Iceni Jewellery

Whale tails and gronky fingers!! (Gronkiness due to polishing compound - fear not, I have not been up the chimney! 😉
Another whale tail with peridot 💚 I'm thinking of doing these as pendants too. It's very wee for me isn't it! But would look lovely with a smattering of other pendants I reckon, and peridot green, just lovely! What do you think?

Had a proper good cry today (missing H 🐾💙) Then lost my glasses for a full ten minutes whilst in the shed...have a guess where I found them...go on 😉😆

Somehow Mumma Iceni always knows when I need a smile. It's like witchcraft or sumthin 😉😆💚

I dont know how i get any work done, looook! 💚 The puppy just waits for me whilst I'm in the shed 🩵

I was asked if I would make this chonky silver badger tribute bracelet - 10 of my badger tokyns and a r**t heavy (technical term 😉) silver chain! I've loved making it, and have lost count of the hours it's taken me! Each badger is made by building layers out of silver sheet (I don't cast my pieces) and each slightly different. This is such a tactile piece.

I love to see your Iceni pieces worn 💚 and really grateful when I'm able to share - Gorgeous Tina in her Night & Day pendant necklace and earrings ~ sunshine in a pic! 🌞🌻👒🐝🧡 (thank you T xx)

How the last week has flown. The puppy has run himself ragged, bagged himself an older lady (my cousin's beeyootiful Jack Russel) who nibbles his legs and rolls around in his tail, he's had his first Chinese dinner, and he even did his first proper swim! So it's all been go, go, go for him! We've just about begun switching off, and it's time to pack and leave again 😭

I will never get bored of the green of Scotland 💚 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿.

Homeward bound.

When all else fails, there are still dogs and the beauty of nature to ease your heart! 🌳🐾

With that in mind, I'm off to Scotland at the weekend to grab me a Mumma Iceni cuddle!

All orders currently placed are busily being made to be posted before I leave, i have a stack of cuffs on the go at the mo 😍. Anything ordered from tomorrow will be made week commencing 3rd June 💚

I'm hoping to work on some artwork whilst I'm away, whilst I won't be hiking like I wanted to (achilles mess!) I might be able to plonk myself somewhere wonderful and throw some paint around 🎨🖌🖼🫠

Why haven't I made these before? I've had the pendant version but the earrings were never created until I was asked to, and I was like, of course, I don't know why they're not a thing already 😆 Now part of the collection!

Don't forget the d*i*sco+un*t on my previous post, the mighty book of face decided to only show it to a tiny few of you! 🙄

Hello! I hope everyone is happy and well? Can you feel the Summer coming? Everything has burst forth in the garden!! The leaves on my junior silver birch have exploded into an array of beautiful green and finally its little trunk has tinges of silver! It's three years old now and twice my height, and I'm like, REALLY tall :D

A weekend promotion then? Oh, ok :)
15% off of my copper cuffs - use CUFF15 at the checkout. Ends on Monday! These seem to have turned into a bit of a collector's item(s) (which has thrilled me to bits!) I reckon it's time to think up some more to add to the collection!

I was asked to make another of the stone Tokyn occasion bracelets, using alternative stones (new one on left). Maria chose her stones to create a bracelet to remind her of her time in Norway. Turquoise/copper, nephrite jade, blue flash labradorite, blue sandstone (has a feel of night skies, with the twinkles), malachite, aquamarine, rainbow moonstone, moss agate and Tiger's Eye, finished with a whale tail and beautiful green peridot. The flashes and twinkles in the moonstone, labradorite and sandstone are so pretty - I just couldn't do them justice on camera.

Now that my dear friend has received this for her birthday, I can show you the vision I had for the little oak blocks i posted about the other day! This particular one was designed specifically for my friend, oak leaves and hares kind of became 'our' thing over the years - but I have so many ideas flapping around my brain now of all the pieces I want to make, and luckily I currently have 11 more little blocks to play with during the week!

Incidentally, it's this particular friend who totally believed in Iceni and my vision (nearly 10 years ago!), and, along with Mumma Iceni, she's an Iceni Guinea Pig! Hehe! I'm like a little 5 year old running up to her showing her the latest thing I've made her, I'm very sure she must get terribly bored of it, but I love her, so she's just going to have to put up with it 😆

I have a box of 2" x 2" solid oak cubes, and you might be wondering what I might be needing them for...and that is a brilliant question, as I'm not really sure I know the answer myself 😆 - But! I do have a teeny idea, that *may* turn into something.

I must stop purchasing things before I've properly planned things out, cos solid oak cubes from sustainable sources ain't cheap ya know 😆

Let's see where this takes us!!

Hello 👋😊

So, I'm feeling a bit better, and will be returning to work for a few more hours as of tomorrow 😊 I've still been a busy bee in the shed, but also I've allowed myself to breathe which has been a real blessing. So new things will start filtering in now to the collections.

