Priceless Jewellery Designs by Erika Price

At last I finished a painting!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:26:00 +0000

Every Tuesday morning I attend a watercolour painting class run by the talented Janet Westerman from the beautiful Japanese Gardens near my home. And every week I return home disillusioned because my fellow students have all created masterpieces, while I work so slowly, and/or make such a hash of it, my stuff invariably lies unfinished. But this week it all seemed to fall into place for a change - and here it is! I'd love to know what you think (it's supposed to be a rhodedendron, by the way!)

Wordless Wednesday - Yellow Gerbera

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:04:00 +0000

Yellow Gerbera
© Erika Price 2011

Why not join me on Wordless Wednesday! First post a photo on your blog - any subject, there's no need for any words as the photo should speak for itself, though you can of course add words if you want to! Next, simply add a link below to your blog post. Finally, please leave a comment to say you've visited - that's it!

Monday Moodboard - Birds

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:50:00 +0000

1. colettecolor
2. lacravatteduchien
3. Mirthquake
4. dialno

We've had glorious weather here for 2 or 3 days, with clear blue skies and lots of sunshine. The warmer weather seems to have attracted lots of wildlife - today there were lots of different bird species on our bird table including, blue tits, great tits, coal tits, long tailed tits, chaffinches, robins, goldfinches, and great spotted woodpeckers, as well as sparrows, starlings, thrushes and blackbirds, to name just a few. So my Moodboard theme this week has been inspired by all these cheerful little birds.

All the beautiful items here were handmade by members of the European Street Team. For more Monday Moodboards featuring unique handcrafted goodies from talented European designer-makers, see Estella and Esther's Blog

Losar - Tibetan Year of the Water Dragon

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:57:00 +0000

Yesterday marked the first day of the Tibetan Buddhist New Year, Losar, which this year saw the advent of the Year of the Water Dragon. For centuries, Losar has been a colourful and vibrant religious festival celebrated in Tibet, Nepal and India, that lasts for 15 days. It is a family celebration, where people come together to pray and count their blessings, drink chaang (a local beer-type drink brewed from barley) and wish each other a happy new year: “Losar Tashi Delek!”

Tibetan Buddhist Worshipper (Photo: Associated Press)

One of the most important traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, Losar predates Buddhism and reflects ancient connections between astronomy, astrology, and the passage of time. Each year is associated with one of twelve animals and one of five elements, which recur in 60 year cycles. So year 2012 in the Christian calendar is year 2139 in the Tibetan calendar, and the animal it is associated with is the dragon and the element water - hence it is the year of the Water Dragon. It should be an occasion for celebration. But in Tibet this years Losar celebrations took place against a background of lethal force and increased repression, and for the exiled Tibetan community in India, there is little to celebrate.

H.H. The Dalai Lama (Photo Associated Press)
I find it tragic that in the 21st century a Tibetan monk in China can be beaten then
imprisoned indefinitely for simply possessing an image of the Dalai Lama

The start of Losar this year as been marked by sorrow, and observed in a much more solemn manner, as celebrations were cancelled in mourning for the Tibetan monks and nuns who have set themselves on fire (self-immolated) in recent months. They were protesting against the continued illegal Chinese occupation of Tibet and the appalling breaches of Tibetan human rights at the hands of their Chinese-occupiers, and calling for the return of the Dalai Lama, from exile. Thus the exiled Dalai Lama led Tsedhor, the official prayer ceremony, from the rooftop of the Tsuglha Khang temple at McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, he reflected quietly and paid tribute to all the Tibetans who have sacrificed their freedom and their lives in protest against Chinese policies in Tibet. After the religious ceremony, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile began a day-long solidarity hunger strike for the victims of Chinese police and self immolation protests.

