editorial Archives - Drakestail Jewellery

Category: editorial

05
Jan
2017

New Year is here and GREENERY is the colour for 2017!

If you’ve followed our blog for awhile now you may recall we like to start off each new year sharing the pantone colour of the year with you. And I must say I am rather smitten with their selection for 2017! It brings to mind FRESH, NATURE and CALM to me and I cannot wait to incorporate it into some upcoming projects I have simmering in the back of my mind.

How fantastic is GREENERY? I just look at it and it makes me happy. If you are curious about Pantone’s past colours of the year or want more details about why they selected it here is a link to Pantone’s webpost about it.

I am so thankful for all the happiness 2016 brought me. Here are some of my highlights!

In February my fiancé Craig took me to Las Vegas for the first time. We got to hike in Valley of fire state park. It was a very memorable day for us as we’d never seen such stunning bright rock faces before.

In March I started a new business which is blooming nicely! In April I went back to Las Vegas for the Arbonne annual training conference which was AMAZING! I learned so much about business and about personal growth that I can apply to Arbonne and to Drakestail and to life in general.

In May I traveled to Ontario to meet my adorable niece Everly who had been born in March. She loves vintage shades just like her auntie!

In August I took 5 full weeks off from my day job and focused on my other endeavours which was actually life altering for me. This same month Craig and I hit the road for 12 days. We did some camping and scuba diving in Alberta. We brought the dogs and the cat on this road trip and had a blast! I also reached my goal of achieving master diver status before the end of the summer.

In November I ran away to Jamaica for 3 weeks, spent the first week with my dear friend then we were joined by friends and family and Craig and I were married on a beach by the ocean.

Captured by Photos with Ashley - November 2016 in Jamaica

As a side note, all the lush Jamaican vegetation in my wedding photo feels like a great fit to the colour of the year for 2017. Who knew?!

As grateful as I am for 2016, I am really looking forward to the year ahead. I have set some goals for myself in each of my businesses and at my day job that I am excited to work on. I am wishing a fantastic year ahead to you and yours, I cannot wait to see what fabulousness 2017 will bring!

10
Aug
2016

Peridot three ways: great outfits inspired by our new peridot jewellery

categories: editorial

I love to toy with the website Polyvore from time to time. It’s a fun repository of fashion, home items, and accessories, and I could spend hours just flipping through to see what’s there. Each of us created a new piece of peridot jewellery for the August newsletter, so I thought I would have fun with them and create some matching outfits!

Peridot and pearl necklace

If you know us at all, you know we have a serious love affair with pearls. This first set is built around a two-strand necklace with tiny peridots and butter yellow pearls. Wanting a classic look, I went with an a-line polka dot dress that would make the peridot pop, and then accessorized in the sunny butter yellow that matched the pearls. Top it off with a fun fascinator and some cat’s eye sunglasses, and you have a perfect look for an afternoon out or a fun date!

Peridot Swirl Necklace

The second set is built around a funky necklace with three short twists of peridot set into a silver chain. One of the first pieces I found was the skirt, and I loved the geometric pattern at the bottom. I thought it matched perfectly. From there, the rest just fell into place, and I ended up with a spectacular outfit that would be great by day with a jacket, and great for cocktails without.I’m always a big fan of versatility, and this definitely fits the bill.

Long peridot drop earrings with iolite briolettes

The third set is built around a pair of long drop earrings with tiny faceted peridots and a pair of tiny faceted iolite briolettes.I went a different route with this set, after finding the dress, which includes both greens, to match the peridots, and blues, to go with the iolite briolettes. I thought I would accessorize with the pale indigo blue of the iolites, and bring out the green with a little green shrug. This ultra-feminine outfit would be perfect for a brunch, tea, or some warm-weather window shopping.

Which collection is your favourite? How would you wear our jewellery? We’d love to get your opinion!

25
Jul
2016

Jewellery for a brave adventurous princess

categories: editorial, Uncategorized

My niece CC was born 5 years ago this July, I had been debating what to gift her. Over the years I have tried to stick to educational, not traditionally “for girls” type gifts as she’s a brilliant young human being and I’ve always wanted to encourage that mind to grow. She’s part dreamer, scientist, astronaut and princess all rolled into one (among other things). I admire CC immensely. She has no biases and places no limits on herself. She is a marvel to watch. Not having children of my own, I hold adamantly to the rule that I need to follow her parents’ lead. I pay attention to how they speak to her and discipline her and try follow suit, consistency is magic for kids! This year, leading up to her birthday I was chatting with her Mom about gifts and party plans. Though I live far away I like to keep in touch as much as I can. CC’s Mom told me that CC had requested a princess dress for her birthday party so I asked if gifting her a set of princess jewellery would be acceptable. Mom agreed, jewellery would be perfect!

As you all may have noticed by now, I LOVE pearls. Diamonds just aren’t my thing. So I thought a set of classic pearls would be great for CC. A little bit of me, gifted to her. Something she can keep over the years. I made them slightly long so they should last the next few years and if ever it becomes necessary I can always adjust the sizing of them down the road. She can have this set of pearls forever, if that’s what she decides to do. This set is made with gold Swarovski crystal pearls in 6 MM with silver filled findings. A very classic colour for pearls in a classic, simple design. At the time I didn’t know what dress CC ended up picking for herself so I wanted a versatile set that would go with anything.

