Valentine’s Promotion 2013

Open to all South African Residents

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Charms, Totems & Amulets

First of all – Happy New Year! Hope you all had a fantastic festive season – and for those in snowy climates – I am soooo jealous right now!!

It’s been far too long since I last blogged, something I want to sort out this year (I’m not saying I’m going to aim for every week, but once a month would be good!) For this first blog post, I want to talk about charms…

Just before Christmas last year, my mom phoned me, and asked if I’d be able to make some little charms to go in the Christmas pudding – she said when she was young, they’d had silver charms in theirs, as opposed to money.. I said yes (even though I was hectically busy!), then suggested each charm be customised for each person.. This led to the following set of charms:

The star charm was for me (I’ve always loved stars, hence my business name), the bow & arrow for my husband – who loves archery, the airplane was for my uncle – who used to be an airplane engineer, the puppy was for my aunt – who has 2 golden retrievers, and the kitty for my mom’s best friend – who loves cats!

Even though these were just tiny, fun charms – it led me to think about charms – as well as traditional totems and amulets.. For thousands of years, different cultures have carried tokens as symbols of their tribe or family (totems), or as good luck charms (amulets), or simply to portray a piece of their history (where they’ve been or what they’ve done) or show off something they liked (like with charm bracelets)

I don’t know if I’m really a believer in something protecting you, but I love the idea of showing off your love of a particular thing – be it an animal or TV show.. I’ve done this for ages with my starbrightsilver geek range of jewellery on etsy – the designs are based on oblique references from geek culture, which allows only other geeks to recognise them, and thereby instantly form a subtle allegience with the wearer.. Some examples below:

I think this has had an effect on my design choices for the rest of my work.. I started doing Africa heart charms ages ago, and they’re probably my most popular item – I guess people love to show off where they’re from, especially when traveling. From this I progressed to making other “items” as opposed to just designs.. I have a range of little animals & birds with hearts (like a squirrel – which is probably my favourite animal) – and I love to hear people at the market exclaim how much they love a particular animal when they see the pendant on display! I also have some other objects – like the bicycle, and a classic camera – which fans of cycling and photography seem to love..

So essentially, for me a charm (whether to be worn as a pendant or on a bracelet), is about showing off the things in life you love..

Towards the end of last year, I also had a request to make a wild dog pendant – as the customer could not find one anywhere.. It was a challenge,but so wonderful to see her so happy with it when it was done!

So, I’m going to keep on doing what I do – creating items for people to show off a side of themselves that the world might not know about – whether it’s a geeky side, or just loving the cuteness of hedgehogs! Whether it’s a charm, amulet or totem to the wearer is irrelevant – as long as it’s something they love, I’m happy

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Starbright Updates

So – been a while since I last blogged – haven’t been feeling too great of late, but am getting myself sorted out (need to take more care with what I eat, & take my multi-vitamins etc!) Anyhow – just a little update on what I’ve been up to recently..

I’ve been working on some new designs – I like to keep my work as fresh as possible, and will never stop working on new ideas! Here are a couple I’m quite happy with

I’ve also been working on a “Miniatures” range – of tiny sterling pendants – all hand-cut of course!

They come on 45cm sterling silver chains (as seen in the pics above) – and are just so dainty & sweet on!

Apart from that, I have been doing a few orders – here are a couple of pics:

I really do get a variety of requests, but just always try my best to make awesome silver jewellery

And that’s my small dose of news for now – will be back with more soon.. Have a great rest of your week! Megs xx

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Happy 2012 – Year of the Dragon!!

So – a very happy new year to you all.. Year of the Dragon – meant to be a prosperous one.. Fingers crossed for us all!

I’ve been a very bad blogger of late – I can’t even remember the last time I blogged! The good news out of that, was that I was honestly so busy, I didn’t have time! As you can imagine, for jewelers, Nov & Dec are our busiest months, with everyone doing Christmas shopping, and I was working like a machine trying to make enough stock! On top of that, I was practicing for my advanced Spanish Dancing exam (which I passed very nicely ) – so had no time to spare at all!
But, here we are in the new year, and I’m busy doing new designs – so now is the time to blog and show them off!

