weekend pictures

I've been draining camera batteries like nothing else this weekend...

I am in the process of reshooting the pictures of my jewellery and I'm really pleased with the darker background, the colours really pop! I also had to stop and take some obligatory pictures of the cats enjoying the last bit of sunshine.

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bits and bobs of news..

Just a few things happening in my Etsy shop right now...

Firstly two new items are back after a looooong time away. They were previous named 'Sorbet' bracelet and earrings but I've changed the name to 'Amber Leaves' for the Autumn! :)


I also have a sale on some of my summer items, from $10, they'll only be up for a week so catch a bargain whilst you can! The sale includes these beautiful Reef Earrings made with rare lampwork flowers, they are $12 in the sale, reduced from $24.


And.... whilst I still have some breath...

I am participating in Weekend Deals on Etsy - there is 15% off in my shop this weekend! See my Etsy shop for more details. :)


Have a lovely weekend!
I'll be back soon with more news about my soldering adventures and some autumnal recipes..

xx

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Adventures with soldering - part one

Ever since I bought a butane torch to make my own headpins I've been thinking about trying out soldering. I really want to bring more metalwork into my designs and make my jewellery components as handmade by me as possible.

It was much easier than I thought, as long as you've got the kit you are ok. I went for solder paste which is very easy to use.

I thought I'd start with brass first, mainly because it was cheaper, and formed a few simple circles - like the connectors I often buy.

They turned out really well and the joint was actually quite neat considering it was my first attempt. The only bit where I went wrong was pickling the sooty residue off the brass, I accidently added steel (my pliers) to the pickle and it bought the copper out in the brass, so it went bright pink!

The pink colour is actually very nice and I've made a simple necklace for myself to wear, its lovely for everyday.

I'll be practicing lots and lots and hope to bring some handformed loops in different shapes to my shop, with and without vintage components.

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Fond of filigrees...

I really love these filigrees, they do add such a unique element to my shop, I hope you like them too. I have lots of different colours and designs in my etsy shop and more to come too!

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Orange Drizzle Cupcakes

I've been neglecting the food side of things for a while but fear not, I am back, with more drizzle cakes!
We've recently started getting a fruit and veg box from the lovely people at Abel and Cole , in an effort to eat more veg and also maybe because they have a little special offer on :)


I'm not a big orange eater, so I was a bit disappointed when we received 4 big oranges in our box (something I forgot to add into my dislikes list) this week, but then my thoughts turned to cake and all was well!

I make lemon drizzle cake a lot, its easy and tasty and I generally have the ingredients in the cupboard/fridge. I've been meaning to try orange drizzle cake for a while, its just as easy and just as tasty.

Orange Drizzle Cupcakes
makes about 20 - 22 cupcakes

for the cake:
200g self raising flour (or plain flour with 2 tsp of baking powder mixed in)
200g butter, softened
200g brown or caster sugar
2 medium eggs
zest of 2 large oranges
1 tsp cinnamon

juice of 1/2 orange

for the icing:
juice of 1 1/2 oranges
juice of 1/2 lemon
icing sugar - approx 4 tbsp

Cream butter and sugar, add the eggs. Zest the orange and mix into bowl with juice of orange. Stir in flour and cinamonn until all combined.


Spoon into a cupcake tray lined with cases. Bake on middle shelf at gas mark 5 for about 10 - 15mins until golden and cooked through.

Normally lemon drizzle cakes require you to wait til the cakes are completely cool to ice them, but I find that you don't need to so much with cupcakes. Allow them to cool slightly for a few minutes.

Mix the sugar in slow with the orange, sifting through a tea strainer to make it nice and fine. I normally use a fork or a whisk so the icing isn't lumpy. You may need more or less icing sugar than I have said above, depending on the juiceness of your oranges and lemon! Mix until it has a consistency like double cream.

Prick the cupcakes lightly with a fork or small knife. Brush or spoon the icing over the cakes generously.

Eat!

I was really pleased with how these came out, I may add a little more lemon next time to counter the sweetness and give it a slightly more citrus flavour. This is not very cheffy or even food blogger-y but you could use a tiny bit of from concentrate orange juice to up the orange flavour a little.



xx

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Etsy Anniversary Competition - A winner!

Congratulations to.....

Lubaska!

You have won my giveaway and your necklace will be winging its way to you shortly :)
Picked at random using random.org

Thank you to everyone who entered and joined my mailing list, I'll be sending out a newsletter very soon with some lovely discounts for my mailing list subscribers.

:)

xx

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starry night... sneaky peek

Not sure where the inspiration came from, but I have two new night sky inspired pieces for my Etsy shop.


I'll be listing these later on today, so happy to have new things after a bit of a drought this week!

I am also offering 15% off this weekend!

.... and don't forget to enter my giveaway, win a necklace!


xx

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