The One and Only

A few weeks ago in 'Flipped to a new life' post, I shared with you my experience of transferring an image onto a wooden mixing spoon. In few words there I also mentioned that I found out about this particular skill during a completely different course simply by participating in a conversation with other like-minded people. And something similar happened on another course I took this time with Teri Howes. You might remember I mentioned her in my 'When is the e-mail address worth leaving behind?' post.

Which brings me to the image above. Earlier this year, I received this eye-catching pendant, a coral laid in silver. I must admit that for quite a while I wondered what chain I should get to compliment the piece. My usual answer would be a leather string but somehow I did not think that would justify the red in silver pendant. Putting two and two together and an idea was born...

Have you heard about 'Viking Weave'? Well, I had not till one particular course I took with Teri Howes. During a conversation this name popped up in the open. And since then, I could not stop thinking about it...

After a quick research it became obvious that it is not that difficult. It is rather repetitive but the result looks very professional. So I sat off on making my own chain...

What you see here is the chain in progress. I used one of my crochet hooks as a base and a silver wire I kept after completing one of the courses. One point to make, you are meant to keep the loose ends inside but I thought, what would happen if I kept them on the outside?

To this I will get later...

Let me introduce to you a very important tool. The block on the left helps to shape the chain.

You run the above chain through the holes till you get to the required thickness. And that is what you see on the right.

And now is the right time to reveal what happened to the loose ends from earlier. Feeling it would be a waste if cut off I attached small beads to them and...

To put it all together, I asked my trusted friend Elena (you remember Elena) to pose for a picture...

...so she did.

Spending evening after evening weaving round my hook, I experienced how relaxing it is. And if at the end you end up with something you can wear ouside you know you have done something right there. You feel like the one and only.

K-)

Update: Saturday, 15 October 2016
The One and Only

Talking of the 'one and only', number one got suck in my mind. Therefore, it was just a questionn of time to follow up on the idea and translate it into a matchind pair of earrings. And this is what you are looking at at the picture above. Yes, I have a jewellery set.

K-)

Botanic Gardens

Recently, I visited Botanic Gardens at Kew. I specifically reached for my zoom lens and am I glad I have done so. Ever since I got the lens I intended to go to Kew Gardens and finally the chance came when I had an unexpected visit from my sister whom I had not seen for quite a long time. And what a pleasant day it was. Not only because of the place itself but also because the weather could not be any better; it was sunny, the temperature was pleasant and it DID NOT rain. :-)

This visit took place a few months ago, in May which is a great time to visit any botanic gardens.

Nature is awake for a while and by then the palette of colours is so varied. Very enjoyable are different spices of plants, flowers and trees that are around you.



Our visit was incredible for the display of tulips.

We were surrounded by fields of tulips of different colours, shapes and sizes.

But it is not only flora that is to admire there. Underground under one of the greenhouses are big aquariums with fish and any other sea creatures. This time, my eye was caught by this little beauty.

With such a backdrop, I would have to be completely ignorant not to see it. There are no words to describe this, don't you agree?

It is true when they say that there is always something to see whenever you go to the botanic gardens. Spring however, is a special time. Nature wakes up offering itself to incredible changes. I am not any botanists but there is something magical to be able to witness nature developing in its gentle face.

So just join me...

K-)