Winter celebrations 2025!
27 December 2025
The run up to xmas is always a bit hectic with jewellery orders, which came later this year for some reason, meaning very tight December deadlines for me. I'm so pleased to have got them all completed on time. It is such a fulfilling moment when I can make a lovely xmas for my children so they are not missing out just because I'm a single parent (always a worry I have).
We bought our tree at the end of November, this year we got a little tree in a pot which even came with a small birds nest in! These days I just let the kids do the tree and I do the rest of our flat. My son and I made a brass garland with stars and he did the moon.
Our tiny tree sapling from a few years ago is still alive!
It is a bit tight without a separate dinning room. We always have Xmas dinner in the evening (family tradition) so that we can have candlelit dinner. So for lunch I just put some snacks out. I used this little victorian wash stand (that used to be my daughters desk) which is handy because you can put plates and cutlery in the draw! My mum came over for xmas day this year.
I love that our dog has her own stocking and presents and really joins in the whole fun. We all laugh and spend a few minutes to give her belly rub and help her open her gifts.
Remote controlled concentration.
I have had these vintage star baking tins for years as they perfectly hold a tealight.
It has been a great year, a sense of stability with regards to my business, Only Through Shadows, which is 5 years old now! Considering all the obstacles this year for the jewellery trade, I'm so proud that I have managed to keep going and keep making. I can't wait to make new things, so many ideas always whizzing around in my head! I have also been keeping quite fit by walking my dog so much. I would never find the motivation without her, she's the best! So enthusiastic for life (and cheese)
P and L are doing well too, its a funny age gap now, as my daughter is now a teen and my son still at Primary school, so they are not as close as the used to be in some ways. Sometimes I think you just have to accept the ebb and flow of children growing up, changing one minute and then reverting back the next minute. I now just trust the process. At least at xmas they are both like little kids again which is lovely.
As for me, I am just happy to be growing old, grateful for that privilege. Next year I will be 48!
I'm sure I will be back here with a similar blog post...
Best wishes to you all for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Thank you for visiting my blog, love from us...Artemis, P, L and Otterdog xxxx
Summer 2025!
19 August 2025
Although summer is only half way through, I probably wont get an opportunity to upload a post again as I'm a bit busy these days...I took these photos when I had remembered to take my big camera, so they're only a snippet of summery life with these crazy pups. I say pups but they're actually quite big now, with the eldest almost a teen. They all seem to get along most of the time, but when we don't, its a big showdown. I bet you all know what I mean.
We managed a few weeks of camping and beaching around the island relatively unscathed. Only the second time camping for our furry pup, Otterdog...
The weather was a bit hit and miss, we even had late night thundery down poor and midnight snack run up to the big tesco. We stayed in a forest which was a nice change.
the 'squirrel hide'
not sure what was happening here.
This is Bembridge beach where I used to go a lot when I was little. This new area is called The Point which is a really lovely spot with a bar at night and a sauna too.
A bit of a chilly day but so much space even in the school hols!
We also went to Priory Bay which is another nice sandy beach...
We stopped at Ventnor for a few days, my old hometown.
...and the carnival and fireworks (our dog barked ferociously so I missed most of them).
So I have a little bit of time to myself for a week now, and I'm trying to squeeze in as much work as I can, it's a lot of plate spinning!
I will be having a small discount for my jewellery soon, (watch my instagram page for updates). This is to celebrate FIVE whole years of Only Through Shadows!! which I am extremely proud of.
It has not been a good time to be in the fine jewellery trade lately, so I'm amazed I have managed to pay the bills and keep life going for us four. It is stressful, but I'm so lucky to have time to be with the kids and do something I love for a job. It has been a dream and I'll keep working hard for many years to come!
I hope you are all having a lovely summer holiday wherever you are in the world.
p.s looking back at the photos now, I'm wondering if P ever did wash that Snoopy tshirt she's been wearing the whole time?
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