Bohemian Butterfly Jewellery

Newbies This Week!

2011-03-30T10:34:00.008+01:00

I have been so busy transitioning back into life in sunny Singapore....but this week I managed to list a few brand new items onto Bohemian Butterfly's Etsy shop.

First off we have MILLY, a gorgeous and delicate Moonstone triple drop toggle necklace. The colours are just so pleasing to the eye and work really well with the high shine of Sterling Silver. I would imagine this to be an ideal gift for a young girl or a bride for her wedding day.

Then we move on to ATHENA. Well, what can I say, this piece is truly wearable art. Aquamarines, Green Onyx, Turquoise, Moonstone and Amazonite have all been wire wrapped onto a sturdy Sterling Silver cuff frame to create an abstract sensation. As you can tell I'm pretty pleased with how this piece turned out! I think this is definitely a style we will continue with at Bohemian Butterfly!

Finally, I listed only yesterday, the ONE ring in Green Aventurine. This is a new range of rings we have introduced to our collection at Bohemian Butterfly which highlight the simple elegance and beauty of a singular stone. We select stones that are particularly appealing and hand wire wrap them into rings. Soon there should be one to suit every colour palette!

More new items to be listed weekly. Please check in at www.BohemianButterfly1.etsy.com to see our collections. Many apologies to those of you have been patiently waiting for our main website to be up and running again....it seems to be taking me forever! I will make every endeavor to make it available to you all shortly.

Have a great week!

Bohemian Butterfly Needs your Votes!!

2011-01-22T07:10:00.004Z

Bohemian Butterfly is very happy to be featured on the wonderful Linda B's blog and we need your votes!

Linda has posted a great selection of her top Etsy finds and our BOBBLE ring in Amethyst and Blue Lace Agate was one of her picks. There is a poll for readers to select their favourite item and at the end of the voting the artist with the item with the most hits will be interviewed by Linda for her blog. How cool is that!? We were so happy to have been selected but we got even more excited when we found out about potentially being interviewed :)

This is a great idea and we thank Linda for her ingenuity....what a fabulous way to get people involved with all things handmade.

We would love the opportunity to tell people our story and share our love for jewellery and the art of making it...but that will only happen if we get your votes....so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, pretty please, go to http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com/ and vote for the Bobble Amethyst Ring.

Thanx! ♥

New beginnings...time for change.

2010-12-07T12:06:00.011Z

We know it has been a long time since we have blogged and wanted to reassure you, our reader that there is nothing to worry about. Bohemian Butterfly has simply been going through some changes. We have been in this business for almost six years and a lot has happened to us both professionally and personally.

Bohemian Butterfly is truly the result of a lifelong love affair with jewellery and the art of making it. We have been blessed to have had all these years of experience and to have met so many fantastic people. However the time has come to finally make some changes....

As a result of personal opportunities that have come about for both of us, we will no longer be able to devote the time we originally had to Bohemian Butterfly. That does not mean we have stopped making jewellery. How could we ever?! We are simply moving in a different direction.....going back to what it was we loved about this industry from the very beginning... hand-making jewellery. As such we will no longer be designing pieces for wholesale production and we will be concentrating solely on bespoke and custom designs, whilst continuing to provide the original ready made pieces we have grown to be known for.

Bohemian Butterfly is no longer based solely in London, we have spread our butterfly wings and will for the time being be operating from both Singapore and London....truly international!

Bohemian Butterfly will be developing our website to reflect these changes and as such it will be under construction for the foreseeable future....but don't worry, because we have just opened an Etsy shop and will have our Twitter and Facebook maintained to keep you up to date with any and all of our latest news. And of course there is always this delightful blog!

As always we delight in all things jewellery related....please don't feel that Bohemian Butterfly is no more, like a butterfly we have simply gone through a metamorphosis of our own. Bohemian Butterfly is still very much alive and kicking, albeit in a different capacity. Please feel free to continue to contact us whenever you have any jewellery related queries or custom and bespoke orders.

Here's to the future! ♥

Shimmering Opals for those born in October

2010-10-26T13:51:00.007+01:00

Opal is the birthstone for those born in October. It is known for its rainbow iridescence. They have a light or dark body colour that may be either translucent or transparent. The opals we see most often in jewellery have a milky-white base with varying flashes of colour. The name "opal" is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit upala meaning "precious stone" or the word opalus in Latin which also means "precious stone". Most opals mined today are from Australia although opals used in ancient times came from the former Czechoslovakia. Unlike other gemstones, the opal is non-crystalline and is formed from a hardened silica, which is a mineral found near the earths surface in areas where ancient geothermal hot springs once existed.

In Asia the stone is viewed more favourably as a symbol of hope rather than in Europe, where it has been regarded as unlucky since the 14th century.

Ancient monarchs treasured opals (presumably before the 14th century), both for their beauty and their protective powers. They were set in crowns and necklaces and worn to ward off evil and protect the eyesight. They were also ground and ingested to ward off nightmares.

A gift of opals symbolises faithfullness and confidence. Below are images of both uncut and polished opals....stunning, wouldn't you say?

