My new addiction

When becoming a jeweller, one thing you quickly accept is the infatuation you have with your tools.

When I received my RioGrande 2009 Tools & Equipment catalogue in the mail, I read it like a novel. Front to back, one page at a time, all 619 pages, absorbing all the glossy coloured photographs and possibly even drooling!

But I'm okay with that, as most jewellers are.

What I am loving at the moment is design stamps, I cannot get enough of them.

So aside from my regular tools I'm starting to get a nice collection of these too.

Above is a picture of my newest ones, well my newest ones for this week.

Hi. My name's Narelle & I'm a stamp-a-holic!

x Narelle

Anzac Day

Rosemary is a symbol of remembrance.

It is significant to Anzac Day because the shrub grows wild on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Diggers recall the strong scent as they scrambled the Anzac Cove hills under Turkish gun fire.

For some, it became a scent that haunted them upon return to Australia.

In 1915 a wounded Digger taken to hospital in Adelaide, brought some rosemary home with him from Gallipoli and planted it.

The rosemary grew, cuttings were taken and new plants were created for a memorial hedge. This hedge now resides in the Waite Arboretum in South Australia.

On Anzac Day you can purchase plants reproduced from the original Gallipoli Rosemary.

Australian &

New

Zealand

Army

Corps

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them

Lest we forget

x Narelle

Mini production line

I guess I can consider myself lucky in a way, as most jeweller's can't stand the thought of making items in bulk.

I find it quite relaxing.

Once you have figured out the design, measurements, techniques etc, you just make & make & make...

You can switch your brain off and just go with the flow.

Every now and then however, it is nice to delve into projects that are rather technical and therefore challenge your design and hand skills.

But at the moment, I'm enjoying the repetitive process. Now where was I?

Oh yes, saw, file, solder & repeat. Saw, file, solder & repeat. Saw, file, solder..........

x Narelle

Happy (belated) Easter!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter and didn't eat themselves into a diabetic coma on Easter eggs!

Unfortunately I didn't get time off from my other job so I've had to work right through.

However I did spend time with the family, which is the main thing.

That's it for now, just checking in really.

x Narelle 

Missing In Action!

Long time, no post!

Okay, so please don't think of me as a slacker. I have actually been very busy creating away at my bench/computer.

The good news is..............I got into Chelsea Craft Market. Yippee.

However, as four other jewellers also applied I was asked if I could make other products as well so that my booth will have a diverse range of goods.

For the past few weeks I have been brainstorming and managed to come up with a small range of wares that aren't jewellery, but use metal-smithing & resin skills.

Hopefully I have come up with some winning ideas.

I have finished my samples and this week will be full storm ahead with making the products along with all the packaging that will be needed.

I will post my progress as I go & promise not to disappear again!

x Narelle