SLC Designs Journal
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1st October 2008
I'm working on a new collection and have been making Swarovski beaded beads recently....I'm also in a new creativity surge and I want to make some felted beads...been watching everything I could find to just get to grips with it and now I am waiting for some supplies (felting wool) which is coming from New Zealand, so I will just have to cool it for a while until that arrives. Its been lovely to see some sunshine recently, but yesterday it rained so hard it was like an episode of 'Trawlermen' at the stableyard (without the boats and fish, obviously...) and I am seriously thinking of getting my thermal underwear out of storage - aaargh!! Still not decided whether I am going to run away somewhere hot for a while, but I do have news on my Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment....I am so so well!!! (And its been at least 18 months since I could last claim that!) So....the hospital and I have agreed that we will continue the drug trial for another two months, so officially I still don't know whether I am on a placebo or on a real drug (but if I am well, surely it must be the drug?)....anyway, that at least is god news...and the knock-on effect is that I am actually getting lots of work done - watch this space!
If you do need a smile, take a look at this wonderfully funny video on YouTube, I hope it will make you laugh as much as it did me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qit3ALTelOo&feature=related
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16th September 2008
Today loaded up new earrings, bracelets, necklaces (including children's jewellery) and vintage items.
I found this interesting lecture about the education of creative children:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html
The light-hearted and funny speaker speaks about creativity in children's education and argues that creative education is not valued.
When I went to school I was chanelled into academic pursuits "because that was how I was going to be of value to society" and I followed those avenues and worked in areas where my creativity was never used - I wasn't particularly happy, but it was the way it was. In different circumstances, I might have decided to go into costume design or start jewellery design earlier. I believe children who have creative aptitudes can be overlooked by the education system to the extent that their talent is wasted....how sad. I always knew I wanted my own creative business; I passionately hold the view that everyone is creative.
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13th September 2008
Merlin is described as a 'spoiled brat' by my stable yard owner (thanks Trev!) but is so loved that he is hand-fed fresh strawberries on a regular basis. Telling someone their horse is a spoiled brat is a bit like telling someone that their child is a wild beast. Still, I can see why someone might get that impression. I don't know if feeding a horse strawberries can be counted as spoiling when Emma feeds her horses After Eight Mints.
I seriously am thinking of running away and joining a circus. Why am I thinking of running away? Mostly, the weather. You know, its September and it was pointed out to me that the stableyard tree's leaves are turning red again. As I finished at the stableyard this evening, there was the most beautiful sunset - pink-peach-orange. However, it wasn't the tree or the sunset that made me want to run away, no, it was that I realised during the year I have not once yet thought "oh no, its just so hot that I want it to rain/snow/or crawl into the fridge." And because its September its unlikely that I AM going to have that thought this year. Despite global warming, I really feel like jumping on the first plane and going somewhere overheated. I am working on convincing myself that I love living in wellies and sloshing around in the mud, which is what I have been doing all year. Good thing I love it THAT much then, huh? Anyway, the black and white horse may or may not be an asset at the circus.
I have been working on new jewellery. Tonight I was due to load it up on the website, however...the main reason I am feeling 'woe, woe is me...' is....that Mark was doing the tech work whilst I did something else. We had passed files from and to and back and forth. And now, because I (note, it was definitely MY fault!) passed the wrong file over, all the work has been lost. So he wants to run away too now. I guess there are few things worse than having to do the same work twice over....
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8th September 2008
A wild few weeks of work have passed by, working on lots of commissions and also sourcing new stock. I went to a fabulous trade show where as a bonus I managed to get some summer, and picked up some fab stones and metals...I am also still working on my new stock for the new tiara site.
Below is a beautiful poem by E.E. Cummings - it reminds me what love is. Give it to the person whose heart you love.
I carry your heart
I carry your heart
with me (I carry it in my heart)
I am never without it
(anywhere I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing,
my darling)
I fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)
I want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will
always sing is you
Here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky
of a tree called life; which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can
hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
I carry your heart
(I carry it in my heart)
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27th August 2008
Phew - nearly a whole month gone by - where does the time go? Hasn't it been lovely to see sunshine the past week?
I am working on a new range Tiaras and Garters, up to my ears in ribbon and lace, which is lots of fun. I have some fresh vintage items and a new earring selection to go on the site soon -its worth mentioning that I am now offering various options for non-pierced earrings.
My treatment for my RA is progressing slowly...now coming up to the 4th infusion of the mystery drug; next month I find out whether I am on a placebo or not and I can make decisions whether I continue or change meds.
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4th August 2008
New section, 'Clearance' added to the site; ends of collections and stuff I want to clear for new are in this section- hope you;ll find something youl want!
