Tenting all the way

Preparations for tente are well under way! Unfortunetely I have to do a lot of 'mass production' with the pieces that have done well in the past, when all I really want to make are beautiful-once-off-time-consuming pieces : ) dreamy jewellery that is not at all practical for a market like tente.

Whilst working on pieces, I have been reminiscing about my first Kamers vol Geskenke market at Lourensford in Somerset West. What a treat! It was right in the middle of crunch time at the end of my final year of studies. Stress levels were high and deadlines for our final exhibitions were approaching. What to do in times of academic trouble?.... Take a whole day off (which you really cant afford), grab a friend from class (...to not feel guilty all by yourself), spend your entire allowance on very beautiful and super unpractical art shoes, eat flaky chocolate pastries from the little pastry shop stall from Stellenbosch, buy a bunch of miniture (overpriced) antique roses from a rose stall, take silly pictures at the photo booth and get completely drenched in the last rainstorm for the winter season.

What a treat!

Tente vol Persente

And so the mass production begins! Many of you may know about 'kamers vol geskenke' in South Africa, well in Namibia we have remixed it slightly... We have 'tente vol persente'.

This market takes place over 3 days in October. Food, clothing and decor! Mark the dates! 3 - 5 October. I am very excited as this will be my first 'tente', and my 'mama' is comming to help. I have my very own assistant sales lady : )

In exactly two months from today, I hope to have boxes filled with lots and lots of jewellery wrapped in white tissue paper ready for show!

Monthly

Goodness me! It has been almost a month since my last post. At this stage my blog feels like a monthly newsletter rather than a daily splash of pretty! I must work on that! Im in big trouble with my sister. She checks up on me all the time. So Imke, this one is for you : )

I wont give you all a long list of why I haven't been as active as usual on the blog, but I hope these pictures will give you an idea of some of the things that have kept me busy these past weeks.

Silver bangles. I love this quote: To love abundantly, is to live abundantly. To love forever is to live forever.

Smokey topaz ring. Silver and yellow gold.

Gold bangles.

Silver bangles for my dear 'tante Connie'.

A new wedding ring after 28 years.

Sneak peak for the show in October.

William en Mieke

Baie geluk aan William en Mieke!

Two of our friends got engaged this past saturday. I have only known them for about 3 years, but they are the most lovely couple! And one of the perks of being a jewellery designer and meeting young couples and making friends, is having the privelige of designing their engagement ring : ).

William - dit was awesome om saam met jou te werk. Mieke - as ek kyk hoe hard William gewerk het aan al die idees vir jou ring en al die detail wat net perfek moes wees, dan kan ek net dink dat hy n ongelooflike man vir jou gaan wees!

Dit was vir my so n voorreg om Mieke se ring te maak : )

Prettiness amidst Tax

My brother and sister (middle) are travelling through europe for three weeks. Just before they left, they both complained that I hadn't put anything up on the blog in quite some time. Their argument was that I didnt seem to be all that busy which meant according to them, I could technically be joining them on their adventure...

Unfortunetely, as much as I would love to be frolicking in the fountains at villa d'Este in tivoli, or spending every last bit of pocket money on italian gelato, and gobbling up coppa ham crepes in Paris, soaking up the european summer sun.... I am still in Windhoek, trying to sort out my tax forms form the past year.

Luckily, amidst taxing times... there is always some 'prettiness' in the studio : )

Here are a few commission pieces from the past week.

Silver pearl ring for a pretty lady.

The earrings above are specially designed for a very talented fashion designer - homemaker - grandmother - mother - stylist - traveller - entrepreneur. ( intimidated much? eeek)

A ring for a special friend.

Swakopmund Exhibition

The decor:
The days before the exhibition were crammed with craziness! But I must confess, the day before is my favourite. I always take a good half hour and spend time picking the flowers I want to use as part of the displays. 'Penny gum' and 'baby's breath' are non-negotiable, but then there are always beautiful little bursts of exotic colour that I can't resist. There is a beautiful flower shop in Windhoek, and there are always these little exotic faces that have travelled from who knows where!

The guests:
I was very excited about this exhibition as it was my first time back in Swakopmund since living in Windhoek, and I was so happy to see all our friends. Such special people. Thank you for all your support!

On the business front:
My sincere apologies to all the husbands who were emailed suprise invoices the next day ; )

The venue:
A very special friend of mine offered me her home. What a privelige to have such a beautiful exhibition space! The space worked so well, and the lighting was just perfect. Bruna, jy was 'host' en 'sales lady van die jaar' - baie baie dankie!

Event co-ordinater:
My husband is the biggest help before an exhibition. He helps me with what ever needs to be done! He rolls metal in the evenings if I have a deadline, he designs my excel spreadsheets, he makes the best tea and he takes my workshop assistant for walks when I need to work. The beautiful display cupboard for my gold jewellery was built and designed by him.

Display cupboard on the right (top).

Old window frames also 're-vamped' by my husband (above).

New stock on its way : )

Last minute pretty things

It has been a while since I have had just two minutes to get to my laptop and share some new jewels with you.

These past two weeks have been so busy!

Birthday celebrations (hubby!) - eager engagement rings - prep for the swakopmund exhibition - my workshop assistant discovering the joys of my beautiful chewy pumps - tourism expo excitement ( we love slowtown!) - new website - and mastering the art of crepe suezettes ( Yum!)

Oh the joys of house - wifey - jeweller juggling!

I'm not complaining at all : ) I love my work and I love being able to be at home to do it.

So before I get started on another hyphenated - paragrah, here's what I have been up to.

These bangles are brass and have lyrics from songs punched onto the metal surface.

... Look at the starts, look how they shine for you....

...I fell in love the moment I saw you, and you smiled because you knew...

...I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart...

These were the first pair of earrings I made with this design and they were for my sister-in-law in Windhoek.  She is my self-employed marketing director ; )- Dankie Estee!

And of course always something for the little heart lovers.

done : )