inspiration | Topaz Magpie Jewellery

Crafty Sirens

on March 25, 2013

A little while back I was reading a blog post (forgive me, I can’t remember who by!)about crafting and community, and how connecting with virtual friends can be a positive, supportive experience, especially when you work from home. With this in mind I decided to share with you a group which I am lucky enough to be part of – although I am not a very regular participant!

Over Christmas my cousin got in touch with me to say that she and a friend were starting a Facebook group of crafty folk – they had chosen to call it ‘Sirens’: “Sirens welcome likeminded inspirational people to join us on a journey of creativity. Along the way we will support each other, share ideas, discuss our processes, and more.” Well, what’s not to like?

The group chooses a monthly challenge from a list complied from everyone’s suggestions. Each challenge is undertaken in an individual’s own way – their own medium, their own time, their own interpretation. And there are, of course, many distractions and tangents.

There are cries for help, and a lot of discussion and advice. Most of us actually know only one or two of the other members in ‘real life’, but that doesn’t prevent conversations being carried on as though a coffee table and tea pot were all that was in the way, rather than hundreds or thousands of miles.

And there is no obligation – if you feel like taking part, you take part. If life gets in the way, or there is no inspiration, then so be it. You still get to watch what everyone else is up to.

The variety of work which has been produced in these last 3 months, and shared via photographs through the various stages to completion is, frankly, staggering. So many beautiful, beautiful creations.

It really is a lovely way to get together, when leaving the house or joining a physical group isn’t necessarily practical. And there is plenty of inspiration to try new things.

Lately, though, there seems to have been a bit of a crochet obsession developing amongst the ladies… I could devote an entire post and several hundred photos to this subject, but here are just a couple:

I hope you all find your own way to connect with a crafty community (or more than one!) and that you find as much support, encouragement and humour as the Sirens have!

* All photos reproduced by permission of the owners.

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Inspiration: Trevarno Gardens

on March 19, 2012

On Mother’s Day this weekend I had a wonderful trip to Trevarno Gardens near Helston with my family. It really is a beautiful place to visit; you could easily spend the entire day wandering around the various glades, fields, ponds, museums – gardening, soap or toys, take your pick. Oh, and not forgetting the divine cafe.

The first path (after hiding under a tree from a typical Cornish shower) took us to the National Daffodil Collection. It was stunning – who knew there were so many varieties? More on this in another post though. After our meander through the 2,800 types of daffodils we greeted the reindeer; there can’t be many herds of reindeer in Cornwall, and the dogs weren’t best pleased, but they are lovely. And apparently the first reindeer born in the UK was born here.

A quick look at the old railway carriages which make up part of the Helston Railway Preservation Society, a group dedicated to opening the old Helston branch line as a heritage railway, and we headed back to the main house and it’s cafe for lunch. With the peacocks. Again, not-so-happy dogs!

We spent the rest of the afternoon with the delights of the boat house, the lake, the grotto, the camellias, beautiful tall trees and giggling children.

Trevarno has herbal workshops; they make fabulous soaps. There are bees. A yew tunnel. A Victorian boathouse. My children even took part in an opera here a few years ago, on one lovely summer’s evening. It is also possible that the gardens will close sometime soon; it was likely to happen before Christmas, but there’s been a reprieve.

So if you are in Cornwall, or heading this way, I’d recommend a trip to Trevarno; but make it quick, just in case!

Delicious desserts for dairy dislikers!

on July 22, 2011

This may not be directly jewellery related, but in terms of inspiration, you can’t beat dessert! In our house we try to avoid dairy and wheat as much as possible; recently I made both of these recipes, and they went down incredibly well.

BUCKWHEAT PANCAKES
225g buckwheat flour
1tbsp baking powder
pinch salt
2 eggs
3 tbsp sunflower oil
300ml oat milk

Whizz it all up, heat the frying pan then drop the mixture in – when the top goes bubbly turn it over, only takes a couple of minutes. I just made them drop scone sized – delicious with maple syrup!

rice pudding

COCONUT RICE PUDDING
65g pudding rice
400ml coconut milk
200ml water
1 large tablespoon golden syrup
freshly grated nutmeg

Mix it all up, cover and cook at 150 C for 1 1/2 – 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve it up with fresh berries.

So simple, so delicious – so enjoy!

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Potential inspiration…

on June 7, 2011

I’m loving lots of things at the moment – school holidays (sadly now over), sunshine, morning swims in the chilly ocean, cygnets on the lake, Doctor Who, Pirates of the Caribbean, mad dogs, shouty cats and trips to National Trust properties. In an attempt to get myself ‘writing’ more frequently I thought I’d post a couple of photos from last week which I hope will become inspirational in the making department soon….

My swimming pool!