H.H. The Dalai Lama presides over Tsedhor
(Photo: Phayul, Norbu Wangyal)

Yet the official Chinese state-controlled media reported that, "Tibetans from the "Tibet Autonomous Region" (TAR) and several Tibetan prefectures in China celebrated their New Year with traditional ceremonies in the temples and monasteries". The Lhasa Authority have tightened security yet further and restricted the movement of Tibetan pilgrims, having previously issued orders requiring Tibetan officials and the general public to prepare song and dance routines for Losar. Performers who refused to take part in the mandatory show of celebrations were warned of severe punishment. The Chinese government have also temporarily released some of the Tibetans who were arbitrarily detained upon their return from pilgrimage to India and Nepal, together with several detained Tibetans undergoing "patriotic re-education". Last month, Tibetan sources confirmed that Chinese government officials were issuing bribes of 500 Yuan for each Tibetan family to participate Tibetans in Losar celebrations. Thus even Losar is subject to Chinese orchestration, with Chinese officials dictating the agenda, infiltrating the religious establishments to control and limit the numbers of genuine Tibetan monks and nuns involved, and forcing a show of jollity and merriment from an unwilling Tibetan people. Like so many Tibetan Buddhist religious festivals, the Chinese government has appropriated Losar as a propaganda opportunity to conceal the truth from the outside world about the real relationship between Tibetans and their Chinese oppressors. Sadly, since the riots of two years ago, the Chinese Government have banned independent observers and the world's media from entering Tibet to witness the situation for themselves.

H.H. The Dalai Lama presides over Tsedhor
Tsuglha Khang, Dharamsala (Photo: OHHDL)

So this is how 2139, Tibetan Year of the Water Dragon 2139, began. But why am I telling you all this? Because Tibet is a country and nation very close to my heart. One of the first books I remember reading as a very small child was Herge's "Tin Tin in Tibet", and this distant Himalayan kingdom has fascinated me ever since. I began to devour everything I could read about Tibetan history, religion and culture, and especially Tibetan Buddhism. My library of books, articles, documentaries, films and photographs about all aspects of Tibet and Tibetan life have become extensive over the years. My yearning to know more grew even stronger after my first visit: Tibet was one of the most isolated and harsh yet beautiful places I've ever been on earth, and the Tibetan people touched my heart and moved me beyond words with their intensely deep spirituality, and a calm serenity despite the cultural genocide they have been subjected to for decades at the hands of their Chinese oppressors.

The roof of the Johkang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet

On my return from my first visit I decided I had to help Tibetans in whatever way I could, and became a supporting member of Free Tibet, The Tibet Society and the Tibet Relief Fund. I've also raised money for the International Campaign for Tibet, and have been supporting Tibetan children living in exile in India through education for several years. I currently support 9 children of all ages, and eagerly look forward to their beautiful heartwarming letters containing news, drawings and school reports.

Tibetan Prayer Flags are known as Lung Ta, literally "Wind Horses".
Tibetans believe the wind will carry the prayers throughout the universe
to promote peace, good will and compassion

Tibet, once a country the size of western Europe, has changed dramatically since the Chinese invaded in 1959 while the world turned its back. During the invasion, or "peaceful liberation" as the Chinese insist on calling it, hundreds of monasteries and sacred Buddhist relics were completely destroyed
and many thousands of Tibetan lives were lost. Since then, Tibetans have become second class citizens, discriminated against and marginalized in their own country, their identity, unique culture and language threatened with extinction. Tibetans have no basic human rights, are not allowed to travel outside of China, and are squeezed out of the economy, the education system and even their own religious institutions. Children are now only taught Chinese in school in an attempt to eliminate Tibetan culture. Aspiring young monks have to apply to the Chinese government, who invariably ignore their requests in order to limit the influence of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Spiritual home of H.H. The Dalai Lama - the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet

Image © Sacred Sites

The Chinese government is systematically exploiting and eroding the immense natural resources of the Tibetan plateau, filling its own coffers at the expense of the Tibetan people. The Chinese insist that they have "liberated" the Tibetans and brought financial investments and modernisation to the Tibetan people, but there are few visible benefits to the Tibetans themselves. The new high speed rail link between China and Tibet has only served to increase the seemingly endless stream of Han Chinese settlers and, of course, the all pervasive Chinese military: huge numbers of arrogant young Chinese soldiers, heavily-armed, patrol the streets in a menacing manner.