Images courtesy of www.robertsjewels.com and www.gemstoneslist.com

S is for September....and Sapphire

2010-09-25T11:41:00.005+01:00

September is the month to remember the beautiful blue of Sapphire, the stone of loyalty and fidelity. Sapphire has long symbolized truth, sincerity and faithfulness. As a result of its symbolism, Sapphires are often a popular choice for engagement or promise rings. Even Prince Charles chose a Sapphire engagement ring for Princess Diana. The image below is of a five year anniversary gift commissioned from Bohemian Butterfly. The ring features five hand selected Sapphires set onto a custom designed Sterling Silver ring band.

These stones come in a range of yellows, pinks, and greens, as well as the better known blue variety. The deep blue "heavenly" Sapphires were, and to some extent still are, deemed holy: popes, cardinals and bishops have worn them since the Middle Ages.

According to tradition Moses was given the ten commandments on tablets of Sapphire, making it the most sacred gemstone. As Sapphires were thought to represent divine favor they were the gemstone of choice for Kings and high priests. The Persians even thought the earth rested on a giant Sapphire and that the blue of the heavens was its reflection.

Sapphires are without a doubt beautiful stones. They are ever popular and heavily symbolic.

Next month...Opals for October!!

Peridots in August

2010-08-17T10:57:00.009+01:00

As promised we are continuing with our month by month commentary on birthstones, and as it is August, the stone of the month is Peridot.

Often called the 'evening emerald' by ancient Romans, who noticed that its green colour shone even more vividly in lamplight, Peridot is a naturally lush olivine green colour. The most important deposits of Peridot are on the so-called 'serpent isle' - the volcanic island of Zebirget in the Red Sea. According to Greek Legend, vicious snakes lived on the island, guarding the precious stone and killing anyone who appraoched it. Hmmmmmm........

It may also interest you to know that in the Middle Ages, Peridot was believed to dispel the darkness and terrors of the night. It was such a popular stone that even King Edward VII wore it for good luck.

Not to be a buzz kill but we like Peridot simply because of it's amazing colour. It is such an impressive green and looks stunning not only as a feature stone but also as a complimentary stone. An example of Peridot in use is the Bohemian Butterfly Eve Necklace. The Peridot not only brings a contrasting colour to the piece but in doing so, makes the Citrine and Smokey Quartz colours really pop. Also pictured is an amazing example of an uncut and unpolished Peridot which highlights the strong colour of the stone even when it is in its most natural state.

Next month we will attempt to share with you all the interesting facts we have on the Sapphire, September's birthstone.

Peridot image courtesy of www.mineraltown.com

Care and Cleaning...Looking after your handmade jewellery the right way.

2010-07-28T14:30:00.006+01:00

There are so many different bits of advice floating about on the world wide web about how you should care for your jewellery. It's not all bad, but as we are Handmade Jewellery artisans we thought it would be a good idea to offer our advice on how to look after our jewellery.

The first and probably most important piece of advice we can give you is to NOT use the jewellery liquid dip you can buy commercially in most retail outlets. In our years of experience this has proven to give precious metals an amazing shine, but this literally only lasts 24 hours, by which time your gold or silver jewellery starts to look dull again and in some cases (especially with silver) it even looks more tarnished than when you began cleaning it. Instead we would recommend you use an ultrasonic cleaner with the necessary cleaning agents. Or for those of you who do not want to shell out money for a piece of equipment, a simple cleaning cloth impregnated with tarnish remover should do the trick. Usually, jewellers may also provide a cleaning service and depending on the extent of the job or value of the piece, this should only be at a nominal cost or even free. For more valuable pieces you could even consider adding a rhodium platinum plating as this will prevent it from tarnishing all together, but will require frequent re-plating.

Of course we must add that stones require a different level of cleaning to metals. Unlike metals, stones don't tarnish. However, stones can be fragile and even porous and therefore require attention themselves. It is recommended that for stones, anything with chemicals should generally be avoided. A simple wipe with a soft cloth will suffice.

There will always be conflicting advice pertaining to cleaning of jewellery, often for marketing reasons. At Bohemian Butterfly we think the simpler the better. If you are generally conscientious and make the effort to look after your jewellery, cleaning them should be a breeze!

It is always a good idea to store your jewellery in sealed storage such as jewellery rolls and boxes. You will never escape the inevitable tarnishing that will occur from wearing your precious baubles, but your pieces can also tarnish and damage if neglected and thrown around rather than stored properly.

Essentially, care must be taken when wearing and storing any type of jewellery if you would like to preserve its beauty. However, we feel its necessary to remind everyone that this is especially so with handmade jewellery. Why? Well handmade jewellery is just that, made with an individuals hands and it will have the characteristics and traits that come along with this method of manufacturing. We like to think of handmade jewellery like pieces of art. Wouldn't you handle a Picasso with extra care?

Love your jewellery and it will love you ♥

Month by month gems beginning with July...Ladies and Gentleman it's the timeless Ruby!

