More stepping stones.....

It's the last day of September and I still haven't done my blog post for Jewelry Creators Unite in Numbers Guild on Artfire. I am a naughty girl. I am an acknowledged expert in the art of procrastination. So, it's the stepping stones approach again.....

I'm starting with one of mine that doesn't get many views. I don't know why - I'm rather proud of the photo!

Sterling Silver & Haematite Fringed Necklace

This lovely necklace from Personal Oasis is also black and features chains but it is totally different. That's what I love about handmade jewellery - you can give a few designers the same colours and components and they all come up with something unique!

Two strand necklace in black and bronze

This necklace from epicetera also has a tenuous connection the the previous two. It's black and it features chain. But look how different it is!

Heart Pendant Necklace

I've just noticed that this blog post has veered off topic a bit. It now seems to be all about black jewellery with chains. Oh well, onwards and upwards!

This marvellous creation from Midnight Whispers (that's our Yini, in disguise!) is dark and atmospheric and features chain quite heavily.

Moonstone & Gunmetal Chain Necklace

Two more to go - let's see what I can find!

Southern Emma's Boutique is one of our newest members. I found a dark and atmospheric photo that seems to fit this theme well. It looks like that bracelet is held together with large black links of chain. Very effective!

Black Ice & Retro Bracelet

Strega Jewellry has produced this magnificent necklace. Now that's a chain and a half! Evidently it's not as heavy as it looks.

Metal Disc Pendant Necklace

I quite enjoyed that! Even if it did turn out to be a different blog post altogether! Can I be bothered to scroll back up and change the title? Nah......leave it.

Bluetinatoo is having a destash sale....

I'm destashing big time! My jewellery making efforts have veered off in a different direction and I now make a lot of components myself. I have loads of ear wires, clasps and other things that I no longer need. Perhaps they would be useful to you? Things like these:

SS Hoops with loops

Bali silver chandeliers

SS Fancy Bail

or these:

Blue Cloisonne Flower Beads

Amethyst glass angel wings

I have created a coupon:

Visit bluetinatoo's Studio

SAVE 25.00 % On Select Studio Categories

Use Coupon Code:

DESTASHSEPTEMBER2011

during checkout.

It can be used in both my destash categories from now until Sunday 9th October.  I have limited it to ONE use per customer - I want you to buy everything you want in one go!

Choose wisely!

A Spanish Fiesta...

This last weekend just gone, it was the occasion of Urcal's Annual Fiesta. As with all Spanish village fiestas, it starts on Friday night and no one gets any sleep until Monday!

The Spanish know how to party. There is lots of loud music and dancing and they wander around the village most of the night, chatting and letting off extremely loud fireworks. In previous years, we have attended but not this year. It doesn't matter what time they show on the posters for the various events, absolutely nothing of any significance happens until about one o'clock in the morning and it certainly doesn't wind down until at least 5 a.m. I can't stay up that late any more! I used to, in my teens and twenties but now, in my sixties, I just cannot acclimatize myself to the Spanish diurnal rhythm. They have their little siesta in the afternoon, especially in the summer months, but, if I try to sleep during the day, I awaken very groggily, wondering what day it is and whether it's morning or evening.

Having said that, sleeping at night is not an option on Fiesta Weekend! We only doze, fitfully, listening to the musical offerings of the night in the distance and tensing ourselves for the next big bang. It's like Chinese water torture!

During the daytime, as the villagers seem to get away with very little sleep, there are children's parties, market stalls, lots of paella and other entertainments. There is also the very solemn occasion of the procession of the Virgin. She is brought out of the local church on her platform and paraded up and down the village High Street. It takes several strong men to hold her up - I don't think she's been dropped yet but it wouldn't surprise me.

I took this photograph a few years ago. I actually won a photography competition with it!

Needless to say, on Monday morning the village is exceedingly quiet. I think most working people have the day off. I'm looking forward to a proper night's sleep tonight!

Changes afoot....

I just changed the layout of my blog a little. I put the Artfire Rapidcart at the top and the Flickr picture slide show thingy at the bottom.

Not sure I like it. What do you think?

I'm all behind, like a cow's tale.....

My Mum used to say that and it's very apt. I'm so, so busy that I'm having dreadful trouble keeping up with this blogging lark. So much for posting every day! That went the way of all my resolutions.

I think I told you that I have some copper pieces displayed at C.A.T. Services in La Alfoquia. I remembered to take pictures last time I popped in.

Then I received an email from Karen to say they had sold three items! Hooray! The copper coils bracelet and the double coil pendant went, along with a pair of my pointy heart earrings. I popped down there this morning to replace them with these:

I seem to be on an earring binge lately. I must make some bracelets and necklaces. When I get the time......

More later!