Typing my fingers to the bone

Well, it's all going swimmingly...that is if you think think swimming in blancmange is fun!
I'm s-l-o-w-l-y getting thru' all my pretties and listing them on my Etsy site. But it is taking a lot longer than I thought. Doesn't help tho' that the weather's so stinkin' steamy. I'm on my third shower of the day ( short ones of course but necessary for my mental health!).

Anyway, I'm merrily listing away, but also thinking up lots of lovely new ideas for even more beautiful creations while keeping my beady eye on some utterly 'licious gemstones.

I think my next lot of lovelies will be named after gorgeous screen goddesses- a little collection called 'Impossible Beauties'. I came across one of my favourite photos of Elizabeth Taylor the other day and it was a shot of inspiration.

It's the cover photo from her book Elizabeth Taylor: my love affair with jewelry. I adore this photo, and the book, as I adore jewelry also. So, in honour of the impossibly beautiful Liz, there's a going to be a pair of earrings with your name on 'em.




And here are some of the impossible beauties who are part of the inspiration...

Just gotta share this wonderful Brisbane Blogger

So it's Saturday morning and I know I really should be doing some laundry and then getting down to the nitty gritty of listing more divine gems & sparklies onto my Etsy shop, but....I went for a bit of a wander into the Bloggersphere first and came across and literally Beautiful blog...and was even more chuffed to find out the beautiful blogette is a Brisbane Gal!! Wee hee...
So please check out Anna Spiro's simply divine blog ' Absolutely Beautiful Things' because the things in it are absolutely beautiful. Can't wait to check out the shop.
My favourites are the blue and whites from Stuart Membery's photos...I'm a bit of a blue & white fan myself. To be honest, my husband would say I'm a blue & white nut! But anyway, Anna's blog's sorta inspired me today. So later on I'll be sharing some of my favourite beautiful things so stayed tuned.

Now where did I put the laundry basket...?

A Love Affair with Turquoise

I never really thought too much about turquoise before. I like blues and greens but I never really got turquoise, if you know what I mean. It always seemed a bit beachy, Surfer's Paradise kitsch and so darned opaque. I like sparkly, glittery, shiny gems. Or so I thought...

But recently, I GOT IT!!! I discovered that turquoise can be a fabulous stone to work with either on its own or mixed with other gems - particularly pearls. The clear bright blue of turquoise mixed with the smooth, pure lustre of pearls is such an heady, summer-time mix. So I went a bit mad and bought quite a bit of turquoise and the results can been seen in the new pieces I've just listed tonight.

I really has fun making these and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do :)

Hathor Necklace - Persian Turquoise and Freshwater Pearls

The Sheltering Sky - Sleeping Beauty Turquoise and Coin Pearl Bracelet

Queen of Heaven -Sleeping Beauty Turquoise and Carved Mother of Pearl Earrings

Lotus - Turquoise and Smoky Quartz Pyramid Earrings

Serendipity - Chinese Turquoise Earrings

Trying to keep at least one New Year's resolution!

Yes, all those good thoughts we have at the start of a new year- lose weight, exercise, not eat too much chocolate, don't procrastinate yada, yada , yada...

Well, I have managed to get in my first post of the new year & I hope to keep posting regularly. That's the intention anyway, because, after quite a bit of holier -than -thou scoffing, I find I actually enjoy blogging ! Gasp!! Yes, I really do enjoy it. But then the real world drags me back kicking & screaming and I find I can't actually post as much as I'd like :(

It was back to work on the 4th on Jan and from that time on it's been batshit crazy in the office- to the point where I've been so totally shagged when I get home that even collapsing on the sofa seems just too much effort.

So roll on the weekend where - after I have done the dishes, cleaned out the cat litter ( because the kid has twigged to the bribery trick), made the bed & re-made the kid's ( she does try bles her little heart) washed the clothes, hung out the clothes & put away said clothes ( only iron if absolutely desperate), cook something or at least send out the hunter gatherer for some takeaway - I might actually get to do something for myself- ha ha ha.

