pebbles and fimo...

Been a while since I last blogged: sorry about that. Been busy making orders and sunning myself in Andalucia! Picked up some nicely eroded pebbles there though, with loads of holes so I can connect them in a chunky handmade chain. That's when I get time though: busy time of year for sparkly tiaras and pearly necklaces for weddings...

Using a lot more pearls at the moment for wedding jewellery: brides seem to be going for bolder, simple looks to match striking, structured dresses. Our vintage collection is still very popular: brides are putting out asymetric spider or wild vintage headdresses with slinky Jenny Packham style dresses. Combs and grips are also going well to go in softer , more modern bridal hairstyles...

Bridal fairs are about finished now: the last one we did at the Jubilee Wharf in Penryn was great: a bit contemporary and alternative with eco venues such as Crasken Farm (www.greenerthangreenvenues.co.uk) beautiful hedghrow flowers from Fleur Parkinson (www.fleurparkinson.co.uk ) and wooden rings from Justin Duance and lovely precious rings from Mirri Damer (www.mirridamer.com ). The cafe's lovely there too: Miss Peapod's: nice food, cool music and very kid friendly with great toys and proper menu for the little monsters (www.misspeapod.jubileewharf.co.uk/peapod-home.html ).

And just remembered that we won an award!! Best accessories designer in the South West: I was well-chuffed! You can have a look at the other winners here: www.westcountryweddingawards.co.uk Was voted for by customers so nice to feel a bit appreciated!

Half term this week so desperately trying to think of interesting activities: fimo was good! Been wanting to do some for jewellery anyway and got it out with my lads: was a bit envious of the ones they did! Mine were a bit neat and boring: want to do big abtract pieces like they did but it's hard to fake...maybe will just pinch their ones. Swords coming out now so will maybe have to keep a bit of an eye on them! Won't leave it so long next time...

Sunny skies and chunky stones...

What a difference a sunny day makes! Actually got to go out without my big white duvet coat on, look at some boats and half-heartedly shouted at scavenging seagulls (after my treacle and cheese sandwhiches) with some lovely Cornish sun on my back. It just lifts your spirits; and it's so nice not to have wet jeans bottoms...

Makes a difference with design ideas: can't bring myself to consider black and berry colours now. Got some lovely big (1.2 mm) light green jade beads that I just want to put in everything. They're lovely and heavy and make a nice clicky noise when you move them!

Going to use them to make a necklace along with a gold vintage brooch with turquoise and diamante stones: might put a cosmic swarovski bead in silver shade with it because I just love them. Nice that they're irregular but still really sparkly: the silver shade looks really vintagey as well...

And got some fresh looking BIG chunks of rose quartz: might put those with the yellow porcelain roses that I love: or maybe even the coffee coloured ones.

Getting ready for the Truro bridal fair at the Hall for Cornwall on Sunday 9th Feb: feel like doing loads of fresh colourful things so hope some adventurous brides will be coming along!

Done some BIG jewellery for the fashion show (Elegant Bride from Falmouth are doing it http://www.elegantbrides.co.uk/) so you won't miss it on the stage. Quite into BIG jewellery anyway at the moment (in case you hadn't notced!)

Anyway, need to get on: have to make a vintage centre for a rose on a lace choker for Bride! in Penzanze (http://www.brideincornwall.com/): it's quarter to 10 and I still have to fit in my nightly weetabix; life in the jewellery fast lane eh?!

new site and networking...

This is the momentous occasion of my first blog: not very familiar with this mode of communication, so just hope I won't be too boring or long or cringeworthy...

My new website will finally be launched on Wednesday 15th after lots of cyber primping and faffing: have a look if you get chance and let me know (honestly) what you think: http://www.sarahdrew.com/.

I wanted to have a blog not just to keep my site up-to-date with offers and news but also to get in touch with other designers and like-minded jewellery enthusiasts to share ideas and information about good supplier websites and new techniques: it'd be nice to have a bit of creative networking without the stiff business cards...!

I also teach at Cornwall College and the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery (http://www.mcsj.co.uk/ ) so it's nice to have chats about new projects and I'm happy to share ideas we generate on the courses. And if you ever get stuck making anything, let me know and I'll help sort it out if I can!

Now I'm going to forage my way through a box of last year's receipts for my tax return so that I can get on with making lovely summery jewellery guilt-free, to cheer me up during these dark, wet January days! Lots of deco bridal asymetric headdresses; butter-jade (nice soft citris yellow), porcelain roses and antique 50s crystals for nice fresh retro looks.

If you need a winter pick-me-up, we're giving away free sterling silver earrings with every necklace bought before the end of February: something for free is always good at this time of year!