There are so many aspects to being a jeweller and running a small business…in terms of design I get to take all my thoughts, my ideas, my dreams and translate them into wearable, metal creations…and then at times I have clients who ask me to help turn their inspiration into a piece of jewellery which they can treasure. In the last couple of months I have worked on some really great custom orders…

Made from sterling silver, copper with a moonstone, this windmill pendant was ordered by a lady who as a windmill motif as her business logo…

Another client wanted a special Christmas gift for her partner who owns a Jack Russell…

…made from sterling silver…

I was also commissioned to make a rhino pendant with a bird on his back and this client also ordered one of my dog pendants. Instead of the copper heart wings she asked that I make 9 carat gold ones and she wanted a name on the back…

One my all time favourite commissions was created as a graduation gift. I was asked to create one of my story necklaces that included buildings (the graduation was for an architectural degree) and a very large dog.

Alex received this necklace…made from sterling silver and copper…from her parents the night before her graduation…and her grandmother gave her the following pair of earrings to match…

A very big thank you to Liezel Visage for her kindness and generosity in hosting a sale of my jewellery at her beautiful home. The sale was a great success and my gracious hostess made sure that all the guests were treated to amazing snacks and drinks! I would also like to thank Lindi, Karen, Olivia and Kelly for all their help and support. I am sorry that I have no photographs of the day to share with you all…I was too busy to take any and I completely forgot to ask somebody else to do so…I won’t forget next time!

This Saturday…7 December 2013…I will be having a jewellery sale in the Somerset West area. My kind friend, Liezel Visage, has generously offered the use of her home as the venue. The sale will start at 11am at 47 Sandstone Drive, Boskloff Estate. If you are in the area (or if you know of anybody who would be interested) please spread the word and make sure you stop by as I would love to meet you…

Migrate is the official magazine of the Loerie Awards. Published twice a year, the pages of Migrate are filled with works created by designers from all over the world. Each edition contains pages of illustration, writing, and photographs of creative works that tie in with a general theme. I was lucky enough to be invited as a creative contributor for the most recent issue – Migrate’s Secret edition…

The Secret Edition is now available at select CNA and Exclusive Books stores.

My contribution can be found on page 91…

Last night saw the first ever House and Leisure Night Market in Cape Town and I was lucky enough to be a part of it! I shared a stand with my friend Ashley Heather – of Ashley Heather Jewellery – and we had a great night. Thank you to everybody who stopped by to say hello and to shop…it was a fun and successful evening. For those of you who were unable to make it here are some pictures…

…setting up our space…

…all set up and ready for the guests to arrive…

…sterling silver owl pendant with copper and brass details…

…for the gents -sterling silver cufflinks…a sea inspired piece for the brooch lovers…

…it’s Ashley Heather…

Tomorrow evening Resonatebyamy jewellery will be available at the House and Leisure Night Market which will take place from 5 – 9pm at Wembley Square, Cape Town. I will be sharing a stand with the very talented Ashley Heather Jewellery so if you are in Cape Town be sure to stop by.

Flowers always make a room seem brighter…these were my workshop flowers last week…

The art of making jewellery consists of many stages…from the thinking and designing stage…to preparing the materials…to shaping them…to joining the materials by soldering, riveting etc…to applying finishing touches such as textures, patinas etc. In a process that involves so many steps it is not uncommon for things to go horribly wrong or alternatively to achieve a result that surpasses expectations. The following quote is one which I often remind myself of as I make my jewellery…

I am currently working on some new designs and ideas in my workshop – here are some photos of the process so far…

…drawing out some new designs…

…rolling silver plate…

…annealing silver to soften it…

…pierced and filed bits and pieces…

…shaping settings…

…jewellery related injuries occur when files turn rogue…

…cleaning jewellery leaves the jeweller with dirty, polish-covered fingers…

It is always a great to get to see the work created by other designers/artists/creatives. Be it a behind-the-scenes glimpse of work in progress or a beautifully finished work at an exhibition. This year First Thursdays was introduced in Cape Town, for the first Thursday evening of every month galleries and museums in the CBD stay open until 9pm allowing people to enjoy evenings full of art, culture and entertainment. This is what tomorrow evening has in store…

…the last few exhibitions that the Fine Ounce Goldsmith Collective have put on have been great. Their work is always fresh and beautifully made, it is really exciting to see. I have a feeling that ‘Between the Lines’ will not disappoint and I can’t wait to see it for myself tomorrow.