put my trust in photographer Trudi Le Brese and model Harriet McAtee, and in return I was rewarded by their creativity and amazing shots.

The afternoon went off without a hitch, thanks to all the lovely ladies (and possibly the champagne.) My nerves quickly disappeared. Brisbane poet Carmen Keates welcomed us in to her home and library, while her sister Kylie took over chief baby holding duties with my dear little Oscar. We laughed, chatted, and experimented with different angles, props, lighting and back grounds until we ran out of daylight. I had so much fun. I actually can't wait to shoot another collection now!

If you haven't seen the new collection yet, pop over to the shop.
And if you are thinking of doing a photo shoot, do it! Have fun with it, make a list of what you want to shoot, print out your inspiration pics, get your model to sign a release form, bring champagne, and you can't go wrong.

xx

Fall Fashion : Classic Simple

Lately I have been welcoming the cooler weather with simple skirts, tights, coloured scarves and flats. I must say, striped shirts are my go to. I love them and I have several in my closet. (I'm actually wearing one right now!) While the 'Jane Eyre' topaz ring makes the perfect accessory for a stylish Autumn outfit for day or night. 

Add a picnic basket or a library bag and you are ready for a lovely day out!

New Gemstone Collection Released!

I am very pleased to be able to introduce you to the 'Literary Wanderers' Collection.

After months of hard work, my latest range is now available in the shop! The 'Literary Wanderers' sees the fulfillment of my wish to offer you a gem set collection in my online store.

The latest additions include natural gem set rings, earrings and pendants in beautiful shades of mint, lavender and sky blue, which embody everyday elegance. Handcrafted using traditional methods, the range has been created in Sterling Silver and White Gold, and features two one of a kind pieces. Bold and beautiful, strong yet feminine, I know that you are going to love this new collection as much as I do.

Click over to the shop to view the whole range.

This Moment

{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. - SouleMama 

Yarn Along

There is a delicious chill to the mornings and evenings now. The kind of cooler weather that invites a spot of yarn shopping and the addition of a basket of yarn to the side-table in the lounge room. And the kind of weather that makes you want to lay in bed all day reading a wonderful new book - Dear Thief - one for your to-read list for sure.

I am thoroughly enjoying knitting another of my favourite cot blankets - the Purl Soho Super Easy Baby Blanket. Miles of delightful and satisfying garter stitch. Perfect for school holiday knitting while suffering from a cold, curled up on the couch with hubby, whilecatching up on some tv watching of an evening. I look forward to gifting the finished blanket to a lovely school Mum and friend expecting her fourth baby. 

After all, every baby needs their own hand knit blanket, right?

-

Joining in with Ginny.

Ravelry here.

Sneak Peek

Progress from the bench. The new collection is coming along nicely! There are earrings and pendants in the works. 

I will have more to show you soon!

Easter Gift DIY - Simple and Sweet

Our Easter crafting has been quite 'relaxed' this year. While in years past you would find me gathering supplies in order to paint paper mache eggs, decorate biscuits, craft cards etc. this year a teething baby has taken it's toll on my energy reserves and things have been kept quite simple. An Easter mask made at an Under 5's craft morning. Colouring-in Easter pictures at the library. The traditional bonnet making afternoon at school. But I did want to do a little something to get in the spirit. A thank you gift for Cohen's beautiful teacher, whose positive outlook and love of science have my six year old loving school.

Inspired by Pinterest, I stuck a sweet little porcelain bunny to a recylced jar, gave the lid a coat of gold spray paint, filled the jar with eggs, wrapped it all up with a saved ribbon and ta-dah, this little gift was less than $10. These jars would look just as sweet with almost anything on top, from a plastic dinosaur to a seed pod. 

They do make for a darling trinket jar and would be perfect in a craft room.

The Right Time

I wasn't going to go to the library yesterday. We popped in on the way home from somewhere else. As we got ready to head home again, I was buckling up car seats when I noticed a little boy, only a year or so old, running alone. He gleefully ducked in to some buses and hid. He giggled at his cleverness. I assumed he was playing a game with someone. I started reversing as he jumped up again and started running further away and hid in a bigger bush, but no one else seemed to be playing. I drove past slowly and couldn't see any adults. I found the nearest park. 

Across the car park I spotted a mother frantically looking for her son, calling out, questioning strangers. I recognised her raising panic instantly and called out. How quickly your fears grown when your child has left your sight in public. How awful it is when you can't find them. I called out and pointed. She ran to me as I chatted to the boy in the bush. She ran to the other side, perhaps hoping I'd flush him out, but the cheeky monkey ran out between us. I ran after him and with luck he tripped and fell just a foot from the road. His mother swept him up with a flood of relief as she recalled his sudden disappearance, her car wide open with her handbag on the seat, her thanks.

I'm glad we went to the library yesterday. 

Sometimes you are just in the right place at the right time.