2010-07-06T15:26:00.011+01:00

As we all know, Bohemian Butterfly is big on stones. We've had many clients and friends ask us recently about their birthstones and we have decided to give a monthly post about the stone of the month. As it is July we will be starting with the stunning Ruby.

The gleaming ruby should adorn,

All those who in July are born,

For thus they'll be exempt and free,

From lover's doubts and anxiety.

-Gregorian Birthstone Poem

Rubies have always been held in high esteem in Asian countries. In ancient Sanskrit, Ruby is called Ratnaraj which means king of precious stones.They were used to ornament armor, scabbards, and harnesses of noblemen in India and China. Rubies were laid beneath the foundation of buildings to secure good fortune to the structure. In the middle ages, the Ruby was viewed as a stone of prophecy. People believed it would darken when its wearer was in danger. Rubbed on the skin, these gemstones were once thought to restore youth and vitality.

The classic Ruby is a deep, rich red, although the stone can appear in shades from pink to purple to brown. Rubies are second only to diamonds in terms of hardness, which along with the vibrancy of their colour, makes them highly prized for jewellery.

As always, Bohemian Butterfly is able to customise any piece of jewellery to suit your needs and we are always happy to custom make designs for you.

Hopefully, those of you who are born in the month of July have found this to be informative and interesting. Look out for next months stone....Peridot!

Images courtesy of www.christies.com and www.berkeleygems.com

Treasure there most certainly was...

2010-06-23T12:38:00.006+01:00

Treasure was an amazing event held as part of London Jewellery Week 2010 that we were lucky enough to be a part of. It showcased a broad spectrum of talent in today's Jewellery industry. What is so refreshing about shows like Treasure is that although it pays respect to well established brands it also provides a platform for budding new designers and artisan jewellers. Bohemian Butterfly had a successful show and are already looking forward to next year's event. Thank you so much to those of you who came to visit us, and for those of who didn't manage to make it down, we have added a pic to show you our stand at the show. Meeting those who are interested in your field is always a pleasure and at Treasure we met a wonderful group of people, from fellow makers to new 'fans'. If you are in London and would like to see us at our next show, Bohemian Butterfly will be at International Jewellery London in September and Handmade in Britain in October.

Hidden Gems at Treasure 2010

2010-06-09T00:01:00.008+01:00

Bohemian Butterfly is happy to a part of this year's London Jewellery Week and would like to invite you to join us in celebrating London's wealth of creativity! We will be exhibiting our collections at Treasure, to be held at Victoria House from June 11-13. Tickets cost £5.00. For more information please visit http://www.treasureuk.com/.

Treasure is the perfect summer opportunity to stock up on beautiful gems and add to your jewellery collection. We will be showcasing our current collections, Galaxy, Destinations, Molecule and Kaleidoscope along with select one off creations. Our designers will be on hand for information and custom requests, or if you just fancy a chat...hope to see you there!

The rush is over....Let the new rush begin!

2010-03-02T12:03:00.011Z

The rush from preparing through days and nights and actually exhibiting at the Jewellery Show at the International Springfair in Birmingham has finally passed us by. Having spent more than 3 months preparing for the 5 day long show, we were convinced we would be exhausted even before the show began. However, like real troopers we pulled through, and had a great time. We met some amazing fellow exhibitors and learnt so much. We even managed to find ourselves a few new stockists. So, all in all the show was well worth it. For those of you who couldnt come and visit us we have added a picture of our stand at Springfair 2010.

Now Bohemian Butterfly looks forward to building our brand further with the new collections we have recently developed; Galaxy, Destinations, Molecule and Kaleidescope. Images of these collections are available on our website (individual pieces can be purchased). Of course, we continue to make the bold, colourful statement pieces that we are known for, but the new collections highlight our wide variety of jewellery making techniques and skill.

As always we ask our dear readers to always support the handmade cause, it is afterall what makes a special gift that little bit more special. If you would like any information please feel free to contact us at info@bohemianbutterflycollections.com .... as a matter of fact, why dont you pop us a line and let us know what you think of the new collections. We would love to hear from you ♥

Ps - Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter where we will be giving our monthly commentary on jewellery and jewellery trends (oooh look at us with all this knowledge!) ,having promotions and secret sales!!

Finally, the wait is over...Springfair 2010.

2010-01-28T17:22:00.011Z

So, as you can see from the obvious lack of blog entries we have been practically living in a whirlwind of designing and making new collections for the ultimate exhibition that is Springfair 2010 in Birmingham (7-11 February).

'The Jewellery Show at Spring Fair International will see over 450 top companies and 47,250 new product launches from the UK and overseas launching their finest collections of precious and semi-precious jewellery, gold and silver, diamonds and stones....'

Bohemian Butterfly are so incredibly excited to be a part of this amazing event and to celebrate being at Springfair we would like to invite everyone to join up to our newsletter online. One lucky applicant will be selected after 15th February to win a surprise gift!

Finally, because we love our readers so much ♥, we wanted to share with you a few snapshots of the four new collections we will be unveiling at Springfair; Molecule (Proton ring set with Amethyst), Galaxy (Moon ring set with Diamond), Destinations (Rome brooch set with Rhutilated Quartz) and Kaleidoscope (Petal necklaces in mixed semiprecious stones).

