Folksy June loons - One week on

The June loons are amazing!  Not only are they listing fabulous pieces every day, they are also clocking up some impressive sales figures.  Natalie from NOfkants Curios is keeping a tally of all that, listing herself, blogging and generally being the loonies superwoman!
I'm in a monochrome mood today, so my favourite listing is this

beautiful vintage style cuff bracelet from Lonely Hearts.  Stunning, isn't it?

My listing for today was this larvakite necklace.  The camera doesn't really pick up the true beauty of these stones with their flashes of blue and white light.  They're quite like the sky yesterday when we were having a massive electrical storm!

Matching earrings are tomorrow's listing.

BESTeam weekly feature - Waterwaif

What a fabulous shop - this is a dream assignment for me.  Waterwaif on Etsy is a store full of delicate jewellery made from semi precious stones and crystals inspired by the ocean - I guess the ocean around Florida where Waterwaif makes these lovely things.

You can see this inspiration in the dreamy colour palette, the use of translucent materials which reflect back a watery glow, and the light and airy feel of these pieces.  Truly Boho-beach-chic!

There are lots of items to choose from in this well-established and popular shop and I could have picked all of them to feature!  But I'm going to indulge myself a little and concentrate on the blue items (I wonder why!:-))

First up is this teal crystal starfish pendant.  So light and airy and beautifully wrapped with sterling silver wire.  What a great item to wear on holiday - the teal blue green would look stunning with a tan.

Have you ever seen red turquoise before?  I hadn't, but I've got to say it looks stunning in combination with the sky blue turquoise in these lovely earrings.  Turquoise is the stone of the season according to Pantone, so these are the ones to get now. 





Really couldn't resist adding this beautiful matching set of aqua blue crystals and creamy freshwater pearls. So light and airy and such a great colour combination!

There are still more shades of blue in this vibrant blue opal bracelet. The silver songbird here and the clear crystals are such a winning combination.

Not just jewellery!  Here's that lovely red and teal blue again

in an original painting. Wouldn't that look great in a modern neutral decor?


I hope I've whetted your appetite for more.  You can follow Waterwaif on her lovely sea-themed blog, on Facebook where there's a new store and exclusive discounts for fans, and on Twitter.

BESTeam weekly feature - Bathtime with Artesia Products

It's a real pleasure to find a shop where a purchase will benefit someone in real need.  Every purchase from Artesia Products means a donation to Water 1st International.  So not only do you get a natural, fresh and luxurious bath or beauty product, you also get the assurance of knowing you have helped to bring fresh water to someone in the Third World where clean water itself is a luxury.

What's more these products contain ingredients you'll want to eat, and are only tested on friends and family, so you can be reassured that everything you buy is pure and simple and fun to use. These products are truly a little bit of luxury and pampering which will allow you to take time out from the busy world!

Here are some of my favourite products.  Click on the pictures to go to the shop.

This SubLime Lip Balm looks good enough to eat.  Probably best to use it on your lips though!





And these products are what I need right now that the summer weather has come and my feet and my skin aren't ready yet!

1.  Yummy peppermint pumice bar
2.  A fizzy foot soak with moisturiser
3.  A decadent all over almond shower scrub with cocoa butter

As well as Etsy, you can find out more about Artesia on Facebook and on her blog .

June loons A bit of blue

This week I joined the June loons on Folksy with their challenge to list a new item each day for the whole of June.  Never mind listing items (and getting sales!) being in the group is fantastic fun - every day there are great things to see and a brilliant bunch of new friends to chat with.
I've picked just a few delightful blues from the listings that are new this week.  Click on any of the pictures or links below to go directly to the shops.






1. Simply elegant and stunning colour earrings by Amie Rose Designs
2. Imogen's imagination is responsible for this amazing turquoise bird fascinator.  Wear it to the supermarket, I say, too nice to keep for a special occasion!
3. Strictly, this one is purple, but it's too beautiful to leave out - by beadesk
4. Blue fleecy owl by Lonely Hearts
5. The perfect summer handbag by Northfield Primitives
6. This one is a choice of sea blues or roses - that's a tough one as they are both stunning - by Drop Scone

Lovely, aren't they?  And here's one from me...

Just turquoise earrings £9 on Folksy

which would go beautifully with....

Turquoise and diamond bracelet £17 on Folksy

Watch out for more loon-acy next week!

Folksy Friday - Orange Part 2

There were so many beautiful orange picks from Folksy last week, I promised to do Part 2 this week.  And it's blistering hot here, so these stunners must be working to help keep the sun out!

Click on any of the photos or the links below to visit these shops.





1. Beautiful shades in this pendant by close your eyes hold out your hand
2.  Hot as the sun print by passionate about photography
3. A really cute singing bird purse by pipdesigns
4. Unakite fungi keyring by NOfkants Curios
5. Stunning flowers that last for ever by hmsdesign & ffflowers
6. Who could resist Colin the cat? by Crafty Mushroom

Dreamy Wednesday - Eat me!

Best not to consume any of these items but they will make your mouth water!








1. My all time favourite sweets (my mum worked at Bassett's!) by jacks knits
2.  Lovely cute gooseberry earrings by owl on the sill
3. Just in time for Wimbledon these strawberry earrings by talking beads
4.  Lemon and lime necklace by Blue Forest Jewellery (oh, that's me!)
5. Delicious apple blossom and berry necklace by Janet Lily
6. Most of Birdcage Creative's shop could have featured in this blog, but it's always nice to finish the evening with a Gin and Tonic, so here you go!  Cheers everyone.

Folksy Friday - It's Orange

Asked for orange nominations, the Folksy Folk came up with these little beauties







1.  You could make something really striking with this wool by Wharfedale Woolworks.  I could only make a mess of knots, but other talented people could do lovely things!
2. Fishy is very happy to be wishing you a happy birthday from Clare's Creations
3. Brighten up your keys with this keyfob from The Sequinned Sheep
4.  Why not send a note instead of an email today?  From Print for Love of Wood
5.  Has Mommy sock monkey been out too long in the recent sunshine without a hat?! Oddsox
6.  Luscious lampwork by Beady Pool
There were lots of other lovely nominations so look out for 'Orange - Part 2' another Friday.

Enjoy!