Sticky jaw toffees

After attending the wash-out school fete last Saturday afternoon I suddenly remembered the sorts of treats we used to have as kids.  Sticky jaw toffees, loaded with sugar, sugar and errrr more sugar, I looked up the recipe and made a batch for my girls.  These little sweeties took me back to a place where the sun always shone, at least in my memory, the southern shores of Sydney.  But when I came to taste them, they didn't seem as good as when I was a kid, eeek!  Too sweet for me, but the kids loved them.

Along came Amber

All too often, I am disappointed to receive an item purchased online which literally didn't measure up to my expectations, all because the picture didn't show anything to measure it up with, even though all the measurements were given.  It's actually quick hard to work out how big something is, like jewellery for instance.

At least when I'm madly scouting the net-a-porter sale, I can quickly gauge the size of an item before seriously considering it, because they always show accessories on a model.  So I thought, what a great idea!  Perhaps I should do the same.

Then along came Amber!  My latest model and friend.  I saved her from some very dull industrial unit, where she was literally chocking in bubble wrap.  Ha, hum (and actually between you and I, hoping she could surprise me with a good sort out of my very messy work desk whilst I'm sleeping).

I had to pierce her earlobes, so that I could thread earrings. A little more crude than they do in Claire's Accessories with my pedestal drill, made a little bit of a mess of the backs, but she didn't complain.  And every now and again, I will be detaching her arm so I can photograph some bracelets, but I promise to be gentle.

No doubt you will be seeing a lot more of this bubbling blonde modeling my jewellery, as I slowly update all the pictures on my website.  I am sure she will be a great guide to purchasing from now on....

Star design

It's been such a long time since I blogged that I can't believe where the time has gone other than making so many lovely customers happy with their purchases.
And of course, soooo many new designs, when I'm not making good order, I just don't know where to begin..

flip to gold or silver, can be personalised

I am loving stretching what is fast being my signature style of mixing gold and silver in new designs and there are certainly more to come this year. For this coming Christmas I released the new star charm on bangle which quickly got snapped up by the Huffington Post Fashion writer Sarah McGiven and here it is in the 4th of July celebration peace.  She's a great blogger too!
In seeing this feature in the Huffington post, Laura my 7 year old fashion girl picked the hot pants and sleeveless star top, just her style!

Ever since I designed this flashing silver and gold star bangle, I have not only received great reviews, but I have worn it myself (whenever I'm not in my studio working) and even had ladies stop me at the airport whilst on a quick break in Portugal!  I pair it with the new gold heart on sterling silver bangle and large hoops with gold heart earrings for great movement and a flashes of light.  Now all 3 new gold/silver designs are available to purchase on my website.

Happy shiny nails

One of my friends just returned from a sunny holiday flashing her lovely tan AND these amazing gold foil toenails (yes I know the above are hands). They look like solid gold.  Where have I been?  Errr in my studio.
Anyways, next day, I'm at the local swimming pool taking my kids to their lessons and I see 2 other mother's wearing different designs with this same foil on their toes, one with a cook black and white check, so now I'm thinking I'd better get me some for my hols later this year.
I've done a quick search and found a huge selection including a Rio Nail Foiling kit on Argos, although I have to cringe at patterns and stick on rhinestones (not my style).  Nor would I have them on my fingernails, but I just love the gold on twinkle toes, perfect for seaside holidays, and I've just spotted plum too. Immediately hooked.  The above picture is from Rio Nails Metalix kits

Sugar sweet

I don't think I've lusted over ANY clutch, or bag for that matter, as much as I have this little stunner by Mui Mui.  It is everything I could ever wish for in a handheld, the colour is my style of sugar pink and the perfect gold embellishment finishes the cut, except for one little problem; it's made of velvet and at £760, you just know it's not going to last the distance!

