It's been a long silence from me - apologies! First the rush of pre-Christmas commissions, then a few days in Germany, then back just in the nick of time to panic about that little festival you might have noticed was happening last month - what was it called again? Chirsmas? Crimas?

Anyway, the studio is positively freezing, but I'll be listing a few goodies later tonight, including this necklace - I made the beads for it before my holiday, but only now got to wire it up. I've also posted the poem it's based on, although I'm sure many of you will recognise it.

Happy New Year to you all - may it bring only good news, exciting adventures and lucky coincidences. May you be healthy and safe, and may you have everything you need, and a little bit extra for luxury :o)

Warning

by Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat that doesn't go and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only eat bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers

But maybe I ought to practise a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old and start to wear purple.