New from Finding Foreverness... customised rings

Finding Foreverness have brought lots of new rings into Bird's Yard recently, including a made to order range. Handmade in Sheffield, the sterling silver rings come in a range of finishes, settings and stones.

Featuring the Orbital Lab design, the rings can be ordered in your size as well as choosing from these options:

Choice of stones:

• green peridot
• purple amethyst
• red garnet
• blue topaz 
• orange citrine

Choice of finishes:

• polished
• oxidised/black
• matte/brushed
• hammered and oxidised

Choice of settings:

• tube
• prong

Orbital Lab ring with purple amethyst, hammered and oxidised finish, prong setting.

Finding Forevereness were inspired by space and time for creating their Orbital Lab design:

 "Themed around transformation, this collection explores the powers of space and time.  Maybe the twin circles set in motion transcend time and disappear. Maybe it reappears on another finger somewhere!? Or maybe its quite content simply being stylishly stationed."

Citrine stone in an oxidised/black finish with prong setting with a topaz in the polished finish with prong setting.

The rings cost £60, can be ordered in Bird's Yard and are ready to collect in 1-7 days.

Meet Shadow Crafts...

Handmade in Sheffield, Shadow Crafts' simple and stylish accessories are always popular with our customers. With a repertoire including leather jewellery, bags and the ancient skill of tatting, Sarah Marshall's work provides style, colour and texture for a multitude of tastes. Here we find out a little more about her influences and why she loves selling with Bird's Yard....

Some of Shadow Crafts' leather jewellery available in Bird's Yard

 

What inspired your jewellery and accessories?

Being inspired by a love of natural materials and fabrics, I make many items such as leather jewellery, purses and bracelets. The unique character and texture of each hide means no two pieces are the same. I am constantly finding new ideas for products as leather is such a versatile medium. I learnt my trade from my father who has been a leather worker for years making accessories for his passion; archery. I remember, from growing up, the lovely smell of leather from his work room. 

I also make jewellery from pure natural threads using an old technique called tatting. I have always loved to knit and crochet and tatting is a very similar craft to learn. I love the delicate designs it creates.

Why did you choose to sell your work in Bird's Yard?

I came across Bird's Yard when I was looking for new job and maybe a way to turn my making into a business. At that time I was just crafting for fun, selling a few items here and there. I approached Michelle (the owner) at Bird's Yard and started selling my items in a small display box. 

The reasonable rates were the deciding factor for me as other shops with a similar set up were only renting out larger areas which seemed too much of a gamble for me starting out. I have since moved on from the small box and now have two shelves and I am selling a wider variety of items. I have Michelle, and a lot of the other designers, to thank for much of my success as they have given me invaluable tips, feedback and advice that has enabled me to progress and improve my display and items.

Tatted jewellery handmade in Sheffield by Shadow Crafts

How has selling in Bird's Yard helped you?

Working in the shop has helped me gain an insight into customers' views and opinions which is helpful when planning future product ideas. For example I am working on some new items that customers and other designers have suggested. I have been working on larger, more demanding projects like leather tote bags, handbags and journals. 

Leather accessories handmade by Shadow Crafts

 

Whose work do you admire most in the shop?

There are lots of great designers in Bird's Yard. I love the semi precious stone jewellery from You Earth Ash, the fused glass jewellery from Claudia Latini and the silver jewellery from Shapeshifter Designs. 

You Earth Ash jewellery - one of Sarah's favourites in Bird's Yard

You can find a range of Sarah's designs in Bird's Yard as well as being able to enquire about custom pieces.

New Arrivals: Mia Peony Spring Jewellery

Designed in Sheffield, Mia Peony's jewellery is always a popular choice with our customers. As well as their Sheffield range featuring the photos of Charlotte Newton, Mia Peony have lots of colourful pieces in different shapes and patterns.

Joining some of their existing jewellery are these bunny designs and spring spots and stripes.

Bunnies...

These hoping bunny stud earrings are a new design from Mia Peony

More colours are now available in these bunny necklaces. Each is double sided featuring complementary colours.

These kilt pin brooches are perfect for adding a little spring to an outfit.

Spring Spots and Stripes...

Tiny stripy studs are now back in stock from Mia Peony.

More designs of hair grips have joined Mia Peony's collection

Colourful striped bracelet from Mia Peony

How it's Made: Shadow Crafts Leather Clutch Bags

One of the things we love about what we do at Bird's Yard is supporting local Sheffield designers who make their items by hand rather than as mass produced pieces. Don't get us wrong, not everything in the shop is handmade, we have a mix of handmade and otherwise from independent designers - it'd be difficult to make some things all by hand, we're thinking books and vintage pieces for a start!  But lots are handmade and offer our customers unique and special pieces - something they tell us they love.