The banned Tibetan Flag

Tibetan language radio broadcasts, from foreign radio stations such as Voice of Tibet, are jammed. Most of the street and shop traders are Chinese, not Tibetan. Tibetan homes have been demolished and replaced with characterless concrete buildings, and Lhasa has been transformed into a Chinese city, with - at last count - less than three per cent of the "Tibetan quarter" of Lhasa remaining intact. The concrete tower block looming over the Jokhang Temple, a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site built in 647, houses the headquarters of the Chinese Public Security Bureau, a provocative symbol of the Chinese government's constant surveillance of Tibetan lives. It makes me want to cry, and my heart bleeds for the Tibetan people.

Wordless Wednesday - Aegean Sunset

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:11:00 +0000

Aegean Sunset
© Erika Price 2011

This winter has been so cold and grey, I've almost forgotten what the sun looks like! My unretouched original photo is a reminder of warmer days, and was taken late last summer around the Greek Islands

Why not join me on Wordless Wednesday! First post a photo on your blog - any subject, there's no need for any words as the photo should speak for itself, though you can of course add words if you want to! Next, simply add a link below to your blog post. Finally, please leave a comment to say you've visited - that's it!

Monday Moodboard - Lemons

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:50:00 +0000

1. PeekABooCornerShop
2. PetitPlat
3. thepleasureofpaintin
4. StemellinaSupplies

Tomorrow is Shrove Tuesday so we're looking forward to having the traditional pancakes for supper. There's lots of different ways of serving pancakes, both savoury and sweet, and last year I shared with you my all time favourite recipe for crepes suzettes. A simple alternative for a hot pudding is to sprinkle them with sugar and a little freshly squeezed lemon juice - delicious! What's your favourite?

All the beautiful lemon items here were handmade by members of the European Street Team. For more Monday Moodboards featuring unique handcrafted goodies from talented European designer-makers, see Estella and Esther's Blog

Wordless Wednesday - Blue Domed Church

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:23:00 +0000

Blue Domed Church, Santorini
© Erika Price 2011

We've had so much snow and freezing weather here recently that I thought I'd share this photo, taken just 4 months ago in Santorini. Ah, such wonderful memories!

Why not join me on Wordless Wednesday! First post a photo on your blog - any subject, there's no need for any words as the photo should speak for itself, though you can of course add words if you want to! Next, simply add a link below to your blog post. Finally, please leave a comment to say you've visited - that's it!

Snow Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:58:00 +0000

Lucy aged 8 months

Just had to share this photo of my furbaby Lucy - her hair is so long and the snow so dry that it all stuck to her paws, even though I'd trimmed them. After her first frolic in the fresh snow she looked like a yeti and so much snow had stuck to her that she could hardly walk :)

Monday Moodboard - Pretty Red Hearts

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:16:00 +0000

All these beautiful heart items were handmade by members of the European Street Team. For more Monday Moodboards featuring unique handcrafted goodies from talented European designer-makers, see Star of the East's Blog

1. katerinaki1977
2. P8ButtonArt
3. ThePaperMachines
4. Nafsika

Wordless Wednesday - Fun in the Snow

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:56:00 +0000

I've seen the big deer leap...

Lucy is now 8 months old, and is a constant source of fun with her loving and playful nature. This weekend she enjoyed her first experiences of crisp, deep snow, and her wonderful sense of fun really comes across in these (otherwise rather monotone) photos. I was laughing so much at her antics that it was difficult to hold the camera still enough to take these shots!

... just like this....

... but they made it look easy!

Is my bone down there somewhere?

Oh boy....

.... this is fun!

Quick rest .....

