Visual Poetry - a blog by Joanne Poore

And the winner of the 'Rose Gold Necklace' Giveaway is ...

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:04:00 +0000

Michelle Chappell !!

Yay Michelle! Congratulations on being picked out at random from over 9,000 entries!!

There's a pretty little package on it's way to you now :)

And a big 'thank you' to Lelanie for organising all the fun over on her blog!

New for Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:24:00 +0000

So happy with how my new collection for Spring is shaping up ...

With their bohemian style and uplifting colours, these pieces will have you feeling happy and carefree the minute you slip them on! Bring on those laid back sunny days :)

You can see these pieces, and more in my

Etsy Jewellery Shop

Giveaway! Yay!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:02:00 +0000

Would you like to win this lovely Rose Gold Necklace?

It's one of my best selling necklaces - very pretty, delicate, feminine and elegant. Perhaps it would make a great present for someone you know, a treat for yourself, or for those of you in the USA - a great Mother's Day gift!

It's open to anyone in the world, and with free shipping too, so what have you got to lose?!
Head on over to Lelanie's lovely blog for all the juicy details now:

April Showers - "Flowers are in Bloom"- Vintage Rose Jewellery Giveaway

For more details regarding length and materials, etc, please see the listing in my shop:

Rose Gold Necklace

So for a chance to win this necklace, for free - with free shipping and gift-wrapping - go check out the details on Lelanie's fantastic blog.

This offer ends in less than 2 weeks on April 30th, 2012, 11:59 PM EST.

What are you waiting for!!

And have a lovely day!

New Vintage

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 15:15:00 +0000

Here are a few of the mosaic rings that I've been working on lately. Mosaic is a wonderful medium to work with, though admittedly rather fiddly. But combine that with old vintage pieces of jewellery, and what do we have? Hours of fun! Well, weeks actually, but who's counting.

I'm delighted with how they turned out. Unusual, elegant and romantic, with a rich, burnished patina and shine . . .

If you are interested in making your own mosaic rings, I've found these You Tube video tutorials for you:

This first one demonstrates a fairly quick and simple method: Mosaic Ring Tutorial 1

Whilst this second one shows a much more intricate method: Mosaic Ring Tutorial 2

And if you'd like to read a little more about the history of mosaic jewellery please visit this page of my website here.

My own techniques for making mosaic jewellery differ from the methods shown in the above tutorials. Not so traditional, perhaps. But I've found my own way of working, over the years, that suits my style and gives me the effects that I am looking for. I used to make jewellery boxes - that's how it all started, in fact. It took me years to refine my technique so that I could work on a small enough scale to create jewellery. These rings here are fairly simple in construction compared to, for example, my Dragonfly Ring, which requires much patience and exceptional eyesight!

Here's a closer look at some of these vintage rings from my new Autumn 2012 collection . . .

You can find all of the above rings, and more, in my Etsy Jewellery Shop. There will be more to come as I continue to work on the Autumn collection.

Wishing you a wonderful day, today, and everyday :)

Colour Palette : summer meadow

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 19:36:00 +0000

I love colour, big time. I could play around with colour forever. And I could talk for hours about the slightest nuance of tone and interplay. But you wouldn't want to read that now would you?! So I thought I could share my love of colour with you in a slightly more pleasing, visual, way.

And so this is the first (of no doubt many more) 'Colour Palette' posts. Now I can create endless colour stories in little circles. Yippee!

So here we have a quintessential English meadow . . .

Now I don't know about you, but I'm just not ready to let go of Summer yet, so I've indulged myself with a little summer colour in an attempt to keep it alive for a while longer yet. The colours I've picked and the names I've chosen will, I hope, take you away to a summer meadow on a warm, hazy, lazy, sunny day - lying in a meadow full of fragrant wild flowers that sway, oh so gently, in a whisper of a breeze. Butterflies are busy all around, and you are lying on the soft grass, looking up into an endless expanse of clear blue sky. You can hear chirruping bird song and the sound of the ocean is just beyond. The sun is warm and you are sleepy, peaceful and relaxed. And very, very, happy . . .

Colour can take us anywhere because it sparks our imagination. And our imagination is, after all, boundless. There's nothing wrong with a visual daydream - it can be what sustains and nurtures us from within.