Shadow Crafts are one of the designers who work by hand making leather accessories including wrist bands, earrings, watches and these leather clutch bags. Here they share how they go about creating the beautiful bags...

Looking After Lips...

When the weather's cold, the wind's blowing and the heating's on, lips can suffer and become dry and sore. Luckily all three of our Sheffield based skincare brands have some solutions for just this problem!

As lips don't have any oil glands of their own, they need looking after with rich balms to hydrate them. Commercially made ones often contain petroleum which is often blamed for actually drying out lips more as it acts as a sealant rather than a mosturiser. However, our skin care brands - Our Tiny Bees; Lovely Cosmetics; and Nathalie Bond Organics - all use natural alternatives to keep your lips looking (and feeling) good all day.

Our Tiny Bees 

A mix of honey, beeswax and almond oil, this balm contains only natural ingredients that are good for you lips. The oil and wax provide moisture and the honey helps retain that softness.

Lip balm tin- £3.95

Lovely Cosmetics

Another balm that also only uses 3 natural ingredients - shea butter for moisture; vanilla infused sweet almond oil for hydration; and blossom honey from The Sheffield Honey Company to seal in the moisture.

Lovely Cosmetics also have a Peppermint Lip Conditioner available. 

Lip balm pot - £5

Nathalie Bond Organics

Containing only natural botanic ingredients, Nathalie Bond Organics lip balm comes in a range of 'flavours'. All contain cocoa butter; castor oil; jojoba and olive oils; and calendula. Here's why they've chosen them in their own words:

"Cocoa Butter - A wonderful moisturiser that is high in fatty acids that help improve skin moisture retention and elasticity, it hydrates the skin leaving it feeling soft and supple. Cocoa butter is also a great source of antioxidants, which help combat free radicals and help save your skin from the signs of ageing and environmental stressors.

Castor Oil - A thick and sticky cold pressed oil that helps to lock in moisture, protect the skin and prevent damage by the elements and environmental toxins.

Peppermint Essential Oil - A clean and fresh scented essential oil that is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves. It is used in aromatherapy to stimulate the mind, increase mental agility and to improve focus."

Lip balm tin- £5

Just Preserves Marmalade Muffins - recipe

All of Just Preserves' tasty jams, marmalades, chutneys and preserves are made right here in Sheffield by the very talented Matt Hulley. You can find a whole range of flavours on Bird's Yard's shelves including a variety of marmalades which Matt used to create this tempting recipe.

Two of  Just Preserves' marmalades flavours at Bird's Yard.

If you can spare some from spreading it on your toast, why not try making these Sheffield made marmalade muffins in a recipe from Matt himself?

Ingredients

175g plain flour
25g porridge oats, plus bit extra for sprinkling at end
175g soft brown sugar, light
1 tsp baking powder
half tsp bicarb. of soda
zest and juice of 1 orange
1 tbsp sunflower oil
150g plain yogurt
1 large egg
9 tsp Just Preserves Marmalade

1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/ gas 6 and line a muffin tin with 9 paper cases. 
2. Combine flour, oats, sugar, baking powder and bicarb in a bowl. Whisk the orange zest and juice, oil, yogurt and egg together with a fork, then lightly stir the 2 mixtures together until just combined.
3. Spoon 1 tbsp of the mixture into each muffin case, top with 1 tsp of Just Preserves (I used thin cut) marmalade, then cover with the remaining muffin mix and a sprinkling of oats. 
4. Bake for approx. 20 mins until cooked through (stick a knife in, if it comes out clean with no mixture on it then they're done).

These are not too sweet but are still a great treat!

A guide to gemstones in Bird's Yard

With lots of different gemstones in jewellery from our talented independent designers, it's often difficult to choose which one to go for. As well as picking your favourite colours and style of the jewellery they're in, here are some other little insights for you in our guide to gemstones you'll find in Bird's Yard...

(Please note some of these jewellery pieces are unique so might not always be in stock in the shop)

Amethyst

Colour: a range of purples from light mauve to deep, rich tones

Associated with: protecting against drunkenness (which is where the name amethyst comes from); bringing balance and peace

Birthstone for: February

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by You Earth Ash; Lily King; Claudia Latini Jewellery; Finding Foreverness

Amethyst necklace by You Earth Ash in Bird's Yard. £10

Amethyst slab necklace by You Earth Ash in Bird's Yard. £20

Silver and amethyst ring by Finding Foreverness at Bird's Yard. £75

Prehnite

Colour: shades of greens and yellow with some brown and white tones too

Associated with: stimulating inner knowledge and analytical thinking

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Nanfan Jewellery; Shapeshifter Design

Prehnite earrings by Shapeshifter Design.