So here's a post. Enjoy it 'cos it cost me a great deal of effort. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about :)

Load 'em up!

Happy New Year to everyone! Hurrah!!!

And on that note...I have started loading all my beautiful pretties onto my new shop and boy..what a task! I forgot how time consuming it all is, especially on my less-than-speedy (but I love you nevertheless) computer - kisses to you 'puty.

My adorably husband ( after a bit of grumbling and few techincal problems) has once again come thru' with some stunning photos. I love you my dear :) kisses to you too...Mwah.

I'll be gradually adding a couple of items each night (or week) as I have now so many beauties to share. So here's a peek at what's to come....Enjoy!

Rapunzel from Jetta's Nest

It's a bit to late (what am I still doing on the computer at this time of night?) I know, but I had to share this beautiful find from Jetta's Nest, another wonderful BrisStyle gal.

Isn't she beautiful?



Well done Jetta

And that's that.....Roll on the New Year

Wow! What a Christmas!
Had chrissie at my place for the first time, catered it myself and I must say it went down well. Fab queensland seafood, champagne sorbet, home cooked turkey, christams pud...did the lot. Had to drag out an extra fan as it rained in the morning and it was really steamy by lunch, but a quick dip in the pool later topped off a splendid Aussie Christmas.

Absolutely crashed the next day. I think I slept thru' most of Boxing day- he, he. But I'm back in the land of the living and raring to go. I'm busy photographing my new items and trying to get them organised so I can add them to my new shop's launch in January.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, blessings to all and have a safe and happy New Year.

Hugs, Jacqui

Latest Lust-Haves

Now I've managed to write my first post after a loooooooong break, the muse has struck and I'm off again. This post has been inspired by Natalia from 'Realisation Creations & her 'Wish List Wednesday' 'cos there's nothing I like more than wandering thru' Etsy and taking a peep at all the gorgeous things people have made and making a list of them- some I can afford & hope to get, others stunningly beautiful but a little out of my budget. It never ceases to amaze me how creative folks can be. So today, I'm gonna share with you a little selection of some of the amazing goodies I've found.....


'Unforgettable Moments' by Artisan Impact





Ghosts Of Manderly II by Stilettoheights




Thousand Petal Vase by WhiteEarthStudio




JOSEPHINE - Ruffled Scarf Knitting Mohair by Silvia66

I'm baaaack!

OK.

So I'm gonna try this again. I've been away for a bit, you know, a e-vacation. Actually. It's been mostly al work and very little play. It's hard keeping a blog, trying to update regularly. That's why I admire people who do and especialy those who can keep a diary. I'd like to be like those wonderful, fine ladies, you know the ones...from the 18th or 19th century who kept the most amazing daily journals. Alas! I don't have the application. Not even for a basic Briget Jone's style diary. I'm far to fagged by the end of the day to write about it.

That's why I've been looking forward to my litle Chrissie break. I might get time to update blog. So "Voila!". My first post in nearly a year. I'm exhausted now, gonna have a lie down :)

Bellabjoux Re-born!

Welcome to the new look Bellabjoux- yes, there's a slight difference in the spelling. I decided to revamp by Etsy shop. Djush it up with a spanking new banner courtesy of ArteMagica. However, I could not use my original name (sob), because it had been taken already...so...Bellabjoux has been born!
I'm thrilled with the new look and have also gussied up my blog to match. What do you think?

It took quite a bit of thought & soul searching to do such a radical makeover because I'd really got attached to my old banner and shop, but after the last BrisStyle markets I realised I needed to ramp things up. Many of the other BrisStylettes had got some sleek and sassy stalls just popping with colour. I hadn't changed my format for nearly two years and I think it was beginning to tell. So, after a bit of moping & sighing and a little bit of feeling sorry for myself, I took the plunge and got some work done- he he.

The result is 'Bellabjoux' which will be re-launching on Jan 4th 2010- after I have recovered from Christmas....so see you there!

