New Year's Resolutions, and it's only December 29th :)

So Christmas is over for this year. It was lovely spending time with family and getting the house decorated for the festivities...

Pressie-wise we were quite restrained this year, but I was lucky enough to receive these:

Venus Beadery, Etsy

They are wire-wrapped amber, and absolutely stunning. I'd like to learn how to wire-wrap like this in 2013, but don't know if I have the patience!

However, I do know what I shall be trying, very very hard, to do next year. It all starts here:

I know from chatting to other jewellery makers that this is quite a common sight... 

Certainly I frequently end up like this, with beads and various projects scattered arranged everywhere, until I am literally working on the very edge of the table. Not helpful!

So I used the upcoming festivities as an excuse to spend quality time sorting it all out.

Much better!

The thing is, since doing this (on Christmas Eve!), I've been far more productive (well yes, I know it's the holidays too ;)

I've made lots of earrings, which I'll be listing shortly...

 


And some bracelets too...

So my New Year's Resolution? A nice tidy table at all times. I'm sticking to it so far ;-o

What are your Resolutions for 2013?

Giveway Result!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered my Etsy One Year Giveway!

In all there were 15 entries, and I'd like to thank each and every one of you. And thanks too to everyone who commented on the bracelet - it was a new technique for me and I was pleased with how it turned out. Of course the beautiful handmade connector and beads were the stars of this piece!

Anyway, earlier this evening I did the draw. I wrote down the names of everyone who had entered and assigned everyone a number. Then I used random.org - 

****

And the winner is.....

That's you, Despina Vnt!!

Congratulations! Your bracelet will be winging its way to you very soon.

Thank you once again to everyone who entered, and I hope I'll see you back here next time I do a Giveaway :)

Etsy First Birthday Giveaway

Well I can hardly believe my Etsy shop has now been open for nearly a year...

To celebrate, and as a thank you to my Facebook fans old and new, I'm having a Giveaway!

This is the prize:

You can see more views in my Giveaway album on my Facebook page.

This bracelet features a beautiful handmade ceramic connector in earthy grey-brown with a butterfly etched into it in lilac. The connector and the pink ceramic bead both came from Blueberri Beads on Etsy . If you haven't visited Caroline's shop before, it's full of lovely things!

The bracelet also features two stunning handmade lampwork beads by Shirley Giles of Fyrebirds. They are mini works of art.

The bracelet is completed by Czech glass bell flower beads in mauve / lilac.

It measures 18cm.

How to enter

You can enter by doing any of the following:

1. Like my facebook page
2. Share my Giveaway album or post on facebook
3. Follow this blog
4. Share this blog post

Once you're done, make sure you pop back here and leave me a comment to say what you did! Leave me your contact details so I can let you know if you're the lucky winner!

The draw

The draw will be done on Wednesday 19th December shortly after 9pm by pulling a name out of the hat, so make sure you've entered by then and good luck!

Silent Sunday

1000 Facebook Giveaway

1000 Facebook Fan Giveaway

As a 'Thank you' to my facebook fans, I'm having a little giveaway.

First prize will be your choice of 2 items from my Giveaway Album

There will also be a runner-up who will choose 1 item from the album.

It's easy to enter! All you have to do is -

1. 'Like' my page on FB (if you don't already :) Phoebe dreams jewellery

2. Leave a comment here or message me on FB to say you'd like to enter

And that's it!

You have until noon on Sunday 8th July to enter. 

The winners' names will be pulled out of a hat later that day, so you will need to keep a look out on my FB page!

Good luck everyone!

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!