Italian Salami like no other

As you know I not only have an affinity with Italy and it's fresh food, but we also have a small holiday home there in an unknown area called Abruzzo so visit regularly.  Our lovely friend Pietro runs the local hotel/restaurant where he serves THE best, freshest food at very reasonable prices, a bottle of vino rosso Montepulciano de Abruzzo will set you back a whopping 6 Euros!
They stay true to the seasons and what is available at the time. Great cappuccinos to pop in for in the morning and his wife stays locked in the kitchen, slaving over the freshest traditional Italian cuisine.
His signature dish is served bubbling in a terracotta pot with handkerchief sheets of freshly made pasta, mouth watering tomato sauce and local asparagus.  I have tried to re-create this dish for my kids, but it's never the same, until my last trip when we worked out the magic ingredient.  Ventricina.
We have become absolutely addicted to Pietro's home made Ventricina, a spiced salami like not other and a traditional meat in Abruzzo. Served either on a cold platter of meats or in this delicious pasta dish.  No doubt there are many secret ingredients and spices that make the Ventricina taste so good but we have certainly spotted the main couple, lots of fatty deposits mean it's tastier, rosemary, lots of chilli and..... fennel.
In our next trip this summer, I am hoping he might spill the beads on his secret recipe and even show me how it's made
I went onto Luigis mail order and it's available to buy at around the same price as Pietro's but I can't imagine it would be anywhere near as tasty.  This stuff is absolutely smashing.
We WILL be bringing some back this time.

7 weeks working holiday

Wondering where I've been over the Summer? Finishing this house in Abruzzo, Italy...Phew!

From this...

Front of old little cottage

Back of old little cottage

To this... Front with new extension

Side view with extension

It was no holiday! But obviously worth it.

What will your future bring?

Now you can send someone who needs a wonderfully uplifting gift of fortune with a Fine Silver Fortune Cookie! I offer various options, sold just as a cookie charm or on a keyring, bracelet, bangle, necklace options, along with finishing touches like a pearl or gemstone for further positive energy. This new design will bring someone luck, love, wealth, health or whatever you feel that person you love needs for their future with your personalised message..... Each cookie (not recommended for consumption) comes with a message, as shown above, printed on paper and is beautifully packaged in a gift box tied with ribbon.
These will be available on my website from September and is available now on NOTHS.

Doodles in Silver

At least once a month we have Yum Cha (Chinese dim sim) at our favourite restaurant in Canton and always pack some drawing materials for the kids to doodle on the throwaway paper table cloth. The last time we went Laura drew this really lovely bird (top) so I ripped it off and decided to transform it into a Silver bookmark for her Grandfather, whom we call Poppi. I thought it would be nice to personalise it further with a message of love from his two beautiful grand-daughters. We presented it upon his long awaited arrived recently from Sydney, as they are spending the Summer with us to help in Italy, and he was really moved, and also curious (ever the Engineer) as to how I managed to make it. Mum wants all the grand-kids names in the shabby hearts instead.
Judging from my friends responses, they will be a real hit! I was so pleased with the result, I have decided to start selling them on my website when I return from my working holiday in the September so I can take orders in time for Christmas. I know from my own experience, the deluge of drawings the kids product during their precious early years, we can't keep them all, that there is always a special one that really captures your heart and you would love to keep, but then it gets lost or coffee split on it or ripped and scrunched and the treasured drawing is lost. This way, it can be encapsulated to be treasured forever as a lovely AND useful keepsake. You can of course also capture their first attempt to write their name or whatever you so wish, add a date, message, the possibilities are endless. I already have orders from friends who I always run new designs by, and they are now scouring their kids keepsake draws for their favourite art piece.
The bookmark weights approx 5-6 grams of solid .999 Fine Silver, measures approx 60mm x 15mm and will cost £69 and can also be made into a keyring +£12. You need to do, is find that special drawing, make a copy with thick black ink on white paper, scan it and email it to me at sales@melindamulcahy.com with your message and I will do the rest.

Customer's at their very best

I was so surprised and heart-warmed to receive this note, I thought I would share this with my readers.
Thank you so much Caroline & John. This kind gesture has moved me deeply. And, got me thinking; Yup, "Kelly Rocks!" Love the Phonics!
I'm just waiting for Kelly Jones to knock my door and collect his plectrum.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you so very much!

i LOVE this postcard

A customer asked for this wording (above) and it really struck a cord! I am also getting loads of requests for co-ordinates (below) which I think might be Serbian??

