Quote of the Week!
Quote of the Week!Comment
On The Bench!
On The Bench!CommentOver the past few weeks, I've been working on a new collection, comprising of a statement neckline piece (there's always has to be one!), a simpler pendant, earrings and a ring. Inspired once again by the forest, these drops remind me of a simple leaf shape......or maybe raindrops.
All in sterling silver and made by hand, these pieces are very tactile. They are now ready for my amazing photographer Alex (www.alexsharp.co.uk) to work her magic so they can appear on the online shop. In the meantime, you'll just have to make do with my efforts using my phone!
I now have a little production line going, ready for their debut at the Autumn Show in Malvern (23-24 September), hope to see you there.
I've still got to come with a name for this collection, if you have any ideas then don't hesitate to get in touch!
Summer Solstice Giveaway!
Special Offer!CommentIt actually feels like summer at the moment doesn't it?!
To celebrate the Summer Solstice tomorrow, here's 20% off to be used off ANYTHING across the shop ~ just use the code "SummerSolstice" on the 21st of June, between 4.43am and 21.21pm (the official daylight hours)!
In addition, one lucky person can win this fabulous statement necklace from the "Onduler Collection!
A Little At A Time!
CommentSo you've found the perfect piece of Scarlett Willow Designs jewellery, it's PERFECT! But the problem is, it's a little out of your budget, you tell yourself you'll get it one day....or put it on your Christmas Wish List....
Now you don't have to! I can now offer you a payment plan so you can pay a little at a time and I will post it to you the very day you pay your last instalment!
If this is something you would like to take advantage of, then drop me a line
Introducing the "Bark" Collection!
Bark CollectionCommentYou may have spotted over the last few weeks that a new collection has arrived in the shop!
Inspired by a fallen tree I found whilst walking in the forest (again!), this collection certainly makes a statement! The bark had started peeling from the tree and it was really quite stunning ~ it was made up of lots of small layers and, as it had been raining, the bark was wet and all these layers appeared to be different colours.
I took this and created my interpretation, instead of colours I used texture......every layer is hand-cut, textured by hand and soldered together. Each piece will be completely unique (another thing you know I love!), what more could you want!
A statement neckline piece from the "Bark" Collection
Fabulous texture on this "Bark" Cuff!
This ring is sure to be a conversation-starter!
Perfect for everyday wear
Etsy Shop Now Open!!
CommentWell, the title says it all really!!
You can now buy SWD jewellery through Etsy as well as this website :-) just follow this link:
Happy Shopping My Lovelies!
Home Sweet Home!
BCTF, Exhibition, Coming Soon!CommentI finally got home from the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate last night at nearly midnight after a very long four days!
The trade show has been going for 43 years now and differs from other trade events as it only showcases work from the UK and Irish makers. They have a strict no mass-manufactured products or products made overseas are allowed.
It gives designer/makers a chance to meet buyers from all over the country and introduce them to our existing and new product ranges and collections which is always very exciting.
Keep a look out in the next few months in your local galleries and independent shops for some fabulous new items from very talented artists and, if you're VERY lucky, SWD jewellery may be heading there too!
Busy Busy Busy!
BCTFCommentPhew! It's been a busy couple of months and I've been very bad at keeping the blog up-to-date so I'm very sorry for that.
The British Craft Trade Fair is only a month away now so I'm frantically getting everything ready. Last year was my first foray into the world of trade fairs so I have a much better idea as to where I can improve...the problem is that I have to many improvements that I want to implement!
I have a new collection debuting at BCTF this year and I'm very excited about it! It is once again inspired by the beautiful forest I walk in every day with my dogs and I never fail to get new ideas. It's forever changing yet always the same, do you know what I mean?
This new collection will be on the website after the trade fair is over although I still need to think of a name for it!
(If you are reading this and you are a gallery or shop owner and would like an invite to the British Craft Trade Fair, please get in touch and I will be delighted to send you one!)
On The Bench!
CommentThis week I'm working on turning some of my pieces into more complete collections. Pieces like my "Wishing Pebble" pendant....I'm going to to be adding earrings and a ring and possibly a set of cufflinks for the gents!
Wishing pebbles are those lovely one's you find on the beach that have a complete ring of quartz running around it. Me and my girls love hunting for these when on holiday and end up coming back with pocketfuls of them, much to my husband's despair! You can never have too many in my opinion!
So, I have lots of silver and pretty rose gold on my bench ready to be turned into my version of these wonderful finds. I'm looking forward to see how these turn out.
On The Bench!!
On The Bench!CommentOn the bench this week is something a little different for me.
