Over the past few weeks, I have been checking in, reading and admiring the fabulous blogs by fellow jewellery makers, beaders, and artists Etsy crafters all over the world.
I just had to start blogging! So finally, after my usual period of skillful procrastination, here is my first posting!
I just had to start blogging! So finally, after my usual period of skillful procrastination, here is my first posting!
I've seen some wonderful pictures of spring flowers on other blogs, and bloggers' local landscapes waking up and beginning to blossom after the prolonged gloom of winter. For me, there's nothing quite like the natural world to inspire creativity. So I am launching my shiny new Glasswing Jewellery blog with some pictures of spring flowers from this tiny Cornish Peninsula, our home down at the foot of the UK.
The mild climate here in West Penwith is unique in the British Isles, and allows some really gorgeous subtropical plants to thrive. Palm trees line the streets, bananas grow around stately homes, and our gardens are blessed with exotic plants that would simply perish in the frosts further north. There's even a Cornish Palm!
Just a short drive from our doorstep is the wonderful Trengwainton Gardens, bisected by a crystal clear stream rushing under pooh stick bridges and over miniature waterfalls. To the right is a series of sheltered walled gardens and to the left are unusual subtropical woodlands currently carpeted with bluebells.
Once you reach the far corner of the gardens, there are the most beautiful views across the Bay.
The gardens are officially home to some of the finest examples of magnolias, rhododendrons, and camellias in the country.
I have never seen such gigantic magnolia trees anywhere else, some are so big, other trees grow halfway up their trunks. My neighbour told me the magnolia with the widest girth grows there, quite an achievement ~ and the fragrance WOW!
It was another gloriously sunny day yesterday, so we decided to visit the gardens. This time I grabbed my camera, a little point and shoot 6 megapixel Ricoh Caplio R4, my 2 year old son (who thankfully needs no persuading to walk around the gardens inspecting the flowers ), and most importantly enough money for a cuppa and cakes at the tearooms.
We had a lovely afternoon, and here are the pictures.
I hope you find these buds and blooms as inspiring as I do!
We had a lovely afternoon, and here are the pictures.
I hope you find these buds and blooms as inspiring as I do!
Some of them really look like fabulous pieces of jewellery!