Speaking of new things, I think I misjudged a little, as I made these earrings and popped them in the shop and had planned a whole new collection of sheild things, but have only sold one pair! Have I got it wrong do you think? I genuinely think these are beautiful (I don't say that often about my work) and would love to explore this theme further, but of course...I need to be practical and make things that people actually want 😆

Much love to you all 💚

Only these three pairs available, and ready to ship too!

I had a wave of arty inspiration today, and with all the Boudicca creativity recently - along came these! I do love a sheild earring, and I LOVE copper with silver! Made for the warrior in all of us! I made a similar pair in silver and copper for a friend once, and she told me she felt like a goddess wearing them...and, as a creator of worn things, i dont mind sharing that i did a bit of a wiggle of joy at hearing that! I felt like a bit of goddess making them truth be told!

I don't think I've quite finished with the sheild theme yet, but I can't guarantee I'll be remaking these actual ones again.

During the evenings, I've been working on my slow stitch tribute to Harvey. I had hoped to sew this directly onto a slowstitched back piece i'd already stitched, which then would become part of the much bigger piece...alas my zero embroidery skills (this is the first piece I've ever done) blocked that notion! I know it's not as tidy as it could be, but perfection isn't my goal. It's the process that's important for this crwation.

I'm a little worried though about the puckering, and whether that will be an issue down the line. I chose gold thread not knowing that metallic thread is a blimmin' demon to work with! And what in earth possessed me to choose such a complex shape as my first ever go at thread painting????

Still, it's a great way to work through all the feelings, I feel like I'm sewing all my pieces back together...slowly 💚

Recently I was commissioned to make 6 copper and silver panels - whilst strictly speaking, I wasn't taking commissions at the time, there was no way I could pass up this opportunity to create something with Boudicca in mind - I didn't call my business Iceni for nuffin ya know 😉

The panels are my interpretation of Iceni horse and wolf ancient coins. With the Iceni waxing and waning moons at each corner. They had me squeezing every ounce of metalwork knowledge I possess.

Thankfully, my client, who became to me a friend, was endlessly patient with delays whilst I dealt with the personal difficulties of the past few months, including tool break down too! He even suggested that I dedicate the wolf panel (on the right) to Harvey. So now H's name is stamped on the back for generations to come to ponder about when they discover his name 💙. The kindness shown to me throughout kept refocusing me, and was so appreciated.

The whole piece is in the United States, and the painting is by award winning artist Alyson Barton, the frame created and gilded by my client. How proud am I to have my work alongside their beautiful creations!! (A lot! A very lot!)

I'm really proud of this work 💚

Evening slow-down, reducing heart rate project is a slow-stitch with embroidery. A labour of love in tribute to my H. This will be the sun....eventually! A small part for a much bigger piece depicting what he meant to me. I'm using linen, silk and silk velvet, and my Nan's old sewing kit 💚

Today was the day to turn the chaos onto calm...I only went and tidied the shed didn't I! I'm ashamed to say, I can't remember the last time I tidied it. I had just put my head down and kept going...but, an untidy shed plays havoc with yer 'ead! And it desperately needed doing. It's all squeaky clean again, I even catalogued my bead stash! Get me and my fancyness 😆 (I found some gorgeous matt amazonite 😯 ooh, the possibilities 😆)

I did have to have a word with the resident spider. She had her legs dangling over one of the picture frames, and I winced at the thought of the size of the rest of her. We've come to an arrangement, she can stay and look after her babies, but between the hours of 9am_6pm she needs to keep herself to herself. We didn't shake on the deal, I was fearful of her squeezing my hand off given the size of them legs!!

The last batch of website based orders have gone out. I'm very sure some, if not all of these designs will be back before long, either as stand-alones or slightly tweaked in limited numbers. If you don't know, I will now no longer be making to order for the time being. I shall be making first, then selling, which means new designs will be in limited numbers (at least for the foreseeable future). So will be great to add a rarer/limited piece to your collection 😊

For those who've ordered, your 'thank you' discount code will work for all new items. And all gift vouchers will of course work as usual on all items too.

I have a few commissions to complete before new things come, but...watch this space 😊

Xx

Spot the Cocker, Season 2 (we used to do this with Harvey didn't we 💙).
My slowing down and healing journey started with this. How lucky am I? This part of the beach to ourselves. The wind literally took my breath away, and the sun has kissed my cheeks - just a tiny peck for now, a promise of times to come. I sat and watched the waves, laughing at the puppy weave in and out of the waves and trees having the time of his life...and for the first time in such a long time, the muscles in my back relaxed and I breathed deeper than I have for such a long time.
I hope so much you're having a beautiful to you day too 💚

Spot the Cocker, Season 2 (we used to do this with Harvey didn't we 💙).

My slowing down and healing journey started with this. How lucky am I? This part of the beach to ourselves. The wind literally took my breath away, and the sun has kissed my cheeks - just a tiny peck for now, a promise of times to come. I sat and watched the waves, laughing at the puppy weave in and out of the waves and trees having the time of his life...and for the first time in such a long time, the muscles in my back relaxed and I breathed deeper than I have for such a long time.