... then off again!

Monday Moodboard - Snow

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:06:00 +0000

1. rodica
2. StaroftheEast
3. nerina52
4. folkowl

Although it's been snowing across much of Europe for a couple of weeks now, we were unaffected here in the UK until yesterday when we woke to several inches of snow. It was fun watching Lucy the cocker spaniel romping around - she'd never experienced deep snow before and was madly trying to catch the snowflakes. She was like a yeti when we finally persuaded her to come indoors, totally covered in great lumps of snow and ice, and we had to give her a hot bath to warm her up!

All the beautiful items here were handmade by members of the European Street Team. For more Monday Moodboards featuring unique handcrafted goodies from talented European designer-makers, drop by Star of the East's Blog

Wordless Wednesday - Basilica Cistern, Istanbul

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:22:00 +0000

Basilica Cistern, Istanbul
© Erika Price 2011

Monday Moodboard - Amethyst

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:13:00 +0000

1. daimblond
2. denizgunes
3. P8Accessories
4. LittleKatysFactory

The first month of the year is already nearly over, and with February almost upon us I started thinking about Amethysts - the traditional birthstone for February - which inspired my collection this week.

Amethyst purple is one of my favourite colours, and all the beautiful items here were handmade by members of the European Street Team. For more Monday Moodboards featuring unique handcrafted goodies from talented European designer-makers, see Star of the East's Blog

New This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:48:00 +0000

Sharing some of the new jewellery creations listed in my Erika Price Etsy shop this week:

Rubino Heart Earrings

Wordless Wednesday - Frosty Willow Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:15:00 +0000

Willow Tree In Frost
© Erika Price 2012

Why not join my Wordless Wednesday Photo Feature?! First post a photo on your blog - any subject, there's no need for any words as the photo should speak for itself, though you can of course add words if you want to! Next, simply add a link below to your blog post. Finally, please leave a comment to say you've visited - that's it! Have a great Wordless Wednesday :)

Monday Moodboard - Valentine Hearts

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:37:00 +0000

1. BHBKidstyle
2. PatchworkMill
3. fibrous
4. SarahOfSweden2

There is not much time now until Valentine's Day, so if you haven't already chosen something special for your Valentine, here are a few handmade ideas to help you! All the beautiful red heart theme items here were handmade by members of the European Street Team. For more Monday Moodboards featuring unique handcrafted products from talented European designer-makers, see Star of the East

New This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:24:00 +0000

Here is a selection of the new pastel jewellery creations available this week from my Erika Price Etsy shop:

Pink Showstopper Earrings

Crystal Cluster Necklace

Pink Pansy Earrings

Silver and Gold Chain Maille Bracelet

Mocha Swirl Earrings

Wordless Wednesday - Church Bell, Santorini

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:30:00 +0000

Monday Moodboard - Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:50:00 +0000

1. HeartyGift
2. LaNiqueHOME
3. kaleda
4. EvgeniyaMaslakova

The recent icy cold and frosty weather here has brought with it the most beautiful clear blue skies and wonderful sunshine, which also means you need to wrap up well to stay cosy and warm! All these beautiful wintery items were made by members of the European Street Team, and you can see more Monday Moodboards featuring unique handcrafted gifts from talented European designer-makers, over on Star of the East's Blog

New Designs for January

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:54:00 +0000

Geranium Leaf Necklace SIL021

This month sees the introduction of my new "Nature's Heirlooms" range, featuring one-of-a-kind pure silver designs based on real leaves, acorns, coral, sycamore keys and more natural finds from my garden and beyond

The large Geranium Leaf Necklace pictured left sold within 24 hours of being listed in my Erika Price Etsy Shop, but I'll be listing more soon!