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2nd August 2008
Loaded up fresh vintage items and expanded the section.
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27th July 2008
Ind I have a zillion excuses and lots seems to have happened since March since I last wrote - its been busy, I am working on new jewellery and tiara collections. Attended some business-related courses and have seen progress with my health - am on a drug trial drug, but may be on a placebo - overall I have been better, which has given me space to network with other small business owners.
Merlin is fine - he's enjoying the warm weather, today I gave him a cold bath and he appreciated that a lot.
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21st March 2008
My birthday - my parents and brothers commissioned a painting by the artist Shano in the USA of Merlin and I as an extra special present and I love it! Its hanging on the turquoise wall in my studio so I can see it all the time. Shano was brilliant to work with (http://www.shano-studio.com); her style is so quirky and gorgeous....this was such a fab present and I will treasure it always.
My birthday painting by Shano - love it!
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16th March 2008
Loaded up new bracelets, earrings, necklaces and vintage items.
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14th March 2008
How time flies. I have lots of work to go on the site AND a revision of the antique and vintage section...but all in due course, its still a work in progress...... just to give you an idea of what is coming, I have new pieces on silk, lots of earrings, necklaces and an armful of bracelets....
Style is the hallmark of a temperament stamped on the material in hand ( Maurois)
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16th February 2008
Loaded up new earrings, bracelets, necklaces and a set. Been doing 'behind the scenes' site work. The precious metals market has gone through the roof in the last 12 months or so and I've held prices until now as I was working with existing stocks of metals. Because of the huge increases in the market and now having restocked my metals, I am having to reflect it in the stock on the site...lets blame the American housing crisis...
When I work, I have no concept of time.
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11th February 2008
How lovely to see spring sushine and flowers. I'm tidying the studio, clearing out old clutter and generally putting life and work in order.
Yesterday I went to see a demonstration by a Monty Roberts also known as 'The Horse Whisperer' whom I have long admired, with my god-children Natasha and Nicole as well as their mum, my friend Adele. Mr. Roberts is 73; he trains horses (or maybe he trains humans) to understand each other by speaking the same language. His background was a tough one, born into a cycle of violence which he has turned right around - he has made a huge difference to many people and horses all over the world - understanding from the horses' perspective. To come to that understanding, we need to be prepared to listen.
So in-between the work in the studio, and the cleaning and the change of the season, I am trying to make time to do other things like writing, photography and the painting I have wanted to do for ages, but felt guilty about because I should be "working". I hope that these new things will take my work in new directions... it's not called 'Spring Cleaning' for nothing.
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3rd February 2008
Today I loaded up new bracelets, earrings, necklaces and a set - did the technical work myself (so all mistakes are down to me). It took me several nights to carry out the work that Mark does so effieciently and I kept asking stupid questions but in the end I managed it.
January whizzed by - I was busy creating, and learning how to do the tech bits of the website which has been both frustrating, educating and enlightening.
January was a wet and windy month for the horse - his field at the stables flooded so he had to stay in every other day and I had to find ways to amuse him with.I found he likes malt bread and he is hilarious when it sticks to the roof of his mouth. I like to watch in the field him on the days he IS able to go out, how happy he is to be out of confinement . Yesterday - SNOW - well, we woke up to a light dusting . Even better than snow are the emerging snowdrops in the garden.
Merlin wonders if he can eat it.....
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12th January 2008
Happy New Year! Today loaded up new bracelets, earrings and necklaces - AND I did a lot of the tech work myself - its incredibly complicated trying to get to grips with codes and photo sizes and I am having to write myself an idiot's guide how to (being the idiot concerned.
Below is the jewellery I gave Mum for Christmas and Birthday (her birthday is the 1st of January) - in the first, the focal piece is an enamelled sterling plaque set with a large freshwater pearl cabochon and Amethyst cabochons, with wired faceted Peridot and Amethyst briolettes - the strung portion of the necklace is made from tiny Amethyst briolettes and faceted Iolite rondelles with Swarovski crystal - this took about 14 hours to make as the tiny Amethyst and Iolite beads were difficult to string.
Mum's Birthday Present
Below is Mum's Christmas present - sterling crocheted brown-black freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystal - in the spirit of recycling, this previously was a necklace I'd made for her strung with using silk which had stretched over time (because she had worn it so much) - so there you go, you CAN give a present twice over and get away with it....
My Mum's Christmas Present
Over Christmas/New Year I made the necklace below ....unfortunately, I dropped the darn thing on the studio carpet and the tail on the horse broke (though I glued it back on)...and now, I am just going to have to keep it myself!!
Click Image for Detail View
All Content, Design, Text and Photographs Copyright Stephanie Lewis-Cooper, SLC Designs™, 2002-2008
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