Labradorite

Colour: pale to deep blues, greens and greys with iridescent flashes

Associated with: calming the wearer and bringing out their best qualities; Labradorite is a highly mystical and protective stone, it works on all areas of the mind and body increasing energy and clarifying thought processes; transformation and reflection.

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Nanfan Jewellery; Shapeshifter Design

Sterling silver labradorite ring by Nanfan Jewellery at Bird's Yard. £24

Labradorite and pearl earrings and necklace set by Shapeshifter Design at Bird's Yard.

Citrine

Colour: yellow and amber (citrine is a form of quartz that gets its colour from the presence of iron)

Associated with: historically in medicine with removing toxins and aiding digestion. Promoting creativity and clarity.
Birthstone for: one of November's birthstones

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Your Earth Ash

Citrine choker by You Earth Ash at Bird's Yard. £15

Carnelian

Colour: orange-reds to deep red which it gets from the presence of iron oxide

Associated with: stimulating creativity and creating positive energy

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Nanfan Jewellery; Shapeshifter Design

Carnelian clip on earrings by Claudia Latini at Bird's Yard. £11.25

Carnelian earrings by Shapeshifter Design at Bird's Yard.

Aquamarine

Colour: pale to deep blues

Associated with: a long and happy marriage; mental peace and clarity
Birthstone for: March

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Nanfan Jewellery

Aquamarine hoop earrings by Nanfan Jewellery at Bird's Yard

Garnet

Colour: all colours except blue - though it's usually deep red (it's named after the Latin word for pomegranate)

Associated with: love and passion; promoting self confidence
Birthstone for: January

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Nanfan Jewellery

Garnet twist ring by Nanfan Jewellery at Bird's Yard. £24

Rose Quartz

Colour: soft pinks

Associated with: being a cleanser and energiser

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by You Earth Ash

Rose quartz nugget necklaces by You Earth Ash at Bird's Yard. £5 each

Topaz

Colour: yellow, pink, green or blue

Associated with: happiness and true friendship
Birthstone for: one of the stones for November

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Nanfan Jewellery

Topaz sterling silver twist ring by Nanfan Jewellery at Bird's Yard.

Moonstone

Colour: whites and creams with iridescent tones

Associated with: strengthening feminine qualities. There's a tradition that if you give your true love a gift of moonstone during a full moon you'll stay together forever.

Birthstone for: one of June's birthstones

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Lily King

Moonstone bracelet by Lily King in Bird's Yard. £30

Smoky Quartz

Colour: smoky browns

Associated with: dissipating blocked energy & negativity; enhancing awareness and dreams.

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Shapeshifter Designs

 

Jasper

Colour: red, yellow, brown or green earthy colours

Associated with: balance and stability for grounding and stimulating; promoting dynamic actions; helping in times of stress.

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Nanfan Jewellery; Shapeshifter Designs

Jasper earrings by Nanfan Jewellery at Bird's Yard.

Chalcedony

(pronounced - cal-said-nee)

Colour: pale grey, blue, green (although other stones are forms of chalcedony and are other colours such as agate, carnelian and onyx)

Associated with: negating negative feelings and improving stamina

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Shapeshifter Design; Nanfan Jewellery; Lily King

Blue chalcedony bangle by Lily King at Bird's Yard. £16

Chalcedony earrings by Shapeshifter Design at Bird's Yard Sheffield.

Pyrite
 Colour: golden yellows (also known as 'fools gold')

Associated with: protecting against negative energy; stimulating the intellect

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Shapeshifter Design


Amber

Colour: yellow, oranges, reds and browns
Rather than a gemstone, amber is actually a fossilised resin that's at least 2 million years old

Associated with: good luck and success; protection

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Nanfan Jewellery; Claudia Latini Jewellery

Raw amber nugget earrings by Nanfan Jewellery at Bird's Yard.

Agate

Colour: various

Associated with: relieving stress; protection from bad dreams if placed under a pillow

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by You Earth Ash; Nanfan Jewellery; Claudia Latini Jewellery

Moss agate copper wrapped earrings by Nanafan Jewellery at Bird's Yard.

Pink agate slice necklace by You Earth Ash at Bird's Yard. £15

Peridot

Colour: pale to deep green depending on the amount of iron present

Associated with: prosperity, growth and openness
Birthstone for: August

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Nanfan Jewellery

Turquoise

Colour: blues and blue-greens

Associated with: strength and peace
Birthstone for: one of December's birthstones

Find it in Bird's Yard: in jewellery by Nanfan Jewellery; You earth Ash; Claudia Latini Jewellery

Turquoise sterling silver ring by Nanfan Jewellery at Bird's Yard.

Sterling silver and turquoise necklace by Claudia Latini at Bird's Yard. £21