Poppy Appeal 2009 Launched

Royal British Legion Poppies

In September Dame Vera Lynn became the oldest living artist to top the UK album chart, knocking Artic Monkeys off the top spot. Yesterday she was in London launching the 2009 Poppy Appeal.

The first official Royal British Legion poppy day was held in 1921 and ever since 1922 all of the poppies have been made by the Poppy Factory – set up when Major George Howson MC founded the Disabled Society to help disabled ex-Service men and women (you can read more about the Poppy Factory and its history here.) – each year the factory produced 38 million Remembrance poppies.

We have a collecting tin and poppies at Plush Jewellery in Chichester this year if you’re passing and would like to make a donation.

Gorgeous Things on a Monday 2

Paloma Faith is fast becoming the soundtrack to Autumn 09 at Plush Jewellery, her album ‘Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful?’ is stunning.

It’s a bonus, two gorgeous things this Monday and the second is the brilliant Rouge G de Guerlain Jewel Lipstick Compact. A gorgeous lippy in it’s own mirror compact all designed by jewellery designer Lorenz Baumer, gorgeous, useful and you can buy it from Debenhams.

Gorgeous Things on a Monday Part 1 – Paul Finch Jewellery – Trap Ring

Paul Finch Jewellery - Trap Ring

Monday, the week stretches out in front of us. I’ve decided to use my Monday blog posts to highlight gorgeous things that have caught my eye. Though in a fanfare of self-promotion, today’s gorgeous thing is this stunning Trap ring from the collection by Paul Finch Jewellery, though future gorgeous things will not necessarily come from the pages of Plush Jewellery (pop a comment below with your gorgeous things). The Paul Finch Jewellery Trap ring is made with hallmarked matt finished Sterling Silver which has been plated with 18ct gold and is set with four stunning sparkling 3pt diamonds which glisten from within the shell-like form. It’s available to order in all sizes – pop over to Plush Jewellery for a closer look.

Bestest

Allie

Southsea Art & Design @ Oxmarket Galleries

The Oxmarket Galleries, which is located in Little London Car Park here in Chichester – googly map link to the Oxmarket Galleries location, is hosting an exhibition of paintings, ceramics, photography, textiles, glassware and jewellery by artists from in and around Southsea, Hampshire from Monday (12th Oct) through until Saturday and admission is free. The Oxmarket is a fantastic space, if you’re in the area pop in and take a look.

Bestest

Allie

Two Go Mad at Goldsmiths’

If you are a jewellery fan on any level; as a wearer, purchaser, designer or student you really should take yourself along to the Goldsmiths’ Fair. Held annually for two weeks October in the environs of Goldsmiths’ Hall in London (the Hall giving us the hallmark), the fair gives the opportunity to see the work of some fabulous jewellers. Each week features a different set of the best jewellery talent. Our chums James Newman and Regina Aradesian were exhibiting during the second week, thus we ventured away from the south coast to enjoy the fair – though this may make London sound ‘Here be Monsters’ territory, the centre of town is only just over a hour from us, I’m playing up the drama :). It was a fantastic day and jewellers’ new to us whose work you should take a close look at in our opinions include; Jacqueline Cullen who creates amazing pieces with Whitby Jet, Brian Eburah with his anodised Niobium pieces which look as if they have come straight from nature, Rachael Emmerson who’s skill in and passion for enamel shines out of each and every piece of jewellery, Rie Taniguchi with her quirky, modern, Japanese influenced pieces and words cannot describe the pieces produced by Jesper Velling, his Diamond Twist ring is just too too beautiful. I desperately want a pen crafted by Henry Simpole and it’s always lovely to chat with UK Jewellery Designer of the Year and jewellery designer to the stars Shaun Leane. It’s not too late to catch this years’ as it’s on until Sunday, pop along and immerse yourself in jewellery.

Bestest

Allie

Emma Turpin – Pop Up Shop

Emma Turpin Rosette Collection

Not on the sunny south coast of England? Up in that there London? Well you’re in for a treat; the lovely Emma Turpin is exhibiting at ‘A Christmas Exhibition of Jewellery and Glass inspired by HOUSE AND GARDEN’ between 12th October and 17th October 2009, location – The Corner Shop, Craft Central, 21 Clerkenwell Green London EC1R 0DX (Googly map the area here). Exhibiting alongside Emma Turpin are Lucy Jade Sylvester and Helen Slater. For more info, head over to the Craft Central website.

Bestest

Allie

James Newman Jewellery – Rings

James Newman Rings

I’ve spent my spare moments today taking photographs of jewellery for a pre-Christmas project. Sometimes capturing the right image takes ages, sometimes everything just comes together; I think this picture of rings by James Newman Jewellery just works, what do you think?

The rings are from the James Newman Islet, Icon and Hand Forged collections. Find out more over at our James Newman page.

Bestst

Allie

…Nicer Things – Emma Hadley Jewellery

Emma Hadley Jewellery - Personalised Tags Necklace

We’ve been joined by a fantastic new jeweller, Emma Hadley. Emma found us through the power of the interweb, the power of Twitter to be precise (I’m @plush_allie by the way). She got in touch and came down to show us her handmade jewellery which we simply fell in love with. We’re especially excited to be able to bring her personalised jewellery to a wider audience. Emma uses a combination of traditional jewellery making techniques and modern metal technology in creating these gorgeous pieces of jewellery.

We’re featuring three of the Emma Hadley Jewellery personalised jewellery pieces both online and at Plush Jewellery in Chichester; the Emma Hadley Personalised Tags Necklace, the Emma Hadley Infinity Pendant and the Emma Hadley Baby Name Bracelet and you can find out more about each of these pieces by visiting the Plush Jewellery website, click on each of the names and you’ll be transported there.

Emma Hadley makes each of the pieces to order and the quality of the finish of these pieces is extraordinary.

They make perfect gifts; they’re ideal for christenings, birthdays or weddings. Perfect for adoring Mums and Dads, proud Grandparents and happy couples!

Bestest

Allie

…from the Urban Jungle

Muru London Hawk Pendant

More and more exciting packages are arriving each day as the gentle build-up to Christmas 2009 begins. I know that there’s nearly a quarter of 2009 to go before December 25th but orders need to be ordered from the many designers we work with to give them the time they need to make each of the pieces (which can take up to five weeks), package them up and get them out to us. That’s not to say that we won’t be making the odd phone call on December 22nd saying ‘there’s no chance that you’d be able to send us (insert name of piece of jewellery here) by Thursday morning is there?’

October is also the time of year that we start getting in lovely new pieces of jewellery that we know you’re going to absolutely love and today a big box arrived from Muru London – creations from the Urban Jungle. These are gorgeous, heavy weight pieces in Sterling Silver and feature designs including Hawks – pendant shown above – Horses, Buttons, Lightning Bolts and Apples. They will all be able to buy from our website www.plushjewellery.co.uk soon; to be the first to know when they are available either sign up for our newsletter (details over at www.plushjewellery.co.uk) or follow our Twitter feed twitter.com/plush_allie

Bestest

Allie