A few cool things have happened lately.

The first being the discovery of Reconstituted Turquoise. It is real Turquoise that has been bonded together. It makes it stronger than naturally formed Turquoise and no longer cost prohibitive! The Nepalese Turquoise roundel in the above pic costs almost the same as the large piece.

The second thing is my inability to keep the shop Captain oh Captain fully stocked. How is this good I hear you scoff? Well…people keep buying pieces the day I list them! This does wonders for my general well being.

The third was the lovely weekend away we just had. There is something to be said for getting away from the phone, cleaning, washing, gardening and weekend child entertaining. (Please note the absense of laptop in the previous sentence. Not only were there enough Macs for 75% of the adults but wireless love as well).

Technorati Tags: turquoise, vintage, necklace

An easy and scrummy recipe that is suitable for both vegan and lacto-vegetarian beings.

It is also very low in fat, has no added salt and fantastic for children out there who only eat white food (really).

However, you can add the naughty things like cream, milk and salt if your conscience can handle it.

Check out the recipe here.

Technorati Tags: recipe, potato, leek, soup, winter, veges, easy, vegan, vegetarian, lacto

Long gone are the days where you had to wear only gold, or only silver.

Having more than one metal in a piece of jewellery gives it more dimension and more interest. An important prerequisite for those who don’t like to conform.

Even pieces like this one that has three different coloured metals, as well as unusual textures, works really well.

Technorati Tags: necklace, vintage, jewelry, jewellery, etsy, shop captain

So it’s taken me a while (not uncommon) to figure out that to get these great moody shots of my work I need a filter.

You see, my camera is not in fact mine.

It should be. I love it more.

However, it is shared borrowed. Which means that settings change, ISO change and now I realise that the filter also changes.

A short time ago I was wondering why some shots weren’t as good as I like them. Then, while taking photos today at the Joseph Ashton’s Circus I noticed a filter on the camera. Crap for taking shots inside a Big Top. Great for products shots.

Technorati Tags: jewelry, jewellery, photos, photographic, hints, vintage, necklace

‘Captain’s Plate’

On a recent Vintage treasure hunt I came across these stunning 1960’s stampings.

I just about wet myself! Then I took a deep breathe and acted natural and aloof to get a good price.

I only have to look at them sideways on my desk and I get flashes of designs and possibilities.

I cleaned them (after all - 45 years of yuk aint all that great), but I left the natural patina that can only be created by time. Which means that they have this other quality to them and each one is different, yet the same.

This piece is teamed with the last of this particular vintage Rhinestones and a really long chain.

(I love how the stamping looks like the side detail has been worn off, except they are all like this and means there was a fault with either the stamp or machine. Or perhaps the person doing it was just having a bad day).

Technorati Tags: necklace, long, shop, 60’s, 1960s, stamping, vintage, rhinestone

Easy, quick, guaranteed to work every time, pikelets.

This recipe was lovingly offer-ed and received many years ago.

Apart from this being so easy, my kids will eat all of them and beg for more.

And if you’re not sure how to eat them…

• on their own
• with fresh lemon juice
• with lemon juice and sprinkled sugar
• with butter or margarine
• with jam
• perfect in lunch boxes

or my favorite…

• with a drizzle of maple syrup

Get your recipe here.

Technorati Tags: recipe, pikelet, pikelets, easy, photo

Have you ever wanted a top made from Swarovski Crystals?

Well now I do!

I found this amazing top after looking up descriptions of Swarovski Crystal Pearls (used in the above necklace).

It will only set you back AU$12,700.00

I wonder if it is lined.

Technorati Tags: swarovski, crystal, top, pearl, shop, necklace, jewelry 

‘Captain’s Ruby’

Dangle earrings are the flavour this week after I made these.

Inspired to make more I used the last of my Vintage Rhinestone chain to make a pair (currently hanging from my ears - hence no photo). I managed to find a supplier of the chain (hard to get) and have considered rugby tackling the postman as he gets around the corner to see if they have arrived.

I also picked up two stunning black powder coated birds today which are going to make their way onto a necklace.

Captain’s Ruby features 14k Gold filled chain and my favourite genuine Pearls.

Technorati Tags: etsy, vintage, earrings

Wench’s Oceanic 

I’m in love. Again. I know. It happens ALL the time with me.

One week it was pearls. Another was keys.

This time it’s 14k gold.

Yup.

Kinda an expensive love!

I have discovered 14k gold filled jewelry. It’s gorgeous. The colour is stunning and strangely it is smoother than other jewelry.

Wench’s Oceanic has a stunning 14k gold filled chain, French ear wires and jump rings (as well as vintage), and it is just beautiful.

Technorati Tags: gold, earrings, 14k, shop

This is one of those necklaces that you can just stare at for hours. The Rose Quartz alone is at least three!

(And if you’re wondering where the Granola is? I burnt it. So I have to make another lot before I take any photos. And I can’t do that until the kids eat the 1kg that I burnt).

Technorati Tags: necklace, vintage, rose, quartz