I’ll forgive you for thinking this is about conservation, global warming etc, it is in fact an exciting announcement because yesterday I saw a Purple Emperor, which means I have now seen my 58th species or I have seen and photographed all of the British Butterfly Species. There ought to be a badge for it.

We travelled up to Fermyn Woods near Corby, arrived at the woodland about 8.15am and waited four hours for the sun to come out and tempt this magnificent specimen down from the tree tops where they hang out.  I was also lucky to get a picture of both wings looking purple. Depending on where you view it from, the light bounces off their scales at different angles and so they can appear to be different colours, very much like my aluminium jewellery which is why its so hard to photograph earrings.

yes that tiny smudge on the floor is the prize !

so as a recap, any of you who read my blog before & during lockdown will know my partner Rob started this project around about 2016 and we have travelled up and down the country photographing British Butterflies, here are some of the highlights.

A small White Butterfly

and The Adonis Blue

The Glanville Fritillary

The Swallowtail

A Marbled White

and finally, the inspiration led to these

So I’m back now from a short break Glamping at The Big Sky Retreat in Devon.  Luckily the weather was kind and we had a really relaxing time.

This was our accomodation, a custom built wooden cabin based on a yurt. Full of quirky but well thought out details that made our stay seem extra special, I especially liked the poem by William Henry Davies on the wall beside the bed.

“What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?” 

I almost wish it had been raining as there was an interesting supply of books to read.

Outside, apart from the amazing view, the flower filled meadow and the bluebell wood,  a swing hung from an oak tree, there were places to lie back and view the stars and for cooking, a wood fired pizza oven or tripod with hanging griddle to barb-e-que over an open fire.

Well I didn’t get any drawing done as I had hoped, but I’ve come back with lots of inspiring memories, especially of the wildflowers growing all around the Big Sky Retreat. I’m sure some of them will translate into jewellery in the coming months.

You can view & book this place through Canopy & Stars 

https://www.canopyandstars.co.uk

Well the ring saga is continuing. I gave my second attempt to my friend. I think she was surprised how much effort I have been making, but its the journey, not the getting there and I have learnt so much from this project.

here, the latest photo shows two new approaches.The ring with the basket setting has been made from a 3mm round bar, annealed several times and put through a rolling mill to get a “D” shape profile and then a flattened top where the basket will be set. I’m still working on this. 

The other is a crown setting, sawn and filed from an angular tube I made.  Yep folks this really is a saga !  Hoping to finish next month, meanwhile I’m having a few days off to go stargazing. Wish me good luck with the weather!