It's funny when I look back to when I was at high school and I had to decide what I'd most like to do with my life (My original plan was to move to Italy and then on to Sicily where I'd found a Volcanic island that I wanted to live on and go diving everyday) well, that plan began and ended in Rome...I changed my mind, because of a very inspiring British friend I met there. 

I always thought my passions were drawing, photography and making. I loved going to London when I was little and seeing all the amazing shop windows, I went there a lot as a small child (or maybe it just seemed like I did?).

I love my job because I get to do ALL the things I wanted to do (and other things I didn't know I wanted to do, like website design and social media that didn't exist back then). I sort of created my own job and it's just as well, because when I left college I really couldn't find the thing I wanted to do and felt sort of lost and bored of my then office job in a corporate world which I quit and was in a lot of dept. Working for another company wasn't for me...thankfully I found a likeminded person and we joined forces.

Anyways, now I get to have fun and call it work.

So it is Christmas soon and the shop in Yarmouth is looking sort of wintery with these swans I made.

It's just a bit of fun really, but it sort of satisfies my childhood dreams.

A tremendous thank you! to all of our customers who've made the trip down to our Isle of Wight shop  to order their wedding rings. You crossed actual sea to visit us and that means so much.

Happy Christmas! RU.ST x

WWW.RUSTJEWELLERY.COM

It just struck me how easy it would be to make some leaves out of paper (I do have more important things on my mind, but y'know...its sort of escapism), so I ordered some materials (via Amazon) and spent a free afternoon getting busy with a pair of scissors.

I think these would look great for xmas decorations or table centre piece (which is what I intended to use them for) and also nice for Autumn too. Why not have a go too!...

I got hold of this fine white wire that I think is from a cake decorating supplier, also get some extra fast drying glue, I used Bostik All purpose glue. I folded some standard computer printer paper in half and cut out some rough leaf shaped. Poke the wire down into the glue nozzle and then stick it on the fold line and let it dry. I made big leaves and little leaves for variation.

Once they were all dry, I simply twisted them together to make a garland, but it could also form a wreath too.

I didn't stop there! I thought about making a metal version too, so I found some pure copper sheet (about 0.1mm thick) which you can cut with strong scissors, and also some 0.6mm copper wire. Both found on amazon but you could find it at a model shop if you have one local.

 

I basically did exactly the same at the paper ones except I scored the leaves with closed scissors to make veins. *Be careful as the leaves are super sharp once cut out.

 

So I have some early xmas decorations! Actually I might use these for our shop display as xmas starts straight after halloween, I kid you not.

If you'd like to see and read more about making cheap but effective decorations, there is a nice little article about me in Mindful Christmas magazine at the moment. You can also catch up on past xmasses on the tabs at the top of this website too!

You can buy Mindful Christmas online here

So it was happy birthday to our little big girl a week ago, and we had a small party for her last weekend with a few of her friends. As usual I was on cake baking duties which I feel an overwhelming sense of pressure. I have never made a cake that she has been happy with so I just made what I would want instead.

We were blessed with the warmest october day that my memory call recall, so it helped to make the alcohol go down well whilst the kids whizzed around the house in full party mode.

Before all this shenanigans happened, I had a bit of peace and quite to open a little parcel that was sent to me by the lovely Zoe Hooley, whom I follow over on Instagram. I have long been an admirer of her beautiful photography and inspiring life. Do check out her account when you have a moment.

But just look at these amazing things she sent me! It was like my birthday...

As well as these she wrote the most lovely letter, a good old fashioned connection that I have not received in many years. It had me tears it was so kind and thoughtful. Thank you so much Zoe! xxxx