Silent Sunday

May Flowers

Well, up until a week or so ago it still felt like winter, with cold winds and constant rain. Everything outside was soggy and, frankly, uninviting.


Now, suddenly, we've been enjoying the kind of weather which we always long for in summer (and rarely get, of course!)


Very confusing for us humans, as we have to find our 'summer' clothes, packed away somewhere, and get used to having windows open all day, and being able to hang out the washing again!


As ever, the natural world seems able to cope. Turn your back for just a second at this time of year, and everything has shot up, filled out, and become beautiful.




The apple blossom is out:

The tulips and wallflowers are hanging on (only just):

And who would ever have thought dandelions could be so beautiful?

Thankfully, this is a nearby field, not my garden, so I can just enjoy them!

New and coming soon!

I've been working on some new ideas recently, inspired by some beautiful handmade lampwork beads I've had for a while, and some new art tiles I found on Etsy.


This was the bracelet I made using an adorable burnt wood tile from J-Lynn Jewels:


Rose Garden Bracelet

I enjoyed matching beads, gemstones and metals with the pretty colours in the heart. It's funny how you start off with an idea in your head, but, as you start putting it together the design sort of takes off by itself. You end up with something a little bit unexpected, but even more pleasing, as it's a bit of a surprise!




I've also just completed some earrings using fabulous handmade lampwork beads by UK artist Shirley Giles from Fyrebirds. They are greenish in shade with an amazing depth and intensity. I think the lovely handmade sterling silver earring wires from Etsy artist Tracy Smith at Cinnamon Jewellery complement them perfectly:

I love the quality and uniqueness of these handmade beads and findings. 


I am also working on some earrings using handmade copper wires from Cinnamon Jewellery, and a project involving these J-Lynn tiles, once I can decide whether to use them separately or all together!

All I need is more hours in the day...!

Spring: Clean and Trying to be Tidy!

It's been a day of sunshine, showers, and even hail - a typical April day in other words. 


We didn't mind the rain too much on our afternoon walk.

And the rain is good for the garden too

I've been having a bit of a spring clean of my beads today. It always looks awful to start with!

It's taking a long time as I'm trying to be very thorough, but I've also occasionally been distracted by playing around with some new designs!

If you're anything like me, you often have several projects on the go at once, and storing them can be a bit of a problem if you haven't got lots of room.


Today I had the idea of packing up each project in a sealable plastic bag which I can then store in a basket.

I've done one each for bracelets, necklaces and earrings. The great thing is I can now stack the baskets so they take up less room.

This hopefully means they will be easier to find when I want to work on them.


Now, I just need to finish tackling this little lot!

Lovely lilac

Lilac, mauve, purple - gorgeous colours, and some of my favourites on Etsy lately:
Click the links to see more details on these lovely items :)


Polymer clay mosaic tiles  by Penelope Stern

Pink Blooms gift tag bookmarks by Craftie Nellie

Wildflowers blank card by C Shell Cards

Glass bunting by Redbrickglass

Lavender: Purple stems original painting by Art in Wax

and finally

this necklace from my shop :)

Hope you enjoyed looking at these lovely lilacs!

Silent Sunday

And the winner is ...!

Thanks to everyone who shared my blog giveway details, and especially thank you to the seven entrants for leaving such lovely comments!


Last night I assigned each of you a number in the order you posted, and put the numbers on little pieces of paper in an envelope. Then I asked my OH to pick a piece of paper out, and this is the result!

So - Congratulations Catriona - you are the winner!!!


You can either leave me your email address here - or, if you prefer, you can email it to me at phoebedreamsjewellery@gmail.com.


Your earrings will be winging their way to you very soon :O