Entwined by Holly Richardson – Chichester Art Trail – Open Studios – 5 Days in May

5th/6th/7th and 12th/13th May 2012 from 10.30am until 5.30pm

In short -Sunshine, showers, jewellery, cakes and two new arrivals.

The two weekends of the Chichester Art Trail saw the launch of gorgeous new pieces of Entwined by Holly Richardson. Since the closure of Plush’s Chichester shop, Holly has been busy designing and expanding her Entwined studio collection and the Art Trail saw the release of brand new Entwined pendants, earrings and the very first Entwined by Holly Richardson bangle.

It being May bank holiday, the first weekend saw us “blessed” with full on “great” British weather with the south coast lashed with heavy showers but that didn’t deter local lovers of art and design from donning their wet weather gear and heading out to explore the studios on the Chichester Art Trail and a steady stream of cheerful, if a little damp, people could be found enjoying the warmth of the small studio we’d set up our display cabinet in. We even saw a number of familiar faces from the Plush Chichester days who’d braved the elements to come out and see us and it was lovely to catch up. The new Sterling Silver, 22ct Gold and Diamond Entwined ring got a lot of attention and a number of cakes were consumed.

The four day break between the Open Studios events should have given us a breathing space to pause and prepare for the following weekend (and maybe even write a blog entry or two!) but when Holly’s twin girls decided they would like a mid-May birthday and arrived in the early hours of Friday 11th May, the pause quickly turned to excitement – all were soon home and settled.

The second weekend of Chichester Art Trail dawned and, in stark contrast to the previous weekend, both days were bright and sunny and it was a joy to be able to sit in the sunshine and listen to Skylarks singing overhead. The warm, fine weather brought out more people on cycles and the numbers arriving at our slightly out of the way position increased on the previous weekend.

It was the first time we had participated in an Art Trail event and we weren’t sure what to expect (other than the changeable weather) but we had a fantastic time. Big thanks to everyone who came out to see us.

See you soon

Holly and Allie

Plush Jewellery at Chichester Art Trail 2012, Open Studios

5th/6th/7th and 12th/13th May 2012 from 10.30am until 5.30pm

Have you missed us? Come and see us during Chichester Art Trail 2012.

We’re going to be exclusively launching new pieces of Holly Richardson’s Entwined jewellery as part of the Chichester Art Trail. Nestling a space in the corner of our talented chum Karen Saunders’ studio, the launch will see new Entwined earrings, pendants and bangles joining the popular bespoke Entwined rings we launched at the end of last year.

Holly Richardson Sterling Silver and 22ct Gold Entwined Ring set with Diamond

Since closing Plush Chichester at the end of January, Holly has been working on these fantastic designs (as well as a couple of other things, more news of which soon) and we’re very excited to be able to finally let you see them in person.

Holly Richardson Diamond Set Sterling Silver Entwined Vine and Leaf Pendant

Come rain or shine (it’s a Bank Holiday weekend, it could do either, or both), we’ll be found at location 39 in the Western Sector of the Chichester Art Trail – Brenty, Main Road, Nutbourne, PO18 8RT – look out for the signs, there’s ample parking and a wealth of other open studios nearby (NB I keep saying Chichester Art Trail as the Emsworth Art Trail is running over the same two weekends – though there is absolutely nothing to stop you visiting studios and workshops on both of the trails, in fact, it’s positively encouraged)

See you soon. Holly and Allie

Lyn’s Handmade Entwined Ring – 18ct Gold, Platinum and 3 Diamonds – Created Using Family Jewellery

Lyn's Handmade Entwined Ring - 18ct Gold, Platinum and 3 Diamonds - Created Using Family Jewellery

Normally I use a blog post to tell you about a special piece of jewellery that we’ve made for someone, but in this case, I’ll let Lyn’s words speak for themselves:

“I was wearing my Grandmother’s platinum wedding ring.
I had inherited my mother’s gold wedding ring and her gold engagement ring with three diamonds.
I also had my own “Cheap and Nasty but all we could afford” gold wedding ring.
So on the occasion of our 25th wedding anniversary we started hunting for a ring.
BUT….
I hate wearing more than one ring on any finger, and was worried about the “bling” look of all round eternity rings.
I searched high and low for something with meaning, and failed miserably.
Then I saw the Entwined collection, and it got me thinking about unused rings, stones and how little pleasure I get from the past; if my Granny’s ring and my Mother’s rings are sitting in a jewellery box.
I decided to put the past firmly into the present and combine 4 rings.
The stones from my mother’s engagement ring now represent three generations and I dread to add up the combined years of married life…. about 135 years worth!!!!
The design that Holly adapted from my sketchy sketch is perfect, and it’s lovely and dull, the platinum is set up by the dull gold band, which is just right, as it’s not too shiny for me.”

Lyn’s Entwined ring has a significant meaning to her and her family. We love working in collaboration with clients in creating a special piece of jewellery and we were incredibly honoured to be entrusted with three generations of family jewellery and the creation of this very special ring with all the family history tied up in precious metals and diamonds.

