Florentine Inspiration

Anyone who has visited Italy will probably recognise some of these beautiful traditionally- inspired designs from the stationary sets that can be bought as souvenirs in the gift shops. In my Etsy store - The Paper Tree - you can choose from a range of these gorgeous papers in large 50 x 70cm sheets to use as gift wrapping, but also in a wide range of crafts such as bookbinding, box making, origami, decoupage, scrapbooking - and many more!

The paper is lovely quality, weighing approx 80gsm, so is strong but still flexible enough to use in your craft projects. I also sell them in handy 6" x 6" sample packs so you can try a selection of your choice without buying a whole sheet. Perfect too for smaller projects such as card making and collage!

As well as traditional patterns there are also some more contemporary designs such as this stunning peacock feather paper, which is highlighted with soft gold as many of these gorgeous papers are. It also happens to be my best seller!

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Forget-Me-Nots - Sapphire and Pearl Bracelet

I decided that this year I would try to diversify a little and do some different pieces, rather than just earrings! This is quite a simple piece design-wise - but involved many, many hours of patient coiling and wrapping!!

I made the links with sterling wire, soldered together, then coiled with fine wire and wrapped again with tiny peacock freshwater pearls. I attached chain in between the links with more wrapping, then added clusters of peacock pearls, white Swarovski pearls, and gorgeous faceted sapphires.

I have forget-me-nots growing wild in my garden that keep self-seeding each year, I'm never quite sure where they're going to turn up! I'm hoping this piece has the same humble charm :-)