Little things matter ...

It is true little things can make all the difference - to your day, your mood,your work. Of course usually when you think of little things that make a difference you think of a smile from a stranger or the perfect cup of coffee in the morning. I wanna talk about things that are literally small that make a big difference. Behold the necklace below ...

It looks ok so far right? Well the pendant part is good but that bead chain leaves a bit to be desired if you ask me. And I did. Ask me I mean. It is a little bland and dahlings we simply don't do bland. I knew I had to create something a little more dramatic to be in keeping with the pendant but I really wanted to use those blue glass beads. I decided to add beadcaps. That meant making the little suckers of course. sigh.

Here they are cut out and domed. Next they need to be filed. And drilled. And then polished. All by hand of course. more sighing.

Nice and shiny and tidy - now they are ready to use.

See how the caps enhance these lovely lapis coloured vintage beads? They look quite substantial.

And see how they add to the overall style of the piece? It was worth all that fiddling about I reckon and just goes to show that little things can make a big difference.

I am very happy to say that all the components on this piece are 100% handmade by moi. I have used reclaimed pewter (hand cut and some cast), vintage glass beads, recycled sterling silver, carnelian and vintage tin. It makes me think of Scheherazade and her tales. 
Now with regard to other little things - here is a little poem for you. It was penned by Julia Fletcher Carney in 1845.

Little Things.

Little drops of water,

Little grains of sand,

Make the mighty ocean

And the pleasant land.

So the little moments,

Humble though they be,

Make the mighty ages

Of Eternity.

So the little errors

Lead the soul away

From the paths of virtue

Far in sin to stray.

Little deeds of kindness,

Little words of love,

Help to make earth happy,

Like the Heaven above.

... and good coffee really helps too!