Anna's Jewels

It's official...I am Dr. Anna

2010-07-04T20:13:00.015+01:00

I am just back from Dublin, where I had been doing my Ph.D. up until last November. This time I went there to graduate!! I am now officially Dr. Anna Trias or Anna Trias Ph.D., whichever you prefer. I am over the moon! I had an amazing day from start to finish. My lovely fiancee and myself flew to Dublin and my parents also flew in from Spain for the occasion. We woke up and headed to Trinity College to visit the department where I have worked for the past 4 years. My ex-supervisor was very kind and gave my family a little tour around the place. Later on we all got dressed up for the occasion, me with the required colour scheme of black and white. We arrived at the Examination Hall, where the ceremony was to take place, and put on my gown: Yellow and Red are the colours for the Ph.D. candidates. Women were also required to wear the square cap.

This is me with the attire on

It was a sunny and windy day and the wretched gown was making me H-O-T. At 2:40 the campanile bell started to sound indicating the entrance of the spectators and Master candidates. All of us Ph.D. candidates (around 100 of us) were directed to a tiny room, where we were put in alphabetical order. This took ages and we were all hot and ready to go. At about 3:30 we started to come out and into the examination hall while people outside were cheering, and inside the hall the organ was playing a beautiful melody. Everyone was looking at us and it was one of the best feelings i've had.

Me in the background second to the left entering the Hall

My ex-supervisor also came. The ceremony was completely in latin and I only understood the odd word. But it was very emotional and I felt very proud when it was my time to go up and collect my title from the hands of Ireland's ex-president Mary Robinson.

Me receiving my diploma

After the graduation ceremony was over, we left in procession and I saw my proud parents in the audience and my fiancee perching over the railing of the mezzanine!! We all went to a reception with drinks and nibbles and I got to have a picture taken with Mary Robinson!

Me and Mary Robinson.

After that we headed for Cafe en Seine, the poshest place in town. We had some drinks with friends from the Department. Thank you for coming guys.

Ton, Shawn and me in Cafe en Seine

Later on my parents and fiancee went for an absolutely spectacular meal to my favourite restaurant: Yamamori. The best Japanese place ever. The food was particularly good that night!!!

So that was my graduation day, perfect from top to bottom. A day to remember with the people I love the most.

Kev and me (pardon my closed eyes)

Mum and Dad and me

Mum and me

I am lucky!

People I like

2010-07-01T22:25:00.008+01:00

Lately I haven't been able to craft all that much due to lack of time, being away in Nepal for work, etc... However, I have been keenly following and discovering some crafty people's blogs and shops.

I have to say that I am fascinated about the blog kept by Novita, called verypurpleperson. I think she is very talented, her creations are right up my street and I love her choice of fabrics and colour combos. I am mesmerized by the floral fabric pieces she has created recently, they are top class!! I am also a fan of all things Japanese, and I like reading about Japanese experiences through the eyes of a foreign person residing in Japan. She also has a very cute family!!

I have also recently discovered an etsy shop called Gardens of Whimsy. The creations in this shop are dreamy hair accessories. They are really special pieces with a very natural and organic feel. They also have a fairy-tale quality and this is helped by the excellent styling and photography in this shop. What a great idea it is to use flowers, vines and beautiful butterflies as hair adornments!! I love it!

Check them out!

Hello from Edinburgh

2010-06-29T14:17:00.008+01:00

So many things have changed or happened since my last blog nearly a year ago.

Some of the things are:

I now live in Edinburgh.
I have finished my Ph.D. (officially graduating this Friday).
I am no longer a student (no more student discounts for me).
I have had two proper jobs.
I have been to Thailand and Nepal.
Some of my crafts are now sold in an art gallery in Edinburgh.
I live in a house with a garden.
I am happier!

I leave you with one of my pictures of the Budha eyes in Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Sunday Lazy Picks

2009-08-02T10:30:00.017+01:00

Hello!

So today is Sunday and I am starting this new section in my blog whereby I select some pretty things I like. Today will be about things that I've had my eye on for a long time and that are on my list of purchases for when I am richer.

This first one is possibly the top of my list, they are lovely Mottled Brass Earrings by Lila Ruby King.

Her things are amazing and she has been featured on etsy this weekend. You can see it here. What and honour! Congrats Anna!

I also love all of the Scandinavian Matryoshka Dolls by Ravenhill, but those colourful ones are one my very fave ones because they bring so much cheer and they are the cutest.

This is the Just a little boudoir mirror .... by Pamela Angus. This is very cute and almost irresistible. It is out of a fairy tale and very romantic with lovely soft colours and flowers, which are my favourite thing!