Hello 2010....How do you do?

2009-12-25T20:21:00.007Z

Wow! How time flies....it feels like 2009 has just zipped right by. It has been a challenging year for all of us and Bohemian Butterfly has made some 'life-changing' decisions. We left our retail position on the London high street to concentrate on developing our range and pursue our handmade artisan jewellery dreams. Despite all the economic bad news that has bombarded all of us what seems like everyday of the year, we have been overwhelmed by the continuing support we have received from our loyal customers. It is especially important to us at this time of year to say a big THANK YOU to all of you, your kind words and encouragement have meant the world to us.

We look forward to 2010 with baited breath and in high anticipation. Bohemian Butterfly plans on continuing our efforts with all things handmade, whilst further developing our brand. Our goal is simple; to bring you gorgeous and original handmade jewellery. Jewellery is in our blood and it is the way we express what we see in the world around us, we are beyond pleased that we can spend everyday sharing it with you.

Bohemian Butterfly says 'Bring on 2010!', we hope the coming year brings peace, love and happiness to all ♥

Christmas at Artshed Arts

2009-11-11T15:50:00.004Z

That time of year has rolled up again...and as excited as we are, we at Bohemian Butterfly have still managed to find the time to be one of the forty featured jewellers at The Jewellery Festival at Christmas at Artshed in Hertfordshire. We will be showcasing some of our beautiful pieces of jewellery, and all will be available for purchase. Admission is £4 with concessions £2. If you are in the area please come and join us, we would love to meet you!

Look What We Found...

2009-10-14T13:13:00.012+01:00

Recently, we had friends who managed to purchase their first home together after years of renting...a big occassion to be celebrated as you can imagine! Faced with the challenge of finding the perfect gift to truly warm their new house, we turned to the trusty world wide web to hunt for handmade artists who offer up something inspiring....

Macaw, 7 x 9 Fine Art Print

SharonMontrose

Curly Attitude Teapot Green Variegated

lawatson

Eiffel Tower 5 Feet Tall - Vinyl Wall Art Decals

ChuckEBrydWallArt

Red freestanding clock - made from an old book

bookity

Love Me (2 Pillow Set)

chakrapennywhistle

We love the idea of being able to share with you all this amazing work from these incredibly talented individuals...enjoy!

LONG LIVE ALL THINGS HANDMADE ♥

Craft Central...count us in!

2009-10-04T16:03:00.004+01:00

Bohemian Butterfly is now officially a member of Craft Central. 'Craft Central, the new name for Clerkenwell Green Association, is a pioneering not-for-profit organisation established over 25 years that is dedicated to building a strong future for craft and design.' To view our page follow the link http://www.craftcentral.org.uk/bohemian-butterfly.
We are pleased as punch to be part of such an amazing organisation. Handmade is the way to go, and Craft Central is one of those rare organisations that truly believes in the quality and ability of the designer maker in each of us. For anybody in the London area, their exhibitions are well worth a visit and we can guarantee you will not be disappointed by the amazing talent on show, from industries ranging from interior textiles to paper and book art...it's all under one happy roof at Craft Central.

We Made The Front Page!

2009-09-24T14:14:00.006+01:00

We just couldn't resist sharing this with you, our faithful readers. We made the front page on the Joolia.com website. The item featured was a handmade Sterling Silver Leaf cuff that we call the Shikoba Cuff. We are pleased as punch with ourselves! Let us know what you think...

Pearls...the new diamonds??

2009-09-21T15:09:00.009+01:00

Everywhere you look right now, lovely white pearl necklaces are making a comeback. Every celebrity worth their weight in fashion stylist gold is flaunting their own version of this classic jewellery wardrobe staple. I have to admit when I first began designing jewellery, I was not fond of the pearl....but I have since grown to absolutely adore it. It is the ultimate chic statement, tres Paris!

Maybe its the recent film 'Coco Before Chanel' starring the gorgeous Audrey Tautou, but the pearl is definitely back, in a big way. I say 'welcome back' to the old faithful, it's about time jewellery takes a more defined path again. Today there is simply far too much machine churned commercial jewellery available to the masses. There was a time when a woman's jewellery was the final and most important addition to her daily wardrobe, it showed refinement and class.

Whatever one's opinion of a strand of pearls, it cannot be denied just how elegant they are. Even Michelle Obama is getting in on the action! At Bohemian Butterfly we simply cannot refrain from using colourful gemstones in our pieces...after all, it's what we're known for. Below is one of our many beautiful white pearl necklaces, but with a twist...scattered amongst the glossy white are juicy faceted Amethyst gems....delightful, at least we like to think so.

As always we hope you enjoy browsing our collection. Please do let us know if you require any assistance or further information.

Bohemian Butterfly now available at Joolia.com

2009-09-16T11:28:00.008+01:00

Bohemian Butterfly has just joined the jewellery and accessories marketplace Joolia.com! We are very pleased to announce this new stockist for our range of handmade jewellery. The full range of Bohemian Butterfly jewellery is still available at http://www.bohemianbutterflycollections.com/, however we plan on further extending our list of stockists in the near future. In the meantime please feel free to browse our latest additions, some of which are pictured below. Enjoy!

