I was on my way to pick up my daughter form the train station on Sunday when I passed this ice cream cone at the side of the road.  This is a B road, so smallish country lane, its about 1 mile from my house.

So the next thing I saw was the ice cream van.  It had been hot so I thought maybe I was seeing things.  I picked up my daughter and drove back past it and it was still there!  We got out and had a look.  It is being run by a farmer who is diversifying.  He is selling ice cream at weekends and he is also starting course fishing.  He found a natural spring on his land and he got permission to dig a pond and has filled it with carp.  The best bit is that the ice cream is my favourite!  It's Walling's ice cream from Cockerham so I think I know what I will be up to at weekends ..... and I am going to try the fishing as well.

I have an order for my Fickle necklace.  Someone bought the earrings and gave it to a friend for her birthday and now she wants the necklace.



Slow day at work today.  Tomorrow the Antiques Road Trip is visiting the shop and filming old jewellery so something different to look forward to.

This is the dog that is running rings around us.  She is so spoilt, behaves like a child and is very demanding.  I am quite shocked at how she behaves and demands attention.  Everyone is the house including the kids cannot wait for her to go back home!  These are the kids that have nagged me for years to get a dog - this has changed their minds - not that all dogs are like this but they now realise the attention and care that they need ..........



I have finally managed to get my act together with making some jewellery.  I have done most of the pieces, just need to get some finishing off done and then I am waiting for somefinding to come in the post so next week I should be able to post some images.  I will be selling jewellery at Art in the Pen again this year in August so hopefully these pieces will be liked there.

Head explosion .............

Its been a busy week mainly because I went to London for a couple of days with my eldest daughter to look at universities.  We managed 3 in 2 days, one was an official open and the other 2 we were taken round for a look which was great and means hopefully I don't have to make another trip.  We had a great time, it was hot and we stayed with friends so I caught up with them as well ......... visited Ravensbourne, Bucks New Uni and Westminster.

Choosing universities is going to be hard.  She wants to do Film Production, its been a passion of hers for a few years now.  She could actually go after her AS levels as you don't really need high grades to get in which is a bit of a shame as she is a high achiever, A's and A*'s for her GCSE's and predicted A's so far for her A levels.  Not that it matters but it is nice to be with like minded people and so far Bucks seems to be the one.  Still have to look at York St John's, Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and Leeds Met so you things might change.

So then you get back home and have to catch up with things because nobody has bothered to help out!  I have had some new designs bubbling away for a while and I have now decided to get on with them so I have been busy ordering things so that I can start in the next week or so.

I still have some recycled jewellery to work with, that hasn't progressed but I think it will now that I am getting on with other pieces.

Images will be posted when appropriate.

The dog has been here for a week, it has put everyone  off having now thank goodness.  This dog is so spoilt and very demanding, I cannot believe my parents have made her like that, they must spend all day pandering to her needs!  She will be glad to get back home as we have just ignored her and got on with our lives, she has just had to fit in with us which I think is a new experience for her!

Dog and cat ...........

We might be dog sitting next week for my parents dog whilst they are away for 10 days.  My sister normally does it but she is also away so he asked us to do it. 

It seemed like a good idea and hopefully it will be fine but I forgot about our cat!
She is 16 years old and has had the house to herself, no other pets for all that time.
The dog is a Patterdale terrier, about 1 year old, a bit yappy. 
It will be interesting ...........


I am mulling over making some Vintage jewellery.  By that I mean using second hand jewellery and hopefully upcycling it by adding texture or setting stones in it ..... not sure yet if this is a good idea.  I will have to research it a bit more.

Secret Saturdays

I now have to work Saturdays at the jeweller's shop which I love doing.  This is mainly because I leave a list of jobs that need doing at home and when I get back most of them are done!  I think they do them because otherwise they would feel guilty as I am out all day working.

I have started running again after a 2 week break but it hasn't made any difference, I still feel like I am plodding and get slower.. I am not sure what it is, I could do with talking to an expert but in the meantime I will persevere as it chills me out and gives me thinking space.  Saw a hot air balloon on my run this morning about 7am, beautiful sunshine and clear skies, I bet they had a great time.

My plants are doing good, I need more so a trip to the garden centre is in order next week.  Will take some more (yawn) images to bore everyone with.

I have a couple of pieces of jewellery this week and added some stones, when I get my camera back from my daughter I will post the images.

Off to work, list completed .....................

I have been working a lot at the shop over the last week doing extra days for someone else so I really feel I haven't had time to get on with my creative side.  I really feel the need to go out and do something so I am planning my day off tomorrow carefully.  It could all change of course as it is half term but I will make a plan anyway.

1. a run or walk first thing in the morning.
2. a film or gallery visit would be great but probably not possible tomorrow.
3. time and space to jot down some new ideas.
4. people watch from a pavement cafe whilst I drink a latte.

(go  visit a friend, shop for necessities ie. food, etc, if I have time).

We are getting some Alfaberge jewellery in the shop which I am quite excited about.  It is not something I would wear but I can see its potential, I am sure it would sell well in the area where we are.  I am trying to plan a display to catch people's eye as they are passing the shop window, and I keep thinking of vodka and Russian dolls!  Might have to work on that.

This is one of my favourite rings, one of my first rings that I made which I am still selling now.  I redid the image for my website as I was asked to make one recently for a birthday present.  I have a few new ideas for rings which I need to work on, hopefully tomorrow!