London, True Love Too and Blue Leafy Earrings

Had a very busy half term week so far. Went to London on Tuesday to meet Penny with her son Toby and Caroline with her daughter Stacie. It was great fun but far, far too short, although we managed to fit in lunch at the World Cafe in Neal's Yard, a coffee at Covent Garden and, of course, a quick (expensive) trip to the bead shop in Neal's Yard.

At the bead shop I managed to pick up the final missing piece of my True Love Too necklace. The copper heart necklaces have proven very popular so far, so I decided to make another along similar lines.

True Love Too

This one was another labour of love as I punched holes into the heart which I then filed out and connected to make the filigree pattern. I also used the hole punch to make little 'dents' in which to set perfect little vintage diamante stones in ruby red.

The pendant, as you can see below also has the lovely lampwork heart that I bought in Neal's Yard on my trip to London attached to it and a lovely vintage key charm.

The chain was created with handmade jump rings, wire roses (like in the Candy Roses Bracelet but smaller) and lots of vintage beads of varying sizes and shapes in red and black. The final touch was some double-ring copper vintage chain.


Below you can see the little dangle I added to the back of the chain next to the handmade clasp. I've used a lovely vintage heart charm in red and a vintage heart charm in black plus a little copper heart made by yours truly and set with another of the vintage ruby red diamantes.



The visit to London was inspiring, there was so much to see and look at. However, nothing like the earrings below. :-)


Blue Leafy Earrings

These were fun to make. I designed a paper template for the little twig, then cut it out in copper twice and filed, sanded and brushed the twigs and drilled a little hole in the top.


Then I made the 'blossoms': one is a whole lot of blue topaz chips threaded onto copper wire, the other is an aquamarine wrapped in thinner copper wire.


To finish it off I added the gorgeous spiral ear wires and threaded the leaves and blossoms on. To make sure it all stays in place I added a lovely little copper saucer bead and a crimp bead.

Watch this space, there will be a matching necklace and bangle coming soon.

The Stargazer Lily earrings have now been sold, but there will be a necklace with similar little flowers soon. Possibly even a bracelet.

Today I went to see the new Indiana Jones film with a friend and four kids. We all thought it was great fun and well worth watching.