Been Out of the Loop for a While - An update

2009-08-25T13:50:00.013+01:00

Hi readers! Many apologies for the last month....we have been so busy with events that it seems time got the better of us. But we are back with a bang and have lots to update you on! First off we wanted to share with you a few snaps from a local craft market we did in Islington, north London, not so long ago, called 'A Little Bazaar'. It was a great event with lots of handmade goodies. We met many like minded crafters like ourselves and got to introduce ourselves to some great customers. It was a successful day for us, and with such wonderful weather, nobody could really complain.

We also recently took a few day trips to the V&A Museum in South Kensington. What an inspirational place! It is incredible how the mind just flows with creativity when surrounded by such awesome art and history. It is by far my favourite museum in London.

It is an exciting time for us...Bohemian Butterfly is developing our jewellery range to include capsule collections. We will of course continue to produce those one off limited pieces of jewellery we are well known for, but hope that our growing variety of jewellery will reflect our skill and passion for this art form. Two collections are already in the pipeline and will be unveiled towards the end of the year.

Jewellery and the art of making it is our passion and we want to share it with you, so please leave us your comments and if you have any queries please feel free to contact us at info@bohemianbutterflycollections.com

New Additions! Lets take a peek...

2009-07-02T19:07:00.009+01:00

Hi everyone...we have just added two new pieces to our Bohemian Butterfly collection and thought this would be the perfect time to tell you a little bit about them. Both pairs of earrings are entirely handmade by us using the highest quality semi-precious stones and sterling silver. The Helena earrings are made with a wonderful green hued Chrysoprase and gorgeous multicoloured Tourmaline chips, finished with an oxidised Balinese star post. Such great colour...they make me think of elegant evening dinners at candlelight. The Aiyana earrings are fun and flirty, with a playful hand carved Mother of Pearl rose and wire wrapped Red Agate and Carnelian. Again, this pair demonstrates the power of colour. Orange is an often under appreciated colour but I do think that when it is used in the proper dose and manner it can create a spectacular effect.
We just can't seem to stop making jewellery! So be sure to check back frequently as we update with new pieces, and even more exciting, upcoming capsule collections....stay tuned!

Looking Back...Coutts London Jewellery Week 2009

2009-06-15T19:25:00.010+01:00

Well folks, it is officially all over....the anticipation and stress working up to this wondrous week of London jewellery has culminated in what was a fantastic showcase of talent. We had a fabulous time attending the opening party in London, made some news friends and thoroughly enjoyed all the events during the course of the week. We wanted to share a few pics with you, so we've added a shot of the opening party, our favourite event, Creation at Goldsmiths' Hall, and the official brochure (with an entry on Bohemian Butterfly). Can't wait till next year!!

Win a FREE Bracelet!

2009-06-10T10:00:00.004+01:00

I know, how very generous of us right?? But seriously, all kidding aside, don't miss this great opportunity to win a fabulous Moonstone, Peridot and Pearl bracelet from our Bohemian Butterfly range. This stunner normally retails for £53 and all we are asking from you is that you sign up for our newsletter in order to stand the chance of winning it....easy-peasy lemon squeezy!

What a lovely surprise.

2009-06-09T01:14:00.007+01:00

After attending the opening gala event for Coutts London Jewellery Week we were in very high spirits. BUT, after checking our blog this morning we were even more pleased to find a message from Expressions who has awarded us, along with 14 other blogs, the One Lovely Blog Award. We are so flattered and graciously accept!

In my acceptance of this One Lovely Blog Award, I am posting the Rules of Blog Award acceptance:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

It is my honor to pass the One Lovely Blog Award to:

Pure Design http://www.puredesigncompany.blogspot.com/
Sarta Mexicana http://www.sartamexicana.blogspot.com/
Trudette http://www.trudette.blogspot.com/

PamperingBeki http://www.pamperingbeki.blogspot.com/

Project:Lemon http://www.project-lemon.blogspot.com/

Amy Longberry Photography http://www.amylongberryphotography.blogspot.com/

Kind Over Matter http://www.kindovermatter.blogspot.com/

Altered Posh Design Studio http://www.alteredposhdesignstudio.blogspot.com/

Live from the studio http://www.livefromthestudio.blogspot.com/
Crayonmonster Arts and Design http://www.crayonmonsteretsy.blogspot.com/

Dinner with Picasso http://www.dinnerpicasso.blogspot.com/

Artful Memories http://www.laramedina.blogspot.com/

ScarlettCat http://www.scarlettcat.blogspot.com/

Birdy & Me http://www.kjsdesign.blogspot.com/
Pretty Good Things http://www.prettygoodthings.blogspot.com/

All of these are simply marvelous blogs that we have been lucky to stumble across and we are happily recommending them...enjoy!

LUXURY Collection 2009 - It's finally here...

