Coloured Diamonds

Black Diamonds are the latest "craze" in the London jewellery scene at the moment, although I have been working with these for the last 3 years!
Unfortunately, as they are still fairly unknown, there seems to be some confusion regarding the Diamond Collection that I am showing on my website. Apparently, customers believe they are not real?
For the record, if they are called Diamonds on my website, and in accordance with Trade Descriptions, that is exactly what they are!
Most customers may not have seen Diamonds in this form before, but I can assure you, they are real Diamonds, just not cut like what you would see in traditional jewellery. They are weighed the same, in Carats, the difference is that these are beads i.e with a hole in the middle for threading, and obviously far less expensive.

Black Diamond 2 drop pendant Black Pearls on Sterling Silver, approx 5 Carats.

How? Traditional "cut" diamonds use only the best types of raw diamond leaving the rest for dust, literally (on diamond drills for instance). With the onslaught of colours to hit the market, and the ever expanding bead market's zest for new stones and cuts, the suppliers/cutters (mostly in India) decided to experiment with diamond beads, and has been the biggest product to hit the bead market since Precious Clay was introduced. At the last International Jewellery London Trade Fair in September, retailers were queing to purchase ready made necklaces (crafted in India) for the Christmas season.

2 drop Black Diamond and Labradorite earrings, on oxidised Sterling Silver.

Being a Diamond, the hardest substance known to mankind, they sparkle beautifully like a diamond should, but because they are mostly solid in colour, although they have inclusions and some transperancy, they don't have the "fire" of a traditional cut white diamond, i.e allows more refraction of light. Each bead is "roughly" faceted, to keep the price competitive and they are usually found in 2mm button shapes.

Yellow, Green & Brown Diamond necklet with short single gold pearl drop, approx 3.5 Carats in weight.

I handcraft unique pieces for each individual customer, in keeping with my signature and have several colours available including Black, Grey, Yellow, Green, Brown, exclusively cut into 1mm cubes. As the holes are so tiny, I thread 0.3mm wire, either Sterling Silver or Yellow Gold and each necklace takes a minimum of 3 hours to make, as all diamonds are individually wired to make a chain. I can also oxidise the Silver for a blackened finish, again very en vogue this year. Alternatively, I indispurse the individually wired diamonds with diamond cut chain, thereby reducing the overall price of the finished piece.

Layered Black Diamonds for sparkling "Harry Winston" Red Carpet moments!

Coloured Diamonds look amazing multi-layered, as a tight necklet or with drops of pearls, whichever you prefer and to your exact requirements. Please feel free to email me regarding these gorgeous and most precious gems only available from my online boutique, e:melinda@melindamulcahy.com. Prices start from as little as £45 for 30point earrings with drop pearls, so your not exactly breaking the budget.

The Gift

In this cold commodity culture
Where you lay your money down
It's hard to even notice
That all this earth is hallowed ground...
The gift keeps moving
Never know where it's going to land
You must stand back and let it
Keep on changing hands. --Bruce Cockburn

This week's inspiration, when all we are hearing is doom and gloom!

And always remember, "It's not how much you do, but how much love you put into doing it"

Here come the girls....

For some strange reason I am one of these girls who manages to spot new and interesting things before everyone else. Of course, I always share my news with friends. It's my sixth sense for high fashion.
For some, keeping up to date with fashion fads can be a rather daunting task, so I am happy to offer my services by letting you know my predictions and best picks for each season. Here are my top fashion finds for the imminent party season.....
Most exciting find so far is Barry M cosmetics, which I found in Superdrug, very well priced at around £4-5 and will glitterize you for perfect party power. I love the glitter gel eye liner in red, green, turquoise, silver and anything else you can think of. Not to mention their glitter nail polish, I had to have the red. Go to www.barrym.com for the most fun you'll have since the eighties!

