The Beginning of a New Chapter

Does anyone actually like Monday mornings? The week stretches out before you like the Mote Carlo Rally, all uphills and bendy. For us at Plush, today was a different kind of Monday morning; for the first time in nearly six years there wasn’t a Plush Jewellery shop to open to the eager shoppers of Chichester. At 17:30 on Saturday 28th we turned the Open sign to Closed for the last time.

Our final week was fun and emotional; so many old friends took the time to pop in and see us and wish us luck for the coming year. It was lovely to see everyone and it’s especially nice to remember that Plush Jewellery has touched so many more lives than just ours. While the shop may be closed (actually I’m sitting in the shop writing this blog post, so there’s still some Plush Jewelleryness in Baffins Lane today) we’re segueing into our 2012 plans with little pause for breath (or the chance to spend a week watching daytime telly in pyjamas) more information on that to come.

We have some fantastic bespoke Entwined rings we’re creating for clients right now, you will love them.

Right, this tax return won’t file itself.

May your week be mostly downhill and sunny.

Best

Allie

PS Don’t forget you can easily find us and see more of our work over at www.plushjewellery.co.uk

Sometimes it’s The Most Unassuming Things That Hold The Most History

We have been asked to take a look at this gold ring with a view of using its gold to make a new wedding band.

On first glance the ring appears to just be a slightly battered 6mm gold band, one that has taken a few knocks in its time.

6mm Gold Wedding Band - Slightly Battered

6mm Gold Wedding Band - Slightly Battered

When you look inside the ring though, its story begins to reveal itself.

6mm 22ct Gold Wedding Band

Showing that it is, in fact, two distinct bands that at some point in their history have been joined together.

Hallmarks can tell you so much about older pieces of jewellery.

Chester Hallmarks

The narrower ring bears the makers mark “H.A”, the marks for 22ct gold, the stamp of the Chester Assay Office and the date letter for 1938-39.

Birmingham Hallmarks

The wider ring bears the makers mark “S E”, the marks for 22ct gold, the stamp of the Birmingham Assay office and the date letter for 1849-50.

I’m going to see if I can’t track the Makers Marks down and find out who made the original rings.

Allie

Karen’s Handmade Entwined Ring – 5.5mm Created Using her 22ct Gold Wedding Ring, Sterling Silver and a Hand Picked 6pt Diamond

Karen hadn’t been wearing her original wedding ring (it wasn’t fitting as well as it had originally) and she had been wearing a substitute Sterling Silver ring.

She had been hoping to use her 22ct gold wedding band to create a new ring but hadn’t seen the perfect design.

When she saw Holly’s handmade Entwined rings at Plush Jewellery, she fell in love with the design and the idea of creating her own unique ring. When we told her that of course we could use the gold from the wedding band to make the ring, she was delighted.

She went away to talk the idea over with her husband and they both came in to plan the final design with Holly (to make this stage easier and more visual, we produced artwork to show different precious metal combinations). Karen decided she wanted a yellow gold band with the Vine and Leaf overlay and diamond setting in Sterling Silver.

Next came the choice of diamond to set in the ring. Karen had not had a diamond ring before and didn’t want a diamond that was too big. Discussing the options with Holly; they decided that a 6pt round brilliant cut diamond would compliment the ring perfectly.

Karen’s 22ct gold wedding ring wasn’t going to be sufficient to make her Entwined band, so again having discussed this with Karen, we added an amount of 9ct gold to supplement it. By doing this the entwined band still had a beautiful rich colour.

Once the band was made, we invited Karen in to Plush to ensure that it was a perfect fit before applying the Vine and Leaf detailing (it is easier to make any size adjustments at this stage). Lastly, the hand-picked diamond was set within its sterling silver setting and the vines and leaf were handmade and applied to the ring.

Karen and her husband came to Plush to collect her ring just before Christmas. Her reaction upon seeing her completed ring for the first time was fantastic and this is the reason we make bespoke jewellery. We love being able to bring a much loved piece back to life, bringing it out of the jewellery box and allowing it to be worn and enjoyed once more.