2009-06-07T21:18:00.013+01:00

Okay....so as you may well know, Bohemian Butterfly is one of the jewellers featured at this years Coutts London Jewellery Week starting 8th June 2009. In honour of this week of glitz and glamour we have designed our very own LUXURY range. It has officially been unveiled today on our website. We are incredibly proud of the range and wanted to show our blog readers a few pieces (the entire range is available at http://www.bohemianbutterflycollections.com/). The inspiration for this range was our desire to highlight the undeniable everlasting beauty a unique handmade piece of jewellery possesses. Unlike generic mass made fashion jewellery currently available, with handmade artisan jewellery you get a piece that not only can be passed from generation to generation but a piece that is special to you. With doom and gloom constantly in the press and signs of financial crisis every corner you turn, we thought it would be refreshing to remind the ladies (...and gents who are buying) out there that stunning jewellery need not come with a huge price tag!

Bohemian Butterfly looks forward to this wonderful week celebrating all that is great about the London jewellery industry. It is so very thrilling to be a part of it, and we are super excited to be attending the opening gala event tonight to launch the week!! What to wear???

Just 2 More Days!

2009-06-06T01:50:00.005+01:00

We are, right now, running on the adrenalin of preparing for the upcoming Coutts London Jewellery Week. With merely days left before the gathering of London's jewellery elite, Bohemian Butterfly has made every effort to finalise our LUXURY collection of jewellery in the hope of bringing back the charm of the handcrafted artisan jewellery piece.
The preparation for this week of London's best jewellers has been intense.....sometimes highly stressful, but ultimately well worth it as we simply love working with jewellery. We sincerely hope that our passion is reflected in the quality of our work.
I was seriously tempted to give you a sneak peek of our collection but felt it would be unfair for others who have waited patiently...sorry! But don't worry...only two more days before it all begins and the LUXURY collection will be unveiled at http://www.bohemianbutterflycollections.com/ ...put the date in your diaries everyone, Monday 8th June 2009! Can't wait.....

Brand New Look Website for Bohemian Butterfly

2009-03-31T13:36:00.006+01:00

Well folks, we have finally got the much anticipated new website up and running and I must say we are super duper pleased with the result of all our hard work. It was well worth it! Bohemian Butterfly is taking our passion for beautiful handcrafted jewellery to a new level. We have decided to concentrate our efforts solely on developing the most exquisite online shopping experience for our valued customers at http://www.bohemianbutterflycollections.com/

Frequently updated with new designs and all the latest pieces, the new online boutique is a testament of original and independent jewellery design, from designers heavily influenced by our multicultural backgrounds and the colourful world around us. Known for our unique and vibrant designs, Bohemian Butterfly will continue to challenge the style and trend status quo, creating lifetime pieces of jewellery in a fabulous array of gems, semi-precious stones and precious metals. With generic fashion jewellery available to the masses, Bohemian Butterfly endeavours to bring back the charm of the handcrafted artisan jewellery piece.

We continue to provide a bespoke custom service and invite customers to enquire for further information.

To celebrate the new look website Bohemian Butterfly are offering 10% off everything in store until 14th April 2009.

Hmmmmm.....which to choose?? - The ongoing Pearl debate

2009-03-27T07:30:00.010Z

As I sat down and started on some new designs for a necklace I was struck with a question...do I use white, black or artificially coloured Pearls for this one??

Well, straight off I can tell you I knocked out the idea of artificially coloured Pearls. Anything artificial doesn't do the final piece of jewellery justice in my opinion. There are a lot of colour variety for natural Pearls available on the market but at Bohemian Butterfly we often opt for black, white or champagne coloured Pearls. All of which have their own natural charms...so which to choose??

Black pearls have this mysterious quality to them and they always add this dark glamour to a piece. Whereas white pearls are reminiscent of Coco Chanel and her chic style. They are eternally classic. Champagne Pearls add a natural element to the colour palette of the piece and pretty much compliment any stone or metal they are paired with. It was a tough decision but as the focal point of the necklace was a large Botswana Agate disc and the complimentary stone was black Garnet I was sold on the black Pearls! The resulting effect was a striking Sterling Silver chain necklace. It hasn't even been listed for sale yet, but I just couldn't resist showing you. Check our online boutique for regular additions like this beauty!

Coutts LONDON JEWELLERY WEEK 2009

2009-03-13T14:13:00.009Z

Oh yes ladies and gentleman...Bohemian Butterfly is one of the jewellers featured at this years famous London Jewellery Week! Read more about this week long city wide exhibition highlighting London's classic glitz and glamour at http://www.londonjewelleryweek.co.uk/.

In honour of this week long showcase of London's jewellery elite we will be designing our very own collection. ''Luxury" is a collection of our unique designs featuring gems and stones from around the world hand selected to reflect incredible colour, radiance and beauty. If you are, like us, tired of the current doom and gloom of the credit crunch, visit Bohemian Butterfly and realise that luxury need not cost you the sun, moon and the stars!

