Lucy Sarneel

One of Lucy Sarneel's brooches from 2006. It's very different from her old work but there is something about it that is reminiscent of her neckpieces of 2002/03 like the gorgeous textile one shown below, all found at Klimt02.

Ineke Heerkens

Ineke Heerkens plastic 'Water' earrings at Ornamentum gallery.

Estela Sàez Vilanova

Weird and wonderful jewellery by Estela Sàez Vilanova
showing at Galerie Sangreal in Amsterdam until 15th Jan.

Inkyoung Hwang

Silver and plastic brooch by Inkyoung Hwang shown at Klimt 02

Terhi Tolvanen

I was looking for someone entirely different when I stumbled across the website of jeweller Terhi Tolvanen, really like this strange and organic collection of pieces, particularly the textile detailing on the cactus brooch.

Anya Kivarkis

Gorgeous enamel brooch by Anya Kivarkis

Kim Family Auction

I was so caught up in fears for MsP that I missed the heartbreaking story of the Kim family and the tragic death of James Kim.

I've also missed the opportunity to contribute craft work to the Kim Family Auction which is taking place right now (until the 7th) here on ebay. As it's Pay Pal only I can't bid, so I urge you to visit and bid yourselves. There are so many wonderful works which have been donated by extremely talented bloggers, all of whom have been deeply moved by the Kim Family's loss. Kati Kim is a fellow blogger and my thoughts are with her and her two children.

Tagged

Deco and reflection in Ikea

I've had my first tag of 2007 from strwberrydelight inviting me to share secrets. As you know, I mostly am fairly private about my actual real life but in the spirit of giving, and to make up for not being able to send cards and things this christmas here you are.

5 Secrets for the Land of Blog...

1. I come over Miss Eco Green Organic but when I was going to Kate's wedding in Sweden I felt self concious about my darker blonde winter hair so I used Sun In with a hairdryer to make my 'roots' closer to my summer sun lightened longer bits.

2. I can't remember 6 months of my teenage life, at all. It was when I was living with my crazy Aunt. She was pretty psychotic and had tried to kill me, then she sent my dog away. I got very low then and don't remember anything until I went to visit my parents in LA. I didn't want to come back but my brother was so horrible to me that I did - it's harder to be hurt by someone you love (him) than someone you hate (her).

3. When I was at college I had ME (Chronic Fatigue). I was often too tired to get to and from college so I used to hide from the security gaurds and get locked in overnight so I could work late and then sleep through the day. I've always been more of a night person, creatively speaking.

4. When we were kids my brother and I used to sneak out at night. We just loved walking around our town at 3am when no-one was about. But one time the Police saw us and chased us (we were under 10yrs old). The Police station was beside the bridge that we needed to cross to get home, so I had to put him on my back and wade through the river, up to my waist, to get home. Scary but FUN!

5. When I was older, about 14, I used to sneak out and play on the roof of our High School. Gosh, I sound like such a trouble maker! But it was all very innocent, we liked to rollerskate over the 4ft bumps on the roof. We never damaged anything, or bothered anyone.

Goodness, I hope I don't regret mentioning any of that.

If they would like to join in then I would tag Anna at twelve22 and Christine at Vegas and Venice since I'd love to know some of their secrets :0) But Christine, have you a new home yet? I've no access to my email so I can't contact you, but I hope it's all working out OK. Anna on the other hand is already in her new home, and it's super lovely. If you'd like to see it she has some shots on her blog that have cheered me up recently.

sorry guys I just re-read this one week on, it's a bit heavy isn't it, I'll do a lighter one next month for you.

Birch indoors

Did I get a bit low there? Here's a jollier post, still red, but with a wintery theme as it's me in that garden centre again. These silver birch trees are in a Narnia themed grotto which made me get very Christmassy indeed! Still wearing those PJ's.

The Red Shoes

I've been up all night with cramp so I just had to post something RED.

Did I say I was spending Christmas with Ms P?
I realise I've been neglecting my blogging, things have been pretty full on and I only have dial up access to the internet just now. Since her surgery stopped her coming here for Christmas, MrP and I went to MsP's home in England instead. It was really great, especially as they let her come home from hospital on Christmas Eve, though by all accounts she had to do some major persuading to get that. She is very persuasive, yey.

Of course, it was not all plain sailing, she's got an open wound like a special effect from a movie, and she's had several complications, but in spite of that she was a complete star for the whole of our visit. One in a million. I honestly don't know how she does it, except that she is oozing positivity like no-one I've ever met before. One of the things about meeting her, though, is that I want to talk about her all the time, but it's her life, and I wouldn't want to be publishing it just cause it means a lot to me.

So I guess I'm saying that knowing her is one of the biggest things in my life now, and takes priority over blogging. Not that I'll stop blogging, but just that when my mind is particularly occupied with worries or cares about her then maybe I won't be doing so many posts.

So what are the red shoes about? Well they are my Christmas present from her, I saw them in the Shelter (charity) shop for £4.50 and had to have them, but they seemed like something that would be nice to get from her. I don't do heels, but liked these and had got them in the hope that surely one day one of my gay friends will have a Wizard of Oz fancy dress party and I could at least wear them for the photo shoot. Not that I got to wear them on xmas day, she loved them herself and popped them on to try, then fell asleep in them. So cute cause I have big feet and she has little feet so they were huge on her. The best bit of all was seeing her finally get a few hours sleep, she'd had virtually none in hospital.

Finally, apologies to anyone trying to email me, I'm not actually at home yet, just posting this from a friends laptop. The power went down on two thirds of my house last week and with my health a bit bad just now (nothing to worry about though) I've just stayed away rather than get stressed by something I can't fix right now. Imean hey, it's the holidays right, no sense worrying.

I had hoped to be able to work from MrP's place, but TalkTalk have really messed him about re. his supposed new broadband connection, so no joy on that front just yet. When it's working I can finally get some proper holiday pictures posted here. Till then, happy January.