Konnichiwa!! Back from Japan Part 1

On the 29th of May Rene and I left Sydney for our first visit to Japan. We flew in to Narita Airport for our first destination of Tokyo. We arrived in the evenign and just made the last Airport Limousine bus for our hotel with one minute to spare.
We stayed at the Park Hotel in Shimbashi which was very handy to Ginza and many of the train lines. Our first full day in Tokyo we went to Ginza, Nakano and Shinjuku. we were on a watch shop hunt. Once again Rene was armed with addresses of many watch boutiques while I was ready for the big jewellery boutiques.

Tokyo was fantastic with so much to see, do, eat and drink. The biggest surprise was that food wasn't as expensive as we were expecting. Breakfast was usually around A$12-A$14 for both of us, Lunch was from A$15-A$20 and dinner around A$40. You could spend more if you wanted to but generally prices were much the same as here. The big shock was the alcohol prices in bottle shops generally around 1/2 the price of alcohol here eg a bottle of Cointreau cost around A$19 and Dom Perignon Champagne was around A$125... We know what to buy next time

In one of the back streets of Ginza we found the best little coffee shop where on a very cold day we warmed up with a cointreau coffee and cake, not cheap but certainly warmed us up. This was followed by a trawl through Bulgari, Cartier Tiffany and more of the Ginza area.

On our 3rd day we woke up to find the temperature was -2 celsius but the day was clear and we looked out our hotel room window to see Fuji-San in full view.

Then we went down to catch our tour to Fuji and Hakone






After Fuji went to Hakone which is a hot spring area. There are hotels and Ryokans dotted around and a gorgeous crater lake(Lake shinoko) that we went for a short river cruise on before heading up Mt Komatagake and a cable car trip to the top. From the top we had fantastic views of the coast, the lake and Mt Fuji.











That is it for part one. More to come in part 2 including some short videos.
Thanks for having a look and catch you soon!!
Ciao!!!!

Swap Pendant for Carolyn

Well finally here is the pendant that I mentioned int e previous blo. Have also included one taken by Carolyn of the earrings and the pendant together. The swap theme was include a pearl. The pendant is Argentium silver, Apatite, Aquamarine and a black pearl.





Thanks for having a look!! Catch you soon!

New Necklace!

WOW isn't that a catchy title, NOT!! Well I have been a little more active with making stuff lately and managed to make a necklace with matching earrings(sort of), and a pendant for a swap. Can't show you the pendant yet because it has to be seen by the recipient first but I will put a photo in when it has been received by the person and when I get mine.
But here is the necklace and earrings. I am not sure on this, I think the chain is too chunky. Argentium Silver, Sterling Silver, Labradorite, Smoky Quartz, and Apatite. All the wire is argentium all the other is sterling.





Thanks for having a look. Catch you again soon!!!

Ciao for now!!!

Swap time

Wow has it really been that long since my last post???!!!
Any way not much has been happening, booked our holiday to Japan which is now only 22 days away....YIIIPPPPEEEE
I recently took part in an earring swap on the Creative Wire Jewelry Forum for Valentines day. My swap partner was Dyan(Varuamoon)in the US and here are the earrings I made for her....
Argentium Silver, Green Agate(beautiful velvety green)and freshwater pearl.




Then the call went out for angels for people that didn't get something from their designated swap partner for any number of reasons. I was priveleged to get Carolyn(Cas) from here in Australia. So I got the wire out and whipped up another pair and here they are....
Sterling Silver, Argentium Silver, Apatite, Aquamarine, and Freshwater pearl





So what did I receive and who sent them?
These little stunners from Magdalena Borejko(her links are to the side in my favourites) Oxidised silver, Rubies, Spinels and Madeira Citrines.....




Thanks for having a look and I hope it wont be so long before my next post.
Ciao for now!!!

Paspaley Polo in the City

Earlier in the week our friend Helena rang and asked if we would like to attend the Paspaley Polo in The City. We said yes and were invited along. Very interesting as neither of us knew much about Polo apart from it involving men riding horses and hitting a ball with a stick (and that Charles, William and Harry all play). We were guests in the Jaeger LeCoultre Marquee. We had a great day, wonderful canapes, great Champagne and interesting people. Must remember to wear a hat and sunscreen as I have some very interesting tan lines on my decolletage today. So here are a few photos of our Day at the Polo.

Rene enjoying a glass of Mumm Champagne


Me outside the Jaeger LeCoultre Marquee


Some of the polo action featuring the Jaeger LeCoultre team






Thanks for having a look!!

Ciao for now!!

GBR Swap item recieved

Well my Great Barrier Reef swap item that I received is a very pretty pendant of sterling, coral and pearls made by Lily. Have to get a bit of chain for it to go on. Here is a photo of it.




Thankyou Lily for the lovely pendant!!!

Thanks for having a look!!
Ciao for now!

2 Forum Swaps

Well I recently took part in two swaps on the Beading Forum. The first was the summer exchange where we had to make a non jewellery item. I made a bag charm for a handbag(obviously). Unfortunately I forgot to take a pic..D'oh!!!! Sterling chainmaille with swarovski and sterling dangles.

The second one which I have just sent today was for the metal/wire sections of the forum. We had a theme of Great Barrier reef and had to make a pendant. So I used some coral, aquamarines, apatite, opalite white and black pearls, sterling silver wire and goldfill wire. Here are some photos of it:













Thanks for having a look catch you soon!!!

Ciao for now!