Collection Coming Soon

Ooh La La - Imperial Topaz Commissioned Set

2009-03-02T05:27:00.016Z

We at Bohemian Butterfly are particularly pleased with our efforts on this one....yes indeedy you can say we are even glowing with pride! We have just finished a private commission for a ring and earrings set with Imperial Topaz. Suffice to say our client was extremely pleased with the result, but we wanted to share it with you as well.

Topaz comes in a few different varieties. When golden topaz has red or pink overtones it is known as Imperial Topaz and can be quite costly. The name "Topaz" (Topaze French, Topas German, Topacio Spanish) is derived from the Greek "Topazos" or "to seek" (the name of an island in the Red Sea). This gem has such a magnificent colour and although would look sensational paired with Yellow Gold, is perfectly contrasted to its maximum potential against silver metals like Sterling Silver, White Gold and Platinum.

For this commission we endeavoured to produce a highly organic design. All metal for each piece was hand sculpted, lightly oxidised and buffed, further enhancing the organic nature. For the ring we opted for a three band design, two regular bands and one band set with a 2.5ct Imperial Topaz solitaire. This gave our client the flexibility to wear a different mix of the three on any occasion. The earrings were developed from the concept of a stud....believe it or not! The requirements were to develop an earring that sat against the lobe, had limited movement and was visually high impact. I think we can safely say we managed to achieve that!

We are very happy with the outcome of our work, and enjoyed every stage of the development process from start to finish. If you have any jewellery design requirements please do let us know. We work with all precious metals, gems and semiprecious stones....and we love a challenge!

Bohemian Butterfly is happy to answer any questions you may have about our bespoke and private commission work. Feel free to email us at info@bohemianbutterflycollections.com

ALL WE NEED IS LOVE - Valentines Day Promotion

2009-01-31T08:13:00.006Z

In honour of Valentines Day, Bohemian Butterfly is offering all of our customers 20% off store wide. That's right folks, 20% has already been taken off of every item at http://www.bohemianbutterflycollections.com/ . Don't miss this great opportunity to buy a one of a kind gift for that special someone in your life. If you've been eyeing up a particular piece now is your chance to get it at a discounted price. Don't forget, all Bohemian Butterfly jewellery is carefully packaged and presented in a delicate silk pouch....ready for gift giving! If you require anymore information or would like to know more about our custom order services, don't hesitate to contact us at info@bohemianbutterflycollections.com .

Happy Valentines Day from Bohemian Butterfly!

*This promotion will run until February 14th 2009 only.

GONG XI FA CAI! 2009 Year of the Ox

2009-01-22T23:00:00.017Z

Happy Chinese New Year to all of our family,friends, readers and devoted customers. May 2009 the year of the Earth Ox bring health and prosperity to all. The Ox, or the Buffalo sign symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work. Hmmmm....sounds pretty accurate for the current times. The mighty Ox is the second of the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Barack Obama, Jane Fonda, Jack Nicholson, Margaret Thatcher, Meg Ryan, Meryl Streep, Princess Diana and George Clooney, are just a few famous names you may recognise who all fall under the sign of the Ox.

Chinese New Year is a marvelously colourful time of celebration. Red is a firm favourite representing all things good...luck, wealth, health, you name it! Red is so popular it is used for almost everything, from the red packets filled with money given to young children to the decorations used around the house and even the desserts prepared for the family. In terms of jewellery for Chinese New Year I would say, the redder the better! Why not right? Our Red agate ANNA earrings would be perfect to add just a touch of red good luck to your Chinese New Year outfit.

Whatever you do decide to wear for the festivities and wherever you do decide to go, just make sure you do one thing....have fun! Enjoy the day, and eat plenty! All the best.....

GARNET THE RED DELICIOUS - January birthstone

2009-01-17T12:44:00.016Z

In a month like January most people are concerned with keeping warm and staying out of the cold cold cold winter air...I know I certainly am! So it seems just perfect that the January birthstone should be such a warm coloured stone. Garnet has a lush deep red colour and is often used in place of it's more expensive cousin the Ruby. According to myth, a Garnet illuminated Noah's Ark day and night when the skies were black with rain. That's a nice thought isn't it? I suppose that's where the stone gets it's reputation for being an all round good luck charm. Bohemian Butterfly tries to use a variety of stones in our work and we often turn to garnet to add richness to a piece. A particular favourite of mine is the Serendipity necklace which features Garnets and raw Rubies...why take one or the other when you can have both right? Another fine example of the use of the beautiful garnet are the Inferno earrings. A combination of Garnet with Carnelian. An unusual, mix red and orange, but it works! Both these pieces of our collection are available to buy online at http://www.bohemianbutterflycollections.com/

USHERING IN THE NEW YEAR 2009!

2008-12-29T12:05:00.003Z

Firstly, may we take this opportunity to extend all of our best wishes to all of you, our dear friends, family and customers, for the new year. 2009 promises to be the year of new beginnings! We at Bohemian Butterfly will be celebrating with a big glass of bubbly!!