Every cloud as they say

Then this popped through just in the nick of time:

Hi Melinda
Thank you for such a prompt reply.
I will pop the keyring in the post and return to you. The rest of the product is lovely and the girls father was delighted with his present so this issue is just a hiccup.
Regards Allison Usher, Sedgefield

You see, for every negative, I get tonnes of the lovely understanding customers, like Allison who make it all worth while!

Small batch problem

So I changed the first lot of keyrings bought from a very reputable source in the UK as the opening on 2 items out of a hundred or so didn't open far enough to insert a key. They were in fact some of the most expensive on the market but were causing me 2 out of 100 problems too many as I aim for 200% customer satisfaction.
I thought I had resolved this problem by finding another supplier, slightly different design, but still a lovely mechanism and no probs with fitting keys on. Although I know on occassion they might need male muscles to unscrew at first, but that's a good thing as you don't want to be losing your keys, right?
But as silver prices have sored I am actually losing money on each keyring I sell on NOTHS in order that I clear NOTHS commission, and I was going to pull them until after the catalogue when I would be able to increase the price. But I though was doing dis-service to my customers.
All's well until 2 days ago, when I find out after 3 customers complained they're plectrum or postcard had come off the jump ring. After investigation, it transpired that my supplier had provided the incorrect strength of jump ring and a small batch sent out were not holding. As you can imagine I'm completely mortified! I have offered to replace the ring immediately.
Then I get a really negative comment via the FEEFO system, even though I have offered to fix the ring for this customer. Needless to say, I was really down this morning, slitting wrist kind, when I saw this comment. Especially as she also said the plectrum was flimsy!
Has anyone seen a real plastic plectrum? Well the ones I make, might I add, in solid .999 Fine Silver, are much larger and thicker than the real life ones, so I really can't understand why someone would say it's flimsy!
Above: One of my unfinished fine silver plectrums next to a real life plastic plectrum. Does this look flimsy to you?

Have I also mentioned my creations are not brought in from China which was mass produced on a production line with robots so they are cloned. I dedicate over 1 hour of my time to hand craft each fine silver item for each individual customer, which is quiet a lot of time in this day and age.
So I thought I would cheer myself up and check out my nice comments. I was blown away! All cheered up now, I thought I would share some with you....

• 17 Jun 2011
  We required the plectrum as a gift for our best man, at short notice Melinda very kindly rushed through our order and ensured we had it on the day. It arrived in perfect condition and beautifully gift wrapped. It was a beautiful gift, well made and beautifully presented. Excellent service!!!!!
• 19 Jun 2011

  Perfect - arrived on time and very original for a graduation present. thank you

• 17 Jun 2011

  i bought this as a gift for my fiancé who was THRILLED! It was so quick to arrive and was exquisitely wrapped up! Thank you!

• 
  15 Jun 2011
  The plectrum was perfect, exactly what i was hoping for and fingers crossed will be a hit! Only criticism is that the leather necklace that i chose for it to come with is not very long and think it will be too tight for my partner to wear, despite being advertised as a gift for fathers day - I contacted the customer upon hearing the length was too short and have offered to replace length of necklace with 20inch, so customer very pleased!
• 13 Apr 2011

  It's a gift for my husband to be, so he hasn't received it yet... But I love it!

• 
  28 Feb 2011
  Everything worked out great with the order, and I had great personal communication with the seller. The only thing that may have been improved is the delivery - as it arrived after Valentine's Day - but that wasn't a huge inconvenience. Overall very pleased! - Customer advised late delivery was due to Royal Mail putting item in an obscure place which customer didn't find until after Valentines Day?

I am getting lots of people saying that it's not much silver for £50, but they obviously don't realise the global market prices for silver and gold has trebled in the last 3 years and I have been trying to absorb these increases. Compare my product the one below (not mine), which is essentially the same thing with a kiddies pic on it for £130 with cheaper keyring, I think you will agree mine is very good value for money!