I hope so much you're having a beautiful to you day too 💚

**Announcement**

Hello all! I hope you all had a gorgeous Easter break. I gather here today for a little announcement. Well, its a big one for me actually, but in the greater scheme of things, not so monumental!

Short version!

As of today, I will pausing the current Iceni collection (excluding Isle of Wight collection which will remain available for purchase.) This is to give me a little time to develop new lovely shiny things 😊

All current orders will be made and sent as normal, please don't worry ☺️

Long (and heart on sleeve) Version!

Since my Harvey died, I've struggled quite badly coping with stress, so much so that it's beginning to impact life a bit. Well, a lot really.

One of the things that has exacerbated this feeling is having a backlog of work.

Traditionally I only make to order, which is great, as I don't have stock sat on shelves waiting to be ordered, eating up the business's money. Brilliant! I in effect, sell everything I make! It's worked for me for 9 years now.

But, at the moment, stressy me isn't coping well knowing I have lots of orders to make to a deadline, cos I've only got me own two hands to rely on, and if orders go bonkers, my two hands get everso sore and slow down a bit!! 😆 I've always panicked when people have to wait a little longer for their orders, and with being a little broken at the mo, that anxiety has hit the roof making me panic even more!

This left me a conundrum, and means I'm going to have to make a bit of a leap of faith, at least in the short term, in order for my little head to deal with the grieving process for my Harvey, the severity of which has had a bit of a delayed impact if I'm being honest, and I'm hurting a bit right now.

So, as of today, I will be pulling my catalogue offline. The Isle of Wight Collection will remain, and stay as it always has, but for now I'm going to focus on making 'before' I sell! Imagine that! Hehe! What a revelation! 😆

I don't see this as a forever thing, just for the time being, until I gather back all my brain cells! And all the usual favourites will be back soon no doubt. And of course, it goes without saying, those who've already made an order, your piece is being made/or on the way to you, as normal so please dont worry about that. 💚😊

I'll continue making, but for now at a slower pace. Although to you it will seem I'm doing more, as I'll be able to post pictures of all the new things I make. But in reality, I was never able to work on new designs as I was so busy making the current ones, so I was rarely able to post pictures of new things.

So here's to it! Please stick with me, cos I love having you around 😊

I have so much I'm working on that I either can't share, or I'm not ready enough to share, that my only offering is this for today - from my dog walk.

The Unfurling.

I absolutely hated school as a child. It wasn't for the lack of wanting to learn, I've always wanted to learn all the things...except the things they teach in schools (at least, back then in the 70s & 80s)! But! I do remember clearly one lesson where we learned about trees, and the subsequent field trip to Hyde Park (I went to school for some time in Central London) where we took bark and leaf rubbings, and I was absolutely enthralled - they had to drag my muddy feet and grubby fingers out of the park that day!

There was borne a lifelong love of trees (and nature, generally).

So, I at least thank school for that!

Happy Spring Equinox beautiful people 💚 (photo from my dog walk today) We made it!! I could have a bloody good cry I could. That was one deep dark Winter I never ever want to go through again.

Of course, in line with my Calamity Cora reputation, two of my most beloved (and very needed) tools decided to break on me this week. Firstly, my jeweller's saw...now jeweller's saws are 10 a penny these days, but I had a super fancy one that was feather light, which helped my hands, and super easy to change blades. For a saw, it was costly, but, I can't complain, it has literally sawn out thousands of pieces of jewellery over the years and the same for my foredom pendant motor. It finally died after being a loyal and never complaining friend to me. That said though, that's another £400 to fork out - i did think we'd have a month to breathe a bit after all the vets bills over the last year, but the universe had other plans for me, the minx! So, erm, please buy stuff!! 😉 (I don't actually mean that, well, of course, Sales are always welcome, but, if you can't, then you just being here makes me insanely happy and worth all the pink wafers in the world 😊. 💚

Sometimes you just need a little extra magic to get you through a Sunday! Snag tights win again!!

Back at my bench with a crunch today, but I hit the ground running! Just a few of the pieces from today. I'm always so worried if I take any time off I won't get any orders anymore and everyone will forget about me! But thankfully they kept ker-chinging (the sound my phone makes when someone places an order!!) whilst I was away, easing my mind that the bills will still be paid even if I do hotfoot it every now and again!

I had a wonderful time away, and *thank you* for all your heartfelt wishes for my trip, I think you knew just how much it was needed, and how much it meant to me 💚

The missing of my Harvey never stops, i looked up from my bench this afternoon expecting him to be sitting at the top of the garden path watching me, reminding me of his dinner time (as if I'd ever forget!!) as he always did. Of course, he wasnt there, but in my mind's eye he was - I feel him with me - that kind of bond can never be broken 💚