Karen’s Handmade Entwined Ring – 5.5mm Created Using her 22ct Gold Wedding Ring, Sterling Silver and a Hand Picked 6pt Diamond

Karen’s Handmade Entwined Ring – 5.5mm Created Using her 22ct Gold Wedding Ring, Sterling Silver and a Hand Picked 6pt Diamond

Karen’s Handmade Entwined Ring – 5.5mm Created Using her 22ct Gold Wedding Ring, Sterling Silver and a Hand Picked 6pt Diamond

Karen’s Handmade Entwined Ring – 5.5mm Created Using her 22ct Gold Wedding Ring, Sterling Silver and a Hand Picked 6pt Diamond

Karen’s Handmade Entwined Ring – 5.5mm Created Using her 22ct Gold Wedding Ring, Sterling Silver and a Hand Picked 6pt Diamond

Karen’s husband Peter is a potter and has recently started a blog about his work, you’ll find him at http://petespots.wordpress.com/ (Allie is already eyeing up pieces of stoneware featured on the blog).

To speak to us about creating your perfect piece of jewellery you can email us: hello @ plushjewellery.co.uk call us: 01243 778424 skype us: plushjewellery or tweet us: @plushjewellery

Handmade 1mm Engagement Ring with Solitaire Diamond – Updated

After seeing them online, a client fell in love with Holly’s handmade rings – you can see them here – and came to Plush to meet with Holly to talk about creating her perfect engagement ring.

She decided that she wanted a handmade, 18ct White Gold, hammered band that was 1mm in width, set with a single solitaire diamond in a, 18ct Gold rim setting, which was to be drilled allowing more light through the diamond.

We initially made a Sterling Silver and Cubic Zirconia version of the ring, in the client’s ring size which will allow her to try it for size and style. This allowed us to make changes to the style and setting, before making the ring in White Gold and Yellow Gold and setting the hand-picked Diamond.

1mm Handmade Engagement Ring with Solitaire Diamond, Silver Mockup

1mm Handmade Engagement Ring with Solitaire Diamond, Silver Mockup

1mm Handmade Engagement Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold and 18ct White Gold with Solitaire Diamond

1mm Handmade Engagement Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold and 18ct White Gold with Solitaire Diamond

1mm Handmade Engagement Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold and 18ct White Gold with Solitaire Diamond

We were pleased to be able to hand this ring over to the client in time for her engagement party today.

We can work with you to design and make your perfect engagement and wedding rings. Call us on 01243 778424 or send an email to hello @ plushjewellery.co.uk for more information.

Handmade 1mm Engagement Ring with Solitaire Diamond

After seeing them online, a client fell in love with Holly’s handmade rings – you can see them here – and came to Plush to meet with Holly to talk about creating her perfect engagement ring.

She decided that she wanted a handmade, 18ct White Gold, hammered band that was 1mm in width, set with a single solitaire diamond in a, 18ct Gold rim setting, which was to be drilled allowing more light through the diamond.

We initially made a Sterling Silver and Cubic Zirconia version of the ring, in the client’s ring size which will allow her to try it for size and style. This allowed us to make changes to the style and setting, before making the ring in White Gold and Yellow Gold and setting the hand-picked Diamond.

1mm Handmade Engagement Ring with Solitaire Diamond, Silver Mockup

1mm Handmade Engagement Ring with Solitaire Diamond, Silver Mockup

1mm Handmade Engagement Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold and 18ct White Gold with Solitaire Diamond

1mm Handmade Engagement Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold and 18ct White Gold with Solitaire Diamond

1mm Handmade Engagement Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold and 18ct White Gold with Solitaire Diamond

We can work with you to design and make your perfect engagement and wedding rings. Call us on 01243 778424 or send an email to hello @ plushjewellery.co.uk for more information.

Entwined by Holly Richardson – Earrings and Pendant

This week has seen the arrival of new jewellery in Holly Richardson’s exclusive, Art Nouveau inspired, Entwined Collection.

