9 Carat Rolled Gold Stud Earrings from Hoolala

9 Carat Rolled Gold Anatomical Skull Charm Stud Earrings Handmade by Hoolala

These Victorian anatomical skull pictures were originally found in one of my antique encyclopedias. I love using unusual images and ideas in Hoolala jewellery and I have set them into rolled gold studs which is a sheet of thin gold rolled onto a brass base. They measure about 12mm across the face.

Vintage Treasures

Some days you just find a haul which you remember for years. Today's flea market adventures were one of those fabulous days.

I found so many lovely sellers with some really unusual treasures. The first of which was a little silver spade I thought it might just be sterling - it is plated - still a fabulous object.

The next was a wish bone pendant which did turn out to be sterling silver! The last is a little compass which I think is made from Bakelite.

Personalized Charm Necklace from Hoolala

I love personalised jewellery. There is something quite magical about wearing a charm with the words of a your favourite song, poem, passage from a book or even a portrait of someone you admire.

I have a particular affection for characters from history and carry one of Bram Stoker with me on important business! Here are a couple of commissions I have created for 2 customers. One of whom loved John Denver and the song Whispering Jessie.

Alternative Christmas Crackers from The Hoolala Circus

I love decorating trees especially at Christmas and I don't think you have to spend a fortune to make them look brilliant for the festive season.

Last year I decorated our Christmas Tree with little recycled paper envelopes full for treats from The Hoolala Circus. Everyone had lots of fun opening them and reading out the jokes and wearing the charms - it was much more fun making and opening them rather than Christmas crackers. You could even fill your own crackers with handmade goodies instead of the little plastic toys which seems to get cheaper and less elaborate every year.

I am creating several tutorials on 'how to make and do' they will be very easy to follow and enjoyable to make. All you will need are some old books or magazines and a selection of nice surprises either handmade or vintage can be just as exciting. Watch this space.

Little Box of Vintage Treasures from Hoolala

I have collected these little boxes of treasures since I was tiny. Sometimes I would draw treasure maps after I had buried them under hedges and in woods near our farm - then see if I could find them again years later.

These little tins of vintage charms are tiny snap shots of the inside of pockets, grannies button tin, tiny drawers full of odd buttons, broken earrings and colored string.

The Hoolala Studio is full of these tiny relics just waiting to be made into something new. Perhaps you have your own box of vintage treasures you would like made into your own custom piece? If you drop me a line I would be glad to discuss a design with you. Click on the link and drop me a line via my Etsy shop.

1970's Vintage Swiss Cocktail Watch from Hoolala Vintage

I have been saving these babies up for Christmas and they are all in fabulous vintage condition ticking away in the studio waiting for new owners. Roll up, roll up and grab yourself a piece of 1970's vintage.

Solid Sterling Silver 925 Dictionary Pendants from Hoolala

This is a vintage dictionary definition of the word Mastodon part of The Secret Museum Collection from Hoolala. It is one of a kind and made from solid hallmarked sterling silver.

The Company of Wolves Charm Necklace

The Company of Wolves Charm Necklace from Hoolala

The best piece of advice I can remember came from one of my favourite films. 'Never stray from the path, never eat a windfall apple and never trust a man whose eyebrows meet in the middle.'

I grew up in the middle of the countryside amidst fields and woods which were soaked in local myth, legend and folklore. This story still remains one of my most memorable tales from childhood the image of Little Red setting off through the dark forest with her basket of goodies for Grandmother. The Company of Wolves is also in the Hoolala Studio top ten films because it is such a fabulous amalgamation of folk tales and the special effects still entertain even 25 years later. I especially love the part where the wolf head falls into the pail of milk and then turns back into a man's head.

'My Grandma what big teeth you have...' said Red Riding Hood
'All the better to eat you with my dear.'

Little Red Riding Hood is basically a cautionary tale about men. So remember... 'Sweetest tongue has sharpest tooth' and the worst kind of wolf is hairy on the inside and when they bite you they drag you with them to hell...

The Company of Wolves was directed by Neil Jordan and written by Angela Carter

Nature Boy

Hoolala Jewellery and Frippery 

There was a boy

A very strange enchanted boy

They say he wandered very far, very far

Over land and sea

A little shy

And sad of eye

But very wise

Was he

And then one day

A magic day he passed my way

And while we spoke of many things, fools and kings

This he said to me

"The greatest thing

You'll ever learn

Is just to love

And be loved

In return"