Loving this little beauty, Valeria after the protagonist in a Wilkie Collins Novel.

everything ok from the Endoscopy side of things :)

well, had the endoscopy on 17th Feb, so it's been a while since my last blog hasn't it.  Well, the news was brilliant thank goodness.  The oesophagitis has completely cleared up and the biopsies showed nothing sinister whatsoever.  Thank you dear Lord (she says looking heavenward)  The only thing now is that I have to be careful with what I eat and drink.  No more heavy evening meals, and easy on the alcohol.  Frankly it's probably easier just to give it up, but well you know.  The worst bit is no more curry, well not of the hot variety anyway, keep spices to a minimum!  I had no idea that curry could cause such problems.  Basically I was unable to swallow properly due to the inflammation in my foodpipe.  The Doctor thought it was 'the worst', but thankfully no.

Don't ever be afraid of the endoscopy though chaps, it's a doddle. they politely knock you out, and then when it's all over, you don't remember a thing.  if you're lucky your other half allows you to sleep off the anaesthetic for the rest of the day! 

Thank you for your good wishes, that meant a lot actually.  Look out for more posting :)  xx

probably the last blog for a few days at least

Yep,... for the next few days I could well be incognito.  It's back to hospital tomorrow, for another endoscopy, oh deep joy! and to see what they have found from the biopsies.  I'm always positive, so I don't think it's owt to worry about, but I'm definitely not looking forward to tomorrow's procedure.  Especially given that I have a cold and sore throat into the bargain.  They said I should still go in, oh well, it's up to them if they want my cold isn't it?

so, I'll report back in next week, and continue with beady and weddingy bloggy things.  have fun everyone whatever you're doing.

for now

'P'
xx

Want to see how the writing's going?

check out my writer's blog, on these pages, it's my second blog home.  extracts of the novel are there too. 

Networking - Good idea, bad idea?

Today I 'networked'.  Networks 4 u meet on a regular basis in Fleet, and the idea is to swap information and business cards with a view to creating business for each other.  Does it work? 

Well, I certainly had some very interesting conversations, one of which was with a graphic designer.  He was extremely helpful with some great ideas about branding and presenting one's work to the public.  It's interesting how people really need to be fed with information, rather than being able to work it out for themselves.  his message was clear, branding, branding, branding. 

However, to join the 'club' is a costly exercise, but until one joins, one cannot evaluate the benefit of it.  The benefits only become clear after about a year. 

To be honest, contacts can be made by visiting websites, and shops and communicating with others anyway, so, whilst they were a lovely bunch of people, I have to say that I remain sceptical.  What's your experience, have any of you 'networked' and what did you find?  Did you join?

Until next time

Pauline

time for another post I think

Well, Trevor adores his new beaded cake toppers!  he's a lovely man, who makes the most amazing cakes, especially his profiterole tower which is covered in edible glitter!  lovely. 

The cake topper looks amazing curled around the tower, and has apparently already drawn much comment from shoppers.  I'm currently working on tropical flowers for him now, in vibrant oranges, and yellows, should be gorgeous.  As soon as I can I will post pics on here for you all to see.   The toppers promise to be popular I think.

Of course, they're not only cake toppers, they can be made in to corsages, tiaras, brooches and all sorts, why stop at toppers after all! 

Fashion and jewellery

One of the things I am often asked is 'how did you get into jewellery making', well it was a bit of a journey, and something of a mistake, that is a mistake in that it was not my intention to pursue this route at all.  however, I started making table cloths which then led to cloths with novelty things on like Christmas trees with real minature baubles etc.  this led to me developing an interest in beads and all things beady!  Big mistake, once you're hooked that's it.

I then discovered I had a 'quite a talent' for jewellery making and off it went.  What it also meant was that I discovered my own style.   So much jewellery is large and chunky, and that is just not me.  I'm far too small boned, in spite of my current size, to be able to wear chunky jewellery, so I concentrated on delicate designs which would suit the smaller, slimmer lady. 

Also, I am not a dedicated follower of fashion... never have been.  That is not to say I don't like it, but I'm no slave to what others seem to think I should wear. 

I also believe that what you wear on your wedding day, should not only be comfortable, but also unique to you hence the bespoke/commissions part of the business was born.  The number of commissions has risen, and has incorporated cheaper end pendants, with sentimental value, nestling among Swarovski pearls and crystal rondelles, to pieces of lave retrieved from a beach in Iceland!  Sounds horrible? actually it was stunning, and the chap who commissioned it said it all by saying 'WOW!' upon opening the box.  very satisfying indeed.

my Master's degree in Victorian Literature and Culture has also increased my interest of late, in Victorian style jewellery.  I've yet to master the jewellery making as well as I have mastered the literature etc. but I will get there.  In the meantime, I continue to make what is, I hope, gorgeous jewellery, for those ladies who appreciate the finer side of bodily adornment!