A collection of beautiful things by stunning artistic types!

Just felt like doing a treasury of my favourite things on etsy - enjoy!

Finally - My Hallmark!! (or sponsor's mark)

Okay, so this doesn't look that impressive, but hey - I am very very proud of it. It cost me about £180 ($280) to get it registered!!

Here in the UK, you can not by law sell anything made in silver that weighs more than 7.78 grams unless it is hallmarked by one of the four assay offices in the UK.

Online of course, you can sell what you want to outside of UK, but I have plenty of items that I have only been able to sell to outside the UK and not to the UK. Mainly it's the larger rings and chunky pendants, but they have been available just not UK side.

So the process goes like this a little: You have to register a stamp, this can be with your initials. You start by thinking 'oh that will be great I'll make a word', then you realise each letter costs about £40 and quickly come down to just the minimum initials.
You then choose the type of stamp, swan neck (for rings) or straight and where you would like it kept (either with you or at one of the halls).

It them takes about 3 or so weeks to be ready.
You eventually get sent a bunch of paperwork which almost tells you how to get your stuff stamped ;-) The more you send off the cheaper, so you don't really do one or two things at a time, and sending off a whole bunch is quite worrying! But there is a minimum charge, so even though I sent off 12 initial pieces I still had to pay the minimum charge. But you send no money. They get in touch and after you have registered you can check on line to find out how much you owe, and then pay online. A few days later (it is a quick turnaround) your lovely items arrive home with their new little marks.
When I say little marks trust me they are really small, I couldn't find them to start!
So, I then discovered it has been mooted by the government to do away with this tradition. At the moment it is in the discussion stage. I have to say I hope they don't do away with it. The point being, anything you buy in England that has this stamp on it, has had the tiniest piece scraped off and tested for quality so you know when you hand over your money, that this is truly authentic. I have bought things abroad, where the sales person has told me it is real and I have paid over my hard earned money, and later got home and found it wasn't. It's just one of those quirky British traditions that I really like - and anyhow, I've paid over all that money now!!

The Widest Range of Silver Peapod Jewellery on the Net

As I was falling asleep the other night it suddenly dawned on me that.. as far as I can tell I have the widest range of silver pea pods available online now. I have searched and searched, and while others do have a few pendants, or earrings, no one else has pendants, charms (with three different types of attachment , earrings( three different types), cufflinks (two different styles), rings and charm bracelets, always available in twos and threes and always open to commissions.

See what this means, if I'm not mistaken, is the widest range in the world. Me - Sue - Sue from somethingxtraspecial has the 'est' in the world. Of course I haven't been all over the world and verified this, but my avid research online appears to back it up. So, I am jolly pleased with that. Thought I'd share!!

New arrivals in the pea pod family

These are the latest editions in my pea pod range. I originally put leverbacks on the pea pods as a friend always asked for them, however, someone recently asked for hooks, thinking they would be smaller and it seemed daft that I hadn't put studs on them before. So, along with the rings, which are just the cutest things, made to order of course, I have added studs and hooks to my earrings.

Total Art Soul

Total Art Soul is a lovely web site for artists to show off their stuff. You can browse various types and styles and there is such a diversity of stuff. I've been lucky enough to be featured on their front page this week. They are starting to move over to being a selling site if that interests anyone, not sure how successful it will be but if you want to get in somewhere and be one of the first this would be a great place to go I think. I am too spread out being on 3 sites already, etsy, folksy and my own, I just don't have enough time in my life to service another one, but thought I would put it out there in case anyone else fancied it. I could well kick myself in the future, but then again may change my mind!! ;-)
Click on the title link to go and have a look.
(ps my item is the second from the bottom left - eggs in a nest)

Victorian Swirl Padlocks

Once again the copiers are out, something that drives me to distraction, but in the end what can you do. And once again it has just made me determined to combat the feeling by trying to do something new. This is my new range, it ties in with the tear drop rings in design, but compliments rather than matches. The two pendants on the right are made totally in pure fine silver, forged, hammered, polished, shined and fussed over to the enth degree!! The one on the far right is a little twee, however in person it looks quite eye catching. I particularly like the central one and this led me on to make earrings that match. I prefer long danglies, so I have also made these hanging on double rings that are caught up with a single ring hanging on an ear hook.
The earrings on the left are the simple version. I call them Victorian swirl padlocks. Back to that oh so fancy pretty yet uptight time.

Absolute last chance to grab a half price sterling silver bargain

Just a quick heads up and reminder that today is the very last day of the half price sterling silver sale. Just so’s you know, I paid 50% more for my silver from my supplier this week than last week – it’s ridiculous. So if you want to grab a bargain, maybe get your Christmas Presents early, today is the last chance. Sterling silver cufflinks, sterling silver and gemstone bracelets, and sterling silver and gemstone / lampwork necklaces are all included in the sale. Half the price you pay will be refunded via paypal.

But whatever – hope you have had a brilliant weekend, and made the most of the beautiful weather.

Half Price Sterling Silver Sale

The price of silver has shot through the roof, as the table (from the wiki site shows)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_as_an_investment)

In 2005 it was $7.31` dollars an ounce
2009 $14.67
2010 $20.19
2011 $40.17

Now if that doesn't show it, I don't know what does, but silver keeps its value.
My supplier just last week wrote to let me know that prices are set to increase hugely. I know that I am going to have to increase my prices very soon, but just before I do I thought I'd give my lovely customers a chance to treat themselves and grab a bargain in the meantime, so until 25th April (midnight gmt) I am having a HALF PRICE sale on selected sterling silver items. These include the sterling bracelets, necklaces and cufflinks. (The fine silver is not included). So if you want to grab yourself a bargain, click the link. Be quick the stuff is going quite quickly. These prices can never be repeated (unless of course silver goes back to 2005 prices!!)

To see details click the post link.

The New Teardrop Ring Design

I am very excited with my new design. I just love the front, its like the bottom of a heart, and looks like a perfect teardrop when flat. These are so comfortable to get on, because the angle allows for the nuckle and then they are turned, where the disc can then swing. Perfect for fiddling, and who doesn't like fiddling! Loads of designs done just takes time uploading all the photos - I need a secretary!

My life in pets

I have this weekend gotten my house back to myself. Life has changed!! yay! I have been able to move all the junk and rubbish into the junk and rubbish holders, and it is now an organised tip. I think the cats have summed up exactly how it feels, serene and safe!