A new adventure for 2012.
Hi, I'm Leigh. I'm 37 and have had Fibromyalgia for
longer than I care to remember.
At the start of 2012 I made a decision, a decision to
stop being Fibromyalgia and start being me again.
Since I was a child I was always a hands on creative
person. Not much of a drawer or painter, though I dabbled at times. But give me
a piece of clay, wire, beads, glue, even wood and I was happy to sit for hours
"creating". My grandfather
nurtured my talents, allowed me to spend hours in his workshop with scraps of
wood, taught me to use tools, had the patience of a saint (and scared the hell
out of my Nan when he let me use the electric drill, or had my climbing ladders
to sit on the flat roof with him, while he fixed the guttering).
In my 20's I spent 3 yrs studying, as a mature student,
specialising in Ceramics, but sadly, due to my health, that passion is simply
no longer feasible for me.
So I turned my hand to card making. Unfortunately, I am too much of a
perfectionist and put so much time and materials into my cards I simply couldn't
make them pay. Also, my deteriorating
health meant I no longer had the ability to grip certain tools. I became angry, frustrated and gave up.
So for 5 years I sat back, played on-line computer games,
and became my diagnosis.
Christmas 2011, I was bought the most beautiful beaded Amethyst
necklace. I loved it. I had become more and more interested in semi
precious stones and healing crystals since meeting my Reiki Master (I am
attuned at level 1) and best friends Simon and Kate. I felt drawn to many of the crystals and was
learning all about their properties.
Unfortunately, the necklace had been badly strung, so we took it back to
the jewellers to ask if they could do something about it. A long story short, and after repeatedly
explaining that all I wanted was to have it restrung, I was met with negativity, a host of abuse and
was told that I was no longer welcome in that store. I got my money back and left, in tears.
That was it - the turning point - I took myself off to
several local antique stores and craft shops and spent the money on a selection
of amethyst beads and a few other items, with the intention of making my own necklace.
That was January 2012.
As I write this it is June 18th 2012 and I still don't have a beaded
amethyst necklace. What I do have, however,
is a new found passion for jewellery making.
A hobby I hope to develop into a long term business venture, and most
importantly, a way to bring pleasure to people, myself included.
All my jewellery and accessories are made using semi
precious gems, many with healing properties.
I offer Reiki charging on every item at no extra cost.
My range currently includes, Mobile Phone Charms, Key and
Bag Charms, Bracelets and Earrings. I
also make hand wrapped pendants containing healing crystals, and I am slowly practising
and developing techniques for producing a variety of necklace styles.
The majority of items are made using jewellery quality
silver plated copper, nickel free/low nickel, in accordance with UK laws, and
surgical steel for those with sensitive ears.
This keeps the cost of the items to an affordable price for both myself
and my customers. I am branching out
into sterling silver for some pieces and I am happy to use it on commissions,
if requested.
In 2011 I also discovered Twitter and Fibroduck. Fibroduck is a fantastic organisation helping
to raise awareness of Fibromyalgia, M.E & CFS. I spent months trying to find a way that I
could help towards their fund-raising efforts.
In 2012 I found it.
I produce "Ducky" Keyrings and "Angels of
Hope" phone charms and earrings.
Each item has a portion of its cost donated to FibroDuck Fibromyalgia
Research.
"Angel of Hope" Phone Charms: Made from a
variety of gemstones:
Cost £3.00 with 50p donated to Fibroduck
"Angel of Hope" Earrings: Made from a variety
of gemstones:
Cost £6.00 with £1.00 donated to Fibroduck
"Ducky" Key rings Made with Hematite and
Citrine - Limited edition (only 10 made):
Cost £7.00 with £1.50 donated to Fibroduck
The "Ducky" Key rings can also be a made in
alternative colours on request.
Images:
For details of all my other items, commissions and
photographs please visit me at:
http://www.facebook.com/FidgityDigits
or e-mail: Fibrography@yahoo.co.uk
As a side - I am also a very keen photographer and have
prints on sale here:
You can also see more of my photography here: FLIKR
