There are some very good reasons to keep up with Holly's Friends Country Crafts in all its formats, and one of the most important is that there is about to be a special offer on Facebook. Come along and 'like' the page www.facebook.com/hollysfriendscountrycrafts, and keep up to date with regular updates of new pieces available, shows and events that I'm attending, and of course those exclusive special offers!!
Here's where you can find me:
www.hollysfriends.co.uk
www.facebook.com/hollysfriendscountrycrafts
and of course here www.hollysfriends.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you for being one of Holly's Friends :-)
Lots of love
Rebecca xx
Tuesday 28 August 2012
Thursday 23 August 2012
September Birthstone Jewellery - Sapphire
Sapphire is one of the three gemstones traditionally classified as 'Precious', alongside Diamond and Ruby. In fact, Sapphire and Ruby are the same material, Corundum, but Ruby is always red, whereas Sapphire spans a wide colour range from reddish orange through to purple, depending on the other elements it contains. Clear or 'white' Sapphires are nearly always synthetic, or 'created' in a lab.
The most popular colour is blue, and some of the worlds largest and most famous Sapphires are also blue. The St Edward's Sapphire is set into the cross at the top of the Imperial Crown (pictured right), part of the Crown Jewels of England. The Star of India is the largest blue Sapphire at 536 carats, and was donated to the American Museum of Natural History...it was stolen in 1964 by infamous jewellery thief (surfer, artist, musician and various other 'occupations') Jack Murphy (Murph the Surf), but recovered two months later from a foot locker in Miami.
The Black Star of Queensland is 733 carats, it was discovered by a 14 year old boy in 1935, and used as a doorstop until 1948!!
Sapphires are mined in Thailand, Sri-Lanka, Burma, India, Australia, America, Tanzania, Cambodia and Madagascar, though Burma and Kashmir are now producing very little material.
Most Sapphires are heat treated to improve the colour. Stones are subjected to temperatures between 1700 and 1800 degrees Celsius for several hours. Beryllium can also be added during heating to reduce the blue tones in yellowish stones, making them appear a more brilliant yellow-orange.
As well as being September's birthstone, Sapphires have long been believed to symbolise truth, sincerity and faithfulness in relationships, and bring peace, joy and wisdom to the owner and wearer.
To see my range of Sapphire and 925 Sterling Silver jewellery, please click the link below:
http://hollysfriends.co.uk/products/jewellery/birthstones/
The most popular colour is blue, and some of the worlds largest and most famous Sapphires are also blue. The St Edward's Sapphire is set into the cross at the top of the Imperial Crown (pictured right), part of the Crown Jewels of England. The Star of India is the largest blue Sapphire at 536 carats, and was donated to the American Museum of Natural History...it was stolen in 1964 by infamous jewellery thief (surfer, artist, musician and various other 'occupations') Jack Murphy (Murph the Surf), but recovered two months later from a foot locker in Miami.The Black Star of Queensland is 733 carats, it was discovered by a 14 year old boy in 1935, and used as a doorstop until 1948!!
Sapphires are mined in Thailand, Sri-Lanka, Burma, India, Australia, America, Tanzania, Cambodia and Madagascar, though Burma and Kashmir are now producing very little material.
Most Sapphires are heat treated to improve the colour. Stones are subjected to temperatures between 1700 and 1800 degrees Celsius for several hours. Beryllium can also be added during heating to reduce the blue tones in yellowish stones, making them appear a more brilliant yellow-orange.
As well as being September's birthstone, Sapphires have long been believed to symbolise truth, sincerity and faithfulness in relationships, and bring peace, joy and wisdom to the owner and wearer.To see my range of Sapphire and 925 Sterling Silver jewellery, please click the link below:
http://hollysfriends.co.uk/products/jewellery/birthstones/
Wednesday 22 August 2012
Shamballa Style hits Holly's Friends Country Crafts
Shamballa bracelets are so much fun!
The word Shamballa comes from Buddhist philosophy, and is the name of a mythical land of enlightenment, peace and harmony (shame it's only mythical!). They were popular with followers of Buddhism, and also Yoga and meditation practitioners, but quickly found their way into the world of mainstream fashion.
I loved the look, but when I saw the price of them on the High Street and internet, I thought 'No, I don't think so'.