There are so many talented people out there creating really unique, beautiful stuff! It makes me happy to think there are people that are not affraid to use their imagination!
Well that's it for today, I hope you have enjoyed it!

Fairy Cakes

2009-07-30T22:05:00.004+01:00

Mmmmmm these are some Fairy Cakes I made ages ago but that I remembered today while looking at my pictures. They were yummers and looked so cute in the cake stand. They didn't last long though there were a few of them.

Swop Shop, Curved Street Cafe Market and Maybe TV3??

2008-11-19T12:51:00.006Z

Hello!
Long time no posted, sniff sniff. But someone has to finish this bloody PhD and it better be me!

Anyway! Cool news, I am going to be selling some of my stuff at a Swop Shop in the Loft at the Powerscourt Center in Dublin and it's organised by Rough Gem "a new and vibrant collective, based in Dublin. Made up of bloggers, artists and musicians, it aims to bring fun and fancy to the Dublin arts scene"

more info in their blog

http://roughgempresents.wordpress.com/

On top of that at the end of the month (Nov 29th) there will be the usual Curved Street Cafe Market located on the first floor of Filmbase and this time there will be loads more stalls including things for the male couterparts! Will be posting the poster closer to the date!

Finally, I can't believe this! The stall-holders in the Curved Street Cafe Market will possibly set up the stalls in the studio of IRELAND AM in TV3 an Irish Television morning program! Exciting or what!!
We don't know it for sure bit fingers crossed!

I am on METRO

2008-09-02T18:46:00.007+01:00

Oh my God, when Therese McKenna, the style writer from the Metro Dublin magazine contacted me asking if I would like to be featured I was ecstatic.

- Of course I want! I hasted to reply!

And the day has come, today I woke up early and on my way to work I picked up a copy of the METRO and there it was my face on the newspaper. How amazing! So far it has brought me 6 sales and I hope a bit of long term attention from local customers!

Anyway not only me was feature but also Bonzie, she makes truly amazing clothes.

Just take a look below!

Exploring

2008-08-16T12:47:00.007+01:00

For the past few months I have been experimenting with new materials, new techniques and new products!!
Two of those are knitting, yes! I have finally mastered the knit and purl, knit and purl...and made various things one of them for sale on my etsy shop. This is my victorian-inspired cuff/handwarmer.

I have also designed some tank tops and tees here is my first:

I am on the Front Page of Etsy

2008-08-09T13:01:00.002+01:00

Yeah!
Today I got another spot on the Front Page of Etsy!

The Aftermath

2008-07-28T09:51:00.007+01:00

Ok then! continuing from the previous blog, I had a stall in the Curved Street Cafe Market. I had fun and sold a bit, but honestly there should be more people coming!! The thing is that the Cafe is in a first floor of a building and people on the street cannot really see it unless they know about it or come to eat in the Cafe...mmm we need more market strategy. Anyway some pictures below, excuse me for my odd face I must have been dreaming of selling the whole stall at once!

Tomorrow's Market

2008-07-25T14:33:00.003+01:00

I am really excited about tomorrow's market, mostly because it is always fun to chat to people and there is such a good atmosphere! The venue also helps, it is in the Curved Street Cafe in Temple Bar in Dublin and they serve delicious food, cupcakes, sandwiches, lemonade, etc. There is a great variety of things you can get there most notably vintage stuff, which I adore and then other hand-made stuff like clothes and jewellery, oh and also some art. So if you are in or around Dublin please come!

Another of the stallholders is Katie who brings fantastic vintage things, really pretty shoes and dresses and accessories...Have a look at her blog for really lovely snaps of her things

The postman always rings...

2008-07-23T11:23:00.005+01:00

Look at what the post brought me this morning!! I challenged my fellow European Street Team friend Ira from My Little Bird to custom make me a hipster pouch for when I am in markets and such. I wanted something different made with fabrics I really love and this one I choose because I had already seen it in another's European shop called FromHollandWithLove. She stocks truly colourful and beautiful fabrics and I had been in love with this particular one for a while. Coincidentaly, Ira had bought this fabric and so the match was perfect, a perfect bag with a perfect fabric. What else can I ask for?

Having said that, I have to insist that I am not a girly girl at all, but I have a penchant for colourful fabrics so there it is. I am a happy bunny, thank you Ira!

Good Bye Kiri

2008-07-21T10:31:00.003+01:00

I am a huge animal lover but in my current rented flat they do not allow us to have any dogs or cats so we decided to get a little hamster. When we got him we knew he was already an adult and that their life-span is short anyway. However he has lived with us for over 1 and a half years. He gave us loads of funny moments and joy but he suddenly got extremely ill and sadly passed away on Saturday night. He was a cheeky fellow that liked to show off his climbing skills and store food everywhere he could. We will miss you Kiri.