The best place I have seen so far for, in my opinion, festive frocks is Monsoon, they have by far excelled themselves with the most colourful line they have ever done. Divine teals, greens, reds and not much grey or black in sight - YIPPEE! I picked up a satin Emerald Green dress for £85 which will be my top frock for the season.
The must have but ridiculously priced Lara Bohinc black and gold Suede Tatiana clutch - £595.00 is a good investment piece and will stand the test of time.
I great pair of ankle boots in bright purple suede, although I am currently lusting over the Chloe electric blue cut-out angle boots at £455. If you like the colour but not the price, go to Preen at Topshop's Boutique collection, which is about time as I am so sick of "Wafe Moss". And whilst you're there, new find Ashish do colourful sequin outfits to match the boots.
For everyday coats, go for long and black like the Moncler padded at £645, although I bought a fab long zip front from Karen Millen, which does the trick for windy and rainy school runs at half the price..
For the ultimate lip plumping lipgloss rather than cosmetic surgery, during my recent trip through Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, I found a new product called LipFusion XL which is a little pricey, at about £36, but I have to say works! Available via www.musthave.co.uk
Oh and don't forget to accessorise with a fab piece of jewellery like my long Constellations necklace and earrings from £30 available via my online boutique and at selected stockists!

Unusually styled woolly jumpers and knitted dresses are huge this winter. Oversized, or majorly textured with different patterns and cuts like Jil Sanders knitted dresses, and I love the Antonia Berardi bell sleeved kimono style cardi if you want to blow the budget. Otherwise go to Topshop for chunky shawls and cardigans. If all else fails, just get yourself an oversized cowl from Etsy which will do the trick.
If you just want to spruce up that tired LBD, get yourself some gorgeous Gothic Lace Leggins from Topshop for £22.
Bows, bows, bows are everywhere, oh and get yourself a hat, like the Nougat soft and cutchy Mohair knitted Beret with bow detail, in Mink (available at Ginger Lily, Malpas) £69.
And, I am not ashamed to admit that it really is worth checking littlewoods these days for good quality brands. They have certainly upped their game since their catalogue days.

one door closes, another opens

It's disheartening at times, bordering on slitting my wrists down right frustrating when, customers, usually stockists , decide not to restock my jewellery, as they have chosen a more lucrative path of "mass produced" brands like Pilgrim found on every High Street (ggrrrr) leaving no room for us little crafty "independents". Sometimes it feels like my coat tails are still trapped in the door just slammed in my face.
Strangely, similar to karma, another door always seems to open for me, like meeting Jayne or becoming email buddies with Jean, or finding another place to sell my jewellery like Etsy, or being invited to showcase at Celtic Manor events.
Someone explained early in my sales career the "when one door shuts, another opens" theory, which has held me in good stead remembering this and is my most valuable tool when working alone. The old saying "Your only as good as your last sale" I adapt to many areas of business including my designs. Perhaps this might explain why I am so prolific at producing new designs and why I choose not to have a signature style preferring to be a chameleon.
With the power of positive thought, I always seem to recover with a little bit of effort, survival mode and intuition kick in and I am able to see the new horizons everywhere. And actually, when I think about it, this happens in relationships too!
I don't like to say I never look back, as that suggests ignorance. Learning from a situation is always wise in business, but looking forward for new opportunities is far more exciting.....

Ginger Lily Opens

Last week saw the inaugural opening of my fellow jewellery designer/come entrepreneur and friend Jayne Wade's new shop called "Ginger Lily". Little surprise, according to locals on the night, Jayne's gorgeous shop has already made a real splash into the sweet little town.
Located on the main street of Malpas, Cheshire, after talking with the locals who joined in the celebrations, it's exactly what they wanted.

Jayne (right) with friend Alison and a local customer

As an independent shop, Jayne not only offers something different from the High Street, but also prides herself on supporting local talent, like myself for instance, along with her own jewellery brand "Jayne Wade", Dower & Hall, Nougat smellies and accessories, gifts, prints from local artists and much more.

Jayne's business Partner (right) with a customer

Of course, apart from Jayne and her partners, no-one was more excited to see the opening than me as Jayne bravely trusted me to produce the natural therapy candles I had been raving about, and was the first stockist to feature them. I was delighted to see how well received they were, literately walking out the door, with fabulous comments in tow.

