Happy Mothers Day!

Mothers, Grandmothers, Mothers-to-be, here's to a wonderful day for you! May your tea be hot, your family adoring and your sleep-in luxurious. 

And if not, may you find five minutes peace in the chaos to remember what an amazing job you are doing are how very important you are.

xx

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.

New in the Shop - Pearl Strands

Peaches and Cream



The Napier



The Charleston

I've updated the shop with three strands of Freshwater Pearl Strands, traditionally strung and knotted by myself on silk thread, and featuring Sterling Silver filigree clasps. Any of these beautiful pieces would make a very special Mother's Day gift. Each come packaged in a velvet drawstring bag, gift wrapped in vintage sewing pattern paper, tied with string.

* I also offer a pearl re-threading service. For further details, visit the shop or email me - christina-lowry@hotmail.com

A list of goals I'm working on

 






1. Pancake morning 2. My first cross stitch 3. Drying some of our many homegrown chillies 4. Belynda Henry at the opening of her amazing show, Jigsaw 5. Baking with Mama 6. A new work in progress 7. Sketches for a client's pearl

Along with my usual list of goals - to be organised, to make from scratch as many of the things we use as I can, to read two books a month, to make time to craft etc, there is another list I have been thinking about and working on that revolves around the things I want to achieve before baby number three is born - especially given that I am now 31 weeks pregnant and the remaining weeks are going to simultaneously drag and fly by.

- A new collection for release in the store in time for Mother's Day.

In between working on custom orders, client repairs and stock for Finders Keepers, I have been sneaking downstairs for a couple of hours each night to work on a collection of Pearl pieces to be released soon, for Mother's Day. There will be drop pendants, drop earrings, traditionally knotted pearl strands and pearl studs, starting from $45. Sign up to my newsletter to be kept up to date! 

- Stock and display for Finders Keepers Market

I've been staining my wooden display for the market and still have a long list of things to do in preparation for those two days in July. Like making a table cloth big enough for a 1.8 meter table, sourcing a 'credit cards welcome here' sign, ordering more packaging and display boxes, organising insurance and of course, completing all the stock I have planned to bring with me. So very much has been crossed off the list though, thanks in part to Didi, my fantastic intern.

(There is a great interview over here with the founders of the Finders Keepers Market.)

- Nesting: de-cluttering, cleaning and organising our home

Yesterday I tackled Cohen's room while he was at school (best to do these things when they aren't looking!) I filled two garbage bags with broken and outgrown toys, paper, and hoarded 'bits'. I last did this in December, and try to do it at least every few months. I tidied up the book case and toy basket, cleaned the surfaces and windowsill, moved the bed away from the wall and vacuumed the floor and scrubbed the wall too. Going through his closet and chest of drawers for clothes that no longer fit is still on my list. 

Also on my list, my studio. I started the process of de-cluttering and re-organising my space, but I've hit a wall while I wait on a book case and table. In the meantime Emerson is having a wonderful time going through each box.

Emerson's room and my closet are also on the list.

- Baby clothes

I've saved many of the children's baby clothes in boxes and garbage bags in the garage. Some I've lent to friends little ones, but the 'newborn' clothes and those special clothes, that loved ones brought for us, or that I wore as a child, are boxed up waiting to be washed and sorted in preparation for baby. So much washing. One garbage bag at a time.

So, what goals are you working on?

What's on your list?

This post was inspired by Lisa's list of 27 blog topics.

Mother's Day Shop Update!

Silver Lining

In Bloom

Golden Peacock

What a Wonderful World 

 Peaches and Cream

September Flower

 Classic Hepburn

Left Bank Portrait Artist

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

I'm pleased to announce that my first major update since Emerson's birth is now in the shop in time for Mothers Day!

It has been so rewarding to get back to the jewellery bench, putting my tools to use and getting my hands dirty. A lot of time and energy has gone in to the designing, sourcing, making, photographing and written descriptions of these pieces and I am really excited about each piece.

The collection features cultured, fresh water and South Sea pearls set in solid sterling silver or 9ct gold. From handmade pendants, to hand knotted pearl strands, from simple studs to sweet drops, there is a range of pieces for differing tastes and budgets.

In stock in time for mothers day, all silver and gold items in the shop are Express Posted within Australia. All items are beautifully packaged and gift wrapped. 

There is only one of most items, unless otherwise shown in the photos. Keep in mind, if a piece you are interested in has sold, custom orders are available. Feel free to browse back through my sold pieces here. Please email me with your request.

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My sweet boys got it all oh so right this Mother's Day. 

Sleep in. Hand drawn card. Breakfast in bed. Craft markets in the mountains. Handmade treats. Italian restaurant. Afternoon nap. I was throughly spoilt all day.

Feeling loved indeed.

I hope your Mother's Day was just as lovely. 

Especially yours Mum!

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The winner of the giveaway was Tracey! Many thanks to everyone who entered.

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Thanks also to Kylie and Cam for sharing their new pieces of jewellery. Such sweethearts!