Sweet Spring

It was the Jewish spring festival of Purim on Sunday. Which I'm taking to mean that spring is officially here. That and crazy York birds (of the feathered variety) singing at stupid o' clock in the morning!

So, visions of pastel coloured macaroons, Japanese sakura blossom, evening sunshine, and the only time of year I will flirt with the idea of wearing mint green.

I've been tinkering around with some beautiful vintage lilac purple beads that I've just bought from Canada. They glow vaseline blue/purple when the light hits them, casting a sunset yellow pool of light, otherwise they are a cloudy moonstone blue. Love the way they change in the light.  They are actually from an old pearl necklace. Back then, to create an inner glow, they used coloured glass and even low grade real opal beads, which were then painted to resemble pearls. So next time you are about to ditch your great aunt's flakey pearl necklace, do see what lies beneath!! You'll easily be able to chip the paint off with your nail. 

My inspirations for this ring? Spring flowers, Gaudi, Monet's waterlilies series, Art Nouveau excess. It'd make a lush statement at a wedding or party, and if you are a red head or have a cool skintone, these colours are made for you. 

These earrings were made to match the ring, but are daintier, softer. The vintage purple curved shells somehow remind me of those oriental hats or parasols;  Geisha's crossing bridges in an idyllic scented garden. 

I'm not sure if I'll do more in this series. Who knows when inspiration will strike! I've popped them in my online shop, Moth and Magpie, so now I get to see if anyone else is searching for spring....