It's a gift for a family member who has a very special birthday this month and thought I would create a keepsake that is crafted from sterling silver but isn't a piece of jewellery.
I've decided to make a small silver marquise-shaped trinket box! Quite different to anything I've ever made before and involves a few new skills for me. It is definitely a challenge but I'm really enjoying it...just hope the lid fits!
Pictures to follow once the box has been gifted :-)
It's 2017!!
CommentHappy New Year Everyone!!!
I can't believe it's 2017 already, where did 2016 go??!!
I'm so excited for this year, I have so many plans and new designs, I can't wait to get started! Do you have any exciting plans this year?
Whatever you do, I hope it's filled with love and laughter, hopes and dreams.
Christmas is Coming!
CommentWow! These last few weeks have flown by! With Worcester's Victorian Christmas Fayre beginning a week today, and the Christmas Craft Markets at the MAC in Birmingham the following two weekends, to say it's been a little manic in the workshop would be an understatement!
It hasn't helped that it's turned chilly and my little log burner needed some work so it's been like sitting in a fridge! I could actually see my breath on many 4.30am starts! It seems madness to be in the workshop at that time in the morning but my theory is I can sleep once the next couple of weeks are over :-)
The Victorian Christmas Fayre is one I haven't done before, although I have visited many times. It really is a fantastic day out....mince pies, mulled wine and shopping, is there a better combination? Trying to work out how many pieces to take to this four day event has proved to be a little trickier than I thought but I can only hope I've got it right. If you are visiting this fabulous event, do pop by and take a look at some of my new designs and let me know what you think.
And I promise Santa won't mind if you want to treat yourself ;-)
Happy Halloween!
CommentUntil midnight on the 31st October, use the code "spooky15" to get 15% off any purchase!
Quote of the Week!
Comment“Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog”
Quote of the Week!
Comment“It’s impossible to make your eyes twinkle if you aren’t feeling twinkly yourself”
Hello Stranger!
CommentGosh it's been a long time since I've written anything on here! If you follow me on Instagram (@scarlettwillowd) or Twitter (@scarlettwillowd), you'll know that I've been away on my summer hols to the beautiful Cornish coast, a place that never fails to inspire. So, now that the children are back at school, it's time to harness that inspiration into some new pieces.
Another source of inspiration has always been my local ancient oak forest. Every season brings something new but Autumn is definitely my favourite, the lush green of the Summer giving way to the burnt oranges and yellows as the leaves get ready to fall; the blackberries changing from green through to red then finally to black; clouds of fluffy grasses; the pinky/purple heathers creating another contrast; don't get me started on acorns! I adore everything about acorns, especially how something so tiny can grow into something so magnificent ~ a metaphor for life! And some mornings there's that crisp chill, hinting at what's to come....I absolutely love it! Bring on the log fires and the woolly socks!
What's your favourite time of year?
Birthstone Poem - July
Comment“The gleaming ruby should adorn,
All those who in July are born
For thus they’ll be exempt and free,
From lover’s doubts and anxiety”
Quote of the Week!
Comment“Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog”
Gemstone of the Week!
CommentI haven't done one of these for some time which is very remiss of me! I've chosen such a beautiful gem for this week and it was only discovered in 1989 in Brazil. It is unusual in that it is blue/green and appears to have neon properties, discovered to be the copper and manganese content.
Paraiba tourmaline created such a stir when it debuted at theTuscon gem show and top specimens sold for over $3000 a carat! The demand for this stunning gemstone meant that supply could't keep up. In 2001, a similar blue/green tourmaline was discovered in Nigeria although the colour saturation was not as good as those found in Brazil. In Mozambique in 2005, another blue-green tourmaline was found with a similar colour saturation to the Brazilian ones.....and this is where a debate began within the gemmological world ~ should all the blue/green tourmaline found in Africa as well as Brazil be termed as "Paraiba"? Paraiba is a state in Brazil so some thought that it should only apply to the Brazilian gemstones, even though the African gems were identical in chemical make-up. In 2006, the LMHC (Laboratory Manual Harmonization Commitee) decided that all of these gemstones can be called "paraiba" and so can come from Brazil, Mozambique and Nigeria, as well as from other places that in the future may find copper-containing tourmaline.
Paraiba tourmaline is an incredibly rare gemstone. For every 10,000 diamonds, only 1 paraiba tourmaline is mined and finding a good quality Brazilian paraiba over over 3 carats is virtually unheard of. Do you remember me telling you that these gemstones were fetching $3000 a carat when they first hit the scene? Now they can command over $10,000 a carat! This truly is an exceptional gemstone.
