We have decided to have a competition involving mothers and significant others, for Mothers Day. It involves a photograph of your Mum or a story from childhood, but we will post the details in March. I am designing the prize as we speak so subscribe to the blog or follow our facebook page to get the details!
Watch this space….
I am beginning to ponder the idea of winter mini breaks. You know the kind. All fireplaces, woolly sweaters and a big red. One idea that immediately springs to mind is our mates place, Sangoma Retreat in the Blue Mountains. I have it on good authority that this place is the business when it comes to an amazing break close to Sydney and dear people, as I am always working I have yet to experience it firsthand. Zenga and Michael have put thier blood sweat and tears into this place ( not to mention their exquisite taste). I hear the call of the bell birds!!
The history of Valentines Day is shrouded in mystery. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.
Many people think of Valentines Day is just another excuse that retailers have come up with to sell more stuff to you and I. Yet it does have an interesting history (or mythology) attached.
I decided to wish everyone a happy Valentines Day with a Big Love window. Bea supervised the artwork!
We are looking for a killer salesperson, someone who is passionate about their customers finding just the thing, someone who loves to communicate just how much we love making jewellery. Maybe this person is you.
We have a need for someone part time and we can be flexible at times with those hours. Interested? Go to our Facebook notes page and read the job description and email melissa@melissaharrisjewellery.com and send your cover letter and resume.
Li Xiaofeng is a Beijing artist who creates porcelain clothing themed by chinese ceramics, purchasing shards of broken porcelain from archaelogical digs and assembles them using wire and welding techniques. A kind of Post orientalism take on chinese dress, echoing the traditional military style as well as more feminine costumes. I love the picture of welding torch in hand.
Amethyst is the birthstone for February. The finest qualities of amethyst are a medium dark violet with a strong secondary red color. Darker shades of amethyst may appear slightly differently under different light sources. Amethyst is available in all sizes and shapes, and may have what is called color banding (a subtle striped appearance). Often the banding consists of areas of red violet and areas of blue violet, this combination can enrich the appearance of the stone. Sometimes the banding is easily visible and detracts from the beauty of the stone. I think that Amethyst is most beautiful set in yellow gold, which serves to highlight the regal purple hues.
A pale amethyst with a violet pink cast is often referred to as a Rose De France amethyst.
Countries of origin include Brazil, India, Australia, Zambia, Uruguay.
This is an ongoing search for images that I like to inform Art Deco inspired pieces. When I was a kid I used to stay with my grandmother Emily in Potts Point, in a wonderful apartment building called the Macleay Regis. Weekends were spent pottering around the Cross, chatting with all the hawkers who knew my grandmother, as she went for her daily walks along the notorious strip. We would eat at Mrs Beeton and then stroll up the strip for ice cream, my grandmother with her cane and myself wide eyed at the colour and crowds.
I have been blessed to have the most wonderful jewellers come to work with me and I check in with them from time to time to see what they are up to. Here is an update.
Kristina Brenke was the first assistant I hired on my return fom Los Angeles After leaving us, Kristina worked at Jan Logan before creating her own label. We currently stock a small selection of her wonderful contemporary designs. (Pictured below Kristina Brenke ‘Whimsy Ring’)
Luke Rose, a super talented UK jeweller took over Kristina’s post, and returned to the UK to set up his own design business.
Sabine Roemer, left us to return to the UK and was named one of the UK’s Hot 100 designers in 2010.
Elisabeth Gerl is a recent goldsmith graduate from Germany, and the girl has mad skills. She work here in 2010 and has returned to Germany to work on her own collection.
From all of us here at Melissa Harris, we wish you a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year!
We will be closed from 25th December and will reopen on 4th January.
See you in 2012!
