A Dash of Fun and a Splash of Colour by Caprilicious

Hello folks, this is the last week before Christmas and I am exhausted with the constant eating, drinking, and gift wrapping - and I've yet to put up my Christmas tree. Hubby injured his shoulder and couldn't bring the tree up from the shed where it lives all year round. I'm not sure whether it really hurts as badly as he makes it out to be (probably not, as he gets the worst man-flu/migraine/backache in the world) but there was nothing I could do but wait for him to 'heal' - or go into the rather nasty shed full of dust and spider-webs in the cold and rain, and drag the damn thing up myself. 

This is what my porch looks like today - once I've posted this, my next task will be to get all the ornaments out of the box and dress the tree.

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As the holiday season approaches, I’ve taken the liberty of crafting a couple more Christmas gifts for my colleagues. The process, as always, was filled with creativity, and just a pinch of mischief. Let me walk you through the intentions behind these special presents.

For the Prim and Proper Lady: A Statement Necklace
Meet the lady who could give the Queen a run for her money in terms of poise and propriety. She’s the epitome of elegance, with her every move calculated and refined. So, naturally, I decided to shake things up a bit.

Enter: the statement necklace.

​This piece is a riot of color and texture, designed to be the polar opposite of her usual understated pearls and dainty chains. Think of it as a gentle nudge (okay, more like a playful shove) to encourage her to loosen up a bit. The necklace is bold, brash, and utterly fabulous – just what the doctor ordered for a bit of fun and relaxation.

Titanium coated quartz spikes, shards of blue quartz, howlite spears, Biwa pearls, a few leftover shell pearls from another project, a little square of amber and gold enhanced bamboo coral are some of the materials that went into this piece. 

We were going out to the 'works do' that night when I gave her the gift - and of course she couldn't wait for Christmas and opened it in her office. I can almost picture her face when she saw it – a mix of surprise, curiosity, and perhaps a hint of horror. But deep down, I know she’ll appreciate the gesture. After all, everyone deserves a little sparkle in their life, especially during the festive season. Now to see if she ever wears the necklace - she did say how much she liked it, but perhaps she was being polite! She couldn't quite bring herself to put it on for the works do - but I think it will grow on her and one day she will wear it out of curiosity or just because it exists; maybe her daughter will borrow it and get loads of compliments - and bang! statement necklaces will become de-riguer.

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For my New Colleagues: Suncatchers

Now, onto the suncatchers for my four new colleagues. Truth be told, I don’t know them very well yet. So, I thought, what better way to break the ice than with something colourful and cheerful?

These suncatchers are a celebration of light and colour, much like the diverse personalities they’re meant for. Each one is unique, reflecting the different rays of sunshine they’ll catch and disperse. They’re perfect for adding a bit of magic to any workspace or home, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t need a little magic now and then?

By gifting these, I’m hoping to convey a warm welcome and a touch of whimsy. Plus, it’s a great way to say, “Hey, I don’t know you well yet, but I’m looking forward to it!”

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Creating these gifts has been a joyous journey, filled with laughter and creativity. I can’t wait to see the reactions – the wide eyes, the smiles, and perhaps a few puzzled looks. But that’s the beauty of handmade gifts; they come with a piece of the maker’s heart from a place of caring.

So, here’s to a season of bright colors, bold statements, and new beginnings. Cheers to my colleagues – may your holidays be as fabulous and fun as these gifts!

These lovely rose earrings piqued a lot of interest and a couple of pairs were picked up straight away. One lady asked for stud findings with the yellow ones and I fixed them up for her with a pair of flame shaped studs, having sent her this picture to make her selection. She dropped in for a glass of wine and a chat and I made them up for her right there, but sadly, forgot to take a photograph when I'd finished. She tried on a couple of necklaces and I took these pictures.

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That's me for this week folks, I'd better go and sort out this Christmas tree or it will soon grow dark. Have a good week, and I'll catch up with you soon.
Until then
xx