Jayne's Sister with local Graphic Designer

I love supporting independent traders who support British designers, which are few and far between these days, but even more so with Ginger Lily, as I have seen first hand the hard work and courage it has already taken and I am so thrilled for her.
On the border of Cheshire, Shropshire and North Wales, it's a great place and idealic country town, so don't forget to drop by and take a look inside. It will be well worth it.

Not the best pic of me, with Jayne (left), but it had taken 5 1/2 hours to get there, leaving no time for fluffing myself up!

Ginger Lily can be found at: The Cross, High Street, Malpas, Cheshire SY14 8QX

Handmade

I have found the most fabulous website for all things handmade.

It's called Etsy and I have recently signed up to start selling my products on it.

Sellers all admire one another's work and it's more than a selling site, it's an international community of artisans.

You will find thousands of amazing items for sale and all handmade by the sellers themselves, like myself, so you are supporting individuals, rather than corporations!

So rather than worry yourselves over Christmas shopping this season, I suggest you take a good look. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Genius.

Candles NOW available online

Thanks to my brilliant web-girl, my new Aromatherapy Candles are now available to purchase on my website!

Believe me, they smell even more divine than the pictures portray.

These candles have been made with much love by myself, not to mention a great deal of time testing and researching to perfect the scents so that they fill a room.
At £13.50, you can't even say you're spoiling yourself, so try both scents and let me know which is the best!
Even more exciting, take advantage of FREE DELIVERY for purchases over £50.

Being Who You Are:

People of high self-esteem are not driven to make themself superior to others. They do not seek to prove their value by measuring themselves against a comparative standard. Their joy is being who they are, not in being better than someone else. Nathanial Brendan

In the news

I was asked yesterday to comment on Catherine Zeta Jones style V's Carla Bruni!

Here is the article link which made the front cover of today's Western Mail newspaper

Of course there can be only one, and in my opinion, CJZ wins hands down.

New Gold

Yellow Gold is certainly on trend right now and seeing as my choice has been Silver for over 17 years, I think it's time for a change.



I have decided to introduce a Yellow Gold line and I hope to progress this throughout some other collections so that I can please those staunch yellow gold lovers with my little treasures. Make sure to check into the website or this blog for more details.


Above: Keishi Pearl Hearts, Gold Plated Solid Silver Hearts & Swarovski Crystal Hearts extra long necklace, earrings and bracelet.

But don't worry Silver lovers, I have no intention of going over to the other side full time!


Bracelet of Keishi Star Pearls & Swarovski Hearts on fine Yellow Gold chain

Stars

I am thrilled to finally announce that my new season's collection will be available shortly on my website and via stockists named "Constellations"featuring stars.



Since YSL introduced their mega-star glass necklace in Spring, editors of fashion mags have been featuring stars at every opportunity, but, as stars are so hard to find in precious jewellery, editors have even been specifically requesting them from designers like me!

I have been searching high and low for star shaped Pearls and I have finally got my hands on them! Known in the trade as "Stellation" it was a real challenge to find good quality AND a good size, like these new Keishi Pearls just in.



Of course High Street brands have already mass produced dress jewellery featuring stars, but always edging on the side of caution, the precious jewellery market hasn't yet featured them, because I certainly didn't see any traders at the IJL (Int Jewellery London trade fair) with these gorgeous pearls as part of their Christmas collections.



One particular stockist of mine has been chomping at the bit to get her hands on these little twinklers and I will be dropping the new collection in to Bryl's Boutique, Barry, later today!

If you can't wait until they get loaded on my website, call the studio for more info on 01656 651527

My New Therapeutic Candles

They really do smell even better than they look! Enjoy them before you light them, they smell devine. But when you do finally light them, just sit back and let these beautiful scents take you away to paradise.


I hope you like them as much as I do..

Exotic princess

The Frangipani or Plumeria flower..... Devine, simple, perfect.

Known to evoke love! Perhaps that's why when I just look at a picture of a frangipani, my stomach flips with excitement, and why beauty companies tend to use these flowers in their marketing material.

