Germany, Japan & The Deep Blue Sea

Hello! Guten Abend! Whew! It's been a busy couple of weeks. I've been to Germany and back...

Can any of you guess where I went/ what I do just from this iconic statue?

ps. Each morning walking past this just made me want to hit the studio and some metal!

Whilst there I met with over 40 international clients (from the day job) in 3 days. Wonderful to see folk in person who I email for the other 300 odd (who's counting) working days of the year. Except one client who did the european cheek kissing thing then announced he was ill with flu!!!

As much as I like to maintain that this extreme networking and travel is hard work (it is - really!), I have to confess the best bit is dinners shared with friends I've made over the years. This trip was a truly eclectic mix - German on Tuesday, Italian on Wednesday, German again (rude not to) on Thursday, paving the way to the gastro-pinnacle an amazing and beautiful Japanese meal on the Friday night.

Even the place settings were a work of art. They kindly let me bring one back as a poor substitute of the dining experience for Mr Silversmith

So, if any of you find yourselves in Frankfurt am Main seeking somewhere to eat, I most heartily recommend Kabuki. Don't be put off by the location but do be sensible travelling in that area if on your own - it's slap bang in the red light district. Gorgeous flavourful Teppanyaki creations handcrafted by expert Japanese chefs in front of your eyes - mesmerising! My companions and I were in awe and vowed to return come Messe-time next October.

What else? I've had 2 of 4, evil but necessary, travel vaccinations for an extremely exciting forthcoming trip(!)

And... oh yes! I did manage to make one or two of my jewellery classes (despite the day job enforced absence).

I can't resist returning to the deep blue for inspiration! I'm developing a new creation based on an old favourite design. A complementary piece for my fishy bangle. At the same time I'm dreaming up a new narrative inspired design and technique (repousse!) incorporating a larger crill-loving water-dwelling mammal... 

Pierceworking fishies was how I broke in my fabulous bench :)

Copper test for new design - can you guess what it is? (Its ribs our ceiling beams, its guts our carpeting!!!)

Because I'm in a minxy mood I'm going to leave you all guessing about these until I'm ready for the grand unveil. Both (particularly the latter which isn't fully designed yet) need more work, but I will give you another, equally enigmatic pictorial clue about the second piece....

Mwahaha! ;) 

Happy weekend to all my readers, whoever and wherever you may be! As for me, well I'd best get into my shed and get smithing. Or how will this mystery ever be solved?!

The Bench of Opportunity

As the air turns chill and crisp, the leaves slide from green into yellow, red orange and brown (then fall off!) new life begins in classrooms everywhere. New scholarly life with new pencil cases, new ideas and in my case a very special new item. It is my pleasure to introduce and share the love of my very own new jewellery bench.

The bench is an amazing surprise that my wonderful husband, Mr Silversmith, organised for my birthday. On that weekend we headed off to Paris and enjoyed strolling along the boulevards, eating some wonderful French food and taking in the scenery. When we got back I was invited to accompany Mr S to our shed on the auspices of procuring some ice cream. Slightly baffled by this formal request (particularly as it was rather late and we had already eaten heartily) I consented. When I opened the door, this beautiful lovingly beribboned object was awaiting me...

Readers, I was lost for words! The picture says it all though. Mr S and I have spruced our shed up a little - clearing out some of ye olde detritus so there's more room and given it a splash of paint. We've installed a little heater so that I can make good use of it in the winter.

I christened the bench a couple of weeks ago in preparation for my new term of classes and had such a lovely and exciting couple of hours. I listened to some music, burned a candle and huddled over my work and a cup of tea. Perfection! 

I am so looking forward to kitting my studio out with tools and spending lots of time with my new bench, using new ideas and making new things :)

S.S. x

ps. and, as if that wasn't exciting enough, the new season has heralded a wonderful shiny pair of new boots! Yippee...!