more photos of Ireland for anyone who is interested in seeing more of what this beautiful island is like!

Here are some photos of Inish Mor, Aran Islands, Ireland

I travel to Bali, Indonesia to source the astonishingly ornate sterling silver beads that are a feature of many of my pieces. I wanted to attach a few photos of my travels there to give you an idea of what its like, to anyone who is interested!

Shadow puppets, Ubud Market, Bali, Indonesia. (Above).

Photo credit: Belinda Jackson, journalist www.globalsalsa.com

Balinese Statue

Photo credit: Belinda Jackson, journalist www.globalsalsa.com

Ubud Market, mother and son

Photo credit: Belinda Jackson, journalist www.globalsalsa.com

Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali

Photo credit: Belinda Jackson, journalist www.globalsalsa.com

Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali

Photo credit: Belinda Jackson, journalist www.globalsalsa.com

Beautiful Indonesian girl named Aya.

Photo credit: Belinda Jackson, journalist www.globalsalsa.com

my lovely Javanese friend Zitni

My little Luka, sitting on a komodo dragon in Monkey Forest, Udud, Bali, Indonesia.

Hope you’ve enjoyed the photographs!

more photographs of Ireland for my International visitors….

some photos for my international visitors!

Karen Hill Tribe Silver

The Thai beads and pendants I use in my jewellery creations are made by the Karen Hill Tribe in northern Thailand using traditional tribal methods passed down from generation to generation. Purchasing these Thai beads helps sustain a traditional craft and provides the Karen people with a reliable source of income. The silver content in our Hill Tribes silver beads and pendants is typically 95-99%, even higher than sterling (92.5%). This higher silver content is softer and therefore easier to shape into all the unique and wonderful styles. On close inspection you will notice that no two pieces are exactly alike, attesting to the handmade nature of these beautiful pieces.

Here are some further examples of their work, some of which is available for sale at my stalls, or incorporated into my designs.

My favorite piece- a very feminine shape!

A selection of Hilltribe silver pendants from my stall.

A Thai temple in the moonlight. Bangkok, Thailand.

I wanted to share some photos with you of my travels to Thailand, my visit to the Karen Hilltribe village near Pai, Chang Mai. I source my Hilltribe silver- used in many of my jewellery creations- directly from them in my travels. I am always amazed and delighted at the intricate and ethnic designs which they create out of pure silver, handcrafted up in the mountains, with rustic tools and surroundings. (see tomorrow’s post for some photos of the silversmiths, some samples of my favorite pieces, and more general information about Hilltribe silver.)

My sister Sairah Tyler (on the right) and I, (Courtney Tyler) visiting a Hilltribe village near Pai, Chang Mai, Northern Thailand.

….curious eyes….

Cooking dinner. The hard way!!

A Karen Hill tribe woman weaving a scarf.

Joy, the elephant.