Wire wrapped hoop earrings

I'm just getting back into making some bits of jewellery for myself as my tools and wire that survived the destruction of my studio had been stored in boxes for some time. Really I left them there as we packaged what we could from the wreckage and it was so painful for me having to throw things out some boxes I just left as I didn't want to face it, and it's been over a year. However I enjoy regular breaks from drawing so did the last boxes and it got my making bug back.

These earrings are simple hoops made from copper wire and carnelian stones. Most of my stones come from Jewellery Maker TV, they guarantee authenticity and to be honest on eBay, and even other shops, stones are frequently mis-sold, a lot of carnelian is actually dyed agate for example. They're very transparent about any treatment the stones have had as well.

The other thing I like about Jewellery Maker is their ethical sourcing, mining is not only environmentally destructive it also employs poorly paid and child labour in some parts of the world. It's nice to know they support and help communities rather than tearing up the earth for profit. Again many other sellers of gemstones can't tell you their provenance and don't really seem to care. I keep my eye on their offers but the only downside is I get introduced to more mediums, I think it's fun to be continually learning though!

Climate, anxiety and depression - a post from the heart

Sometimes I feel like I can't bear to open my eyes and look at the world because I'm so deeply ashamed to be a human being and worried about what's going on. Much as I try to believe in the goodness and humanity in people I am finding it hard to hold onto that faith right now. I think most of the scientific community, barring those who've received a nice sum of money from the fossil fuel barons, agree about climate change. I certainly would never call myself any kind of expert, some of my degree was about planetary science, but like a growing number I feel climate change has probably been vastly underestimated and will be quicker than people think. There are an awful lot of people thinking "it won't happen in my lifetime" who are probably going to be surprised, and not pleasantly so. We actually live below sea level here so I'm very aware of our vulnerability. But it's not just about me, I feel very powerless when I read of people in other part...

Caring for the Older Sheep

It often surprises people when I tell them sheep can live to twenty years old. Milady sheep is of undetermined age, I bought her along with another ewe a few years ago as cull ewes. For whatever reason - age, getting worn out, reproductive issues - they couldn't have more lambs and these ewes go to the abattoir. I bought them for abattoir weight so they could live out a retirement with me. Since I only have wethers (male castrates) if there were medical issues meaning they shouldn't get pregnant again it was no issue. Milady is a Herdwick, one of my favourite breeds, and Herdy's go white with age. She's almost snow white, so I can only guess she's probably in her early teens. She came off the fell, and since Herdy's are hefted - bonded to their particular patch - she could never go back as wherever she was put she'd try to make her way back to her bit of the fell. One of the biggest issues with ageing sheep is teeth. Obviously being a grazing animal th...

When sheep go rogue - The hidden dangers of sheep

Most people think of sheep as docile woolly creatures that hang around in fields. I think the consensus among the general public is sheep eat grass and lay down, and that's all they do. Well sheep are surprisingly characterful and are actually very boisterous things, both amongst themselves and with you. I am frequently covered in various bruises, feeding times I'm basically a human skittle. Get in amongst sheep with a bag of food and you'll know about it. Willow has terrible spatial awareness issues and has frequently hit the back of my legs with the force of a truck trying to get to the food. Put it this way, they won't stand on ceremony. The smaller varieties of sheep will also jump up, it's not been uncommon for me to be wandering about with muddy hoof prints on my bum. And they will quite often ask for attention, or a scratch, in the only way they know how, which is a friendly butt. A friendly butt is uncomfortable and non friendly one bloody hurts. Mit...

A Little Cottage in the Country

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