I then found a source of brilliant resin Shamballa style beads, which are encrusted with glittery crystals. They are in a gorgeous range of colours, from elegant classics to zesty brights. Making the bracelets is so much fun, and the sliding 'clasp' knot makes them incredibly easy to put on and take off by yourself.
I like to mix in some other gemstones with the resin beads. All the bracelets have at least two genuine Hematite rounds, which form part of the fastening. Some include Shell Pearl, and some have genuine Howlite stars.
The threading material I've used is a lovely soft, supple nylon cord. There are no metal parts at all, and as they are 'one size fits all' they are the perfect gift, as you have no size or allergy issues to worry about.
The style is so simple and easy, it looks fab worn with anything from cool casuals to sharp business suits.
To get the full Shamballa experience, I have also created a range of Shamballa earrings which coorinate perfectly with the bracelets.
To view the range, follow this link:
http://hollysfriends.co.uk/products/jewellery/shamballa/
The word Shamballa comes from Buddhist philosophy, and is the name of a mythical land of enlightenment, peace and harmony (shame it's only mythical!). They were popular with followers of Buddhism, and also Yoga and meditation practitioners, but quickly found their way into the world of mainstream fashion.
I loved the look, but when I saw the price of them on the High Street and internet, I thought 'No, I don't think so'.
I then found a source of brilliant resin Shamballa style beads, which are encrusted with glittery crystals. They are in a gorgeous range of colours, from elegant classics to zesty brights. Making the bracelets is so much fun, and the sliding 'clasp' knot makes them incredibly easy to put on and take off by yourself.
I like to mix in some other gemstones with the resin beads. All the bracelets have at least two genuine Hematite rounds, which form part of the fastening. Some include Shell Pearl, and some have genuine Howlite stars.The threading material I've used is a lovely soft, supple nylon cord. There are no metal parts at all, and as they are 'one size fits all' they are the perfect gift, as you have no size or allergy issues to worry about.
The style is so simple and easy, it looks fab worn with anything from cool casuals to sharp business suits.To get the full Shamballa experience, I have also created a range of Shamballa earrings which coorinate perfectly with the bracelets.
To view the range, follow this link:
http://hollysfriends.co.uk/products/jewellery/shamballa/
Tuesday 21 August 2012
August Birthstone Jewellery - Peridot
Apologies, I'm a bit late with the August Birthstone jewellery update on here, but there is still time to purchase gifts for the latter part of the month.
August's Birthstone is Peridot. Peridot is quite unusual in that it occurs in only one colour, green, ranging from yellowish green, to olive. The intensity of colour depends upon the level of iron it contains, and man has found no way of improving it's colour unlike many other gemstones. It comes from the Olivine group of gems, which are quite common in volcanic material and interestingly, meteorites. Having said that, gem quality Peridot is actually very rare.
The oldest deposit, mined for 3500 years is on the volcanic island of Zabargad, in the Red Sea off Egypt, and legend has it that Peridot was a favourite gemstone of Cleopatra, though she may have thought they were Emeralds at the time. Napoleon Bonaparte also gave Josaphine Peridots to express his undying love and admiration for her, but obviously this was before he had their marriage annulled!!
Find Periot combined with Peridot Jasper and other gemstones here:
http://hollysfriends.co.uk/products/jewellery/birthstones/
August's Birthstone is Peridot. Peridot is quite unusual in that it occurs in only one colour, green, ranging from yellowish green, to olive. The intensity of colour depends upon the level of iron it contains, and man has found no way of improving it's colour unlike many other gemstones. It comes from the Olivine group of gems, which are quite common in volcanic material and interestingly, meteorites. Having said that, gem quality Peridot is actually very rare.
The oldest deposit, mined for 3500 years is on the volcanic island of Zabargad, in the Red Sea off Egypt, and legend has it that Peridot was a favourite gemstone of Cleopatra, though she may have thought they were Emeralds at the time. Napoleon Bonaparte also gave Josaphine Peridots to express his undying love and admiration for her, but obviously this was before he had their marriage annulled!!
Find Periot combined with Peridot Jasper and other gemstones here:
http://hollysfriends.co.uk/products/jewellery/birthstones/
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