Botany

2008-07-18T11:28:00.011+01:00

Plants are probably my first love. I suppose being born in a plant nursery had something to do with it. However, during my teenage years I became a little rebellious affirming that I would have nothing to do with plants in the future but later succumbed and finished a degree in Biology then a masters in plant taxonomy and currently I am in the final stages of a plant taxonomy and systematics PhD.

And all of this for what? Well, my second love for crafts has always fed from this enthusiasm for nature in general and plants in particular. I think they are a great source of inspiration with infinite colours and shapes, they are just marvelous.

Here are some fantastic items made by crafters inspired by plants:

these utterly gorgeous Ginkgo biloba earrings by esdesigns are simply stunning.

these botanical drawing-style tags by SugarStreetCafe are a treasure for plant and vintage lovers alike

this delicate and tasteful candle holder by botanicraft is a feast for the senses

And with these few fabulous items I wrap up and would like to remind everyone of how vital plants are for the planet: they give us oxygen, they feed us, they dress us, they house us, and not only they are crucial to us "self-centered" human beings but to all creatures on earth.

Surprise Supplies!

2008-07-16T09:03:00.010+01:00

How fantastic it is when you get something special through the post. It is always such a thrill to receive a jiffy full of goodies among the usual utility bills. Mailing is such a forgotten occurence in this increasingly digital world, but of course these lovely beads cannot be sent through the internet!

So this week so far I got two parcels: one with fantastic tigger ebony beads from eandebungalow and one with rare and old vintage beads from blacksheepbeads. They are just so amazing and I do not want to use them because they look so pretty as they are. I'll wait for inspiration to come!

Lace and Ribbons

2008-07-15T09:01:00.005+01:00

I think I might be right when I say that lace and ribbons are probably two of lady's favourite things or at least they are a hit among the lady crafters I know. I snapped these two beauties in the bargain box from a local craft shop here in Dublin! Lucky me!
The lace is especially delightful and I think I know what I will do with it. My idea is to sew it all around the edge of a rectangle piece of fabric that has a rose pattern (like the one used in this napkins I made and you can buy in my shop). This will be a place mat for the center of the table for my mum's country style home. I know she already loves the fabric!
The ribbon's colour is my favourite colour apart from deep green, and I am not sure what I will do with it but I'll sure find some use for it.

English

2008-07-14T14:36:00.006+01:00

My love for all things English is already well known around the people that know me best. Even my fiancee is English! Here is the one thing that all of them seem to share the love of: tea. The best way of representing this is to show a few creations by English artists:

This fantastic illustration is by charliemotel.

A lovely badge from creative felt artist lupin.

This funky cushion by hoolala.

a set of delicate buttons by creamrose.

With one or two sugars, with or without milk, whatever way you prefer it always enjoy your tea!

Front Page

2008-07-14T11:11:00.007+01:00

Sometimes I am a very lucky girl and my fellow EST (European Street Team) members select one of my items from my etsy shop and make a tresury on etsy.Then this treasury is selected by the Etsy people to be in the main page! In this case my hair bands made it to the Front Page on the 9th of July!! Top- right - Thanks to Fleurfatale.

Poor Blog

2008-07-14T10:48:00.005+01:00

I must admit that I have been neglecting my blog and of course it is due to millions of excuses I could narrate here but I guess I can only promise that I will write more often. Now I feel like when you are a kid and you skipped a few days on your diary and don't know what to say!sniff

Marketing

2008-01-31T11:56:00.001Z

I am really getting serious on the business side of my jewellery-making hobby. After setting up my online shop at Etsy! I am considering other options such as exposing in markets around Ireland. The only downside is that they charge you quite a bit and then you have to endure the rainy Irish weather. Only thinking about that, i get shivers all down my spine. So I will have to sleep on it and consider more options.

Making Jewellery

2008-01-22T14:46:00.000Z

I have started making jewellery relatively recently. Since last October if I am not mistaken. If I have to be honest it's an addiction at the moment. I get such a good feeling out of it!! That's my main reason for doing it but also quite surprisingly I have been selling pieces to people I know. So it is also quite exciting when for the first time you show your creations to somebody other that the people at home and you get a positive response.
Anyway I started because I did a course in wirework. Using this technique you can create fabulous jewellery. You can use any kind of beads you want and combine different shades to create gorgeous effects. Depending on the colour of the beads and the wire you can create understated pieces or else really exuberant showy ones. In my opinion they are great to dress up with and give an edge to any outfit. I also think they look great on ladies of all ages. I have sold some to people ranging from 12 to60's.

Just click on the brooch to see a catalogue of examples.

I will be writing about other creations of mine in another blog.