The gorgeous handmade wedding rings and engagement rings are gathering an enthusiastic fanbase – Holly is working on some fabulous commissioned rings as I type, I’ll tell you more as soon as I’m allowed but I can say that she’s been tracking down some incredible Emeralds this week.

As with her Entwined rings, each and every piece of Holly’s Entwined jewellery is lovingly handmade here on the South Coast. This artisan collection is produced in limited number, if you are looking for a truly special present this Christmas, I may be biased, but you won’t go wrong with one of the Entwined pieces.

Entwined Pendant Sketch

Holly Richardson Handmade Sterling Silver, 18ct Gold and 4pt Diamond Entwined Pendant - £136

Holly Richardson Entwined Earrings Sketch

Holly Richardson Handmade Entwined Sterling Silver Stud Earrings Set with 8pt Diamond - £169

Holly Richardson Handmade Entwined Sterling Silver Drop Earrings - £65

You can view and purchase Holly Richardson Entwined jewellery by following this link.

Entwined by Holly Richardson

Entwined by Holly Richardson

Entwined
by Holly Richardson
Exclusively at Plush Jewellery

The Entwined Collection by Holly Richardson is now available exclusively at Plush Jewellery, Chichester and at Plush Jewellery Online.

The handmade Entwined collection features an Art Noveau inspired Vine and Leaf design and each and every piece of Entwined jewellery is loving crafted here in West Sussex.

While the studio collection of Entwined rings, earrings and pendants is growing, Holly most enjoys working with clients who want to take her ideas and adapt them to create their own, unique piece of jewellery.

Ideas begin sketch form:

Holly Richardson Entwined Rings Sketches

Then go on to be realised in precious metals and diamonds:

Holly Richardson Handmade Entwined Interlocking 9ct Gold, Sterling Silver and Diamond Engagement and Wedding Ring Set

You can work with Holly to create your perfect Entwined intelocking engagement and wedding ring set, using your choice of precious metals and hand-picked diamonds.

You can view all available Entwined jewellery by following this link.

Georgina Zupnik – Now Showing at Plush Jewellery Chichester

Fresh from her success at the Festival of Crafts at Farnham Maltings, we’re incredibly pleased to have Georgina Zupnik’s jewellery exclusively at Plush Jewllery in Chichester this Christmas. We absolutely adore Georgina’s jewellery and a number of her pieces are sneaking onto our Christmas lists.

Georgina Zupnik Winding Sparkle Pendant

Georgina Zupnik Sparkle Twist Pendant

Georgina says of her jewellery, “Since completing my degree in Metalwork and Jewellery at the University for the Creative Arts I have been continuing the development of my Sparkling Movement collections. I create memorable and eye catching contemporary silver jewellery pieces to be worn for special occasions.

Fireworks always fascinated and excited me as a child. These feelings haven’t faded in adulthood. The way they crackle and sparkle, the patterns of light they create in the sky and their often unpredictable paths have continued to enchant me.

Using simple techniques I evoke the magic of fireworks. I create silver sequins which I attach to pieces in a way which allows them to flicker with the movement of the body, creating a magical sparkling effect as the wearer moves. I use hard drawn silver wire to create the flow of movement in my work. This wire has a strong but flexible quality, allowing me to shape and twist it to create random yet controlled forms.”

Come and see Georgina’s jewellery at Plush Chichester until Christmas.

Chichester Christmas Lights 2011

Allie caught this preview of the Chichester Christmas lights on her way home last night. Official switch on at the end of the month.

Laura Gravestock – Love and Hate Rings

The fantastic Written Collection by Laura Gravestock has already been causing a stir at Plush Jewellery Chichester, especially the Love and Hate Rings. Laura says, “The written collection features cheeky, irreverent statements allowing your jewellery to do the talking. Tailor your own phrase to let your personality shine through. Stylish, simple and guaranteed to get tongues wagging.”

Laura Gravestock Written Love Ring Sterling Silver

Laura Gravestock Written Hate Ring 18ct Gold Plated Silver

Laura Gravestock Written Love Ring in Sterling Silver – £40
Laura Gravestock Written Hate Ring in 18ct Gold Plated Sterling Silver – £58