Found around the world, in tropical regions, these flowers are used as offerings in Buddhist temples, planted in cemeteries to honor the dead, used in Chinese herbal medicine to assist in restoring peace and harmony, in beauty as a deep cleanser, found in high grade perfumes, and strung to make leis for greeting visitors to Pacific islands. They have been the inspiration for legends of lost loves and tales of dashing princes. To smell a plumeria is to understand why.

Whilst I have been working on developing my candles, I have meticulously studied the Frangipani, and unfortunately it's aromatherapy grade oil is one of THE most expensive on the market, which is why it is rarely found in aromatherapy candles. If it is used, it's usually only the "fragrance" and not essential oil and so normally wouldn't boast theraputic qualities. But believe me, this stunner is certainly worth the cost, and soon, I hope to bring you the TRUE fragrance of the tropics.

Relaxed Christmas Shopping with Friends

Taking Christmas bookings already!!!
Some of you may not know that I do also offer a Private Viewing Service for jewellery lovers.
I came across one of my customers today wanting to place her Christmas list order with me (already) which prompted me to blog this....
By late November last year, I unfortunately had to let some customers down as I couldn't fit in any more bookings, because they left it too late. From mid November until Christmas, it's the busiest time of year for me, and especially if you want jewellery to sport at your Christmas function, you will certainly have to get your ice-skates on!
Of course, customers can always purchase my jewellery via the website, but a Private Viewing is a fab way to enjoy a relaxed shopping experience with all your mates over a glass a wine. This way, YOU get exactly what you want for Christmas, nicely packaged and you don't have to pay for delivery either!
I'm also buzzing to showcase my Aromatherapy Candles, which sit beautifully alongside my jewellery, and will certainly make reasonably priced luxury gifts (from £14) that friends will really appreciate. With these new additions, this will no doubt be the busiest year yet!
So to avoid disappointment, please do ensure you contact me shortly. Just work some date options out with 10 or more friends/family (who preferably love jewellery andor luxury scented candles) and contact me as soon as possible to arrange a booking.
It's the most relaxing Christmas Shopping experience you will ever have!
The Studio: 01656 651527
Email: sales@melindamulcahy.com

My New Candles

As long as I can remember, I have always wanted to create my very own scents to remind me of tropical holidays and living in Australia. It's almost like bottling my childhood in the sun.
After years of dreaming about what makes an exotic scent and my love of candles, I decided to learn about aromatherapy and candle making, so that I could combine the two. I have extensively researched and as always I strive for the best possible quality. In doing so, I now fully understand my need to do this, so that I could not only enjoy them, but also heal.
For some it's drugs and others it's a new car, but after suffering postnatal depression, my mind, body and soul was calling out for nature to help, in the form of essential oils, and so came my need once again to create.
The power of essential oils are awesome, they can change a mood, inspire and even aid ailments.
After months of testing, these little luxuries are ready to market, and I am now just working on the packaging and such before making them available on my website.
I have decided to release the first two or three scents which are:
"Relax" featuring Rosewood, Geranium and Lavender, "Invigorate" with Lemongrass & Ylang Ylang and "Spirit" with Ginger, Lime and Lemongrass. I am holding back the frangipani for a little later.
I am so excited about these new candles, I simply can't wait to get them in the shops! And judging from the responses of those who have received samples and burnt them, it all appears very positive.
Watch this space for more news....

My Jewellery Buddy

Since meeting Jayne Wade (a fellow designer) 18months ago at a trade fair, we have kept in touch via emails ever since and recently met up at the IJL (International Jewellery London) to see what's happening in the industry and compare notes.

Like me, Jayne started her jewellery business around the same time as me, based in Chester, and has progressed to where she has approx 35 stockists and recently opened a shop. Although Jayne's jewellery is my competition, I always like to spread the word and help her too, because, like me, Jayne is offering a different choice for customers, for without designers like us, everyone would all be walking around in exactly the same accessories.

What has been interesting and at times, reassuring, is the paralells in which we are both travelling in the jewellery industry, both of us struggling just to keep our businesses going, the never ending battles of getting our jewellery known in the market, the stresses and strains of owning our own businesses, not to mention the lonliness of working from home.

