Kung Hei Fat Choi in 2020, The Year of the Rat, from Caprilicious Jewellery

Hello folks, hope all has gone well with you this last week. I'm in pre holiday mode now, dotting i's and crossing t's at work so that all is made safe while I am away. I'm still sorting out bits and pieces of jewellery, though - that is a calming exercise that soothes ruffled feathers and will keep going until I get on that flight. 

 We took a train into Birmingham - why a train? We live a mere 30 minutes from the centre of Birmingham, but that's only if the M6 is running well, the Aston Expressway or Spaghetti Junction is free of traffic, and roadworks haven't made a cat's cradle of one way systems up to and around the theatre - and I won't mention the parking! The train takes us 30 minutes, and one can walk to the theatre, unfrazzled and cool as a cucumber. We went to watch the Simon and Garfunkel Story - those who are of my generation know all the words to all their songs, as did I. I sang along lustily, probably embarrassing my hubby, who although he knows the music is not necessarily a fan, and had very kindly accompanied me to the gig. Here are some pics from the concert and from the Bullring in Birmingham where we had a meal pre concert.

Comptoir Libanais

Scoundrels & Gentlemen, everyone welcome

Feathered Friend

Silvery grey crystals in four strands are held together with a beautiful diamante feather. The necklace sits close to the neck and is an inexpensive and simple way to brighten your ensemble and frame your face with a silvery moonlit glow. Evening wear par excellence! 

Pink Lady

This necklace is named after the Pink Lady I drank at my 50th birthday party in the Canary Islands - I loved it so much that I kept the recipe, which I have to say I've never used, unfortunately. The Pink Lady is a classic cocktail made by mixing the ingredients below - the pink colour comes from the grenadine and it is a very pretty and tasty drink. It is great for dieters as it has only 217 calories and 3 grams of carbohydrate. Applejack is an apple brandy.

• 1 1/2 ounces gin
• 3/4 ounce applejack
• 1/4 ounce lemon juice
• 1-2 dashes grenadine
• 1 egg white
• Garnish: Maraschino cherry 

Try it, you might just love it - as you will the necklace. It is a lariat held together by a ring of beads at the back and a diamante X at the front. It is simply slipped over your head and has no clasp as such, and the X can be moved up and down the necklace much as you would a scarf toggle or a bolo clasp. Each strand of the sugar pink crystals end with a pearl and the effect of so many strands of crystals is very pleasing.

Carnelian Blessing

'Shou' is a Chinese letter which means longevity and happiness. Longevity is commonly recognized as one of the Five Blessings of Chinese Belief - longevity, wealth, health, love of virtue, and a peaceful death.  

The pendant in this necklace is carved with this beautiful and meaningful symbol and carried by carnelian beads that have been hand carved into the shape of gooseberries. 
A whole lot of carving has gone into this necklace -the elements are all very labour intensive, but the labour has all been before the elements got to me. The dull gold beads are pyrite, or Fools gold. This necklace is just in time for Chinese New Year at the end of the week.

---

That's me for this week, folks. All that's buzzing in my head is preparation for the off, and you don't want to hear about the minutiae of the mundane. I have, as yet a couple of pieces planned, so will be back next Friday, same time, same place. Have a fabulous week and I'll see you then. Until then Kung Hei Fat Choi in the year of the Rat!
Take care
​xx

---