I'm already wondering where I'll go with my next colour palette. Into the woods perhaps, or maybe exploring the colours of a flower petal. Hmm . . . thank goodness for the magic of the imagination, a place where we can visualise worlds full of wonders.

Wishing you a wonderful day, today, and everyday :)

INSPIRATION: Poppies by the Sea

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:23:00 +0000

I thought I'd share the story behind another one of my pieces of jewellery with you, and show what inspired me to create it:

This red and aqua ribbon necklace was inspired by the wonderful sight of bright red poppies against an aqua sea - like glowing jewels set in an expanse of tropical haze:

The poppy photos were taken at a glorious seaside garden just minutes from where I live on the Cornish Coast in England. What a colourful inspiration this garden has been for me!

In this necklace I used clear glass and/or gemstones that sparkle, like jewels, as the Poppies against the sea, while the crinkles and creases of the ribbon are reminiscent of the ocean waves.

I love nature. I wonder just where would we be without it's beauty and inspiration?

You can find this necklace here

and browse my online jewellery shop here

Have a lovely day!

New Work on the way . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 12:19:00 +0000

Here's a little sneak preview of my next collection:

I've been very busy creating my new range for late Summer / early Autumn. It features matt, muted shades paired with the sumptuous textures of silver, silk and gemstones - so tactile! They are designed to be worn layered - to mix and match, but do work equally well worn one at a time for simplicity and elegance.

I'm very happy with them, love them in fact, and have been making lots for myself!!

I'm very drawn to muted shades at the moment - smoky, stormy, moody. Would love to know what colours you are drawn to this year as Summer turns to Autumn. I must say I'm usually drawn to plum and berry colours as Autumn shifts in. But hey, I'm not done with Summer yet - need a little more sun still yet.

These designs will be in my shop in a few weeks time, and I'll be posting more pictures and sharing some behind the scenes images too.

Please feel free to browse my Jewellery Shop or Website, I have a 20% OFF SALE running at the moment!

And have a lovely day!

May 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 18:11:00 +0000

May has been a busy month, full of variety and surprises. Here follows a visual story of the month of May as it turned out for me . . .

The coastal area surrounding me is bathed with the lilac haze of these beautiful 'Sea Pinks'. The combination of colours, of the pretty lilac against the green hills and the turquoise seas, has inspired a whole new range of ribbon and shell jewellery . . .

So many beautiful sunsets. Often punctuated by birds flying home to roost . . .

And the flowers in the garden during May were just beautiful . . .

Another new range of jewellery born during the month of May. My 'Flower Garden' range is a selection of gemstone cluster necklaces and bracelets, inspired by all the busy growth and activity in the garden this month . . .

I also did my first ever 'giveaway', and loved it! . . .

I gave away my most popular item, my 'Blue Bird Necklace'.

May seems to have been all about our beautiful feathered friends - the garden was so full of busy birds and their little babies. We are currently feeding thousands!! Here is just one of them . . .

Such a beautiful hazy light filtering through the flowers in the garden . . .

Lots of new jewellery pieces this month. This one below is an Agate necklace, one of a collection of about six pieces added to my shop, as well as many other new designs . . .

And such gorgeous late evening light too - sunsets so rich, warm, and inviting, not to mention inspiring . . .

I hope May was a great month for you too, full of inspiration, wonder and colour.

I must say I'm very excited about some new ideas that I have for my jewellery for June, working with the gorgeous new materials that I've collected during May. I'm really looking forward to what June has in store. So I'll leave May behind with a little taste of what June may bring . . .

Wishing you a wonderful month to come.

A Special Offer for You!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 18:11:00 +0000

It's the last day of the 'giveaway' today. It's been a lot of fun and we've had over 9,500 entries!! Amazing!

But of course only one person can win, which means there may be a lot of disappointed participants out there. So I'm offering you a 25% discount code which is valid for any item in my shop. So if you've spotted something you love, you can now treat yourself, at a discount!
I don't do discounts or sales very often, so do please take advantage of this offer while it's available. You have a limited time to grab something for yourself, or perhaps a present for a loved one or a colleague.