Silver and Gold Daisy Necklace SIL023

I've also been experimenting with incorporating gold and silver together in one design. My first completed piece is the Silver and Gold Daisy Necklace (see right)

It is similar in design to my Silver Daisy Necklace but I've highlighted the centre of the daisy in recycled 24kt gold

Love Heart Necklace SIL022

Another new design is my Love Heart Necklace (see left). It features my handcrafted solid silver "I Love You" Loveheart charm, and is similar to my Love Heart Bracelet, but instead of setting it on a sterling silver bangle, I've set the charm on a dainty sterling silver chain and adorned it with a tiny ruby and 2 Swarovski crystals in deep red and crystal AB

If you'd prefer the crystals in a different colour, I'm happy to customize the necklace for you, and I can also personalize it with a short name or date on the reverese side. Just contact me to discuss your requirements

Finally, here are a few of the Valentine Hearts pieces added to my Etsy store this week:

Red Heart Earrings VAL006

Red Heart Drop Earrings VAL007

Valentines Heart Earrings VAL008

Wordless Wednesday - At The Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:10:00 +0000

Monday Moodboard - Garnet Wine

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:39:00 +0000

1. SOULFULSTYLE
2. NinaPopova
3. ThePaperMachines
4. rubinabubina

Garnet is the birthstone for January, but when browsing for handmade Garnet items I noticed that the variety of shades was enormous - from a claret to burgundy and all shades in between. Here are some of the wine varieties I found!

All the beautiful items here were made by members of the European Street Team! See more Monday Moodboards featuring unique handcrafted gifts from talented European designer-makers on Star of the East's Blog

Another New Playmate

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Lucy the cocker spaniel and Daisy the shih tzu

Our cocker spaniel puppy Lucy is now 7 months old and although Barney the golden labrador is her firm favourite doggy pal, she's very sociable and loves to meet new friends. I'd been talking to one of the guys who is repairing our roof about his daughters young shih tzu puppy, 10 month old Daisy, and suggested he brought her along with him as we're lucky enough to have a very large and secure garden. Lucy couldn't believe her luck when she ran outside and found Daisy sitting under the greengage tree. Daisy turned out to be an equally exuberant puppy, and the pair chased each other around so happily all day that Daisy came along again this morning. The grass is long and wet, and the pair of them now look (and smell) like damp rags. It's exhausting just to watch them as they run and tumble so fast, and it's even more difficult to take photographs!

Daisy can run as fast, and for as long, as Lucy....

... but even cocker spaniels need to take a break occasionally!

Wordless Wednesday - City of Ghosts

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:39:00 +0000

I took these photos of the City of Ghosts four years ago, when travelling through China. Fengdu is now a lonely group of temples on Mingshan (Ming Mountain) on the north bank of the Yangtze River. The complex represents the Taoist vision of hell and was once a place where Chinese people came to pray for a happy afterlife for their deceased relatives. However, most of the city has been submerged as part of the Three Gorges Dam project, and the temples are now frequented almost entirely by tourists cruising the Yangzte River. At the top of the mountain is the Palace of Heaven which, according to Chinese legend, is home to the devil and the souls of the dead. Hence Fengdu's popular name, the City of Ghosts.

Why not join me on Wordless Wednesday! First post a photo on your blog - any subject, there's no need for any words as the photo should speak for itself, though you can of course add words if you want to! Next, simply add a link below to your blog post. Finally, please leave a comment - that's it!

First Valentines Day Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Price) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:33:00 +0000

Below are two silver and crystal necklaces I created especially for Valentines Day and have just listed in my Etsy Shop:

Yes, I do know we've only just celebrated Christmas and New Year! And the celebrations aren't actually over yet, as up in Scotland where my son lives it is a bank holiday today. Moreover, the Orthodox Christian church doesn't celebrate Christmas until Epiphany on 6th January, which is still 3 days away!

Yet, would you believe, on New Year's Eve I noticed that among the reduced-price Christmas cards, wrapping paper and biscuit tins, chocolate Easter bunnies had already gone on sale in the supermarket! Since Easter isn't until April, my listing Valentine's Day jewellery for 14th February doesn't sound quite so organised after all!