Welcome To Our Fourth Guest Blogger

Little Bird Studio 22

 

Hello, I'm Caroline

I am a jeweller based near Leeds West Yorkshire, having had a fantastic day at the first Yorkshire Best in York, I'll be returning on the 9th December and I can't wait. It was an absolute pleasure to meet everyone at the Hospitium.

I have recently returned to my first love of silversmithing and jewellery designs after a number of years employed in industry, and have set up a cosy home based workshop which I love. 

 

 

 

 

My work has many facets, being a combination of traditional hand worked metal skills and innovative material development. I don't have a fixed style; my inspiration comes from so many different sources. I start with the story I want to tell, I like taking notes, collecting things, taking hundreds of pictures, and also researching symbols and peculiar details, often I find the incidental detail holds greater interest.  I generally sketch and make models until I get to the final designs. My range has developed into an eclectic mix of styles and now includes some cute plush items. Be sure to visit Yorkshire Best in December for some exciting and exclusive Christmas products!

 

 

More recently I have focused upon 17th century traditional spoon jewellery which interestingly mirrors our 21st century recycling message. Combining old values with new design concept has been a pleasure, check out my cutlery driven jewellery for some old favourites as well as some new ideas. I work in various metals for these from sterling, to copper, to the harder to work steel, but either way it has been a real pleasure to explore and revive such old traditions.

 

 

 

My designs are created with personalisation in mind, from capturing a child's tiny fingerprints in pure silver to hand stamping messages on bangles, rings, and spoons, many of my pieces focus on individual statements. Commissions are always exciting as they bring with them new inspiration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like take a look at the current range or have a personal design in mind, I can be contacted via my etsy store

www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBirdStudio22

 

Alternatively why not follow us on facebook for updates and offers

 

www.facebook.com/LittleBirdStudio22

 



Things To Do In Yorkshire #3

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway

 

 

The North Yorkshire Moors boasts some of the most fantastic scenic walks but if you feel like indulging yourself for the day, why not take the steam railway instead?

 

Starting at Pickering, the railway line takes passengers right through to Whitby but not before calling at Levisham, Newton Dale, Goathland and Grosmont


 

 

 

Tickets can be bought as day rovers which gives you the opportunity to get off at each stop and explore the surrounding areas and for an extra £2.50 you can take a bike or a dog on with you – whichever you find the better company on your travels J

We chose the dog on this occasion

 

 

The railway plays host to lots of special events and in the coming months they have a Halloween special, a witches and wizards weekend and a Santa special so why not check out their website for more information as well as the fascinating and in depth history of the railway line itself

 

 

http://www.nymr.co.uk/







Showing The Best Of Yorkshire's Spirit

Coping With The 2012 Floods

 

After two days of heavy rain, thankfully the flood waters in York are now receding.  Amidst all the chaos and devastation, Yorkshire folk have shown true strength and spirit in dealing with the sheer amount of water that we’ve had to deal with this week - showing the best of Yorkshire. 

People walking through York seem fascinated with the water and there’s been some amazing photos taken of the deluge. 

 

One&Other’s website have some from day one of the floods:-

http://www.oneandother.com/articles/york-flooding-in-pictures/

If you follow their Facebook or Twitter they’ve uploaded images. 

 

The York Press also have some startling images on their website here:-

 http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/pics/galleries/floods2012/

The waters even reached as far as the Museum Gardens – very close to the Hospitium, where we held Yorkshire Best last Sunday.  We were very lucky that the rain missed our event by days.  Not just because of the floods, but the sheer amount of travel chaos caused when some of the roads closed, and trains were cancelled.

 

 

York’s flood defences held, but a few homes and businesses were affected by flooding.  However it must be stressed that York remains very much open for business.  The flood waters haven’t dampened our spirits!