To take advantage of this special offer, please use this code:

TSWLBONUS25%OFF

All you have to do to claim your discount is this:

1. Go to my Etsy Jewellery Shop

2. Select the item you would like to purchase and click the green 'Add to Cart' button

3. Underneath the payment options, you should see a blue link that reads 'Apply shop coupon code' - click on this

4. Copy and paste this coupon code, exactly as written above, into the box, and press 'apply'

5. Your discount will be automatically applied, so now just click on the green 'Check Out' button and proceed as usual.

You can also find a link to instructions with pictures explaining this process here

Offer is valid for 7 days only!

Ends Sunday June 10th 11:59pm EST

You can check out more details about this offer, and the giveaway, on the Hosting Blog

You can browse my Etsy Jewelry Shop here

Wishing you all a lovely weekend, and a great week ahead!

My first ever giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Mon, 28 May 2012 14:57:00 +0000

My jewellery shop is fast approaching being 1 year old, and to celebrate I'm doing my first giveaway!

It is being hosted by Lelanie and Laarnie, two lovely sisters who share a passion for family, sewing, cooking and everything handmade. You can find all the relevant details over on their popular blog To Sew with Love. I'm delighted that they invited me, and there will also be an interview to follow during the week! Check it all out here!

The necklace that I'll be giving away is my 'Blue Bird Necklace':

It's a limited-edition design, in shades of aqua and teal green, with a Turquoise gemstone pendant. It's a pretty, dainty necklace with just the right amount of sparkle for day or evening wear.

It's the best selling item in my shop to date, with a usual selling price of $58.

For more details regarding length, materials, etc, please see the listing in my shop: Blue Bird Necklace.

So for a chance to win this necklace, for free, with free shipping and gift-wrapping, go check out the details on Lelanie's fantastic blog. This offer ends in less than 1 week on June 3rd, 2012, 11:59 PM EST.

What are you waiting for!!

For all the giveaway details please visit To Sew with Love

And have a lovely day!

Storyboard : 'Sea Pinks'

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Sat, 26 May 2012 21:50:00 +0000

I thought it might be interesting to share the story of a piece of jewellery with you, and how it came about, in pictures.

This particular necklace, and matching bracelet, are part of a new range of ribbon and shell jewellery that I've been working on lately. They come in different colour combinations, but the one that I wanted to share with you today was inspired by a beautiful little wildflower called 'Thrift', sometimes known as 'Sea Pink', that grows beside the sea.

The cliffs that wind their way around the Lands End area are currently covered in swathes of these pretty lilac-pink flowers that look fantastic set against the gorgeous backdrop of blues and greens of the land and the sea:

Inspired by the colour of the Sea Pinks, and the translucent quality of it's petals, I picked out a beautiful lilac ribbon from my box of fabrics to echo these qualities. It seemed a natural choice to team it up with some of these gorgeous Abalone shell beads. Having their origins in the ocean, they perfectly embody the essence of the sea that I was looking for. Their colorful swirled surface and iridescent luster echo the way the light reflects upon the surface of the sea in ever changing, undulating patterns:

And so here are the finished pieces:

I was delighted with how this whole range turned out. I love the comination of colour, texture, luster and iridescence, and the way the light plays with the surface of the shells, sometimes shining gently through the crinkled fabric of the ribbon.

I hope this gives you some insight into how I translate my inspirations into designs, and also a little peek into my working methods and processes. Every creation is different though, and it's journey into being will be unique. The very act of creating, for me, whether it be a painting or a piece of jewellery, is an organic process that will often change direction many times from it's original starting point. But that's really all just part of the fun of it!

You can see this Ribbon and Abalone Shell Necklace here in my Etsy Jewellery shop

You can also find the matching Abalone Bracelet here

Or click here to see other pieces from this range

Oh Boy have I been busy!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:56:00 +0000

Well, I still don't have a computer to work on, but it's resulted in me having far more time to spend in my studio being creative! I've been very productive and have lots of new pieces to share.

Here are a few pieces that I've been working on . . .

As you can see I've been enjoying working with lots of natural materials such as shells, pearls and gemstones, and combining them with lovely tactile fabric ribbons. I love the combination of the iridescent luster on the shells and pearls with that of the matt, crinkled texture of these lovely French ribbons.

I've added over 30 new designs to my Etsy Jewellery Shop, should you wish to take a peek.

I've also been so inspired by colour lately. All colours. Every colour. Perhaps it's the effect of Spring, I don't know, but I just love to see a riot of wonderful colours at the moment. Loving neons, and pastels, especially when they're combined with grey.

