Quote by Helena Bogucki.
She describes the use of the naughty cat as 'genius'.

And I find it darn amusing that a cat riding a bicycle with a pointy hat, does indeed sell Helena Bogucki.
A designer just knows....

I enjoyed, ever so much, designing this catalogue artwork for Helena's jewellery.
Combining the images and quotes found within 50 year old books with stunning images of Helena's jewellery set the tone she desired:
Collectable, Historical, Covetable and Heirloom.

It also seemed appropriate to add the words of Lady, Royalty and Mischievous.

I like to ask 'words' of my clients. They describe it in words, I interpret them in images and then I review the words and we check that the final products feels like those words.

My favourite part of the artwork creation was the choosing of random sentences from an old book about an artist. The turns of phrases that tickled my fancy included:
"utter neglect of monetary matters"
"insisted on moving into his fanciful residence" and
"praise was the very breath of her existance".

I loved marrying these with the images of her unique and sometimes bizarre jewellery.

Helena's top story (in my opinion) is the one where she went to a deceased estate to purchase her unusual collectables and came across a set of diaries where the gentleman had recorded his haircuts, every 6 weeks, with inclusion of a clipping of hair.
Naturally Helena turned this into an artwork complete with hair loop, cast brooch and the diary.

I love the details of designing, you can put so much effort into a little corner. It may not be appreciated on the same level of concern you had in constructing it, but you can't send it to print unless it sits 'just so'.

Here are the details:

Final quote from Helena "The catalogue thing was of course a big success, how could it not be a success, so sleek and glamorous!"

YAY for client love!!

[current mood] Harmonica in G Blues & Tahini and Honey on toast

Check out my Strand earrings.

I have begun my silver smithing journey and this is my first piece.
They are designed to integrate with my hair - one of the great things about making jewellery for yourself is that you can make them just for yourself!
Although I may create a range to suit different hair strand types - curlies and ringlets for example!

I have discovered a new passion and I can't get enough of the shaping, sawing, filing, soldering, hammering, that is working with metal. Its earth-work. It's like tasting God.

I have, however, had a couple of incidents (to be expected by anyone aware of my extreme accident prone ways) so it's not all shiny beauty in the silver smithing world.

Here are two illustrations of things that ACTUALLY happened to me. I kid not. I exaggerate not!

[current mood] Live Walnuts & Under The Milky Way Tonight