Inspired: Scilly

The New Year got off to a busy start here with preparations being made for my first event of the year with Just Makers at RHS Gardens Harlow Carr in Harrogate. Spring really is a great time of year to visit the gardens when all the Spring bulbs are emerging and the timing couldn't be better with some fantastic exhibitions of work on show from some very talented makers, all very ably overseen by the brilliant Deborah de Brunner. Deborah has been working hard to furnish the Bath House ready for all our work and we're all agreed that it looks fantastic! The first event is now underway and you have until 22nd February to see it. It's entitled 'Let's Get Creative' and, as well as showcasing makers' work, there will a number of kits available for you to purchase and maybe have a go at some crafts yourself! For some photos of the type of thing you can expect, head over to  www.facebook.com/JustMakers . On 24th February, a new exhibition begins with ...

We're getting into the Christmas spirit now having had Christmas craft fairs to attend every week and less than 3 weeks to go until the big day! If you're looking for a little inspiration for the lady who has everything, why not purchase something unique and handmade? Here are just a few ideas from our Christmas collection of sparkly stocking fillers... Swarovski Crystal Christmas Tree Earrings... A sophisticated new colourway - jet and crystal All that is gold, does not glitter.. but these do!  Lit up like a Christmas Tree! You don't get more classic Christmas than red and green!  One of our most popular - we've named this one Mistletoe! How about a stunning silver hand-knitted brooch featuring Swarovski Crystals Or a sparkling star pendant? (We also have snowflakes!) Available in clear or iridescent clear (as pictured) Just a few ideas to inspire you. Available to purchase at www.etsy.com/shop/inspiredscil...

A lovely gift idea for Mother's Day - these hand-knitted mesh wire brooches are adorned with seed beads and Swarovski Crystal and come presented in a white gift box. You can even commission your own colour-way and have it sent in time for Mother's Day! Available to purchase at www.etsy.com/shop/inspiredscilly (under the knit wire brooch section)  

With spikes of green emerging from the waterlogged soil in the garden comes the promise of Spring. Get glammed up with green with this stunning new crochet wire bracelet with around 50 green glass pearls (with a few splashes of clear, white and charteuse)... It's sure to cheer you up after the winter blues!   Click here to take a closer look!

It's a rainy morning here at basecamp. Although we are promised sunshine later in the day, waking up this morning to rain and middling temperatures felt ever so slightly autumnal... Still, Autumn has it's own charms, including the return of rich, autumnal shades that echo the tones of fallen leaves. We love this Etsy treasury of burgundy jewels, featuring Inspired: Scilly's burgundy pearl knit wire bracelet. Click here to view it and be inspired to update your Autumn wardrobe! Without doubt, one of my favourite colours.

At last, some sunshine! Not sure how long it will last but I am defintely making the most of it, even if that means knitting with wire at the garden table! With a couple of craft fairs in late August and September, there's plenty to do, especially as I've had a short time out with moving house and various other commitments! Obviously 2012 is quite a big year for the UK and to celebrate Inspired: Scilly would like to offer 20% discount to all our loyal followers, fans and customers. Use the code SCILLY2012 at the checkout on our Etsy Shop to claim your discount. The offer will run until 31st December 2012 so you have plenty of time! As it is still very much the wedding season, here's a lovely picture of an Inspired: Scilly bridal hair vine using Swarovski crystals and handmade freshwater pearl flowers in a stunning hairstyle courtesy of Blonde Hair and Beauty in the Isles of Scilly.

The lavender in my new garden is just coming out and, along with the roses, is making everything smell gorgeous, despite the terrible weather! Take a look at this lovely Lavender treasury on Etsy, featuring the bracelet pictured below.

Have you seen the latest knit wire bracelet from Inspired: Scilly? With a new wire colour for the summer season, this gorgeous aquamarine knit wire cuff is a surefire way to bring the beach to you. It is inspired by the crystal clear waters surrounding the Isles of Scilly and is encrusted with petrol blue pearls and sparkling Swarovski crystal bicones in sea-washed shades of pacific opal, sand opal, black diamond and light azore, reflecting the organic colours of rock, sand, sea and sky...

Browsing on Etsy, I found another treasury for you to feast your eyes upon and in one of my favourite colours, gorgeous Petrol Blue . The treasury features my lovely petrol blue knit wire bracelet. Here is some more bluesy inspiration:

Next week is Art Scilly, a week of arts and crafts classes and exhibitions on the beautiful Isles of Scilly. Although the classes I attended were outside of this dedicated week, last year I had the pleasure of attending both the precious metal clay and sterling silver classes with Paula Smith. Paula was a fantastic teacher, patient and friendly and not at all intimidating, despite her obvious talent for creating the most beautiful silver jewellery. She really put me at ease as I had never used precious metal clay or sterling silver before and I thoroughly enjoyed both classes. Class sizes are kept small so you can be sure of getting the help and guidance that you need. I came away with a gorgeous sterling silver ring, a pair of PMC earrings and a PMC pendant, all of which I designed and made myself and now wear with great pride! If you get the chance to visit Scilly, I heartily recommend taking part in these and other courses, some of which run at other times during the year. For more ...

Would you like to view the latest Inspired: Scilly newsletter, including a secret discount code for subscribers and lots of inspiration for Spring and the wedding season? To sign up to receive the latest edition and receive future issues on a quarterly basis with subscriber discounts and news before anyone else, please email inspiredscilly@hotmail.co.uk with the word 'subscribe' in the title.

Nope, I'm not dying my hair (been there, done that...) I just wanted to introduce you to Inspired: Scilly's fabulous friend, Blonde Hair and Beauty Salon . Based in Hugh Town in the Isles of Scilly, this friendly and experienced salon is the perfect place for a pamper when you visit the islands! We are now gearing up to the bridal season, so to check out some of Inspired: Scilly's hairpieces shown in beautiful bridal hair on the salon's Facebook page, please click here . Shell, Freshwater Pearl and Swarovski crystal barette clip and hair vine Swarovski crystal hair comb Don't forget Mother's Day is fast approaching... The perfect time for a spot of pampering for Mum! Be sure to check out my new knit wire brooches , a gorgeous and inexpensive gift, or splash out on a stunning, sterling silver cuff at Inspired: Scilly's shop !

Be sure to take a look at our new cluster rings ! In several gorgeous colours, these rings are all unique designs which are never the same twice so be quick and get yours! With adjustable silver-plated ring shanks and a cluster of beads which have freedom to move on the shank, they are priced at just £6; a brilliant gift or a treat for yourself! Colours include sunshine yellow, on-trend aqua, emerald green and ladybird red. More styles and colours being added soon!