What do you think of these – pretty cute? I like the simplicity, and the high shine finish of these… They’re similar to the designs I was doing last year, but by not including resin, I can make these pendants much lighter & daintier.. I’m also going to experiment with getting some of them gold plated (I’m one of the people in the world who still loves yellow gold – and I’m sure there are a few more!) The process of getting sterling silver thickly gold-plated is called Vermeil – so expect to see some examples soon

Just a reminder – The I Heart Market is coming up again soon – 4 February, and the Wonder Market in Umhlanga is the next day..

I’ve also been busy with some more custom orders – take a look at some pics below

I really do love to do custom orders – I love the challenge, the design work, and just creating something unique! As a jeweller – it’s sometimes difficult to come up with a new topic, so when one is given, it’s great to just go with it!

Anyhow – hope everyone has a fantastic week – and to all in the Northern Hemisphere: I envy you sooo much – my brain is frying in this heat! (I will have to go through this thoroughly again, just to make sure I have made sense!) Megs xx

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I Heart Market Moses Mabhida Stadium!

So, as most Durbanites should have heard by now – the I Heart Market is moving to our new home tomorrow – outside the Moses Mabhida Stadium!

This is pretty exciting news – for one, it means the market just keeps growing & growing, and 2 – hopefully we’ll get new customers through, which is always wonderful!

The great thing about the stadium (built for last year’s soccer world cup) would have to be its proximity.. It’s close to the beachfront – so folks enjoying their morning wander along the promenade can just wander a few feet further, and do some awesome shopping! It’s also close to the 2 Virgin active gyms, and a bunch of restaurants – and is very easily accessible for those in the North of Durban!

I’ve been busy making up a span of new items, which I’m super happy with – check out some pics below:

These pendants are sterling silver, blackened & polished, with a tiny half jump ring to the back that the chain runs through.. I have a little squirrel one I made for myself and – seriously – I haven’t taken it off since I made it! (about a month ago) Not even to bath!!

Here are some earrings I made up last week..

These are based on the design of Perspex ones I previously made up – and I wanted to challenge myself and see if they could be made in silver.. Turns out, with lots of hard work, they can!
I love the fact that these look delicate (and they are lightweight) but as the metal is fairly thick, and very strong, they are about 5 times sturdier than the Perspex versions! And so pretty and shiny!!

So – I hope to see lots of Durban people at the market tomorrow.. The tent will be up as usual (in case of rain, which is highly normal at this time of year!) – and don’t forget all the yummy goodies there are too – brekkie rolls, fabulous coffee, my favourite cupcakes (just ask Melanie – I am the most ardent customer!), and hopefully macaroons too!
Plus – sigh – I saw the first Christmas goodies in Woolies yesterday, which means it’s just round the corner – so it’s a good idea to start doing a little Christmas shopping now, so you won’t hurt your wallet so much in December!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! I’m off to Joburg next week for a course, and to visit my mom – very excited! Lots of Love, Megs xx

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New Stockist & Some Finished Orders..

Hi all! Hope everyone’s having a good week I’m pretty busy with orders and, alas, paperwork – ack!

Just wanted to give a heads up to folks in Cape Town – I’m sending off new stock for the new Fringe Arts shop in Kloof Street (99B) – so it should hopefully be in store by the weekend.. Please tell your friends, or go check it out – Prices are good, and some of my new stuff is really cool, if I may say so myself! Here’s a peek at some of the jewellery:

And don’t my new tags just look lovely?!!

In other news – I’ve been busy doing some private orders, and thought I’d share a few pics.. This first one is a custom ear cuff I did for Ilana via twitter (@MymindisAlice) – I think it turned out very prettily

Then I did some items for extended family (sister in law’s sister in law, if you must know!!) 2 pendants for guys – 1 featuring a kung fu broadsword, and the other a cutout speargun.. Pretty cool for guys, I think!

I’ve also been doing some custom work via etsy – take a look at these cute airplane themed items I made up:

So, I’ve been pretty busy – now need to replenish stock on my starbright silver store, with all my geeky items – my hubby says sales are good because comic-con is coming up soon! Maybe next year we’ll get to join you folks in San Diego – the saving starts now!!

Hope you all have a great rest of the week.. Love Megs xx

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New Starbright Girl Stock

So, as an independent business owner, I have been working my rear end off – trying to make up lots of new stock, and fulfill orders.. Feel like I’m doing well on both fronts, just a few more orders to finish up, and stock to finish off to send to shops – yay!

