More changes to the home page of the website. I want to give it more impact, by incorporating larger photos, so hopefully I'm heading in the right direction. Updating and improving websites takes so much time, so I mustn't get too distracted from the main task of designing new pieces! I've got some ideas for a new flower collection in silver, and have also picked up some beautiful Mookaite flower stones, which will be used to create some lovely summer pendants, earrings and bracelets. Time to start creating!

Finally, I've finished redesigning the website, with easier (and less) navigation. The silver jewellery has been re-classified into its proper sections: Starburst & Sunburst, Nature and Organic, to reflect the inspirations behind each piece.

The semi-precious stone jewellery section has also been revamped, following the seasonal colours. So if you're looking for pinks and purples go to 'Spring'; blues and greens, head for summer; browns, oranges and dark greens, look in Autumn; and black and white for winter.

There are so many different ways to classify jewellery, and rather than creating one long list, I thought that this was the best way of doing it!

Enjoy discovering the revamped Lavender Blue Design website!

Very!.....When I first started taking photos of the jewellery I'd made, I used a lovely piece of grey slate that my husband found for me. I thought that this was it, easy! But then it all depended on where I placed the slate and the light that was around me. A different time of day creates a different light, and so some photos worked and some didn't!

I've tried a light box, but trying to find somewhere to leave it up with about 4 lamps surrounding it, not getting dusty or knocked over, was hard. Plus it didn't give the feel I was looking for (maybe I need to explore this a little more, and not get so impatient when something doesn't work so well!).

Then I decided to create a bit of height by using black earring and necklace stands and bracelet cones that I'd made. It was easy to place the item of jewellery on these, and these are what you see on the website at the moment. They are plain, simple and unfussy, but a little boring (if I say so myself).

So this year, I've decided to give everything a complete overhall starting with the photos. I bought some beautiful yellow roses, and placed one on the sheet of slate (which I still have and haven't managed to break in 3 years!) with a silver pendant. I think it looked beautiful, but then having shown it to my other half, he said that the colour was a little overpowering and detracted from the jewellery. I could see what he meant, and reluctantly agreed. Back to the drawing board!

Then whilst carrying in some oak to put on the log burner (keeping away the winter chills), a piece of bark fell off at my feet. It must have happened on purpose, as now I'm using it on the slate, and the contrast with all the jewellery is fantastic. Not too harsh, muted colours, and very organic. Lovely!

It's a pretty daunting task re-taking photos of all the jewellery, but the contrasts between the silver, the colours of the semi-precious stones and the bark is just the effect I wanted!

Now back to the photography, and hope the batteries last in my camera a little longer!

So 2012 brings new changes to the Lavender Blue website. I'm working on refreshing all the pages, creating a new look, taking new photos, comment forms and linking in to social media, i.e. facebook, twitter, whilst keeping up with the day job of designing and making lovely new pieces of jewellery!

So I thought I'd keep you updated as to how everything is going and also ideas and inspiration that come my way!

Happy reading!

Jane