There is no doubt most retailers are suffering as a result of the current economic climate and from walking around the trade fair, the manufacturers are too. It was amazing how many big names in the industry who tried to hit the market running with large marketing budgets, but who are not longer around. Reassuring for both Jayne and I who are building our businesses slowly and, although we don't exhibit, we both hope to be around a while yet.
There wasn't really much to report, from the trade fair from a design point of view either, but one thing was certain, diamond beaded necklaces, like mine, were being snapped up from Indian suppliers!

Jayne has her own label of beautiful and contemporary jewellery design collection available to purchase in her new shop (pictured above) and online at www.jaynewade.com and will soon be stocking some of my jewellery and new candle collection available in store from October.
If you are in the area, this is one shop you definitely wouldn't want to miss!

May I wish Jayne the very bestest of luck in her new and exciting venture.....

Jayne Wade's NEW shop address is: The Cross, High street, Malpas, Cheshire SY14 8QX
Tel: 01948 861219

I've cracked it

After much tinkering and dabbling every night for months, I have finally come up with the essence of my childhood memories.
Frangipani has always been my favourite flower, probably because we had trees in our gardens when I was growing up and their fragrance was so pungent and signaled the prospect of summer. Smelling it's essence now fills me with warmth, the sweet feeling of the sun upon my skin, simply because I had a joyful childhood by a beautiful beach.
Our garden in sunny Cronulla, Southern Beaches of Sydney, had a fab pool, tropical garden and huge pergola with built-in BBQ and Mum and Dad always put on the best parties for family and friends to enjoy. From Hawaiian nights to Toga parties, we did it. Usually the police would call to request we turn the music down (those of you who know me, this should sound familiar).


Scents of Paradise - The Frangipani!

So several months ago, I embarked on the challenge of making aromatherapy candles with the prospect of capturing this idealistic childhood memory in candle form.
Aromas have always played an important part of my life as they take me away to tropical fantacies of white sandy beaches and never-ending sunny days.
Wonderful aromas always fill our house (not just curries) and visitors always ask what essential oil candles I am burning.
Now that I have finally captured my own essence, soon they will be available to share through my website and hopefully the Welsh Hamper Company who are excited to feature them in their hampers.
Watch this space....

Tahitian Dreaming....

There have been so many different types of crafts I have played with over the years, silk painting, cake decorating/sugar crafting, abstract painting, more recently candle making to name a few and certainly nothing is more fulfilling (apart from giving birth to a beautiful baby) than realising the fruits of one's labours.
When a blank canvas presents itself in front of me, it takes a while to get acquainted, usually with several glasses of Cava!
Whilst I wouldn't proclaim to be an artist in this field, it's truly amazing how confidence and my sheer willingness to try, allows me to forget I am a novice.
The weather has been horrendous this summer, especially with the kids off school, so I decided to immerse myself in painting with a dream of taking me away to sunny distant shores.
I remembered my visit to Tahiti when I was about 15 years old and I immediately felt excited and compelled to get started.
The memories of mangos flooding the roads, white beaches, glimmering turquoise waters, and the dreamy smiles of the local ladies surrounded by tropical floral delights.
My painting actually allowed me to forget about the weather and I was in fantasy land.
These creative elements in my life allows me to grow and fuels my determination to drive myself further into the unknown. I am now looking forward to progressing this lady, along with more Cava....
Ah, what a great feeling.

Misinterpreted

Tears cried are not weakness
Smiles are not strength
Angry but forgiving
Ignored and tired of breath

Mirror shattered
Bruised and raw
But the touch of baby
Brings hope and warmth

Melinda xx

Happily Marrieds

Here are friends from Cowbridge, Helen Alden, who tied the knot with Mike Reilly. A big "Congratulations" goes out to our happy couple who drank in the hot Tuscan sun & sipped cool champagne with friends and family last August.
Sadly, not long after this wonderful day, Helen's beloved father passed away. So this is dedicated to Jeff Alden.
Helen wears the V07 Necklace (on snake chain) and Earrings in White & I have to say she looks just gorgeous.