Mom reports that CC LOVED her jewellery and wore it all weekend long. Nothing makes an auntie happier than hearing that!

Drop earrings on shepherd's hook — Drop earrings on shepherd’s hook

24
Jul
2016

International Self Care Day

categories: editorial, Uncategorized

July 24th is international self care day, a day to remind ourselves that our health and well being need to be a priority. Here at Drakestail Jewellery we believe this is extremely important. We are three women who juggle full time jobs, this business, parenting, as well as numerous activities. I know I often drop the “taking care of Roxy” ball amidst all of that.

Placing greater importance on my overall health is something I have focused on greatly in the last few months and I have set some exciting goals for myself for the month of August, which I am sure I will share with you sometime later. All of that to say, today, and everyday I’d like to encourage you to eat healthy, exercise, get good sleep, take some “me time” and try to stress less about the things that are outside of your control. Make caring for yourself your top priority. It isn’t selfish, it makes you better able to handle all the fantastic challenges life throws your way!

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13
Jul
2016

Jewellery Designer’s Home Office!

categories: editorial, Uncategorized

Well I moved into this house in April 2015 and have been struggling with how to properly set up my jewellery making space. Finally last weekend I think I got my office set up the way I want it! I am so excited by this. I will admit it took me awhile. I tried a couple different configurations and furniture/storage options before I got to where it is now. I am always bargain hunting for furniture and feel each space needs different pieces to make it work. I often buy and sell on sites like Kijiji or Facebook Buy & Sell groups.

My home office is a small space, about 2.3 meters by 2 meters and I run two businesses out of it so I had to be strategic about what was in there. I had this 1950s dinette set from my old apartment that doesn’t fit in my current kitchen but I love it immensely and I recovered the chairs myself so there was no way I would part with it. That instantly became my desk. It gives me a nice big surface to work on and also extra chairs for any consultations I might need to do.

Last summer, on Kjiji, I found this stunning 1900s era printers cabinet, tiny narrow drawers, perfect for jewellery supplies, tools and stones storage. That came home right away and helps me keep stones, wire and tools are neatly organized. My sweetie had a small black 2 drawer file cabinet that he needs to keep so that became the printer stand. To jazz up the old cabinet, I displayed some jewellery on top.

Two weeks ago, thanks to my cousin and IKEA I found the missing piece! Two shelves with a bar and some hooks. I believe this is meant for kitchens but right away I saw it fit into my home office. On the shelves I have displayed jewellery that I still need to photograph as well as some of my favourite nick knacks and reference books. The hooks hold some bags that I need in my other business with Arbonne and also my camera bag. You can also see my “printer stand” in the bottom right corner.

Having the pieces I haven’t photographed out and on display helps me in two fabulous ways. First it keeps them in view, every day so the task of photography doesn’t get forgotten. Second, seeing the pieces I have designed before helps my creative process. New design ideas often feed off of previous ones. Before I set up this shelf I had all my completed pieces stored away in my carrying cases and I’d only see them when I brought them out to art shows or to sales. Now I see them everyday and I love it.

I believe all I need now is a cork board (I’m in the middle of making myself one). I plan to use it for story boards. Fashion photos or colour palette displays that help inspire me. The contents of the cork board will change frequently as I use up 1 idea and move onto something new. I also need a short 2 level book shelf I can use for books and some paper materials I need in my other business. I haven’t located that perfect short double shelf yet, but I have no doubt I will!

15
Jun
2016

Want to win a prize?

categories: editorial, Etsy Shop, Events, Shows, Spotlight

I don’t know about you guys, but this month has been CRAZY so far! There’s so many things to do, and all I want is to go hang out on a patio making shiny things with some friends.

I would probably drop all the beads and stones, and then spend the rest of the night trying to find a way under the patio. I fully fear losing tiny pieces of silver between wooden cracks.

Anyway, between all the stuff that gets the kids fed and the bills paid, we also hit a show last weekend! We were at the Bell Sensplex having a groovy time (before I took off to attend a wedding, leaving Robyn on her lonesome)

booth — I’ve also decided to start wearing tiaras to shows! And maybe everywhere in everyday life.

We lucked out with 2 tables, which is good, cause it turns out we have a lot of pieces to show off!

And yet again we did a draw for a fabulous gift bag! Mango body butter, mango candle, mango sugar syrup (All the MANGO DRINKS!) and of course, something special from us!

13428642_10154313830183514_5274114425296423794_n — Smells like Summer!

The shell bracelet is STUNNING and perfect for summer! It works so well with beachwear and patio nights.

We will be doing more draws! Keep checking in so you don’t miss your chance to win! Or, better yet, sign up for our new newsletter and get special secret discounts!

Can’t make it to a show? Host one of your own! We do Home Jewellery Parties! Perfect for a night in, or to start your night out!