Art Deco Key Necklace

In contrast to the many hours I've been putting in to make some of my jewellery recently, I managed to make my latest piece in a matter of minutes.

While on a buying trip for work recently, I came across this sweet art deco brass key in an antique shop, and snapped it up quickly with one thing in mind...

I've simply threaded it onto some antique brass chain and wollah! Instant necklace.

Brown Paper Packages

Who would have thought that little wee packages from Hong Kong and trays full of goodness like this could make me so happy... it's always the small things isn't it?

Crossroads Ring - Sterling Silver

I've spent the weekend working on a 'Crossroads' ring - this one is extra special as it's a sterling silver version for a lovely young lady on her 21st birthday. I hope she likes it!

Arrowhead Necklace

I've been working on some more of my arrowhead necklaces, just waiting on my chain to arrive and I should have some ready to sell really soon... watch this space!

Excitement in the Pipelines

There are some good things in the pipelines... watch this space!

Friday Night: Moustache Ring

On Friday nights my little sister comes round and we have 'Girls' Night' in front of the telly. Last night we decided to be productive while waiting for Graham Norton to start, and we made her a sterling silver moustache ring. Cute huh!?

A Tool Snapshot

The Virtue of Patience

Last year, I created my very first hammerhead shark brooch - and to say there's been a bit of interest in it since I began wearing it around would be an understatement! It's taken me months to get myself sorted and find the right kind of brass to reproduce this little critter, but after the aforementioned success of the weekend, I'm now able to start replicating it.

He's not going down without a fight though - I've so far been useless at adjusting my patience levels to take into account the thickness of the brass I'm using with the fragility of my saw blades, and so far I have broken at least 15 blades just trying to cut around this guy. Maybe it's newbie naivety, but I'm picking it's just me and my impatience to have him cut out and in my hot little hand, ready for filing and shaping. Too much pressure equals lots, and lots of broken blades, and a grumpy Nikki.

My Weekend

This right here, is evidence of a successful foraging weekend at the local building and metal recycle centres. It's so ridiculous that I spend my weeks eager to hit the junk yards on a Saturday, and get antsy if we leave it too late to head out as I worry the best bits of brass will be picked over. Hah! The things we stress about eh?

However, as you can see, Saturday was successful in foraging terms, so I'm armed and ready to get cracking with some of the jewellery orders and requests I've got backing up!

And yes, these grungy looking pieces of metal will be turned into amazing pieces of jewellery - watch this space! There's something really awesome (and kind of random!) about wearing a brooch or pair of earrings knowing that they used to be a kick plate on a door. I love the pre-loved condition of this sort of brass compared to the new shiny yellow sheeting you can buy.