Credits

I've been celebrating the busiest period my business has ever seen, with the lead up to Father's Day orders, and after taking a well deserved break this weekend, I can see from my forward booked sales, that it isn't stopping just yet!
It's absolutely fantastic to finally see the fruits of my labours and I'm getting stopped all the time from parents on school run when I bounce the girls off in my MBT's, what I'm so happy about. Words escape me. Recalling only February last year I was so depressed about my sales that I was re-thinking why my sorry arse was making, when no-one was buying. And on only the second attempt, I got accepted on NOTHS then there was no looking back.
Of course it's been big a learning curve on there, trying to produce new concepts that stand out from all the rest and are what people want, not to mention getting organised throughout the year to get the most from events like Valentine's Day etc. So I thought I would take this opportunity to credit those who make it all happen:

Customers: Without you, I wouldn't have a business. So, high fiving it over to you.
Photography: Oh, that will be me!
Web updates on NOTHS, melindamulcahy.com, etsy, blog: Um, well that's me too!
Graphics: Me
Marketing: Me
Concept & product development: Oooh, me again.
Crafting of jewellery: That is of course only going to be me.
Crafting of Fine Silver Gifts: me, with help sanding late into the night during busy periods by my husband. Thanks Andrew x
Tooling advancement: Andrew.
Accounting: Andrew, cause I don't do money very well.
Soldering: Me!
Collating & Packaging orders: me too.
Walking orders to post office: me & the kids with bribbary by way of ice lollies!
Lovely Post Office Lady: Lynn. Your the best!
Post office queuing during busy periods with bulk dispatches: Dan, the man with the muscles and the van - Thanks Dan x
Purchasing: Me again.
Printing: Hadyn Prior, which reminds me I need to pay his invoice, oooppps! Oh, actually he hasn't invoiced me.... Must remind him.
Cleaner to keep me sane: Magda (please don't ever leave me!)
Customer Services & enquiries: Me
General dogs body duties like making coffee: Me
Website SEO: Blaine. Well done on the top of first page of Google for handmade jewellery.
Advertising: hahahahahaha, just kidding, I don't do any!
Patience and understanding during busy periods: My wonderful girls whom "I love all the way to the moon, past the stars and beyond!"
And lastly, weekly chats with my invaluable friends and hiphop classes keep my route to discovery a humorous and meaningful one!

Thank you all.

ramblings of truth

I absolutely can not believe the price of Fine Silver Clay has just doubled in price, literally over night and for no real reason. Nothing short of a monopoly if you ask me! There are only two companies, both Japan based, that produce this product and I have seen artisans around the world enjoy the fruits of they're clever product, but that will all change.
For this reason, and the fact NOTHS have advised I am legally held to contract concerning prices, due to fair trade (which doesn't cover my little business's needs and financial requirements to get paid) until the catalogue expires in July, so I have to hold my prices.
I have already witnessed it's victims in business falling around me. Good suppliers, now gone. Perhaps this may also deter independent artisans from working with ArtClay and PMC for the love of it, as I once did. It has taken me 2 years of developing and honing my skills to get this product to the standards I can now boast.
And it's any wonder I am in this position, when offering free delivery (which believe it or not is not accounted for in my costings) customers choose to purchase within days, even minutes of each order, to the same address, taking full advantage of "free delivery" which is totally flat-lining any possible profit. But this is just a sign of our throw-away mentality that my business has been caught up with, the down side of being part of a multi-national community of businesses that aren't makers. For this reason, I have decided to withdraw free delivery on NOTHS, although it's still free on my website, in order that I can somehow combat these massive price hikes.
Oh and I was pushed into offering "express" delivery, for no financial gain to myself, and for orders that I can not make in anything less than 48 hours, so the only thing I got out of it was a stomach ulcer! People, I am not NEXT delivery!!
I am deeply concerned about my business's future. Will my business withstand yet another financial storm? Perhaps my darkest days are just around the corner.....
Just venting, you understand! It's been a tough couple of days!
Customers can help support small and struggling businesses like mine by purchasing directly via melindamulcahy.com.

My "Daddy Rocks" personalised fine silver plectrum makes top 20 gifts for Father's Day on NOTHS!