In the spirit of ushering in all things new, we wanted to share some of the newest pieces to be added to the Bohemian Butterfly collection. Jewellery is our passion and we design and make everyday. Our inspiration stems from everyday life...a busy street corner on Portobello Road, the falling leaves in Hyde Park, the amazing colours at our local florist or even a random trip on the city bus! Life is the paint we use to create our masterpieces.

The OPERA necklace is a magnificent combination of deep blue Sodalite with black and white Pearls. So regal it really speaks for itself. Another new addition to the Bohemian Butterfly collection are the SAHARA earrings. For these we combined an unusual waved disc cut of Picture Jasper with a smooth and facetted Smokey Quartz cluster for quite a sensational effect....if I dare say so myself!

For more of our newest pieces, remember to check our online boutique http://www.bohemianbutterflycollections.com/

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Christmas Rush for One of a Kind Gems

2008-12-17T11:32:00.001Z

That time of year has arrived again, when we all hunt high and low for the ideal gifts for our loved ones. It can either be the most productive or stressful endeavour! At Bohemian Butterfly we make jewellery everyday, and with our outstanding collection you are bound to find some inspiration. A pair of delicate Rose Quartz and Black Pearl earrings for your sister or maybe a stunning Smokey Quartz and Citrine necklace for your mother. For those of you searching for a bespoke piece we are also happy to accommodate. All purchases are gift wrapped in beautiful silk pouches and ready to go straight under the tree!

Christmas time shouldn't be a stressful frenzy looking for the best pressies, let us at Bohemian Butterfly help you to find the PERFECT gift for that someone special.

Flowers for you, Flowers for me!

2008-12-07T23:13:00.000Z

Okay, I know it sounds old fashioned, but there is something very appealing about the structure and design of a beautiful flower. We often use flowers and nature as inspiration for our jewellery. It always gives our jewellery a softness which we further emphasise with the right stones and cuts. Whether it's a large 'look at me' flower or a subtle touch of floral detailing, it is hard to deny the ageless charm that flowers bring to a ladies wardrobe.

If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom. ~Audra Foveo

Here we have a few pieces we have just completed for our collections. All jewellery is available at http://www.bohemianbutterflycollections.com/ . Please contact us if you would like to have a custom made piece of jewellery in this theme.

Colour du Jour - Green

2008-12-02T12:03:00.001Z

Green is often a colour left unappreciated. It is however, the most versatile colour in my jewellery experience. It has a natural compatibility with almost any other colour. Whenever I feel a bit of jewellers block I always turn back to my old faithful. With all the black Gothic inspired fashion circulating at the moment, why not add a touch of colour with some green accessories.
Green semi precious stones include Jade, Green Aventurine, Green Agates, Emerald, and Peridot just to name a few. Green symbolizes life, nature, fertility and well being. As it is one of my favourite colours I think back favourably to once reading that green is favored by well balanced people....obviously. All of the pieces featured on our blog are available to buy online at http://www.bohemianbutterflycollections.com/ . If the power of green hits you, and you just can't find that perfect piece to suit your needs, let us know at info@bohemianbutterflycollections.com and we will do what we can to bring green to you!

Bohemian Butterfly confirmed for Catwalk Carnival Fashion Show January 2009

2008-11-26T13:53:00.000Z

Great news everyone! We are delighted to announce that Bohemian Butterfly will be featured at the Catwalk Carnival Fashion Show (http://www.catwalkcarnival.co.uk/) in January 2009. The evening is in aid of the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust and will also feature designers such as Matthew Williamson and Lulu Guinness. We are honoured to be part of an event in support of such a meaningful cause and encourage our friends and customers to join us for what is sure to be a wonderful evening. Tickets can be purchased at www.justgiving.com/catwalkcarnival .

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - Facetted Gem Bracelets @ Bohemian Butterfly

2008-11-20T11:53:00.000Z

Lately we have been hearing a lot about decorative, bold neck wear...it's all the rage! The bigger the better, according to the fashion press of the world. I agree completely. However, for those of you who are not convinced and want to start somewhere more subtle than the neckline, Bohemian Butterfly has the perfect answer. These chunky facetted gem bracelets are simply mouthwatering. Just sensational, these bracelets can't help but add a touch of glamour.
Available in different gemstone combinations, each piece is carefully handmade using 925 Sterling Silver. For more information please feel free to contact us at info@bohemianbutterflycollections.com or visit our online store at www.bohemianbutterflycollections.com

La Boheme : Turquoise

2008-11-16T23:07:00.001Z

Turquoise brings us endless amounts of joy as jewellery designer makers. It is a timeless natural stone with immense potential. Used on its own or mixed in to bring out the best in other stones it just always seems to WORK! It is one of my favourite stones to work with and in terms of jewellery I consider it to be the epitome of bohemian culture.

It is a stone with great historical significance and has been used by man for more than 6000 years. Turquoise is said to bring good luck. It’s also a calming stone popular in Southwest, Native American, and Egyptian jewelry designs.

This fabulous facetted Turquoise necklace (with handcrafted Murano glass and black Onyx) and abstract Sterling Silver and Turquoise wrap ring are both available online.

Visit the Bohemian Butterfly online shop for more gorgeous one-of-a-kind turquoise creations.