Lyn's Handmade Entwined Ring - 18ct Gold, Platinum and 3 Diamonds - Made From Family Jewellery

Three Generations of Wedding and Engagement Rings Used in Creating Lyn's Entwined Ring

Lyn's Handmade Entwined Ring in Progress

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

JB & MC 28th April 1874

With the price of Gold and other precious metals riding high at the moment we find ourselves increasingly using clients’ old family jewellery in the making of their new jewellery. We had a meeting with a client on Saturday who had been given a number of old pieces of jewellery that had lived in a box, under a bed for some time. It had just been sitting there, why not make use of it.

I always make a photographic record of any jewellery we take in to be upcycled or repurposed and as I was photographing this particular collection of rings and pins, I noticed the engraving inside two of the rings…

JB & MC 28th April 1874

JB & MC 28th April 1874

JB & MC 28th April 1874

JB & MC 28th April 1874

JB & MC 28th April 1874

JB & MC 28th April 1874

These two rings don’t appear to have started life together; the patterned band was hallmarked in Birmingham in 1873 and the narrower band bears Scottish hallmarks but they have travelled together for nearly one hundred and thrity eight years.

To speak to us about creating your perfect piece of jewellery you can email us: hello @ plushjewellery.co.uk call us: 07532 444145 skype us: plushjewellery or tweet us: @plushjewellery

Anthea’s Handmade Entwined Ring Set – 18ct White Gold, 18ct Yellow Gold and hand picked 23pt Round Brilliant Cut Diamond

Anthea’s Handmade Art Nouveau Inspired Entwined Illusion Ring Set – 18ct White Gold, 18ct Yellow Gold and hand picked 23pt Round Brilliant Cut Diamond

Anthea loved the way our handmade Entwined interlocking ring sets looked but she didn’t want or need two distinctly separate rings. She talked it over with Holly at Plush who suggested we kept the look of an Entwined set by subtly and permanently joining the two rings together on the inside.

A combination of 18ct golds was decided on for this special ring set; 18ct white gold for the rings and 18ct yellow gold for the vine and leaf and the setting for Holly’s handpicked 23pt round brilliant cut diamond.

A note about our white gold: If you are accustomed to seeing very bright, more chrome coloured, white gold, you may be wondering why the white gold we use is greyer in colouration. The bright colour comes from the white gold being plated, more often than not with Rhodium (a metal more expensive per gram than Platiunum). As with all plating, this can wear away over time – especially on rings – revealing the true colour of the white gold underneath. We chose to use an unplated white gold in our 18ct white gold rings (but one whose alloy contains a high proportion of white metals) so that the colour your ring has in 20 years time is the same as the day the ring was made in our studio.

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

Anthea’s Handmade Art Nouveau Inspired Entwined Illusion Ring Set – 18ct White Gold, 18ct Yellow Gold and hand picked 23pt Round Brilliant Cut Diamond

Anthea’s Handmade Art Nouveau Inspired Entwined Illusion Ring Set – 18ct White Gold, 18ct Yellow Gold and hand picked 23pt Round Brilliant Cut Diamond

Anthea’s Handmade Art Nouveau Inspired Entwined Illusion Ring Set – 18ct White Gold, 18ct Yellow Gold and hand picked 23pt Round Brilliant Cut Diamond

Sue’s Handmade Sterling Silver, 22ct Gold and Diamond Entwined Ring

Sue’s Handmade Sterling Silver, 22ct Gold and Diamond Art Nouveau inspired Entwined Ring

Sue had purchased jewellery from us in the past and wanted to treat herself to her own bespoke, handmade Entwined ring. Was it going to be an issue that she couldn’t meet with us to allow us to measure her ring size? Not at all!

We asked Sue to send us a ring that fitted the finger on which she intended to wear her Entwined ring and although the ring was narrower that her Entwined ring, a combination of mathematics and experience made sure the finished ring was a perfect fit.

As our Entwined rings individually handmade making changes to the design is no problem; Sue asked if it was possible to have her diamond set further along the leaf than usual.

We originally thought about using 18ct yellow gold for the setting for the diamond and other details but 22ct yellow gold, with its richer colour, sets the design off perfectly.

Sue loved her handmade Entwined ring.

To talk to us about creating your perfect Entwined ring; email us: hello @ plushjewellery.co.uk – call us: 07532 444145 – Skype us: plushjewellery

Sue’s Handmade Sterling Silver, 22ct Gold and Diamond Entwined Ring

Sparkling Diamonds at Half Price – Valentines Gift Anyone?

We rediscovered these pieces of sparkling diamond jewellery hiding in a box at the back of our safe. We looked at each other and said ‘drat’ (or words to that effect). They are far too gorgeous to go back to living in a box in a safe, thus we have decided to offer them at half their original retail price. With thirteen days to go until the romancefest of Valentines Day, it’s a perfect opportunity to give gorgeous diamonds this February 14th without hurting your bank balance.

To view more pictures of this diamond jewellery and to buy, visit our main website www.plushjewellery.co.uk/diamonds.asp

18ct White Gold Round Brilliant Diamond Pendant - WAS £420.00 Now £210.00

18ct White Gold Diamond Stud Earrings - WAS £396.00 Now £198.00

18ct White Gold Pave Diamond Pendant - WAS £276.00 Now £138.00

18ct White Gold Baguette and Round Brilliant Diamond Pendant - WAS £499.00 Now £250.00

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