Monday 17 August 2009

Hello London!

Sometimes, less is more. I love to create elaborate pieces of jewellery with lots of twinkling, sparkling, glossy gemstones. However, London Blue Topaz doesn't need that - it is perfectly stunning on its own. These earrings are a case in point: Just the slender Sterling Silver curves adorned with perfect faceted briolettes of that lovely blue shade.

Sunday 16 August 2009

Blue For The Most

I have nearly reached the end of my supply of these gorgeous faceted briolettes of Lapis Lazuli. Glossy and royal blue, with slight inclusions of Pyrite (also called Fool's Gold), they really come to life in this 'trickle' design which is an enduring favourite with my customers. I like to team them with Kyanite, as I think their translucent blue sets off the Lapis perfectly.

These briolettes are all carefully wrapped in 14-carat Gold-Fill wire and trickle down a fine 14-carat Gold-Fill chain, suspended from fine 14-carat Gold-Fill hooks.

Saturday 15 August 2009

Fluorite Fancy


I can't believe that I had these beautiful Fluorite briolettes for a whole year before I even touched them... Here they are, simply wrapped in 14-carat gold-fill wire and suspended from slender trapeze chandeliers. Sometimes less is more.

Tuesday 11 August 2009

In the Pink


One of my absolute favourite new fashion finds is Libélula, a small brand run by a British designer. The cut of her dresses remains more or less the same from one season to the next, with variations in length, fabric & colour - so now that I know that the Libélula style suits me I will always be able to find something in their collections. Wonderful. (see http://www.libelula-studio.com/)


My most treasured Libélula dress is a floaty retro number in vibrant fuchsia silk georgette - with a most unusual flock detail in the fabric. It shouldn't work, but it does. This dress has the ability to make me look slim-waisted and elegant, and as soon as I brought it home I made a dainty pair of earrings featuring little rubies and pink tourmalines trickling down from the earlobes. It's a very simple style, which relies entirely on the quality of the gemstones used - and these are gorgeous...

Sunday 2 August 2009

Orange Pekoe



One of my absolute favourite things to do is to end my working week by spending Friday afternoons at Orange Pekoe on White Hart Lane, where Barnes meets Mortlake. 'OP', as my beloved and I call it, is a beautiful tea salon where the emphasis is very much on excellent teas (one can choose from a whole wall of them), coffees (they will tell you which is best to revive you in the morning, and which is best for a mellow afternoon cup) salads & sandwiches, plus amazing cakes to trip up your diet intentions.. When I grew up in Oslo we used to refer to gems like Orange Pekoe as a 'konditori' - and they were always a treat.

Saturday 1 August 2009


Oh, oh, oh, oh, OH! I have just picked up the collector's edition of Vogue Australia Living - with an absolutely gorgeous cover by Catherine Martin. Never mind that it was published in May/June and that today is the 1st of August - it clearly had a leisurely journey (on an old-fashioned steamer perhaps?) from Australia to Mortlake... but it finally arrived at my local newsagent on White Hart Lane, who can always be counted on to stock the best periodicals. I can't wait to delve into it - the cover alone is worth framing, it's so beautiful. What an inspiration...