Winning and losing and playing the game

 I have had some success completing some pieces of jewellery for the Pop Up in Scotland, followed by what can only be described, and re-framed, as a morning of 'learnings' (not failures!).

In a funny turn  of events, a friend popped by before heading overseas for a couple of months, looking for a pair of earrings to take on her travels. Out of the pile I had ready, she selected the only pair of the trio of stacked pebbles I had. Which was lovely, except I had chosen them to feature on the postcard we had recently had printed for the Pop Up and now I wouldn't have any of my advertised wares to sell!

As they say,  back to the workbench I went, and produced two pairs this time so I can't be foiled. I remain fond of their wobbliness.

After pondering three piece or five piece joined necklaces through the week, I decided to make two five piece ones and am pleased with them both. Different chains, but they are both lovely to wear.

And so to yesterday's morning of learning...

I had this idea for a brooch to incorporate flat silver with a pebble. I had designed it in my head, and thought my way through the way to attach the pebble and to then add the brooch clasp on the back.  I slowly and methodically went about things, and had Barry teach me how to drill holes in stones (using a 1mm diamond bit and water).

Which was excellent fun and not as scary as I had anticipated. You just have to go very slowly and keep adding water.

I got a bit carried away and tried to drill more than one hole in a couple and that was also excellent fun! So the morning did hold several successes.

Until it didn't.

I was trying to put a silver pin with a bauble head through the drilled pebble, and through the drilled silver, and then use flame to seal it on the underside. For love nor money it wouldn't 'drip' and seal the bottom - and I kept the flame on it for ages as you can tell by the colour of the silver off cut I was testing on.

Sharp eyes might also note that pebble I was using looks a bit damaged. And it was. I had drilled two holes in it and in the first one we tried we couldn't get the wire pin to drip and seal so to speak, so we trimmed it and attempted to gently hammer it like if you were riveting it - ever so gently flattening the wire so it creates a circle which would seal the attachment point. And of course, the pebble broke.

We worked out that stone was drawing all the heat and not enough heat remained on the pin for it to run/melt/drip. And clearly the heat then made the stone brittle and this was the result. Sigh. This was a couple of hours of testing this that and the other.

So an alternative is now being explored, because I still really like the idea!

And so to playing the game. A list of things I have been doing to keep me calm and happy and relaxed.

My first attempt at laminated cheese scones. We tried these in Scotland the last time we were there and I loved them so much I really wanted to know how to make them. These were good, but I think they can be lighter and puffier. But delicious nonetheless!

I spent a quiet relaxing time addressing envelopes for a Christmas in July event this week.

And then one of my favourite things to relax is a jigsaw, which I usually don't get to do except at holiday times, but I thought it would be a good plan this week.  And as soon as I began I wondered what on earth had I been thinking with all these multiple bright colours and patterns and repeats??? Still as I conquer small parts of it there is a sense of achievement for sure.

Win some, lose some and keep on playing...