Australian Bushfire Appeal

This time last week Australia was hit by the most terrible tragedy in its history when bushfires and firestorms swept through country Victoria. So many people have lost their lives and entire towns have been wiped off the map. The news is devastating and sometimes it is almost too much to bear. The only way all the horror can be made even slightly manageable is by helping where I can. You know my state of Queensland has also been hit by a natural disaster with two thirds of the State under water from severe flooding. The top of the country is awash. Many of the people in far north queensland have lost everything also and many of the losses won't be fully realized until the flood waters have receded and yet despite all this, these flood ravaged folk are also donating to help their cousins down south!
This post is an open appeal to all of you out there to help in anyway you can. If you can donate to the Australian Red Cross or the Victorian Wildlife Appeal, please do...every little bit helps.

Onwards and Upwards

Well, it's been a while since I dipped my toes into blogdom, but I'm back again. It's actually been a pretty hectic time in the last few months. I spent most of October and November making luscious lovelies for my stall at the BrisStyle Christmas Marekts. It was a helluva day, super hot and humid ( and it didn't help that I was situated right in front of the airconditioning vents outside the Hamilton library) but a great time was had by all.

The BrisStyle team did a bang up job organising our first markets and for me it was a roaring success ( extreme humidity aside). I'm looking forward to '09 with more markets, hopefully at the same place outside the Hamilton Public Library.

I've also been finally getting my little online shop up to sratch with lots of photos of my stuff. I've made heaps of gorgeous jewels but I've found the hardest part is photographing them. After a number of abortive attempts at scanning my pieces I've gone back to using a camera. Or rather, I've gone to to getting my husband to use the camera. I'm absolutely rubbish at taking photos. Even with a digital camera I still manage to chop off heads! Anyway, luckily my husband is a crack shot with a camera. So I owe all those lovely photos of my pieces to him. This is for you honey - MWAH!

All told I feel I'm really growing as an artist and starting to stretch my wings. A year or so ago I never would have thought that I'd been making jewelry, let alone selling it. But the journey so far has been a good one and I'm really enjoying making my beautiful pieces. I have to admit though I'm a bit reluctant sometimes to part with them. At the last markets I was really keen for sales and people bought. However, it was with a little sadness that I wrapped up by gems & handed them over. It sounds ridiculous but I do hope that they've found a good home. I put a lot of myself into my pieces that I get quite attached to them- they're like my children. Silly but there you are. I've now got pieces making new homes in the USA and soon Japan!

If you come across my site, drop me line & let me know what you think of my work. I'd love to hear from you!

One small step......

O.K. here I go......

This is where I launch myself in the brave new world of blogging. It's taken some time & a lot of sniffing & poo pooing the idea, but it's actually not that bad! Today is the day for a lot of firsts; first blog, first lap top (yipeeee!), first use of a memory stick. Wow, I'm exhausted from all the excitement.

However, there's a slightly more serious side to all of these firsts, serious, but just as thrilling. I've opened a little online shop on a wonderful site called ETSY. I've finally got around to selling the jewellery that I've been making and I hope you'll pop over to my shop for a browse around -and hopefully buy :)

I can't believe that in a little over a year I have gone from meek & mild jewellery consumer to budding entrepeneur & artisan. I've ALWAYS loved sparkly things - always. However, it wasn't until my dear next-door neighbour & my oldest friend independantly got me hooked onto beading that things started to take off. From humble beginnings at the Mount Tamborine markets buying a murano starfish and some pearls, I've now got a whole stash of glittering goodies, made a fistfull of earrings & necklaces and even sold a few pieces. My husband ( lord love 'im) has been harping for years that I should get myself a hobby...well darling, I've got one now - hee, hee. I don't think he considered it would be one that would streatch the bank balance quite so much. Some thing quite, absorbing & inexpensive was what he was thinking...well two out of three ain't bad!

Now that I have unleashed my inner artist ( I knew she was in there somewhere, she'd just bbeen repressed under the strain of years on academia), I can't wait to get going. So you'll see a few of my pieces on ETSY. I'm also going to be at the inaugural Hand Made Expo at the Ipswich Show Grounds on the 16th of August. Come along & say 'Hi' and have a look at all the pretties - it's ging to be another first for me & probably quite a laugh.