Hope you've been having some of this lovely Spring sunshine wherever you are - it's been such a tonic!

To see more of my handmade jewellery please visit my Jewellery Shop.

Please excuse my absence

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:55:00 +0000

My computer has finally given up the ghost. It's been threatening for quite a while, so was not entirely unexpected. Luckily all my files were backed up, so nothing much has been lost. Except, of course, my computer.

I hope to have the use of another again soon, hopefully during the first few weeks of April.

Even though it's been an enforced break from 'business as usual', I have found it to be a very productive time in terms of re-thinking and re-evaluating my daily work routine. I am a perfectionist and a workaholic - often to my detriment. I don't take breaks until I have to, and now life has seen to it that I do indeed 'have to'!

My studio has also benefitted from a major clear out, and I plan to have a huge Studio Sale of Paintings in the not too distant future! There will be lots of my original paintings available at prices that will never be repeated again. So if you have ever thought that you'd like to invest in one of my paintings, then this will be your best opportunity yet to get one at the best possible, one time only, price.

I will post preview images of work that will be available in this coming sale nearer the time, but, for now, maybe checkout my website and see what may be on offer soon . . .

Visit my main Art Website

I've been featured!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 13:05:00 +0000

. . . in 'Beads and Beyond' jewellery magazine!

It's the current March issue and you can find it in all good newsagents! ;) I'm delighted and flattered that they approached me. It's a great quality magazine aimed at jewellery lovers and makers; choc full of info, images, demos and how-to's. It's a UK based publication, but is distributed all around the world. You can also find it online.

I've been very busy lately - making new jewellery designs, visiting bead fairs, buying new materials, designing a new website, planning a huge upcoming studio sale of my paintings, and visiting Dorset. Phew, what a month it's been! I'll be sharing more on all of these in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, have a great weekend!

And, if you have a moment, please check out the new 'jewellery' section on my Website!

Jewellery 'sneak peek' . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:41:00 +0000

Here are a few 'sneak peek' pics of the mosaic jewellery that I am currently working on. In the mix here are some rings and lockets, with earrings and bracelets on the way.

Each mosaic that I make is an original, intricate work of art that is made over the course of about 2 or 3 days. There are quite a few stages involved in their making, as well as drying time in between. They are a real labor of love, but great fun to make! I also like to incorporate unusual materials into the design too, often using antique or vintage components from my collection of wonderful old, but now broken, jewellery. You can see parts of old brooches in the pieces above.

These designs are nearly completed now - they just need finishing, filing and tidying up. I hope to have them in my Etsy Jewellery Shop within the week. I'll post some photos of the finished pieces soon!

You can see a selection of my finished Mosaic Jewellery on my website.

You can also find some for sale in my Jewellery Shop.

Art Up Close

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:11:00 +0000

Some interesting textures found on my canvas paintings . . .

These are macro shots of some of my paintings.

I love exploring the surface detail of my art with a camera as you can find wonderful pictures within pictures and worlds within worlds. These really are very tiny areas of the original paintings. They contain amazing textures that the naked eye misses as they are just too small to focus on!

I love to incorporate interesting and unusual textures within my paintings. I often add all sorts of mixed media and specialized art 'mediums' to achieve these, including sand, metal leaf and glue.

I am currently working on a project involving publishing a dvd and picture book based on my close-up shots of my art. It's a long term project and it's not going to be ready in a hurry - I've been working on it for almost 2 years already!

You can see more of my art on my Website.

And more of these painting texture shots on my Flickr Photostream.

Seaweed

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:25:00 +0000

Yes, even seaweed can be beautiful and inspiring! . . .

Or is it just me?!
Well anyway, I so love these deep, dark, earthy and murky colours of the seaweed and dried flowers. Although the colours are quite dull, there are so many rich and varied tones to be found in there.

I'm lucky enough to live in a beautiful part of Cornwall, and can find many wonderful things on my doorstop and under my feet. Yes, I can often be found with my face in the undergrowth and my arse in the air. Luckily for me that's quite normal around here these days, as most people carry cameras around with them, adopting all manner of odd stances in order to capture something or other. In fact, you can often find my partner hanging off a cliff edge in an effort to photograph seals.

If you would like to see more of my handmade jewellery, seaweed-inspired or otherwise, please visit my Online Jewellery Shop.