Shabby Heart Competition

Okay, I've just released these sweet'n shabby hearts on a lovely silver ball necklace, also sold as bangles, available on Not On The High Street now and very shortly (after Father's Day rush) via my website. I have been thinking about ideas for 3 or 4 letter words to stamp inside the hearts, and I thought I'd make it into a competition.
No profanities please!
I am offering a chance to win a ball chain necklace with your choice of 1 initial shabby heart + 1 stamped with your own "word" as shown here in the picture "love", styled with a lovely white pearl worth £47.50 including delivery.
Just email me your most original word suggestion, via sales@melindamulcahy.com, mark the subject as "Shabby Heart Competition" and add your email, name and full delivery address. I can only accept mainland UK entries (sorry). I am unable to change/exchange or offer a monetary equivalent!
Competition ends 12 noon (GMT) on Saturday 25th June 2011 & the winner will be emailed within 5 days of that date.
Jessica & Laura, my two daughters, will be the judges who may be easily persuaded with sweeties!
Oh, and one last thing, the winner's suggested word will also be photographed and added to my webstore for all to see, NOTHS and of course here on my blog, printed with your name and address.

Postcard with Love to my friend

My dearest friend that I grew up with in Sydney tragically lost her Mother to a sudden stoke just before Easter. Chris was only 59, assistant head in a school where she has taught for over 35 years and looking at retirement.
The news was so surreal that at first I couldn't grasp it, but once it started to dawn on me as news came from friends and family far and wide, I realised how much it shook my core. Words can not convey how I feel nor what to say to my lifelong friend, as I couldn't just hop on a plane to be there to comfort her, when she needed it most.
So I thought of a poem and made it into a Postcard with Love, pictured above, finished with a keyring, instead of just sending a sympathy card. I wanted Leah to be reminded of her Mother's Love everyday, rather than mourn her loss.
Shortly afterwards it was Mother's Day in Australia and no doubt it would be a sad day, but instead of being glum, she stated everyday was Mother's Day with her Mum! How lucky she was to have been blessed with such a wonderful Mother.
So many fond memories spent with Chris as part of my teenage years, I smile sweetly to myself at those thoughts. She was a welcome part of our family events and we will all miss her. Softly spoken, Chris rarely raised her voice, like a sea breeze whipping over the rolling waves at Cronulla beach.
Chris is now with Leah's Father, resting as true loves.
My thoughts are with you, Leah, Steve, Cheyenne, Brock and the rest of your family.

Father's Day 2011

It's going to be a ridiculously busy period leading up to Father's Day judging by the orders I am already receiving, more than a month and half before. Not to mention NOTHS featuring me twice in their next catalogue, due out shortly.
Unfortunately I have felt the aftershocks following the devastation in Japan earlier this year as my usual Silver Clay supplier has had problems obtaining it from their Japanese manufacturers which has set me back. So I have spent the last week sorting this little issue, but I'm back on track again and ready to rock. On that note, my heart goes out to all that were effected and you can donate with the Red Cross.
Plectrums, Golf ball Markers, Cufflinks & many other men's gift ideas available.
Make sure you order early!

My bucket list

1. I've always wanted to learn to fly a helicopter.
2. Visit Africa with aid to help a small community
3. Tour around America & Canada in an old airstream, then when I'm finished, do Europe.
4. Learn to make my own tasty brown bread & fresh pasta from scratch (with the help of my wonderful new Italian neighbours, in Palmoli).
5. Visit Sri Lanka, the ice hotel in Sweden & Reykjavik, Iceland
   
6. Commission an eccentric posh hat
7. Train my own horse and participate in a hunt
   
8. Build a timber boat from scratch
9. Go back to Central Saint Martins and study shoe and bag making
10. Learn to make chocolate as good as Lindt
11. See a Blues Singer in New Orleans
12. Dance in Havana
13. Cruise the Nile
14. Experience the Orient Express 1st class from London to somewhere romantic and not yet visited in Europe
    
15. Write a book (of sorts)
16. Learn to snow ski properly (hopefully this Christmas)
    
17. Master the language of Italian, sooner rather than later
    
18. Put on a barn dance or masquerade ball
19. Go hot air ballooning
20. Race a sports car on an F1 track
21. See the Aurora Borealis
22. Sing with a backing band
23. Read more books
24. Stop worrying
25. Learn to say "no" without feeling guilty!
    

Finally, happiness is not just saying your happy, but truly feeling it within