Benediction

The above artwork was purchased recently. It just spoke to me. I liked the woman depicted. I think it was because I felt like her. She looks strong, focused, feminine and mysterious. She looks like she's hiding something, and nothing all at the same time.

Maybe she isn't how I am, but more like how I would like to be. More of the time. I'm not sure really. I have placed her up on my shelf now, just above my computer. It feel like she is there to look over me and help guide my over the coming year.

Lots of changes are underfoot for 2008. Good and bad. I have been feeling worried and anxious about them, but now I think I'm just going to try to be excited. Or perhaps just a little more accepting of the surprises that life has to offer. I say bring on the new year. I'm ready now.

A Little Reminder

The year is nearly over, and I have to say it has been a big one. As with most things in life, it wasn't perfect. 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times', and all that.

A couple of days ago I got a reminder of what I have to be grateful for. I think I have felt pretty grateful for a while now, but still, a reminder really helped. The wonderful (truly wonderful) Margaux Lange unexpectedly sent me a parcel. Within it was the book that we are both featured in (US version), a card, and the most 'perfectly me' piece of jewellery (pictured). Everything was so carefully and beautifully wrapped too.

I hope Margaux doesn't mind, but I want to mention a few things she wrote on the card. She said the Barbie pin was the first of its kind she had made, and when ' it came time to decide where it should go and what gallery would get it - I knew right away that it should go to YOU - it looks like a lolly!' She also said that I'm an inspiration to her. WOW! I felt so touched by her thoughtfulness, generosity, and plain kindness, that I'm not ashamed to say it made me cry. As it is now too. On opening her parcel my eldest daughter said, "oh mum, you are so loved". And I know that I am. Lucky me.

I know fame and fortune are fabulous things, and they are pretty high on my want list, but I was reminded that love, friendship and generally caring for others may just be a little more important in the long run. Thanks Margaux.

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I'll take this opportunity now to wish all of you the very best for Xmas and the New Year. May 2008 be the best year yet - for all of us!

Love Liana xx

Goal 100

One of my goal was reached this weekend - 100 sales on etsy by Christmas. Yay! It is always nice to reach a goal and tick it off the list.

Writing down goals for the year, at the beginning of every year, is an important ritual for me. It makes me feel like I have a handle on the coming 12 months. I feel like I know where I'm going and what I have to do to get there. Of course not everything runs to plan, but at least there is a plan. At the end of the year I am usually surprised how many goals were reached and even exceeded. I hope next year will be even better.

Time to get those 2008 filofax pages.

Oye Modern

I have a range of exclusive designs available through a really fabulous new contemporary jewellery site - Oye Modern. This really is a great looking website which features clean, modern designs.

As said on the homepage Oye Modern is your source for contemporary jewellery by emerging and independent designers. It’s unique, original and hard to find.

There is still time to order for Christmas too!
*For delivery in Australia, order by Thurs Dec 20
*For delivery to USA, Europe or Asia, order by Mon Dec 17

Do check this one out!

Thanks For The Postcard MoS!

It was very thoughtful of the lovely people at MoS (Museum of Sydney) to create my 2007 Xmas postcard. Although the card does have other designers featured on it, and really is about promoting the Museum's shop, it also has an image of my brooch on it and a cupie doll too! Could it really be any more me?! Thank you!!

Some of you may be receiving this postcard in your inbox in the coming week or so!

Feel free to share the love & Xmas joy!
Avant Card

Pheww!

All of my studio sales/market days/jewellery parties are over for the year. Yeah! It was a lot of work and I had wondered, on more than one occasion, how I was going to get through it. But I did, and the truth of it was that I enjoyed all of the events. I love that chance to get to chat to people and get instant feedback about my designs. You hear loads of good stories, and customers telling you how great you are all day isn't so bad too!

I want to say a big thank you to everyone who came along to these events and showed your great support by doing so. It is appreciated, and I look forward to seeing you again next year!

One of the highlights of my shows was meeting Melbourne Jeweller Anna Davern, in the flesh. It was great timing that she happened to be visiting Brisbane just when our Umbrella Collective show was on. She took the above photo of me on the day (as you can see I'm have a piggy tail thing at present - all part of my general regression). I hope to catch up with her in Melbourne next year. Anna you did say that I could come stay with you then. I have put that in writing now!!

Anyway, the shows may be over but I still have oodles of work to do. There will be a time soon to rest, and hopefully that will only be for a little while. I don't like to stop for too long!

Happiness Comes in Pink & Green

The great advantage of getting older is that you come to know who you are. Knowing who you are means that you know what you want. There may be a number of grey area where I'm a bit undecided, but overall I know what I like and tend to go for it.

On Thursday I bought myself jewellery, in shades of pink. This is a rare occurrence, since I almost exclusively wear my own. But we had our MoB studio sale on and Mark Vaarwerk happened to have pieces for sale that looked as if they were made for me. They were so perfectly me, what could I do but own them?

I absolutely love my new pieces and feel happy wearing them. Many people have said to me how much they love pieces they have of mine. I always appreciate hearing this but I admit to often thinking that they were overstating their excitement. But now I know how that feels. Pretty/beautiful/handmade things can bring such joy. It really is a privilege to be able to create something that can do that.

On Friday I bought myself a car. I researched and purchased that car in less than an hour - no kidding! Look at the colour (pictured above)!! As Mark said, all I need now are the furry pink seat and steering wheel covers - how true, & funny.

Unfortunately I didn't buy my car with a handbag filled with cash, and I'll have to pay it off. This means that I will have to work harder (& smarter) next year to not regret buying a car that is so perfectly me. A large part of choosing this particular car was to do with the colour (I know - such a girl thing to do!), but the decision to buy my own car was to do with an overwhelming need for my freedom and independence. These are things that are definitely worth working hard for, and knowing me, working hard isn't a problem.