Here’s a sneak peek at some of my new items:

The newest ones here are from what I’m calling my African Flora Hearts Range – featuring lovely aloes, strelitzias, proteas, gardenias etc – that we find in our gardens here! (Especially love the aloes with the orange flowers that are in bloom everywhere here in Kwazulu Natal right now!) These pendants are R350 each (each individually hand cut and made, not cast!) – but I’m selling the chains separately.. (PS – Hearts can be customised for just a little extra – look at the lovely swirly heart I made up for aHadeda on twitter)

Next up – I made a whole bunch of cute little earrings up, especially for the I heart Market this Saturday (more on that to follow)

I found a stunning strand of mixed heart gemstone beads – quartz, agate etc – and mixed and matched to create these super cute dangly earrings.. Each heart is about 4-5mm across, so these just add a splash of colour to your ears!

Then, I watched the Runaways a while back, and loved Joan Jett’s star necklace – so decided to make my own punky version:

It’s just a plain, highly polished silver star, on a chunky, faceted silver anchor chain – but it looks awesome on!

A little more news about the market this month – as the DLI hall is being taken over by the Durban July (big annual horse race for non-local folks!) – we’re heading to the beachfront As we all know, the Durban beachfront was fantastically upgraded for the Soccer World Cup last year, so I’m looking forward to seeing the I heart Market in this new (temporary) venue! The market is open both this and next weekend, but I’ll just be there this and next Saturday..

So – any Durban folks not getting glammed up for the July – come and enjoy the winter weather (hah – today it’s a chilly 22 degrees celcius!) at the beachfront – and for those at the July – better see you next week! Have a wonderful rest of your week, and weekend all! Love Megan xx

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And the winner of the Silver Heart Pendant is…

Sandika Kishoorilall!

So – I used a true random number generator, which gave me number 41.. I scrolled down to 41 on the comments list – and it was Sandika

I have contacted Sandika via email, so will wait for her address, so I can send off her prize

Many thanks to all of you who entered – and for all your great feedback! I will be taking it all into account when making up new stock..

Speaking of new stock – I am very busy making up stock for shops in Cape Town, then have a long list of orders to complete – but as soon as those are done, will be making up LOADS of new stock for my etsy shops! Can’t wait to show you guys my new designs – inspired by some of the fantastic plants and trees we get growing in this beautiful country.. (But all with a Starbright Girl touch!)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Love Megs xx

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Custom Initial Pendant Special & more

So – just wanted to blog a little about exciting news – as of next month, I will be working on my jewellery fulltime – sharing a studio with Nicky Savage – and working like a mad thing on new designs, and on getting stock into more shops! I’ll also be able to do more custom orders – hurray!

So – to celebrate, I have decided to run a little special – on a sterling silver hand cut initial pendant (your choice of letter & gemstone – garnet, blue topaz, aquamarine or rose quartz star) – for R220! (and with silver on the rise, this is a good deal!)

Email me at megan@starbrightgirl.com to order

If you’re not based in South Africa, you can order one via Etsy – here’s the link: http://www.etsy.com/listing/74463052/sterling-silver-custom-initial-pendant

In other news – the next I Heart Market is almost here – here’s a look at the amazing new poster (aren’t they always wonderful!) – hope to see lots of Durban folks there!

So – that’s all my news – will write next about the upcoming exhibition at Artisan Gallery (and will hopefully have pics to show off!), as well as possibly having an open day at my new studio premises!

Have a wonderfully nice weekend all! Megs xx

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News & Updates

First of all – hi all – hope your last few weeks of public holidays have been awesome

For all Durban-based peoples – the I Heart Market is this Saturday, and I will be there with lovely new goodies! It’s just always worth it – great food (mmm – cupcakes AND macaroons now!), good tunes (via the Unit 11 DJs) – and a good time to be had. Oh, and did I mention, Sunday is Mother’s Day – hint hint people!

Next up – yup – I have FINALLY updated my website! I think it’s looking quite spiffy now, with a background and everything (html is haaaard!) – let me know what you think!

And now – onto some new goodies – been working like a busy bee to get these ready for the market

These are just some of my new pretty things – so many more to come! Hope to see lots of you this Saturday Love Megs xx

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