birds and berries and leafy sprigs

Inspired by scenes in the garden recently, watching the birds looking for food, I engraved this little beach pebble with a little robin and some berries. The snow has finally melted here but I heard a rumour that more is on the way! To be honest I think I've had enough for this year now. Roll on spring!

Yes, definitely dreaming of spring. I've started making leafy sprig designs. I'm really enjoying pebbling recently as my friend likes to call it. Click on the pictures if you'd like to find out more.

I'll be back soon with a salt laden tale from the weekend. Bye for now!

snowy loveliness

I must confess that all this snow might be my fault.

You see, back in the Autumn I made a wish...

... for my pup, Floss, to see snow for the first time.

And it has certainly come true with bells on!

Recently, Crystal from Bead Happily Ever After contacted me to ask if I would do an interview for her blog about creativity and pebbles. Of course I jumped at the opportunity! I feel very honoured. She asked some fun questions and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I never thought I would have so much to say. If you would like a look it's here.

Well I think it's time to make myself a hot chocolate and get cozy by the fire. Bye for now.

do you remember seeing snow for the first time?

What's all this white stuff?
5 minutes later...

Floss looked so cute trying to catch snowflakes. She's been out there every second she can this week playing in the snow and trying to eat ice! I swear it looked like she was trying to build a snowman at one point.

Have a lovely weekend :-)

bursting with winter beauty

I can't remember having this much snow since one winter when I was little and I rolled snowballs down the street to make a giant snowman.

I'm so glad we ventured out today. Everywhere was completely transformed.

Like a breath of fresh air, like visiting a brand new place.

All sparkling and pristine in the sunlight.

Floss and I walked until we were completely caked in snow. Sometimes it is so worth making the effort.

Happy new year everyone! May it be a wonderful year full of love, joy, inspiration, creativity and happiness!

new discoveries

I was thrilled to find out this morning that I'd been included in this gorgeous treasury by illusio and that my beloved acorn necklace has sold.

As I've always been quite shy I've never been one for shouting from the rooftops for people to look at what I do, but recently I've been thinking that I should try and increase the views of my work. Just by chance and coincidentally I recently discovered project wonderful. Am I the last to know about it? It's an amazing way to increase exposure for your shop or website although it's a little bit addictive. You bid for advertising spaces on websites of your choice so you can experiment with who is the best audience. You can track the number of clicks and views for your placements. It's an exciting and interesting way to go about it and you don't have to spend a lot of money. It really does make it fun!

Have a lovely weekend x

Free shipping!

Please forgive me for this blatant self advertising but I'd like everyone to know that there will be free shipping at bird ahoy etsy shop from now until Tuesday 1st December to anywhere in the world so if you've had your eye on anything now might be a good time to sort out those Christmas presents or treat yourself. I also love to do commissions so if something you like has sold or you have your own ideas please get in touch. Have a lovely weekend! Bye for now.

something i'd forgotten

Not far from me is a beautiful forest. It has been waiting for me to rediscover it all this time. It is full of childhood memories, of sampling sweet chestnuts and kicking leaves.

How could I have forgotten how much I loved it here? Somewhere my imagination can run riot with an endless source of inspiration.

And now in it's magnificent Autumn clothes soon to be shed. I had forgotten just how comforting it could be to walk everyday submerged in nature, soaking in all the goodness.

I used to be under the impression that all the forest looked the same and I'm gladly mistaken. The different places, nooks and wide spaces, lakes and streams, hills and winding paths take me by surprise.
With the ever changing light it appears different each time I wander, always trying to lose myself. It's getting increasing difficult as the paths start to fit together like a jigsaw in my mind. But I love it here, it feeds my soul. The gorgeous earthy smells make me happy, walking in the rain is surprisingly good. All thanks to my pup who is becoming a lovely companion.

I have started making earrings again thanks to a lovely customer who made a special request. After our wedding last year when I made all the female guests a pair of earrings as a favour in the final hour, I fell out of love with the process. I'm grateful for the little push, something else I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed. I've also been experimenting with leaves, inspired by the forest, pushing them into polymer clay to capture the texture. What I'd really like to try is PMC, I like the idea of recycled silver. Maybe I will treat myself to a pack and have a play.

Bye for now, have a lovely weekend.