Thursday, November 26, 2015

A collection of Crystals and Keepsakes


A collection of crystals on hand-crafted wire stands in my lounge. The snake skin in front is from my resident Mole snake, Mollie, which she shed a couple of weeks ago

A collection of crystals on hand-crafted wire stands

A vintage bowl filled with earrings and brooches and a display of some of the insects I make

A few watercolour bird paintings and some Keepsakes jewellery

Rose Quartz crystal wand on hand-crafted wire stand

Rose Quartz crystal wand

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Thursday, November 19, 2015

Goggo/Insect range - Large Green Praying Mantis (Sphodromantis gastrica)


Hand-crafted by myself.

The abdomen is a blue glass bead, the rest of the body is silver wire and solder. (Approx. 9cm long and 6cm high (3½" x 2½") 

This Keepsakes range consists of insects (for the insect-lover!) to display as ornaments but some of them can also be fashioned into brooches. Hand-crafted with silver, copper, pewter, glass jewels and silver wire, each Goggo/insect can take 3 or more hours to make. Only materials of the highest quality is used and great attention is given to detail and these little animals are unique, one-of-a-kind designs not to be repeated.

Although the items should be treated with care, each item is strong and sturdy. Taking care and cleaning of your unique insect is as easy as scrubbing gently with a toothbrush and Sunlight Liquid and giving it a good rinse with cold water, drying gently with a soft cloth. A natural patina develops over time, adding charm to the item. Each insect comes with its own descriptive card.


Large Green Praying Mantis 
Sphodromantis gastrica

It catches its prey with its distinctive front legs, which it usually holds up as if in prayer. Its diet of troublesome insects makes it a favorite with gardeners and farmers. It is said that the female devours the male after mating. Often well-camouflaged on twigs.




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Thursday, November 12, 2015

Wire and Iridescent Glass Jewel Brooch


A brooch I made out of silver wire with an iridescent blue glass jewel in the centre. The brooch pin is behind the thick silver solder at the top.

The back of the brooch

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Thursday, November 5, 2015

Stained glass leaf pendant


Green stained glass cut into the shape of a leaf with silver wire and silver solder, a perfect depiction of nature's splendour. Our lives, just like the leaves, will be forever falling and then growing again. If you’re not happy now, you will be. You may not return with a consciousness of what you used to be, but you will return. Don’t count the seconds of your fleeting life. Multiply them.

If words were leaves
Rustling in the breeze
Whispering with ease
Thoughts and feelings
I will then say
There will never be enough leaves
On any tree
To express me

 Can be worn with a silver chain or leather thonging for a more earthy feel

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