Poppies

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:03:00 +0000

Poppies! Don't you just love them? So bold and yet so fragile. Without doubt a favourite flower to paint.

All of these images are available for sale as prints in my online Art Shop.

Some of the original paintings are also available for sale on my main Website.

In my jewellery studio

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:21:00 +0000

I thought I'd share a behind the scenes peek into my studio, and show you some of the beautiful raw materials that are just waiting to be made into something wonderful. Here are some gorgeous blue agate pieces, some sparkling druzy slices and some faceted amethyst beads, amongst other things. I like to have everything laid out before me when I'm working so that I can see what's available. I get so much inspiration from my raw materials, and often find great combinations just from looking at what's right there in front of me on my desk!

In the 2nd photo you can see a collection of necklaces that I am currently working on. They feature chunky raw Rubies, Lepidocrocite gemstones and hand blown glass. I really love them, the colours are so subtle, delicate and beautiful. If I can part with them they'll be added to my Etsy jewellery shop within the next couple of weeks. I'll post some pictures of the finished pieces when they are completed.

I find the jewellery designing to be such a compliment and support to my painting. They don't seem to be all that different as disciplines to me in that I am playing with colour, texture and shape to create something that is, to me, a work of art, pleasing to the eye, and a pleasure to create. Making jewellery is a very joyful thing :)

You can see more of my finished designs in my online Jewellery Shop.

You can also find more of my 'behind the scenes / in my studio' shots in my Flickr Photostream.

An introduction to my Dream Series paintings

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:16:00 +0000

My 'Dream Series' paintings are a collection of mixed media paintings on paper. They are developed spontaneously with no planning or drawing involved - rather the paint is allowed to lead the way. Within these paintings subtle forms emerge, like figures and scenes from a dreamscape. The images are personal, or subjective, to the viewer in that each person seems to see something different.

These images are such fun for me to paint. I love the freedom of allowing the paint to run, the colours to merge, and different surface textures to appear. Each painting has many layers of paint which can give the surface lovely unusual velvet-like textures, which sometimes crackles revealing the layers beneath.

Because of the free and spontaneous manner in which these images were created I couldn't possibly repeat the images again - which makes each original painting very special to me. Because of this I only sell prints of my Dream Series. The prints, though, are fantastic quality and are indistinguishable from the original. To date I have been hand finishing and embellishing each print with iridescent and metallic paints, adding a touch of subtle sparkle that really brings them to life.

You can see the full range of images from The Dream Series on my main Website.

I also hope to be offering the prints for sale online before too long in my Art Shop.

Winter Whites

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:10:00 +0000

I find so much to feel inspired by during the Winter months. I love some of the Winter colours - the bare sparseness, the cool pale frostiness. I am so drawn to these pale, icy blue/grey/white's at the moment. They may be in the cool colour spectrum but I don't find them at all cold. In fact I find them beautiful, soothing and uplifting. I love the airiness of them, the way they seem to go on forever - I feel as though I could dissolve right into them and drift away.

The 3 landscapes above were taken on a recent Winter walk along the coast in Cornwall. The surrounding seasonal colours and textures of nature always seem to find a way into my work, whether it be painting or jewellery. You can probably see from these images how some of my inspiration may come about. A simple walk in the Winter air can lead to a whole new collection of jewellery designs!

To see more of my handmade jewellery designs please visit my online Jewellery Shop.

An introduction to my floral artwork

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne Poore) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:07:00 +0000

This is small selection of flower paintings from my portfolio that spans a period of over 23 years. I have mainly specialized in floral work, but I also love to paint seascapes, landscapes, and dreamscapes. Although my imagery can sometimes be quite varied, people have often said that, regardless of subject matter, they can always recognize my paintings by the brush strokes and marks - the way I apply the paint is, apparently, almost as recognizable as a signature.

I particularly love working with watercolours for the fluidity they allow, though I do enjoy the texture of a thicker body paint, such as oils or acrylics. For this reason I often incorporate areas of impasto to my watercolours to add some detail and texture.

If you were to ask me to define my style of painting I would probably describe it as contemporary art that is semi abstract in nature, with a soft ethereal quality.

Or perhaps simply 'impressionistic'?

You can find more about me along with my full portfolio of paintings on my main Website.
These images are also available for sale as prints in my Art Shop.